Author: Derick Munoz

Bentley has revealed the EXP15, a striking new design concept that offers a glimpse into the future of the luxury brand’s electric grand tourers. Drawing on the brand’s historical legacy while adopting a bold new direction, the EXP15 combines dramatic design cues, a futuristic aesthetic, and an unusual three-seat configuration. The concept, although not bound for production, signals how Bentley is reimagining its identity ahead of its transition to fully electric models by 2035. The EXP15 blends modern lighting technology and sharp, sculpted lines with nods to Bentley’s storied past, most notably the legendary “Blue Train” Speed Six. The design…

Formula E is poised to extend its exclusive agreement with motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, ensuring it remains the world’s only fully electric racing series sanctioned by the organization well into the future. Originally granted a 25-year license upon its launch in 2014, Formula E’s exclusivity is expected to be reaffirmed through a contract extension. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem indicated during last weekend’s British Grand Prix that the deal had been finalized and would be announced shortly. While Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds told Reuters there was “nothing official” yet, he hinted that significant announcements are expected during the…

Polestar Automotive USA, Inc. has issued a recall for 969 units of its 2025 Polestar 3 SUV to address a potential issue involving water intrusion into electrical connectors. According to a filing with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), water exposure may cause corrosion in the connectors between the engine bay and front bumper harnesses, potentially resulting in a loss of power steering assist. The campaign, listed under NHTSA recall number 25V453000, relates to the vehicle’s electrical system. The manufacturer reported that under certain conditions, water ingress could disrupt electrical signals in the harness, which may lead to…

BYD has unveiled a new variant of its compact electric hatchback, the Seagull Free Edition (自在版), in China. Priced at 78,800 yuan (approximately $10,800 USD), this latest version of the entry-level EV offers extended range, upgraded comfort features, and enhanced safety. The launch coincides with a major milestone—BYD has now surpassed one million cumulative sales of the Seagull since its debut in April 2023. Built on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, the Seagull Free Edition retains the original model’s powertrain, which includes a front-mounted 55 kW electric motor producing 135 Nm of torque. Power comes from a 38.88 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, delivering…

Volvo Trucks has delivered its 5,000th electric truck, a milestone highlighting the Swedish manufacturer’s growing influence in the electric heavy-duty vehicle segment. The company first introduced its battery-electric truck in 2019 and now operates in over 50 countries, where its vehicles have collectively logged more than 100 million miles in commercial operations. Nearly half of those miles have been recorded within the past 14 months, underscoring the increasing pace of adoption and expansion of Volvo’s electric fleet. The achievement comes amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape, as automakers seek to meet decarbonization goals and respond to tightening emissions regulations globally.…

Tesla is preparing to test a virtual queuing system at select Supercharger locations in North America, designed to manage charging order and reduce conflicts among EV drivers at high-demand sites. The system will notify users of their position in line, helping to ensure a fair and orderly process during peak usage. The initiative comes as the Supercharger network sees increasing traffic, driven by both rising Tesla vehicle sales and the company’s move to open its charging infrastructure to electric vehicles from other manufacturers. https://twitter.com/MdeZegher/status/1938315278573834571 While Tesla continues to expand and upgrade its charging stations, certain high-traffic locations occasionally experience issues…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is set to officially launch its new G7 electric SUV on July 3, positioning the vehicle between its existing G6 and flagship G9 models. The launch comes just days after tech giant Xiaomi introduced its first electric SUV, the YU7, to considerable consumer enthusiasm and high initial order volumes. Xpeng’s chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said the G7 combines “cutting-edge technologies and spacious comfort,” targeting a segment of the market looking for advanced features in a smart SUV. In a post on Weibo, Mr. He emphasized the G7’s onboard capabilities, highlighting its integration of three…

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Japan of engaging in “unfair” trade practices in the automobile sector and urged the country to increase imports of U.S. goods, including oil, to help reduce the American trade deficit. His remarks come as Japan seeks to avert a new round of auto tariffs set to take effect next month. In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump said that Japan continues to benefit disproportionately from auto trade with the United States, while limiting access for American vehicles. “They won’t take our cars, and yet we take millions and millions…

Chinese electronics firm Xiaomi said it received 240,000 locked-in orders for its newly launched YU7 electric SUV within 18 hours of the vehicle’s debut on June 26, signaling robust demand for its second entry into the competitive EV market. Buyers were able to secure a YU7 through two methods: a refundable deposit of 5,000 yuan ($700 USD) that becomes locked in after seven days, or a non-refundable 20,000 yuan ($2,800 USD) priority deposit for faster delivery. The company said the latter option had already sold out in the Xiaomi app. Locked-in order figures likely include both priority and manually confirmed…

Electric vehicle maker Rivian has laid off approximately 140 employees, representing about 1% of its global workforce, as part of a broader restructuring initiative aimed at improving manufacturing efficiency ahead of its upcoming R2 SUV. The latest round of job cuts, reported by TechCrunch and confirmed by the company, mainly affected salaried manufacturing staff. A Rivian spokesperson described the move as part of an “ongoing effort to improve operational efficiency for R2,” referencing the automaker’s mid-size electric SUV slated for release in 2026. Employees impacted by the layoffs are being encouraged to apply for other open positions within the company.…

Dutch battery system specialist EST-Floattech has launched new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery modules as part of its Octopus Series, targeting large-scale energy storage for the maritime sector. The addition aims to broaden the company’s offerings for hybrid and electric vessels amid rising interest in LFP technology. Each Octopus LFP module offers a nominal voltage of 52 V and a capacity of 233 Ah. The modules are designed for scalable integration into battery systems with capacities of several megawatt-hours. EST-Floattech says the system is fully compatible with its existing Octopus Series Battery Management System (BMS). “By introducing LFP to our…

Chevron announced its entry into lithium production by acquiring mining rights in the Smackover Formation across Arkansas and Texas, marking a strategic step into critical mineral sourcing for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The U.S.-based oil major has secured approximately 125,000 net acres, equivalent to 50,000 hectares, through agreements with TerraVolta Resources and East Texas Natural Resources. Chevron plans to deploy direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology at these sites to recover lithium from underground brine deposits. “This acquisition represents a strategic investment to support energy manufacturing and expand U.S.-based critical mineral supplies,” said Jeff Gustavson, President of Chevron New Energies. “Establishing…