Author: Floyd Hawkins

Mazda’s Australian division has signaled its continued commitment to diesel powertrains for its BT-50 midsize truck, even as competitors expand into battery-electric and plug-in hybrid offerings. The BT-50 shares its underpinnings with the Isuzu D-Max, which recently introduced a fully electric variant delivering 188 horsepower (140 kW) from dual motors and a WLTP-rated range of 263 km. However, the model comes at a significantly higher price point compared to its diesel counterpart, raising questions about affordability in the segment. Vinesh Bhindi, Managing Director of Mazda Australia, told Drive.com.au that the company is not yet prepared to commit to an electric…

Ola Electric, the Indian electric vehicle maker best known for its S1 scooter, has outlined plans to bring its first high-performance motorcycle, the Diamondhead, to market in 2027, aiming to position itself against established global electric superbike brands. The company revealed the Diamondhead as one of four motorcycle concepts alongside a cruiser, an adventure model, and a naked bike. The sportbike drew the most attention with its sharp, angular design and futuristic fairing. Ola says the model will be powered by its in-house developed 4680 Bharat cell battery pack and a rare-earth-free electric motor, supported by lightweight materials including aluminum,…

Tesla’s flagship Model S sedan may be preparing for a European return after new regulatory filings indicated updated type approval for 2026 model-year versions, suggesting the company has secured certification for refreshed variants. In mid-July, Tesla removed the Model S and Model X from its European online configurator, halting new orders and limiting buyers to existing inventory. The move sparked speculation that the automaker could phase out its premium lineup in the region. https://twitter.com/eivissacopter/status/1956765531572453401 However, regulatory documents shared by X user Julien show revisions to the Model S Long Range and Model S Plaid, including range improvements, a softer suspension,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Farizon has introduced two new variants of its all-electric SV large van: a seven-seat taxi and a multi-passenger Combi. Both models were unveiled at the Hong Kong Auto Expo and are initially available in the Chinese market. Farizon has already secured a 1,000-vehicle order for the SV taxi from Hong Kong taxi operator Big Bee, though no delivery timeline has been specified. The SV taxi is designed with passenger comfort in mind, featuring a 900mm power sliding side door, hidden B-pillar, 408mm cabin step, and rear double doors that open to a 1.78-metre-wide aperture with 630…

Tesla has restructured its wheel and tire protection insurance, shifting from an annual fee to a monthly subscription across its lineup, raising costs for owners seeking coverage against common road hazards. The automaker previously offered a Tire Protection Plan for the Model Y at $55 per year, covering damage from potholes and punctures but excluding cosmetic damage, theft, and vandalism. Tesla has now rolled out the Wheel and Tire Protection Plan (WTPP), priced monthly, with unlimited repairs included. Tire or wheel replacements carry a $25 deductible per incident. See also: Tesla Model Y L Spotted on Public Roads Uncovered https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1956553943711940673…

Karma Automotive has introduced its latest vehicle, the Amaris, a luxury Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) coupe, at Monterey Car Week, combining electric power with a gasoline range extender. The Amaris features two rear-mounted electric motors drawing energy from a 41.5 kWh battery, providing over 161 km of pure electric driving. When the battery depletes, a 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine acts solely as a generator, enabling a total range of more than 644 km. The combined powertrain produces 708 horsepower and 676 ft-lb of torque, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 97 km/h in under 3.5 seconds, with a…

The U.S. government has effectively ended the market for fuel economy compliance credits, dealing a financial blow to electric vehicle makers including Tesla, Rivian, and Lucid that have relied on the system for billions in revenue. The change follows the passage of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which removes federal EV purchase incentives starting Sept. 30 and ends penalties for automakers falling short of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has already stopped issuing compliance letters to automakers, a move that effectively halts the trading of credits. Automakers previously purchased credits from…

Global electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 21% year-on-year in July, the slowest pace since January and down from 25% in June, as China’s plug-in hybrid momentum cooled, market research firm Rho Motion said on Wednesday. China, the world’s largest car market and accounting for more than half of global EV sales, saw its growth ease to 12% in July, compared with a 36% monthly average in the first half. Rho Motion attributed the slowdown to a pause in some 2025 government subsidy schemes. The country’s EV sales reached around one million units. “Global EV sales passed 10.7 million in the…

Rivian is advancing work on steer-by-wire technology, according to a recent job posting that specifically mentions responsibility for the development and management of a steer-by-wire (SBW) subsystem. The company is searching for a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager for its Steering Actuator System at its Irvine, California headquarters. Steer-by-wire replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels with electronic actuators, offering benefits such as customizable steering response, reduced mechanical complexity, and speed-sensitive variable steering ratios. However, the technology remains in its early adoption phase due to regulatory hurdles and longstanding reliance on proven mechanical systems. See also:…

Liebherr has unveiled its first battery electric crawler excavator, the R 920 G8-E, marking a significant expansion of its electrification efforts into mid-sized construction machinery. Designed and built in Colmar, France, the 20-ton machine delivers performance on par with its diesel counterparts while producing no local emissions and operating at low noise levels, making it suitable for urban and underground worksites. “The new model completes the product range of Liebherr crawler excavators produced in Colmar,” the company said in its announcement. “It is particularly quiet and emission-free. It generates the same output as a diesel machine in the same category…

General Motors and Hyundai Motor on Wednesday announced a new partnership to co-develop five vehicles, including compact and mid-size models, as the two automakers seek to reduce costs and compete more effectively against low-cost Chinese rivals, particularly in Latin America. The collaboration includes four models—a compact SUV, a car, a pickup, and a mid-size pickup—set to launch in Central and South America in 2028. These vehicles will support both internal combustion and hybrid powertrains, though the companies did not disclose manufacturing locations. At full production, the partnership is expected to yield at least 800,000 vehicles annually. In addition to their…

Tesla’s extended wheelbase version of the Model Y, known as the Model Y L, has been spotted undergoing road tests in China, fueling speculation about its imminent release. The prototype was recently photographed in Xinjiang, with images shared on social media platforms such as X. The vehicle’s front and rear remained camouflaged, a standard Tesla approach for pre-release models. https://twitter.com/TCMesla/status/1952913523304218865 One of the key identifiers linking the sighted prototype to the Model Y L was its unique wheel design. These wheels closely match those shown in China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) regulatory catalog, featuring a distinctive star-shaped…