Author: Floyd Hawkins

BYD has officially launched the e7, a new all-electric sedan aimed at the shared mobility and business vehicle markets, as the Chinese automaker continues to expand its new energy vehicle (NEV) lineup. The BYD e7 is available in three variants priced at RMB 103,800, RMB 109,800, and RMB 115,800. The company is offering a RMB 5,000 limited-time discount for customers purchasing the car before June 30, bringing the starting price down to RMB 98,800 ($14,400). See also: China’s BYD Becomes Best-Selling Carmaker in Singapore, Surpassing Toyota for First Time Unlike BYD’s Dynasty and Ocean series, the e7 does not fall…

Renault has introduced a rugged off-road show car based on its upcoming Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, presenting the concept vehicle alongside the French Open tennis tournament. The Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept features dual motors for all-wheel drive, a raised chassis, and design elements that pay tribute to the brand’s historical models. While the production version of the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric has yet to launch, the concept gives a glimpse into what a more adventurous variant could look like. The show car sits 15 millimetres higher than the standard model and boasts special off-road tyres, wider tracks (10 mm…

Tesla has begun accepting Cybertruck trade-ins more than a year after deliveries began, as the electric pickup truck struggles with sluggish demand and rapid depreciation, according to owner reports and Tesla’s trade-in system. The move marks a shift in Tesla’s approach, which previously excluded the Cybertruck from its trade-in program. According to a post on the Cybertruck Owners Club, a Tesla 2024 Cybertruck AWD Foundation Series initially sold for $100,000 is now receiving trade-in offers as low as $65,400 after only 6,000 miles — a 34.6% decline in value within a year. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Inventory Surges Past 10,000…

Toyota has introduced the 2026 C-HR BEV for the North American market, marking the brand’s latest step in expanding its electric vehicle offerings. Built on the e-TNGA platform, the compact crossover features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and is projected to deliver an estimated range of up to 290 miles (467 km) on a full charge. See also: Toyota Unveils 2026 bZ Electric SUV with Extended Range, Faster Charging, and Enhanced Performance The C-HR BEV is powered by dual eAxles generating a combined output of 338 horsepower, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0–96 kph) in about…

IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) division of SAIC Motor Corp, has unveiled an updated version of its IM L6 electric sedan, maintaining the starting price for the entry-level variant while reducing prices on the higher-end models. The refreshed IM L6 is available in four variants — Max, Max+, Pro Max, and Ultra — with official guide prices set at RMB 219,900 ($30,540), RMB 234,900, RMB 254,900, and RMB 279,900, respectively. Promotional pricing for a limited period offers discounts, lowering these to RMB 204,900, RMB 219,900, RMB 239,900, and RMB 264,900. See also: IM Motors Launches LS6 Electric SUV in…

Chinese autonomous driving startup Pony.ai has confidentially filed for a listing on the Hong Kong stock exchange as it seeks to raise fresh capital for business expansion, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) could take place later this year, although the offering size has not yet been determined, the report said. The move follows recent regulatory changes in Hong Kong that allow technology and biotech firms to submit listing applications confidentially, a practice long permitted by U.S. markets. See also: Pony.ai to Deploy Robotaxis on Uber Platform, Joining Wave…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, is set to raise approximately $4.6 billion through its Hong Kong listing after pricing shares at HK$263 ($33.70) apiece, according to a Reuters report citing two people familiar with the matter. The listing, slated to be the world’s largest in 2025 so far, will see CATL expand its offering to include an additional 17.7 million shares under an offer size adjustment option, bringing the total fundraising to about HK$35.66 billion ($4.57 billion). The company initially launched the offering on May 12, with subscription closing on May 15. The HK$263…

Power semiconductor firm CISSOID and engineering specialist EDAG have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of next-generation Silicon Carbide (SiC) traction inverters for electric vehicles, targeting higher efficiency and faster integration for automakers. The collaboration combines CISSOID’s expertise in SiC power modules and inverter control with EDAG’s capabilities in drivetrain integration, thermal management, and vehicle validation. The companies aim to deliver complete technical support for electric vehicle manufacturers, from early-stage design to full vehicle integration. “This partnership with EDAG enables us to jointly address the growing demand for high-performance, SiC-based traction inverters,” said Pierre Delatte, Chief Technology Officer…

Volkswagen Group has appointed Werner Tietz as its new Group Head of Research and Development, expanding his current role as Executive Vice-President for R&D at Seat. Tietz succeeds Michael Steiner, who will concentrate solely on his responsibilities at Porsche, including a new position as Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at the luxury sports car brand. A veteran of the Volkswagen Group, Tietz holds a PhD in engineering from RWTH Aachen and has amassed more than 30 years of experience across multiple Group brands. He previously held senior development roles at Audi and Porsche, where he was closely involved in…

Workers at two Ford Motor plants in western Germany are set to go on strike on Wednesday, a move that follows employee backlash over the company’s planned job cuts in Europe, the head of the works council said on Monday. The industrial action comes after Ford announced in November that it would reduce around 4,000 jobs across its European operations by 2027, with most of the cuts expected in Germany and the United Kingdom. The company said the decision was part of a wider restructuring plan aimed at addressing financial losses and adapting to a changing automotive landscape. See also:…

House Republicans have introduced a sweeping tax reform proposal that would eliminate electric vehicle (EV) tax credits and repeal federal fuel efficiency rules aimed at encouraging automakers to produce zero-emission vehicles. The proposal, set for review by the House Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, calls for ending the $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases and the $4,000 credit for used EVs after Dec. 31. An exception would allow automakers that have not yet sold 200,000 EVs to continue offering the new-vehicle credit for one additional year. See also: U.S. House Speaker Signals Likely End to $7,500 Federal EV…

Schroders Capital has entered a partnership with electric vehicle charging operator Be.EV to install more than 200 ultra-rapid charging bays at 22 retail and leisure properties it manages across the United Kingdom, the companies said on Monday. The £20 million investment will see Be.EV fund, install, and maintain high-speed charging stations—using Kempower chargers capable of delivering up to 300kW—across key retail locations. The project is backed by five Schroders Capital real estate funds, including Schroder Real Estate Investment Trust and Schroders Capital UK Real Estate Fund. Be.EV, majority-owned by Octopus Energy Generation’s £1.5 billion Sky Fund, said the new infrastructure…

Commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus has officially rolled out its new Charge&Go public charging service for electric truck drivers across Europe, offering access to a growing network of compatible sites and simplifying payments via a dedicated card system. Currently, around 650 MAN eTruck-standard charging locations are accessible across the continent, with plans to increase that number to 1,000 by the end of 2025. The Charge&Go platform allows drivers to locate compliant charging points via a digital interface, using either the vehicle’s display or the MAN DriverApp. Sites are marked as either eTruck ready or eTruck limited, depending on…

UK bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis has delivered the first 12 of 30 electric double-decker buses to Arriva London for use on Transport for London (TfL) routes, marking the company’s debut in the capital’s electric bus fleet. The initial vehicles are now operating on the SL6 Superloop route, connecting West Croydon in South London to Russell Square in the city centre. A further 18 Enviro400EV units will soon enter service on TfL route 196. All 30 buses will be operated by Arriva London, one of TfL’s contracted operators. See also: Liverpool Orders 58 Alexander Dennis Electric Buses in Zero-Emission Push “This…

A division of Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has filed for restructuring in Germany, the company confirmed on Friday, following a report by German magazine Der Spiegel. The entity involved is Northvolt Germany TopCo GmbH, according to a company spokesperson. The restructuring applies only to that unit, while construction continues at the company’s major battery plant project in Heide, northern Germany, under a separate corporate entity. “The part of Northvolt responsible for the Heide site remains operational and construction is ongoing,” the spokesperson said. Northvolt, once viewed as a cornerstone of Europe’s electric vehicle battery ambitions, filed for bankruptcy in Sweden…

Tesla has launched a promotion offering Cybertruck owners a one-year free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, valued at $1,188. The offer, which bundles Autosteer into the FSD package, is available to a limited group of early adopters. Owners must activate the offer by June 6, 2025, through a special link provided by Tesla. Unlike the 30-day FSD trial available with some other Tesla models, this promotion is exclusive to Cybertruck owners and will automatically expire unless they cancel the subscription to avoid ongoing monthly charges. Tesla has informed current FSD subscribers that their subscription period will be extended…

Sterling Anderson, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of autonomous vehicle startup Aurora Innovation, will step down from the company, just days after it launched its commercial self-driving truck service in Texas. According to a regulatory filing released alongside Aurora’s first-quarter earnings report, Anderson’s resignation as chief product officer will take effect June 1. He will also leave the board of directors on August 31. The company said the decision was not due to any disagreement with Aurora’s operations or policies. See also: Aurora Innovation Releases US Driverless Safety Report  “The Company and the entire Board are deeply grateful for Mr.…

Japanese automaker Mitsubishi Motors and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, the electric vehicle arm of Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the supply of an electric vehicle model, the companies said on Wednesday. Under the agreement, the EV model will be developed by Foxtron and manufactured in Taiwan by automaker Yulon Motor. Mitsubishi plans to introduce the vehicle in the Oceania region in the second half of 2026, it said in a statement. “Mitsubishi Motors and Foxtron will proceed with discussions towards a definitive agreement,” the Japanese automaker noted, ahead of its full-year financial results announcement…

Rivian Automotive has unlocked a $1 billion tranche from its multibillion-dollar partnership with Volkswagen Group, marking a significant milestone in the California-based electric vehicle maker’s effort to scale operations and compete more effectively in the market. The funding follows Rivian’s second consecutive quarter of positive gross profit, a key condition for the release of the capital. The strategic alliance with Volkswagen, announced last year, involves a total investment of up to $5.8 billion, delivered in stages. The joint venture will see the two companies co-develop EV technology, including Rivian’s vehicle software and electrical architecture, which Volkswagen plans to use across…

European EV charging company Allego has named Christian Zeh as Chief Operating Officer and Jean Gadrat as Chief Marketing Officer, the company said on Monday, as it continues to reshape its leadership team following the recent appointment of CEO Steven Salo. Zeh, who took on the COO role effective May 1, joins Allego from Ionity, bringing over 15 years of experience in the energy and e-mobility sectors. Prior to his tenure at Ionity, he worked at Tesla, where he contributed to the development of the Supercharger network in Europe. He also played a key role in launching AC charging infrastructure…