Author: Floyd Hawkins

Charging infrastructure provider Qwello has won a public tender to install 150 AC charging points in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany, expanding its presence in France’s growing electric vehicle (EV) charging network, the company said. The charging points, spread across 36 municipalities including Rennes, are part of a broader project awarded by the Energy Union of Ille-et-Vilaine (SDE 35). The initiative follows a collaborative process in which municipalities proposed preferred locations for installation, Qwello said in a statement. A second tender is expected in 2025. See also: Qwello Acquires Park & Charge to Expand Presence in EV Charging Infrastructure Qwello, in partnership with…

Huawei-backed Aito is set to introduce its new M8 SUV in April, aiming to strengthen its position in the mid-to-large-size SUV market. The M8, positioned between the existing M7 and M9 models, will be available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants. According to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the M8 measures 5,190 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,795 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,105 mm. The vehicle offers 5-seat and 6-seat configurations, adhering to Aito’s family design language. See also: Huawei-Backed Aito Opens Pre-Sales for…

Alpine is preparing to unveil its first high-riding model, the A390, on May 27. Positioned as a “sport fastback” rather than a traditional SUV, the A390 aims to combine performance and practicality in an electrified package. A prototype, spotted undergoing winter testing in Lapland, offers a glimpse at its sleek design, featuring an aggressively sloped rear glass and a sedan-like decklid. See also: Renault 5 and Alpine A290 Face Workshop Return Over Inverter Issue in France Smaller than a Porsche Macan EV, the A390 is expected to compete with performance-oriented electric crossovers. The front-end design includes a distinctive aero “blade”…

French battery manufacturer Automotive Cells Company (ACC) on Thursday welcomed the European Union’s new action plan for the automotive sector but warned that the proposed support measures may come too late to address the industry’s pressing challenges. The European Commission on Wednesday announced a plan to help the sector transition to zero-emission vehicles by 2035, including €1.8 billion ($1.94 billion) in funding to strengthen battery supply chains. See also: TotalEnergies CEO Advocates for Focus on French ACC Factory, Doubts Expansion Plans ACC, a joint venture between Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz, and TotalEnergies, acknowledged the initiative but stressed the need for urgent action.…

S&P Global has lowered Stellantis’ credit rating to “BBB” from “BBB+”, citing concerns over the automaker’s profit margins, the ratings agency said on Thursday. S&P attributed the downgrade to price reductions implemented in North America and Europe late last year, as well as affordability challenges faced by consumers, which could limit the company’s volume growth and margin expansion. See also: Stellantis Warns U.S. Dealers of Competitive Risks from New Tariffs The downgrade follows Stellantis’ cautious outlook for 2025, after its latest earnings report showed a decline in U.S. sales, leading to the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares. Meanwhile, the automaker…

Chinese auto giant Geely Auto has introduced the AI-powered G-Pilot smart driving system, intensifying competition in the electric vehicle (EV) sector as rivals BYD and Tesla push forward with their own smart driving technologies. Unveiled at a recent event, G-Pilot comprises five levels of intelligent driving solutions: G-Pilot H1, G-Pilot H3, G-Pilot H5, G-Pilot H7, and G-Pilot H9, designed to offer varying degrees of autonomy. The system is Geely’s answer to BYD’s God’s Eye smart driving system and Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. G-Pilot Hardware and Capabilities Each G-Pilot level is equipped with a unique combination of sensors, cameras, and…

Hyundai has partnered with Avride, a Yandex spinoff, to develop fully autonomous vehicles for ride-hailing, the companies announced on Monday. Under the agreement, Avride will deploy 100 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUVs retrofitted with self-driving technology this year. Avride, which operates sidewalk delivery robots in multiple cities, aims to launch a commercial robotaxi service soon. The company has already tested the Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Sonata for autonomous operations in Austin and Seoul over the past year and plans a “significant expansion” ahead of its official rollout. See also: Avride to Begin Sidewalk Bot Deliveries in Central Tokyo Through Rakuten Partnership…

Tesla’s vehicle sales in Germany fell by 76% in February compared to the same month last year, according to data from the German road traffic agency KBA, marking a sharper decline than the 60% drop recorded in January. KBA reported that Tesla sold 1,429 cars in Germany last month, even as overall electric vehicle sales in the country rose 30.8% to 35,949 units. The agency did not provide reasons for the sales decline. See also: Tesla’s Sales Decline in Europe Continues in February Amid Market Shifts The drop in Tesla’s German sales follows similar trends in other European markets. Recent…

Protests against tech billionaire and U.S. government advisor Elon Musk have intensified across the United States and are now spreading to Europe, with demonstrations targeting both Musk’s political influence and his electric vehicle company, Tesla. In the U.S., demonstrations have been staged outside Tesla stores in multiple cities, including New York, Florida, Arizona, and Boston, as well as in Republican-led states like Kentucky, Missouri, and Nebraska. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as “Stop the Steal,” “No Dictators in the USA,” and “Elon must go.” The backlash follows mass layoffs at U.S. government agencies, reportedly initiated under Musk’s advisement. See…

U.S. President Donald Trump is implementing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada starting Tuesday, while also doubling tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%, a move expected to have significant implications for industries including automotive manufacturing. Trump, who has made tariffs a key part of his economic policy, initially imposed duties of 10% on Chinese goods and 25% on imports from Canada and Mexico in January, granting the two neighboring countries a temporary 30-day reprieve. With that grace period now expired, the higher tariffs take effect, adding to existing trade tensions. See also: Trump Signals April 2 Start…

German start-up Circunomics has established its first international office in Detroit, marking a key step in its expansion strategy. The Mainz-based company specializes in battery lifecycle management, offering a digital marketplace for first and second-life battery applications, including repurposing automotive batteries for stationary energy storage. Circunomics sees the U.S. automotive and battery market as a critical growth opportunity, citing an expected surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales beyond 1.3 million units in 2024. Despite the Trump administration’s limited support for EVs, demand for battery recycling and reuse is projected to grow, fueled by restrictions on battery materials sourced from China.…

The launch of the Dodge Charger Daytona has been met with steep dealer discounts exceeding $12,000, suggesting tepid demand for the electric muscle car. In response, Dodge is emphasizing its status as the “world’s only all-wheel-drive muscle car” as a key selling point. Unlike the previous-generation Challenger, which offered all-wheel drive as an option, every Charger Daytona model comes standard with the feature. This includes the upcoming Sixpack variants, which will feature a twin-turbo 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six engine producing up to 550 horsepower. See also: Jeep and Dodge’s First All-Electric Models Arrive at U.S. Dealerships Amid Delays https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6al16Gb8G68 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2IRw3OLJOo Dodge…

Feng Xingya, chairman and general manager of Chinese automaker GAC Group, has urged policymakers to enhance support for the battery swap business model, highlighting its role in addressing electric vehicle (EV) charging challenges and advancing China’s carbon neutrality goals. Feng’s proposal comes ahead of China’s annual legislative and political advisory meetings, known as the “two sessions,” set to begin on Tuesday. In an article published by GAC, he emphasized the need for stronger policies to tackle the high construction costs, fragmented infrastructure rollout, and lack of uniform battery standards that have slowed the adoption of battery swap technology. See also:…

Tadano has introduced its first fully electric rough-terrain crane, the eGR-1000XLL-1 EVOLT, marking a milestone in heavy lifting technology. The 100-ton capacity crane, which debuted at last year’s ConExpo, is powered by six lithium-ion battery packs, providing up to 226 kWh of energy. According to the company, this allows for up to seven hours of continuous operation in a stationary position or five hours of lifting combined with 5.5 miles of driving. Charging is facilitated through a standard CCS/J1772 DC fast charger with speeds of up to 150 kW, enabling a full charge in under two hours. Alternatively, an 80A…

British self-driving technology startup Wayve announced plans to establish a new testing and development hub in Germany, deploying a fleet of test vehicles in the Stuttgart region. The expansion marks a strategic move into Europe’s largest automotive market as the company works to refine its “Embodied AI” system, which learns from and adapts to human driving behavior. See also: Wayve Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to San Francisco with Self-Learning AI Software The new hub will focus on advancing features such as lane change assistance, a key component in enhancing driver-assist and autonomous capabilities. Founded in 2017, Wayve currently operates in…

A $400 million U.S. government contract for “armored Tesla” vehicles, recently put on hold, is facing scrutiny over how it was initiated and expanded after the 2024 election, new reports suggest. Earlier this month, a procurement forecast from the U.S. State Department for the 2025 budget included a line item for “Armored Teslas” worth $400 million. See also: U.S. Department of State Set to Award Tesla $400 Million Armored Vehicle Contract The listing was added after the election but before the new administration took office in January. However, after public attention, the State Department removed “Tesla” from the entry, replacing…

Portugal is set to overhaul its electric vehicle (EV) charging regulations, paving the way for Tesla to expand its Supercharger network in the country after a years-long hiatus. The proposed legislation, introduced by Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, aims to simplify and liberalize the EV charging sector, removing barriers that have required stations to be linked to a state-run app. Amaro said the existing framework was a remnant of past monopoly laws and emphasized that charging an EV should be as seamless as refueling a gasoline vehicle. See also: China’s CALB Breaks Ground on €2 Billion Battery Plant…

A Florida appeals court ruled on Wednesday that Tesla will not face punitive damages in a wrongful death lawsuit accusing the company of overstating the capabilities of its Autopilot system. The decision marks a legal victory for the electric vehicle maker, reducing its potential financial liability in the case. The 4th District Court of Appeal in Palm Beach overturned a lower court’s ruling that allowed a jury to consider punitive damages in the lawsuit filed by the estate of Jeremy Banner, who died in a 2019 crash involving a Tesla Model 3. Punitive damages, meant to penalize gross negligence or…

Harworth Group has partnered with Zest to introduce ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at Riverdale Park in Doncaster, the companies announced on Tuesday. The initiative aims to enhance charging infrastructure for local residents and businesses. Located on Argo Drive, off Wheatley Hall Road, the newly installed four ultra-rapid charging spaces provide drivers with access to up to 80% charge in as little as 20 minutes. See also: Newport City Council Partners with Zest to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure The chargers are positioned near residential areas and commercial establishments, including Wheatley Centre Shopping Park and Costa Coffee on Argo Drive.…

BYD has released additional images of its upcoming all-electric sedan, the Qin L EV, as it nears its official debut. The Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer shared six new images of the mid-sized sedan on Weibo, highlighting exterior details from multiple angles. BYD describes the Qin L EV as a smart driving-era vehicle designed for younger consumers. See also: BYD Teases Upcoming Qin L EV as It Expands Electric Sedan Lineup Lu Tian, general manager of sales for BYD’s Dynasty series, also posted the images, emphasizing that the model aims to attract a younger demographic. The Qin L EV’s…