Author: Floyd Hawkins

Global consumer interest in Tesla is waning, with the electric vehicle maker losing ground to domestic competitors in China and facing challenges in both the U.S. and Europe, according to a new UBS survey. In China, Tesla’s standing as a top EV brand choice fell to 14% from 18% a year earlier, now ranking behind BYD and Xiaomi, UBS analysts wrote in a research note. The data points to a shift in Chinese consumer preference toward domestic brands, though Tesla continues to outperform other foreign automakers. Tesla’s image as a technological leader has weakened amid intensifying competition in China, the…

The UK government will ease regulations around electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure by removing the need for planning permission for most public and private chargepoint installations, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood announced. The changes, effective from the end of May, aim to simplify and accelerate EV charger deployment across homes and businesses. The move is part of broader efforts to boost electric mobility and cut costs for drivers. “We’re cutting down on paperwork to power up the EV revolution so that drivers, businesses and those looking to make the switch will have more chargepoints to power from and less red…

Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide has expanded into the Saudi Arabian market, as it continues its international rollout and deepens its cooperation with Uber Technologies. The company has started testing and deploying autonomous vehicles—including Robotaxis, Robobuses, and Robosweepers—in several Saudi cities such as Riyadh and AlUla. These deployments are intended to lay the foundation for future large-scale commercial operations. WeRide plans to begin pilot operations of its robotaxi service on Uber’s platform within the next few months, with full commercial deployment in Saudi Arabia scheduled for 2025. Autonomous Robobuses are also being trialed in several key areas, including King…

H2 Mobility has inaugurated what it describes as the most powerful hydrogen refuelling station in Europe, with a daily capacity of up to five tonnes. The high-performance site, located on Höherweg in Düsseldorf, is designed primarily for commercial fuel cell vehicles and features the ability to refuel up to three vehicles simultaneously. The station is part of a joint project with Stadtwerke Düsseldorf and local public transport operator Rheinbahn, which also coordinated hydrogen production, infrastructure, and usage. “This filling station is a milestone for hydrogen mobility in Europe,” said Frank Fronzke, Managing Director and COO of H2 Mobility. “With our…

New registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the European Union rose 26% year-on-year in the first four months of 2025, reaching 558,262 units, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). This lifted BEVs to a 15.3% share of the total new car market—surpassing diesel-powered vehicles for the first time in a comparable period. In April alone, BEV registrations in the EU surged 34.1% to 145,341 units. Germany led the bloc with 45,535 new BEVs (+53.5%), followed by France (25,542, +2.8%), Belgium (12,469, +35.8%) and Denmark (9,567, +45.5%). The Czech Republic and Italy posted the fastest growth…

China’s auto dealers have urged car manufacturers to halt the excessive supply of vehicles to showrooms, as deepening price wars and overstocking continue to strain dealer cash flows, cut into profit margins, and force some outlets to shut down. The call was issued on Tuesday by the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce (CADCC), which said conditions for dealerships have become “even more severe” amid a fresh wave of discounting that began in the second quarter. The statement follows an official government appeal over the weekend for automakers to stop aggressive pricing tactics that have disrupted market stability. See also:…

Lucid is offering substantial discounts on select 2025 Lucid Air models this month, marking its most aggressive promotion to date. The luxury electric sedan now qualifies for savings of up to $31,500, including a $2,000 on-site bonus, a $2,000 conquest bonus, a $20,000 Air Credit, and a $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The discounts apply most notably to the Air Grand Touring trim, which can be purchased with $6,819 due at signing. The Grand Touring model starts at $110,900 and delivers 819 horsepower alongside an EPA-estimated range of 512 miles. See also: Lucid Motors Hits Q1 Delivery Record of 3,109…

The European Union has formally adopted an amendment to its CO2 emissions regulation for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, easing compliance requirements for carmakers between 2025 and 2027. The Council’s final approval, following a vote in the European Parliament, clears the way for the revised regulation to take effect. The amended rule, which will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU, allows carmakers to meet their fleet-wide CO2 targets by averaging emissions over a three-year period rather than assessing compliance annually. The move is intended to provide manufacturers with more…

Eleven U.S. states have announced the formation of the Affordable Clean Cars Coalition, a new initiative under the U.S. Climate Alliance designed to accelerate the adoption of affordable clean vehicles while supporting domestic automotive manufacturing and safeguarding states’ authority under the Clean Air Act. Led by governors from California, Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, the initiative will focus on reducing the cost of clean vehicles, expanding consumer choices, and growing accessible charging and fueling infrastructure. Resources will also be provided to help states lower vehicle pollution and make clean transportation…

Fastned has launched a new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Greenock, near Glasgow, aiming to address the shortage of ultra-fast chargers along Scotland’s west coast. The operator described the new site as a “lifeline” for EV drivers in the area, which currently faces limited access to high-speed charging infrastructure. The Greenock hub features four charging bays centered around two 400kW towers, providing drivers with the ability to gain up to 100 miles of range in just five minutes. While modest in size, the site is designed for quick turnover, and Fastned has indicated potential expansion to eight bays to…

A U.S. federal court has struck down tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), ruling that the executive branch overstepped its authority. The Court of International Trade invalidated the tariffs with immediate effect, stating that the 1977 law does not empower the president to unilaterally impose duties as a tool of trade policy. The three-judge panel unanimously ruled that Congress holds exclusive authority to regulate international commerce, and that the IEEPA cannot be interpreted to override this constitutional mandate. “The use of tariffs as leverage is impermissible not because it is unwise…

Volteras, a London-based electric vehicle software startup, has raised $11.1 million in a Series A funding round as it looks to accelerate its vision of transforming EVs into distributed energy resources for the U.S. power grid. The funding was led by Union Square Ventures and included participation from Edenred, Exor, Long Journey Ventures, and Wex, the company told TechCrunch. “In the future, the electric vehicle will be the center of the entire energy grid,” said Peter Wilson, co-founder and CEO of Volteras. He believes EVs have the potential to act as mobile grid assets, helping to stabilize electricity supply as…