Author: Floyd Hawkins

Bosch has been awarded the German Future Prize 2025 for its fuel-cell power module for heavy commercial vehicles, according to Bloomberg. The technology is used in several thousand trucks operating worldwide and is designed to enable long-distance, zero-emission transport with driving ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers. The fuel-cell system generates electrical energy by combining hydrogen and oxygen and releases water vapor as its primary emission when powered by green hydrogen. Bosch began large-scale production of the module in 2023 at manufacturing facilities in Stuttgart-Feuerbach and Chongqing. The unit contains more than 1,000 integrated components, including a fuel-cell stack, recirculation…

Tesla has filed lawsuits in China against a number of corporate vehicle buyers, seeking the return of electric-vehicle purchase subsidies after the vehicles failed to meet the minimum mileage thresholds required under the country’s incentive policy. The issue gained public attention when Tesla sued Hangzhou-based Joy Media, requesting repayment of a RMB 7,761 ($1,090) subsidy. Joy Media purchased a Tesla vehicle under its corporate name in 2022, with the subsidy advanced upfront by Tesla on the condition that the vehicle accumulate 20,000 kilometers within two years, according to local outlet Jiupai News. See also: Tesla Reportedly Exploring Apple CarPlay Integration…

Deepal, the new energy vehicle unit of Changan Automobile, has launched the L06 electric sedan in China with a limited-time starting price of RMB 132,900 ($18,700), lowering the cost from its earlier pre-sales level as the company seeks to strengthen its position in the country’s competitive mass-market EV segment. Unveiled at an event on Monday night, the L06 is currently offered only as a battery electric vehicle despite the earlier debut of an extended-range version in September. The model comes in four variants priced between RMB 134,900 and RMB 156,900 before temporary discounts. A key feature of the L06 is…

Voyah, the new energy vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, has introduced the Taishan, expanding its presence in China’s competitive large hybrid SUV market. The model arrives with a starting price of RMB 379,900 ($53,420), positioning it against vehicles such as the Aito M9, Zeekr 9X and BYD Denza N9. The Taishan is offered in three trims—Max, Max+ and Ultra—priced between RMB 379,900 and RMB 459,900. Voyah also plans to release a limited-edition Black Knight version in the first quarter of 2026 for RMB 509,900. Shortly after the launch, the company reported that the model received more than 10,000 firm orders…

ZeroAvia and Hybrid Air Vehicles have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a hydrogen-electric version of the Airlander 10, aiming to deliver emission-free flight operations for over 100 passengers. The collaboration marks a step toward decarbonising large-scale airship operations by replacing the aircraft’s four conventional diesel engines with ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric propulsion system. According to the companies, integrating the hydrogen-electric system is expected to significantly reduce maintenance costs while enabling zero-emission performance. The partners will also explore the feasibility of applying ZeroAvia’s propulsion technology to future larger aircraft and assess hydrogen refuelling infrastructure requirements for the Airlander 10’s…

Malaysia’s electric vehicle infrastructure is set for a major milestone with the opening of the country’s first highway-integrated EV charging hub in early 2027. The project is a joint initiative between Yinson GreenTech, a leading e-mobility and charging solutions provider, and PLUS Malaysia, the nation’s largest highway operator. The companies have formed a joint-venture entity called Terra ChargEV to develop the new facility, which will be known as “The Hub.” Located at the Seremban Rest and Service Area (Southbound) along the North-South Expressway, the charging site will allow up to 20 EVs to charge simultaneously, serving as a major step…

Chinese automaker Dongfeng has officially launched the eπ 007+, an upgraded version of its eπ 007 mid-to-large sedan. The new model is offered in three variants, with an official guide price ranging from 144,900 to 154,900 yuan ($20,300 to $21,700). The eπ 007+ introduces several notable improvements over its predecessor, including standard LiDAR across all trims and the integration of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P in-car chip. The exterior maintains the eπ 007’s design language, with two new color options—“Sky Grey” and “Harbour Blue”—alongside fluid side lines, flush door handles, and body-colored five-spoke wheels. See also: Nissan and Dongfeng Launch China’s…

China has approved exemptions to export controls on Nexperia chips for civilian applications, the commerce ministry said on Sunday, in a move expected to ease semiconductor shortages that have disrupted production for carmakers and automotive suppliers. The decision marks Beijing’s strongest signal yet that it plans to ease pressure on the global automotive industry, which has been affected by export curbs imposed after the Dutch government took control of Nexperia, a major producer of basic chips used in vehicle electrical systems. Nexperia is based in the Netherlands but owned by China’s Wingtech Technology. See also: Tesla Weighs Building Massive “Terafab”…

National Auto Fleet Group (NAFG) has entered into a partnership with Motiv Electric Trucks to make medium-duty zero-emission vehicles available to public-sector fleets nationwide through a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract. The collaboration is intended to streamline fleet electrification for cities, schools, and other government agencies. The agreement allows eligible public entities to acquire Motiv’s Class 4–6 electric step vans, box trucks, and buses at pre-negotiated prices without undergoing a traditional bidding process. The companies said the arrangement is designed to improve cost efficiency and accelerate access to electric fleet solutions. See also: Motiv And Workhorse To Merge In $105 Million…

Waymo said it has become the first autonomous vehicle developer to complete independent, third-party audits of its safety case program and remote assistance operations, conducted by global certification body TÜV SÜD. The audits assessed the company’s adherence to key international standards and best practices for autonomous driving safety. The review, carried out over several months, evaluated Waymo’s Safety Case Program and its Fleet Response (remote assistance) operations. TÜV SÜD confirmed that Waymo’s safety framework complies with the Autonomous Vehicle Safety Consortium (AVSC) Best Practice for Safety Case Assessment and the ISO 15026-2 international standard for systems and software assurance. See…

Volkswagen has received its first batch of semiconductors from Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia after a temporary supply disruption triggered by export restrictions, the company’s China chief said, according to German newspaper Handelsblatt. The Netherlands-based Nexperia, owned by Chinese group Wingtech, had its operations seized by the Dutch government on Sept. 30 amid broader U.S.-China trade tensions. China subsequently halted exports of the company’s products from Oct. 4, causing shortages of chips widely used in the automotive industry. See also: German Auto Industry Warns of Production Risks as Nexperia Chip Supplies Tighten Nexperia said on Thursday that it welcomed an agreement between…

WeRide and Pony.ai saw their shares tumble on their first day of trading in Hong Kong, reflecting muted investor enthusiasm for Chinese autonomous driving companies. WeRide closed 12.18 percent lower at HK$23.80 per share, compared with its offering price of HK$27.10. Pony.ai fell 13.96 percent to HK$119.60 per share from its IPO price of HK$139. The declines left WeRide with a market capitalization of about HK$24.4 billion, while Pony.ai stood at HK$51 billion. WeRide raised roughly HK$2.93 billion in net proceeds from its listing, while Pony.ai secured HK$7.19 billion. Both companies intend to use the funds to advance their autonomous…