Author: Floyd Hawkins

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…

Bentley has offered a first glimpse of its upcoming all-electric model, releasing a teaser image that hints at the contours of what it calls the “world’s first true luxury SUV.” Deliveries of the unnamed battery-electric vehicle (BEV) are expected to begin in 2027, marking a milestone in the company’s transition toward electrification. The teaser photo shows the vehicle draped under a cloth, revealing a silhouette with large wheels and a long bonnet — design traits consistent with Bentley’s signature SUV styling. The Crewe-based automaker said the model will measure under five metres in length and boast “a charging time from…

Lucid Motors reported third-quarter revenues of $336.6 million for 2025, up 68% from the same period last year, as vehicle deliveries and production increased. The company narrowed its net loss slightly to $978.4 million from $992.5 million a year earlier, but again trimmed its annual production guidance to around 18,000 vehicles. The EV maker delivered 4,078 vehicles during the quarter, a 47% increase year-on-year, while producing 3,891 units—116% more than Q3 2024. Approximately 1,000 of the vehicles were produced for final assembly in Saudi Arabia. Despite the growth, Lucid said it continues to face challenges related to supply chain disruptions…

Kempower, a global provider of DC fast-charging technology, is expanding its U.S. operations through new PowerUp America charging sites across the Southeast, including Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. The projects, announced alongside Kempower’s Q3 2025 Interim Report, are designed to meet National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and Build America, Buy America (BABA) standards, reinforcing the company’s commitment to U.S.-based production and infrastructure growth. See also: Kempower Installs Norway’s First Megawatt-Capable Charging Facility for ASKO Trucks “These wins mark another major step in Kempower’s U.S. growth story,” said Monil Malhotra, President of Kempower North America. “The Southeast is one of the most…

Toyota Motor raised its full-year operating profit forecast, betting that strong performance in markets outside the United States will help offset the financial strain from new U.S. import tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. The world’s top-selling automaker now expects an operating profit of 3.4 trillion yen ($22.6 billion) for the fiscal year ending March, up 6% from its earlier projection of 3.2 trillion yen. Toyota estimated that the tariffs would cost it 1.45 trillion yen this year. See also: Toyota Unveils All-Electrified 2026 RAV4 Lineup with New PHEV Offering Up to 52-Mile EV Range “North America is facing a…

The United Kingdom’s electric vehicle transition gained significant ground in October, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) taking a record 26% of new car registrations, according to data from New AutoMotive. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also rose to 12%, meaning 40% of all new cars registered came with a plug. Petrol and diesel models continued to decline, with petrol sales down 25% and diesel down 17% year-on-year — their lowest market shares in years. Combined, they now represent roughly one-third of the market, underscoring how quickly UK drivers are moving away from fossil fuels. See also: UK Government Launches £10 Million Fund…

Nio announced the production of its 300,000th ES6 electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), marking a milestone for one of its mainstay models in China’s premium electric vehicle segment. The 300,000th ES6 was completed on November 1, according to a statement from the company. Among Chinese-brand pure electric models priced above RMB 300,000 ($42,150), the ES6 is the first to reach this production figure, Nio said. https://twitter.com/NIOGlobal/status/1985222903906877709 Introduced as Nio’s second mass-produced model following the ES8, the ES6 has been a key contributor to the company’s vehicle lineup. Cumulative deliveries reached 289,912 units by the end of September, with 2,930 units…

Dongfeng Motor’s new energy vehicle (NEV) brand eπ will officially launch the eπ 007+ sedan on November 10, further expanding its product lineup as it strengthens its position in the Chinese EV market. The eπ 007+ measures 4,880 mm in length, 1,915 mm in width, and 1,476 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. The model comes standard with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P cockpit chip and LiDAR across all trims. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds and includes a speed-sensitive retractable electric spoiler as standard. See also: Dongfeng Motor Develops Fully Independent…

Volvo Trucks’ global fleet of battery-electric vehicles has driven more than 250 million kilometers since the company began delivering its first models in 2019, the Swedish manufacturer said on Tuesday. The milestone, achieved with over 5,700 electric trucks across 50 countries, is estimated to have avoided 213,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions compared with diesel equivalents. “The shift to electric is going way too slowly,” said Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. “We lack the market conditions that would make it profitable for all transport companies to decarbonize transport. This must change if we are to see more electric trucks on…

Kia has introduced its new “GT Wrap” — a bold design language that embodies motion, light, and energy — to define the visual identity of its high-performance electric prototypes. The wrap is designed to capture the emotional and performance-driven DNA of Kia’s evolving GT lineup, including the EV6 GT, EV9 GT, and the upcoming EV4 GT slated for 2026. See also: Kia Plans to Nearly Triple EV Production in Europe with New EV2 and EV4 Models The GT Wrap reinterprets the classic “Gran Turismo” philosophy for the electric era, merging heritage with modern innovation. Moving beyond traditional camouflage, the design…

Electric car sales in the European Union continued to rise in September, with 167,586 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) registered—an increase of 20 per cent from the same month last year, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). From January through September, BEVs accounted for 16.1 per cent of total new car registrations across the bloc, matching their overall market share earlier in the year. ACEA said a total of 1.3 million new battery-electric cars were registered in the first nine months of 2025. However, the association cautioned that this growth remains “still below the pace required at this stage…

British renewable energy leaders UKSOL and Rolec have formed a strategic partnership to combine solar generation and electric vehicle (EV) charging, offering fully renewable, cost-effective energy solutions for homes and businesses. The collaboration integrates UKSOL’s high-efficiency solar technology with Rolec’s extensive EV charging expertise to advance clean mobility and sustainable energy adoption across the UK. The initiative enables customers to charge EVs directly from solar power, reducing carbon emissions and energy costs. Both UKSOL and Rolec emphasize local manufacturing, ethical sourcing, and a shared commitment to supporting UK economic growth through green technology innovation. See also: Agrola Commissions Switzerland’s First…

Porsche has revealed new technical details of its upcoming Cayenne Electric, featuring a 113 kWh function-integrated battery, dual-sided cooling, and 400 kW fast charging that set a new benchmark for high-performance electric SUVs. Built on an enhanced version of Porsche’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), the Cayenne Electric adopts an 800-volt architecture that improves energy efficiency and significantly reduces charging times. In independent U.S. highway tests, near-production prototypes achieved more than 350 miles (563 km) of range, with Porsche targeting an official WLTP figure exceeding 600 km. See also: Porsche Reveals Cayenne EV Interior Ahead Of Official Debut At the heart…

The 2026 BYD Song Pro DM-i has officially launched in China, introducing improved efficiency, enhanced suspension tuning, and a refreshed interior layout. Available in three variants, the plug-in hybrid SUV is priced between 99,800 and 122,800 yuan (approximately $13,700–$16,900) under a limited-time Super Trade-In offer. With its combination of extended electric range and advanced hybrid technology, the new Song Pro DM-i continues to strengthen BYD’s leadership in the compact plug-in hybrid SUV segment. Powertrain and Performance The 2026 Song Pro DM-i is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, producing 74 kW and 120 kW respectively.…

Lucid Motors has introduced its first official discount on the newly launched Gravity SUV, offering a $3,000 incentive as part of a limited promotion. The move signals the company’s strategy to boost deliveries and customer interest as production ramps up at its Arizona facility. The Lucid Gravity, described by the automaker as “the ultimate uncompromising SUV,” offers up to 450 miles of range, a Chevy Suburban-sized interior, and high-performance dynamics paired with advanced software features. See also: Lucid Gravity Dream Edition Matches Rivian and Porsche in Drag Race Showdown Following a temporary slowdown earlier this year due to a magnet…

Nissan Formula E Team will begin preparations for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship with five days of pre-season testing at Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain, from October 27 to 31. The sessions mark the team’s first on-track outing ahead of what will be the final year of the GEN3 Evo era. Reigning Drivers’ World Champion Oliver Rowland and teammate Norman Nato will take part in the first four days of testing, sporting new car numbers for the upcoming season. Rowland will carry the #1 plate after claiming the championship title, while Nato will switch to Nissan’s…

Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda has launched a new generation of polymer all-solid-state batteries, adding momentum to China’s push toward commercializing next-generation energy storage systems. The company introduced its new “Xin·Bixiao” polymer all-solid-state battery at the 2025 New Energy Battery Industry Development Conference, according to a report by local media outlet Yicai. The battery achieves an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and maintains a cycle life of 1,200 cycles under ultra-low external pressure below 1 MPa, the report said. See also: Sunwoda Applies for Hong Kong Listing, Joining Wave of Chinese Battery Makers Seeking Overseas Expansion Sunwoda plans to complete a…