Author: Floyd Hawkins

A new European Union-funded project aims to develop scalable, energy-efficient megawatt charging hubs for electric trucks, addressing infrastructure challenges in the logistics sector. The €9.69 million initiative, called FLEXMCS (Flexible Megawatt Charging Systems), brings together 15 industry and research partners from eight countries and will run through June 2028. Led by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), the project focuses on designing multi-charger hubs equipped with open software architectures and smart energy management tools. These hubs are intended to support large-scale electrification of freight transport by offering up to 1.2 megawatts (MW) of charging power — enough to fully charge a…

Smart has officially opened orders for its new #5 electric SUV in Germany, with prices starting at €45,900 and a limited-time launch discount of €2,500 available across all variants. The move marks the beginning of the model’s European rollout, following its debut in China in October 2024. Measuring 4.70 metres in length, the Smart #5 represents a significant departure from the brand’s original compact car image. Now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, Smart is aiming to nearly double its global sales to 120,000 units in 2025, compared with around 65,000 last year, driven by the #5’s introduction. “With…

Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana will add 16 new battery-electric buses to its public transport network under a €11.6 million project co-funded by the European Union, as the city pushes ahead with efforts to cut emissions and modernise its fleet. The initiative, backed by €3.5 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is part of Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027. The Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development confirmed the EU funding approval on April 28. See also: Landis+Gyr Sells EV Charging Business to Slovenia’s KD Group The planned procurement includes six 18-metre articulated electric buses, five 12-metre standard buses, and…

Rivian Automotive has launched its first national advertising campaign in an effort to boost awareness of its electric trucks and SUVs among mainstream consumers. The California-based startup, which has operated with minimal advertising since its first vehicle deliveries in 2021, is aiming to expand its reach with a 360-degree brand initiative that leans on owner experiences and cinematic storytelling. “This campaign is about celebrating the people who define what Rivian truly is,” said Denise Cherry, Vice President of Marketing at Rivian. “Our vehicles are made to empower exploration and adventure, but it’s the stories our owners create that give them…

ABB E-mobility unveiled three new DC charging systems aimed at broadening its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure offerings, including megawatt charging for heavy-duty trucks, depot systems for fleet operations, and modular high-power chargers for passenger vehicles. The company introduced the new chargers at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim and will showcase them next at Power2Drive in Munich. The expansion builds on ABB’s existing A400 and C50 systems, with the launch of two new models in the A-Series – the A200 and A300 – providing 200 kW and 300 kW charging capacities, respectively. Like the A400, the new variants…

Fang Cheng Bao, a sub-brand of China’s BYD Co Ltd (1211.HK), plans to introduce its first lineup of sedans by the end of 2025, as it broadens its portfolio beyond off-road and SUV segments, the brand’s general manager said. “The sedan lineup will debut at the end of this year,” said Xiong Tianbo, general manager of Fang Cheng Bao, in an interview with local automotive news outlet Dongchedi. The move is part of the brand’s strategy to expand its newly launched Tai lineup, Xiong added. See also: Fang Cheng Bao Launches Tai 3 SUV with 501 km Range, 237 kW…

Polestar is recalling 27,816 Polestar 2 electric vehicles in the United States due to a defect in the rearview camera system, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Friday. The recall applies to Polestar 2 units sold in the U.S. prior to the 2025 model year. According to the NHTSA, the rearview camera may fail to display an image while reversing, which could increase the risk of an accident. Dealers will update the vehicle software free of charge to correct the issue. See also: Polestar Says Carbon Footprint per Vehicle Down 24.7% Since 2020 Polestar, the Swedish…

Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future has reinstated its founder Jia Yueting as co-chief executive officer, marking his return to a top leadership role three years after being sidelined during an internal investigation into allegations of misconduct. The company announced Thursday that Jia will share the CEO role with current chief executive Matthias Aydt. In his new position, Jia will oversee Faraday Future’s finance, legal, and supply chain divisions. Aydt, a longtime executive at the company, previously faced internal disciplinary action during a prolonged internal conflict over control of the board. See also: Faraday Future Moves Forward with FX 6 Development,…

Bosch introduced its latest advancements in assisted and automated driving at Auto Shanghai, highlighting a series of innovations aimed at enhancing safety, comfort, and integration flexibility across all vehicle segments. Among the key developments is a next-generation radar sensor, notable for being the first of its kind to feature a fully in-house designed system-on-chip (SoC) using RF CMOS technology. Built with 22-nanometer transistors, the chip delivers strong computational performance while maintaining energy efficiency, setting a new industry benchmark for radar-based perception systems. See also: Fraunhofer, Porsche, and Bosch Unveil High-Efficiency Inverter for Broad EV Applications The company also presented its…

BMW will pause electric vehicle production in the United States this May as it braces for possible new import tariffs under the Trump administration, according to a dealer memo obtained by Automotive News. The notice, sent on April 29, did not specify a reason for the production freeze, but it comes amid rising concerns about a proposed 25% tariff on imported vehicles. The German automaker said it would “postpone” EV production in the U.S. next month, as the industry grapples with policy uncertainty. While BMW has not officially linked the decision to the looming tariffs, the timing suggests the move…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio said it will not construct exclusive battery swap stations for its newly launched Firefly brand, marking a strategic change in the company’s infrastructure development plans for its third automotive brand. Firefly, which unveiled its first model on April 19 with deliveries scheduled to begin later this month, will instead rely on Nio’s upcoming fifth-generation battery swap stations, which will also support vehicles under the Nio and Onvo brands. See also: Nio Targets 10% Sales Contribution from Firefly Brand Over Time “Therefore, we decided to have the Firefly plugged into Nio’s fifth generation of battery…

Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) has released the first official images of its upcoming B01 electric sedan, days before its scheduled debut at the 2025 Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. Designed to appeal to a younger demographic, the B01 is set to be unveiled on April 23, the opening day of the show’s press events. The B01 is the second model in Leapmotor’s B-series, following the recent launch of the B10 SUV on April 10. The electric sedan measures 4,770 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,490 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm, according to a regulatory…