Author: Floyd Hawkins

Waymo is expanding its autonomous ride-hailing service in Silicon Valley, adding Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale to its “Waymo One” early rider program. The expansion, set to begin Wednesday, increases the company’s coverage in the Bay Area to 82 square miles, with 27 of those newly added. The Alphabet-owned firm is ramping up its commercial operations and geographic footprint. Last week, Waymo integrated its vehicles into Uber’s platform in Austin, Texas, with plans to extend the partnership to Atlanta later this year. The company is also launching in Miami through a collaboration with African mobility…

Mercedes-Benz has selected China’s Hesai to supply lidar sensors for its smart driving vehicles in global markets, marking the first time a foreign automaker has adopted Chinese-made lidar technology for models sold outside China, a person familiar with the matter said according to a report by Reuters. The decision comes amid escalating trade tensions, with the United States increasing restrictions on Chinese components and software in vehicles developed by global automakers. However, German automakers, key players in their country’s economy, are under pressure to remain competitive. Mercedes had deliberated for months due to legal and geopolitical risks before choosing Hesai,…

The UK government will remove tax exemptions for electric vehicles (EVs) priced above £40,000 starting April 1, 2025, subjecting them to the country’s expensive car supplement road tax. Under the new policy, owners of newly registered EVs exceeding the price threshold will pay an additional £425 annually for five years, totaling £2,050 over the period. See also: UK Expected to Ease ZEV Mandate as Pressure Mounts from Automakers The tax reform, first announced in late 2022, will also require existing EV owners to begin paying the standard Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) from the same date. The changes will extend to…

XCharge North America (XCharge NA) has launched its first Virtual Point of Sale (VPOS) system, streamlining payment options for EV drivers. The new system enables users to pay via Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or standard credit and debit cards without requiring a dedicated app. Payments are processed through the SaaS platform Stripe, with the VPOS feature pre-installed on all new XCharge chargers. Existing customers can receive the update remotely without additional hardware. See also: XCharge NA Partners with OUC to Evaluate Battery-Integrated EV Charging Solutions To enhance security, XCharge NA’s VPOS system incorporates a dynamic on-screen QR code that refreshes…

Rivian has introduced a suite of new features in its latest software update, including hands-free driving via its Enhanced Highway Assist system and a new “Rally” drive mode designed for off-road performance. The over-the-air (OTA) update continues the company’s strategy of refining vehicle performance and user experience through software enhancements. The newly launched Enhanced Highway Assist allows hands-free driving for extended periods on compatible highways, available to owners of Rivian’s second-generation R1S and R1T models. The system employs an infrared camera in the rearview mirror to monitor driver attention, rather than requiring intermittent steering input. See also: Rivian Seeks Patent…

Volkswagen has selected its Autoeuropa plant in Palmela, Portugal, as the production site for its upcoming ID. EVERY1, the first model developed using its joint electric architecture with U.S. EV maker Rivian, Portuguese automotive news outlet Razão Automóvel reported on Monday. The ID. EVERY1, unveiled last week, is positioned as a €20,000 ($21,000) entry-level EV for the European market and is set to launch in 2027. See also: Volkswagen Unveils ID. Every1, a €20,000 EV Targeting Mass Market Adoption Volkswagen has yet to confirm the production location officially, but Greta Höhne, spokesperson for the ID.1 and ID.2 projects, stated that…

Nissan has unveiled new autonomous driving test vehicles based on its Serena minivan at its Yokohama headquarters, marking a significant milestone in Japan’s self-driving technology development. The vehicles are equipped with 14 cameras, nine radars, and six LiDAR sensors, similar to the Nissan Leafs used in last year’s trials, though with one less radar. See also: Nissan Plans Autonomous Ride Service in Japan by 2027 The key advancement in Nissan’s latest trials lies in the Serena’s capabilities—becoming the first test vehicle in Japan to navigate a complex urban environment on public roads without a driver onboard. The automaker has been…

Jaguar’s all-electric Type 00 Concept has made its first real-world appearance, taking to the streets of Paris in a striking shade of French Ultramarine. The concept, initially revealed in Miami Pink and London Blue, was driven under its own power before making a high-profile stop at Paris Fashion Week. The two-door coupe, featuring silver-accented lower bodywork and signature alloy wheels, drew attention as its butterfly doors opened, marking a dramatic entrance. The concept’s public debut comes as Jaguar accelerates its transition to an all-electric lineup, with its first production EV set for launch in late 2025. See also: Jaguar Unveils…

Tesla’s stock has experienced a sharp decline in recent months, reflecting investor concerns over the company’s leadership, sales performance, and market position. On December 17, Tesla shares reached an all-time high of $479.86, boosted by investor optimism surrounding regulatory prospects. However, as of the latest market close, the stock had fallen to $222.15, representing a loss of more than 50% in three months and wiping out approximately $800 billion in market value. The downturn has been accompanied by a wave of protests against Tesla, with demonstrations taking place in multiple cities. In France, arson is suspected in a fire that…

StoreDot, a developer of extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology, has entered a licensing agreement with South Korean battery manufacturer Kumyang to bring XFC cylindrical cells to mass production. The partnership focuses on the 4680 battery format, integrating StoreDot’s technology with Kumyang’s manufacturing expertise. See also: StoreDot, JR Energy to Mass Produce Ultra-Fast Charging Batteries in South Korea The collaboration aims to produce EV batteries capable of charging from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes while maintaining high energy density and longevity. StoreDot stated that initial tests of the 4695 format have demonstrated a cycle life exceeding 1,000 standard charge…

Demand for battery-electric vans in the UK grew for the fifth consecutive month in February, even as overall light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales declined, industry data showed on Saturday. Registrations of new electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes rose 55.1% year-on-year to 1,413 units, securing a 9.7% market share, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). See also: UK’s AA Trials Electric and Hybrid Vans as Part of Fleet Transition However, this remains below the 16% zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) market share required under the UK’s 2025 target. Ongoing discussions suggest the government could ease these mandates.…

Indian electric bus manufacturer Olectra Greentech has placed an order for 2,325 electric bus chassis from BYD, encompassing models K9, C9, and K7.This order supplements a previous request of 750 units made in August 2024, adding 50 units of the K7 chassis and 275 units of the K9 chassis. BYD’s collaboration with Olectra Greentech underscores its position in public transportation. As of January 31, 2025, 2,330 buses equipped with BYD chassis were operating in 35 Indian cities, capturing a 24% market share. See also: Mumbai Plans to Convert Public Bus Fleet to Electric by 2027 Amidst Challenges Since entering the…