Author: Floyd Hawkins

General Motors is exploring the development of midsize electric pickup trucks powered by lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries, as part of its broader plan to expand its electric vehicle lineup and reduce costs, GM President Mark Reuss said in an interview with InsideEVs. Reuss said that while midsize electric trucks remain rare, GM aims to address the key challenge of battery packaging and cost. “You don’t see any real battery-electric midsize trucks, for instance, right? And so why is that?” Reuss said. “The truck doesn’t have enough packaging space to handle the battery packs needed for the duty cycle of the…

DS Penske has revealed its DS E-TENSE FE25 electric race car for Season 12 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, marking another chapter in the team’s collaboration with DS Automobiles, the French premium brand from the Stellantis Group. Entering its 11th consecutive season in Formula E, DS Automobiles continues to build on an impressive record that includes four championship titles, 18 wins, 55 podiums, and 26 pole positions from 137 races. See also: Andretti Formula E Unveils Season 12 Livery as Felipe Drugovich Joins Jake Dennis for New Campaign The new DS E-TENSE FE25, finished in the marque’s…

Baidu announced today that its autonomous ride-hailing service, Apollo Go, has entered a strategic partnership with PostBus, the public transport operator of Swiss Post, to launch an on-demand robotaxi service called ‘AmiGo’ in Switzerland. The collaboration marks Apollo Go’s first project in Europe and aims to introduce a fully electric, autonomous mobility service across eastern Switzerland. The AmiGo service will deploy Apollo Go’s latest-generation Level 4 autonomous vehicles in an area spanning the cantons of St. Gallen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Backed by the Swiss Federal Office of Transport (FOT), the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), the Touring Club Switzerland…

Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of Chinese battery giant CAT, has achieved a 99.6 percent recovery rate for nickel, cobalt, and manganese, and a 96.5 percent recovery rate for lithium from recycled power batteries, the company said on Wednesday. CATL announced the results on its official Weibo account, describing the milestone as a major step in strengthening China’s circular battery economy. The company said Brunp reached the high recovery rates through its proprietary Directional Recycling Technology (DRT), which integrates intelligent disassembly, hydrometallurgy, and material restoration processes. These techniques are designed to maximize metal recovery while minimizing waste and environmental impact. See…

Volkswagen is discontinuing its gas-powered Touareg SUV after the 2026 model year, closing the chapter on its first luxury SUV introduced in 2002. The model, developed alongside the Porsche Cayenne and sharing some powertrain components with the Lamborghini Urus, has sold over 1.2 million units across three generations and remains available in more than 39 countries. See also: Volkswagen Group’s EV Deliveries Rise 33% in Q3, Led by Strong Gains in Europe and U.S. The automaker is sending off the Touareg with a “FINAL EDITION” model, available for order until the end of March 2026, with prices starting at 75,025…

Everged, Betacom, and The University of Alabama have joined forces to establish a pioneering 5G Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) testbed designed to drive breakthroughs in autonomous mobility, advanced energy systems, and Industry 4.0 applications. The initiative, based at the university’s Alabama Mobility & Power Center (AMP), aims to serve as a model for secure and scalable industrial connectivity. The project will leverage LG Electronics’ UltraMax 5G ORAN platform to create a robust, cyber-secure private 5G network that integrates smart grid management, autonomous EV charging systems, and industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. The AMP campus will operate as a…

Ford Motor Co is introducing a new “Phone As Key” feature to the 2026 F-150 Lightning, allowing drivers to unlock, lock, and start their vehicles using only a smartphone, according to a report by Ford Authority. The technology joins a series of updates for the all-electric pickup, including a new STX off-road trim and lower pricing across most models. The “Phone As Key” Package will be available on select trims and integrated into the FordPass app, offering remote control convenience without the need for a physical key fob. See also: Ford Cuts 2026 F-150 Lightning Prices by Up to $4,000…

Stellantis-backed Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor plans to introduce the first model of its A-series lineup in the first quarter of 2026, according to a report by local media outlet Leiphone. The standard version of the model has reportedly been delivered to suppliers for testing, marking the next step in Leapmotor’s product expansion strategy. The upcoming A-series model will be developed simultaneously for both Chinese and European markets and will feature a smaller body size compared to the company’s B-series lineup, aligning with European consumer preferences. The launch follows Leapmotor’s recent debut of the D19 large SUV in China, the…

IBU-Tec Advanced Materials has signed a major agreement with PowerCo, the battery subsidiary of Volkswagen, to produce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery materials in Germany. The partnership aims to strengthen the European battery supply chain and establish an industrial manufacturing process for LFP cathode material within the region. Under the contract, IBU-Tec will begin producing LFP cathode materials for automotive applications at its Weimar facility starting in 2026. The agreement targets full utilisation of IBU-Tec’s current annual production capacity of over 3,000 tonnes of LFP battery materials by 2028. See also: IBU-tec Opens Battery Recycling Plant in Germany with Hosokawa…

Nissan will begin taking orders for the third generation of its LEAF electric vehicle in Germany before the end of this year, with deliveries expected to start in early 2025. The new model will enter the German market with a starting price below €37,000, while the long-range version equipped with a larger battery will cost just under €42,000. The latest LEAF represents an important milestone for Nissan in Germany, one of Europe’s key electric vehicle markets. The carmaker confirmed that the model will be produced at its Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom, with batteries manufactured locally for the European…

Ford said it would reduce prices on its 2026 F-150 Lightning electric pickup by up to $4,000 following the expiration of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit in the United States. The automaker also increased driving range on select trims. The move comes as Ford seeks to maintain momentum in the electric pickup market, where it reclaimed the top-selling position in 2025. The company sold more than 10,000 Lightnings in the third quarter, nearly double the roughly 5,400 Tesla Cybertrucks sold in the same period, according to Cox Automotive. Through September, total Lightning sales reached over 23,000 units. See also:…

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has sold more than 100,000 vehicles in the first nine months of 2025, becoming the first brand in the country’s history to reach that milestone within such a period. The achievement comes as the company continues its streak as Vietnam’s best-selling carmaker for 11 consecutive months, supported by consistent demand across its electric vehicle lineup. VinFast delivered 13,914 vehicles in September, bringing total sales for the first three quarters of 2025 to 103,884 units, according to company figures. The compact VF 3 led sales with 31,386 units so far this year, followed by the VF 5 with…

Europe will require between 4,000 and 5,300 public megawatt chargers for electric trucks by 2030, according to a new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The research indicates that while megawatt charging will play a key role for long-haul freight, most charging needs can be met using existing high-power CCS infrastructure. The ICCT expects the total charging capacity needed for Europe’s growing fleet of battery-electric trucks to reach between 22 and 28 gigawatts by 2030. Roughly 70% of that capacity will be concentrated in Germany, Poland, France, Spain and Italy — countries with the largest truck traffic…

Toyota and Sumitomo Metal Mining said on Wednesday they have made progress in developing cathode materials for all-solid-state batteries and agreed to collaborate on mass production, marking another step toward commercialising next-generation battery technology for electric vehicles. All-solid-state batteries are widely viewed as a key breakthrough for the EV industry, offering enhanced safety, faster charging times, and longer lifespans compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries that use flammable liquid electrolytes. However, large-scale adoption remains limited by high production costs and complex manufacturing processes. See also: Panasonic Energy, Sumitomo Metal Mining to Recycle Nickel for Battery Production Toyota, the world’s largest automaker…

Volkswagen will return to selling electric vehicles through its traditional dealer network in Germany from 2026, ending its agency sales model for battery-powered cars. However, dealers will receive lower margins on electric models than on combustion-engine vehicles, which could narrow their ability to offer discounts, according to a report by Automobilwoche. Starting in 2026, Volkswagen Passenger Cars plans to give its German dealers a base margin of six percent for both combustion and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). But the total margin for BEVs will be two percentage points lower, at eight percent compared to ten percent for combustion vehicles, the report…

Tesla has launched two new entry-level electric vehicles in the United States — the Model Y Standard and Model 3 Standard — expanding its range of more affordable models and signaling a renewed focus on cost efficiency. The surprise dual debut follows weeks of anticipation for the new Model Y trim and introduces fresh updates to both vehicles’ design, range, and pricing. The Model Y Standard RWD, priced from US$39,990, becomes Tesla’s most affordable crossover yet. It features a 69 kWh battery capable of delivering up to 321 miles (517 km) of range on a single charge, compared with 357…

Dacia has revealed the Hipster, a compact electric concept car that aims to “invent the popular electric car of tomorrow.” Known for practical and budget-friendly vehicles like the Duster and Bigster, the Renault-owned brand is now exploring how affordability and efficiency could shape the next generation of urban EVs. The Hipster’s sharp-edged, cube-like design emphasizes space optimization and simplicity over aesthetics. See also: Dacia Introduces Hybrid-G 150 4×4 Powertrain to Duster and Bigster Measuring just three meters in length, the Hipster is significantly shorter than even Japan’s kei cars, standing 1.53 meters tall and 1.55 meters wide. Despite its tiny…

Tesla has delayed the release of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 14 to Monday after identifying a last-minute issue in the system, Chief Executive Elon Musk said on X (formerly Twitter). The FSD v14 update was originally expected to see an “early wide release” last week, followed by subsequent rollouts of versions 14.1 and 14.2. However, Musk said a bug discovered shortly before deployment prompted the company’s Autopilot team to postpone the release. See also: Tesla Halves FSD Strike Forgiveness Window in Latest Software Update According to Musk, the delay allows Tesla to include additional improvements in the update,…

Urban Arrow, a Dutch e-bike manufacturer known for its front-loading cargo box models, has introduced its first longtail electric cargo bike, the Urban Arrow Breeze. The launch marks the company’s entry into a new segment with a design aimed at offering greater versatility at a lower price point. Longtail cargo bikes are generally easier to produce than front-loading models, with simpler steering and conventional frames. The Breeze is designed to carry up to 200 kg (440 lb) while maintaining a wheelbase comparable to a standard city bike. It supports two child seats on the rear rack, which is MIK-compatible for…

Kia’s EV3 compact electric SUV has surpassed 75,000 global sales in the first nine months of 2025, reinforcing its role as one of the South Korean automaker’s strongest-performing models since its launch. The EV3, introduced in Korea last year and now expanding across Europe, the UK, and Australia, has quickly gained traction in both domestic and international markets. See also: Kia EV3 Earns Top “Very Good” Rating in Euro NCAP Assisted Driving Test It was the top-selling EV in Korea and the UK in the first half of 2025. In Korea alone, Kia sold nearly 19,000 units through September, up…