Author: Floyd Hawkins

Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann expects the upcoming launch of the Smart #5 model in May to significantly boost the global sales of the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. With the introduction of the #5, alongside existing models #1 and #3, Adelmann predicts annual sales could reach 120,000 vehicles worldwide by 2025. Smart recorded global sales of approximately 65,000 vehicles in 2024, nearly doubling its 2023 figures. European deliveries accounted for around 20,000 units, with 9,322 new registrations in Germany, according to Automobilwoche. Adelmann anticipates German sales could double to nearly 20,000 units following the launch of the larger,…

European fast-charging network operator Fastned has partnered with One Hundred restrooms to equip its charging parks with high-quality sanitary facilities. The initiative will debut in Belgium and the Netherlands, with the first restroom facility set to open in the current quarter. The partnership follows a European framework agreement between Fastned and One Hundred restrooms, a Dutch company specializing in innovative restroom solutions. The agreement aims to enhance the comfort and convenience of EV travelers and other road users across Europe. “Our goal is to set a new standard in comfort, safety, and well-being along European highways,” Fastned said in a…

Renault Group is strengthening its ties with the Chinese automotive sector to advance its electric vehicle (EV) development and streamline production processes, despite not selling cars in China. CEO Luca de Meo highlighted China’s role in automotive innovation, stating, “This is where the real things are happening.” The French automaker established the Advanced China Development Center (ACDC) in Shanghai last year to tap into local expertise. One of its first projects, the Twingo E-Tech, is being developed in China but will be produced in Slovenia for the European market. The EV is expected to be priced under €20,000 ($20,565), aiming…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday it has launched an investigation into 129,222 Ford Motor vehicles following reports of collisions involving the automaker’s hands-free driving system, BlueCruise. The probe stems from notices of two fatal crashes involving Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles equipped with the BlueCruise technology. The system, designed for hands-free driving, uses a camera-based driver monitoring system to ensure attentiveness and is functional on 97% of highways in the United States and Canada that lack intersections or traffic signals. The investigation highlights ongoing safety concerns as automakers increasingly introduce advanced driver assistance systems. BlueCruise…

The BT Group has decided to abandon its plans to repurpose up to 60,000 street cabinets in the UK as electric vehicle (EV) charging points. Instead, the telecommunications company will redirect its efforts toward improving WiFi infrastructure around existing charging stations, enabling better access to charging apps and digital services for EV drivers. BT initially retrofitted one street cabinet in East Lothian, Scotland, in August 2024, marking its first foray into EV charging. The cabinets, previously used for broadband and telephone cables, were deemed redundant and set to be decommissioned. The company had aimed to convert these cabinets into EV…

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids reached 17.1 million units globally in 2024, marking a 25% increase compared to the previous year, according to a report by UK-based market research firm Rho Motion. While the global market experienced robust growth, significant regional differences emerged, with China leading the charge and Europe facing a contraction. The report highlighted a strong close to the year, with consecutive monthly records from September to December. An average of 1.4 million EVs and plug-in hybrids were registered globally each month, peaking at 1.9 million in December. The study’s scope included passenger cars and…

Tesla has extended its free lifetime Supercharging promotion for the Cybertruck Foundation Series, which was originally set to expire at the end of 2024. The extension runs through January 31, 2025, as the company works to clear its remaining inventory of these high-end models. The promotion is available for new Foundation Series Cybertrucks ordered after December 27, 2024, and it remains tied to the original buyer’s Tesla Account, making it non-transferable. However, customers will still be responsible for any Supercharger congestion or idle fees. “Customers who purchase a new Cybertruck Foundation Series are eligible for free Supercharging during your ownership…

Porsche reported a 3% drop in global deliveries for 2024, with sales totaling 310,718 vehicles, the automaker announced on Tuesday. Despite a mixed performance, the debut of the Macan EV marked a significant milestone, outselling its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart in the fourth quarter. However, the fully electric Taycan experienced a steep 49% sales decline, underscoring challenges in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The Macan EV, launched in January 2024 but delivered to customers starting late September, accounted for 66% of the 27,795 Macans sold in the fourth quarter. “The introduction of the Macan EV marks a pivotal moment…

The Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University has concluded the Fluxlicon research project, which developed a stationary energy storage system using second-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The three-year initiative was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. The innovative storage system, with a capacity exceeding one megawatt-hour, integrates used EV batteries with approximately 80% residual capacity, enabling additional years of utility in modular energy applications. “With a residual capacity of around 80 per cent, most traction batteries are no longer suitable for further use in electric cars, but they…

The UK government will fund the installation of up to 1,500 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points in Brighton & Hove over the next three years, with the city awarding new contracts for the project later this year. Brighton & Hove City Council announced it will receive £2.8 million in funding, enabling the installation of 500 EV charging points annually until 2027. The initiative aims to expand charging options and offer more flexible tariffs, including off-peak rates, with access to over 2,000 charging points. “The dramatic increase in the number of public locations will help give residents confidence they can…

The first all-electric models from Jeep and Dodge have officially arrived at U.S. dealerships, marking a significant step in Stellantis’ electric vehicle (EV) strategy. Despite delays, the highly anticipated EVs are now available for purchase, as the automaker prepares for an all-out electric push in 2025 with additional models from Jeep, Dodge, and Ram Truck. Originally expected to hit dealerships by the end of 2024, the arrival of Jeep and Dodge EVs was delayed due to software issues. Dodge CEO Matt McAlear discussed the extensive software refinements made to the electric Charger, noting that “90%-plus, 95%-plus” of the software had…

Amazon has announced an order of 200 fully-electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 heavy-duty trucks from Daimler, marking its largest electric truck purchase to date. The trucks will be deployed on high-mileage routes across Amazon’s middle-mile network, which connects fulfillment centers, sort centers, and delivery stations in Germany and the UK. This is a key step in Amazon’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Andreas Marschner, Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Operations Sustainability, called the order a “major milestone,” highlighting the difficulty of decarbonizing the heavy goods sector. The eActros 600 trucks, each capable of covering 500 kilometers (311 miles)…