Author: Floyd Hawkins

As Tesla continues to tease the upcoming release of its Roadster 2 with promises of SpaceX-inspired features, including the possibility of the car “flying,” BYD has already made waves with a hypercar capable of limited flight. The Yangwang U9, an electric supercar from the world’s largest EV manufacturer, has demonstrated its impressive active suspension system by executing a 20-foot jump to avoid a pothole, showcasing its advanced suspension technology in action. Elon Musk recently hinted that the Tesla Roadster 2, expected to debut in 2025, will feature a “flying” capability through the use of cold air thrusters from SpaceX, a…

Hubject has formed a partnership with AmpUp, a North American provider of EV charging solutions, to improve the accessibility and convenience of electric vehicle charging. The collaboration begins with the integration of Hubject’s Plug&Charge platform, allowing users to authenticate and pay for charging sessions automatically. As part of the partnership, AmpUp’s charging stations will be connected to Hubject’s global eRoaming network, providing access to over 1,000,000 charging points worldwide. This move is intended to expand charging opportunities for EV drivers and enhance the overall user experience. AmpUp’s CEO, Thomas Sun, highlighted the importance of charger availability and user-friendly solutions in…

Aptera Motors has signed an agreement with LG Energy Solution (LGES) to supply batteries for its solar-powered electric vehicle from 2025 to 2031. The deal, announced during CES 2025 in Las Vegas, involves a total supply volume of 4.4 GWh of battery capacity. The agreement also includes CTNS, a company responsible for assembling LGES’s 2170 NCMA cathode round cells into battery modules and packs, which will then be supplied to Aptera for installation. Under the contract, LGES will serve as the exclusive battery supplier for the Aptera solar electric car during the specified period. Aptera plans to introduce its three-wheeled…

Bologna’s public transport operator, TPER, has opened tenders for the procurement of new electric buses in two separate lots, totaling €126.48 million. The tender process, which will remain open until March 31, 2025, aims to enhance the city’s electric bus fleet as part of its broader push toward sustainable public transport. The first lot seeks 35 trolleybuses equipped with In Motion Charging (IMC) technology, with an option to procure an additional 35 units. These vehicles are expected to measure between 18 and 18.75 meters in length, include four doors, IMC functionality, and designated seating for individuals with disabilities. The second…

Retail sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China reached a record 1.302 million units in December, marking a 37.5% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). Despite this growth, the market penetration of NEVs dropped below 50% for the first time since June, reflecting a slower pace of adoption relative to traditional gasoline vehicles. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 58.5% of NEV sales, with 762,000 units sold in December, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) combined for 541,000 units, showing a significant year-on-year increase…

The Škoda Group has been awarded a contract to supply up to 70 trolleybuses for Tallinn’s public transport system, as part of a modernization plan for the Estonian capital’s network. The agreement includes the delivery of 22 articulated type 33Tr trolleybuses and 18 standard type 32Tr trolleybuses starting in 2026, with an option for an additional 30 vehicles. The city’s initiative includes substantial upgrades to the trolleybus infrastructure, incorporating systems that will allow operations in some areas without overhead lines. Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski stated that the city plans to invest over €100 million in the coming years to enhance public…

Cenntro, a U.S.-based electric commercial vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Freehold, New Jersey, has secured an order for 500 light electric vehicles from Japan. The vehicles, the Metro MR vans, are currently being produced at Cenntro’s facility in Hangzhou, China, with deliveries scheduled for this quarter. The Metro MR is a compact electric van designed for urban use, measuring 3.9 x 1.4 x 1.9 meters and offering an output of 21.5 kW in its standard configuration. The customized version ordered by the Japanese customer, however, includes unspecified adjustments to meet local needs. “Our Metro MR is an ideal electric delivery vehicle…

The BK Group has announced the addition of caretaking services for electric vehicle (EV) charging parks in Germany and France to its expanding portfolio. The new service package includes cleaning the sites, emptying rubbish bins, maintaining green spaces, and providing winter services, with potential for expansion into other European countries based on demand. For the past three years, the BK Group has honed its expertise in managing charging parks through its BK World locations, which offer lounges at EV charging sites. This experience has been leveraged to develop a new caretaking service tailored to the needs of charging infrastructure operators.…

Honda presented two prototypes of its next-generation electric vehicles, the Honda 0 Series, at CES 2025: the Honda 0 Saloon and the Honda 0 SUV. Both models, which are expected to launch globally in 2026, mark a significant step forward for the automaker as it looks to expand its electric vehicle (EV) offerings. The Honda 0 Series was initially previewed at CES 2024 with two design concepts, followed by more detailed information about the technologies driving the new models. In January 2025, Honda unveiled prototypes of the 0 Saloon and 0 SUV, showcasing the brand’s focus on “Thin, Light, and…

Mexico’s government has launched Olinia, a new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer backed by both state and private capital, aiming to produce affordable electric vehicles (EVs) by 2026. The initiative, which emphasizes regional production, is set to unveil its first model during the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico’s Aztec Stadium, with production slated to begin later that year. The three planned Olinia models, ranging from 90,000 to 150,000 pesos (approximately 4,200 to 7,100 euros), are expected to be far more affordable than current electric vehicles in the Mexican market, where models from brands such as JAC,…

The UNDERCOVER research project, launched on January 1, aims to explore deep raw material deposits and improve the discovery of critical materials for the European Union. The three-year initiative involves 16 partners from Europe and beyond, including Finland, France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Portugal, Namibia, and Canada. The project will test new strategies and sustainable technologies to enhance the efficiency of raw material exploration at greater depths. UNDERCOVER, which stands for ‘Unified Novel Deep ExploRation for Critical Ore discoVERy,’ is coordinated by the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK). The project seeks to leverage knowledge of subsurface mineral systems to support…

Germany’s federally funded DRivE project, led by RWTH Aachen University and a consortium of industrial partners, has developed a web-based route planning system designed to optimize routes for electric trucks, promoting a shift toward low-emission transportation solutions. The system, which integrates data from charging and refueling infrastructure with vehicle conditions and route specifics, aims to alleviate the “range anxiety” often experienced by companies in the transport and logistics sectors. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) with a budget of approximately 2.1 million euros, seeks to support the transition to alternative drive systems, such…