Author: Floyd Hawkins

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling more than 19,000 LEAF electric vehicles in the United States due to a potential risk of battery overheating during fast charging, according to a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall covers 19,077 LEAF models from 2021 and 2022 equipped with Level 3 quick-charging ports. Nissan found that excessive lithium deposits could form within the battery cells in vehicles built between November 3, 2020, and May 23, 2022, at its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant. The buildup may cause increased electrical resistance, leading to overheating or, in rare cases, fire risk during fast…

Orange EV, a U.S.-based manufacturer of fully electric terminal trucks, said its fleet has surpassed 10 million operating hours, marking a key milestone in the adoption of battery-powered heavy-duty vehicles across logistics and industrial sectors. Since the delivery of its first vehicle in 2015, the company has deployed more than 1,600 trucks to 340 fleets operating in 40 U.S. states and four Canadian provinces. See also: Orange EV and OptiGrid Launch Battery-Integrated Fast Charger to Accelerate Fleet Electrification Collectively, the trucks have logged nearly 27 million miles of service and maintained an average uptime of 97%, according to the company.…

German engineering group Voith said it will spin off its commercial vehicle division from the Voith Turbo unit into a new independent company, Driventic, which will specialize in both alternative and conventional drive technologies. The new firm, employing about 1,400 people across 27 locations in 19 countries, will begin operations on November 1. Voith said the move is designed to give the unit greater flexibility in responding to market developments and expanding its e-mobility business. Driventic, headquartered in Heidenheim, will pursue a dual strategy of growing its electric drive systems while maintaining conventional powertrain solutions for trucks, buses, and off-highway…

Hyundai has streamlined the Kona Electric lineup for the 2026 model year, limiting the entry-level battery-powered crossover to a single SE trim with a Standard Range battery pack. The 2026 Kona Electric SE features a 48.6-kilowatt-hour battery that provides 200 miles of EPA-rated range. Its electric motor generates 133 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque, with maximum charging power capped at 100 kilowatts, resulting in a 10-80% charge time of approximately 43 minutes. See also: Hyundai Cuts 2026 Ioniq 5 Prices By Nearly $10,000 In U.S. Earlier versions of the Kona Electric were available in four trims—SE, SEL, N Line,…

Hyundai Motor America reported record September sales of 71,003 units, a 14% increase from a year earlier, marking the company’s best September on record. The automaker set new highs across electrified models, with EV sales up 153% compared with September 2024, led by the Ioniq 5 and hybrid versions of the Santa Fe and Elantra. Retail sales rose 7% year-on-year to 57,435 units, with electrified models accounting for 38% of the retail mix. The Ioniq 5 recorded a 151% jump in retail deliveries, while Santa Fe and Elantra hybrid sales increased 45% and 89% respectively. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 9…

Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide has begun pilot operations of its Robotaxi GXR and Robobus services in Ras Al Khaimah, expanding its presence to a third emirate in the United Arab Emirates. The launch, in partnership with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), is part of the emirate’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030 to create an integrated and sustainable transport network. WeRide’s Robobus will initially operate a nine-stop route on Al Marjan Island, while the Robotaxi GXR will serve residents in the city center. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin in early 2026. See also: WeRide And Grab To Launch…

Toyota’s electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States collapsed in September, even as rival automakers reported surging demand ahead of the expiration of a $7,500 federal tax credit. The Japanese automaker sold just 61 units of its BZ models last month, while Lexus delivered 86 RZ vehicles, totaling 147 EVs. That marked a more than 90% drop from the 1,847 all-electric vehicles Toyota sold in September 2024, according to company data. EVs accounted for less than 0.1% of Toyota’s 185,700 total U.S. vehicle sales, which were up 14% year-on-year. See also: Toyota Launches $1.5 Bln Investment Push Into Startups…

U.S. auto executives are warning of a steep drop in electric-vehicle (EV) sales in October after the federal $7,500 tax credit for buyers expired at the end of September, potentially halving EVs’ share of the market. “It’s a game-changer,” Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley said at a Detroit event on Tuesday, just hours before the subsidy ended. He added he would not be surprised if EVs fall to 5% of total U.S. vehicle sales this month, down from a record 10% in August when buyers rushed to take advantage of the credit. See also: Ford and GM Offer Dealer Programs…

Geely Auto reported record monthly sales in September, boosted by surging demand for its Galaxy sub-brand and growing deliveries of electric models. The automaker sold 273,125 vehicles last month, up 35.2% from a year earlier and 9.2% from August, according to a Hong Kong Stock Exchange filing on Wednesday. Sales of Geely Galaxy reached a record 120,868 units, marking a 131% year-on-year increase. See also: Geely Launches “Jisu Glory” Ro-Ro Vessel to Support Vehicle Exports to Europe Including Galaxy, the Geely brand recorded 221,966 sales, up 43% from a year earlier. Lynk & Co sales rose 27.5% to 32,902 units,…

Rivian has secured new patents with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including filings for an ornamental headlamp design and a home energy storage system that could rival Tesla’s Powerwall and support vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality. The filings, published September 30, expand Rivian’s intellectual property portfolio less than a week after earlier patents covering a battery architecture without a 12V system, an automated rear diffuser, and digital infotainment “gadgets.” The latest batch includes an obstacle detection system for a tonneau cover, a vehicle state estimation platform, a battery thermal release layer, the new headlamp design, and an energy storage system.…

U.S. electric vehicle maker Lucid Group said it has opened a new retail studio in Zurich, Switzerland, marking its eighth location in Europe. The site on Löwenstrasse 56 replaces temporary spaces the company had previously used and strengthens its presence in the Swiss market. The Zurich opening coincides with the public debut of the Lucid Gravity, a seven-seat all-electric SUV. The model, initially offered in the Grand Touring trim, produces 617 kW and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. Equipped with a 123 kWh battery, it has a WLTP-estimated range of up to 748 km. A Touring…

Tesla is preparing subtle updates to its Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles in China, according to certification documents released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The changes are focused on functionality and comfort rather than major structural redesigns. For the Model 3, the updates include the addition of a front bumper blind-spot camera and a blacked-out Tesla logo, reflecting recent design trends and previously anticipated features. The sedan has also seen the return of the turn signal stalk to production models. The refresh appears to emphasize incremental improvements to safety and aesthetics. See also: Lucid…