Author: Harding Greenwood

Electric Era has unveiled RetailEdge™, a next-generation EV fast charging platform designed to merge seamlessly with retail environments and unlock new revenue streams for businesses. Introduced at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show, the platform combines high-performance charging technology, an elegant design, and artificial intelligence to elevate the retail charging experience. RetailEdge is engineered for retailers looking to extend their in-store experience to the parking lot. It supports loyalty program integrations, in-kiosk transactions, and digital promotions via a 27-inch touchscreen interface. See also: Electric Era Expands EV Charging Network with Love’s Travel Stops Partnership Central to the system…

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has added two Volkswagen models — the ID.4 and ID.5 — to its Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme, expanding the total number of qualifying electric vehicles to 40, Autocar reported. Buyers of the ID.4 and ID.5 will receive a £1,500 discount on selected variants, including the Pure Essential, Pure Match, and Pro Essential trims. These versions are available in both single- and dual-motor powertrain configurations, with either a 52 kWh battery offering up to 221 miles of range or a 77 kWh battery providing 339 miles of range. Prices now start from £35,495 for…

Thailand-based charge point operator Spark EV has inaugurated its 100th electric vehicle charging station and plans to expand its network to 300 sites nationwide by December, the company said. The expansion forms part of Spark EV’s broader target to operate 500 charging stations across Thailand by the end of next year, aiming to make a charging station available every 50 kilometres. The company’s charging sites feature high-capacity systems ranging from 180 kW to 600 kW, designed for electric cars, light commercial vehicles, and other high-power EVs. Spark EV said the stations can enable full charging in as little as ten…

New York State will invest nearly $80 million to support seven regional transit agencies in shifting to zero-emission buses and related infrastructure, as part of its broader plan to decarbonize public transport and curb greenhouse gas emissions. The funding, provided through the state’s Zero-Emission Transit Transition (ZETT) program, will assist in the purchase of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses, as well as charging and refueling stations and facility improvements. The program excludes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and intercity bus operators, which mainly serve the New York City area. See also: New York Launches $21 Million Program for Shared Zero-Emission…

Cadillac has begun taking orders for its all-electric Optiq SUV in Germany, France, Sweden and Switzerland, with customer deliveries scheduled to start in February 2026, the company said. Prices for the compact premium EV start at €65,000 in Germany, offering a WLTP-certified range of up to 425 kilometres. The Optiq will be available in two trims—Premium Luxury and Premium Sport—both featuring a 75-kWh battery and dual-motor all-wheel drive. Cadillac said the powertrain delivers a peak output of 224 kW and 480 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds and a top speed of 184…

Subaru is teasing a new electric hot hatch with the launch of its Performance-E STI concept, signaling a next-generation approach for the brand’s STI lineup. The Japanese automaker ended production of the gas-powered WRX STI in March 2022, citing stricter emissions regulations and a transition toward electrification. At the time, Subaru noted it was exploring possibilities for a next-generation STI, including an electrified version, but confirmed it would not be built on the new WRX platform. See also: Subaru Unveils 2026 Solterra EV With More Power, Extended Range and New XT Model The newly revealed Performance-E STI offers a glimpse…

The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has approved new technical and homologation regulations for Junior and Senior e-karting, marking a major step in the global expansion of electric karting. The announcement came during the Council’s third meeting of the year, held on October 16 via videoconference, and represents a significant evolution in the FIA’s efforts to promote sustainable and innovative forms of motor sport. See also: Formula E Confirms 17-Race Calendar and Regulation Updates for Season 12 The newly approved regulations build upon the e-karting mini category introduced in 2023 and establish standardized guidelines for e-drivetrain systems, voltage limits,…

The Dongfeng BOX, an affordable electric hatchback from China’s Dongfeng Motor Corporation, received a three-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests, exposing structural vulnerabilities in a competitive European EV market. Euro NCAP found that multiple spot-welds in the BOX’s body shell failed during frontal offset crash tests, which simulate car-to-car collisions. These failures compromise structural integrity and could increase the risk of cabin deformation in higher-speed accidents. See also: Suzuki e-Vitara Receives Four-Star Euro NCAP Crash Test Rating https://twitter.com/EuroNCAP/status/1978448301994238081 The vehicle scored 69 percent for Adult Occupant Protection. Additional issues included a steering wheel airbag with insufficient pressure,…

BYD has initiated a recall of more than 115,000 vehicles in China, citing safety hazards linked to manufacturing and design issues in certain older models. The recall affects 44,535 Tang series electric vehicles produced between March 28, 2015, and July 28, 2017, as well as 71,248 Yuan Pro electric vehicles manufactured between February 6, 2021, and August 5, 2022, according to an announcement published by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR). See also: BYD Logs Over 100 Million Kilometers of Assisted Driving Data Daily in China For the 2015 Tang models, the issue stems from the design selection of…

Germany’s federal government has yet to reach an agreement on a new subsidy programme aimed at helping low- and middle-income households switch to electric vehicles, despite widespread media reports suggesting that concrete figures and criteria had already been decided. Recent reports claimed that buyers could receive up to €4,000 in incentives for an electric car if both the vehicle price and household income fell below certain limits. However, the Federal Ministry for the Environment clarified that no official decisions have been made. “We cannot confirm the circulating figures on potential subsidy amounts or the concrete design of the new support…

Foxconn’s two-year effort to buy a stake in ZF Group’s powertrain division has stalled after due diligence revealed a steep valuation mismatch and heavier-than-expected debt, according to documents seen by Reuters. The Taiwanese electronics giant had considered paying €1.3 billion for a stake in ZF’s Division E, which produces electric, hybrid and conventional drive systems. See also: ZF Strikes Restructuring Deal With Workers, 7,600 Jobs to Be Cut in Electrified Drive Division by 2030 But JPMorgan’s due diligence valued the unit at only €1.5 billion to €2.5 billion — far below an earlier €3.5 billion estimate — and found its…

Mercedes-Benz subsidiary Star Assembly has started assembling electric drive units for the new fully electric GLC at its plant in Sebeș, Romania, marking a key step in the automaker’s transition to electric mobility. The production site works closely with the Untertürkheim plant in Germany, which serves as the center of excellence for Mercedes-Benz’s drive technologies and builds systems for the upcoming electric CLA and other top-end models. The GLC, one of the company’s best-selling mid-size SUVs, will soon debut in an all-electric version built on the new MB.EA-M platform. With vehicle production scheduled to begin in Bremen, Germany, Mercedes-Benz is…