Author: Harding Greenwood

Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle maker Ehang has unveiled the VT35, a next-generation pilotless passenger eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft aimed at low-altitude intercity transportation. The new model builds on the earlier VT30 prototype and represents a key step in Ehang’s plan to expand its product line beyond urban air mobility into longer-range travel. Launched at an event in Hefei, Anhui province, the VT35 features an upgraded lift-and-cruise design, tailored for medium- to long-range missions such as intercity, cross-sea, and cross-mountain routes. The model targets users seeking efficient air transport between urban centers, combining autonomous flight technology with extended…

U.S. solar electric vehicle maker Aptera said it has secured access to up to $75 million in equity financing as the company prepares to go public on the NASDAQ later this week, aiming to fund the final stages of bringing its highly efficient solar car to production. Aptera, which is conducting a direct listing rather than a traditional IPO or SPAC merger, said the financing comes through a share purchase agreement with New Circle Principal Investments LLC, an affiliate of New Circle Capital. “Aptera Motors Corp. (‘Aptera’), the solar mobility company focused on developing highly efficient vehicles, today announced it…

Germany inaugurated its first Megawatt Charging System (MCS) point for heavy-duty electric trucks along the Autobahn A2, marking a milestone in the development of zero-emission long-haul transport. The charger, located at the Lipperland Süd service area, was delivered and commissioned by ABB E-mobility as part of the HoLa project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and the European Union. The Proof of Concept unit demonstrated charging rates between 650-695 kW for three MCS-ready electric trucks during mandatory 45-minute driver breaks. The HoLa initiative aims to validate MCS technology under real-world conditions, collecting data to inform the expansion of…

Farizon, the manufacturer of the all-electric SV van distributed by Jameel Motors UK, has established partnerships with ChargePoint and Hypervolt to broaden charging options for its customers. The collaborations are intended to offer tailored solutions for both commercial and residential users, supporting the transition to electric vehicles. See also: Jameel Motors UK Opens Orders for Farizon SV Electric Van with Multiple Configurations Under the new agreements, ChargePoint will provide commercial-grade charging solutions for fleet and business customers. Its product lineup includes the CP6000 AC charger, offering up to 22kW of power, and the HYC50 DC wall box, capable of 50kW…

Glasgow-based Munro EV has secured £2 million in new funding to increase production of its M-Series electric 4X4 vehicles. The investment round, led by existing backer Elbow Beach and other partners, will support the company’s efforts to meet rising demand from industries such as mining, defense, and construction that are transitioning toward lower-emission operations. The funding will be used to expand Munro’s production facility in Glasgow, enabling the company to fulfill existing orders for 246 vehicles valued at more than £17 million. The scale-up is expected to create up to 300 new jobs over the coming years and help Munro…

Zeekr has unveiled the updated Zeekr 001 shooting brake, introducing major upgrades in powertrain, battery, and autonomous driving capabilities while keeping its exterior design largely unchanged. The 2026 Zeekr 001 starts at RMB 269,800 ($37,820), up from the previous model’s RMB 259,000. A RMB 10,000 trade-in subsidy brings the effective starting price down to RMB 259,800 ($36,410) for orders placed before December 31. The model is offered in four variants priced at RMB 269,800, RMB 269,800, RMB 299,800, and RMB 329,800. See also: Zeekr Reveals Updated Zeekr 001 with Luxurious and Tech-Focused Interior Built on a new 900-volt high-voltage architecture,…

Ford said it is discontinuing a program that would have allowed dealers to extend a $7,500 tax credit on electric vehicle (EV) leases, following the expiration of the federal subsidy on September 30. The automaker said it will continue to offer competitive lease options despite the decision. “Ford will not claim the EV tax credit but will maintain the competitive lease payments we have in the market today,” a company spokesperson said. The move comes a day after General Motors (GM.N) also canceled a similar initiative. Both companies had developed in-house financing strategies through which their lending arms would buy…

The European Union should relax its CO₂ reduction targets for cars, vans and trucks by allowing longer compliance periods and greater consideration for hybrid vehicles and alternative fuels, the bloc’s automotive industry group said on Wednesday. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) submitted its proposals to the European Commission, which is reviewing vehicle emissions targets by the end of the year. The group warned that achieving a 100% cut in new car and van CO₂ emissions by 2035 is increasingly unrealistic given market challenges, limited charging infrastructure, and rising competitive pressure from China and the United States. See also: EU…

Polish bus maker Solaris has introduced the Urbino 10.5 electric, a new battery-powered city bus, at the Busworld trade fair in Brussels. The compact 10.5-metre model joins the company’s growing Urbino electric range and is designed to offer improved manoeuvrability in dense urban environments, with a claimed range of up to 600 kilometres under the E-SORT standardised on-road test cycle. The new Solaris Urbino 10.5 electric is equipped with Solaris’ modular drive system, featuring a 240 kW synchronous motor and high-energy battery packs of around 350 kWh, with configurations exceeding 400 kWh available. See also: Solaris To Deliver 79 Electric…

Volvo has launched a more affordable version of its compact electric SUV, the EX30, for the 2026 model year in the United States. The new Single Motor variant starts at $38,950, representing a price reduction of nearly $6,000 compared with the 2025 model, which began at $44,600. Initially planned for release by the end of 2024, the entry-level EX30 has now arrived on Volvo’s U.S. website after production delays. The updated lineup expands beyond the previously available 422-horsepower Twin Motor Performance version, introducing a more accessible option aimed at broadening the vehicle’s appeal. See also: Volvo EX30 Charging Test Shows…

Blocked from the U.S. market, Chinese autonomous driving technology firms are rapidly expanding into Europe, establishing headquarters, signing data agreements, and testing vehicles on public roads. The move has stirred concern among local competitors who fear intensified competition in an already fragmented market. China, the world’s largest car market, has become a leader in vehicle automation, with more than half of new cars sold now featuring autonomous driving capabilities, often as standard. Backed by Beijing’s policy drive to dominate global self-driving development, Chinese firms are using Europe as a base for international growth, replicating the strategy that helped electric vehicle…

Researchers at RWTH Aachen University’s Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) have developed a new melt coating process known as ‘LIMA’, enabling the efficient production of ultra-thin lithium metal anodes for next-generation batteries. The team plans to commercialize the method through a university spin-off. The LIMA process involves the controlled application of liquid lithium onto a substrate foil, offering a simpler, scalable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional rolling and lamination techniques. See also: Fraunhofer FFB, RWTH Aachen, and hs-tumbler Launch Project to Accelerate Sodium-Ion Battery Development Traditional methods involve rolling 100-micrometre-thick lithium foils down to 30–70 micrometres before…