Author: Harding Greenwood

Xpeng has produced its 10,000th next-generation P7 sedan, about a month after the updated model was launched, the Chinese electric vehicle maker said on Thursday. Delivery of the unit is expected in the coming days. The next-generation P7, unveiled on Aug. 27, introduces a redesigned exterior, upgraded powertrain and new smart driving chips. Xpeng reported more than 10,000 firm orders within minutes of its launch. The sedan is available in four variants priced from 219,800 yuan ($30,860) to 301,800 yuan. Built on an 800-volt platform, the P7 supports ultra-fast charging that can deliver a 525 km driving range in 10…

Geely Holding Group launched its second self-owned roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel, the “Jisu Glory,” on September 21 at the Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal of Ningbo Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Operated by the group’s JISU Logistics unit, the vessel departed on its maiden voyage carrying vehicles from Geely, Zeekr, Smart, Lotus, and Farizon to European markets, including the United Kingdom and Belgium. The vessel expands Geely Auto’s shipping capabilities, supporting the company’s international vehicle distribution. The “Jisu Glory” measures 199.9 meters in length and 38 meters in width, with a 10-meter draught and capacity for 7,000 standard vehicles. Its 12…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto said it has established a joint venture with Sunwoda subsidiary SEVB to produce and sell lithium-ion batteries, as it looks to tighten control over costs, supply chain and technology. The 50-50 partnership, registered with the Shanghai Market Regulation Authority, comes as Li Auto accelerates its push into fully electric vehicles. Until recently, the company mainly sold range-extender models, but since 2024 has increasingly focused on pure battery-electric cars, heightening the importance of in-house battery expertise. Li Auto already collaborates with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), extending a development partnership for another five years last week.…

XCharge North America (NA) and Ascentium Capital have introduced a leasing program aimed at helping small-business owners install DC fast chargers without the burden of significant upfront investment or dependence on government incentives. Under the program, businesses can lease XCharge NA’s DC fast chargers, capable of delivering up to 400 kW, for a fixed monthly rate. Participants can capture full charging revenue, unlike traditional charging-as-a-service models where operators take a share. The initiative follows a financing structure commonly used in the auto industry, bundling equipment, installation, warranties, and maintenance into a single package. XCharge NA noted that its GridLink and…

Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a notable shift in the second quarter of 2025, with full hybrid vehicles surpassing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in consumer preference for the first time. Full hybrids captured 12.9% of new vehicle registrations, while ZEVs, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), accounted for 9.2%, down from 9.7% in Q1 2025, according to S&P Global. Despite a 25.6% increase in ZEV volume, the overall light-duty vehicle market expanded faster, growing 32.3%, which diluted ZEV market share. BEVs represented 5.9% of registrations, showing volume growth of 13.3% but a decline in market share. Mild…

Xpeng has completed a RMB 710 million ($100 million) asset-backed securities (ABS) issuance to boost working capital and expand its new energy vehicle (NEV) leasing operations. The issuance marks China’s first off-balance-sheet ABS for NEV financial leasing, allowing asset derecognition without relying on external credit enhancement. The offering relied on the credit quality of Xpeng’s leasing assets, with the AAA-rated senior A tranche achieving a coupon rate of 2.28 percent. The issuance received the highest green rating, G1, and the underlying asset pool is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11,000 metric tons annually while saving 5,200 metric tons…

Giant has launched its 2026 Explore E+ range of electric bicycles, offering four models that target both entry-level riders and those seeking advanced features. The lineup includes the Explore E+ 0, Explore E+ 1, Explore E+ 3 and Explore E+ 4, with sales already underway in several European markets. At the entry point, the Explore E+ 4 is equipped with a SyncDrive Sport2 motor delivering 75 Nm of torque, paired with a 500 Wh battery. The model comes with a Shimano Cues nine-speed transmission, Suntour SR suspension fork and Tektro disc brakes. Standard accessories include fenders, lights and a rear…

Greenlane, a provider of public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, has introduced a new dealer program, Charge On Us, aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric trucks in North America. The initiative provides $500 in charging credits and a six-month complimentary Greenlane Edge™ subscription for each qualifying light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric truck sold. Velocity Truck Centers, a major commercial vehicle dealer, is the first to implement the program, rolling it out across its network. Scott Zeppenfeldt, Velocity’s COO, said, “Customers often worry about where and how to charge electric trucks. Greenlane’s program removes those hurdles by leveraging public infrastructure,…

Volvo said its 2026 model year EX90 will feature an 800-volt electrical system, enabling significantly faster charging and improved efficiency compared with the current 400-volt version. The Swedish automaker added that the upgrade will also allow reductions in component weight and benefit performance. Under ideal conditions, Volvo said the refreshed flagship SUV will be able to add around 250 kilometres of driving range in 10 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station. The company has not disclosed a peak charging rate but noted that its ES90 sedan, built on the same SPA2 platform, can charge at up to 350 kW. The…

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons said it has partnered with Quebec-based charging operator FLO to install fast chargers at 100 of its restaurants nationwide by the end of 2028, in what it calls the largest EV charging rollout by a restaurant chain in the country. The companies said the project will span all ten provinces, with each site hosting two FLO Ultra fast chargers, featuring two charging ports per unit. The chargers share up to 320kW of power, allowing up to 160kW per vehicle when both ports are in use. FLO says its Ultra system can deliver as much as…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday it has launched a preliminary evaluation into 17,198 Rivian (RIVN.O) electric delivery vans following concerns over a potential seat belt defect. The review centers on the driver’s front outboard seat belt anchorage system, which relies on a steel-braided cable to secure the belt to the seat frame. According to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, six complaints from vehicle owners described cables that had frayed, broken or unraveled, raising the risk that drivers could be unrestrained during a crash or sudden stop. Regulators emphasized there have been no reports of…

Kempower, one of North America’s fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) DC charging manufacturers, said it has formed its first U.S. university partnership with the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center at North Carolina State University. The collaboration will focus on research into electric system reliability, energy management, and charging technologies, particularly multi-megawatt solutions for heavy-duty and off-highway vehicles. Kempower said the alliance builds on its partnerships with three universities in Europe and supports its push to strengthen charging infrastructure in both regions. “We’re excited to embark on this partnership with the strong research talent at the FREEDM…