Author: Harding Greenwood

Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG) has publicly declared its intention to acquire Lilium, the Bavarian electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) startup currently in insolvency proceedings, with a proposed purchase price of around €20 million. This valuation contrasts sharply with Lilium’s previous multi-billion euro worth, reflecting the challenges facing the company amid a stalled product and uncertain asset status. AAMG’s announcement last Friday, an uncommon step before reaching any formal agreement, was made without a corresponding statement from Lilium or its insolvency administrators. The buyer’s chief executive, Robert Kamp, described Lilium as “the result of years of effort by some…

Porsche has opened a new Charging Lounge in Ringsheim, South Baden, offering 400 kW fast-charging capability alongside comfort-focused amenities. The site, located near the A5 autobahn and close to Europapark Rust, is the eighth facility in the company’s premium charging network across Europe. The lounge features six DC fast-charging points operating 24/7, enabling a Taycan to charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes and a Macan in 21 minutes. Amenities include indoor lounge chairs, roofed outdoor seating, refreshments, modern washrooms, and high-speed Wi-Fi. The addition extends Porsche’s dedicated network to sites in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, facilitating long-distance routes…

Geely’s  sub-brand Geely Galaxy has officially launched the A7 hybrid sedan, positioning it against rivals such as BYD’s Qin L DM-i. The starting price is set at RMB 89,800 ($12,500), down 8.18% from the pre-sale price of RMB 97,800. Seven variants are available, priced from RMB 89,800 to RMB 125,800. Customers purchasing before September 30 can access a trade-in discount of RMB 8,000, reducing the entry-level cost to RMB 81,800. The A7, built on Geely’s GEA platform, measures 4,918 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,495 mm in height, with a 2,845 mm wheelbase—larger than the Qin L…

BYD’s premium sub-brand Yangwang is preparing to launch a new version of its U9 electric supercar with significantly increased motor output, according to a filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The updated U9, listed in the MIIT’s latest catalog of models pending approval for sale, will feature four motors with peak combined output of 555 kW, more than double that of the current model’s 240 kW setup. The upgrade is expected to enhance acceleration, with the existing U9 already capable of reaching 100 km/h in 2.36 seconds. The vehicle’s top speed remains at 350 km/h, powered…

Tesla is approaching a significant milestone with expected regulatory approval of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system for use on public roads in Europe by the end of 2025. To coincide with this development, the company has extended its free FSD transfer promotion to European customers. This allows buyers of new Model Y, Model 3, and refreshed Model S or Model X vehicles to carry over their previously purchased FSD option to their new cars without additional cost. https://twitter.com/teslaeurope/status/1923302585034756360 This offer, valid through September 30, 2025, aligns with a similar program in the U.S. where owners have been able to transfer…

Tesla has begun scaling back some promotions on the Model Y, including raising the monthly lease payment as the federal tax credit nears expiration on September 30th. The base Model Y rear-wheel-drive (RWD) lease price has increased from $349 to $399 per month, signaling a response to growing demand and tightening inventory. Previously, customers could lease a Model Y RWD for $349 per month with a $3,000 down payment, a deal intended to last through the quarter. However, Tesla recently discontinued this offer amid signs of stronger buyer interest, marking the first lease price increase for the Model Y in…

Shell will dismantle its Volta Charging network and shut down its associated digital advertising arm, Volta Media, by the end of 2025, the company confirmed. The decision marks a strategic pivot away from retail-based EV charging models toward Shell’s focus on high-speed charging at its own branded service stations and standalone electric vehicle (EV) hubs. The Anglo-Dutch energy company acquired Volta in 2023 for $169 million, aiming to expand its EV charging portfolio in the United States. However, Volta’s model – which combined charging infrastructure with digital advertising in high-traffic locations like shopping centers and supermarkets – did not align…

Xpeng is preparing to launch its first hybrid vehicle in the fourth quarter, following the regulatory filing of the extended-range version of its X9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). The extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variant appeared in the latest catalog from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which is open for public comment from Aug. 9 to 15. Inclusion in the catalog marks the final stage before the model can enter the Chinese market. See also: Xpeng Unveils Next-Generation P7 EV with In-House AI Chips, Up to 820km Range The seven-seat X9 EREV, to be manufactured at Xpeng’s Guangzhou plant,…

General Motors will temporarily import low-cost lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries from China’s CATL for its upcoming Chevy Bolt EV, as the U.S. automaker prepares to relaunch its most affordable electric vehicle later this year, according to people familiar with the matter. The new Bolt EV, which will be assembled at GM’s Fairfax plant in Kansas, marks the company’s first Ultium-based vehicle in North America to utilize LFP battery chemistry. Initially, GM had intended to produce these batteries domestically, but supply chain constraints and cost considerations have led to a short-term shift in strategy. See also: GM Teases 2026 Chevrolet…

General Motors has signed a multi-year agreement with Texas-based Noveon Magnetics to secure a domestic supply of rare earth magnets, which are essential for use in components of the automaker’s full-size SUVs and trucks, the magnet manufacturer said on Wednesday. The deal marks a strategic move by General Motors to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers, particularly China, which currently dominates more than 90% of the world’s rare earth processing capacity. In April, China introduced new export licensing rules that have tightened access to these critical materials for Western industries. Rare earth magnets, especially sintered neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets, are vital to…

Swiss-based building materials group Holcim is partnering with charging infrastructure provider GreenWay to deploy high-powered charging stations for electric construction machinery and trucks at multiple industrial sites across Poland. The initiative is part of Holcim’s broader decarbonisation strategy and aims to support electrification in demanding environments such as quarries, cement plants, mills, and ports. GreenWay has so far equipped four Holcim locations with charging stations, with three additional sites currently in the planning phase. Each station delivers up to 400 kW of charging capacity, with a total installed capacity of 1.3 MW. Holcim plans to scale this figure to 3…

Terbine has launched its STRATA platform, an artificial intelligence-based tool aimed at providing fleets with real-time oversight of electric vehicle (EV) charging networks. The system integrates data from public, private and third-party chargers, enabling operators to direct vehicles only to stations that are available and functioning. The platform combines interconnected data sources and sensor fusion to collect status updates, performance metrics and availability signals from diverse charging systems. These inputs are analyzed by AI algorithms to detect patterns, predict potential issues and reduce operational disruptions. Targeted at large-scale fleet operations, STRATA offers a centralized view of charging infrastructure across multiple…

Electrogenic, a UK-based electric vehicle (EV) technology company, has extended its partner installer network to New Zealand and expanded its presence in the United Kingdom. The company develops modular ‘plug-and-play’ EV conversion kits designed for models such as the Land Rover Defender, Jaguar E-type, Porsche 911 and DeLorean DMC-12, enabling vehicles to be electrified without major structural changes. Franklin Motor Company has joined as Electrogenic’s first partner in New Zealand, focusing on Land Rover conversions. In the UK, Cambridgeshire-based Four Paw Racing and Silverstone-based English Electric Vehicles have been added to the company’s network. These additions broaden Electrogenic’s coverage, which…

Nissan Formula E Team confirmed on Wednesday that it will retain drivers Oliver Rowland and Norman Nato for the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, opting for continuity after securing its highest-ever finish in the series. The Japanese automaker’s electric racing outfit finished third in the Teams’ Championship during the 2024/25 season — its best result since assuming full control of its Formula E operations. The team said maintaining the current driver pairing reflects its intention to build on recent success and further strengthen on-track performance heading into Season 12. “Following a very successful season, we’ve decided to maintain…

Uber is in discussions with private equity firms and financial institutions to secure funding for its expanding robotaxi initiative, as the company looks to scale operations in the emerging autonomous vehicle sector. The move marks a key part of Uber’s broader strategy to diversify its ride-hailing offerings and reduce long-term dependency on human drivers. The company is currently operating robotaxis through partnerships with Alphabet-owned Waymo in cities such as Austin and Atlanta. In addition, a $300 million agreement signed in July will see the deployment of more than 20,000 electric vehicles made by Lucid and integrated with Nuro’s self-driving technology…

Mercedes-Benz plans to launch 15 new or updated battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by 2027, most of them in its top-end segment, according to an investor presentation detailing the company’s model rollout strategy. The roadmap also includes 15 new or revised combustion engine models, with development split across three market tiers. Two of the planned electric vehicles will sit in Mercedes’ entry-level segment, joining the newly confirmed CLA saloon and its estate variant, the CLA Shooting Brake. Three models are positioned in the mid-size “core” class, and ten are targeted at the high-end category, which Mercedes is prioritizing as part of…

Luxeed, the electric vehicle brand jointly developed by Huawei and Chery, will open pre-sales for upgraded versions of its S7 pure electric sedan and R7 coupe SUV on August 8, the company said on its social media channels. Both models will debut the brand’s redesigned logo as part of a full refresh for its lineup. According to Chinese tech outlet LatePost, the official launch of the updated models is expected in September. The refreshed vehicles will feature Huawei’s ADS 4 smart driving system as standard, equipped with a 192-channel roof-mounted LiDAR, rear-facing high-precision solid-state LiDAR, and 4D millimeter-wave radars. The…

Rivian said on Tuesday its production numbers fell sharply in the second quarter of 2025 but deliveries rose, as the U.S. electric vehicle maker pushed ahead with preparations for the launch of its new R2 model next year. The company produced 5,979 battery-electric vehicles at its Normal, Illinois plant in the quarter, down from 14,611 in the previous period, due in part to what Rivian described as “a variety of supply chain complexities partially driven by shifts in trade policy.” Deliveries, however, increased to 10,661 vehicles from 8,640 in the first quarter. See also: Rivian Quad-Motor EVs Impress Off-Road, But…

BMW said its new iX3, the first model based on the company’s Neue Klasse platform, will offset the carbon emissions generated during its production after roughly 21,500 kilometres of driving when charged using Europe’s standard electricity mix. If powered solely by renewable energy such as rooftop solar panels, the break-even point drops to around 17,500 kilometres, according to BMW’s WLTP-based consumption data. “When charged using electricity from the European energy mix, the new iX3 50 xDrive emits fewer CO2 equivalents than a comparable combustion-engine model after around 21,500 kilometres,” BMW said. “If charged exclusively using renewable energy – such as…

Joby Aviation (JOBY.N) said on Sunday it has agreed to acquire Blade Air Mobility’s helicopter ride-share business for up to $125 million, in a move aimed at accelerating its entry into urban passenger transport. The deal includes the Blade brand and its passenger operations in the United States and Europe, but excludes the company’s medical division, which will remain independent. Blade founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal will continue to lead the business, which will operate as a wholly owned Joby subsidiary. Founded in 2014, Blade operates a booking network for chartered helicopters on high-demand short routes, such as between Manhattan…