Author: Harding Greenwood

UK electric vehicle charging network Be.EV has partnered with AAAZ Investments to install two ultra-rapid charging bays at a site on Livesey Branch Road in Blackburn, which houses a Tesco Express store, the companies said on Monday. The installation represents a £223,000 investment by Be.EV and features 150kW Kempower chargers capable of delivering up to 80% charge in 20 minutes. The site is located around 10 minutes from the M65 motorway, a key route with an average daily traffic flow of over 69,000 vehicles. “We’re very happy that AAAZ Investments have put their trust in us to deliver this solution…

Tesla’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) has outperformed Chinese electric vehicle brands including BYD, Xiaomi, Xpeng, and Huawei in a rigorous test of highway driving scenarios, according to results jointly released by TikTok owner ByteDance’s automotive platform Dcar and China’s state broadcaster CCTV. In a test that featured 36 vehicles sold in the Chinese market, the organizers shut down a highway to simulate real-world and high-risk conditions. These included abrupt vehicle cut-ins, dark construction zones with stationary trucks, aggressive lane merges, a charging wild boar dummy, and emergency braking situations. While most vehicles passed the emergency braking scenario, many struggled…

Lyft said on Friday it plans to deploy fully autonomous electric shuttles from Austrian manufacturer Benteler Group starting in late 2026, with initial operations focused on U.S. cities and airports. The shuttles, produced under Benteler’s Holon brand, will be designed specifically for urban environments and feature no steering wheel or pedals. According to Bloomberg News, which first reported the deal, the vehicle will accommodate up to nine seated and six standing passengers in a cabin with inward-facing seating. “This is a partnership to deploy a purpose-built vehicle designed for autonomy from the ground up,” Lyft said in a statement to…

Volkswagen is evaluating a potential capital increase for its autonomous mobility unit ADMT, which oversees the Group’s robotaxi initiative under the Moia brand, as part of a broader review of its corporate holdings, sources familiar with the matter told Manager Magazin. The German carmaker has begun seeking strategic and financial investors for ADMT, with discussions centred around the sale of a minority stake. The move is intended to strengthen the unit’s capacity for future growth while maintaining control. ADMT provides autonomous mobility services using vehicles such as the ID. Buzz AD, along with fleet management, sensor technology, and related software.…

Blink Charging and Universal Media have launched the EV Totem in Salt Lake City, Utah, introducing a unit that merges electric vehicle (EV) charging with dual-sided digital media displays. The first deployment is located at Mountain View Village, a commercial retail destination. Each EV Totem is equipped with Blink’s EV charging hardware and two elevated 55-inch high-definition screens. The design is intended to support both vehicle charging and targeted media delivery in high-traffic areas. Mike Battaglia, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blink Charging, said, “Blink is proud to collaborate with Universal Media to bring this future-focused innovation to life.…

The 2025 Tesla Model Y has received the Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), becoming one of two midsize luxury SUVs to achieve the organization’s highest safety rating this year. To earn the Top Safety Pick+ award, a vehicle must meet rigorous criteria, including top performance in small overlap front and side crash tests, strong results in pedestrian front crash prevention, and consistent headlight performance across all trims. The model must also receive a “Good” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test to qualify for the “Plus” tier. Tesla’s 2025 Model Y met…

Kodiak Robotics, a U.S.-based developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has appointed Mohamed “Mo” Elshenawy to its board of directors as the company continues its preparations to go public through a merger with Ares Acquisition Corporation II. Elshenawy brings over two decades of experience in artificial intelligence, robotics, and engineering leadership, including his most recent role as President and Chief Technology Officer at General Motors-backed Cruise. At Cruise, he led the launch of its commercial driverless rideshare service in San Francisco and scaled operations to multiple U.S. cities. He currently serves as CTO at Hims & Hers Health, where he is…

Buick’s foray into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) segment takes a bold step forward with the Electra L7, a premium sedan under the automaker’s new Electra sub-brand in China. Designed as part of SAIC-GM’s strategy to sell only new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the Chinese market from 2025, the L7 combines long-range capabilities, robust powertrain features, and next-generation technologies. At a starting price expected around 300,000 yuan (approximately $41,800), the Electra L7 directly targets competitors like the Stelato S9 EREV. At the heart of the Electra L7’s EREV setup is a 1.5T LD3 gasoline engine, delivering 115 kW (154 hp)…

French electric vehicle charging provider Electra has secured a green loan facility of up to €433 million, aimed at accelerating its fast-charging infrastructure rollout across Europe. The company has now raised more than €1 billion since its founding in 2020, underscoring its ambition to become a key player in Europe’s EV transition. The new financing deal consists of €283 million in committed funds, with an additional €150 million available through an uncommitted option. The loan is backed by a consortium of major banks, including ING, MUFG, ABN AMRO, Société Générale, Rabobank, Bpifrance, Caisse d’Epargne Hauts de France, and Banque Populaire…

Chinese automaker Li Auto has opened presales for its first fully electric SUV, the i8, ahead of its official market launch on July 29. Priced between 350,000 and 400,000 yuan (approximately €41,670 to €47,600), the six-seat crossover marks Li Auto’s second battery-electric vehicle after the Li Mega. Customers in China can reserve the i8 with a refundable deposit of 5,000 yuan (around €600). The vehicle will be displayed at dealerships and available for test drives starting July 30. Deliveries are expected to begin in August, with the company aiming to boost interest after underwhelming demand for its first EV offering.…

Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania has secured a contract to build two 129-meter-long battery-electric catamarans for Danish ferry operator Molslinjen. The fully electric vessels, which will feature battery systems with a capacity of approximately 45,000 kWh, are expected to operate on the busy Kattegat route between Jutland and Zealand. The new ferries will accommodate up to 1,483 passengers and 500 cars, reaching speeds of over 40 knots as they travel between Aarhus and Sjællands Odde. Once delivered, they will be 11 percent larger than Bornholmslinjen’s Express 5, currently the world’s largest catamaran by vehicle capacity. Charging will take place at harbors…

German autonomous logistics startup Fernride has launched driverless operations at the HHLA TK Estonia terminal near Tallinn following the receipt of EU certification from TÜV SÜD for its autonomous terminal tractor system, the company said in a statement. Fernride’s certification marks the first approval of its kind under the EU Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC), validating the safety, cybersecurity, and reliability of its autonomous vehicle platform, which includes the vehicle itself, sensors, computing systems, and software. Backed by DB Schenker and HHLA, the Munich-based firm is now aiming to scale its electric truck automation solutions across European yard and port logistics markets.…

Hyundai Motor is intensifying its push into overseas markets with its new flagship electric SUV, the Ioniq 9, as the three-row EV begins deliveries in the United States, Europe, and South Korea. Despite high expectations for the model at launch, the Ioniq 9 has encountered limited traction in the South Korean market, prompting the automaker to shift its focus toward international expansion. According to NewsIs, Hyundai is preparing a “full-scale attack” on the European market as part of its broader export strategy. Since April, the company has steadily increased shipments of the Ioniq 9, exporting 539 units in April, 1,482…

The Tesla Model 3 has crossed three million units in global sales since production began in 2017, Tesla China said in a post on social media platform Weibo. The milestone underscores the sedan’s status as one of the most popular electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide, with the company noting that a new Model 3 is delivered approximately every 90 seconds. First introduced in 2016 as part of Tesla’s strategy to offer a more affordable electric car, the Model 3 has maintained its position as the world’s top-selling battery electric sedan for seven consecutive years, according to Tesla China. The company is…

Honda and Acura electric vehicle (EV) owners in the United States now have access to more than 23,500 Tesla Superchargers with the launch of a newly approved NACS-CCS DC fast-charging adapter. The adapter, priced at $225 MSRP, is available through authorized Honda and Acura dealerships as well as the Honda DreamShop online. Honda emphasized that this is the only DC fast-charging adapter it has tested and approved for use with the Prologue and Acura ZDX models at Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) locations. See also: Honda Prologue Sales Climb as Acura ZDX Becomes Unexpected EV Contender “Planning a road…

Mercedes-Benz will temporarily suspend production and stop taking orders for its EQE and EQS electric vehicle lineups intended for the U.S. market starting September 1, a company spokesperson confirmed. The pause affects both SUV and saloon variants of the two models, with no timeline provided for when production or sales will resume. “All U.S. vehicle orders of these models scheduled for production prior to Sept. 1 will continue to be produced,” a Mercedes-Benz USA spokesperson told InsideEVs, adding that the measure applies only to the U.S. market. Dealers have already been informed, and order books have been closed. The production…

Faraday Future has revealed its first mass-market electric vehicle, the FX Super One EAI-MPV, along with two new artificial intelligence technologies aimed at positioning the company in the luxury electric vehicle segment. The vehicle made its global debut during a launch event in Los Angeles, where the company also outlined its strategy for broader EV market entry. The FX Super One is positioned as an intelligent luxury multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), offering both battery-electric and future AI hybrid extended range (AIHER) powertrain options. The vehicle incorporates technology originally developed for the company’s flagship FF 91 model and features a large interior…

A new global study indicates that autonomous vehicles and robotics are transitioning from experimental technologies to strategic imperatives for businesses across sectors. The research, conducted by Segments.ai in partnership with Reuters Events, highlights a sharp rise in planned investment and operational deployment of machine learning and autonomy in the coming years. According to the “State of Autonomy 2025” report, 92% of surveyed companies plan to increase investment in machine learning over the next three years. Meanwhile, 82% of organizations now consider autonomous systems to be a high strategic priority, a clear shift toward mainstream adoption across industries such as automotive,…

Porsche is planning a new wave of cost-cutting measures to address weakening demand in China and rising trade tensions with the United States, according to a letter from Chief Executive Oliver Blume seen by Reuters. In the internal letter sent to company leadership, Blume indicated that employer and employee representatives will begin negotiations in the second half of 2025 to agree on a “second structural package” aimed at safeguarding the carmaker’s long-term performance. Blume wrote that the company’s traditional business model, which has been in place for decades, “no longer works in its current form,” underscoring the growing urgency for…

Hyundai Motor UK has announced pricing and specifications for the Ioniq 9, its latest electric SUV, marking the company’s third model based on the E-GMP electric vehicle platform. The Ioniq 9 will be available in three trims—Premium, Ultimate, and Calligraphy—with prices starting from £64,995. The vehicle features a 110.3 kWh battery delivering up to 385 miles of range under the WLTP cycle and introduces Hyundai’s new smart AI Assistant as standard equipment. Building on the same 800V architecture as the Ioniq 5 and 6, the Ioniq 9 supports fast charging at up to 233 kW, allowing its battery to charge…