Author: Harding Greenwood

General Motors Chief Executive Mary Barra said the automaker will continue to improve the efficiency of its combustion engines even as recent U.S. regulatory changes sharply reduce penalties for missing federal fuel-economy targets, a move that has eased pressure on the industry. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this year effectively removed financial penalties tied to shortfalls in fuel-economy compliance, giving automakers greater flexibility in shaping their product portfolios. The change could encourage renewed emphasis on larger, higher-margin trucks and sport utility vehicles, which have historically faced less stringent efficiency requirements. See also: General Motors Lifts Full-Year Outlook, Trims Tariff Impact…

Tesla has expanded its lower-priced vehicle lineup in Europe with the launch of a new “Standard” version of the Model 3, now available in Germany starting at 36,990 euros, just months after introducing a simplified Model Y variant on the continent. The Model 3 Standard replaces the previous entry-level rear-wheel-drive version equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The next model up in the German configurator is now the “Premium” trim with maximum-range rear-wheel drive, priced from 44,990 euros and fitted with a larger battery pack. See also: Tesla Increases Model 3 Range in Europe After Battery Upgrade from…

The European Commission is likely to delay the release of its updated climate policy roadmap for the automotive sector, as pressure mounts to soften a planned 2035 phase-out of new combustion engine car sales, an industry source said on Wednesday. The announcement, initially set for Dec. 10, was expected to outline measures to support the car industry, including a possible revision of the planned cut-off date. European carmakers, backed by Germany, have stepped up lobbying efforts in Brussels for greater regulatory flexibility as they grapple with the high costs of transitioning to electric vehicles while facing intensifying competition from Chinese…

The European Commission has adopted a new action plan aimed at accelerating access to critical raw materials such as rare earths, lithium and cobalt, committing up to €3 billion over the next 12 months to support projects inside and outside the European Union. The initiative, called “RESourceEU,” builds on the Critical Raw Materials Act and is designed to shield European industry from supply disruptions and price volatility while reducing dependence on a narrow group of suppliers. The Commission said the funding will be used to “mobilise financial de-risking tools” and to “provide alternative supplies in the short term,” reflecting a…

U.S.-based sensing and perception technology company Aeva has secured an exclusive global production contract with a major European passenger automaker to supply lidar systems for Level 3 automated driving, marking a significant commercial milestone for its next-generation 4D sensing technology. The multi-year agreement, which will run into the next decade, follows a joint development programme and will see Aeva’s Atlas Ultra 4D lidar deployed across the automaker’s global vehicle platforms, including internal combustion, hybrid and battery-electric models. Aeva said the customer ranks among the world’s top 10 passenger vehicle manufacturers and will standardise its Level 3 automated driving system on…

Britain has expanded eligibility for its highest-level electric vehicle purchase incentive, adding four new battery-electric models to the top tier of its Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme as part of a broader effort to accelerate EV adoption through the end of the decade. The Renault 4, Alpine A290, Mini Countryman EV and the 52 kWh Renault 5 have been added to Band One of the scheme, making them eligible for the maximum £3,750 subsidy. Their inclusion lowers entry-level prices to £23,455 for the Renault 4, £23,945 for the 52 kWh Renault 5, £25,350 for the Mini Countryman EV and £30,245…

Dutch fast-charging operator Fastned has secured a tender to build France’s first motorway service station dedicated exclusively to electric vehicles, with the new site set to open in 2026 in St Yvi, Brittany, the company said. The charging hub will be located on Route Nationale 165, part of the E60 European highway network, one of western France’s main transport arteries. Fastned said the project is designed as an electric equivalent of a conventional motorway service area, combining ultra-fast charging with retail and rest facilities. The St Yvi site will feature six 400-kilowatt fast chargers and one charger adapted for electric…

A consortium of around 30 partners has completed a three-year effort to develop a centralised software architecture designed to support highly automated vehicles, with Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM) outlining key technical advances from the project. The Central Car Server (CeCaS) research initiative, launched in 2022 and led by semiconductor maker Infineon, aimed to create a high-performance computing platform that acts as the central processing unit for future software-defined vehicles. The project was backed by a total budget of 88.2 million euros, including 46.2 million euros in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR).…

Wisconsin has restarted its federally backed electric vehicle charging program, allocating $14 million for 26 new fast-charging sites after a court order forced the release of National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funds that had been frozen earlier this year. The latest funding round brings the total number of state-supported fast-charging projects to 78, as officials aim to enable seamless EV travel along major highway corridors. The restart follows a federal court ruling that compelled the Trump Administration to release NEVI funds. Wisconsin had joined a multi-state lawsuit after the freeze threatened about $55 million in federal support for its charging…

Fiat has revised the UK line-up of its electric Grande Panda by replacing the (RED) trim with a new entry-level ‘Pop’ version, a move the brand said is aimed at aligning the trim structure of its battery-electric and hybrid models. With the update, the Grande Panda is now offered in three trims across both powertrains: Pop, Icon and La Prima. The new Pop version retains several features previously offered on the outgoing (RED) trim, including 16-inch white steel wheels, selected lighting elements, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rear parking sensors, heated door mirrors and an electric parking brake. The interior…

Li Auto’s monthly vehicle deliveries fell for a sixth consecutive month on a year-on-year basis in November, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker pinned its recovery hopes on ramping up production of its Li i6 electric sport utility vehicle early next year. Li Auto delivered 33,181 vehicles in November, down 31.92% from a year earlier but up 4.45% from October’s 31,767 units, according to figures released by the company on Monday. From January to November, total deliveries reached 362,097 vehicles, representing a decline of 18.08% year on year. Cumulative deliveries since inception stood at 1,495,969 units as of the end…

The town of Basildon now hosts the first fully electric bus depot in Essex following the completion of a £30.6 million electrification project led by First Bus, marking a major milestone in the company’s nationwide decarbonisation programme. The Cherrydown Way depot has been retrofitted with high-capacity charging infrastructure capable of supporting overnight charging for a fleet of 55 battery-electric buses. The project was delivered through a partnership between First Bus and Essex County Council and received partial funding from the UK Department for Transport’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA2) scheme. The government grant totalled £4.8 million, while First Bus…