Author: Harding Greenwood

Republic Services has deployed its first electric garbage trucks in Chicago, adding two Mack LR Electric vehicles to its fleet as part of a push to reduce emissions in urban waste collection. The trucks were unveiled on Wednesday in partnership with ComEd, the regional utility, which provided partial funding through its commercial electric vehicle rebate program. The move marks the introduction of the city’s first electric refuse fleet. The Mack LR Electric is designed for waste collection, offering zero tailpipe emissions and quieter operation compared with diesel-powered trucks. The vehicles are equipped with two electric motors that produce a combined…

Tesla’s extended-wheelbase Model Y, reportedly named the Model Y L, was recently spotted on public roads without camouflage, offering the first clear view of the vehicle. The uncovered prototype confirms Tesla’s plans to expand its SUV lineup with a longer, three-row configuration aimed at family and fleet buyers. According to Chinese industry observers, Tesla’s Shanghai factory has begun mass production of the Model Y L. The new variant, coded TSL6500BEVBA0, features an 82.0-kWh ternary battery supplied by LG Energy Solution, with an energy density of 176 Wh/kg. The dual-motor setup generates 142 kW at the front and 198 kW at…

The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz has been named the top minivan in the 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, scoring 882 points for its design and powertrain. Volkswagen also ranked sixth among mass-market brands with a score of 845, five points above the segment average, marking the company’s highest brand performance since 2020. The ID. Buzz received high marks for its electric drivetrain, exterior styling, and user-friendly interior, which includes a 12.9-inch infotainment display, 30-color ambient lighting, and IQ.DRIVE® driver-assistance features. The study, based on responses from over 84,000 owners of 2025 model-year vehicles, evaluates…

Chinese regulatory filings have disclosed the MG4 Anxin Edition, a semi-solid-state battery variant of the compact electric hatchback. The model swaps the lithium iron phosphate battery used in some MG4 trims for a manganese-based lithium-ion unit supplied by Suzhou QingTao Power Technology Co., Ltd. Technical specifications, including battery capacity and range, have not yet been released. The Anxin Edition retains the MG4’s single front-mounted motor rated at up to 120 kW, matching the output of existing pre-sale models. Exterior styling remains consistent with current versions, including new headlamp clusters, a segmented lower intake with honeycomb decoration, aerodynamic side air channels,…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has announced that the next-generation P7 sedan will include a variant with scissor doors, continuing an option first offered on the previous P7 model. The company shared images of the new variant and its special matte silver finish on its official Weibo account. The scissor-door variant will feature sport seats, gray interior, 21-inch forged wheels, carbon fiber trim panels, and carbon fiber rearview mirrors, aiming to provide a premium sports experience. The P7 is currently the only Xpeng model to offer scissor doors. The first-generation P7 debuted at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2019,…

Opel is preparing to unveil a high-performance electric concept car at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich next month, marking a new chapter for the automaker’s GSE performance sub-brand. The unnamed show car, previewed in official teasers, will feature a fully electric powertrain, though its exact body style remains undisclosed. Highlights include Opel’s latest Compass lighting signature, combining vertical and horizontal LED strips framing illuminated emblems at the front and rear. The exterior is finished in silver with lime yellow accents, paired with aerodynamic wheels inspired by the Manta 400 rally car from the 1980s. The interior is designed with…

Waymo has introduced a feature allowing passengers to access their personal Spotify accounts during rides in select U.S. cities. The service is available in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, enabling riders to stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks while traveling. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1955298343539614110 Users can link their Spotify accounts in advance through the Waymo app by selecting the service under Music preferences, or connect during the ride by scanning a QR code on the vehicle’s in-car display. Once connected, playback can be controlled from either the passenger’s phone or the vehicle interface. The partnership with Spotify is intended to provide a seamless…

Kia’s first electric van, the PV5, has officially arrived in parts of Europe this week, marking the brand’s first entry into the electric people mover segment under its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. The launch follows earlier pre-orders in the UK and expands to Germany, France, Belgium, Sweden, and other markets. Kia Sweden shared a social media post showing the PV5 arriving on a car carrier, captioned: “Unboxed, washed, and ready to face the world!” The vehicle will be offered in Passenger and Cargo variants, catering both to everyday users and businesses, with multiple seating configurations. In Germany, the PV5…

The US Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at advancing battery science, bolstering domestic critical materials supply chains, and expanding workforce development in the energy storage sector. The collaboration will connect researchers from Argonne’s Advanced Energy Technologies (AET) directorate with UT Dallas’s Batteries and Energy to Advance Commercialization and National Security (BEACONS) Center, which was established in 2023 with a $30 million award from the US Department of Defense. The initiative seeks to bridge technology gaps in energy storage, promote domestic sourcing of…

Jeep’s upcoming Recon electric SUV has been spotted with minimal camouflage ahead of its official debut, revealing styling cues that have drawn comparisons to the Ford Bronco. Unveiled in concept form in 2022, the Recon is one of four electric SUVs planned as part of Jeep’s strategy to become “the global Zero-Emission SUV leader.” The model is described by the company as “designed from the ground up to be 100% Jeep4x4 and 100% zero emission,” and will feature the brand’s Selec-Terrain traction control system and an open-air design. A new video posted by KindelAuto shows the Recon being transported on…

Researchers at Germany’s University of Bayreuth and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based multi-agent system to rapidly generate new battery electrolyte materials, potentially shortening the early phases of battery research from months to hours. Battery material discovery traditionally involves time-consuming experimental testing, with researchers first identifying promising candidates through extensive literature review and trial. The newly introduced AI approach leverages two specialized software agents based on large language models, such as ChatGPT, which collaborate by simulating a scientific debate to propose novel electrolyte compositions. “Promising material compositions must first be found and…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has reaffirmed that the company plans to begin mass production of its all-electric Class 8 truck, the Tesla Semi, in 2026. Musk shared the update on social media platform X over the weekend, responding to skepticism about the truck’s feasibility due to battery limitations. The Tesla Semi was first revealed in late 2017, with initial deliveries beginning in December 2022. Since then, Tesla has supplied only a limited number of Semis while constructing a dedicated factory adjacent to its Giga Nevada facility. Recent drone footage shows steady progress in building outfitting and equipment installation, moving closer…