Author: Harding Greenwood

BMW announced a series of upgrades to its electric vehicle lineup for summer 2025, focusing primarily on the i4 model range. The update includes efficiency improvements for two rear-wheel drive variants and introduces a more powerful top-tier i4 M60 xDrive variant. Starting July 2025, the i4 eDrive35 and eDrive40 models will feature new power electronics, switching their inverters from traditional silicon semiconductors to silicon carbide (SiC) components. BMW said the SiC inverter is more efficient, leading to approximately 4.5% reduced energy consumption, which translates to up to 22 kilometres of additional driving range depending on the vehicle’s configuration. BMW’s communication…

Hyundai Motor has denied reports that it plans to raise vehicle prices in the United States beginning June 2, following speculation that the company would adjust pricing in response to newly imposed U.S. auto tariffs. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Hyundai was considering raising prices across its lineup, including electric vehicles, by as much as 1% to help offset rising costs from a 25% tariff implemented on April 3. Citing unnamed sources, the report suggested price increases could take effect as early as Sunday. See also: Apple Launches CarPlay Ultra With Aston Martin as First Partner, Hyundai and Kia to…

Stellantis is ending its three-year effort to co-develop an in-car software platform with Amazon, as the project fails to meet its 2024 launch goal. The move marks a major pivot in Stellantis’ broader push to generate $22.5 billion in annual software-related revenue by the end of the decade. The decision, first reported by Reuters, comes after Amazon reassigned or lost key personnel assigned to the collaboration, according to sources cited in the report. Stellantis has since opted to use an Android-based system for its upcoming software platform. See also: Stellantis Appoints Antonio Filosa as CEO, Succeeding Carlos Tavares “Amazon remains…

Tesla is preparing to launch its highly anticipated Robotaxi platform and begin autonomous vehicle deliveries in June, marking a significant milestone in the electric vehicle maker’s long-standing ambition to deploy fully self-driving technology. Chief Executive Elon Musk said the company intends to roll out the Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, on June 12, with approximately 10 Model Y SUVs initially operating in the city. The pilot will expand as the vehicles demonstrate consistent safety performance. Musk also announced that Tesla vehicles will begin delivering themselves to customers, bypassing the need for traditional showroom pickups. See also: Tesla Model 3 Earns…

Toyota Motor has entered a strategic cooperation with China’s largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer, Sinotruk, to jointly develop hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, the companies announced this week. The collaboration is aimed at accelerating the deployment of fuel cell trucks in China, with a focus on building a supporting ecosystem for carbon-neutral logistics. The agreement was signed in late April but made public only now. Under the deal, Toyota and Sinotruk—formally known as China National Heavy Duty Truck Group—plan to jointly develop heavy-duty hydrogen trucks and explore new business models to support the adoption of fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) in China, the world’s…

BMW Group has integrated large-format solid-state battery cells from U.S.-based Solid Power into a prototype i7 electric sedan, marking a milestone in the long-term development of next-generation battery technology. The test vehicle is now undergoing real-world evaluation to analyze the performance and stability of the all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells. The companies began collaborating in 2016, formalizing their partnership in 2021 through a technology transfer agreement. Under that deal, Solid Power’s sulfide-based electrolyte cells were delivered to BMW in late 2023 as part of an initial qualification phase. The cells are now installed in a fully functional test vehicle to examine…

Hubject has announced a strategic partnership with US-based Zemetric to integrate Plug&Charge capabilities across Zemetric’s full-stack EV charging platform. This integration leverages ISO 15118-based authentication to streamline the charging process, enabling a seamless and secure user experience. The rollout will begin progressively over the coming months, initially targeting select networks in North America, with plans to expand to international markets. Zemetric’s Denali software platform, which supports thousands of charging points across multiple continents, will enable charge point operators to offer Plug&Charge functionality. Meanwhile, mobility service providers will benefit from access to Hubject’s extensive roaming network, which connects over one million…

Waymo and Uber have begun offering early access to robotaxi rides in Atlanta, targeting users who joined a waitlist earlier this year, the companies said on Monday. The pilot comes ahead of a broader public launch of the autonomous ride-hailing service slated for this summer. Selected users will be notified through the Uber app and via email, and will have the opportunity to opt into the robotaxi service operated by Waymo’s fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. Riders will be encouraged to provide feedback, and those completing their first Waymo ride through the Uber app will receive $10 in Uber…

Xiaomi is nearing completion of Phase 2 of its electric vehicle (EV) factory in Beijing, as the company prepares to launch its second model, the Xiaomi YU7. The facility’s expansion is expected to be finalized by mid-June, according to a report from local media outlet Time Weekly. The second phase of the EV plant, located in the Yizhuang area of Beijing, began construction last year and includes additional production halls and office infrastructure. The project marks the latest development in Xiaomi’s automotive ambitions, which began with an agreement signed in November 2021 to construct a 300,000-unit-per-year facility in two phases,…

Oakland International Airport has added five battery-electric shuttle buses to its ground operations fleet as part of a broader initiative to transition to fully electric equipment by 2030. The new K9MD buses, supplied by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD through its U.S. subsidiary BYD Ride, are part of the airport’s plan to reduce emissions and improve the passenger experience. BYD has been manufacturing electric buses in Lancaster, California since 2014 and has delivered hundreds of units to public and private transit agencies across North America. The newly delivered K9MD shuttles at Oakland International (OAK) have a seating capacity of up…

Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) has launched its first fully unmanned robotaxi pilot operations in Abu Dhabi, marking the debut of the Middle East’s first driverless robotaxi fleet, the company said on Saturday. The announcement comes after WeRide began offering robotaxi rides with onboard safety officers in Abu Dhabi in December 2024. The pilot program has now shifted to a completely unmanned format, with expanded coverage to Al Maryah Island and Al Reem Island, two high-demand business and residential areas in the capital. See also: WeRide Expands Driverless Robotaxi Operations in Beijing with GXR Model “This validates…

Stellantis has postponed the launch of its first all-electric Ram pickup, the 1500 REV, to summer 2027, marking another delay in the automaker’s transition to electrified trucks. The model will now be introduced as a 2028 model year vehicle, according to a company memo seen by Crain’s Detroit Business. The Ramcharger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version, which had previously been brought forward in the production schedule, is also delayed and is now expected to reach dealerships in the first quarter of 2026. Stellantis confirmed the revised timeline, stating the delay is intended to “extend the quality validation period.” A spokesperson added…

Nissan Motor Co. is considering closing multiple assembly plants in Japan and abroad, including long-standing domestic factories such as Oppama and Shonan, as part of a global restructuring effort, sources familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The potential closures would reduce Nissan’s footprint to three vehicle assembly plants in Japan, a significant shift for the country’s third-largest automaker. Overseas, facilities in South Africa, India, and Argentina are also reportedly under review, along with plans to reduce the number of factories in Mexico, one of the sources said. See also: Nissan to Cut 11,000 More Jobs, Close 7 Plants as…

Ionity, a leading European electric vehicle charging network operator, has secured one of the largest green loan deals in the sector to date, raising €450 million from a consortium of nine commercial banks. The funding will help the company more than double its current network of approximately 5,000 charging points to 13,000 by the end of the decade, as part of a broader plan to expand to over 1,300 charging hubs across Europe by 2030. The loan package includes an additional accordion facility allowing Ionity to extend its credit line by up to €150 million, building on the momentum of…

Porsche has expanded its U.S. charging infrastructure by integrating more than 97,000 EV charging stations from ChargePoint and affiliated networks into its Porsche Charging Service, bringing its total nationwide coverage to over 102,000 locations. The move is part of the carmaker’s broader strategy to enhance accessibility and convenience for its electric vehicle customers, with additional expansions expected in 2025. The newly added charging stations—accessible via the ‘My Porsche’ app—include those from ChargePoint, EVgo, Flo, EV Connect, EvGateway, and Ionna. The app allows users to locate, initiate, and pay for charging sessions at J1772 and CCS1-compatible chargers across multiple networks. Porsche…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has lost its lead in the U.S. electric pickup segment, with Ford’s F-150 Lightning reclaiming the top spot in the first quarter of 2025, according to newly released registration data from S&P Global Mobility. Ford registered 7,913 units of the Lightning from January through March, surpassing the 7,126 Cybertruck registrations in the same period. The Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV followed, while Rivian’s R1T and GMC Hummer EV rounded out the list. See also: Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning Now Support NACS Fast Charger Routing via Apple Maps in CarPlay While Tesla does not disclose…

Zeekr Group posted a slight year-on-year increase in revenue and an improved gross margin for the first quarter of 2025, as the integration of its Zeekr and Lynk & Co brands drove efficiency gains, the company said on Friday. Revenue reached RMB 22 billion ($3.03 billion) in the quarter, up 1.1% from RMB 21.8 billion a year earlier. However, revenue fell 37.8% compared to RMB 35.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting seasonally lower deliveries. See also: Zeekr Unveils 9X Hybrid SUV with 380-km EV Range and L3 Autonomous Driving The group’s vehicle sales brought in RMB 19.1…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio Inc’s (NYSE: NIO) mass-market sub-brand, Onvo, marked its first anniversary on Wednesday, as the company reflected on the brand’s progress and prepared for the next phase of its development. “One year ago, the Onvo brand was officially launched. Onvo is built for high-quality family life,” Nio’s founder, chairman, and CEO William Li said in a letter published on the Onvo App. See also: Nio Restructures Onvo and Firefly Brands in Cost-Cutting Drive The brand’s first model, the five-seat L60 SUV, began deliveries on September 28, 2024. Since then, more than 40,000 units have reached customers,…

Toyota Motor Corporation has officially introduced the 2026 bZ, a refreshed version of its all-electric compact SUV previously known as the bZ4X. The update brings significant improvements in driving range, charging technology, performance, and design, accompanied by a simplified model name. One of the key highlights is a 25% increase in range for the all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant. The 2026 bZ AWD XLE is rated for up to 460 kilometers (285 miles) on a full charge, compared to 367 kilometers (228 miles) in the prior model. See also: Toyota Reconsiders 2026 EV Sales Goal Amid U.S. Tariff Impact and Sluggish Demand…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Tuesday that the company’s Robotaxi platform will eventually launch in Saudi Arabia, marking the first public confirmation of plans to expand its driverless vehicle service to the Kingdom. The statement was made during the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum, where a $600 billion investment pledge was also announced between the two nations. See also: U.S. Regulators Seek Details on Tesla’s Robotaxi Plans Amid Safety Concerns While Musk did not provide a specific timeline for the rollout, he reaffirmed Tesla’s broader global ambitions for its autonomous fleet. “Really, you can think of cars, or future cars, as…