Author: Harding Greenwood

An industry consortium led by Austrian charging technology developer Easelink, together with automakers Audi, Nissan and Voyah, has formed a joint body aimed at accelerating the global standardisation of an automated electric vehicle charging system known as Matrix Charging. The group, called the Matrix Charging Interest Group (MCIG), is designed to coordinate technical work on Easelink’s conductive robotic charging solution, which allows a vehicle to automatically connect to a ground-mounted charging plate without manual cables. Unlike inductive wireless charging, which transmits power through electromagnetic fields, the Matrix Charging system relies on a physical connector that drops from the vehicle to…

BMW is considering equipping some of its larger electric models with range-extender technology, with a primary focus on the Chinese market, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the company’s strategy. The German automaker is said to be evaluating extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions of high-end models such as the X5 sport utility vehicle and the 7 Series sedan, which are seen as large enough to accommodate both an electric drivetrain and a small combustion-based generator. See also: BMW-GWM Joint Venture Spotlight Automotive Recalls Mini EVs in China Over Battery Risk BMW has not confirmed specific product plans but said it…

The expiry of the $7,500 U.S. federal tax credit for new electric vehicles at the end of September has triggered a sharp slowdown in sales and prompted some traditional automakers to reconsider their electrification plans, but Rivian Automotive’s chief executive said the shift could ease competitive pressures for pure-play EV manufacturers. Buyers rushed to take advantage of the incentive before it ended, leading to a steep decline in sales in October, the first full month without the subsidy. At the same time, higher import tariffs and the removal of incentives have led some automakers, including Kia and Stellantis, to delay…

Xpeng is moving to increase production of its newly launched extended-range X9 MPV after receiving stronger-than-expected early demand, according to a report from Chinese media outlet Wallstreetcn. The company has asked suppliers to prepare additional materials for 5,000 units by the end of the year, a move aimed at maintaining delivery timelines. In the original report, a supply chain source said the goal was to “address robust order demand” following the vehicle’s launch. The X9 EREV, introduced on November 20, is Xpeng’s first extended-range model and was released with a starting price of RMB 309,800, an 11.49 percent reduction from…

Finnish technology company Donut Lab has introduced DonutOS, a new software platform designed to transform how electric vehicles are conceived, engineered and brought to market. The company, now a subsidiary of electric motorcycle manufacturer Verge Motorcycles, said the platform integrates virtual modelling with real-world vehicle behaviour to create what it calls “Digital Twin 2.0.” Donut Lab is widely known for its Donut Motor — a hub motor integrated into the wheel rim and used in the Verge TS Pro — which gives the motorcycle its distinctive hollow rear-wheel appearance. Earlier this year, the company unveiled a 630-kW version of the…

BMW Group CEO Oliver Zipse has intensified his warning that Europe is losing ground in the global push to industrialize hydrogen technologies, saying investment momentum has shifted decisively to Asia and the United States. Speaking at the Automobilwoche Kongress, he emphasized—as reported by Automotive News—that hydrogen has evolved from an experimental niche into a strategically scaled technology, and that Europe is not keeping pace. Zipse said regional competitors, including China, Japan, Korea and the U.S., are pursuing long-term hydrogen strategies even as Europe focuses primarily on battery-electric vehicles. “The biggest investments in next-generation drivetrains are now happening in Asia and…

Lucid Motors on Thursday introduced the Gravity Touring, the latest variant of its flagship electric SUV, ahead of its public appearance at the 2025 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The model is now available to order in the United States, with deliveries beginning immediately for select configurations. The Gravity lineup remains central to the company’s long-term strategy as it works toward launching a future mid-size EV. Production of the Grand Touring and Touring trims is ramping up at Lucid’s plant in Casa Grande, Arizona, following earlier delays and a slower-than-expected sales rollout in 2024 and early 2025. The Touring variant…

Li Auto has updated its product development and overseas market strategy following a three-day closed-door strategy meeting in October, local media outlet 36Kr reported. The company cited declining sales, product development challenges, and heightened competition as key factors behind the adjustments. See also: Li Auto Fires Staff Following Li Mega Recall and Quality Issues in L-Series Models The automaker plans to reduce its major vehicle platform cycle from four years to two, enhance differentiation among future models, and place greater emphasis on design language. It also acknowledged increased competition from rival EV models, including Xiaomi’s YU7 SUV. Li Auto is…

The Hyptec SSR, an electric supercar developed by GAC and formerly known as the Hyper SSR, has set a new Guinness World Record for the highest drift speed achieved by an electric vehicle. The record was confirmed at 213.523 kph during a controlled test session, the company announced on social media. The record attempt was performed by driver Ye Zhicheng, who was required to sustain a drift angle of at least 30 degrees while exceeding 207 kph across a minimum distance of 50 metres. The verified result of 213.523 kph surpassed the criteria by a considerable margin. According to GAC…

The European Union will fund five battery cell production projects under its Innovation Fund after Porsche subsidiary Cellforce withdrew its application, reducing the overall grant amount from €852 million to €643 million, the European Commission said on Friday. The Commission had initially selected six proposals in July under the first Innovation Fund call dedicated to batteries. The decision changed when the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) signed contracts only with five project sponsors. Cellforce cancelled its “CF3_at_Scale” project following a major restructuring at Porsche, which included job cuts at the subsidiary. The remaining five projects are expected…

Ford Motor said it will broaden the availability of its BlueCruise hands-free driver assistance system in Europe starting in 2026, extending the technology to several high-volume models including the compact electric crossover Puma Gen-E. The system, already offered on the Mustang Mach-E since 2023, allows drivers to briefly remove their hands from the steering wheel on approved motorway sections while remaining attentive to traffic conditions. “Since then, 16 European countries have approved its use in series production, making BlueCruise the most widely used semi-automated system of its kind in Europe,” the company said, adding that drivers can activate the feature…

Tesla has reached a new production milestone with the completion of its 5-millionth battery pack at Giga Shanghai, the company’s largest manufacturing facility globally. Tesla said its battery packs are independently developed with proprietary cell chemistry and structural design, offering high performance, strong energy density, and resilience in cold weather. See also: Tesla’s China Deliveries Hit Three-Year Low in October as Exports Surge The company added that the system supports mileage that exceeds the vehicle’s lifecycle and adheres to safety standards that are significantly higher than industry norms. https://twitter.com/Tesla_Asia/status/1988515953332666409 Although Tesla engineers its own battery pack systems, Giga Shanghai does…