Author: Harding Greenwood

China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) and BYD remained the two largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers globally in the first two months of 2025, amid rising demand for EVs and continued expansion by Chinese firms, according to data from South Korea’s SNE Research. Global EV battery usage reached 129.9 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in January and February, up 40.3% from 92.6 GWh a year earlier, the market research firm said. See also: CATL in Talks to Acquire Controlling Stake in Nio Power  CATL retained its position as the world’s largest battery supplier, installing 49.6 GWh during the period, an increase…

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced changes to the country’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets, easing requirements on automakers and extending the sale of hybrid vehicles through 2035 in response to global trade uncertainties, including tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. While maintaining the 2030 deadline to phase out new petrol and diesel vehicles, the UK government will allow continued sales of full and plug-in hybrids—such as the Toyota Prius and Nissan e-Power—for five additional years. The updated policy also exempts low-volume manufacturers, including McLaren and Aston Martin, from the ZEV mandate in an effort to protect Britain’s luxury automotive…

Japanese semiconductor manufacturer Rohm Co Ltd and automaker Mazda Motor Corp have announced a joint initiative to develop automotive components based on gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors, a next-generation technology that promises improved energy efficiency and compactness for electric vehicles. The two companies plan to produce a demonstration model by 2025, with the goal of integrating GaN-based components into production vehicles by 2027. GaN semiconductors offer faster switching speeds and reduced energy losses compared to traditional silicon chips, making them especially attractive for EV applications. See also: Rohm and TSMC Partner to Advance Gallium Nitride Power Devices for EVs “As…

Polish electric bus maker Solaris has received a significant new order from Swedish public transport operator Nobina for 89 units of its Urbino 15 LE electric buses. The vehicles are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2026 and will be deployed across the greater Stockholm area, the company announced. The Urbino 15 LE electric, a 15-metre low-entry model, was first launched in 2020 and is tailored to meet the specific requirements of Scandinavian markets, where demand for this bus length is higher than in other European regions. The model is equipped with Solaris High Energy batteries and powered…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s updated 25% auto tariffs, effective from May 3, are set to cover more than $460 billion worth of vehicle and auto parts imports annually. This includes nearly 150 new categories of auto parts, ranging from critical components like engines and transmissions to more affordable parts such as tires and brake hoses. A Reuters analysis of the U.S. federal register notice revealed these changes, which follow a similar update to last week’s tariff proclamation. The updated tariff codes will impact components essential to modern vehicles, including lithium-ion batteries and automotive computers, which are integral to both conventional…

Daimler Buses has acquired nearly half of German software solutions company Sinos, reinforcing their collaboration in intelligent charging and fleet management software, the companies announced. Daimler Buses and Sinos have been working together since 2022, with Daimler offering Sinos’ software to customers transitioning to electric bus fleets. “More than 20 transport companies in Europe have already successfully implemented Sinos solutions in their fleet in collaboration with Daimler Buses,” the company said in a statement. See also: Daimler Buses Offers Free Digital Service Package for New Electric and Diesel Models Sinos’ software includes charging and load management solutions as well as…

Lucid Motors is witnessing a significant increase in orders from former Tesla owners, with the company attributing the trend to changing consumer sentiment. Interim CEO Marc Winteroff stated in an interview with Fox Business that over the past two months, approximately 50% of Lucid’s new orders have come from previous Tesla customers. See also: Lucid Gravity SUV Gains Access to Tesla Supercharger Network Without Adapter “We’ve seen a dramatic uptick over the past two months,” Winteroff said, noting that Tesla owners have “always been a source” of customers for Lucid. However, recent months have brought a more pronounced shift, with…

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe has underscored China’s dominance in the electric vehicle (EV) market, attributing its leadership to rapid innovation, expanded consumer options, and vertically integrated technology. Speaking at a fireside chat with NVIDIA’s automotive VP Rishi Dhall, Scaringe contrasted China’s EV adoption with that of the United States, where electric models made up just 8% of new car sales last year compared to 45% in China. See also: Rivian Spinoff Also Secures $105 Million to Develop Compact Electric Vehicles “One of the biggest reasons is the lack of options in the U.S.,” Scaringe said, noting that affordable EV choices…

Volvo Cars has removed CEO Jim Rowan and reinstated former chief executive Hakan Samuelsson on an interim basis, the company announced on Sunday. The move, backed by Chinese parent Geely, comes as the automaker seeks leadership with “deep industrial experience” amid shifting market conditions. Samuelsson, 74, will assume the role immediately and is expected to serve for two years while the board identifies a long-term successor. The decision marks his return to the automaker, where he previously held the top position from 2012 to 2022. See also: Volvo Recalls 73,000 Plug-in Hybrids Worldwide Over Battery Short Circuit Risk “We are…

BMW has taken a key step toward full-scale production at its new plant in Debrecen, Hungary, by commissioning the facility’s final assembly line. The move marks a crucial milestone as the German automaker prepares for the series production of its upcoming electric vehicle, the iX3, part of its ‘Neue Klasse’ lineup. See also: BMW Confirms iX3 as First Neue Klasse Model Since November 2024, the Debrecen plant has been manufacturing test units of the iX3. However, final assembly had not yet been conducted on the designated production line. With the latest development, BMW aims to refine its processes over the…

BYD’s ultra-luxury sub-brand Yangwang has officially unveiled its latest model, the U7 sedan, as it seeks to strengthen its presence in China’s high-end automotive market. The mid-to-large sedan starts at RMB 628,000 ($86,430), significantly below the RMB 1 million price range that Yangwang had previously suggested for its luxury models. See also: BYD to Launch First 1-MW Charging Stations in April as New Models Debut The U7 is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants, with five-seat versions priced from RMB 628,000 and four-seat versions from RMB 708,000. The Yangwang U7 measures 5,265…

The Canadian government has announced a nationwide suspension of all federal subsidies for Tesla vehicles, escalating a trade dispute with the United States over tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. In addition, Tesla will be excluded from future rebate programs while these tariffs remain in place, Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland confirmed. “No existing applications for rebate payments will be completed until each claim is individually investigated,” Freeland said in a statement, directing Transport Canada to withhold funding from Tesla under the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program. The freeze affects approximately C$43 million (€39.8 million) in government incentives. See also:…

MG Motor is set to introduce the MGS5 EV in the UK in April, with a wider European rollout scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. The electric compact SUV, which succeeds the ZS EV, features increased dimensions, improved battery capacity, and upgraded technology. The MGS5 EV measures 4.48 meters in length, making it around 15 centimeters longer than its predecessor. It also has a wheelbase of 2.73 meters, offering a more spacious cabin. The vehicle is three centimeters wider but slightly lower than the outgoing ZS EV. MG has confirmed battery options for the European market, with a standard…

Registrations of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the European Union grew by 28.4% year-on-year in the first two months of 2025, reaching 255,489 units and capturing a 15.2% market share, according to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands recorded significant double-digit growth in BEV registrations, with increases of 41%, 38%, and 25%, respectively. In contrast, France, the EU’s second-largest market, saw a slight decline of 1.3% in BEV registrations. See also: Chinese EV Brands Overtake Tesla in February Sales Across Europe Despite the rising adoption of electric vehicles, total new car registrations across all…

Owners of Rivian’s R1T and R1S electric vehicles can now purchase a rooftop tent specifically designed for their trucks. Outdoor gear manufacturer iKamper has introduced a special edition of its Skycap 3.0 Mini rooftop tent, tailored to fit Rivian’s mounting hardware. The tent features an aerodynamic shell to minimize drag and comes in a Rivian-inspired color scheme. See also: Rivian Rolls Out Hands-Free Driving and ‘Rally’ Mode in Latest Software Update Priced at $4,595, the tent is currently available for pre-order, with early buyers also receiving iKamper’s Disco Series Stove for outdoor cooking. Rivian has previously showcased camping accessories, including…

Tesla is offering steep discounts on its existing Model Y inventory in the U.S., with some demo vehicles seeing price cuts exceeding $9,000. The move suggests the company is preparing to launch the non-Launch Series versions of the Model Y Juniper refresh, following a similar rollout strategy used in China and Europe. See also: Tesla China Developing Lower-Priced Model Y to Address Market Competition  Currently, the 2026 Model Y Juniper is only available as a $60,000 Launch Series AWD trim, featuring Full Self-Driving (FSD), exclusive badging, and accessories. However, Tesla has already discontinued the Launch Series edition in overseas markets,…

The German research project “Innovation Laboratory for Battery Logistics in E-Mobility” (InnoLogBat) has concluded after more than three years, delivering key advancements in battery logistics, including a battery passport and a training platform for commercial vehicle batteries. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) with €5.2 million, the project ran from October 2021 to March 2025, involving partners from industry and academia, including Fraunhofer IML, Leipzig University, and Mercedes-Benz Energy. With a total budget of €6.4 million, the initiative aimed to enhance safety and efficiency in the handling, transport, and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Among the…

Audi of America has announced pricing and technical specifications for the fully electric A6 and S6 Sportback e-tron models, which are set to arrive at U.S. dealerships this summer. The automaker describes the new additions as its most aerodynamic and longest-range battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to date. The rear-wheel-drive A6 Sportback e-tron, equipped with the ‘ultra’ package, is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated range of 392 miles. It features a 100 kWh battery capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just 21 minutes, thanks to its 800-volt platform and 270 kW charging capacity. See also: Audi to Cut 7,500 Jobs…

Negative public sentiment has significantly impacted sales of Nio’s Onvo sub-brand, reducing potential volume by 30-40%, Chief Executive William Li said during the company’s earnings call. “Recent market competition and negative public opinion have adversely affected Onvo’s sales performance,” Li said, attributing the sales shortfall to lower brand awareness, weaker new order intake, inexperienced sales staff, and initial battery supply constraints. See also: Nio Reports Record Quarterly Net Loss Amid Rising SG&A Expenses, Improved Margins Despite these challenges, Nio remains committed to its dual-brand strategy, with Onvo sales surpassing those of Nio in 12 regions, Li noted. The company is…

DP World has taken delivery of its first electric trucks at Jebel Ali Port, marking the initial phase of a fleet electrification project in partnership with Swedish freight technology company Einride. The initiative aims to deploy 100 connected electric trucks by 2026 as part of DP World’s broader decarbonization strategy. While the exact number of trucks in the initial batch has not been disclosed, DP World stated that the first wave of electric trucks will transport over 204,000 twenty-foot containers annually. The second phase of deliveries is scheduled for later this year, with the full fleet projected to move up…