Author: Harding Greenwood

Kia EV9 owners can now use their electric SUV to power their homes for up to three days, thanks to the newly launched Wallbox Quasar 2 bi-directional home charger. Wallbox announced that pre-orders for the charger, which unlocks the EV9’s Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, are now open for select U.S. states. The Quasar 2 is the first home charger designed to work specifically with the Kia EV9, allowing homeowners to store energy in their vehicle’s battery and use it to power their homes during power outages or peak energy hours. The unit, which includes a Power Recovery Unit, is priced at…

Wallbox  has begun pre-orders for its Quasar 2 bi-directional charger, initially available to eligible Kia EV9 owners and lessees. The charger enables Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) functionality, allowing users to power areas of their homes, including during power outages, by drawing energy from their vehicle’s battery. The Quasar 2 offers up to 12 kW of power for both charging and discharging, featuring a compact design and integration with solar energy systems. When paired with the Power Recovery Unit, it provides backup power capabilities, offering additional energy resilience for households. See also: Kia Recalls 2025 EV9 Over Potential Rear Motor Shaft Failure The…

Polestar is offering the same lease terms for its 2025 Polestar 3 and Polestar 2 models, despite an $8,600 difference in their starting prices. The lease promotion, which runs through March 31, sets monthly payments at $599 for both vehicles over a 27-month term, with $5,599 due at signing and a 10,000-mile annual limit, according to CarsDirect. The Polestar 3, which starts at $74,800, qualifies for a $15,000 Clean Vehicle Incentive—available exclusively for leases—helping align its lease pricing with the Polestar 2, which starts at $66,200 and qualifies for a $7,500 incentive. The promotion applies to the LR Single Motor…

Aptera Motors, the California-based solar electric vehicle (SEV) startup, has conducted real-world testing of its first production-intent validation vehicle, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward mass production. The company shared footage of the SEV undergoing efficiency testing at a proving ground in the Mojave Desert, demonstrating its aerodynamic performance and energy consumption. See also: Aptera Motors Signs Exclusive Battery Supply Deal with LG Energy Solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpYVG0XPMeo The validation vehicle underwent a series of assessments, including coastdown testing to measure aerodynamic, rolling, and powertrain losses. Aptera reported that the SEV took three minutes to decelerate from 60 mph to…

The cantonal police in Basel, Switzerland, are continuing their transition to electric vehicles, with a Mercedes eVito now in use as a patrol vehicle, replacing a Volkswagen T6.1. The move is part of a broader fleet update that will see additional eVito models replace other VW vans in the coming months. The police are also adding electric motorcycles to their fleet, specifically the Zero DSR/X, which will be deployed both for routine patrols and major public events. See also: Basel Police Extend Use of Tesla EVs After Positive Performance Results “The requirements for a service vehicle in Bettingen are very…

Canada’s shift towards zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) accelerated in 2024, with new registrations reaching 15.4% of all new light-duty vehicles, up from 10.7% in 2023, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. This 44.2% year-over-year growth underscores the country’s commitment to cleaner transportation. However, recent shifts in incentives and evolving market dynamics suggest that 2025 could present hurdles to continued expansion. See also: Tesla Sales Drop in Canada Amid EV Incentive Cuts and Price Hikes Quebec led the national transition, with ZEVs accounting for 32.9% of new registrations and an even higher 42% in the final quarter of 2024. The province’s…

A recent survey by AAA indicates that while trust in self-driving vehicles has increased slightly, most U.S. drivers remain skeptical. The survey found that 13% of drivers are now willing to ride in an autonomous vehicle, up from 9% last year. However, 60% still report concerns about the technology, reflecting continued apprehension. Interest in fully autonomous vehicles has declined, with only 13% of drivers prioritizing their development, down from 18% in 2022. Instead, 78% of respondents expressed a preference for improvements to existing vehicle safety systems, emphasizing features such as Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keeping Assistance. See also: UK…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 has been named the highest-rated mass-market battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study. The study, which evaluates consumer satisfaction based on real-world ownership experiences, considers factors such as range, cost of ownership, quality, and reliability. See also: J.D. Power Study: BMW iX Tops EV Ownership Satisfaction in 2025 The Ioniq 6 moved up from third place in the previous year’s rankings and scored more than 26 points above the segment average. Hyundai’s sedan offers an estimated range of up to 342 miles per charge in its SE RWD…

Carmaker Stellantis has nominated Daniel Ramot and Alice Schroeder as new board members while proposing the re-election of five others, the company said on Monday, as the mandates of seven executives near completion. Ramot, an Israeli-American, is the co-founder and CEO of Via, a transportation technology company. Schroeder, a former managing director at Morgan Stanley, serves on several corporate boards, including HSBC North America. See also: Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive 1.0, Its First Self-Developed Automated Driving System “The board believes that Schroeder’s deep expertise in financial oversight and strategic leadership, combined with Ramot’s extensive experience in technology, research, and innovation,…

Norway’s electric vehicle market continued its dominance in February, with battery-electric cars accounting for 94.7% of total new car registrations. A total of 8,477 electric vehicles (EVs) were registered out of 8,949 new cars, marking a 21.3% increase from the same month last year, according to data from the Norwegian Road Information Authority (OFV). The Nissan Ariya emerged as the top-selling model in February with 627 registrations, surpassing the usual frontrunners such as Tesla’s Model Y, which recorded 604 units, and Toyota’s bZ4X with 574. See also: Norway’s Hydro to Acquire Full Stake in Battery Recycler Hydrovolt from Northvolt for…

General Motors has hired Barak Turovsky as its first-ever chief artificial intelligence officer, reinforcing the automaker’s push to integrate AI across its vehicle lineup and business operations. Turovsky, 49, brings over 25 years of AI experience to GM, having previously served as vice president of AI at Cisco and as head of product for language AI at Google. He will be based at GM’s Mountain View Technical Center in California, which opened last year. See also: General Motors to Save $1 Billion Annually by Ending Cruise Robotaxi Development Program “In this newly created role, he will take GM’s AI roadmap…

WeRide has announced the launch of its first fully driverless commercial Robobus service in Europe, in partnership with beti, Renault Group, and Macif. The Level 4 autonomous shuttle service, set to begin on March 10, will operate in France’s Drôme region, linking the Rovaltain business park with the Valence TGV station. “This milestone underscores our commitment to bringing L4 autonomous mobility solutions to global markets,” said Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International Business at WeRide. “Our collaboration with beti enables us to leverage our expertise from deployments in China, Singapore, and the Middle East to establish a sustainable and…

Rivian will soon allow some R1S and R1T owners to unlock additional power and driving range through over-the-air (OTA) software updates, the company’s head of software, Wassym Bensaid, confirmed. With the upcoming 2025.06 software update, owners of the refreshed Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive R1S and R1T models equipped with the Large Battery pack will be able to purchase the Performance upgrade directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system. See also: Why Volkswagen is Betting $5.8 Billion on Rivian’s EV Technology – The Answer Per your feedback, Dual Performance upgrade for your Rivian will be available through OTA. Coming soon with the…

LG Innotek has introduced its Automotive Application Processor Module (AP Module), marking its entry into the automotive semiconductor sector as it seeks to expand its presence in high-value semiconductor solutions. The compact module is designed to support Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and digital cockpits, addressing the growing demand for connected vehicle technologies. The AP Module integrates over 400 components, including chipsets and memory, into a compact 2.5 x 2.5-inch design. Its architecture enhances processing efficiency and reduces motherboard size, allowing automakers greater flexibility. Unlike conventional Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-based chips, the module improves performance by shortening signal distances between…

Chinese automakers have expanded their dominance in the global electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market, securing a 76% market share without selling a single car in the United States, according to recent data from Rho Motion. The companies have focused on growth in Europe and emerging markets, where they have made substantial gains in EV adoption. In Europe, Chinese manufacturers have established a foothold in key markets. In Germany, they accounted for 4% of the 578,000 EVs sold last year, while their share was higher in the UK (7%), France (5%), and Spain (10%). See also: China Urges…

Fastned, a European fast-charging company, has inaugurated its first electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Italy, expanding its network to eight countries. The new facility is situated at the Truck Park Brescia Est rest area along the A4 motorway between Brescia and Padova, a key route in northern Italy. The station features eight charging points, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW, enabling EV drivers to add up to 300 kilometers of range in approximately 20 minutes. The design includes a drive-through layout and a canopy equipped with solar panels to reduce environmental impact. See also: Fastned Opens Northern…

Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan recorded monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 units in February, marking the fifth consecutive month above this threshold, the company’s EV unit announced on Weibo. Cumulative deliveries of the SU7 have now surpassed 180,000 units since its launch on March 28, 2024. “We will continue to expand our production capacity and thank you for your support,” Xiaomi EV wrote. The company did not disclose a precise delivery figure for the month. See also: Xiaomi Officially Launches SU7 Ultra with 35% Price Cut from Initial Pre-Sale The SU7 is available in three variants—Standard, Pro, and Max—priced from RMB 215,900…

Volkswagen’s Scout Motors is set to retain the distinctive look of its rugged EV concepts when they enter production in 2027, according to the company’s design chief. “The production cars will look very close to the models we showed at CES,” Chris Benjamin, head of design at Scout, said, referring to the Traveler SUV and Terra Truck unveiled last year. “I know what the differences are. I think they’ll be pretty imperceptible to most people.” See also: Scout CEO Confirms Battery Details: NMC for BEV, LFP for EREV in Terra and Traveler The upcoming electric vehicles, built on a body-on-frame…

Mercedes-Benz will phase out its separate “EQ” model names for electric vehicles and instead use the designation “with EQ technology,” aiming to integrate EVs more seamlessly into its lineup, the company said. Since 2016, Mercedes has branded its electric models with the “EQ” prefix—such as EQS, EQE, and EQA—treating them as a distinct sub-brand. See also: Mercedes-Benz to Introduce All-Electric E-Class as Part of Product Expansion However, the naming convention has led to customer confusion, as it deviates from the company’s traditional system of lettering based on body style and numbers referring to engine displacement. The shift follows the naming…

A Wisconsin woman who discovered a racial slur on her vehicle’s oil change sticker is receiving a free Nissan LEAF from a dealership in New York, a move intended to provide both support and a lasting solution to the troubling incident. The incident occurred last month when Makayla Starks took her SUV for service at Kunes Buick GMC in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. After her story went viral, Family Nissan, a dealership nearly 900 miles away, stepped in to offer her a new electric vehicle. See also: Next-Gen Nissan LEAF Spied in Europe, Inspired by Ariya’s Design “We were frustrated, we…