Author: Harding Greenwood

Rivian has lowered lease prices for its R1S electric SUV, making it a more competitive option in the EV market, including against Tesla’s recently introduced Model Y Launch Series. The 2025 Rivian R1S Adventure Dual Standard, which starts at $75,900, is now available for lease at $599 per month for 36 months, with $8,493 due at signing. This marks a $200 reduction from the previous monthly lease price of $799. The deal applies to a 30,000-mile term and brings the R1S lease cost in line with the R1T pickup, despite the SUV having a $6,000 higher starting price. See also:…

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) is set to integrate 10 Tesla Cybertrucks into its patrol and SWAT fleets after receiving the electric vehicles as a donation from an anonymous supporter, Sheriff Kelvin McMahill announced. “The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is excited to announce that we will be adding 10 Tesla Cybertrucks to our fleet! These cutting-edge vehicles will be customized for LVMPD patrol and SWAT, helping our officers protect and serve with the latest technology,” McMahill said during Metro’s 2025 State of the Department address. See also: Cybertruck Rated Five Stars in U.S. Crash Tests, Rollover Risk…

A European consortium led by Norway’s SINTEF AS has launched the BeBoP project to improve the efficiency and reliability of fuel cell (FC) components for heavy commercial vehicles, aviation, shipping, and rail, the group announced. The project, officially titled Beyond state-of-the-art Efficiency by improving Balance of Plant components, focuses on advancing key supporting parts of FC systems, collectively known as the ‘balance of plant’ (BoP). “The project will develop models to characterize and optimize operation of next-generation BoP components designed to minimize power consumption and reduce heavy-duty fuel cell systems’ hydrogen consumption,” the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) stated. See also:…

Mercedes-AMG has partnered with n+ to introduce the Mercedes-AMG F1 City Edition, a high-performance electric bicycle priced at $4,000. The e-bike, available in three sizes, features a 750-watt hub motor, a color touchscreen, and multiple riding modes tailored for various performance levels. A smart helmet, offered as an optional accessory for an additional $400, integrates with the bike’s telemetry system and provides safety-enhancing features such as crash detection, lighting, and turn indicators. See also: Ado Air 30 Electric Bike Debuts with Automatic Gearshift, GPS, and Slim Battery The e-bike’s motor enables pedal-assisted speeds of up to 28 mph and includes…

Porsche has named Jochen Breckner as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Matthias Becker as Chief Sales Officer (CSO), following the departure of Lutz Meschke and Detlev von Platen. The leadership transition, effective February 26, 2025, comes amid speculation over internal tensions and strategic missteps in key markets. Both Breckner and Becker are internal appointments and considered close allies of CEO Oliver Blume. Breckner, previously Head of the General Secretariat and Corporate Development, has been with Porsche since 2000. See also: Porsche to Cut 1,900 Jobs by 2029 Amid Slumping EV Sales and Lower Profit Expectations Becker, who joined the company…

South Korean automaker Kia has officially introduced the production version of its latest electric vehicle, the EV4, during its 2025 Kia EV Day event in Tarragona, Spain. The EV4, available as both a sedan and hatchback, follows Kia’s recent wave of electric models, including the flagship EV9 and EV9 GT, the refreshed EV6 and EV6 GT, the compact EV5, and the small EV3. Alongside the EV4, Kia also previewed the Concept EV2, a subcompact electric crossover SUV slated for a 2026 launch. First showcased as the Kia EV4 Concept in late 2023, the EV4 is built on the 400-volt version…

Milence, a joint venture of Daimler Truck, Traton, and Volvo Group, has deployed its first publicly available Megawatt Charging System (MCS) chargers at its charging hub in Belgium, marking a major step in advancing high-performance charging for electric trucks. The two MCS chargers, supplied by Power Electronics, are now operational at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, delivering a combined charging capacity of 2.8 megawatts across two bays. This follows the launch of the hub in June 2024, where Milence installed ten CCS chargers, each offering up to 400 kilowatts. See also: Milence Opens First Truck Charging Hub in Italy, Expanding European…

Polestar plans to expand its retail presence in Sweden by opening ten new sales locations over the next three months, the company announced on Tuesday. The expansion aims to improve customer access to its electric vehicle lineup, including the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4, while aligning with its broader global strategy. The company is partnering with four new retailers—Bilbolaget Nord, Tage Rejmes Bil AB, Helmia Car, and Bilia—to introduce sales points in cities such as Gävle, Sundsvall, Umeå, Linköping, Norrköping, Örebro, Karlstad, Eskilstuna, Västerås, and Jägersro in Malmö. Some locations, including Bilbolaget Nord in Umeå, have already begun accepting orders,…

Scout Motors chief executive Scott Keogh has detailed the battery chemistry and range specifications for the upcoming Terra and Traveler electric models, as production remains scheduled for 2027. In an interview with television host Jay Leno, Keogh confirmed that the all-electric (BEV) and extended-range (EREV) versions of Scout’s SUVs will feature different battery chemistries. “The BEV is set to use a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack, while the EREV will have a smaller lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) pack,” he said. The all-electric model is expected to offer a range of approximately 350 miles (563 km), whereas the EREV variant could reach up to…

Logistics service provider Dachser has introduced 12 fully electric MAN eTGX ultra-lowliner trucks into service, bolstering its fleet of electric vehicles for volume transport using high-capacity ‘mega trailers.’ The lowliner tractor units, featuring a fifth-wheel height of 950 millimeters, enable the transport of trailers with an internal height of up to three meters. These mega trailers, often used in the automotive sector, provide increased cargo volume, which is particularly advantageous for transporting supplier parts to vehicle manufacturing plants, where space limitations outweigh weight concerns. See also: MAN Truck & Bus Releases Comprehensive Dataset for Autonomous Truck Development Dachser’s newly deployed…

Autonomous mobility company Pony.ai has become the first operator approved to provide paid robotaxi services linking Guangzhou’s city center with key transportation hubs, including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station. Passengers can book rides via the PonyPilot App, with fares aligned to standard taxi rates. The service is designed to improve travel convenience for residents and visitors while advancing the commercialization of autonomous driving technology in high-traffic urban areas. See also: Pony AI Begins Robotaxi Tests on Beijing Highways Without Driver Seat Safety Officer “By offering autonomous rides from the heart of the city to key transit…

Chinese battery manufacturer CALB has commenced construction of its first overseas factory in Portugal, marking a key step in its global expansion strategy. The plant, which broke ground on February 24, represents an investment of approximately 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) and is scheduled to begin production in 2027, according to a report by Chinese media outlet Jiemian. The facility will produce power and energy storage batteries, including battery cells, modules, and packs for the global market, with a primary focus on European customers. See also: China’s CALB to Invest €2 Billion in Portugal Gigafactory, Production Set for 2028 CALB…

Skoda has introduced new variants of its all-electric Elroq SUV in the UK, expanding the lineup ahead of the model’s official launch. The additions include the Elroq SportLine, offered with two battery options, and the Elroq SE L 60 and Edition 60 derivatives. The SportLine trim is designed to offer a sportier aesthetic and enhanced driving dynamics. “It is poised to introduce a striking new edge to the range thanks to an exclusive design package and sharper driving dynamics,” Skoda said. Prices for the Elroq SportLine start at £37,400. See also: Volkswagen’s €20,000 Electric Car to Debut Without Skoda Counterpart…

Belgian public transport operator De Lijn has placed a €24.2 million ($26 million) order for electric bus charging stations from SPIE-Ekoenergetyka, the company announced on Wednesday, as part of its broader plan to electrify all 50 of its bus depots. The investment will fund between 600 and 900 charging stations with capacities ranging from 50 to 180 kW, with the exact distribution dependent on the progress of infrastructure upgrades at various depots, according to De Lijn. See also: De Lijn Orders 32 More Electric Articulated Buses from Iveco The contract follows a framework agreement signed in November 2023, under which…

Tesla is rolling out a software update to address a power steering issue affecting certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, impacting an estimated 376,241 units. The fix is being deployed via an Over-the-Air (OTA) update, meaning no physical service appointment is required. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has classified the issue as a “recall,” as it presents a potential safety risk, but the agency acknowledges on its website that it is being resolved through a software update. The new designation reflects the agency’s evolving approach to software-based vehicle fixes, which have become increasingly common with modern,…

Volvo has teased the upcoming ES90, an electric sedan poised to be one of its most software-driven models yet. The vehicle will feature dual Nvidia Drive AGX Orin chips, enhancing computing power for AI-based safety systems, car sensors, and battery management. “These high-performance chips will manage functionalities such as AI-based, state-of-the-art active safety features, car sensors, and efficient battery management,” Volvo stated. The ES90 joins a growing list of smart EVs, including the Nio ES6 and Onvo L60, that leverage Nvidia’s technology for advanced driver assistance. See also: Volvo and Polestar Integrate Samsung Digital Key for Secure, Keyless Access Alongside…

Xpeng has shipped 300 right-hand-drive X9 MPVs to Thailand, marking the first international deliveries of its most expensive model. The company hosted a ceremony in Guangzhou on Wednesday, celebrating the milestone as part of its broader expansion into global markets. The Xpeng X9, launched in China on January 1, 2024, is the automaker’s flagship seven-seater MPV based on its Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0. The model starts at RMB 359,800 ($49,620) in China and is positioned as a premium offering to enhance Xpeng’s margins. In 2024, the X9 accounted for 11.39% of Xpeng’s total deliveries, with 21,653 units sold.…

Voyah, the premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand under Dongfeng Motor, has introduced new variants of its Dream MPV equipped with Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 3.0 smart driving software, aiming to meet growing consumer demand for advanced autonomous driving capabilities. The updated lineup includes two plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variants and two battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants, all featuring Huawei’s intelligent driving technology and the HarmonyOS cockpit system. See also: Voyah’s Zhiyin SUV to Feature DeepSeek AI, Enhancing Smart Cockpit Capabilities The newly added Dream MPV variants come at a reduced entry price for Huawei’s advanced driving features. The PHEV…

Volvo Buses has received its first order for electric buses from British transport company Go-Ahead, marking a significant step in the Swedish manufacturer’s electrification efforts in the UK. Go-Ahead will add 25 Volvo BZL Electric solo buses to its London fleet throughout 2024, replacing older diesel and hybrid models to support the city’s sustainability goals. The new order builds on Volvo Buses’ longstanding collaboration with Go-Ahead, which previously focused on combustion engine vehicles. The BZL Electric buses, measuring 9.7 meters in length, are relatively compact and will be deployed on London’s streets as part of Go-Ahead’s transition to zero-emission public…

Italy’s antitrust authority has launched investigations into BYD, Stellantis, Tesla, and Volkswagen over concerns that the automakers may have misled consumers regarding the performance of their electric vehicles (EVs). The probe focuses on potential violations of consumer protection laws, which could lead to substantial fines under Italian regulations. The investigations are centered on claims about EV driving range, battery capacity degradation, and the limitations of standard battery warranties. According to the antitrust authority, the manufacturers may have failed to provide clear and accurate information on these aspects, potentially breaching Italy’s Consumer Code. In line with standard practice in such cases,…