Author: Harding Greenwood

Lynk & Co, majority-owned by Zeekr, announced limited-time discounts on its hybrid models, the Lynk & Co 07 EM-P and the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P, as competition in China’s auto market intensifies. The Lynk & Co 07 EM-P hybrid sedan is available in three variants, originally priced at RMB 159,800, RMB 169,800, and RMB 179,800. After an RMB 8,000 discount, the starting prices are reduced to RMB 151,800, RMB 161,800, and RMB 171,800, respectively. See also: Volvo Cars Finalizes Sale of Lynk & Co Stake to Zeekr, Agrees to Distribution Partnership For the Lynk & Co 08 EM-P hybrid…

Iveco has provided 40 eDaily electric vans to VIR by JP, a subsidiary of the French logistics company Jacky Perrenot Group, marking a significant step toward sustainable transportation in the commercial vehicle sector. These vehicles are designed to meet the growing challenges of environmental zones in city centres and support green delivery services. However, the vans delivered to VIR by JP are not complete electric vans, but instead chassis that have been customized with bodies suited for the delivery of heavy and bulky goods such as furniture, household appliances, and fitness equipment. See also: Iveco Bus Secures Largest Electric Bus…

The 2025 Ram ProMaster EV is set to become a more accessible option for businesses and private customers with a significant price reduction. While the 2024 model started at $77,995, the 2025 version of the electric van will be priced at $58,490, a 27% decrease year over year. This price cut comes with the addition of new body styles, including a regular-length cargo van and an extended-length version, both featuring the ProMaster’s “High Roof” option, making it a more versatile and affordable choice in the electric vehicle (EV) market. See also: Flexis Unveils Electric Van Models with 450 km Range,…

Zeekr has launched its first models in Egypt, marking its debut in the African market as part of its international expansion strategy, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer announced on Monday. The company introduced the Zeekr 001 shooting brake and the Zeekr X compact SUV at an event in Cairo on February 11. The Zeekr 001 is priced from 2.7 million Egyptian pounds ($53,350), while the Zeekr X starts at 2.1 million Egyptian pounds. See also: Zeekr Marks Milestone with 15,000 Overseas EV Deliveries, Expands Global Reach Zeekr has established its first store in Cairo and plans to expand its…

The 2025 Kia EV9 has been named Best Electric Vehicle of 2025 by Cars.com, cementing its status as one of the top electric vehicles (EVs) in the market. This prestigious recognition, part of Cars.com’s annual Best Of rankings, celebrates standout vehicles across various categories, with the EV9 taking the top spot in the electric vehicle segment. Kia’s all-electric, three-row SUV was praised for its impressive combination of range, fast-charging capabilities, comfort, and advanced technology, making it a compelling option for both families and EV enthusiasts. See also: Kia Teases Three Electric Vehicles, Including EV4 Sedan, PV5 Van, and EV2 Concept…

Mazda plans to invest 5 billion baht ($150 million) in Thailand to manufacture electric compact sport utility vehicles (SUVs), Thailand’s Board of Investment announced on Thursday. The investment is aimed at supporting both domestic sales and exports to Japan and other markets, including Southeast Asian countries, with a target production volume of 100,000 units per year. “This investment is to support domestic sales and exports to Japan and other countries, such as ASEAN (Southeast Asian) countries, targeting a production of 100,000 units per year,” said Mazda President Moro Masahiro, as quoted by the investment board. See also: Mazda to Introduce…

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) recently completed a real-world winter performance test to assess the effects of extreme cold on electric vehicle (EV) range and charging. The test, conducted between Ottawa and Mont Tremblant in sub-zero temperatures, included 14 EV models that represent over two-thirds of Canadian EV sales. The results underscored the challenges that many Canadians face regarding EV performance in winter, with significant reductions in range and slower charging speeds. See also: Kia’s EV5 Set for Exclusive Launch in Canada, No Plans for US or Mexico in North America Key findings from the test revealed that EV range…

German car subscription service FINN has announced the successful closing of a new asset-backed security (ABS) financing program, “ABS II,” valued at up to €1 billion. This funding is intended to facilitate the expansion of FINN’s vehicle fleet within Germany and support its planned growth across Europe. The financing is backed by leading financial institutions, including Citi and Jefferies, with Avellinia Capital also increasing its commitment to FINN’s fleet financing. “For our second ABS financing, we were able to secure the backing of several of the world’s most renowned financial institutions,” said Nikolai Schröder, COO and co-founder of FINN. “This…

Renault Group has unveiled three new all-electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) under its E-Tech lineup, aiming to expand its presence in the commercial EV segment. The newly announced models—Estafette E-Tech, Goelette E-Tech, and Trafic E-Tech—will be built on a modular skateboard platform developed in collaboration with Flexis, a joint venture involving Renault, Volvo Group, and CMA CGM Group. The automaker said the new vehicles are designed to offer increased scalability and flexibility for fleet operators. “These three new electric vehicles have been developed to meet a full range of business use cases,” Renault said in a statement. “They will redefine…

Xpeng will introduce the Max variant of its Mona M03 electric sedan in May, featuring advanced smart driving technology, the company’s chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng said on Monday. “We will build a $20,000 top-of-the-line smart driving product,” He said at an artificial intelligence (AI) event in Beijing, emphasizing the company’s commitment to making high-level autonomous driving more accessible. See also: Xpeng Eyes Smart Driving Insurance to Support NOA and Autonomous Features Xpeng officially launched the Mona M03 on August 27, 2024, with three variants—515, 620, and 580 Max—priced from RMB 119,800 ($16,390) to RMB 155,800. Deliveries of the lower-priced…

Japanese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer SkyDrive announced a major milestone in its push toward commercial operations, securing a G-1 certification basis from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The approval represents a significant step in the company’s efforts to achieve full type certification for its three-passenger SKYDRIVE eVTOL aircraft. Alongside the certification update, SkyDrive unveiled the first real-world images of its eVTOL, providing a glimpse of the aircraft in action before its public demonstration flights at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka. SkyDrive Expands Global eVTOL Ambitions SkyDrive, a rising name in the sustainable aviation sector, has…

Tesla’s Megafactory in Shanghai, dedicated to producing energy storage products, officially began production today with a ceremony held in the Lingang new area, as reported by local media outlet The Paper. Construction of the factory began in May 2024, and in a display of Tesla’s rapid development pace, products rolled off the assembly line just nine months later—three months ahead of the timeline set for Giga Shanghai, the company’s electric vehicle factory. This accomplishment highlights what has become known as “Tesla speed” and “Shanghai speed,” according to the report. See also: Tesla Initiates Production of Updated Model Y ‘Juniper’ Across…

New Flyer has been awarded a significant contract by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) for a combination of zero-emission and hybrid buses. The deal includes a firm order for 75 Xcelsior hybrid-electric 40-foot buses and 25 Xcelsior CHARGE NG 35-foot battery-electric buses, with options for up to 400 additional units. The Washington Metro, which operates a fleet of 1,500 buses servicing the National Capital Region—encompassing the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia—will integrate these new vehicles into its growing fleet. See also: Long Beach Transit Orders 30 Electric Buses from New Flyer to Support Green Transition The Xcelsior…

Several automakers are enhancing their vehicles’ cockpit technologies by integrating DeepSeek’s artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, signaling a growing trend of AI adoption in the automotive industry. Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, has incorporated DeepSeek’s R1 model into its in-house developed Kr AI large model, according to Zeekr’s Vice President Lin Jinwen. This integration enables Zeekr’s virtual voice assistant, AI Eva, to deliver more accurate answers by “thinking deeply.” The integration is set to go live soon, with plans to continue enhancing Kr AI’s reasoning abilities for better understanding of users’ intentions. “AI Eva will…

Volvo Cars has secured shareholder approval to sell its 30% stake in Lynk & Co to Zeekr, completing a restructuring move initiated by parent company Geely. The €700 million ($755 million) transaction aims to enhance synergies between the two brands while streamlining product development and talent integration, Geely said. As part of the deal, Lynk & Co will gain access to Volvo’s European dealer network, marking a shift in its retail strategy. Previously reliant on online sales and a subscription-based model, the brand will now distribute vehicles through select Volvo dealerships in Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, and…

Volvo is introducing its first electric Cross Country model, the EX30 Cross Country, designed to handle challenging winter conditions with all-terrain features. The new variant builds on the existing EX30 electric SUV with off-road enhancements and a rugged design, the Swedish automaker said. The EX30 Cross Country features the same dual-motor all-wheel-drive system as the standard EX30, producing 422 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. It is powered by a 64.0-kWh battery pack, which Volvo estimates will deliver a range of 264 miles per charge. When using a DC fast charger, the vehicle can recharge from 10% to 80% in…

Italian public transport operator Asti Servizi Pubblici (ASP) has taken delivery of the first Mercedes-Benz eCitaro K electric buses built since series production began in autumn 2024, marking a significant step in the company’s fleet electrification efforts. The four compact buses were delivered alongside twelve 12-metre eCitaro models as part of a larger tender. The eCitaro K, unveiled in September 2024, is a 10.6-metre version of the standard eCitaro electric bus, designed for urban routes with tight turns. With a turning circle of 17.28 metres, the buses are “particularly suitable for application in local public transport with narrow, winding routes…

The Polestar 2, an all-electric vehicle, has demonstrated remarkable resilience in severe weather, particularly during flooding events, where it outperformed traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. During a recent flood in the U.K., captured by the Vehicles Vs Water YouTube channel, the Polestar 2 was the only vehicle that successfully navigated through deep water while multiple ICE cars stalled and remained stranded. See also: Polestar 2 to Receive Direct Successor by End of Decade, CEO Confirms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYjp28RrhTA In the video, the Polestar 2 can be seen crossing a flooded river crossing, with water levels rising above its windscreen. Despite the…

Peter Rawlinson, CEO and CTO of Lucid Motors, is setting the stage for the electric vehicle startup to expand beyond car manufacturing into a licensing model that could eventually make up the majority of the company’s revenue. In an interview with InsideEVs at the BloombergNEF Summit in San Francisco, Rawlinson shared his vision for Lucid to follow a path similar to Intel’s success in the computing industry—by supplying core EV technology to other car manufacturers. He explained, “I’d love it to be 20-80. Twenty percent doing cars, 80% licensing,” adding that the company’s real potential lies in licensing its EV…

Ford Motor’s electric vehicle unit, Model e, reported a $5.1 billion loss in 2024, exceeding the previous year’s deficit as sales and revenue in the segment declined. In response, the automaker is making leadership changes to steer its EV division toward profitability. Global EV sales for Ford fell 9% year-over-year to 105,000 units, with Model e revenue dropping 35% to $3.9 billion. In contrast, Ford Blue, the company’s internal combustion vehicle division, sold 2.86 million units, while its commercial vehicle arm, Ford Pro, delivered 1.5 million vehicles, including some electric models such as the E-Transit. See also: Ford’s U.S. EV…