Author: Harding Greenwood

Subaru will scale back its investment in electric vehicles and redirect more funds toward hybrid technology, the company said, as demand trends and market dynamics reshape its long-term electrification strategy. While the Japanese automaker will continue developing electric SUVs in partnership with Toyota, it is reassessing the timeline for in-house production of additional battery-electric models. The company had earmarked 1.5 trillion yen (around 8.4 billion euros) for electrification through 2030, but a larger share of that investment will now be allocated to hybrid powertrains, according to a report by Nikkei Asia. See also: 2026 Subaru Solterra Gains Native NACS Port…

Mercedes-Benz has given an early glimpse of the new GLB EV’s interior as the compact electric SUV nears its world premiere on December 8. The automaker said testing of the upcoming model is underway at its Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen, Germany. Engineers are putting the GLB EV through extreme weather tests, exposing it to wind tunnel conditions ranging from -40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow cannons simulate various snow types while high-powered fans generate winds up to 124 mph, recreating blizzard-like conditions. See also: Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 Sees Record $50,000 Incentive, Marking Biggest Factory Discount Yet Despite being…

Australian electric vehicle startup MEVCO, once hailed as a rising player in mining electrification, has gone into liquidation just three years after its founding and a year after announcing a partnership with Rivian. Founded with the goal of electrifying the mining sector, MEVCO aimed to replace traditional light commercial vehicles such as Toyota Hilux and Land Cruiser models with electric pickups and off-road vehicles. The company planned to provide not only the vehicles but also charging infrastructure, maintenance services, and monitoring systems for mining operations across Australia and abroad. In April 2024, MEVCO announced a strategic partnership with Rivian to…

LiveWire, the electric motorcycle brand spun off from Harley-Davidson, unveiled several new electric models at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, highlighting its growing commitment to the electrification of two-wheel mobility. The lineup includes the S4 Honcho series and the S2 Alpinista Corsa, alongside a preview of a forthcoming maxi-scooter co-developed with Kymco. The S4 Honcho Trail and Street models mark LiveWire’s entry into the lightweight motorcycle segment, roughly equivalent to a 125cc petrol bike. Production for both versions is expected to begin in early 2026. The Street variant is designed for urban commuting and can be ridden in many…

U.S. electric vehicle (EV) sales are expected to capture a smaller share of the market in the near term following the expiration of federal tax credits, Ford Motor CEO Jim Farley said. EV market share in the United States reached record levels in the third quarter, partly driven by buyers taking advantage of the tax credit before it expired at the end of September. Farley said he anticipates adoption to settle at around 5 percent of the overall market, down from the 10–12 percent recorded in September. See also: Ford Reportedly Weighs Discontinuing F-150 Lightning Amid Weak EV Demand “In…

Volkswagen Anhui, the majority-owned Chinese joint venture of Volkswagen, has filed for approval of the ID.UNYX 08 SUV with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), signaling the upcoming debut of the first model jointly developed with Xpeng, according to data published by the ministry. The ID.UNYX 08 appears in MIIT’s latest catalog of vehicles awaiting sales approval, a final step before market launch in China. Public comments on the listing will be accepted from November 11 to 17, indicating that the SUV is nearing commercial release. See also: Volkswagen Anhui Files for Approval of New ID.UNYX 07 Electric…

Joby Aviation  has signed a letter of intent worth up to $250 million with Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG) to sell electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and related services, marking a significant step toward introducing air taxis in Kazakhstan. The deal includes pre-delivery payments and is backed by a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, which will help develop the regulatory framework and infrastructure required for advanced air mobility in the country. See also: Joby Aviation to Join U.S. eVTOL Pilot Program Ahead of Full Certification AAAG is leading the Alatau City…

France’s Renault has ended its joint project with Valeo to develop a new rare-earth-free electric vehicle motor and is now seeking a lower-cost Chinese supplier, Reuters reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. “The E7A engine project is no longer being done with Valeo,” one of the sources told Reuters, adding that “it will be done entirely in-house across the entire value chain, except for the stator which could be bought from a Chinese supplier.” The decision, according to the sources, was driven primarily by the need to cut costs, as Chinese suppliers offer significantly more competitive prices. See…

BMW has unveiled detailed updates for its 2026 i4 lineup, introducing silicon-carbide (SiC) inverters for enhanced efficiency and performance, along with a more powerful top variant renamed as the i4 M60. Production of the updated i4 range will begin in November 2025, with deliveries expected to follow shortly after. The adoption of SiC technology in the inverters allows for improved energy transfer between the battery and motors, enhancing power electronics efficiency and thermal management. BMW said this upgrade, first seen on the i5, will now extend to the i4 eDrive40, contributing to higher range and sustained performance. See also: BMW…

The “Harlander” self-driving shuttle pilot in Belfast has completed its operations as scheduled, recording a 92% passenger satisfaction rate and providing new insights for future autonomous vehicle strategies and government regulation in the United Kingdom. The nine-seater shuttle operated in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, providing “last mile” connectivity between the Titanic Halt railway station and the Catalyst innovation hub on a 15- to 20-minute loop. Originally scheduled to end in September, the service was extended by one month to gather additional data before concluding at the end of October. Research collected during the trial showed commuters represented 40% of users, followed…

Tesla will begin production of its long-awaited Cybercab, a fully autonomous electric vehicle without pedals or a steering wheel, in April 2026 at its factory in Austin, Chief Executive Elon Musk said during the company’s annual shareholder meeting on Thursday. The announcement came shortly after shareholders approved a compensation package for Musk that could be worth up to $1 trillion in company shares, the largest in corporate history. “We’ve got the first car that is specifically built for unsupervised, full self-driving to be a robotaxi called a Cybercab — it doesn’t even have pedals or steering wheel,” Musk said. “It’s…

Xpeng has launched the extended-range version of its X9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), offering a combined driving range of up to 1,602 kilometers, as the Chinese electric vehicle maker broadens its lineup to include extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs). The seven-seat X9 EREV was introduced at a technology event in Guangzhou, where Xpeng is headquartered, and is now available for pre-sale ahead of its official market launch later this month. See also: Xpeng Unveils Interior of X9 EREV with AI Lighting and 4.2-Meter Wood Panel Two variants are offered: the 1602 Max, priced at RMB 350,000 ($49,150), and the 1602 Ultra at…