Author: Harding Greenwood

Hyundai Motor has sold its entire 2.47% stake in Ola Electric, while fellow South Korean automaker Kia reduced its holding in a combined share sale valued at 6.89 billion rupees ($80 million), according to stock exchange data released on Tuesday. Hyundai offloaded its shares at a price of 50.70 rupees per share, while Kia sold 0.6% of its stake at 50.55 rupees, both at a discount of nearly 6% to Ola Electric’s previous closing price. The transactions triggered an 8% drop in the company’s stock on the day. Kia, which previously held less than a 1% stake, now holds an…

China’s Chery Automobile launched hybrid versions of its Omoda C9 and Jaecoo J7 sport utility vehicles in South Africa, marking the brand’s entry into the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment on the continent. The launch represents the first plug-in hybrid offerings from Chery’s Omoda and Jaecoo sub-brands in Africa, as competition intensifies in South Africa’s automotive sector. Other Chinese automakers including BYD (002594.SZ), GAC (601238.SS), and Great Wall Motor (601633.SS) have also expanded their presence in the market as local demand for electric and hybrid vehicles begins to grow. “This is the first time that Omoda and Jaecoo have launched…

Tesla is offering interest-free loans on its Cybertruck through the end of June, in what analysts view as a move to boost sales of the electric pickup amid slower-than-expected demand and growing inventories. The limited-time offer applies to Cybertruck orders that include Tesla’s $8,000 Full Self-Driving (FSD) package. According to estimates, the incentive could amount to roughly $10,000 in value, based on current financing rates and vehicle pricing. See also: Tesla Starts Accepting Cybertruck Trade-Ins After Over a Year of Deliveries https://twitter.com/cybertruck/status/1930798326166827480 Tesla launched the production version of the Cybertruck in 2023, following a long delay since its original 2019…

Electric buses have entered service in Naples for the first time, with 22 zero-emission vehicles now operating on major urban routes as part of a broader transition to a cleaner public transport fleet, local operator Azienda Napoletana Mobilità (ANM) said. The rollout marks the initial phase of a €180 million electrification programme funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), under which the city procured 253 electric buses from Chinese manufacturer BYD, Italy’s Iveco, and China’s Higer Bus. ANM began operating the vehicles on May 31. The first batch includes a mix of vehicle sizes, ranging from compact 6.85-metre…

U.S. electric vehicle charging startup Voltpost has opened its first publicly accessible lamppost charging station in Oak Park, Illinois, marking a significant milestone in its plan to deploy 10,000 on-street chargers by 2030. The New York-based company retrofitted a traditional streetlight in the suburban Chicago village with its modular Level 2 charging platform, designed for local residents and aimed at expanding affordable and convenient curbside charging access. “Our solution allows communities to quickly install EV chargers in as little as one to two hours, with minimal disruption and reduced costs,” said Voltpost CEO Jeffrey Prosserman. “The deployment of a Voltpost…

Neptune Energy has commissioned a pilot plant in the Altmark region of Saxony-Anhalt, eastern Germany, to test direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for producing battery-grade lithium from thermal water. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce Germany’s dependence on imported critical raw materials for electric vehicle batteries. The pilot facility, located in the Steinitz district of Salzwedel, will operate through the first quarter of 2026, following regulatory approval from the State Office for Geology and Mining. Neptune will evaluate several DLE technologies using thermal water extracted from existing natural gas wells in the region. U.S.-based Lilac Solutions…

FirstBus has opened its first fully electrified bus depot in Bristol, southwest England, to support the rollout of 74 new electric buses across the city and surrounding areas. The Hengrove depot, refurbished at a cost of £44 million, marks a key milestone in the company’s wider transition to a zero-emission fleet by 2035. The site, though not newly built, has undergone a significant overhaul to enable electric operations. Five gantries fitted with charging infrastructure have been installed to service the new fleet. While FirstBus has not confirmed the specific charging method, photos suggest the use of overhead pantograph-style systems, similar…

Polestar has officially launched sales of its Polestar 4 crossover SUV in the United States, offering the all-electric model as a 2026 edition with assembly now shifted to Busan, South Korea. The company announced on Thursday that U.S. customers can configure and place orders for the vehicle online, with deliveries expected to begin later this year. Originally unveiled in 2023, the Polestar 4 entered production in China and was later delivered to customers in Europe and Australia in 2024. While initial plans called for North American models to be built in China and arrive as 2025 models, the automaker faced…

Ford reported a 16% rise in U.S. sales for May, driven by strong demand for its SUVs and trucks. However, the automaker’s electric vehicle (EV) sales fell short of expectations, slipping 25% year-over-year to 6,723 units, despite ongoing incentives such as employee pricing and added perks. Total U.S. sales reached nearly 221,000 units last month, up from around 190,000 in May 2024. SUV sales rose 25% while trucks climbed 11%, underpinning the broader gains. But the EV segment continued to underperform, extending a trend of double-digit monthly declines. The Mustang Mach-E was the lone bright spot among Ford’s electric offerings,…

Tesla is expanding its battery production capabilities in the United States as part of a broader strategy to reduce its dependence on China for critical materials, Chief Executive Elon Musk said. The company is working to internalize nearly all aspects of battery cell manufacturing, including cathode and anode production, lithium refining, electrode coating, and cell assembly, according to a recent investor note from Piper Sandler analyst Alexander Potter. “Tesla is the only car company that is trying to source batteries, at scale, without relying on China,” Potter wrote. https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1929913821814206888 Musk said localizing supply chains is a key priority, warning of…

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly facing lower-than-expected demand for the electric version of its iconic G-Class SUV, prompting internal concerns and potentially influencing the development plans for a smaller, all-electric G model scheduled for 2027, according to a report by Handelsblatt. Citing data from market researchers Dataforce and Marklines, the report indicates that global sales of the G580 with EQ technology reached just 1,450 units by the end of April 2025. In contrast, approximately 9,700 combustion-engine G-Class vehicles were sold during the same period, marking a nearly sevenfold difference in demand. Sales figures from individual countries suggest minimal traction in key markets…

Stellantis-owned French automaker DS has opened orders for its newly updated DS 4, now rebranded as the DS N°4 and available for the first time as a fully electric vehicle. Deliveries of the compact sedan are set to begin in September in France and Germany, with pricing starting at €45,990. Unveiled in May, the electric DS N°4 E-Tense debuts in the “Pallas” trim level with a list price of €46,900 and a leasing rate from €419 per month. That puts it just below its sibling model, the Peugeot e-408, which starts at €46,600 in France. The transition aligns with Stellantis’…