Author: Harding Greenwood

Lamborghini, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer and a subsidiary of Volkswagen, plans to launch its first fully electric vehicle (EV) in 2029, delaying its entry into the EV market by a year compared to earlier announcements. “We do not think 2029 is late to have an electric car. We do not think that, in our segment, the market will be ready in 2025 or 2026,” CEO Stephan Winkelmann said on Monday during a briefing at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, near Bologna. The decision reflects Lamborghini’s cautious approach to electrification in the high-performance sports car market. In October,…

MAN Truck & Bus has achieved a significant milestone in its decarbonization strategy with the delivery of its first production Ultra Low Liner eTGX electric semi-truck to international logistics provider Duvenbeck. This marks the start of Duvenbeck’s planned integration of over 100 such trucks into its fleet, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable logistics. Duvenbeck signed a letter of intent in 2023 to purchase 120 eTGX trucks, and the arrival of the initial vehicles underscores the company’s shift toward electrification. The 40-ton e-trucks will play a key role in supporting both environmental goals and customer needs. “The MAN eTruck is an…

Mazda’s entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market is off to a strong start with the launch of the EZ-6 electric sedan in China. Officially introduced on October 26, 2024, the EZ-6 is priced starting at 139,800 yuan (approximately $19,200), offering an affordable option in the growing Chinese EV market. Changan Mazda, Mazda’s joint venture in China, has ramped up production following the model’s successful debut. In its first full month on the market, the company reported selling 2,445 units of the EZ-6 in November, positioning it among the top three mid-size new energy vehicle (NEV) sedans of joint ventures…

A trademark dispute between Nio and Audi has led to significant variations in how the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer brands its models in different markets. In Germany, Nio is required to rebrand its popular electric SUVs, using “EL” instead of “ES” to avoid confusion with Audi’s S models. However, in Australia, the situation has taken a different turn, with the country’s intellectual property authority ruling in Nio’s favor. As a result, Nio will not be required to alter its model names to “EL” in Australia and can continue using the original ES6, ES7, and ES8 designations. The legal battle began…

As Tesla’s Cybertruck moves into wider availability, its once-soaring used market prices are starting to adjust. Earlier this year, used Cybertrucks were commanding sky-high premiums, with one of the first units sold for a staggering $244,000. Now, as new models are available for delivery within weeks, the frenzy has cooled—though bargains remain elusive. A search through online listings reveals over 250 Cybertrucks currently for sale, many of which belong to the limited-run Foundation Series. When introduced, the Foundation Series models carried a $20,000 premium over the standard variants, with prices starting at $99,990. These special-edition trucks feature exclusive accessories, such…

General Motors (GM) and LG Energy Solution’s Ultium Cells joint venture celebrated a significant milestone with the production of its 100 millionth battery cell at the Ultium Cells Warren plant in Ohio. This achievement comes five years after the companies announced plans to produce electric vehicle (EV) battery cells in the state. David Kim, CEO of LG Energy Solution, expressed pride in the milestone, emphasizing the company’s commitment to advancing zero-emissions power across industries, from EVs to energy storage solutions. “As the largest battery cell manufacturer operating in North America, this milestone at our Ultium Cells joint venture with GM…

Europe’s path to cutting vehicle emissions is facing growing opposition, with the European People’s Party (EPP) leading the charge to reverse the EU’s planned ban on internal combustion engines (ICE) by 2035. The EPP, the largest political group in the European Parliament and a center-right party, has drafted a position paper urging for a reconsideration of the law that would phase out new ICE vehicles in favor of electric and alternative fuel-powered cars. The EPP advocates for allowing combustion vehicles powered by biofuels and other alternative fuels to continue on European roads. The party’s stance echoes concerns raised by automakers…

Carlos Tavares, who unexpectedly stepped down as CEO of Stellantis on December 1, revealed that his resignation was due to disagreements with the company’s board over strategic direction. In an interview published Thursday, Tavares described his departure as “amicable,” though he did not provide specifics about the nature of his differences with the board. He emphasized that the decision to part ways was mutual, made in collaboration with Stellantis chairman John Elkann. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Tavares’ ousting was triggered by ambitious targets he set, which some board members considered unrealistic or potentially harmful to the…

A camouflaged Tesla Model Y prototype, believed to be part of the automaker’s “Juniper” project, was spotted in San Jose, California, fueling speculation about an upcoming update to the electric SUV. The vehicle, painted black and equipped with Gemini Dark Wheels designed to optimize range, was seen with its front and rear ends heavily camouflaged. Tesla enthusiast Colin W. shared a short video of the prototype on social media platform X, adding to similar sightings in recent months across several countries. SPOTTED: NEW Model Y “Juniper” driving near San Jose, CA! pic.twitter.com/H84WViFGQh — Colin W. (@Y2KColin) December 12, 2024 While…

Toyota has officially unveiled its latest electric SUV, the Urban Cruiser, a model that slots between the Yaris Cross and C-HR in the automaker’s European lineup. The compact SUV, which shares much of its design and architecture with the Suzuki e-Vitara, features a few Toyota-specific design elements and updated details. Available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the Urban Cruiser aims to offer a spacious interior despite its compact size, with Toyota emphasizing the vehicle’s practicality and energy-efficient features. Measuring 4,285 mm (168.7 inches) in length, the Urban Cruiser draws design inspiration from last year’s Urban SUV Concept,…

Archer Aviation has entered into a cooperation agreement with companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to advance the development of electric air taxi services in Abu Dhabi, marking the company’s first expansion into the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The agreement also includes plans to manufacture electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the Emirate. The partnership solidifies Archer’s position as the first commercial air taxi operator in the UAE and the first eVTOL manufacturer in the region. The agreement brings together several key stakeholders, including Abu Dhabi Airports, Falcon Aviation Services, Etihad Aviation Training, and…

Mumbai, India’s financial capital, is ramping up efforts to tackle rising air pollution by transitioning its public transport system to electric buses. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, responsible for managing the city’s bus fleet, plans to convert over 50% of its buses to electric by March 2026, with the goal of electrifying the entire fleet by March 2027. BEST has placed an order for 2,650 single-decker electric buses and intends to purchase an additional 273 large and 237 mid-sized air-conditioned electric buses. However, it is unclear whether these new orders are in addition to or included in…

Tesla has deployed a software update to resolve a recall affecting 25 Model X SUVs following complaints about headlight flickering under certain temperature conditions. The issue, identified as a combination of hardware and software factors, was reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) earlier this month. The recall involves Model X vehicles manufactured between June 5 and August 2, 2024, with the defective components traced to lower headlamp assemblies supplied from Mexico. Tesla, in collaboration with the supplier, conducted a root-cause analysis and confirmed the issue. In October, the automaker identified the specific vehicles affected and addressed the…

Effective immediately, Florian Huettl has taken on the responsibility for Stellantis’ operations in Germany, in addition to his role as CEO of Opel/Vauxhall. This move is intended to enhance efficiency within the company’s local business. Huettl succeeds Lars Bialkowski, who previously headed Stellantis Germany. By appointing Huettl as Head of Germany, Stellantis aims to streamline operations and support profitable growth amid the ongoing transformation of the automotive industry. In his expanded role, Huettl will oversee sales and marketing for a range of Stellantis brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroën, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Leapmotor International, and Peugeot.…

Tesla has submitted regulatory documents for its Cybertruck in China, despite earlier statements from the company indicating it has no immediate plans to launch the all-electric pickup in one of its key markets. The regulatory filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) includes an Automobile Energy Consumption Label for the Cybertruck, as reported by local media outlet CNEV Post. The filing reveals key specifications such as range, weight, and peak power, with the vehicle classified as an M1 passenger vehicle. Tesla China earlier denied rumors of an imminent Cybertruck launch, stating, “At present, there are no plans…

Stellantis, the global car manufacturer, has expressed its intention to rejoin the European car manufacturers’ association (ACEA) following the departure of CEO Carlos Tavares. Under Tavares’ leadership, Stellantis had opted to leave the ACEA in 2022, citing disagreements over the association’s stance on CO2 regulations. The ACEA has welcomed Stellantis’ renewed application, with Renault CEO and ACEA Chairman Luca de Meo commenting, “Given Europe’s unprecedented competitiveness crisis and collective need to master the challenges of the green transformation, it is more important than ever to stand united.” De Meo emphasized that despite competition within the market, all ACEA members share…

The Swedish transport authority Skånetrafiken has awarded public transport provider Nobina a twelve-year contract to operate and expand bus services in Malmö, starting in June 2027. As part of the agreement, Nobina has committed to electrifying 95 percent of its 300 buses operating in the city by 2027, with the remaining vehicles transitioning to electric power in the following years. The contract also includes plans for Nobina to build two new depots, which are expected to be operational by the start of the contract. Additionally, the company will continue to expand the “MalmöExpressen” lines, where Van Hool electric buses, each…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has begun delivering its eActros 600 electric long-distance truck to customers in Germany. By the end of December, the company plans to hand over around 50 units. The first recipients include companies such as August Gschwander Transport, Blue Känguru, and Brummer Logistik, among others. The eActros 600, which entered series production in November at Daimler Truck’s Wörth facility, offers a 500-kilometre range for a 40-ton vehicle without the need for intermediate charging. The truck’s efficiency is designed to make it viable for fleet operators. Mercedes-Benz Trucks has reported over 2,000 firm orders for the eActros 600 and several…

Hyundai Germany has begun accepting orders for the Inster, a new small electric car, offering four trim levels: Select, Trend, Cross, and Prime. The base version starts at €23,900, while the larger battery variant is priced from €25,400. The Inster comes with two battery options: a 42 kWh version, which powers a 71 kW electric drive, and a 49 kWh version, which offers a range of up to 370 kilometers according to the WLTP standard. The Select, Trend, and Prime variants will be available starting in early 2025, while the Cross variant, with its distinct off-road styling, will enter production…

Hyundai Motor Company has announced plans to establish nearly 600 public EV fast charging stations across India over the next seven years, aiming to accelerate the country’s adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and strengthen its investment in the rapidly growing market. According to Hyundai executive Jae Wan Ryu, the EV market in India is poised for significant growth by 2030, and Hyundai plans to facilitate this expansion through a comprehensive charging infrastructure. The new stations will primarily focus on long-distance travel, with fast chargers to be installed along key highways as well as in major cities. Currently, India boasts approximately…