Author: Harding Greenwood

BYD plans to launch a new mini electric vehicle in Japan in 2026, aiming to compete directly in the country’s kei car segment—a category dominated by local automakers such as Nissan, Honda, and Suzuki. The announcement signals an aggressive push by China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer into one of the few markets where foreign brands have struggled to gain traction. BYD sold 2,223 EVs in Japan in 2024, accounting for around 4% of the country’s total EV sales. See also: BYD Expands Footprint in Japan with Plug-In Hybrid Launch and New EV Models The upcoming model, described as a kei-class…

Siemens has introduced its new Depot360 Home Charging Reimbursement service in the United States, designed to support fleet operators in managing and reimbursing home electric vehicle (EV) charging costs. The program, part of Siemens’ broader Managed Services portfolio, leverages telematics and geofencing to accurately attribute charging sessions to company fleet vehicles. According to Siemens, the service is compatible with all EVs and charging hardware, enabling fleet operators to compensate drivers for at-home charging without requiring investment in networked chargers or dedicated metering systems. The tool also integrates with payroll systems to streamline reimbursements and reduce administrative overhead. See also: Siemens…

Norwegian hydrogen solutions provider Hexagon Purus said on Monday it has secured a €2.4 million order from Egypt’s Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV) to deliver hydrogen storage systems for use in fuel cell buses destined for the European market. The order, the first placed by MCV with Hexagon Purus, includes hydrogen tanks to be produced at the supplier’s facility in Kassel, Germany. Deliveries are scheduled to begin later this year, the companies said in a joint statement. See also: Daimler Truck North America and Hexagon Purus Forge Long-Term Partnership for Electric Vocational Trucks MCV, which previously announced a supply agreement with…

Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 33.9% of all new passenger car registrations in the Netherlands in April, led by strong sales of the Kia EV3 and newly launched Skoda Elroq, according to data published by BOVAG, RAI Vereniging, and RDC. A total of 9,206 BEVs were registered last month, marking a modest 1.5% year-on-year increase and underscoring a plateau in the country’s once-rapid EV adoption. The figure also fell slightly below the 35.3% EV share recorded in the first quarter of 2025. See also: Dutch Firms Collaborate on Hydrogen-Powered Flight for 2026 The Kia EV3 retained its position as the…

Lucid said on Tuesday it is maintaining its 2025 production forecast, even as global automakers contend with the prospect of higher tariffs and a slowdown in demand for fully electric vehicles. The luxury electric vehicle maker reiterated plans to produce nearly 20,000 vehicles this year, in line with its previous guidance. Analysts polled by Visible Alpha expect output of around 18,370 units. The company’s stance contrasts with other automakers that are reassessing targets amid growing cost and supply chain concerns. See also: Lucid Plans to Double EV Production in 2025 Despite Tariff Concerns Revenue for the first quarter ended March…

Nearly all new cars registered in Norway in April were electric, continuing the country’s shift toward battery-powered mobility. According to the Norwegian Road Traffic Information Council (OFV), 10,942 new electric cars were registered during the month, representing 97 per cent of all new vehicle registrations. Although slightly down from March’s figure by 250 units, the number of electric car registrations rose by about 900 compared to April last year. In total, 11,286 new cars were registered across all drive types last month, OFV said, meaning electric vehicles (EVs) again outpaced the 2025 average market share of 92.3 per cent. See…

Scout Motors, a Volkswagen Group brand, will offer a gasoline-powered range extender for its upcoming Terra pickup and Traveler SUV models, as part of a strategy to address continued range concerns for large electric vehicles. The update was disclosed by Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz during the group’s first-quarter earnings call, with further details reported by Automotive News. The auxiliary unit, named the “Harvester,” is a four-cylinder internal combustion engine that will act solely as a generator to recharge the vehicle’s battery on the go. According to Antlitz, the engine will not include turbocharging and will be produced at Volkswagen’s Silao…

CustomCells, a German battery cell developer, has filed for insolvency following financial difficulties caused by its largest customer, air taxi developer Lilium. The insolvency application affects the company’s main operating subsidiaries in Itzehoe and Tübingen, though the holding company of the CustomCells Group remains unaffected at this stage. The insolvency was triggered by Lilium’s inability to pay significant outstanding invoices. CustomCells had relied heavily on Lilium for business, and the air taxi company’s financial troubles left a substantial gap in CustomCells’ revenue. Despite the filing, CustomCells’ operations will continue for the time being, with wages and salaries for its employees…

Mercedes-Benz has launched the online configurator for its new all-electric CLA model in Germany, with prices for the rear-wheel-drive CLA 250+ EQ starting at €55,858.60. A second, more powerful variant—the all-wheel-drive CLA 350 4MATIC EQ—is also available, priced from €60,380.60. These are currently the only two variants available for configuration, both using an 85 kWh NMC battery. Lower-priced versions with a 58 kWh LFP battery and hybrid drivetrains are expected later, but are not yet available for order. See also: Mercedes-Benz Unveils Long-Wheelbase Electric CLA for China Market While the electric CLA debuts on the new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA)…

BC Hydro has significantly expanded its electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure across British Columbia, tripling the number of public charging ports over the past year to a total of 591, the utility said on Friday. The increase represents an average of more than one new charging port installed per day. The utility opened 22 new charging hubs throughout the province, with each hub featuring between eight and 22 ports. Some locations also introduced new 350-kilowatt high-power chargers, allowing faster charging for compatible vehicles. The expansion comes as British Columbia’s EV adoption accelerates. BC Hydro estimates about 195,000 EVs are currently…

Norwegian ferry operator Norled has awarded a contract to Norwegian Electric Systems (NES) to supply three 4MW onshore charging stations for its growing fleet of battery-hybrid ferries. The contract, valued at approximately NOK 40 million (€3.4 million), will see the installation of the charging stations at three key ports in Norway, with the infrastructure set to be operational by late 2026. The chargers will be based on the Megawatt Charging System (MCS), a high-capacity DC charging solution designed to support the rapid recharging of hybrid ferries. These charging stations will play a crucial role in enabling the efficient operation of…

U.S. truck maker Peterbilt has launched the 567EV, its first heavy-duty battery-electric truck tailored specifically for vocational use, marking a major step in the company’s electrification strategy. The vehicle, which supports applications such as refuse collection, utility services and construction, joins an expanding electric portfolio that includes an updated version of Peterbilt’s 579EV for regional haul operations. The new 567EV offers a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of up to 82,000 pounds and will be available both as a complete truck and as a tractor unit. Customers can choose from four battery packs ranging from 250 to 625 kilowatt-hours, allowing…