Author: Harding Greenwood

Tesla is set to construct a new megafactory near Houston to support its battery storage business, Electrek reported on Wednesday, citing a tax abatement agreement with Waller County, Texas. The facility, spanning over 1 million square feet near Katy, Texas, will be used to manufacture and manage Tesla’s Megapack energy storage systems, the report said. See also: Apple Maps to Add NACS Adapter Warnings in Future Update Under the agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements based on property upgrades, which include $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in manufacturing equipment. While Tesla’s core revenue comes from its electric…

Canadian electric scooter maker Apollo has begun shipping its new flagship model, the Phantom 2.0, in North America, marking a significant milestone for the company as it expands further into the high-performance scooter market. The Phantom 2.0 comes in two variants. The base model, Phantom 2.0 52V, features dual 1,750W motors, reaching speeds of up to 44 mph (70 km/h), while the high-performance Phantom 2.0 Stellar 60V boasts dual 3,350W motors, achieving a top speed of 53 mph (85 km/h). See also: Apollo Unveils Lightweight Entry-Level Electric Scooter, the Apollo Go Both models use 21700 battery cells, with the former…

Germany’s Infineon Technologies signed a partnership with India’s CDIL Semiconductors on Thursday to manufacture chips for electric vehicles and renewable energy systems, marking Infineon’s first manufacturing collaboration in the country. Under the agreement, Infineon will supply wafers to CDIL, which will handle packaging and assembly at its facility in Mohali, Punjab. The chips will target applications in electric two- and three-wheelers, solar inverters, and energy storage systems. See also: EU Approves €920 Million German Grant for Infineon’s Dresden Semiconductor Plant “We believe that India is still in the more early stage of an exponential curve, but we do believe that…

Daimler Buses has conducted extreme cold-weather tests on its upcoming eIntouro electric intercity bus in the Arctic Circle, as the company prepares for the model’s 2026 market debut. Two near-series Mercedes-Benz eIntouro buses were driven from Neu-Ulm, Germany, to Rovaniemi, Finland, covering a 3,000-kilometre journey in stages using publicly available charging infrastructure. See also: Daimler Buses Unveils New Battery Generation and Hydrogen-Only Mode for eCitaro The vehicles were tested in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, with engineers evaluating battery performance, drivetrain resilience, and overall vehicle operability under severe winter conditions. “Our extensive tests on the behaviour of…

Kia EV9 owners can now use their electric SUV to power their homes for up to three days, thanks to the newly launched Wallbox Quasar 2 bi-directional home charger. Wallbox announced that pre-orders for the charger, which unlocks the EV9’s Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, are now open for select U.S. states. The Quasar 2 is the first home charger designed to work specifically with the Kia EV9, allowing homeowners to store energy in their vehicle’s battery and use it to power their homes during power outages or peak energy hours. The unit, which includes a Power Recovery Unit, is priced at…

Wallbox  has begun pre-orders for its Quasar 2 bi-directional charger, initially available to eligible Kia EV9 owners and lessees. The charger enables Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) functionality, allowing users to power areas of their homes, including during power outages, by drawing energy from their vehicle’s battery. The Quasar 2 offers up to 12 kW of power for both charging and discharging, featuring a compact design and integration with solar energy systems. When paired with the Power Recovery Unit, it provides backup power capabilities, offering additional energy resilience for households. See also: Kia Recalls 2025 EV9 Over Potential Rear Motor Shaft Failure The…

Polestar is offering the same lease terms for its 2025 Polestar 3 and Polestar 2 models, despite an $8,600 difference in their starting prices. The lease promotion, which runs through March 31, sets monthly payments at $599 for both vehicles over a 27-month term, with $5,599 due at signing and a 10,000-mile annual limit, according to CarsDirect. The Polestar 3, which starts at $74,800, qualifies for a $15,000 Clean Vehicle Incentive—available exclusively for leases—helping align its lease pricing with the Polestar 2, which starts at $66,200 and qualifies for a $7,500 incentive. The promotion applies to the LR Single Motor…

Aptera Motors, the California-based solar electric vehicle (SEV) startup, has conducted real-world testing of its first production-intent validation vehicle, marking a significant milestone in its journey toward mass production. The company shared footage of the SEV undergoing efficiency testing at a proving ground in the Mojave Desert, demonstrating its aerodynamic performance and energy consumption. See also: Aptera Motors Signs Exclusive Battery Supply Deal with LG Energy Solution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpYVG0XPMeo The validation vehicle underwent a series of assessments, including coastdown testing to measure aerodynamic, rolling, and powertrain losses. Aptera reported that the SEV took three minutes to decelerate from 60 mph to…

The cantonal police in Basel, Switzerland, are continuing their transition to electric vehicles, with a Mercedes eVito now in use as a patrol vehicle, replacing a Volkswagen T6.1. The move is part of a broader fleet update that will see additional eVito models replace other VW vans in the coming months. The police are also adding electric motorcycles to their fleet, specifically the Zero DSR/X, which will be deployed both for routine patrols and major public events. See also: Basel Police Extend Use of Tesla EVs After Positive Performance Results “The requirements for a service vehicle in Bettingen are very…

Canada’s shift towards zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) accelerated in 2024, with new registrations reaching 15.4% of all new light-duty vehicles, up from 10.7% in 2023, according to data from S&P Global Mobility. This 44.2% year-over-year growth underscores the country’s commitment to cleaner transportation. However, recent shifts in incentives and evolving market dynamics suggest that 2025 could present hurdles to continued expansion. See also: Tesla Sales Drop in Canada Amid EV Incentive Cuts and Price Hikes Quebec led the national transition, with ZEVs accounting for 32.9% of new registrations and an even higher 42% in the final quarter of 2024. The province’s…

A recent survey by AAA indicates that while trust in self-driving vehicles has increased slightly, most U.S. drivers remain skeptical. The survey found that 13% of drivers are now willing to ride in an autonomous vehicle, up from 9% last year. However, 60% still report concerns about the technology, reflecting continued apprehension. Interest in fully autonomous vehicles has declined, with only 13% of drivers prioritizing their development, down from 18% in 2022. Instead, 78% of respondents expressed a preference for improvements to existing vehicle safety systems, emphasizing features such as Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Keeping Assistance. See also: UK…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 has been named the highest-rated mass-market battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience (EVX) Ownership Study. The study, which evaluates consumer satisfaction based on real-world ownership experiences, considers factors such as range, cost of ownership, quality, and reliability. See also: J.D. Power Study: BMW iX Tops EV Ownership Satisfaction in 2025 The Ioniq 6 moved up from third place in the previous year’s rankings and scored more than 26 points above the segment average. Hyundai’s sedan offers an estimated range of up to 342 miles per charge in its SE RWD…