Author: Harding Greenwood

Kia has officially revealed the design of the PV5, its first dedicated Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV), marking a significant shift in the automaker’s approach to light commercial vehicles. The PV5, which will be available in both passenger and cargo variants, is designed to offer enhanced flexibility for various mobility and business needs. The South Korean automaker plans to showcase the model, along with additional conversion options, at Kia EV Day 2025 later this month. Kia’s PBV strategy diverges from the conventional industry approach of adapting electric versions from existing internal combustion engine models. Instead, the PV5 is built on a dedicated…

Symbio, the fuel cell joint venture backed by Forvia, Michelin, and Stellantis, has introduced its StackPack 75 hydrogen fuel cell system at the H2 & FC Expo in Tokyo, Japan. Designed for electric commercial vehicles and construction equipment, the system aims to enhance vehicle integration and efficiency. The StackPack 75 delivers 75 kW of power and operates at a high temperature of 85 degrees Celsius, improving heat dissipation and reducing cooling system requirements. Symbio claims this allows for a smaller cooling unit and lower fan power consumption, ultimately saving energy. See also: Stellantis Joins Symbio as Third Shareholder in Fuel…

Italian automotive firm Aznom has introduced an electric conversion for the first-generation Smart Fortwo, reviving the discontinued model as a lightweight EV tailored for young drivers. Produced between 1998 and 2007, the original Smart Fortwo is now a rare sight on roads. Aznom’s retrofit package transforms petrol-powered units into electric vehicles classified as L6e or L7e, which are legally drivable from the age of 15 or 16. The L7e version features a 15 kW motor and an 11.4 kWh battery, with a top speed of 90 km/h, while the L6e variant is limited to 45 kph. Aznom markets the converted…

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has disclosed specifications for its upcoming fuel cell module, slated for mass production in 2027. The new module boasts a 50% reduction in production costs, more than double the durability, and over three times the volumetric power density compared to the current model. The next-generation fuel cell module, independently developed by Honda, delivers a rated output of 150 kW. The company highlighted that the module’s enhanced volumetric power density allows for greater flexibility in installation layouts. See also: Honda and General Motors Push Ahead with Next-Generation Hydrogen Fuel Cell System Specific dimensions are 730 mm in…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian Automotive has projected a decline in vehicle deliveries for the current year, citing economic uncertainties and shifting consumer preferences. Despite this, the company anticipates achieving a modest gross profit, attributed to reductions in raw material and supply chain costs. The company expects to deliver between 46,000 and 51,000 vehicles this year, falling short of Wall Street’s forecast of 55,520 units, according to data from 15 analysts polled by Visible Alpha. In the previous year, Rivian delivered 51,579 vehicles. See also: Rivian Unveils California Dune Edition of Tri-Motor R1 with Off-Road Upgrades CEO RJ Scaringe highlighted potential…

Volvo and Polestar are rolling out support for Samsung’s Digital Key, allowing select electric vehicles to be locked and unlocked using a compatible Samsung smartphone. The feature will first be available for the Volvo EX90 electric SUV this month in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, with the Polestar 3 electric crossover set to receive the functionality soon in North America, Europe, and Asia. See also: Polestar 2 Stands Out in Floods, Proving Electric Vehicle Resilience in Extreme Conditions Samsung’s Digital Key technology is integrated into its Galaxy smartphones and is compatible with devices as old as the Galaxy…

Toyota Motor Corp has agreed to transfer a $1.5 billion battery order to LG Energy Solution’s Michigan facility, following General Motors Co’s decision to exit the project. This move aims to bolster operations at the plant located in Lansing, Michigan. In December 2024, GM announced plans to sell its stake in the nearly completed Ultium Cells LLC battery cell plant to its joint venture partner, LG Energy Solution. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025. GM stated that this decision would allow LG Energy Solution to “have immediate access to the nearly completed Lansing facility…

Ionity and restaurant chain L’Osteria have announced a strategic partnership to expand fast-charging infrastructure at dining locations. Ionity will install high-power chargers (HPC) at 15 L’Osteria sites across Germany and Austria by mid-2025, with several locations already operational. The collaboration’s first milestone was marked on Monday with the activation of six new fast chargers, each offering up to 350 kW, at the L’Osteria branch in Rosbach vor der Höhe, near Frankfurt. “This partnership allows our guests to charge up twice,” said Wolfgang Göbel, franchisee for L’Osteria in Rosbach, Limburg, and Wetzlar. Ionity has previously deployed fast chargers at L’Osteria locations…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) has started deliveries of the new VW Transporter across Europe, including its passenger variant, the Caravelle, as the company marks the 75th anniversary of the iconic Bulli. For the first time, the model lineup includes a fully electric variant, the VW e-Transporter, which has been available for order in Germany since mid-January in panel van, Kombi, and dropside configurations. Both models are also offered in the PanAmericana trim. See also: Volkswagen CEO Confirms ID.2X Name for Upcoming Smallest Electric SUV Ahead of Unveiling The seventh-generation Transporter, unveiled at the IAA Transportation show, represents a shift from…

Renault has announced that its ‘Fireman Access’ system, designed to help first responders tackle electric vehicle battery fires more efficiently, is now “freely available” to the wider automotive industry. Developed in-house, the system allows firefighters to access a vehicle’s battery more quickly, reducing fire extinguishing times from several hours to just a few minutes, Renault said. “Fireman Access is the only fast and effective way of stopping thermal runaway,” the company stated. See also: Geely to Produce Zero- and Low-Emission Vehicles at Renault’s Brazil Facilities The system features an adhesive disc placed over an opening in the battery casing, which…

A recent regulatory filing has disclosed key specifications for Xiaomi’s upcoming electric SUV, the YU7, ahead of its expected launch in mid-2025. The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has listed two variants of the YU7—XMA6500LBEVA1 and XMA6500LBEVR3—both classified as battery electric vehicles (BEVs). The XMA6500LBEVA1 is a dual-motor model equipped with a 101.7 kWh battery pack, offering CLTC range options of 670 km, 750 km, and 760 km. It utilizes lithium-ion ternary batteries from CATL, which generally provide higher energy density but result in greater energy consumption due to the dual-motor configuration. The single-motor XMA6500LBEVR3 features a…

Geely Holding Group has reached an agreement with Renault to utilize the French automaker’s production facilities in Brazil for the manufacture and sale of zero- and low-emission vehicles. The partnership is part of Geely’s strategy to expand its presence in international markets. As part of the agreement, Renault do Brasil will welcome Geely Holding as a minority shareholder, providing the Chinese automaker with access to localized production, sales, and service resources. See also: Renault Expands Electric Commercial Vehicle Lineup with Three New Models, Production Set for 2026 Production will take place at Renault Group’s Ayrton Senna Complex in São José…