Author: Harding Greenwood

Sean Duffy, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Transportation, raised the idea that electric vehicle (EV) owners should contribute to road maintenance costs, a proposal that reflects broader concerns about funding gaps in road repair initiatives. At his Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing on Wednesday, Duffy acknowledged the complexity of implementing such a change. “How to do that, I think, is a little more challenging,” Duffy said. The core issue lies in the fact that the current system, which funds federally supported road repairs through fuel taxes on gasoline and diesel, does not account for electric vehicles, which…

Siemens eMobility, a subsidiary of Siemens AG, has won two significant contracts in Italy, marking a strong start for the recently established unit. The contracts include the installation of 73 depot charging points for Autolinee Toscane and over 120 high-power charging (HPC) stations for IPLANET, a fast-growing EV charging provider. The Autolinee Toscane project focuses on electrifying bus depots in Florence, Prato, and Lucca to support the expansion of the company’s electric bus fleet. Siemens will supply 73 Sicharge UC chargers with power capacities of 100 kW and 150 kW. The project also includes medium and low-voltage distribution systems and…

Schneider Electric and The Mobility House have announced a partnership to deliver energy and load management systems for fast-charging electric vehicles in the United States. The collaboration focuses on optimizing cost and energy efficiency for fleet operators using in-depot or in-transit charging for electric trucks and buses. The partnership combines Schneider Electric’s expertise in energy management and its global presence with The Mobility House’s ChargePilot platform, designed to enhance charging coordination and reduce costs. “Our ChargePilot system enables reliable charging while minimizing energy and grid connection costs,” said Heiko Bayer, Managing Director of The Mobility House Solutions. “By working with…

Li Auto  announced today that its Li L6 SUV, the company’s most affordable model, has surpassed 200,000 cumulative deliveries in under nine months. The extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) has proven popular, with deliveries averaging one unit every two minutes since its launch in April 2024. The Li L6, available in two trims – Pro and Max – was introduced at a starting price of RMB 249,800 ($34,070) and RMB 279,800, respectively. This five-seat SUV is designed to cater to budget-conscious consumers while still offering the extended-range capabilities that Li Auto is known for. Alongside the Li L6, Li Auto continues…

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States reached a record 1,301,411 units in 2024, a 7.3% increase compared to the previous year, according to data from Cox Automotive’s Kelley Blue Book. Despite a slowdown from the rapid 49% growth seen between 2022 and 2023, EVs continue to outperform the overall automotive market, which grew by just over 2% last year. EVs accounted for 8.1% of total U.S. auto sales in 2024, with industry analysts optimistic about further growth in 2025. Tesla retained its dominant position, leading the automaker rankings with 633,762 EVs sold in 2024. The Tesla Model Y…

Japanese automaker Nissan is set to receive up to 340,000 electric vehicle (EV) powertrains annually from a new factory being built by its key supplier, JATCO Ltd., in Sunderland, UK. The new plant, which is scheduled for completion in 2026, is supported by a British government grant aimed at accelerating the UK’s transition to electric vehicles, as the country enforces stringent EV mandates for the auto industry. JATCO, an automatic transmission manufacturer, confirmed on Thursday that the Sunderland facility would support Nissan’s efforts to expand its EV production. In 2023, Nissan announced a $1.4 billion investment in its Sunderland plant…

Autonomous driving startup Pony AI has launched robotaxi testing on select highways and expressways in Beijing without a safety officer in the driver’s seat. The tests, which still require a safety officer in the front passenger seat, mark a significant step for Pony AI in advancing autonomous vehicle operations. Pony AI is among the first companies to receive the necessary permits for these tests, which cover routes from Yizhuang to Daxing Airport and areas near Beijing South Railway Station. The testing hours vary by location, ranging from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on some routes and 9 a.m. to 5…

The state of Texas filed a lawsuit against Allstate Corp on Monday, alleging the insurer illegally tracked drivers through their cell phones without consent and utilized the data to increase insurance premiums or deny coverage. The suit also claims Allstate profited by selling the data to other insurers. According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Allstate created the “world’s largest driving behavior database,” gathering information on more than 45 million Americans. The insurer reportedly paid millions to mobile app developers to embed tracking software into applications like Fuel Rewards, GasBuddy, Life360, and Allstate’s own Routely app. “This represents a blatant…

Kia has postponed the integration of its electric vehicles into Tesla’s Supercharger network to the first quarter of 2025, revising its initial launch date of January 15. The delay, first reported by PCMag, highlights the complexities of expanding charging infrastructure to accommodate multiple automakers. In an updated press release, Kia announced, “Access to the DC fast chargers is planned for the first quarter of 2025.” James Bell, Kia’s head of public relations, told PCMag, “A delay has occurred, and we are working with the appropriate teams to confirm new availability/date.” The revised timeline suggests that Kia owners could begin using…

Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia Corp are facing criticism from Greenpeace East Asia for a slow transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in India, coupled with increased sales of gasoline-powered SUVs that challenge their decarbonization efforts. In a report released on Tuesday, the environmental group noted that while Hyundai and Kia reduced per-vehicle tailpipe emissions in markets like Europe and South Korea between 2018 and 2023, emissions rose in at least seven other regions, including India—the world’s third-largest auto market. Together, Hyundai and Kia hold the No. 2 position in India, their fourth-largest market globally. “Minimal electrification efforts and…

President Joe Biden’s administration has finalized stringent rules aimed at barring most Chinese-made cars and trucks from the U.S. market, citing national security concerns. The measures, announced Tuesday, also extend restrictions to Russian vehicles and components, with exemptions for certain heavy commercial vehicles. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the importance of the crackdown, stating, “We don’t want two million Chinese cars on the road and then realize … we have a threat.” The restrictions include bans on Chinese software and hardware in connected vehicles, phased in starting with software in the 2027 model year and hardware in 2029. Additionally, Chinese…

Volkswagen of America has announced that the ID. Buzz has won the 2025 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) award, presented at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. This recognition highlights the ID. Buzz’s blend of modern design, innovative technology, and all-electric powertrain. Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, commented on the achievement, saying, “The ID. Buzz is a unique vehicle on the North American market, as it is the only electric people hauler available. We are pleased that the jury acknowledged its combination of style, space, and refinement, along with its zero tailpipe emissions.”…