Author: Harding Greenwood

Japanese autonomous driving developer TIER IV has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saudi Arabian digital services company Elm to collaborate on autonomous mobility, in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. The partnership will focus on deploying TIER IV’s open-source Autoware software with Elm’s regional expertise to localize mobility solutions for the Saudi market. The initiative also seeks to foster engineering talent by introducing Autoware-based training programs at academic institutions and supporting competitions aimed at developing skilled engineers. As part of the agreement, the companies plan to accelerate deployment of autonomous vehicle services, including robotaxis adapted to Saudi…

Changan Mazda, the joint venture between Changan Automobile and Mazda, on Thursday launched the EZ-60, a new mid-size SUV available in both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) versions, underscoring its strategy to compete in China’s crowded new energy vehicle (NEV) market while preparing for global expansion. The five-seat EZ-60 will be sold in six variants, with four EREV trims priced between 119,900 yuan ($16,810) and 154,900 yuan, and two BEV trims priced at 150,900 yuan and 160,900 yuan. Measuring 4,850 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,902 mm, the model is positioned in China’s mid-size…

Geely Auto’s  sub-brand Geely Galaxy has begun pre-sales of its new Starshine 6 hybrid sedan, aiming to capture market share in China’s highly competitive family car segment dominated by BYD’s Qin Plus. The Starshine 6 is being offered in five variants priced between 85,800 yuan and 118,800 yuan ($11,980–$16,600). Geely Galaxy is providing an early-buyer discount of 6,000 yuan, effectively lowering the entry price to 79,800 yuan ($11,180). The model will be officially launched in October. Positioned slightly below the Galaxy A7, the Starshine 6 is a mid-size sedan measuring 4,806 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width, and 1,490…

Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has filed for a federal exemption to commercially launch its custom-built robotaxi, which operates without traditional driving controls such as a steering wheel or pedals, Bloomberg reported. The company has submitted a petition to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting a temporary waiver from eight Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that apply to passenger cars equipped with automated driving systems. The request falls under the agency’s exemption framework, which allows for limited deployment of vehicles that do not conform to existing safety regulations. NHTSA is reviewing the application and is expected to publish…

Volkswagen has joined an International Energy Agency (IEA) programme working to improve the interoperability of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, becoming the first carmaker to partner with the initiative known as Task 53. Task 53 is part of the IEA’s Electric Vehicle Technology Collaboration Programme and is backed by 15 countries. The consortium aims to achieve seamless bidirectional charging between electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and electricity networks. Task 53 described Volkswagen’s participation as a “strategically important step,” adding: “Volkswagen’s commitment underscores the importance of Task 53 in advancing sustainable mobility and supporting the global transition to smart, bidirectional charging.” The German automaker…

Swedish autonomous freight company Einride said it has completed the world’s first cabless autonomous electric truck crossing between two countries, after one of its vehicles passed through border control between Norway and Sweden without a human driver on board. The crossing took place at the Ørje border station, supported by Norwegian customs authorities and partners including courier firm PostNord. Einride’s vehicle was integrated with Norway’s Digitoll system, allowing goods to be declared in advance. While Norway and Sweden share a relatively open border within the Schengen area, the test marks a milestone in the EU-backed MODI project, which aims to…

Lucid Motors (LCID) will continue offering the $7,500 federal electric vehicle tax credit for its Gravity SUV buyers until the end of 2025, citing strong customer demand. Interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said the company has “so many orders” and does not want buyers to miss out on the savings. The Gravity SUV has faced scrutiny over early delivery figures. A recent report suggesting only nine units were registered in the first six months of sales was dismissed by Lucid. Nick Twork, head of communications, told Electrek that the report was “completely inaccurate,” noting that a review of customer activity indicated…

Honda is providing substantial savings on its 2025 Prologue electric SUV, with discounts exceeding $20,000 in certain states, ahead of the federal $7,500 EV tax credit expiration on September 30. The promotion, available through the end of the month, combines nationwide price reductions, financing bonuses, and trade-in incentives. The 2025 Prologue is currently priced $17,000 below MSRP nationwide, with an additional 0% interest financing option for six years. Customers can also benefit from $9,500 in financing bonuses and the potential $7,500 federal tax credit. In California and other zero-emission vehicle states, total savings with trade-in offers can reach as much…

Xpeng has produced its 10,000th next-generation P7 sedan, about a month after the updated model was launched, the Chinese electric vehicle maker said on Thursday. Delivery of the unit is expected in the coming days. The next-generation P7, unveiled on Aug. 27, introduces a redesigned exterior, upgraded powertrain and new smart driving chips. Xpeng reported more than 10,000 firm orders within minutes of its launch. The sedan is available in four variants priced from 219,800 yuan ($30,860) to 301,800 yuan. Built on an 800-volt platform, the P7 supports ultra-fast charging that can deliver a 525 km driving range in 10…

Geely Holding Group launched its second self-owned roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel, the “Jisu Glory,” on September 21 at the Meixi Ro-Ro Terminal of Ningbo Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. Operated by the group’s JISU Logistics unit, the vessel departed on its maiden voyage carrying vehicles from Geely, Zeekr, Smart, Lotus, and Farizon to European markets, including the United Kingdom and Belgium. The vessel expands Geely Auto’s shipping capabilities, supporting the company’s international vehicle distribution. The “Jisu Glory” measures 199.9 meters in length and 38 meters in width, with a 10-meter draught and capacity for 7,000 standard vehicles. Its 12…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto said it has established a joint venture with Sunwoda subsidiary SEVB to produce and sell lithium-ion batteries, as it looks to tighten control over costs, supply chain and technology. The 50-50 partnership, registered with the Shanghai Market Regulation Authority, comes as Li Auto accelerates its push into fully electric vehicles. Until recently, the company mainly sold range-extender models, but since 2024 has increasingly focused on pure battery-electric cars, heightening the importance of in-house battery expertise. Li Auto already collaborates with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), extending a development partnership for another five years last week.…

XCharge North America (NA) and Ascentium Capital have introduced a leasing program aimed at helping small-business owners install DC fast chargers without the burden of significant upfront investment or dependence on government incentives. Under the program, businesses can lease XCharge NA’s DC fast chargers, capable of delivering up to 400 kW, for a fixed monthly rate. Participants can capture full charging revenue, unlike traditional charging-as-a-service models where operators take a share. The initiative follows a financing structure commonly used in the auto industry, bundling equipment, installation, warranties, and maintenance into a single package. XCharge NA noted that its GridLink and…

Canada’s electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a notable shift in the second quarter of 2025, with full hybrid vehicles surpassing zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in consumer preference for the first time. Full hybrids captured 12.9% of new vehicle registrations, while ZEVs, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), accounted for 9.2%, down from 9.7% in Q1 2025, according to S&P Global. Despite a 25.6% increase in ZEV volume, the overall light-duty vehicle market expanded faster, growing 32.3%, which diluted ZEV market share. BEVs represented 5.9% of registrations, showing volume growth of 13.3% but a decline in market share. Mild…

Xpeng has completed a RMB 710 million ($100 million) asset-backed securities (ABS) issuance to boost working capital and expand its new energy vehicle (NEV) leasing operations. The issuance marks China’s first off-balance-sheet ABS for NEV financial leasing, allowing asset derecognition without relying on external credit enhancement. The offering relied on the credit quality of Xpeng’s leasing assets, with the AAA-rated senior A tranche achieving a coupon rate of 2.28 percent. The issuance received the highest green rating, G1, and the underlying asset pool is projected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 11,000 metric tons annually while saving 5,200 metric tons…

Giant has launched its 2026 Explore E+ range of electric bicycles, offering four models that target both entry-level riders and those seeking advanced features. The lineup includes the Explore E+ 0, Explore E+ 1, Explore E+ 3 and Explore E+ 4, with sales already underway in several European markets. At the entry point, the Explore E+ 4 is equipped with a SyncDrive Sport2 motor delivering 75 Nm of torque, paired with a 500 Wh battery. The model comes with a Shimano Cues nine-speed transmission, Suntour SR suspension fork and Tektro disc brakes. Standard accessories include fenders, lights and a rear…

Greenlane, a provider of public charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, has introduced a new dealer program, Charge On Us, aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric trucks in North America. The initiative provides $500 in charging credits and a six-month complimentary Greenlane Edge™ subscription for each qualifying light-, medium-, and heavy-duty electric truck sold. Velocity Truck Centers, a major commercial vehicle dealer, is the first to implement the program, rolling it out across its network. Scott Zeppenfeldt, Velocity’s COO, said, “Customers often worry about where and how to charge electric trucks. Greenlane’s program removes those hurdles by leveraging public infrastructure,…

Volvo said its 2026 model year EX90 will feature an 800-volt electrical system, enabling significantly faster charging and improved efficiency compared with the current 400-volt version. The Swedish automaker added that the upgrade will also allow reductions in component weight and benefit performance. Under ideal conditions, Volvo said the refreshed flagship SUV will be able to add around 250 kilometres of driving range in 10 minutes at a compatible fast-charging station. The company has not disclosed a peak charging rate but noted that its ES90 sedan, built on the same SPA2 platform, can charge at up to 350 kW. The…

Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons said it has partnered with Quebec-based charging operator FLO to install fast chargers at 100 of its restaurants nationwide by the end of 2028, in what it calls the largest EV charging rollout by a restaurant chain in the country. The companies said the project will span all ten provinces, with each site hosting two FLO Ultra fast chargers, featuring two charging ports per unit. The chargers share up to 320kW of power, allowing up to 160kW per vehicle when both ports are in use. FLO says its Ultra system can deliver as much as…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday it has launched a preliminary evaluation into 17,198 Rivian (RIVN.O) electric delivery vans following concerns over a potential seat belt defect. The review centers on the driver’s front outboard seat belt anchorage system, which relies on a steel-braided cable to secure the belt to the seat frame. According to NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, six complaints from vehicle owners described cables that had frayed, broken or unraveled, raising the risk that drivers could be unrestrained during a crash or sudden stop. Regulators emphasized there have been no reports of…

Kempower, one of North America’s fastest-growing electric vehicle (EV) DC charging manufacturers, said it has formed its first U.S. university partnership with the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Center at North Carolina State University. The collaboration will focus on research into electric system reliability, energy management, and charging technologies, particularly multi-megawatt solutions for heavy-duty and off-highway vehicles. Kempower said the alliance builds on its partnerships with three universities in Europe and supports its push to strengthen charging infrastructure in both regions. “We’re excited to embark on this partnership with the strong research talent at the FREEDM…