Author: Ivan Popov

Ford Motor’s electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States declined 31% year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, with notable drops in demand for the F-150 Lightning and the E-Transit van. While the company’s overall vehicle sales increased, electric vehicle deliveries struggled, totaling just 38,988 units in the first half of the year—down nearly 12% compared to the same period in 2024. The decline in EV sales comes at a time when the broader U.S. market is experiencing waning momentum for battery-electric vehicles. Uncertainty surrounding federal tax incentives, including potential rollbacks under the Trump administration, has contributed to slowing…

Xiaomi’s electric vehicle (EV) division delivered more than 25,000 vehicles in June, the company said in an update posted to Weibo on Sunday. While the firm did not disclose a precise figure, the June result appears slightly below May’s reported volume of over 28,000 units. It marks the ninth straight month of deliveries exceeding 20,000 units. “We are working around the clock to ramp up production and aim to deliver vehicles to you as soon as possible,” Xiaomi EV stated on Weibo, without providing detailed figures or breakdowns by model. Xiaomi officially entered the EV market with the launch of…

International logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss has added two fully electric Fuso eCanter trucks to its Croatian fleet, marking another step in its broader strategy to decarbonise transport operations across Europe. The electric vehicles will be used for last-mile deliveries in and around Zagreb. The newly introduced eCanter trucks each feature a 129-kW electric motor and a lithium battery pack offering a range of up to 200 kilometres on a single charge. The trucks, weighing 8.55 tonnes, are equipped with urban-friendly features such as a compact cab design, reversing camera, and blind-spot information system. Safety systems also include lane departure warning…

Group14 Technologies, a U.S.-based battery materials company backed by Porsche, has announced that its silicon-rich anode material SCC55 is enabling battery manufacturers to consistently exceed 1,500 charge cycles — with some tests reaching over 3,000. The company collected performance data from more than 20 customers globally using the material across electric mobility and energy storage systems. “The data is clear: silicon batteries have crossed a critical threshold, and 1,500 cycles is the new 1,000,” said Rick Luebbe, CEO and co-founder of Group14 Technologies. “This performance benchmark for silicon batteries presents a new era of durability combined with higher energy density…

Antonio Filosa has officially assumed his role as Chief Executive Officer of Stellantis, succeeding Carlos Tavares, who stepped down in December. As his first act in the top job, the former Jeep and North America chief has unveiled a new leadership team to guide the group through a period of transition and restructuring. “It is my great privilege to take the lead of Stellantis, a global company with deep regional roots,” Filosa said in a statement. “We have unique strengths in our great people, our iconic brands and our millions of customers, whose loyalty […] can only inspire us to…

Major automakers and industry groups are urging U.S. lawmakers and regulators to act more quickly to remove barriers to deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs) without human controls, citing growing international competition and stalled domestic policy. At a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on Thursday, auto executives and trade group leaders voiced frustration with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Congress, which they say have not kept pace with advances in driverless technology or global competitors. “The auto industry wants, it needs a functioning and effective auto safety regulator. We don’t have that today,” said John Bozzella, CEO of the…

Xiaomi, the Chinese electronics giant known for its smartphones and smart home products, has officially launched its first all-electric SUV — the Xiaomi YU7 — marking a major expansion of its automotive ambitions. The YU7 made its debut at a company event, where Xiaomi positioned the new vehicle as a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model Y, aiming to gain traction in China’s increasingly crowded EV market. Following the commercial success of its SU7 electric sedans, Xiaomi has now entered the SUV segment with a vehicle that combines bold design, high performance, and attractive pricing. The YU7 comes in three versions…

Audi’s newly opened electric vehicle (EV) plant in Changchun, China, is reportedly facing operational and software-related challenges that could significantly limit output this year, according to Manager Magazin. Despite a production capacity of 150,000 units, the site is expected to build only around 20,000 vehicles in 2025. The Changchun plant, operated by Audi FAW NEV Company, produces the long-wheelbase Q6L e-tron SUV and A6L e-tron saloon—models tailored for the Chinese market and based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). When the plant was inaugurated in late 2024, Audi highlighted it as one of the most automated automotive factories in the…

Italian automation firm Comau has entered into a strategic partnership with US-based battery technology company Intecells to explore the industrial integration of cold plasma in battery cell manufacturing, the companies said on Monday. The collaboration targets solvent-free and binder-free production processes aimed at improving both efficiency and sustainability. The move follows Intecells’ development of a patented cold plasma application that offers a potentially disruptive route for battery producers. The technology is designed to reduce cycle times and energy use in soaking and drying stages, while improving cell performance and consistency across various formats and chemistries. “Our collaboration with Intecells marks…

Nio will open its chip operations to external customers after spinning off its smart driving chip division, according to Chinese media outlet Cailian, as the electric vehicle manufacturer seeks to broaden revenue opportunities and attract new investment. The company has established a new project entity named Anhui Shengji Technology Co Ltd, which was officially registered on June 17. This move, previously reported by LatePost and now confirmed by a source cited by Cailian, marks the formal start of Nio’s strategy to operate its chip business as an independent entity while retaining overall control. The spinoff follows Nio’s announcement in December…

Ford  said it remains on track to begin production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries in the United States by 2026, reaffirming its plans despite mounting political headwinds and scrutiny over its technology partnership with Chinese battery giant CATL. The $3 billion facility, under construction in Marshall, Michigan, is expected to add 35 gigawatt-hours of battery production capacity annually and create approximately 1,700 jobs. Ford says the plant will play a central role in reducing the cost of next-generation electric vehicles, aligning with its strategy to deliver more affordable EV options. “This is a historic step for an American automaker,”…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio said on Tuesday it will expand its European operations into Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Denmark through a distributor-based sales model. The move is part of a broader strategic shift away from direct sales as the company seeks to accelerate its international growth. Nio will introduce five models across the new markets, including the EL6 and EL8 SUVs (renamed from ES6 and ES8), the ET5 and ET5 Touring, and the debut model from its Firefly sub-brand. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2025 in Portugal, Greece, and Denmark, followed by Cyprus and Bulgaria in 2026.…

Ferrari  has postponed the launch of its second fully-electric model to 2028 at the earliest, two sources close to the matter told Reuters, marking a second delay from its original 2026 target. The decision comes amid sluggish demand for high-performance electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in the luxury sports segment. The iconic Italian brand will unveil its first EV this October in a three-stage process leading to a world premiere in spring 2025, with customer deliveries expected in October 2026. The model, reportedly co-designed by former Apple (AAPL.O) design chief Jony Ive, will be priced above $500,000 and positioned as a…

The City of Brampton in Ontario is launching a major public transit transformation through a C$4 billion partnership with UK-based fleet electrification firm Zenobē, aiming to roll out 1,000 electric buses over the next ten years. The initiative, described by officials as one of the largest zero-emission bus programs in North America, will replace Brampton’s diesel fleet to serve an estimated 40 million annual passengers in the Greater Toronto Area’s largest suburb. Zenobē, a leading player in electric fleet and battery storage solutions, will spearhead the project alongside a coalition of commercial partners, including vehicle manufacturers and engineering firms from…

Tesla has officially registered its first fully driverless ride-share vehicle in Texas, marking a significant advancement in the company’s autonomous vehicle strategy. The development was highlighted by Tesla Yoda, a known Tesla watcher on X (formerly Twitter), who spotted the vehicle listed on the Texas Department of Transportation’s Automated Vehicle Deployment website. The listing includes a single Tesla Model Y operating within the Austin metropolitan area, designated as a ride-share vehicle under testing. Crucially, the state website indicates that the vehicle is operating without a safety driver, making this the first known public instance of a Tesla being tracked by…

Nvidia has officially launched its comprehensive Nvidia DRIVE AV software platform, marking a significant step toward accelerating the global deployment of safe and intelligent autonomous vehicles. The production-ready, full-stack system integrates AI training, simulation, validation, and in-vehicle processing—offering a unified foundation for hands-free driving and higher-level automation. The platform leverages Nvidia’s three-computer solution comprising DGX systems for AI model training, Omniverse and Cosmos for simulation and validation, and the DRIVE AGX in-vehicle computer for real-time decision-making. This end-to-end architecture allows automakers, truck manufacturers, and robotaxi developers to scale autonomous technologies while meeting evolving safety and regulatory standards. “With this unified…

Rivian Automotive has confirmed pricing for its 2026 R1T electric pickup and R1S SUV in the United States, introducing modest increases across most trims and a significant update with the standardization of Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) port across all models. The 2026 R1T will start at $70,990 for the Dual-Motor Standard model, while the R1S base price is set at $76,990. At the upper end, Tri-Motor configurations are priced at $100,990 for the R1T and $106,990 for the R1S. These figures represent an increase of $1,090 from the 2025 lineup for most variants, although Dual Large versions see…

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD said it will begin deploying its ultra-fast charging technology in Europe over the next 12 months, aiming to reduce charging times significantly and enhance the appeal of electric mobility. The 1000-volt flash charging technology, already operational in China, can add up to 400 kilometers of driving range in just five minutes of charging. According to BYD, the system can also reduce charging time for older electric vehicles by approximately 30%. The rollout in Europe will begin with installations at BYD dealerships, with the company currently working with local partners to accelerate infrastructure deployment. The ultra-rapid…

Chrysler is rethinking its all-electric ambitions, pushing back the launch of its first battery-electric model and reconsidering its path to an all-EV lineup by 2028, according to recent comments from Stellantis design chief Ralph Gilles. The move mirrors a broader recalibration among major automakers facing slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles. Originally slated for a 2025 release, Chrysler’s first EV — a new crossover — is now postponed “until further notice.” The brand currently sells just two aging minivans, the Voyager and Pacifica, both of which are essentially the same vehicle. A much-needed update to the Pacifica is scheduled for 2026,…

France is open to discussing potential adjustments to the European Union’s planned 2035 ban on the sale of new fossil-fuel vehicles, French industry minister Marc Ferracci said on Thursday, signaling a shift in tone as the auto industry faces market headwinds. Speaking at a parliamentary hearing, Ferracci said he was “ready” to consider easing the proposed ban, while reiterating France’s commitment to decarbonisation goals. “I’m ready to think about relaxing the ban,” Ferracci told lawmakers. “But the 2035 target should remain, and we must stay committed to the objective of decarbonising the transport sector.” The EU regulation, agreed upon in…