Author: Ivan Popov

Ford Motor said it will introduce a $30,000 mid-size electric pickup in 2027, the first vehicle to use its new Universal Electric Vehicle Platform and a redesigned manufacturing process aimed at reducing costs and increasing efficiency. The architecture, created by a small skunkworks team led by former Tesla engineer Alan Clarke, incorporates large aluminum castings that replace welded panels, cutting three-quarters of the parts, two-thirds of the welds, and half of the fasteners compared with a traditional pickup. It also eliminates nearly 1.6 km of wiring. See also: What We Know So Far About Ford Universal EV Platform Doug Field,…

Kingbull has introduced its Discover 2.0 series of fat-tire electric bikes, offering two models with different frame designs but similar specifications aimed at both city commuting and off-road riding. The new Discover 2.0 and Discover 2.0 ST are equipped with a 750-watt Bafang rear hub motor delivering 85 Nm of torque, a top speed of 28 mph (45 kph), and the ability to climb grades of up to 35 degrees. The ST version features a step-thru aluminum frame for accessibility, while the standard Discover 2.0 adopts a step-over frame. Both models carry a maximum payload of 400 lbs (181.4 kg).…

Nio has released the first interior images of its third-generation ES8 ahead of its August 21 debut in Chengdu, highlighting a redesign that blends luxury SUV space with business MPV comfort. The new ES8 features a horizontal central touchscreen similar to the ET9 sedan, replacing the vertical display of its predecessor, while an additional long screen spans behind the steering wheel and central screen for enhanced user interaction. The all-new ES8, positioned as a large-size SUV, measures 5,280 mm in length, 2,010 mm in width, and 1,800 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,250 mm—making it the largest pure…

Kia is rolling out one of the most affordable electric vehicle lease offers in the U.S., with the 2025 Niro EV Wind available for as low as $109 per month until September 2. The promotion underscores the automaker’s strategy to make electric driving more accessible as competition in the EV market intensifies. The limited-time lease applies to a 24-month term with $3,999 due at signing, including a $4,240 capitalized cost reduction. Kia does not require a security deposit but does charge a $650 acquisition fee. See also: Kia Confirms EV5 GT Launch for Early 2026, Promises Over 600 HP and…

Kyte, a San Francisco-based mobility startup founded in 2019, officially ceased operations on August 15, 2025, after six years of providing app-based car rentals with doorstep delivery. The company, which once positioned itself as a flexible alternative to traditional rental providers like Hertz, faced mounting financial pressures and failed to achieve sustainable profitability. The startup initially gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, growing rapidly through partnerships with fleet owners and offering an on-demand delivery service that bypassed airport counters and paperwork. At its peak, Kyte raised more than $60 million from investors including Andreessen Horowitz and secured a $250 million…

Skoda Auto released the first exterior video of its Vision O design study on Friday, highlighting the development of the automaker’s “Modern Solid” design language and offering a preview of future estate models. The video emphasizes the aerodynamic styling of the estate concept, featuring a sleek rear, narrow taillights forming a distinctive ‘T’ shape, a sloping roofline with a split roof spoiler, and a new B-pillar design that integrates seamlessly with the rear body. See also: Skoda H1 Operating Profit Rises 12% as EV Sales Surge Skoda lettering and the Vision O model designation are positioned on the fifth door,…

Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) said it will acquire a 30% interest in the Copper World copper mine project in Arizona, owned by Hudbay Minerals, for a total consideration of US$600 million (approximately ¥87 billion). The deal includes US$420 million for equity and US$180 million allocated toward development costs. MC and Hudbay plan to jointly conduct a definitive feasibility study for the project. The Arizona project, already fully permitted, is expected to begin operations around 2029, producing roughly 100,000 tonnes of copper per year at peak from an open-pit mine, with potential for expansion through adjacent mining concessions. Arizona accounts for about…

Lucid Motors said it will offer a $7,500 rebate on its upcoming Gravity SUV to offset the phase-out of the U.S. federal electric vehicle tax credit, which is due to end in September. The “Lucid Advantage Credit” will be available for customers who order a Gravity by Sept. 30 and lease it between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. Existing qualifying customers will also be covered. See also: Lucid Rejects Low Sales Rumors, Expects Gravity to Lead Second-Half Output “Why Lucid Gravity? Because you can have it all, and then some,” the company said, noting the SUV’s market launch is scheduled…

Guident Corp., a Boca Raton-based autonomous vehicle teleoperation company, has partnered with the City of Boca Raton to introduce an autonomous shuttle service using MiCa vehicles, aiming to improve urban mobility and sustainability. Under the agreement, the service will operate over a 2.6-mile loop from Mizner Park to Royal Palm Place. The first phase will feature a 0.6-mile loop within Mizner Park for a one-year term, with the option to extend. The project also involves Circuit, the city’s current shuttle operator, and Estonia-based Auve Tech, which manufactures the MiCa shuttles. “Boca Raton is committed to innovative and sustainable mobility solutions…

The European Commission has approved a joint venture between Germany’s Bosch and Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation to provide battery swapping services, initially targeting the Chinese market. The companies said the venture aims to advance electric vehicle (EV) battery performance and improve total cost of ownership for fleet operators. The approval, granted under the EU Merger Regulation, concluded that the joint venture poses no competition concerns, citing its limited activities in the European Economic Area (EEA) and the relatively small market positions of both companies in relevant markets. The partnership, first announced in March 2022 alongside Blue Park Smart Energy (BPSE), will…

Rock Tech Lithium has secured about 250,000 euros ($274,000) in German government funding for a research project aimed at improving lithium yields at its converter facility in Guben, the company said on Tuesday. The initiative, called ELiSePro – short for “Efficient lithium recovery using selective processes” – will be conducted in partnership with RWTH Aachen University. The study will compare ion separation methods, including nanofiltration, capacitive deionisation and lithium ion sieves, to minimise losses in the conversion process. The results will be assessed on economic and technological grounds before being applied at industrial scale, and may be published or patented,…

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor and Kia posted a sharp rebound in electric vehicle sales in July, led by the arrival of new models including the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV4. The companies sold more than 25,000 EVs during the month, up 67% from June and well above this year’s monthly average of 16,960 units, according to Carisyou Data Research figures cited by KED Global. Electric vehicles accounted for a record 16.7% of new car sales in the country, with industry analysts pointing to fresh product launches as the main driver. Hyundai’s Ioniq 9, its first three-row electric SUV introduced…