Author: Ivan Popov

French motorway operator Vinci Autoroutes is set to test wireless inductive charging for electric vehicles on a 1.5-kilometer stretch of the A10 motorway near Angervilliers, south of Paris. The pilot project, part of the ‘Charge as you drive’ initiative, will evaluate the feasibility of dynamic charging for different vehicle types. See also: Vinci Autoroutes and Allego Open Four New Fast-Charging Parks Across French Highways Since early January, Vinci Autoroutes has been installing induction coils beneath the right-hand lane of the A10. The infrastructure is expected to be operational by April 2025, with four test vehicles— a truck, a van, a…

Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has secured a new order from Warsaw’s public transit operator MZA for 50 articulated Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses, further expanding the city’s electric fleet. Each of the newly ordered buses will accommodate up to 103 passengers, including around 40 seated, Solaris said. Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA) has opted for a modular drive system, which mounts the drive components on the roof of the vehicle. Solaris has been supplying buses to MZA since 1997, with the first electric model entering service in the Polish capital in 2015. To date, the manufacturer has delivered more than 163…

Volkswagen America has announced pricing for the 2025 ID.4, with the electric SUV starting at $45,095. The automaker is currently manufacturing only the 82 kWh battery version at its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant, while the smaller 62 kWh variant will be available at a later date. The 82 kWh version is offered in three trims: Entry, S, and S Plus. The base model starts at $45,095 for rear-wheel drive and $48,995 for all-wheel drive, with the latter featuring larger 20-inch alloy wheels. Standard features include a 12.9-inch infotainment display with navigation and backlit sliders. See also: Volkswagen ID.7 Pro S Sets…

A coalition representing automakers and electric vehicle (EV) charging companies has called on the U.S. Transportation Department to swiftly reinstate a $5 billion government EV infrastructure program following its suspension by the Trump administration. The Electric Drive Transportation Association, whose members include General Motors, Toyota, BorgWarner, EVgo, Stellantis, and Walmart, urged the administration to “quickly resume the critical work of the program and minimize uncertainty for states and businesses investing in infrastructure.” The program, part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Fund, was designed to support nationwide charging networks to accelerate EV adoption. See also: U.S. Transportation Department Halts…

Samsung Electro-Mechanics has launched the world’s first high-voltage, ultra-small Multilayer Ceramic Capacitor (MLCC) specifically designed for LiDAR systems in autonomous vehicles. The new component, identified as CL05Y225KP66PN, is the first 10V, 2.2uF MLCC in a compact 1005 size (1.0 mm x 0.5 mm) and has been AEC-Q200 qualified, marking a significant development in the automotive electronics sector. This MLCC offers 60% higher voltage capability compared to the previous standard of 6.3V, addressing the increasing power demands of LiDAR systems and other automotive applications. It is optimized to provide a stable power supply and accurate signal transmission, crucial for the performance…

The UK government has outlined an ambitious vision to develop Oxford and Cambridge into “Europe’s Silicon Valley,” with the potential to contribute £78 billion to the UK economy. This initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen the country’s AI and tech industries, which have been under pressure due to recent funding cuts and tax hikes. The government’s move aims to attract top-tier tech talent and investment to the region, positioning the two cities as hubs for innovation in sectors like artificial intelligence, life sciences, semiconductors, and quantum technology. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is expected to announce plans to develop…

Tesla saw a sharp drop in sales in Germany last month, with new registrations falling 59.5% year-on-year to 1,277 vehicles, data from the German road traffic agency KBA showed on Wednesday. The decline comes as the U.S. electric vehicle (EV) maker faces growing competition and public scrutiny, including controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk’s political statements. While Tesla’s sales declined, Germany’s overall automotive market dipped just 2.8% in January, with slightly more than 207,000 vehicles registered. Notably, the battery-electric vehicle (BEV) segment, in which Tesla competes, saw a strong surge, growing 53.5% to nearly 34,500 vehicles across all brands. KBA did…

Electric-truck maker Nikola is reportedly nearing a bankruptcy filing, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. The Arizona-based company has been working with law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman to explore options, including a potential sale or restructuring through bankruptcy. Nikola has faced ongoing financial difficulties, struggling to raise funds while losing significant amounts per vehicle sold. The company acknowledged it is evaluating various options, including securing financing as part of a broader financial restructuring, but declined to confirm whether bankruptcy proceedings are under consideration. The company’s cash reserves dropped sharply to $198.3 million at the end of…

Xpeng delivered 30,350 electric vehicles (EVs) in January, marking a 267.88% increase from the same period last year. However, the figure represented a 17.29% decline from December’s 36,695 units, reflecting the seasonal slowdown that typically affects China’s auto market at the start of the year. January’s results marked the third consecutive month in which Xpeng’s deliveries exceeded 30,000 units, supported by strong demand for its latest models. The Mona M03 sedan was among the company’s top performers, with more than 15,000 units delivered last month. See also: Xpeng Expands to Finland, Focusing on Electric SUVs The model, launched in August…

The British government is in discussions with car finance providers to explore subsidised loans for electric vehicle (EV) purchases, aiming to increase affordability for private buyers, the Financial Times reported. The initiative comes as the UK, now Europe’s largest EV market ahead of Germany, struggles to meet its official targets for private electric car adoption. While corporate EV sales have benefited from tax incentives, private registrations have lagged since subsidies ended in 2022. See also: UK Surpasses Germany as Europe’s Largest Market for Pure Electric Cars in 2024 One option under consideration is for the government to subsidise financing or…

VinFast has announced a new promotion for 2025, offering a complimentary VF DrgnFly e-bike with every purchase of its 7-seat all-electric VF 9 SUV. This initiative aims to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and families seeking a combination of luxury, practicality, and sustainability. The VF 9 SUV is designed for families, featuring tri-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, and advanced driver assistance technology. See also: VinFast Begins U.S. Deliveries of VF 9 Electric SUV, Expands to New Markets The VF DrgnFly e-bike, valued at $2,599, includes a 750W rear hub motor, a top speed of 28 mph, and a removable…

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has entered into a strategic partnership with DHL to equip the German logistics giant’s facilities with advanced energy storage solutions. The collaboration will integrate CATL’s stationary storage systems with battery exchange and rapid charging systems, marking a significant step towards reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in logistics operations. Under the agreement, CATL will supply DHL with liquid-cooled stationary energy storage systems and energy management platforms. In return, DHL has been designated as CATL’s preferred logistics service provider. This partnership builds on a prior letter of intent from 2023, which outlined plans for global collaboration on climate-neutral…

Embotech, Outsight, and Hesai Technology have formed a partnership to integrate lidar technology and perception software into Embotech’s Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) system at BMW production facilities. This collaboration, internally known at BMW as Automated Driving In-Plant (AFW), aims to enhance efficiency and safety in autonomous vehicle operations within automotive manufacturing environments. Embotech serves as the system provider for BMW’s AFW solution, utilizing real-time optimization technology. Outsight contributes a lidar software platform that monitors the ego-vehicle and surrounding obstacles, while Hesai provides high-precision lidar sensors for the AVM system. Together, the companies combine expertise in software, sensor technology, and system…

Jaguar Land Rover’s investment arm, InMotion Ventures, has contributed $2 million to Cyclic Materials, a rare earth magnets recycling company. This investment brings Cyclic Materials’ Series B funding round total to $55 million, further strengthening its expansion plans in North America and Europe. InMotion Ventures has a history of investing in technologies aimed at improving sustainability, including supply chain traceability, battery repair, reuse, and recycling. With this latest investment in Cyclic Materials, the company is focusing on rare earth magnet recycling, a key area for supporting the automotive industry’s shift toward more sustainable practices. See also: JLR to Limit New…

Electric bike maker Ado has unveiled the Ado Air 30, an innovative e-bike equipped with automatic gearshift technology, anti-theft GPS, and an ultra-slim removable battery, promising a range of up to 62 miles. The announcement marks a step forward in urban mobility solutions. The Ado Air 30 Ultra features a discreet design powered by a Bafang hub motor integrated into the rear hub, which houses a triple-speed gearbox. Riders benefit from an automatic gearshift system, enabling smooth transitions between gears without manual intervention—a practical feature for city commutes involving frequent stops. Riders can toggle between “Sport” and “Eco” modes, balancing…

Hyundai Motor Group has completed its new development center, dubbed the ‘Square Campus,’ at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre (HMETC) in Rüsselsheim, Germany, significantly enhancing its research and development capabilities in Europe. The 25,000-square-meter facility is slated to open in March and will focus on advancing electric vehicles (EVs), driver-assistance systems, infotainment, and electrification technologies, according to the automaker. See also: Hyundai Expands Partnership with General Motors Amid U.S. Policy Changes The new site, which houses Hyundai’s largest Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) test bench to date, as well as chassis and powertrain testing facilities, marks a major investment…

Kodiak Robotics, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology, has completed its first commercial deployment by delivering two self-driving trucks to Atlas Energy Solutions. The vehicles, equipped with Kodiak’s AI Driver system, began operations in December in the remote Permian Basin, marking a significant milestone for the startup. Atlas, a provider of oilfield logistics and proppant, has already utilized the autonomous trucks to deliver 100 loads without a human safety driver, Kodiak founder and CEO Don Burnette told TechCrunch. “This is the first time, as far as we’re aware, that the customer is owning and operating the driverless vehicle, instead of…

Rivian, the U.S. electric pickup and SUV manufacturer, is in discussions with other automakers about supplying its software and electrical architecture, according to a senior executive. The joint venture between Rivian and Volkswagen, formed after the German automaker’s $5.8 billion investment in November 2024, aims to integrate advanced electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software technology into both companies’ upcoming electric vehicles. See also: Volkswagen Explores Deepening Partnership with Rivian in EV Expansion Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s Chief Software Officer and co-CEO of the joint venture, noted that the partnership with Volkswagen will provide Rivian with greater production volumes, helping to secure better…

Volkswagen (VW) is entering 2025 facing significant challenges in its electric vehicle (EV) strategy, following over four years since the debut of its ID.3 and ID.4 models. Initially, these vehicles were expected to offer a strong competition to Tesla, but the reality has been more difficult for the German automaker, with few new releases in the pipeline for the near future. See also: Volkswagen Explores Deepening Partnership with Rivian in EV Expansion VW’s electric lineup has seen limited updates in recent years. The latest addition, the ID.7 sedan, was introduced in the third quarter of 2023. However, the company’s next…

Smart, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is reportedly shifting its strategy to include a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for its upcoming #5 SUV, alongside the all-electric version. The move reflects growing concerns over sales performance in key global markets, including China and Europe. The decision, first reported by Autocar and confirmed by Smart representatives in China, highlights a departure from the brand’s all-electric focus since its relaunch. A Smart Europe spokesperson stated, “We see individual mobility powered by combustion engines and, in particular, with hybrid drives as a transitional technology towards purely electric driving. It is important to…