Author: Ivan Popov

Cube has introduced the Kathmandu Hybrid Comfort Pro 800 2025, an e-bike that blends cutting-edge technology with user comfort. Available in both diamond and step-through frame options, the e-bike caters to a wide range of riders. Priced at €3,799, the model sits in the premium segment, offering advanced features while maintaining accessibility compared to higher-end competitors. One of the standout innovations is the bike’s Gates belt drive, replacing the traditional chain for a low-maintenance and durable transmission system. Coupled with an Enviolo continuously variable hub gear, the drivetrain delivers smooth and seamless shifting across a compact gear range. Powering the…

BYD’s largest production base in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, China, has surpassed 1 million vehicles in annual production for the first time, marking a significant achievement for the new energy vehicle (NEV) maker. The milestone was reached on December 13, according to a post by the Xi’an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone administration. The Xi’an facility, operational for 20 years, has become BYD’s most significant automotive production site. The plant has seen its capacity grow with the completion of new production phases, enhancing its output. Currently, the facility operates four assembly lines, producing between 4,000 to 4,400 units daily. BYD’s Xi’an plant…

The Swiss Federal Council has approved a new ordinance on automated driving, set to come into effect on March 1, 2025. The regulation will permit drivers to use certain autonomous functions on freeways and enable automated parking, while also establishing guidelines for pilot projects involving fully autonomous routes. The ordinance primarily focuses on Level 3 (“conditionally automated”) driving, which allows vehicles to temporarily manage both lateral and longitudinal control. While drivers can rely on these systems for specific tasks, they must remain alert and ready to take over control when prompted. This step follows the Swiss parliament’s amendment of the…

Schneider National Inc., a major player in North America’s logistics sector, has announced that its battery electric vehicle (BEV) fleet has surpassed 6 million zero-emission miles, underscoring the company’s efforts to curb carbon emissions and advance sustainable transportation solutions. “Reaching 6 million zero-emission miles is a testament to our steadfast dedication to sustainability and innovation,” said Schneider President and CEO Mark Rourke. “Leading the way in adopting electric vehicle technology not only benefits the environment but also serves as an example of the broad service capabilities and flexibility we can offer to customers.” Since deploying its BEV fleet, Schneider has…

Tesla has officially begun operations at its lithium refining facility in Robstown, Texas, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to bolster domestic battery production. The factory, located near Corpus Christi, is the first large-scale U.S. refinery for battery-grade lithium and pioneers an acid-free lithium refining process, a key innovation announced by Tesla when the project broke ground over a year ago. On Saturday, Tesla announced that the facility had successfully processed raw materials through its kiln for the first time. The site is expected to produce approximately 50 GWh of battery-grade lithium annually once it reaches full production…

EVgo has announced the closing of a $1.25 billion guaranteed loan facility from the US Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO), aimed at expanding the company’s public charging infrastructure across the United States. The financing will support the installation of 7,500 new public charging points, helping to grow EVgo’s network to at least 10,000 fast-charging stalls. This loan will allow EVgo to significantly increase its footprint, with plans to more than triple its network by 2029. The company’s CEO, Badar Khan, emphasized that this expansion will help meet the growing demand for EV charging infrastructure, driven by the rising…

Hyundai has launched its XCIENT hydrogen fuel cell semi trucks in Georgia, marking a significant step in the use of hydrogen power for medium- and heavy-duty trucking in North America. The trucks are set to operate at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), where they will support logistics operations at the new manufacturing facility. The fleet will consist of 21 Hyundai XCIENT trucks, each equipped with electric motors delivering around 470 hp and 1650 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm. Unlike other electric vehicles with direct-drive systems, the XCIENT trucks utilize an Allison 400 Series six-speed automatic transmission, ensuring…

Toyota has just revealed its newest addition to the electric vehicle market—the Urban Cruiser SUV. Positioned between the Yaris Cross and C-HR in the brand’s European lineup, this compact SUV shares many design elements with its Suzuki e-Vitara counterpart, albeit with a few signature Toyota touches. Available in both front-wheel-drive (FWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) configurations, the Urban Cruiser promises a spacious and efficient ride, thanks to its dedicated electric platform and impressive range of features. At 4,285 mm (168.7 inches) in length, the Toyota Urban Cruiser features design cues inspired by last year’s Urban SUV Concept, yet adapted for the…

Mercedes-Benz has begun teasing its upcoming electric van, signaling a new era for the brand’s van lineup. Set to replace the Sprinter and V-Class, including the eSprinter in certain markets, the new van will be built on the company’s newly developed Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) platform. The VAN.EA is a highly modular and scalable platform designed to accommodate various sizes and configurations, ensuring it will meet the needs of Mercedes-Benz’s diverse van segment. Mercedes-Benz has teased the VAN.EA-P model, which will be aimed at the upper end of the family vehicle segment, combining luxury, elegance, and spaciousness. The first global…

U.S. sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids reached a new milestone in the third quarter of 2024, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Combined sales of hybrid, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) now account for 19.6% of all new light-duty vehicle sales, marking an increase from 19.1% in the previous quarter. The surge was largely driven by hybrid vehicles, which saw a record-high market share of 10.8%. However, BEV sales experienced a slight decline, with their share of the market dropping from 7.4% in Q2 to 7.0% in Q3. Despite…

The cost of electric vehicle (EV) batteries is plummeting, marking the steepest decline since 2017, as new technologies and cost-efficient alternatives revolutionize the industry. In 2024, the price of EV battery packs dropped by 20%, a dramatic shift that brings electric vehicles closer to price parity with their gasoline-powered counterparts. According to BloombergNEF’s annual battery price survey, the cost of battery packs has fallen to $115 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), driven by increased cell production, lower material prices, and the growing adoption of cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. This significant price drop is expected to continue over the next few…

Subaru’s long-awaited performance version of its electric crossover, the Solterra STI, may be set to debut in 2025, according to new reports from Japan. This performance-focused variant, part of a mid-lifecycle update for the electric vehicle (EV), will likely prioritize enhanced handling over significant horsepower gains. The concept of a performance-oriented Solterra has been circulating for some time, with Subaru unveiling an STI concept alongside the STI E-RA study at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon. However, details regarding the production model remained unclear. Although rumors initially suggested the car could launch in the summer of 2024, the timeline now appears…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast announced on Sunday its plan to construct a second domestic production facility, aiming to double its annual output capacity to meet increasing demand for its compact and mid-sized EV models. The new factory, located in Ha Tinh province, is designed to produce up to 300,000 units per year in its initial phase—matching the capacity of VinFast’s existing plant in Haiphong. Scheduled to begin operations in July 2025, the facility will focus on producing the VF 3 and VF 5 models for both domestic and international markets, according to a company statement. “Demand in international markets…

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) is considering relocating all or part of its ID. Buzz production from its main plant in Hanover, Germany, to Poznan, Poland, according to local media reports and statements from the company. While VWCV has not officially confirmed the move, a spokesperson acknowledged that various scenarios are under review, with no final decision yet reached. The Hanover plant has been manufacturing the ID. Buzz, including its long-wheelbase and all-wheel-drive GTX variants, alongside the T7 Multivan since mid-2024. However, lower-than-expected demand for the ID. Buzz has raised concerns. In the first half of 2024, fewer than 15,000 units…

Chinese automakers are pivoting to hybrid vehicles as a strategy to bypass the European Union’s newly imposed tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. The tariffs, which can reach as high as 45.3%, aim to protect Europe’s domestic auto industry but notably exclude hybrid models from the restrictions. “Chinese OEMs are shifting toward plug-in hybrid vehicles as a way to sidestep the new EU tariffs on battery-powered vehicle imports from China,” Murtuza Ali, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, told Reuters. Ali predicted that hybrid exports to Europe could grow by 20% this year, with further expansion expected in 2024.…

Stellantis N.V. announced the resignation of Carlos Tavares as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, following differences in strategic alignment with the company’s Board of Directors. “Stellantis’ success since its creation has been rooted in a perfect alignment between the reference shareholders, the Board, and the CEO. However, in recent weeks different views have emerged, which have resulted in the Board and the CEO coming to today’s decision,” said Henri de Castries, Senior Independent Director at Stellantis. The Board has initiated the search for a permanent successor, aiming to appoint a new CEO by the first half of 2025. In the…

Nio, a Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, reported 20,575 vehicle deliveries in November, an increase of 28.92% compared to 15,959 a year earlier, though a slight decline of 1.91% from October. This marked the company’s second consecutive month of lower month-on-month deliveries, while maintaining its seventh month above the 20,000-unit threshold. The main Nio brand accounted for 15,493 deliveries, representing a 2.92% decline from the same month last year and a 6.99% decrease from October. Deliveries for the Onvo sub-brand reached 5,082 units, reflecting a 17.67% increase from October. Year-to-date, Nio has delivered 190,832 vehicles, a 34.36% increase compared to…

U POWER Group, a player in new energy charging and battery swapping technology, has unveiled its UOTTA Universal Battery Swap Station, designed to offer a more efficient and adaptable charging and battery-swapping experience. The new station introduces advanced features such as AI-based control and a modular design, making it more flexible and scalable than previous models. Key highlights of the UOTTA Universal Battery Swap Station include its AI-driven logic commands and digital twinning, which optimize operational efficiency by predicting customer needs and improving maintenance. The modular design supports various hardware combinations, including lifting platforms and battery cabinets, allowing the station…

MAN Truck & Bus celebrated the topping-out ceremony for its large-scale battery production facility in Nuremberg, Germany, marking a significant step in its transition to electromobility. The facility will begin mass production of high-voltage batteries in April 2025, supporting MAN’s electric vehicle lineup, including its recently launched eTruck. “The drives of the future are being created in Nuremberg. Not only are we developing batteries here, but in a few months’ time we will also be using the latest technologies to mass-produce them,” said Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus. He emphasized the importance of this development for MAN’s…

Tesla and Rivian are nearing a settlement in a four-year legal dispute, with Tesla accusing Rivian of stealing trade secrets by recruiting former Tesla employees. The case, initiated in 2020, alleged that Rivian encouraged new hires from Tesla to bring proprietary documents containing “highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information.” Rivian denied these claims. In 2021, Tesla expanded the lawsuit to allege Rivian was “stealing the core technology for its next-generation batteries.” Tesla recently notified the court of a conditional settlement agreement. “Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state…