Author: Ivan Popov

INFICON, a provider of leak detection solutions, is underscoring the importance of comprehensive testing for electric vehicle (EV) battery cells, modules, and packs at The Battery Show South, held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, April 16-17, 2025. INFICON’s automotive market sales manager, Thomas Parker, highlighted the need for leak testing at multiple stages of the battery assembly process, from individual cells to completed battery packs. “Each battery cell, before and after being assembled into a module, should undergo leak testing,” Parker said. “Testing is necessary at various stages, and once a battery pack is complete, the internal…

The Vatican will introduce 14 new electric vehicles into its fleet, including units for its Gendarmerie and fire department, as part of a broader transition toward fully electric mobility by 2030. The vehicles will be delivered by Italian EV supplier Exelentia, the Vatican said. The order comprises four Melex 343 electric shuttles and ten Goupil commercial vehicles, though specific Goupil models were not disclosed. Both types resemble compact utility vehicles or golf carts, suited for short-range use within the Vatican’s compact geography. Two of the Melex vehicles will be assigned to the Gendarmerie, while the destinations of the remaining units…

Porsche is recalling approximately 11,000 units of its 2022 and 2023 Taycan models in North America due to a defect in the passenger seat’s occupant classification system (OCS), which could lead to the deactivation of the front airbag. The recall affects 9,735 vehicles in the United States, as announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and 878 units in Canada, as noted by Transport Canada. The issue stems from a manufacturing defect in the crimp connection of the seat cushion’s heating mat. If the crimp connection is improperly executed, it can cause the OCS to malfunction, resulting in…

Canada has introduced a 25% tariff on select vehicle imports from the United States, escalating trade tensions following similar measures enacted by Washington earlier this month. The countermeasure applies to fully assembled vehicles that fail to meet the criteria set under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (USMCA), as well as to non-Canadian and non-Mexican components used in compliant vehicles. See also: British Columbia Excludes Tesla from EV Charger Rebate Program Amid US-Canada Trade Dispute Unlike the U.S. tariffs, which broadly apply to all foreign-made vehicles not assembled domestically, Canada’s levies specifically target imports from the United States. Vehicles from Mexico remain…

Smart has introduced a high-performance version of its all-electric #5 SUV, developed in partnership with German tuner Brabus, marking the latest expansion of the brand’s electric lineup following its European debut less than three weeks ago. The Smart #5 Brabus, now the most powerful variant in the series, delivers 475 kW of power and accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 3.8 seconds using launch mode. That compares with 432 kW and 4.9 seconds for the existing Pulse and Summit editions, and 250 kW and 6.9 seconds for the base Pro model. See also: Smart Unveils #5 Electric…

The UK government has announced £37.8 million in funding to support the rollout of 319 zero-emission buses by spring 2027, with the investment matched by £113 million in private sector contributions. The announcement is part of the latest round of the Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA 2) programme. Twelve local authorities have been selected to receive grants aimed at replacing older vehicles with cleaner alternatives and supporting the infrastructure necessary for electric bus operations. Among the beneficiaries are the West of England Combined Authority, which secured £19.89 million to introduce 160 electric buses, and Hull City Council, receiving £3.91…

Volvo Cars reported strong electric vehicle sales growth in the United States during the first quarter of 2025, even as global figures showed a sharp decline, reflecting diverging regional trends amid a broader industry shift toward electrification. The Swedish automaker sold 2,706 all-electric vehicles in the U.S. between January and March, marking a 179% jump from the 970 units sold in the same period last year. While the absolute numbers remain modest, the growth offers a rare bright spot for Volvo’s electrification strategy, driven by models like the EX30, EX40, and EX90. See also: Volvo Cars Reinstates Former CEO Hakan…

Kia’s all-electric EV3 has emerged as the best-selling retail electric vehicle in the UK through the first quarter of 2025, helping the automaker achieve its best start to a year in the country since it entered the market 34 years ago. The strong performance also contributed to Kia’s highest-ever global first-quarter sales since the company began car production in 1962. In March alone, Kia sold nearly 20,000 vehicles in the UK, securing the fourth position among all auto brands. Electrified models – including electric, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles – made up more than 55% of total sales, with fully…

Aurora Innovation has published a comprehensive Driverless Safety Report detailing the company’s approach to safety engineering, risk assessment, and cybersecurity as it prepares to launch its commercial self-driving trucking operations in Texas. The report provides an in-depth overview of the systems behind the Aurora Driver, the company’s autonomous driving platform, and outlines safety protocols implemented across its operations. According to the company, the initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to transparency and safety in the deployment of autonomous vehicles. See also: Aurora Innovation Appeals Federal Ruling on Safety Triangle Exemption for Self-Driving Trucks “We live by a philosophy of…

A U.S. owner of a 2024 Kia EV6 has filed a lemon law claim after experiencing multiple failures of the vehicle’s 12-volt battery system, highlighting a recurring issue that has surfaced among other EV6 owners despite the car’s generally positive reputation. The owner, who posted details of the situation in a Facebook group for EV6 drivers, claims his Wind RWD model has gone through three or four 12-volt batteries within a single year of ownership. With only 4,500 miles on the odometer, he described the experience as “a recurring electrical problem,” adding that his latest replacement battery leaked acid and…

A consortium of German research institutions and industry partners has launched TRAICELL, a three-year research project aimed at boosting efficiency and traceability in battery cell production using artificial intelligence, according to a statement by the Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production (FFB). TRAICELL aims to create a digital system that allows production and quality data to be traced down to individual electrode layers. The initiative also focuses on optimizing the mixing and coating processes in battery manufacturing to improve material yield and minimize waste. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. See also:…

Tesla has added a new paint option called Diamond Black for the Model 3 and Model Y, marking a shift in its vehicle customization offerings for North America. The new exterior finish, which replaces the previous Solid Black color, is currently available only in the United States. Announced via Tesla’s official X account, the Diamond Black paint is described as a deep metallic black with added texture and reflectivity, offering a more dynamic appearance under various lighting conditions compared to the discontinued Solid Black. See also: Tesla Expands Early Access Program for Full Self-Driving to More Owners https://twitter.com/tesla_na/status/1908210014428283230 The new…