Author: James Bryant

Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta to co-develop a smart driving assistance system for the Chinese market. The technology is set to debut on the domestically produced all-electric CLA model later this year and will extend to future Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the region. The system leverages Momenta’s Flywheel large language AI model to provide driving assistance across highways, urban streets, and parking scenarios. Unlike traditional solutions, the system is designed to operate without relying on high-definition maps, offering scalable and adaptive functionality for different road environments. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Suzhou, Momenta has established partnerships…

Gatik, an autonomous freight logistics firm, and Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies Ltd said on Tuesday they will deploy 50 autonomous trucks over the next five years in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), expanding a partnership first launched in 2022. The deal, described as the largest planned rollout of autonomous trucks in North America, will see 20 vehicles equipped with advanced sensors enter service by late 2025, with 30 more added in 2026. Initially operated with safety drivers, the fleet is expected to transition to driverless operations as part of Ontario’s new Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle pilot program, which began in…

Thor Industries has introduced the Embark, a range-extended electric Class A motorhome developed under its Entegra Coach brand, marking what the company says is the world’s first of its kind. Built on a purpose-designed chassis from Harbinger Motors, the vehicle is designed to balance electric efficiency with long-distance capability. The Embark features a 140-kWh battery providing 105 miles of pure electric range, while an integrated low-emission gasoline extender increases total driving distance to up to 450 miles. Its 800-volt system supports DC fast charging, along with charging at campsites, home outlets, or through the extender. The motorhome can also function…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Avatr Technology, a subsidiary of Changan Automobile, is preparing to file for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). The company plans to submit its listing application in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the listing expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026, according to local media reports. Avatr Technology was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Changan and Nio, originally named Changan Nio. In August 2021, Changan rebranded the company as Avatr, with Huawei and CATL joining as strategic partners. Huawei focuses on smart…

Hyundai on Monday introduced the Ioniq 5 N Essentials trim in South Korea, a lower-priced version of its first high-performance electric vehicle. The new model retains the same dual-motor setup and performance features as the base Ioniq 5 N but comes with fewer convenience options to reduce costs. First launched in 2023, the Ioniq 5 N marked a new era for Hyundai’s N performance division, combining the company’s electric platform with high-output motors. The all-wheel-drive hatchback produces up to 641 horsepower when “N Grin Boost” is activated, and 601 hp without it. Power comes from an 84 kWh battery, offering…

Coca-Cola’s bottling partners in India are scaling up the use of electric three-wheelers in their delivery operations, adding thousands of compact vehicles to fleets across major cities. The company said the initiative, part of a program called Vividhta ka Uphaar or “a gift of diversity,” has already put more than 5,000 electric three-wheelers on delivery routes in cities including Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, and Bhopal. The rollout is intended to lower emissions and noise while cutting operating costs. “These electric vehicles help us make our delivery operations more efficient while also supporting the communities we serve,” the company said in a statement.…

Hyundai is offering a limited-time lease deal on its 2025 Ioniq 5 electric SUV, making one of the longest-range compact EVs more accessible to U.S. customers. Until the end of September, the rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 SE can be leased for $149 per month on a 24-month contract with $4,999 due at signing, Hyundai said. Additional incentives, including a $500 Military Program and a $400 College Grad Program, may further reduce costs. The final monthly payment may vary depending on dealer contribution. The Ioniq 5 SE RWD, priced from $46,650, is equipped with an 84 kWh battery that delivers up to…

Sporting goods retailer Decathlon has released a new version of its Van Rysel E-GRVL AF HD Mahle X35 SRAM Apex 1×12 electric bike in select European markets, adding a black frame option to the lineup. The new colorway is available in sizes S, M and L, joining the existing blue version that has been sold since 2024. The black model carries the same price tag as the blue: €2,999.99 in the Netherlands and €2,899.99 in France and Spain. Specifications remain unchanged from the earlier 2025 update, including a 250W Mahle X35+ motor with 40 Nm torque, pedal assistance up to…

Norfolk County Council and First Bus said they will invest £13.8 million to bring 24 new electric double-decker buses into service by autumn 2025, along with upgrades to bus depots in Great Yarmouth and Norwich. Of the total funding, £8.9 million will come from First Bus, with the remainder covered by Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan grant. The new vehicles will join the county’s existing fleet of 76 electric buses, expanding operations in key urban areas. The Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will be upgraded to accommodate 10 vehicles serving Service 8, linking James Paget Hospital with Caister via…

CharIN and EMVCo have launched a joint initiative aimed at creating secure and interoperable payment solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The effort seeks to align EMV-based open payments with ISO 15118 Plug & Charge systems, enabling drivers to complete transactions seamlessly across charging networks worldwide. EMV – originally developed by Europay, Mastercard and Visa – is the global standard for chip-based payment cards and compatible terminals. Integrating EMV technology into Plug & Charge systems is expected to allow EV drivers to pay quickly and securely without additional authentication steps, improving convenience and usability. The project, called New Payment Solutions,…

Transport UK London Bus has deployed 13 new Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV zero-emission buses on route G1 between Battersea and Streatham, expanding the capital’s fleet of electric vehicles. The single-deckers, at 8.5 metres long and 2.35 metres wide, are designed for narrow roads and tight turns along the 10-mile route. Each bus is powered by a 354 kWh battery from Impact Clean Power Technology and fitted with a Voith electric drive system, giving them a range of up to 450 kilometres on a single charge, according to the manufacturer. Neil Gladstone, National Account Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “Our Enviro100EV is…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV has been spotted at a Tesla Supercharger in Arizona, revealing that the model will feature a native NACS charging port, allowing direct access to Tesla’s network without the use of an adapter. Photos shared on X by @RivianUpdates and credited to @Chrisediting showed the R2’s charging port positioned on the rear driver’s side, mirroring the placement seen on Tesla models. The move marks the first time a Rivian vehicle has been seen with a built-in NACS port, as current R1 owners rely on adapters to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. https://twitter.com/RivianUpdates/status/1968807499177279703 Production of the R2 is expected…