Author: James Bryant

DAF Trucks has started series production of its new XD Electric and XF Electric models in Eindhoven, marking a step forward in the Dutch manufacturer’s electrification strategy after delays of more than two years. The two battery-powered trucks, based on the latest generation of DAF’s diesel XD and XF series, are designed primarily for distribution transport, with the XF Electric also offering long-haul capability when fitted with larger battery packs. The models had originally been scheduled to enter production in spring 2023 but were postponed, with DAF not disclosing the reasons for the delay. “Anyone who works with our new…

Geely Auto’s sub-brand Geely Galaxy has launched the M9, a large six-seat hybrid SUV priced from RMB 173,800 ($24,470) after discounts, undercutting rivals in China’s competitive full-size SUV market. The starting price is significantly lower than the pre-sale figure of RMB 193,800. The M9 is offered in six variants, with two entry-level versions equipped with basic driver assistance features priced at RMB 183,800 and RMB 198,800. Four higher-spec versions come with Geely’s G-Pilot H5 smart driving system, priced between RMB 192,800 and RMB 248,800. Customers who order before October 31 will receive a RMB 10,000 discount, effectively lowering the price…

Irish-British startup Go Eve said it has secured UL 2202 certification for its DockChain EV charging system and begun US production in Michigan, marking a key step toward expanding its scalable DC fast-charging solution across North America. DockChain uses a patented “daisy chain” design that allows a single Level 3 DC fast charger to power multiple charging points, cutting infrastructure costs and reducing queuing for fleet operators, workplaces and public networks. The company said its system can deliver DC charging performance at costs comparable to slower Level 2 setups. “DockChain rewrites the economics of DC fast charging,” Go Eve CEO…

Canadian startup Beachman Motor Company said it has secured national and international motorcycle manufacturing licenses and launched its first road-legal electric motorcycle, as it prepares to expand into Europe in 2026 and opens a new investment round. The Toronto-based company said it obtained licenses from the Canadian federal government and SAE International, making it the only new automaker in Canada in the past decade alongside BRP Can-Am. The approval enables Beachman to produce and sell fully road-legal motorcycles beyond its earlier e-bike and moped-style models. Its new model, the ’64 LM, is a lightweight electric motorcycle designed for urban use,…

Volvo Buses’ partner MCV has inaugurated a new 10,000-square-metre production line for electric buses near Cairo, Egypt, aimed at supplying vehicles to European markets. The plant will manufacture the Volvo 7900 Electric, 7900 Electric Artic and 8900 Electric, enhancing the Swedish manufacturer’s electrification strategy with increased capacity and flexibility. MCV, which began producing complete Volvo electric buses in 2024 while the facility was under construction, has already delivered its first units to European customers. The first rollouts from the new site are expected this autumn. “The business model to collaborate with body builders for the bus body is well established…

BMW Group has entered the final stage before rolling out its first Neue Klasse model, with series production of the BMW iX3 scheduled to begin in late October at the company’s Debrecen plant in Hungary, BMW said on Wednesday. “The start of series production for the BMW iX3 signals a new era of automotive manufacturing. Our new plant in Debrecen has been designed and built fully in line with our strategic vision of the iFACTORY,” said Milan Nedeljković, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Production. “Digital from the very beginning, the plant will offer a…

Suzuki Motor Corporation said on Tuesday it will begin sales of the E Vitara, its first global battery electric vehicle (BEV), in Japan on January 16, 2026. The E Vitara, first unveiled in Milan in November 2024 and later displayed at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in India this year, is based on Suzuki’s eVX concept model and built on the newly developed HEARTECT-e platform designed specifically for BEVs. The automaker describes the model as an “Emotional Versatile Cruiser,” combining advanced electric technology with the strength of an SUV. Equipped with a lithium iron-phosphate battery for enhanced safety and reliability,…

Stelato, the electric vehicle brand jointly developed by Huawei and Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has launched its new S9T wagon with a starting price of RMB 309,800 ($43,580), below the pre-sale level of RMB 328,000. Deliveries will begin on Sept. 21, the company said. The S9T is Stelato’s second model after the S9 sedan and will be offered in four versions, including two extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) models and two battery electric vehicle (BEV) models. Huawei’s Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) said the S9T secured more than 5,000 firm orders within the first hour after Tuesday’s launch event. The…

Fastned has inaugurated its largest charging stations to date in Belgium, with twin “Gentbrugge” facilities on the E17 motorway connecting Ghent and Antwerp. The sites feature fast-charging points for both electric cars and trucks, alongside restaurants, shops, and fully electric amenities. The Gentbrugge stations, located on either side of the motorway, each offer 16 drive-through chargers for electric cars capable of delivering up to 400 kW under Fastned’s solar tree canopies, as well as two dedicated chargers for electric trucks. Additional facilities include a 24/7 self-service shop, hot showers, outdoor picnic areas, a family playground, and clean toilets developed in…

The 2025 Tesla Cybertruck received diverging safety results from two U.S. testing bodies, highlighting both strengths and shortcomings in the electric pickup’s performance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for official crash ratings, awarded the Cybertruck its highest overall mark, with five stars in front and side crash tests and four stars in rollover resistance. By NHTSA’s criteria, the truck ranks among the safest models in its segment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Or1b9ZZ0E4&ab_channel=IIHS By contrast, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent nonprofit, withheld its top honors after identifying several issues. The truck earned “good” ratings in…

BMW has postponed the European rollout of its direct sales, or agency model, until 2027, extending the timeline from its initial 2026 target, the company told Automotive News Europe. The German carmaker emphasized that the delay does not reflect a change of strategy, pointing to encouraging results from its MINI brand’s switch to direct sales in several European countries last year. “We’re honestly even more convinced than before that that is the right approach,” BMW board member Jochen Goller said in an interview. Under the agency model, automakers retain ownership of the vehicles and set fixed prices, while dealerships serve…

Uber Freight has partnered with Tesla to launch a program aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks in U.S. supply chains, the companies announced Tuesday. The Dedicated EV Fleet Accelerator Program, unveiled at the Deliver 2025 conference, offers companies subsidized pricing on Tesla Semis alongside dedicated freight contracts, reducing upfront costs and ensuring immediate fleet utilization. “This first-of-its-kind buyer’s program is designed to make electric freight more affordable and accessible by addressing key adoption barriers,” Uber Freight said. A two-month pilot on California routes showed promising results, with Tesla Semis covering 12,377 miles over 394 hours of operation…