Author: James Bryant

Hyundai Motor is preparing to debut a new electric crossover SUV aimed at the entry-level segment in Europe, with a formal unveiling expected in the coming months and a market launch scheduled for mid-2026. The model is widely anticipated to be named the Ioniq 2, according to industry reports. The new EV will be built in Europe and will slot below the Kona Electric, joining Hyundai’s expanding portfolio of battery electric vehicles. Xavier Martinet, President and CEO of Hyundai Europe, confirmed the vehicle’s imminent reveal, stating it will be “presented in the next few months.” Sharing its underpinnings with the…

Mercedes-Benz has completed a long-distance test of its upcoming all-electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), the VLE, demonstrating the potential of its new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA) with a 1,090-kilometer (677-mile) journey from Stuttgart, Germany to Rome, Italy. The test involved two camouflaged VLE prototype vans, which crossed the Alps and urban roads in real-world conditions, stopping for only two brief charging sessions of approximately 15 minutes each. The trip spanned roughly 13 hours, beginning in cool 52°F temperatures in Stuttgart and ending in Rome at 91°F. “Our future MPVs have once again impressively demonstrated their suitability for everyday use on the…

Chinese carmaker Changan is actively considering locations for a European factory to support its expanding electric vehicle (EV) sales across the region, an executive said on Wednesday, reinforcing the company’s commitment to establishing a local manufacturing footprint. “We’re committed to being in Europe, making in Europe for Europe,” said Nic Thomas, Changan’s European head of marketing, sales and service, during a media event near London. He noted that plans for an assembly facility are under development, though no timeline has been confirmed. Changan previously announced its intention to enter 10 European markets this year with its Deepal electric vehicle brand.…

Archer Aviation  has successfully completed its first test flight of the Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi. The flight marks a significant step toward launching commercial air taxi operations in the United Arab Emirates and scaling the company’s footprint in the Middle East. The demonstration, conducted in collaboration with the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), was attended by representatives from key regulatory and transport bodies, including the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and Abu Dhabi Aviation. The test flight focused on evaluating…

Sweden’s Volvo Cars said on Wednesday that global sales fell for the fourth straight month in June, citing weaker demand for electric vehicles and growing pressure from international trade tariffs. The automaker, majority-owned by China’s Geely, reported 62,858 units sold last month, marking a 12% decline from June 2023. Fully electric vehicles accounted for 22% of the total, but sales in that segment dropped 26% year-on-year. Combined sales of electrified models, including plug-in hybrids, fell 19% and represented 44% of overall volume. “This month’s performance is an example of the tough conditions that we have indicated,” a Volvo Cars spokesperson…

Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi will delay any potential international sales of its electric vehicles until 2027, according to CEO Lei Jun, citing strong domestic demand for the company’s SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV. Speaking during a livestream on Wednesday, Lei said Xiaomi must prioritize its operations in China for the time being. The company’s SU7 model has outperformed Tesla’s Model 3 in monthly sales since December, while its newly launched YU7 SUV has garnered significant interest, receiving over 240,000 orders within the first 18 hours of release. See also: Xiaomi Reports 240,000 Locked-In Orders for YU7 SUV Within 18 Hours…

Australian mining company Fortescue has presented the prototype of its ‘Infinity Train,’ a self-charging electric locomotive that uses regenerative braking to power its return journey, a key step in the company’s broader decarbonisation strategy. The train, which operates in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, is designed to transport iron ore downhill to port terminals while harvesting energy through braking systems. The captured energy is stored in onboard batteries, which then power the empty train on its uphill return to the mine — eliminating the need for external charging or fossil fuels. First announced in 2022 following Fortescue’s acquisition of…

The European Commission has proposed extending the toll exemption for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles by more than five years, pushing the deadline from the current end date of 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031. The proposal, now formally submitted, will undergo review by the European Parliament and Council as part of the EU’s standard legislative process. The measure, if approved, is expected to support the transport sector’s decarbonization efforts by encouraging investment in electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. Under the current framework, countries like Germany had planned to partially reintroduce tolls for electric trucks starting in 2026, with a proposed 25%…

Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, has officially begun construction of its first wholly-owned electric vehicle factory in China, as the Japanese automaker moves to expand its footprint in the world’s largest EV market. The new plant, located in Shanghai’s Jinshan district, is expected to begin production in 2027 with an annual capacity of up to 100,000 vehicles. The project marks a strategic shift for Toyota, aiming to enhance its position in China’s rapidly evolving automotive sector and to better compete with domestic EV manufacturers. The facility is scheduled for completion by August 2026 and will initially create approximately 1,000 jobs, according…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced a new reworked high-voltage battery for its electric commercial vehicles, offering a resource-efficient alternative to purchasing new units. The CB400 battery, now available for first-generation eActros 300/400 and eEconic models, is part of the company’s broader effort to promote a circular economy and reduce carbon emissions. The CB400 “Genuine Reworked Battery” is designed to match the quality and functionality of new batteries, while reducing environmental impact and cost for customers. According to Mercedes-Benz Trucks, the remanufactured units undergo full safety and performance checks and are covered under the brand’s original parts warranty. “With the CB400 reworked…

Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn is close to finalizing a deal to supply electric buses to Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus, a Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturer owned by Daimler Truck, Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday. Under the reported agreement, Mitsubishi Fuso would market Foxconn’s Model T electric bus and Model U microbus under its own brand. Both vehicles have been developed by Foxconn as part of its broader push into the electric mobility sector. The two companies are also considering the creation of a new joint venture to manage the operations related to the electric buses, according to the Nikkei…

Volkswagen Group has unveiled a production-ready version of its autonomous ID. Buzz AD minivan, positioning itself as a key competitor in the emerging driverless ride-hailing market ahead of Tesla’s planned robotaxi rollout. Starting in 2026, companies, municipalities, and fleet operators will be able to order pre-configured ID. Buzz robotaxis, complete with full sensor suites, certification, and Volkswagen’s autonomous Mobility-as-a-Service (AD MaaS) platform, according to MOIA, the VW Group’s ridepooling subsidiary. The electric van meets SAE Level 4 autonomy standards and includes 27 onboard sensors — 13 cameras, nine Lidars, and five radars — managed by a Mobileye-sourced control unit. The…

American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) has signed an agreement to supply front electric drive units (EDUs) and rear e-Beam axles to Scout Motors for its upcoming lineup of all-electric vehicles. The deal supports Scout’s planned return to the U.S. market with the launch of the Traveler SUV and Terra pickup truck, both set for initial production in 2027. The partnership is positioned as a pivotal step in the revival of the Scout brand, originally produced by International Harvester between 1961 and 1980. AAM will deliver drivetrain components essential to the performance of the new vehicles, which will be built on…

Rivian is accelerating development of its next-generation R2 electric SUV, targeting a 2026 launch with a suite of new in-house technologies and cost-saving design strategies. The company’s latest update highlights its vertically integrated approach across powertrain, vehicle architecture, and software systems as it prepares to scale production. The compact SUV is designed with both performance and affordability in mind. Rivian has revealed that the R2 will debut with a simplified interior offering, initially limited to two dashboard variants—an all-black scheme and a grey-and-white dual-tone option, the latter expected to carry a premium. “We’re focused on balancing design innovation with manufacturability,”…

Tesla appears to be advancing its update plans for the Model S, with an uncovered prototype of the 2026 version recently spotted without camouflage, offering a first look at the anticipated refresh of the company’s flagship electric sedan. Following redesigns of the more mainstream Model 3 and Model Y, Tesla is turning its attention to the more niche Model S and Model X. While the refreshed Model X was seen earlier in camouflaged form, the new Model S has now been captured on the road in what seems to be near-final exterior form. Changes to the design are modest. The…

Kia’s last gasoline-powered GT car may soon exit production, as Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) accelerates its shift toward electrified performance offerings, citing tightening global emissions standards and evolving market demands, according to an interview with CarSales. Speaking to CarSales, HMG’s Australian product chief Roland Rivero said the group is moving away from combustion engines in its performance lineup, as part of a broader response to international climate regulations and long-term product strategy. “The N tagline is being more and more applied to electrified product, and for a bunch of reasons,” Rivero told CarSales. “You’ve got to satisfy the global situation,…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Nio has signed a strategic distribution agreement with Greek company Motodynamics to expand its presence in Southern Europe, as part of broader international growth plans. The agreement, announced on the Greek website Business Voice, was signed between Motodynamics and Nio’s Dutch subsidiary, Nio Nextev Europe Holding BV. Under the deal, Motodynamics will distribute vehicles and accessories from both the Nio and Firefly brands in Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria. Nio has not yet issued an official statement on the partnership. This latest move follows Nio’s announcement earlier this month that it had secured distributor partnerships to…

Tesla has filed a lawsuit in California federal court against a former employee and his robotics startup, Proception, accusing them of misappropriating trade secrets related to the company’s humanoid robot project, Optimus. In a complaint submitted Wednesday to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Tesla alleged that former engineer Jay Li took confidential files detailing the development of Optimus’ robotic hand systems before resigning from the company. Li later founded Proception, which Tesla claims used the stolen data to accelerate its own product development. “Through Li’s pilfering, Defendant Proception purportedly achieved in a matter of months…

A southern Italian municipality has issued a public tender for the supply of 42 fully electric, articulated buses, aiming to deploy the fleet by the summer of 2026 as part of its upcoming bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors. The procurement is backed by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), and the contract deadline, including delivery and operational readiness, is set for June 30, 2026. The tender is structured as a single lot and requires bidders to meet stringent financial and operational criteria. Prospective suppliers must demonstrate a minimum turnover of €44.7 million (excluding VAT) in their three best-performing years…

U.S.-based battery swapping firm Ample has launched its first modular battery swap stations in Madrid, marking the company’s entry into the European market. Several of the stations are already operational, with more planned across the Spanish capital in the coming months. Designed for quick urban deployment, Ample’s stations can be installed in just three days and are aimed at addressing key hurdles to EV adoption in cities—namely long charging times, range anxiety, and limited infrastructure space. The company says its battery swapping technology offers a full vehicle recharge in five minutes by automatically replacing depleted batteries with fully charged ones,…