Author: James Bryant

The European Commission has introduced a draft regulation proposing temporary flexibility in CO2 compliance requirements for automakers, allowing them to meet emission targets over a three-year period instead of annually. The proposal, part of the Commission’s broader strategy for the automotive sector, follows an announcement by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen earlier this month. The draft regulation, titled “Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/631,” aims to adjust compliance calculations for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles from 2025 to 2027. The document underscores that existing CO2 reduction targets will remain…

Go North West, the operator of Greater Manchester’s Bee Network, has begun trials of its first diesel-to-electric converted bus, as it explores cost-effective ways to accelerate fleet electrification. The vehicle is based at the Bolton depot, where the company already operates 69 electric buses. The trial aims to assess the feasibility of retrofitted buses by evaluating their efficiency, range, operational costs, and overall performance. “Converting an existing vehicle extends its life and provides a lower-cost way to cut emissions quickly,” said Nigel Featham, Managing Director of Go North West. “If successful, this could become a vital tool in delivering Greater…

Tesla is bracing for substantial effects from the United States’ recent imposition of 25% tariffs on imported cars and certain automotive parts. CEO Elon Musk acknowledged the situation, stating, “Important to note that Tesla is NOT unscathed here. The tariff impact on Tesla is still significant.” ​ Effective April 2, 2025, the tariffs apply to all passenger vehicles and specific components imported into the U.S., encompassing sources from Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. See also: Tesla’s Future in Question as Elon Musk Faces Growing Criticism While Tesla manufactures the majority of its vehicles domestically, it relies on imported parts, including…

Tradelink Transport has added 15 Volvo VNR Electric heavy-duty trucks to its fleet, increasing the share of electric vehicles in its operations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to nearly one-third. The California-based haulage company aims to enhance sustainability while improving driver working conditions. The newly deployed electric trucks operate within a 100-mile radius of the ports, handling morning runs to San Bernardino and Riverside and shorter, local routes in the afternoons. Charging is conducted overnight at the company’s depot using ABB chargers with power capacities of 180 kW and 350 kW. See also: Pet Valu Adds…

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a public alert regarding a surge in attacks on Tesla vehicles and related properties, categorizing the incidents as domestic terrorism. The warning comes after multiple cases of arson, gunfire, and vandalism targeting the automaker in at least nine U.S. states in recent months. “These incidents have involved arson, gunfire, and vandalism, including graffiti expressing grievances against those the perpetrators perceive to be racists, fascists, or political opponents,” the FBI stated in its alert. “These criminal actions appear to have been conducted by lone offenders, and all known incidents occurred at night.” See…

DB Schenker has concluded a year-long trial of two Fuso eCanter electric trucks in northern Finland, reporting that the vehicles performed reliably despite extreme winter conditions. The logistics firm deployed the light-duty electric trucks in customer operations, demonstrating their ability to withstand temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius. “We have been successfully operating two electric trucks in Finland for a year now. With this successful deployment of electric trucks in a region like Lapland, which has difficult weather conditions, we are proving once again that DB Schenker is leading the way to a sustainable future of logistics,” said Tristan…

UK-based electric motor manufacturer Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) has introduced its second-generation HDRM300C motor, featuring compressed coil technology that promises improved power density and efficiency over conventional wire designs. The HDRM300C incorporates plug-in connectors instead of gland fittings and strengthened internal components. AEM has also enhanced the motor’s cooling system, allowing commercial vehicles to operate longer without overheating. The company claims the new design achieves conductor slot fill rates exceeding 80%, compared to less than 60% for traditional wire layouts. See also: UK-Based Advanced Electric Machines Secures £23 Million Investment for Production Expansion “By combining our patented coil compression technology…

Tesla has launched a one-month free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software in China, aiming to increase adoption after introducing the feature in the country. Between March 17 and April 16, eligible Tesla owners who have not purchased FSD can access the feature after updating to the latest software, the company announced on its mobile app. However, availability may vary depending on the vehicle and update schedule. See also: Tesla China Developing Lower-Priced Model Y to Address Market Competition Tesla emphasized that FSD remains an L2 assisted driving system, requiring drivers to keep both hands on the wheel and…

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has awarded $2.9 million in funding to 29 community-led projects aimed at advancing shared electric transportation solutions across the state. The funding is part of New York’s $32 million Clean Mobility Program, which supports feasibility studies exploring the development or expansion of community transportation initiatives. The selected projects will focus on shared mobility services, including zero-emission micromobility, electric shuttles, and ridesharing, with an emphasis on reducing emissions and improving accessibility, particularly in underserved communities. See also: New York Seeks Electric Construction Equipment for Trial Program Each of the awarded teams…

Germany has allocated €154 million in public funding to support two hydrogen innovation and technology centres, part of a broader initiative to advance hydrogen technology under the country’s National Hydrogen Strategy. The funding, announced by the German Ministry of Transport, will be distributed to the ITZ Chemnitz and the IT Centre North, which consists of a cluster of four cities—Bremen, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, and Stade. See also: Hyundai to Establish Hydrogen Fuel Cell Plant in Ulsan, Expanding Hydrogen Strategy ITZ Chemnitz will receive approximately €84 million, with the state of Saxony contributing an additional €14 million, while the northern German centre…

U.S. President Donald Trump met with General Motors CEO Mary Barra on Wednesday to discuss the automaker’s investment strategy as the administration pushes for more domestic production, a White House official said. The meeting comes as Trump seeks to shift more auto assembly and parts manufacturing to the United States, a key issue in his trade policy. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has echoed these concerns in discussions with automakers. See also: Volvo Considers U.S. Production Shift Amid Tariff Concerns, Sticks to EX30 Export Plans Trump last week granted automakers a temporary one-month exemption from a 25% tariff on imports from…

Li Auto said it has completed over 8 million kilometers of road tests for the Li i8, its first battery electric SUV, as the company prepares for a nationwide testing phase ahead of the model’s official launch in July. The extensive testing program, equivalent to circling the globe more than 200 times, spanned two winters and two summers in 300 cities across China, the company said on Weibo. Engineers evaluated the Li i8 in varied terrains, including deserts, mountains, swamps, and icy roads, assessing over 1,200 Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) metrics. See also: Li Auto to Launch Li i8…