Author: James Bryant

Nio Inc’s third-generation ES8 has been seen in public as the SUV nears its official debut, with photos circulating on Chinese social media platforms Weibo and WeChat showing the vehicle parked outdoors, potentially during a promotional shoot. The new ES8 is expected to arrive at Nio stores on August 21 before its official launch at Nio Day in September, according to automotive blogger @肉肉爸比ev on Weibo. The SUV will adopt the same central touchscreen used in Nio’s flagship ET9 sedan and include digital rearview mirrors as well as side-mounted LiDAR sensors. The ES8, Nio’s first mass-produced model introduced in 2017,…

China’s Hongqi brand, owned by state-run FAW Group, plans to launch its first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle in 2029 as part of its broader push into advanced air mobility. The company aims to achieve commercial manned flights by 2035, reflecting the growing interest among Chinese automakers in the emerging flying car market. Hongqi began research into flying cars in 2023 and formed a dedicated subsidiary earlier this year. Its first model, the Tiannian 1, was unveiled in April at the Shanghai auto show and is designed as a modular vehicle that can be configured as both a…

Volvo has shifted production of its EX30 electric crossover for Europe to its Ghent factory in Belgium, a move aimed at avoiding higher European Union tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and reducing long delivery times. The Swedish-Chinese carmaker began producing the European-spec EX30 in Ghent in April, avoiding the 28.8% tariff on Chinese EV imports, up from the previous 10%. The decision also responds to lengthy waits, which in 2024 reached up to eight months in markets such as Sweden and Germany. Volvo now targets a delivery window of 90 days once production is fully ramped up, a goal it…

Ho Chi Minh City has added 27 new electric bus routes and 443 electric buses this month, marking what local officials describe as a significant step in improving public transport quality and reducing emissions. The rollout began on August 1, bringing the city’s total electric bus fleet to 613 vehicles — more than 26% of its public transport system. Combined with around 500 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses, nearly half of the city’s fleet now operates on alternative fuel. Authorities aim to reach 100% green energy-powered buses by 2030. The fully subsidised electric buses, with seating capacities ranging from 30…

UK Export Finance (UKEF) has approved a £1 billion export development guarantee to Ford UK, aimed at accelerating the manufacturer’s electric vehicle transition, expanding its export capacity, and safeguarding thousands of jobs. The financing facility will support operations at Ford’s research and development centre in Essex and its Halewood manufacturing plant. The Halewood site has undergone a £380 million upgrade to produce electric drive units for models including the Ford Transit Custom/E-Tourneo Custom and Ford Puma, which are assembled in Romania. In Essex, the company has invested £70 million in advanced testing and development capabilities, reinforcing the UK’s role in…

Volkswagen has added a new electric flatbed pickup truck to its commercial vehicle lineup in Germany, unveiling the e-Transporter DoKa on its online configurator. Built on an extended version of the Ford Transit-based Transporter chassis introduced last year, the model is designed for both urban and job site applications. The crew cab DoKa features a 3,500 mm wheelbase and measures 5,613 mm in length, offering seating for six and an expansive flatbed cargo area. With a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,225 kg, payload capacity ranges from 348 kg to 785 kg depending on configuration, while towing capacity is rated…

Drone manufacturer DJI has entered the U.S. electric bicycle market through its e-bike subsidiary Amflow, launching two high-performance electric mountain bike models, the Amflow PL Carbon and Amflow PL Carbon Pro. Both bikes feature a carbon fiber frame, full suspension with 160 mm front and 150 mm rear travel, and a “mullet” wheel setup — 29 inches at the front and 27.5 inches at the rear — designed to balance agility with rollover performance. Suspension components are supplied by Fox. At the core of each model is DJI’s in-house Avinox mid-drive motor, delivering up to 105 Nm of torque and…

LG Innotek has formed a strategic partnership with U.S.-based Aeva to supply and jointly develop 4D LiDAR systems using frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) technology, targeting applications in autonomous vehicles, robotics, and industrial automation. The agreement includes LG Innotek supplying ultra-slim, long-range LiDAR modules capable of detecting objects up to 500 meters away. The module, which is 44% smaller than existing products, is designed for integration behind a vehicle’s front windshield and will be paired with Aeva’s software for delivery to original equipment manufacturers. The companies aim to develop next-generation FMCW LiDAR by 2027 under a joint development agreement. LG…

Honda Motor has established its own in-house insurance agency, Honda Insurance Solutions, marking a new step in the automaker’s push to expand digital services across the vehicle ownership lifecycle. The newly launched insurance business will serve both Honda and Acura customers and offers coverage not only for vehicles and motorcycles, but also for trailers, RVs, homes, and pets. The company is positioning the agency as a comprehensive solution within its broader digital platform strategy. “Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” said Petar Vucurevic, President of American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC. He…

Battery recycling startup Cylib, together with Belgian materials company Syensqo, has developed a process to produce high-purity lithium hydroxide from used electric vehicle batteries. The recovered material meets the quality standards required for use as cathode active material (CAM) in new batteries, according to the companies. “This collaboration with Syensqo demonstrates our commitment to working continuously with partners to develop new processes and expand our technological leadership in battery recycling,” said Matthias Breidenbach, Vice President Commercial at Cylib. “By combining our innovative hydrometallurgical expertise with Syensqo’s advanced solvent extraction technology, we are setting new standards for lithium recovery efficiency and…

Zenobē has secured a €325 million debt facility to accelerate the expansion of its fleets-as-a-service business across Europe, aiming to deploy up to 1,000 electric buses, trucks, and chargers in key EU markets including Spain and Germany. The company said the funding, combined with its own capital, would bolster electrification efforts for commercial fleets and public transport systems across the European Economic Area. “We not only offer financial backing but also provide the expert guidance necessary to empower fleet operators to switch to electric,” said Steven Meersman, Founder Director at Zenobē. “This new facility will help us to make the…

The UK added more than 17,000 electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints over the past year, marking a 27% year-on-year increase in public charging infrastructure, according to the Department for Transport. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said the expansion supports wider EV adoption, particularly in regions such as the North East, East of England, and the West Midlands. The 17,370 new public chargepoints installed since July 2024 are part of the government’s plan to build out national EV infrastructure. “Today’s chargepoint figures show that alongside lowering upfront costs, we’re also making fantastic progress towards expanding our charging network across the UK,”…