Author: James Bryant

New York State has announced an additional $200 million to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission school buses and charging infrastructure, part of its broader Environmental Bond Act initiative to reduce transportation-related emissions and improve air quality across the state. The new funding represents the third tranche under the $4.2 billion Environmental Bond Act and will be allocated through the New York School Bus Incentive Program (NYSBIP). The program, launched last year with an initial $100 million, provides direct purchase incentives for electric school buses, vouchers for Level 2 and DC fast chargers, and planning support for school districts transitioning to…

Rivian has started upgrading its DC fast-charging stations with Tesla-compatible cables, as the electric vehicle maker prepares to open its charging network to other brands later this year, according to RivianTrackr. The retrofitting involves adding the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector alongside the existing CCS1 plug at Rivian’s Adventure Network sites. The first NACS-equipped chargers went live last week at Joshua Tree National Park, with additional locations, including Southampton, New York and Yosemite, expected to follow. The Rivian Adventure Network, launched in 2022, was originally free and limited to R1S and R1T owners. It now operates as a paid…

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) said its second-quarter operating profit more than doubled year-on-year, as some customers accelerated battery purchases in anticipation of potential U.S. tariffs on Chinese materials used in electric vehicle production. The company, which supplies major automakers including Tesla, General Motors and Volkswagen, reported an operating profit of 492 billion won ($358.7 million) for the April–June period, compared to 195 billion won a year earlier. That result beat the 298 billion won average forecast compiled by LSEG SmartEstimate, which weights more accurate analysts more heavily. “Customers front-loaded orders in the second quarter to mitigate the impact…

Electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Group has joined a new industry initiative focused on strengthening the domestic supply chain for critical minerals used in battery production. The program, known as the Minerals for National Automotive Competitiveness Collaboration (MINAC), brings together mineral developers and recyclers to support increased U.S. production of materials essential to electric vehicle manufacturing. The partnership includes Alaska Energy Metals, Electric Metals, Graphite One, and RecycLiCo, which are involved in developing or refining nickel, manganese, graphite, and other battery-related minerals. These materials are used in lithium-ion batteries, which power a growing number of electric vehicles in the United States…

Geely Galaxy, the electric vehicle brand under China’s Geely Auto, has launched an updated version of its E5 compact SUV, offering a more competitive starting price and extended driving range. The move is aimed at strengthening its position in both domestic and overseas electric vehicle markets. The starting price of the new 2026 E5 has been reduced to RMB 109,800 ($15,340), a 2.66 percent decrease from the previous model. The vehicle now offers two battery configurations with improved CLTC ranges of 530 km and 610 km, compared to 440 km and 530 km in the earlier version. Five variants of…

Priority Bicycles has introduced its latest electric model, the Priority Glide, a lightweight, commuter-focused e-bike that emphasizes ease of use, low maintenance, and rider-friendly design. Unlike many tech-heavy e-bikes in today’s market, the Glide strips things down to the essentials with a belt-driven drivetrain and internal hub gearing, aiming to provide a more accessible experience for riders who prefer simplicity over features. Priced at $1,799, with a $400 discount available through August 4, the Glide positions itself as one of the most affordable belt-drive e-bikes featuring a Gates Carbon Drive system and Shimano Nexus 3-speed internal rear hub. This combination…

Chinese smart driving technology firm Momenta has invested in Zeron Truck, a domestic startup specializing in electric heavy-duty vehicles, as part of Zeron’s RMB 500 million (approximately $70 million) Series A funding round. Momenta was named as one of three lead investors in the round. The investment marks Momenta’s first involvement in the commercial truck segment. The company, known for providing driver assistance systems to several automakers in the passenger car industry, is extending its focus within the broader smart driving ecosystem through this partnership. Founded in April 2022, Zeron was established by Huang Zhehua, previously a co-founder of autonomous…

Lucid Motors has unveiled updates to its 2026 Air sedan lineup, refining its electric luxury flagship with efficiency gains, improved comfort, and standard equipment upgrades—though the design remains largely unchanged from previous years. The biggest improvement comes in the Air Touring trim, which now delivers an EPA-estimated range of 431 miles on 19-inch wheels, thanks to denser battery cells. That marks a 6% increase, or 25 additional miles, over the 2025 model. Lucid also upgraded the vehicle’s air conditioning system—borrowed from its upcoming Gravity SUV—to reduce cabin noise and improve cooling performance across all trims. All 2026 Air models now…

Several Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers operating in the UK have introduced their own subsidy programs, offering discounts of up to £3,750 per vehicle, as uncertainty surrounds the implementation and eligibility criteria of the country’s recently announced £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG). The ECG, launched earlier this month, provides subsidies of up to £3,750 for new EVs priced at £37,000 or below. However, qualification depends on sustainability benchmarks that go beyond zero tailpipe emissions. The UK government’s criteria include vehicle assembly emissions and battery sourcing, which may disadvantage EVs built in countries with higher carbon-intensity electricity generation, such as…

Lucid interim CEO Marc Winterhoff said the electric vehicle maker maintains a competitive edge over Chinese rivals in ride comfort and driving dynamics, despite being impressed by the progress China’s auto industry has made in recent years. “I was in China not too long ago at the Shanghai Auto Show and was impressed with how much they’ve come of age in the past few years,” Winterhoff said in an interview with Fox Business on Monday. After test-driving several models, he added, “We at Lucid definitely still have an edge when it comes to ride comfort and driving dynamics,” noting, “We’re…

BYD plans to introduce its ultra-luxury sub-brand Yangwang to Europe following its upcoming launch of the Denza brand on the continent early next year, Autocar reported on Sunday, citing a senior company executive. Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, told the outlet that both the Yangwang U8 off-road SUV and U9 electric supercar would be made available in Europe. Additional models, including the U7 electric sedan, are also expected to follow, according to the report. Launched in China in January 2023, Yangwang targets the high-end market segment with vehicles priced above RMB 1 million ($139,370). The brand’s debut model, the…

The northern Italian public transport provider SETA has announced a public tender for the supply of up to 28 electric buses, as part of its efforts to modernize and expand its vehicle fleet across Modena, Reggio Emilia, and Piacenza. According to the tender documents, the contract includes 14 confirmed units and an option for an additional 14 buses. The vehicles are required to be 9.5 metres long, feature a low-floor design, include two doors, and provide space for a wheelchair. SETA estimates the net contract value at up to €27 million. Bids must be submitted by August 26, 2025. The…