Author: James Bryant

Hyundai Motor Group said it will significantly expand investment in domestic electric vehicle production as South Korea increases financial support for zero-emission mobility and sets new regulatory targets for automakers. The company plans to boost exports of electrified vehicles—including battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and fuel-cell models—from 690,000 units in 2024 to 1.76 million units by 2030. The target is part of Hyundai’s 125.2 trillion won investment plan for 2026–2030, the group’s largest domestic commitment to date and 36.1 trillion won more than its spending over the past five years. See also: Hyundai Reportedly in Talks with Baidu, Momenta, and XPeng…

Latvia has rolled out the Baltic region’s first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service through a partnership between Imagry and Carguru, marking a new phase in the country’s mobility strategy. The companies have begun deploying Level 4 autonomous electric roboshuttles on public roads, integrating Imagry’s AI-based perception and motion-planning system into compact electric passenger vehicles. The program is supported by the Ministry of Economics and aims to set regulatory and operational foundations for broader driverless transit services. As Latvia’s Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis said, “Latvia is becoming one of the first countries in Europe to implement an autonomous public transport project.”…

STRADVISION and AMD have announced a multi-year collaboration aimed at strengthening AI-powered vision perception systems for next-generation autonomous vehicles. The partnership combines STRADVISION’s deep learning–based perception software with AMD’s automotive-grade AI compute platforms to deliver improved performance, efficiency, and scalability for higher-level automation. A joint demonstration of real-time multi-camera perception using STRADVISION’s MultiVision software on the AMD Versal AI Edge Series Gen 2 VEK385 platform is scheduled for CES 2026. Under the partnership, STRADVISION’s SVNet and MultiVision software will be integrated with AMD’s automotive system-on-chips to create a production-ready solution for automakers and Tier-1 suppliers. The goal is to support…

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch the GLC 200 EQ, an entry-level variant of its electric mid-size SUV, priced below €60,000 and offering a range of up to 485 kilometres, according to new information from the Mercedes fan portal JESMB. The GLC 400 4MATIC EQ, delivering 360 kW and 800 Nm of torque, has been available to order since late October with a starting price of €71,281. Mercedes is now broadening the lineup ahead of customer deliveries. See also: Mercedes-Benz Opens Orders for New CLA Hybrid Range in Europe, Starting at €46,243 The entry-level GLC 200 EQ is expected to deliver…

Los Angeles-based electric truck startup Harbinger has secured $160 million in Series C financing, a round co-led by FedEx, as the company scales up production of its medium-duty commercial vehicle platform. As part of the deal, FedEx placed an order for 53 electric truck chassis, which Harbinger expects to deliver by the end of the year. The order marks the logistics company’s most substantial engagement with a new EV manufacturer since its last major procurement attempt in 2018. See also: Harbinger Launches Medium-Duty Electric Vehicles Across Canada Founded in 2022 by former employees of Canoo and QuantumScape, Harbinger has pursued…

Hydrohertz, a UK-based battery thermal management specialist, has introduced a patented cooling technology designed to shorten electric vehicle fast-charging times while improving range, safety and service life. The system, known as Dectravalve, is built to manage several independent temperature zones inside a battery pack, a feature the company says marks a significant departure from conventional cooling plates that regulate the pack as a single unit. See also: EU Confirms Funding for Five Battery Cell Projects After Porsche Unit Withdraws The compact system is engineered to heat, cool or recover energy with high precision by routing coolant through multiple isolated channels.…

Leapmotor said its year-to-date sales have exceeded 500,000 units, reaching its original 2025 target more than a month early. The company reaffirmed its goal of selling 1 million vehicles in 2026 and advanced the launch of its upcoming Lafa 5 electric hatchback to November 27, one day earlier than previously planned. The company began pre-sales of the Lafa 5 on November 7, positioning the model against other compact electric hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen ID.3, SAIC MG4, BYD Dolphin, and Nio Firefly EV. See also: Leapmotor Begins Pre-Sales of Lafa 5 Electric Hatchback Ahead of November Launch The Lafa 5…

Mercedes-Benz has increased the discount on its electric G-Class, the G580 EQ, to 10% in Germany as demand continues to fall short of projections, reducing the base price by nearly €15,000. The move comes after a full year of sluggish global sales for the battery-electric version of the off-road model. From its launch in April 2024 to the end of April 2025, Mercedes sold only 1,450 units of the G580 EQ worldwide, compared with 9,700 units of the combustion-engine G-Class over the same period. The traditional six- and eight-cylinder versions remain in strong demand, particularly the AMG G63 with its…

Volkswagen Group said on Wednesday that the vehicle software and electronics architecture it is developing with U.S. electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive could eventually be applied to its internal combustion engine (ICE) models, underscoring the broader potential of the partnership as the German automaker works to modernize its technology systems. The integration of software and electronics across platforms is central to Volkswagen’s strategy after repeated delays at its in-house software division, Cariad, hampered product timelines across its brands. The company is banking on its collaboration with Rivian to accelerate the development of a scalable next-generation vehicle platform and narrow the…

Toyota Motor said on Wednesday it has started production at its $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, marking a key step in expanding its hybrid vehicle output in the United States. The company also confirmed plans to invest an additional $10 billion over the next five years to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing operations. The Japanese automaker first announced the North Carolina project in December 2021, aiming to produce batteries for both hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Batteries from the plant will power hybrid versions of the Camry, Corolla Cross, and RAV4, as well as a yet-to-be-announced three-row all-electric…

CATL has started mass production of its fifth-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, marking a new technological milestone in energy density and cycle life, according to Robin Zeng, the company’s founder, chairman, and CEO. The announcement was made during Zeng’s speech at the 2025 World Power Battery Conference held in Yibin, Sichuan. Zeng said that CATL’s current fourth-generation LFP batteries already outperform mainstream second- and third-generation products in terms of energy density, lifespan, and power output. He added that the company continues to maintain leadership in ternary chemistry batteries, used in its Qilin Battery and Freevoy Battery platforms. CATL has…

Swedish autonomous trucking company Einride announced it will go public in the United States through a merger with Legato Merger Corp III, valuing the company at about $1.8 billion, according to a report by Reuters. The transaction marks a significant step for the company as it seeks to expand its autonomous and electric freight transport business globally. The listing follows a previous wave of electric-vehicle startups that went public through special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) during the pandemic-era boom. Many of those firms, including Nikola, Lordstown Motors, and Proterra, have since filed for bankruptcy due to intense competition, operational difficulties,…

General Motors has instructed thousands of its suppliers to phase out components sourced from China, according to four people familiar with the matter, as automakers confront growing geopolitical disruptions to their global operations. The company has asked suppliers to identify alternative sources for raw materials and parts, aiming to move its supply chain away from China entirely by 2027 for some components, the sources said. The directive, first introduced in late 2024, gained urgency this spring amid escalating trade frictions between the United States and China. GM executives reportedly framed the move as part of a broader strategy to enhance…

Switzerland’s CircuBAT project, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at establishing a circular economy for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, has concluded after four years of research and innovation. The project, launched in 2022 under the Innosuisse flagship program, brought together seven research institutions and 24 industrial partners to create sustainable solutions for every stage of a lithium-ion battery’s life cycle — from design and production to reuse and recycling. The consortium, led by the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), included Empa, CSEM, the University of St. Gallen, OST, SIPBB, EPFL, and a range of industrial collaborators. Their findings were presented this…

Brite EV Charging has partnered with GreenFlux to enhance Ireland’s EV infrastructure, starting with the deployment of new high-power charging hubs in Galway. The collaboration leverages GreenFlux’s charge point management software to maximize grid efficiency and ensure reliable, scalable charging services. The partnership supports Ireland’s 2030 Climate Action Plan by promoting smart, low-carbon transport solutions for private motorists, commercial fleets, and the tourism sector. The initiative emphasizes intelligent grid management to expand charging capacity without extensive infrastructure duplication, aligning with Galway City’s smart mobility goals. See also: Ireland to Add 90 High-Power EV Charging Hubs Under Final Phase of National…

Lion Smart Production GmbH, a subsidiary of Lion E-Mobility AG, has entered into a partnership with Castrol to jointly develop a next-generation battery module for high-performance electric vehicles. The collaboration focuses on advancing direct battery cooling, also known as immersion cooling, to improve charging efficiency, safety, and battery lifespan. Lion Smart has long employed immersion cooling in its battery systems, where a light dielectric fluid directly surrounds the battery cells, dissipating heat more effectively than conventional plate-based systems. This approach allows heat generated during fast charging to be removed evenly across all cells, preventing localized hotspots and extending component durability.…

Foretellix, a provider of scenario-based validation tools for autonomous vehicles, and Parallel Domain, a company specializing in sensor simulation and neural reconstruction, have announced a strategic partnership to develop a new simulation solution for autonomous vehicle (AV) testing. The platform combines scenario-based testing with photorealistic sensor simulation—including camera, radar and lidar—within digital twins generated from drive logs, enabling closed-loop validation from perception through planning for end-to-end models. As AV systems become more complex and increasingly AI-driven, validation teams are facing challenges in scaling up their testing and ensuring system safety. The joint solution aims to connect perception inputs directly to…

Tesla has introduced a short-term rental program in California, allowing drivers to rent a Model 3 or Model Y starting at $60 per day. The program includes Full Self-Driving (Supervised), unlimited mileage, and free Supercharging, as part of efforts to attract new customers and reduce inventory before the end of the year. The trial will run from November 1 to December 31, 2025, at select Tesla stores such as those in San Diego. The initiative targets U.S. drivers aged 21 and above, requiring a valid driver’s license, credit card, and proof of insurance. Rentals must be for a minimum of…

Tesla plans to expand its Robotaxi network to five additional U.S. cities—Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, and Miami—as part of its next phase of autonomous ride-hailing deployment, the company announced at its 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting on Thursday. The expansion builds on existing pilot programs in Austin and the Bay Area, marking a step forward in Tesla’s efforts to commercialize its self-driving technology. The company said Austin will transition to fully driverless Robotaxi service, without onboard safety operators, before the end of the year. See also: Tesla’s FSD Version 14 May Allow Texting While Driving, Says Musk Tesla Chief Executive…

Tesla has revealed a redesigned version of its electric Class 8 truck, the Tesla Semi, marking a key step toward full-scale production. The updated model features a new light bar spanning the front of the cab and several structural and engineering enhancements aimed at improving performance, efficiency, and manufacturability. See also: Tesla Semi Production Delayed to 2026 as First Official Builds Slated for Early Next Year According to Tesla executive Dan Priestley, the latest front-end redesign incorporates multiple functional upgrades. “The new front end, besides having a new look, is packed with improvements — more aerodynamic, simpler to build, easier…