Author: James Bryant

BMW Group has introduced its first hydrogen-powered trucks into regular logistics operations in Germany, marking a key step in its efforts to decarbonize freight transport. The deployment, part of the European H2Haul project, includes two hydrogen fuel cell trucks transporting goods between Leipzig, Landsberg, and Nuremberg. As part of the initiative, BMW is constructing two hydrogen refueling stations in Leipzig and Hormersdorf, designed for rapid, large-volume refueling to ensure seamless logistics operations. The move aligns with BMW’s strategy to reduce emissions in its supply chain while evaluating the viability of hydrogen technology in long-haul transport. See also: BMW Deploys Fully…

A Japanese initiative is seeking to persuade Tesla to invest in Nissan following failed merger talks between Nissan and Honda, but Tesla CEO Elon Musk appears reluctant to engage, according to a Financial Times report. The advisory group, led by former Tesla board member Hiro Mizuno, aims to attract Musk’s interest in Nissan’s U.S. manufacturing facilities. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is also backing the plan, which envisions a consortium of investors with Tesla as the leading financial participant. The initiative seeks to prevent Nissan from falling under foreign control, particularly by Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, which is reportedly…

The UK registered 1,570 new battery and fuel cell buses in 2024, marking a 35.5% increase from the previous year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth in electric buses comes amid continued government support, but the country’s electric truck market showed signs of stagnation. Despite the increase in electric bus registrations, their share of the overall UK bus market fell to 18.7% as total bus sales grew by 70% to 8,390 units, the highest level since 2008. Excluding minibuses, electric single and double-decker buses accounted for 43.9% of total registrations, nearly unchanged from 2023.…

Rivian has unveiled a new “California Dune Edition” for its Tri-Motor R1 lineup, offering exclusive colors and a suite of off-road-focused enhancements. The limited-edition variant is designed for customers seeking improved rugged performance while retaining the core capabilities of the R1T and R1S. The California Dune Edition introduces a new exterior and interior color scheme inspired by the sandy landscapes of California’s desert dunes. While Rivian had previously teased the launch with images of sand dunes and a monochrome vehicle silhouette, the final announcement confirms that the update extends beyond just aesthetics. See also: Rivian Opens Orders for All-Electric Commercial…

ZF has equipped NIO’s electric ET9 with its latest steer-by-wire technology, eliminating the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This system forms part of ZF’s broader portfolio of electronic steering, braking, and damping technologies, which, combined with ZF’s cubiX software, support the development of software-defined vehicles. Dr. Peter Holdmann, Member of the Board of Management at ZF, noted, “With our production-ready steer-by-wire system, we are introducing the next step in the software-defined vehicle era, providing manufacturers like NIO with greater design flexibility and safety.” This new technology allows for improved comfort and driving performance through precise…

A new regulatory filing has disclosed details about the battery specifications and range of Firefly, the first model from Nio’s sub-brand, confirming its position as a premium small electric vehicle. According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Firefly model, designated as NAL7000BSEVY1, is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) with battery swap capability. See also: Spy Photo Reveals Interior of Nio’s Firefly Sub-Brand Model Ahead of April Launch It features a 42.1-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by Sunwoda, marking the first collaboration between the battery manufacturer and Nio. The vehicle has a range of…

Tesla has commenced large-scale production of the updated Model Y at its Shanghai facility, the U.S. automaker announced on Tuesday. The refreshed model, introduced in China on January 10, marks the first major revision for the Model Y and is available in two variants: a rear-wheel-drive version priced at RMB 263,500 ($35,940) and a long-range all-wheel-drive version at RMB 303,500. The latest iteration of the Model Y incorporates exterior design elements inspired by Tesla’s Cybertruck and Cybercab concepts, along with enhancements to its battery and powertrain. Tesla’s Chinese website has also introduced new seating layout options, hinting at a potential…

The U.S. automotive market continues to favor larger vehicles, with trucks and SUVs making up 75% of total vehicle registrations in 2024, according to data from JATO Dynamics. Out of the 16.09 million vehicles sold in the U.S. last year, 9.17 million were SUVs, marking a 5% increase from 2023. General Motors (GM) led the SUV segment with a 15.6% market share, followed by Toyota at 13.3%, Hyundai-Kia at 12.6%, and Ford at 9.6%. Honda, with a 9.4% share, saw the fastest growth in the segment, thanks to strong demand for its CR-V, HR-V, and Pilot models. See also: Nearly…

MPK Poznań has signed a contract with Solaris Bus & Coach for the delivery of nine new hydrogen-powered Urbino buses, expanding its zero-emission fleet. The order, which initially covered five buses, was increased by four more vehicles shortly after the agreement was made. The buses are scheduled to be delivered by April 2026. The new hydrogen buses will become part of the city’s growing fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles. Currently, MPK Poznań operates 25 Urbino hydrogen buses, and the latest addition will further contribute to the city’s strategy of increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles in its public transport system.…

Volkswagen has revealed new design sketches of the upcoming ID.1, providing a closer look at the compact electric vehicle expected to be priced at approximately €20,000. The latest images, published on LinkedIn, follow an earlier teaser of the front design released last week. The sketches showcase a boxy yet modern aesthetic, reminiscent of the ID.Life concept car introduced in 2021. Volkswagen describes the ID.1’s styling as a balance between “bold confidence” and “timeless simplicity,” highlighting its compact yet spacious build. See also: Volkswagen Previews ID.1 Electric Car with Expected Price of Around €20,000, Production Model Set for 2027 Notably, the brand…

The U.S. Department of State is poised to award Tesla a US$400 million contract for the supply of armored vehicles, according to the latest procurement forecast issued by the agency. Tesla is named as the recipient of the largest projected contract, with an anticipated award date of September 30, 2025. This contract, which is expected to span five years, represents a significant step forward for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in government fleets, particularly for security and diplomatic transport. See also: Tesla Officially Launches Full Self-Driving in Mexico, Surprising Expansion Outside North America NEWS: The U.S. Government is currently planning to…

LeddarTech Holdings Inc. has announced a key milestone with its first major original equipment manufacturer (OEM) design win for its LeddarVision™ advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) solution. A global commercial vehicle manufacturer has selected LeddarTech as the fusion and perception software supplier for its 2028 model year vehicles, with project work set to begin immediately. LeddarVision was chosen after a thorough evaluation, with its multi-modal sensor fusion capabilities using both cameras and radars being a significant factor in the decision. See also: Changan Introduces Dubhe Plan 2.0, Plans 35 Intelligent Models in Next Three Years The agreement includes engineering services revenue…