Author: James Bryant

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…