Author: James Bryant

Hyundai Motor Group’s electric air taxi subsidiary Supernal has seen further leadership departures just weeks after pausing work on its vehicle program and parting ways with its chief executive and chief technology officer, TechCrunch reported on Friday. Supernal confirmed that chief strategy officer Jaeyong Song, chief safety officer Tracy Lamb, and Lina Yang, chief of staff to former CEO Jaiwon Shin, have left the company. Shin, who had led Supernal since its 2021 spin-out from Hyundai’s advanced air mobility (AAM) division, stepped down earlier this month. “As we transition to new leadership, we have taken the opportunity to strategically review…

Registrations of new electric cars in the European Union rose 30.2% year-on-year in August, according to industry association ACEA, as battery-powered vehicles expanded their market share despite flat overall car sales. U.S. carmaker Tesla, however, bucked the trend with a sharp decline in deliveries. A total of 120,797 fully electric cars were registered in the EU during August, giving the segment a 15.8% market share, up from 12.6% a year earlier. Including figures from the UK and EFTA states, 159,810 new EVs were registered across Europe, meaning one in five cars sold was fully electric. Germany was the region’s largest…

French company Cixi has introduced the Vigoz, a three-wheeled electric vehicle that incorporates bicycle pedals into its drivetrain while offering a fully enclosed cabin and automotive-inspired design. The vehicle can reportedly reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph), positioning it between an electric trike and a compact urban car. The Vigoz features a recumbent-style seat and a human-integrated drivetrain known as the Pedaling Energy Recovery System, which converts pedaling into electric propulsion. While riders can theoretically assist battery charging through pedaling, the system primarily functions to provide an additional level of speed and braking control. The interior is…

Mercedes-Benz has commenced pre-series production of its all-electric VLE at the Vitoria plant in Spain, marking a key step toward full-scale production planned for the first half of 2026. The move reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to expand its electric vehicle offerings while maintaining high-quality standards and versatile van capabilities. The Vitoria plant, a central hub in Mercedes-Benz Vans’ global production network, has undergone extensive modernization to support the new Van Electric Architecture (VAN.EA). Upgrades include a flexible bodyshop, a fully adaptable paint shop, and an updated assembly hall, all enhanced by artificial intelligence and digital tools such as a…

Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Chinese autonomous driving startup Momenta to co-develop a smart driving assistance system for the Chinese market. The technology is set to debut on the domestically produced all-electric CLA model later this year and will extend to future Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the region. The system leverages Momenta’s Flywheel large language AI model to provide driving assistance across highways, urban streets, and parking scenarios. Unlike traditional solutions, the system is designed to operate without relying on high-definition maps, offering scalable and adaptive functionality for different road environments. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Suzhou, Momenta has established partnerships…

Gatik, an autonomous freight logistics firm, and Canadian retailer Loblaw Companies Ltd said on Tuesday they will deploy 50 autonomous trucks over the next five years in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), expanding a partnership first launched in 2022. The deal, described as the largest planned rollout of autonomous trucks in North America, will see 20 vehicles equipped with advanced sensors enter service by late 2025, with 30 more added in 2026. Initially operated with safety drivers, the fleet is expected to transition to driverless operations as part of Ontario’s new Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle pilot program, which began in…

Thor Industries has introduced the Embark, a range-extended electric Class A motorhome developed under its Entegra Coach brand, marking what the company says is the world’s first of its kind. Built on a purpose-designed chassis from Harbinger Motors, the vehicle is designed to balance electric efficiency with long-distance capability. The Embark features a 140-kWh battery providing 105 miles of pure electric range, while an integrated low-emission gasoline extender increases total driving distance to up to 450 miles. Its 800-volt system supports DC fast charging, along with charging at campsites, home outlets, or through the extender. The motorhome can also function…

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Avatr Technology, a subsidiary of Changan Automobile, is preparing to file for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). The company plans to submit its listing application in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the listing expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2026, according to local media reports. Avatr Technology was established in 2018 as a joint venture between Changan and Nio, originally named Changan Nio. In August 2021, Changan rebranded the company as Avatr, with Huawei and CATL joining as strategic partners. Huawei focuses on smart…

Hyundai on Monday introduced the Ioniq 5 N Essentials trim in South Korea, a lower-priced version of its first high-performance electric vehicle. The new model retains the same dual-motor setup and performance features as the base Ioniq 5 N but comes with fewer convenience options to reduce costs. First launched in 2023, the Ioniq 5 N marked a new era for Hyundai’s N performance division, combining the company’s electric platform with high-output motors. The all-wheel-drive hatchback produces up to 641 horsepower when “N Grin Boost” is activated, and 601 hp without it. Power comes from an 84 kWh battery, offering…

Coca-Cola’s bottling partners in India are scaling up the use of electric three-wheelers in their delivery operations, adding thousands of compact vehicles to fleets across major cities. The company said the initiative, part of a program called Vividhta ka Uphaar or “a gift of diversity,” has already put more than 5,000 electric three-wheelers on delivery routes in cities including Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, and Bhopal. The rollout is intended to lower emissions and noise while cutting operating costs. “These electric vehicles help us make our delivery operations more efficient while also supporting the communities we serve,” the company said in a statement.…

Hyundai is offering a limited-time lease deal on its 2025 Ioniq 5 electric SUV, making one of the longest-range compact EVs more accessible to U.S. customers. Until the end of September, the rear-wheel-drive Ioniq 5 SE can be leased for $149 per month on a 24-month contract with $4,999 due at signing, Hyundai said. Additional incentives, including a $500 Military Program and a $400 College Grad Program, may further reduce costs. The final monthly payment may vary depending on dealer contribution. The Ioniq 5 SE RWD, priced from $46,650, is equipped with an 84 kWh battery that delivers up to…

Sporting goods retailer Decathlon has released a new version of its Van Rysel E-GRVL AF HD Mahle X35 SRAM Apex 1×12 electric bike in select European markets, adding a black frame option to the lineup. The new colorway is available in sizes S, M and L, joining the existing blue version that has been sold since 2024. The black model carries the same price tag as the blue: €2,999.99 in the Netherlands and €2,899.99 in France and Spain. Specifications remain unchanged from the earlier 2025 update, including a 250W Mahle X35+ motor with 40 Nm torque, pedal assistance up to…

Norfolk County Council and First Bus said they will invest £13.8 million to bring 24 new electric double-decker buses into service by autumn 2025, along with upgrades to bus depots in Great Yarmouth and Norwich. Of the total funding, £8.9 million will come from First Bus, with the remainder covered by Norfolk’s Bus Service Improvement Plan grant. The new vehicles will join the county’s existing fleet of 76 electric buses, expanding operations in key urban areas. The Caister Road depot in Great Yarmouth will be upgraded to accommodate 10 vehicles serving Service 8, linking James Paget Hospital with Caister via…

CharIN and EMVCo have launched a joint initiative aimed at creating secure and interoperable payment solutions for electric vehicle (EV) charging. The effort seeks to align EMV-based open payments with ISO 15118 Plug & Charge systems, enabling drivers to complete transactions seamlessly across charging networks worldwide. EMV – originally developed by Europay, Mastercard and Visa – is the global standard for chip-based payment cards and compatible terminals. Integrating EMV technology into Plug & Charge systems is expected to allow EV drivers to pay quickly and securely without additional authentication steps, improving convenience and usability. The project, called New Payment Solutions,…

Transport UK London Bus has deployed 13 new Alexander Dennis Enviro100EV zero-emission buses on route G1 between Battersea and Streatham, expanding the capital’s fleet of electric vehicles. The single-deckers, at 8.5 metres long and 2.35 metres wide, are designed for narrow roads and tight turns along the 10-mile route. Each bus is powered by a 354 kWh battery from Impact Clean Power Technology and fitted with a Voith electric drive system, giving them a range of up to 450 kilometres on a single charge, according to the manufacturer. Neil Gladstone, National Account Manager for Alexander Dennis, said: “Our Enviro100EV is…

Rivian’s upcoming R2 SUV has been spotted at a Tesla Supercharger in Arizona, revealing that the model will feature a native NACS charging port, allowing direct access to Tesla’s network without the use of an adapter. Photos shared on X by @RivianUpdates and credited to @Chrisediting showed the R2’s charging port positioned on the rear driver’s side, mirroring the placement seen on Tesla models. The move marks the first time a Rivian vehicle has been seen with a built-in NACS port, as current R1 owners rely on adapters to use Tesla’s Supercharger network. https://twitter.com/RivianUpdates/status/1968807499177279703 Production of the R2 is expected…

DAF Trucks has started series production of its new XD Electric and XF Electric models in Eindhoven, marking a step forward in the Dutch manufacturer’s electrification strategy after delays of more than two years. The two battery-powered trucks, based on the latest generation of DAF’s diesel XD and XF series, are designed primarily for distribution transport, with the XF Electric also offering long-haul capability when fitted with larger battery packs. The models had originally been scheduled to enter production in spring 2023 but were postponed, with DAF not disclosing the reasons for the delay. “Anyone who works with our new…

Geely Auto’s sub-brand Geely Galaxy has launched the M9, a large six-seat hybrid SUV priced from RMB 173,800 ($24,470) after discounts, undercutting rivals in China’s competitive full-size SUV market. The starting price is significantly lower than the pre-sale figure of RMB 193,800. The M9 is offered in six variants, with two entry-level versions equipped with basic driver assistance features priced at RMB 183,800 and RMB 198,800. Four higher-spec versions come with Geely’s G-Pilot H5 smart driving system, priced between RMB 192,800 and RMB 248,800. Customers who order before October 31 will receive a RMB 10,000 discount, effectively lowering the price…

Irish-British startup Go Eve said it has secured UL 2202 certification for its DockChain EV charging system and begun US production in Michigan, marking a key step toward expanding its scalable DC fast-charging solution across North America. DockChain uses a patented “daisy chain” design that allows a single Level 3 DC fast charger to power multiple charging points, cutting infrastructure costs and reducing queuing for fleet operators, workplaces and public networks. The company said its system can deliver DC charging performance at costs comparable to slower Level 2 setups. “DockChain rewrites the economics of DC fast charging,” Go Eve CEO…

Canadian startup Beachman Motor Company said it has secured national and international motorcycle manufacturing licenses and launched its first road-legal electric motorcycle, as it prepares to expand into Europe in 2026 and opens a new investment round. The Toronto-based company said it obtained licenses from the Canadian federal government and SAE International, making it the only new automaker in Canada in the past decade alongside BRP Can-Am. The approval enables Beachman to produce and sell fully road-legal motorcycles beyond its earlier e-bike and moped-style models. Its new model, the ’64 LM, is a lightweight electric motorcycle designed for urban use,…