Author: Jessica Park

Microlino AG has filed a legal complaint against Switzerland’s Federal Office of Energy, challenging the exclusion of light electric vehicles from the country’s CO₂ fleet emissions regulations. The Swiss manufacturer argues that its Microlino electric microcar is being unfairly disadvantaged compared with larger battery-electric vehicles because light electric vehicles classified under the L6e and L7e categories are not included in Switzerland’s CO₂ fleet regulation framework. The case has been submitted to the Federal Administrative Court in St. Gallen, where Microlino is seeking to overturn the current regulatory treatment and allow its vehicles to participate in emissions communities and fleet-average calculations.…

Lucid Motors has reportedly postponed its planned market launches in Austria and Spain from 2026 to 2027, marking the latest adjustment to the US electric vehicle manufacturer’s European expansion strategy. According to reports by Eletric-vehicles citing industry sources, the company has delayed its entry into the two markets despite previously identifying them as part of a broader rollout across seven additional European countries. The reported postponement comes as Lucid continues to refine its international growth plans while managing financial pressures and operational challenges. European Expansion Progresses More Slowly Than Planned During the presentation of its 2025 financial results, Lucid outlined…

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) has endorsed the principle of a European preference policy under the European Union’s emerging “Made in EU” agenda, while urging policymakers to adopt a gradual and pragmatic approach that does not hinder public transport decarbonisation efforts. In a newly released position paper titled “Made in EU: The Vision of the Public Transport Sector,” UITP argues that measures designed to strengthen European industrial competitiveness should avoid creating additional costs, administrative burdens, or procurement barriers for public transport authorities (PTAs) and public transport operators (PTOs). The document comes as European institutions continue discussions on the…

Kia UK has announced an expansion of its PV5 electric vehicle lineup for the 2027 model year, introducing a new entry-level Cargo variant and a seven-seat Passenger model as part of its broader Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) strategy. The additions arrive less than a year after the PV5’s launch in the UK and are aimed at widening the vehicle’s appeal across both commercial and passenger transport segments. Order books for the new models are scheduled to open on June 8, with first customer deliveries expected in October. New Entry-Level Cargo Variant The new PV5 Cargo L1/H1 becomes the entry point…

Several European Union commissioners have reportedly raised concerns about the charging requirements of their electric service vehicles, as mandatory recharging stops continue to add time to official journeys between Brussels and Strasbourg. According to Politico, the issue has become a recurring source of frustration among some members of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s team. Officials from the offices of three commissioners told the publication that battery-electric vehicles used for official travel are unable to complete the approximately 440-kilometre route without stopping to recharge. Charging Stop Becomes Regular Part of Journey The vehicles used to transport commissioners and senior…

GreenWay has secured €138 million in debt financing from a consortium of European financial institutions to support the expansion of its electric vehicle charging network across Central and Eastern Europe. The Polish charging infrastructure operator said the latest funding increases the total capital it has raised for electric mobility development to €258 million. The company plans to use the new financing to accelerate the deployment of charging stations, enhance service quality and customer experience, and strengthen its market position in Poland while expanding operations across the broader Central and Eastern European region. Backing From European Financial Institutions The financing package…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers have expanded rapidly across Europe in recent years, supported by competitive pricing, extensive equipment packages and attractive leasing offers. However, new market data suggest that depreciation rates for some Chinese electric vehicles are becoming a growing concern for consumers and industry participants. According to figures from Germany’s vehicle valuation specialist DAT, Chinese electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are currently depreciating significantly faster than the broader automotive market. The trend is creating challenges for vehicle owners, leasing companies and manufacturers as residual values come under pressure. Residual Values Under Pressure DAT data indicate that Chinese electric vehicles…

Ford Energy is pursuing additional customer agreements as it prepares to enter the utility-scale battery energy storage market, according to comments from Ford Motor Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley reported by the Detroit Free Press. The newly established subsidiary plans to manufacture battery energy storage systems (BESS) for utilities, data centers, and industrial and commercial customers in the United States, with production targeted to reach at least 20 GWh annually beginning in late 2027. Early Customer Interest Speaking during Ford’s recent shareholder meeting, Farley said the company is currently engaged in discussions with multiple prospective customers. “We have a great…

MAN Truck & Bus and Dettendorfer Energy GmbH have launched the Initiative Green Brenner, bringing together companies from the logistics, energy and infrastructure sectors to accelerate the deployment of battery-electric trucks along the Brenner freight corridor connecting Germany, Austria and Italy. The initiative aims to support the transition to zero-emission freight transport on one of Europe’s busiest cross-border logistics routes by promoting charging infrastructure, demonstrating commercial viability and encouraging broader adoption of electric heavy-duty vehicles. Dettendorfer Energy is a joint venture between regional utility Energie Südbayern and Dettendorfer Spedition, an Upper Bavarian logistics company operating a fleet of approximately 240…

Italian public transport operator Tper has introduced hydrogen-powered buses into service in Bologna, marking the start of operations for a new fleet of fuel cell vehicles as part of the city’s broader zero-emission mobility strategy. The first Solaris Urbino 12 Hydrogen buses entered operation on selected services across routes 11, 14, 20, 36 and 92 following completion of the authorisation process for the hydrogen refuelling station at the Via Battindarno depot. The deployment represents the first phase of a planned fleet of 127 hydrogen buses that will operate primarily on urban and suburban routes across the Bologna metropolitan area. Tper…

The European Investment Bank will provide up to 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) to Hamburger Energienetze for the expansion and modernization of Hamburg’s electricity distribution grid, while also extending around 125 million euros in financing to Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein for battery-electric buses and depot upgrades. The financing agreements, signed on May 19, form part of Hamburg’s broader efforts to accelerate electrification and modernize infrastructure supporting the city’s energy and transport transition. Hamburger Energienetze, also known as HNE, plans to use the funding to strengthen and digitalize the city’s power distribution system as electricity demand rises from transport electrification and renewable energy…

Ford Motor plans to introduce five new passenger vehicle models in Europe by the end of 2029, including two fully electric vehicles and three models offering multiple powertrain options, as the automaker adjusts its strategy in response to changing market conditions. The company said all five vehicles will be manufactured in Europe for European customers. Among the upcoming launches are a fully electric compact car and a small electric sport utility vehicle, both aimed at expanding Ford’s battery-electric offering in the region. Ford described the planned compact EV as a small battery-electric vehicle designed to combine distinctive styling with the…

ElectroMobility Poland and Taiwanese electronics manufacturer Foxconn have announced plans to cooperate on the development of an electric vehicle production facility in Jaworzno, southern Poland. The project would also include a research and development centre, although both parties said negotiations are still ongoing and no binding agreements have yet been finalised. According to the companies, detailed agreements are expected to be negotiated during the second half of 2026. See also: Foxconn Opens EV R&D Centre in Zhengzhou to Shorten Vehicle Development Cycles ElectroMobility Poland, commonly known as EMP, was established roughly a decade ago by several Polish state-owned energy companies…

Leapmotor, in partnership with Stellantis, has launched its new electric fastback sedan, the Leapmotor B05, in Europe, with orders now open in selected markets from €26,900. The model marks an expansion of the company’s lineup beyond SUVs and compact city cars in the region. The B05 was first presented in Germany during IAA Mobility last year, with its interior details revealed at a later stage. It was subsequently introduced in China before arriving in Europe. With a length of 4.43 meters and a width of 1.88 meters, the vehicle is positioned within the C-segment and features a fastback design intended…

The European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), aimed at strengthening domestic industry and accelerating the adoption of clean technologies, has drawn sharp criticism from China, which warned the draft could lead to retaliatory measures. Unveiled in early March and still under review, the IAA is designed to boost manufacturing, support corporate growth, and create jobs within the European Union. The legislation also seeks to promote cleaner industrial processes, with potentially significant implications for sectors such as automotive, batteries, and renewable energy. Key provisions in the draft include new requirements for public procurement and subsidy programs, introducing criteria tied to…

Stellantis said its circular economy subsidiary SUSTAINera recorded 51% growth in its reuse business in 2025 and plans to open a third vehicle dismantling center in a new region as the automaker expands its end-of-life vehicle recovery operations. The company said the additional dismantling facility will complement existing sites in Turin, Italy, and São Paulo, Brazil, as part of its strategy to recover functional vehicle components for resale as original used parts. SUSTAINera said growth in its reuse business was supported by strong performance from the B-Parts e-commerce platform in Europe and North America, where total inventory has surpassed 15…

Skoda Auto has provided an early look at its upcoming flagship electric SUV, the Peaq, as part of plans to expand its battery-electric vehicle portfolio by 2026. Based on the Vision 7S concept, the Peaq will measure nearly 4.9 metres in length and be offered in both five- and seven-seat configurations. The model will sit at the top of Skoda’s EV lineup and is expected to support the company’s goal of doubling its number of electric models within the next two years. The Peaq is built on the MEB platform developed by Volkswagen Group, which underpins several electric models across…

Cupra has unveiled an updated version of its electric SUV, the Cupra Tavascan, introducing a new entry-level variant alongside interior and technology upgrades as part of the broader refresh of Volkswagen Group’s MEB-based models. The updated Tavascan follows recent revisions to models such as the Cupra Born, Skoda Enyaq and Skoda Elroq. However, design changes to the Tavascan remain minimal, reflecting the model’s relatively recent launch in 2024. The key update is the introduction of a new base drivetrain, featuring a 140 kW electric motor paired with a 58 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. This marks the first time…

The average price of electric vehicles in the European Union declined in 2025 for the first time in five years, driven by the arrival of lower-cost models as automakers respond to emissions regulations, according to an analysis by environmental think tank Transport & Environment (T&E). T&E said the average price of battery-electric cars in the EU dropped by about €1,800, or roughly 4%, to €42,700 in 2025. The decline was largely attributed to the introduction of more affordable compact electric vehicles in the B-segment, where average prices fell by 13%. Among the models contributing to the trend were the Citroën…

Austria’s Ministry of the Interior has concluded that battery-electric vehicles are only conditionally suitable for operational police use following a large-scale trial involving electric patrol cars across several regions of the country. The assessment came after a pilot program that deployed 24 electric vehicles in real-world police operations beginning in early 2024. The trial involved around 20 participating police stations across four federal states: Tyrol, Salzburg, Lower Austria and Vienna. According to the ministry, the evaluation identified several operational challenges, including limited charging infrastructure and increased vehicle weight resulting from batteries combined with tactical police equipment. As a result, the…