Author: Jonathan Collins

Dongfeng-Nissan has released official images of its upcoming NX8 sport utility vehicle for the Chinese market, offering a detailed first look at the joint venture’s latest locally developed model as it advances regulatory approval in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. The NX8 recently appeared in a vehicle approval catalogue published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), clearing a key regulatory step ahead of its commercial launch. The model becomes the third vehicle in Dongfeng Nissan’s N-series lineup following the N7 battery-electric sedan and the N6 plug-in hybrid sedan, reinforcing Nissan Motor’s push to rebuild its China…

Tesla has introduced a new package of financing and leasing incentives across its U.S. vehicle lineup, stepping up its year-end sales push with lower borrowing costs and improved lease terms, particularly for the newly launched Model Y Standard. The electric vehicle maker is now offering 0% financing for up to 72 months on new Model Y Standard orders, a sharp improvement from the 3.99% promotional rate introduced only weeks earlier and a significant reduction from previous offers above 5%. The move positions the entry-level Model Y as the most aggressively priced option in Tesla’s current U.S. lineup. See also: Tesla…

Chang-Hyeong Song, head of Hyundai Motor Group’s autonomous driving division, has stepped down, the company said on Friday, following internal debate over the direction of its self-driving technology strategy. Hyundai Motor Group confirmed the departure in a statement, saying, “President Song recently expressed his intention to voluntarily step down for personal reasons, and the company respected the decision and accepted the resignation.” The company added that, “The projects overseen by Song have been run systematically by leaders in each division, including the AVP division and 42dot, and they will continue in the same way going forward.” See also: Hyundai Motor…

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $2 billion federal grant program to support bus purchases and depot upgrades for more than 165 public transit agencies, with funding directed mainly toward diesel-hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles rather than battery-electric buses. The grants are part of the annual allocation under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed in 2021. The largest single award, totaling $121.1 million, will go to the Chicago Transit Authority to replace 150 diesel buses with diesel-electric hybrid models. A further $100.7 million was awarded to Harris County, Texas, to support the purchase of CNG buses…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said on Thursday that the latest version of the company’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software allows drivers to text while driving in certain traffic situations, despite such behavior being illegal in most U.S. states. Musk made the comment on his social media platform X after a user observed that the newest FSD update no longer issued warnings when the driver used a phone. Musk replied that the software permits it “depending on context of surrounding traffic.” See also: Musk Says Legacy Automakers Show Limited Interest in Licensing Tesla’s FSD Technology https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1996631421449072754 Nearly all 50 U.S. states ban…

Vietnamese public transport operator Lien Ninh has begun deploying an all-electric bus fleet in Hanoi, confirming that all 111 vehicles across its nine routes will be converted to battery-powered models this month in line with the capital’s long-term clean transport strategy. The first batch of electric buses entered operation on Thursday, marking the start of a full fleet transition from conventional vehicles to zero-emission models. Hanoi has set a target to shift all bus services to electric and green energy-powered vehicles by 2030 as part of broader efforts to reduce urban pollution. See also: Vietnam’s Kim Long Motor to Build…

Switzerland has completed its first real-world pilot of wireless charging technology for electric vehicles, as researchers assessed not only performance under daily driving conditions but also regulatory approval and potential impacts on the national energy system, project partners said. The trial was carried out under the INLADE project, led by energy supplier Eniwa AG in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) and several industry partners. The initiative was supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy and the cantons of Zurich and Aargau. “The aim was to test the existing technology in everyday use,…

Building materials producer Tarmac said it will introduce an initial fleet of battery-electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and establish a dedicated high-power charging network to support low-carbon construction logistics across London and the South East, with operations set to begin in early 2026. The first phase will see five electric HGVs deployed in partnership with Renault Trucks and DAF Trucks to transport cement, asphalt, aggregates and concrete blocks for major construction and infrastructure projects. The initiative is backed by the UK government’s £200 million Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Development programme delivered through the Department for Transport and Innovate UK.…

GATE, the electric commercial vehicle rental venture jointly owned by Iveco and financial services provider DLL, has expanded its product lineup to include an electric semi-tractor and two new electric vans, widening access to battery-powered transport under its pay-per-use model. The new additions include the Iveco S-eWay electric tractor unit and the recently launched eSuper Jolly van, which are now available for long-term rental through GATE’s network in Germany, France and Italy. A more compact electric van, the eJolly, is scheduled to join the fleet in the first half of 2026. See also: Iveco Bus Wins Contract to Supply 87…

Honda’s UK unit has introduced a new retail incentive programme for its e:Ny1 electric SUV, offering a combined £8,750 discount along with 0% annual percentage rate (APR) finance and an extended service package as the automaker seeks to stimulate electric vehicle demand. The campaign runs from Dec. 1, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026, with vehicle registration required by March 31, 2026. The total discount includes a £5,000 Honda deposit contribution and a £3,750 manufacturer-funded Honda EV grant. The automaker said the incentive is not linked to the UK government’s Electric Car Grant scheme. See also: Honda CEO Confirms EV Sports…

Kia will unveil its smallest and most affordable electric vehicle to date, the EV2, at the Brussels Motor Show next month, the South Korean automaker said, marking a key step in its strategy to widen access to electric mobility in Europe. The EV2, a B-segment electric SUV, will sit below the recently launched EV3 as Kia’s new entry-level electric model. The vehicle will be produced at Kia’s European manufacturing plant in Zilina, Slovakia, a move the company said would help shorten delivery times and strengthen its regional supply chain. See also: Kia Flags Potential Price Rises as It Weighs Business…

Chery Automobile’s UK electric vehicle brands Omoda and Jaecoo have introduced a new in-house tax rebate for customers following sweeping changes to the UK’s EV tax and incentive framework announced in last week’s government budget. On Nov. 26, Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled revisions to the UK’s electric vehicle support programme, lifting the total funding for the Electric Car Grant to nearly £2 billion and expanding subsidies for new EV purchases. The budget also included additional support for companies operating charging infrastructure and managing electric fleets. See also: Chery’s November NEV Sales Hit 116,794 Units as Global Deliveries Reach 272,536 At…

Ford Motor will increase the usable battery capacity of its E-Transit Custom van and E-Tourneo Custom passenger variant to 70 kilowatt-hours from early 2026, lifting the maximum WLTP driving range to up to 370 kilometres and cutting charging times, the company said. The update marks an improvement of about 13% in range compared with the current 64 kWh net battery, which is rated at up to 337 km under the WLTP test cycle. Ford said the higher usable capacity will be achieved without changing the physical battery hardware. “We can now utilise a higher proportion of the energy content,” a…

The European Union may allow new combustion-engine vehicles beyond 2035 under revised climate regulations, provided they run exclusively on low- or zero-emission fuels, EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said, signalling potential flexibility in the bloc’s flagship decarbonisation policy for road transport. The comments come as the European Commission prepares a long-awaited review of its post-2035 CO₂ fleet targets, a move closely watched by the automotive industry. See also: Germany Seeks Broader Technology Scope in EU Review of 2035 Zero-Emission Car Rule In an interview with Germany’s Handelsblatt, Tzitzikostas said the EU was “open to all technologies” and would incorporate “all…

Thailand’s Xing Mobility and German engineering service provider Ideenion have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop advanced battery systems for vehicles, marine platforms and stationary energy storage, with a primary focus on European markets, the companies said. Under the agreement, the partners will combine Xing Mobility’s immersion-cooling and cell-to-pack battery expertise with Ideenion’s experience in full-vehicle engineering and system integration. Xing Mobility, a Taiwan-based battery technology developer with production operations in Thailand, will contribute its immersion-cooled battery architectures, while Ideenion, headquartered in Gaimersheim, will bring its capabilities in automotive design and integration for clients including Audi, BMW and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast is considering equipping some models with small petrol engines to recharge batteries and extend driving range, Reuters reported on Monday, citing three people familiar with the plan and job advertisements, signalling a potential partial shift from its all-electric strategy. The Nasdaq-listed automaker is seeking to lift sales and expand overseas as growing losses weigh on parent company Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate. One source said a team was tasked in November to explore converting the VF9 SUV into a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), while another said hybrid options are also under review. All sources said the…

Cyprus is preparing to launch a new government subsidy programme for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles later this year, with a total budget of €4.5 million and incentives of up to €9,000 for zero-emission cars, according to a report by Kathimerini. The scheme, coordinated by the Ministry of Transport and the Road Traffic Authority, is expected to support around 450 vehicle purchases and is designed to stimulate demand for new electric and hybrid models. The move comes as Cyprus continues efforts to accelerate the transition to low-emission transport amid slowing momentum in parts of the local EV market.…

British startup Morris Commercial will manufacture its electric revival of the classic Morris J-Type van in Wales, with production now targeted for late 2025 and a market launch planned for late 2026, the company and Welsh government said. The timeline marks a significant delay from the original launch plan in 2021 for the retro-styled electric commercial vehicle. The company will build the Morris JE at its new facility in St Athan after securing financial support from the Welsh government through the Economy Futures Fund. In return, the project is expected to create around 150 jobs. Speaking to the BBC, Morris…

Rivian’s R1T Quad Motor equipped with the Max Pack has delivered supercar-level acceleration in independent testing, underscoring the rapid performance gains achieved by high-power electric pickup trucks. According to results published by Car and Driver, the electric truck accelerated from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.6 seconds, matching the figure recorded for the Tesla Cybertruck and placing it in the performance territory of high-end sports cars. The Rivian sustained its advantage at higher speeds, pulling ahead of the Cybertruck above 60 mph and extending the gap through the quarter-mile mark. See also: Rivian Confirms R3 Model Will Launch…

Tesla said 20,000 of its vehicles are now on the road in New Zealand, marking a new milestone for the U.S. electric car maker in one of its smaller Asia-Pacific markets. The update was shared by Tesla Australia & New Zealand on social media in a post thanking local owners, accompanied by the message “Ngā mihi Aotearoa,” a Māori expression of appreciation. See also: Tesla Offers Nearly $5,000 Discount on Full Self-Driving Software in Australia and New Zealand While modest compared with Tesla’s presence in larger markets such as the United States, Europe and Australia, the figure represents a significant…