Author: Jonathan Collins

Stellantis is reportedly set to deepen its cooperation with China’s state-owned Dongfeng Motor Group to co-develop a new Jeep-branded off-road SUV, integrating technologies from Dongfeng’s Voyah and M-Hero brands as the automaker accelerates its push into the country’s new energy vehicle (NEV) market. According to Chinese outlet Economic Observer, Stellantis and Dongfeng have reached a preliminary agreement to jointly develop the Jeep model, which will mark a new phase in their longstanding partnership. While Dongfeng officials confirmed ongoing communication with Stellantis, they declined to comment directly on the reported development. See also: Stellantis Deepens Partnership With Mistral AI to Scale…

Waymo has hired a senior Tesla engineer to lead its in-car audio and infotainment experience, marking the latest move in a growing competition between the two companies for top engineering talent in the autonomous driving sector. Nikhil Satish, a veteran audio engineer who helped design the praised sound system in Tesla’s Cybertruck, announced his move on LinkedIn last week. “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Technical Leader of Audio Systems at Waymo,” Satish wrote. See also: Waymo Launches Corporate Ride-Hailing Program to Target Business Travel Before joining Tesla in 2021, Satish held audio engineering roles…

A Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan caught fire following a severe collision early on Sunday in Chengdu, Sichuan province, resulting in the death of the driver, local authorities and media reports said. The crash occurred at around 3:16 a.m. when the vehicle, reportedly the Ultra variant priced at 529,900 yuan, collided with another sedan, crossed the median strip, and caught fire. Videos circulating on Chinese social media showed the car ablaze at the roadside, with bystanders attempting unsuccessfully to open the doors. See also: Xiaomi Opens First Overseas EV R&D Centre in Munich Ahead of 2027 Europe Launch Local firefighters arrived…

Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States climbed to an all-time high of 438,487 units in the third quarter of 2025, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. The surge came as consumers rushed to take advantage of the federal EV tax credit, which expired on September 30, marking what analysts described as a one-off boost ahead of an uncertain final quarter. EV sales rose 40.7% from the previous quarter and 29.6% year-on-year, surpassing the previous record from Q4 2024 by nearly 20%. Electric models accounted for 10.5% of all new vehicles sold in the U.S. during the period…

Swedish freight technology company Einride and logistics provider PostNord AS have announced the expansion of their partnership in Norway, doubling the scale of their electric freight operations. The move marks a major step toward sustainable logistics in the region, with operations now spanning 1.3 million zero-emission kilometers annually across the Oslo area. The collaboration builds on a successful initiative launched in 2023, which delivered significant emissions savings. The expanded operations are expected to double the volume of electrified freight transport, further reducing carbon output and enhancing efficiency. According to Einride, the partnership will continue to utilize its connected electric trucks…

Porsche has promoted Nico Müller to its factory Formula E team, where he will race alongside Pascal Wehrlein for the upcoming Season 12. The move comes following Antonio Felix da Costa’s switch to Jaguar and positions Müller at the heart of the German manufacturer’s renewed title challenge. Müller joined Porsche as a factory driver in August 2024 but spent the previous season competing for customer outfit Andretti. His promotion to the works team had been widely anticipated after participating in a test with Porsche early last year. Despite a challenging campaign in Season 11, Porsche said it remains confident in…

General Motors is discontinuing development of next-generation hydrogen fuel cells under its Hydrotec brand, redirecting its efforts toward electric vehicles, batteries, and charging technologies. The move comes as high costs and limited hydrogen refueling infrastructure have hindered widespread consumer adoption. See also: Isuzu, Toyota to Jointly Develop Next-Generation Fuel Cell Route Buses for 2026 Launch Hydrotec systems had been designed for a range of applications, from vehicles such as the SURUS to heavy-duty mining trucks, and for powering mobile EV charging stations. Despite ending next-generation vehicle development, GM will continue producing hydrogen fuel cells for industrial uses, including data centers…

Arcfox, the electric vehicle brand under Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC Group), has unveiled its first extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), joining a growing number of Chinese automakers expanding into the segment. The company said it will debut the Alpha T5 EREV later this month, equipped with CATL’s (HKG: 3750) Freevoy Battery as standard. The new model is also the first to feature BAIC’s in-house developed Shenqing extended-range system. CATL introduced the Freevoy Battery in October 2024, designed to deliver over 400 kilometers of electric range for hybrid vehicles while supporting 4C fast charging. See also: BAIC’s Arcfox Launches T1 Compact SUV…

Electric Era is expanding its footprint in the U.S. by partnering with major convenience store chains such as Love’s Travel Stops to deploy battery-backed Level 3 DC fast chargers. The company’s technology is designed to reduce installation and operating costs while helping retailers open new revenue streams from electric vehicle (EV) charging. The battery-backed chargers developed by Electric Era can cut operating costs by up to 70% and reduce installation times compared to traditional grid-connected systems. The company has also supported customers in securing $41 million in government incentives through successful grant applications. With the reinstatement of National Electric Vehicle…

BYD has introduced new long-range variants of its flagship Han sedan, adding both hybrid and all-electric options to strengthen the Dynasty series amid slowing sales and growing market competition. The Chinese automaker unveiled four new Han DM-i plug-in hybrid variants, each offering a 245-kilometer CLTC-rated electric range. Prices start at RMB 169,800 ($23,800), extending up to RMB 199,800. The new additions replace the earlier 125-km range lineup, which began at RMB 168,800 and topped out at RMB 225,800. See also: BYD Han L Unveiled: Dual-Motor EV with 580 kW Power Among Highlights BYD also launched three new Han EV variants,…

Mercedes-Benz is testing an experimental charging vehicle, dubbed ELF, designed to explore next-generation electric vehicle (EV) charging technologies ranging from ultra-fast and bidirectional systems to inductive and automated conductive charging. The prototype electric van serves as a mobile testing platform combining vehicle innovation with infrastructure development to create a seamless and intelligent charging experience. The ELF experimental van integrates nearly every emerging charging technology currently under industry discussion, including Combined Charging System (CCS), Megawatt Charging System (MCS), bidirectional AC and DC charging, as well as cable-free inductive and automated conductive charging. Mercedes-Benz said the project aims to redefine the limits…

Yamato Transport, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), and autonomous technology firm TIER IV have been selected for a Japanese government initiative to test Level 4 autonomous trucks, aiming to evaluate safety, performance, and operational feasibility for long-haul logistics. The project, sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), will conduct proof-of-concept testing on the Yamato Group’s Kanto–Kansai transportation route between January and February 2026. The trials are intended to collect key data supporting the development and deployment of fully autonomous freight vehicles under real-world conditions. See also: TIER IV to Develop Digital Infrastructure for Autonomous…