Author: Jonathan Collins

Toyota Motor Corporation has joined the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s “TOKYO H2” project, integrating its Crown fuel cell vehicle (FCEV) into the city’s taxi fleet as part of a broader effort to promote hydrogen adoption and accelerate clean energy mobility. The initiative aims to position Tokyo as a global leader in hydrogen technology while supporting the development of related infrastructure and demand. Under the project, Toyota plans to introduce 200 fuel cell taxis by fiscal year 2025, contributing to Tokyo’s goal of having approximately 600 hydrogen-powered taxis in operation by 2030. The Crown FCEV was selected for the program due to…

ZF LIFETEC has introduced a new steering wheel concept that can fold down electromechanically, a development the company says will help meet the changing demands of vehicle interiors as automated driving becomes more common. The technology is designed to create more space in the cabin while maintaining key safety and control functions. The rim can retract downward in about two seconds when the vehicle is in automated driving mode or parked, providing additional room for work, entertainment, or relaxation. Despite the novel mechanism, the steering wheel retains its traditional structure, including a driver’s airbag in the center hub and familiar…

Horse, the powertrain company, has introduced the C15, a compact range extender that allows fully electric vehicles to be converted into range-extended EVs. The technology is set to debut at the Munich Motor Show and is positioned as a cost-effective option for automakers looking to expand beyond battery-only platforms. The C15 package includes a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generator, inverter, and cooling system. In naturally aspirated form, it produces up to 94 hp (70 kW), while a turbocharged version delivers up to 161 hp (120 kW). Despite its output, the system is small, measuring about 500 mm long, 550 mm wide,…

Tesla has launched the Model Y Performance in Australia and New Zealand, with first deliveries scheduled for late in the fourth quarter of 2025. Pricing starts from A$89,400 ($58,000) before government charges in Australia and NZ$100,900 ($61,000) before on-road costs in New Zealand. Vehicles for both markets will be produced at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin-Brandenburg, Germany. In Australia, the Model Y Performance is priced below the luxury car tax threshold, making it eligible for the government’s fringe benefits tax exemption on electric vehicles purchased under a novated lease. https://twitter.com/TeslaAUNZ/status/1963788601361359349 The Performance variant follows updated RWD and AWD versions introduced earlier…

Malaysian automaker Proton on Thursday inaugurated its first electric vehicle (EV) assembly plant, signaling a step forward in the country’s effort to expand its EV industry. The facility, located in the Automotive High-Tech Valley in western Perak, covers 5.57 acres and was built at a total cost of RM82 million. The first phase of the plant, costing RM47 million, has an annual production capacity of 20,000 units and could be scaled up to 45,000 units, the company said. The e.MAS 7, Proton’s first EV, will be the first model produced, followed by the entry-level e.MAS 5. Proton is majority-owned by…

Tesla’s Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg (Giga Berlin) has been awarded the European Ecolabel (EMAS) certification, recognizing the electric vehicle maker’s environmental management efforts at the facility. The EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) seal is a long-term environmental management system that focuses on regulatory compliance and improving environmental performance, according to a report by Tagesspiegel. Tesla said the certification highlights its ongoing initiatives, including reforestation, energy efficiency, and reduced water consumption. https://twitter.com/ColditzMirco/status/1962540233024590097 Plant manager André Thierig said the factory had already planted more than 2 million trees to compensate for those cleared during construction. “We will continue to promote photovoltaics in the future,”…

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to implement lower tariffs on Japanese automobile imports and other products, formalizing a trade agreement first announced in July and confirming a large Japanese investment commitment in the United States. The order reduces tariffs on Japanese cars from the current 27.5% to 15%, with the measure set to take effect seven days after publication. Some tariff relief will also be retroactive to August 7, according to details released by the administration. The agreement follows months of negotiations between Washington and Tokyo, easing trade tensions and providing clarity for Japanese automakers…

Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo said on Thursday it has been cleared to operate at San Jose Mineta International Airport, marking its first airport service in California. The company said testing of its autonomous vehicles at the site will begin in the coming months, with commercial passenger rides expected to start before the end of 2025. Waymo has long sought to serve airports in its home state. In 2023, discussions with San Francisco International Airport officials failed to secure approval. Earlier this year, however, Waymo was granted a permit to begin manually mapping the airport, a preliminary step toward commercial service…

German research institute Fraunhofer IWU said it is working with engineering firm EDAG Production Solutions to develop an automated pilot plant in Chemnitz that will dismantle used electric vehicle batteries as an alternative to conventional shredding. The project aims to process high-voltage storage systems that are no longer suitable for vehicles but still contain functional cells. These could be reused in large stationary storage applications for households, companies, or grid operators. “Shredding used modules or entire high-voltage storage systems would thus waste valuable resources. By repairing and remanufacturing these batteries, not only can precious resources be preserved, but the lifespan…

Mercedes-Benz has agreed to source 107 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of batteries from South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES), strengthening its long-term supply of advanced cylindrical cells. Deliveries will be split between the United States and Europe, according to an official LGES filing. Under the agreement, LGES will supply 75 GWh of batteries to Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. between July 2029 and December 2037, and 32 GWh in Europe between August 2028 and December 2035. The order value was not disclosed, but Korean media estimate it at about 15 trillion won ($11.3 billion), based on current prices for next-generation “46 series” cylindrical…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has signed agreements with distributors in Morocco and Tunisia as part of its expansion across North Africa, the company said on Thursday. In Morocco, Xpeng’s strategic partner will be SMEIA, a general agent group representing local luxury car brands. With 44 years of experience in the automotive sector, SMEIA has a market share of over 30% in Morocco’s luxury car segment, a national network covering more than 97% of the population, and a comprehensive sales and service system. In Tunisia, Xpeng will collaborate with XP CARS Tunisia, a premier local automotive dealer group. XP CARS…

Tesla has expanded its robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas, with vehicles now permitted to drive on highways and safety operators repositioned from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat, marking a new phase in the company’s self-driving program. Until now, Tesla’s autonomous fleet in Austin had been limited to city streets, where vehicles were monitored at lower speeds. The move onto highways introduces more complex requirements such as lane merging, speed management and navigating interchanges, placing greater demands on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. https://twitter.com/gailalfaratx/status/1962735236384530461 At the same time, Tesla has shifted its safety operators back behind the wheel,…

e-clearing.net, one of Europe’s leading electric vehicle (EV) roaming platforms, has appointed a new Chief Operating Officer following the departure of Dauaride Empere, who stepped down after more than three years with the company, most recently as managing director. Mark Steffen Walcher, CEO of e-clearing.net, said Empere’s tenure helped position the platform as a key player in the European market. “Under his leadership, e-clearing.net has developed into one of the leading roaming platforms in Europe. His successes include the introduction of a standardised transaction-based pricing model and the launch of our new platform,” Walcher said. “With this change in leadership,…

South Korea’s SK On said on Thursday it has signed an agreement with U.S.-based Flatiron Energy Development to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS), in a deal valued at an estimated 2 trillion won ($1.43 billion). Under the agreement, SK On will provide containerized ESS units featuring 1 GWh of LFP batteries starting in the second half of 2026. The company has also secured the right of first offer for an additional 6.2 GWh project with Flatiron that runs through 2030. In total, the supply volume could reach 7.2 GWh over the period. “This highlights…

International automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA has partnered with software-defined power conversion company Tau Motors to develop a next-generation “virtually isolated Onboard Charger” (viOBC) for electric vehicles. The viOBC design eliminates the need for a traditional transformer, allowing for reduced size and weight while achieving energy efficiency above 98 percent. According to FORVIA HELLA, the new charger reduces installation space by up to half and component weight by approximately a third, and is compatible with advanced features such as vehicle-to-grid integration. “The collaboration takes onboard charging to the next level and creates a product that sets new standards in power density,”…

Tesla has rolled out software update 2025.32.3 globally for its Model Y vehicles, introducing a significant upgrade to the vehicle’s airbag system. The update demonstrates Tesla’s continued focus on enhancing vehicle safety through software innovation. The release notes, shared by Not A Tesla App, describe the feature as the Frontal Airbag System Enhancement, which integrates Tesla Vision data to complement the automaker’s existing crash protection framework. Traditionally, airbags deploy based on sensors that detect sudden deceleration or collision forces. The new system incorporates real-time visual analysis, allowing airbags to inflate earlier and more effectively in the event of a frontal…

Germany’s tender to build a fast-charging network for trucks along motorways could face delays or reduced participation due to a government-mandated “pass-through” model, industry sources said. The tender, organised by NOW GmbH, requires operators at publicly funded truck charging parks to allow third-party electricity providers to supply power at their own chargers. The measure is intended to increase competition but may reduce the commercial appeal for charging point operators (CPOs), according to several participants. “Some charging network operators are threatening to withdraw entirely from the bidding process,” Knut Hechtfischer, CEO of Berlin-based pass-through service provider Decarbon1ze, told Handelsblatt. “The state…

U.S. electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers should prioritize product and technology development over pricing in response to advances in China’s EV industry, Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe said, highlighting the increasing sophistication of Chinese vehicles. Speaking on the Plugged-In Podcast, Scaringe noted that while ultra-low-cost Chinese EVs are unlikely to reach U.S. consumers due to tariffs, safety regulations, and production costs, Western automakers should still pay attention to technological developments abroad. “I think everyone should be planning for that and designing [their] technology stack around that,” Scaringe said. “What’s alarming, if you’re looking at the whole industry, is that the…

Charging infrastructure provider XCharge has introduced its GridLink DC fast charger with integrated battery storage to the European market, following earlier deployment in North America. The company presented the system at the Intercharge Network Conference (icnc) in Berlin. The GridLink delivers up to 194 kW of charging power while drawing a maximum of 44 kW from the grid, with the remainder supplied by a 215 kWh battery pack. The system targets logistics operators, dealerships, and petrol stations, enabling high charging capacity at locations with limited grid connections. “The concept of chargers with buffer storage is not new. But with GridLink,…

Tesla has released the fourth edition of its “Master Plan,” expanding the company’s mission to accelerate the global transition to sustainable energy while leveraging artificial intelligence, the company announced on social media platform X. The plan, which follows three prior Master Plans dating back to 2006, outlines Tesla’s intention to develop products and services aimed at promoting global prosperity and human well-being. “Our desire to push beyond what is considered achievable will foster the growth needed for truly sustainable abundance,” the plan states. https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1962591324022153607 Tesla’s Master Plans have historically guided its strategic direction. The original 2006 plan envisioned starting with…