Author: Jonathan Collins

Blink Charging announced that its Series 7, 8, and 9 charger models have received Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 2.0.1 certification from the Open Charge Alliance. The recognition places Blink among a select group of companies advancing EV infrastructure standards. OCPP 2.0.1 is a globally recognized communication standard that allows EV chargers to connect seamlessly with backend management systems. Achieving this certification confirms that Blink’s chargers comply with both OCPP modules currently available for testing, ensuring interoperability across networks and enabling customers to connect to their preferred platform. Only 68 charger models worldwide have achieved OCPP 2.0 certification, including Blink’s…

California has awarded $1.1 million to New York-based charging startup It’s Electric to develop what could be the world’s first curbside vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charger, the state’s energy commission said on Monday. The funding, part of the California Energy Commission’s Electric Program Investment Charge initiative, supports research under the Enabling Electric Vehicles as Distributed Energy Resources program. It’s Electric will collaborate with UC Berkeley and the University of Delaware to bring the technology to market by 2028. Unlike conventional chargers, the curbside unit will allow energy to flow back into the grid directly from parked EVs, turning them into distributed energy…

Foxconn Interconnect Technology, a unit of Taiwan’s Foxconn, said on Wednesday its Saudi Arabian joint venture will begin building an electric vehicle (EV) charger factory in December, marking its first manufacturing base in the Middle East. The plant, part of the Smart Mobility venture launched in May with Saudi partner Saleh Suleiman Alrajhi and Sons, is scheduled to start production in 2026, FIT chairman Sidney Lu told an event in Taipei. The company, also known as FIT, produces connectivity components and server parts. “One of our targets as a country in Saudi Arabia (is that) by 2030, 30% of the…

Daimler Buses said it has sent its first hydrogen-powered coach, the Setra “H₂ Coach,” on test drives in Germany, marking a step toward expanding its range of locally emission-free long-distance buses. The technology carrier, based on the Setra S 517 HD model, uses fuel cell components derived from the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck developed by parent company Daimler Truck. Equipped with two hydrogen tanks holding 46 kilograms and a cellcentric fuel cell unit, the vehicle targets a minimum range of 800 kilometers on a full tank. The system delivers 300 kW of electrical output, which is converted by an electric motor…

The performance variant of Xiaomi’s YU7 electric crossover, reportedly named YU7 GT, was seen undergoing testing on Germany’s Nurburgring Nordschleife, highlighting the company’s push into the high-performance electric SUV segment. The YU7 GT follows the recent domestic launch of the standard YU7 crossover and will adopt styling cues that differentiate it from the base model. Observers noted wide wheel arches, lower ground clearance, and a distinctive red-and-white camouflage livery. The vehicle also features a large ducktail spoiler, frameless side mirrors, flush door handles, and a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, suggesting a focus on both performance and advanced driver assistance systems. According…

KG Mobility’s electric pickup, the Musso EV, has surpassed 6,000 cumulative sales just over six months after its domestic launch, meeting its annual sales target ahead of schedule. The company announced the milestone on Sept. 17, noting that customer deliveries began in mid-March. The Musso EV recorded strong initial demand, with 3,200 cumulative contracts in the first two weeks after launch. An online-exclusive version sold out in just 1 hour and 30 minutes, signaling robust market interest. “It recorded cumulative contracts of 3,200 units within two weeks of launch, and the online-exclusive model sold out in just 1 hour and…

Wireless charging company Electreon has signed a collaboration agreement with ATLoS, a Portugal-based autonomous vehicle (AV) manufacturer owned by ProCME Group, to integrate its technology into autonomous transport systems for industrial settings. The partnership aims to combine wireless charging with autonomous driving in fixed-route environments such as warehouses, logistics hubs and manufacturing compounds. By embedding charging coils into the ground along routes or at loading docks, ATLoS’s AVs can recharge while moving or at rest, reducing downtime and eliminating the need for manual charging. The initial project will see Electreon provide hardware, software and technical support to fit its charging…

Mitsubishi Motors will launch its first fully electric SUV for Europe, the Eclipse Cross, by late 2025, while Nissan will roll out its next-generation electric Micra in the same timeframe, the automakers said on Tuesday. Both models will be produced on Renault Group’s Ampere platforms at the Douai plant in northern France. The announcement came as senior executives from the alliance visited Douai, including Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa, Mitsubishi Motors CEO Takao Kato, Renault’s newly appointed CEO François Provost, and Alliance Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard. The meeting underscored the group’s push to expand its electric vehicle offerings in Europe. “European governments…

The BMW Group said Jean-Philippe Parain will take over as head of MINI on October 1, 2025, succeeding Stefan Richmann in the latest leadership reshuffle at the brand. It marks MINI’s third change at the top in just over a year. Parain, who joined BMW France in 1997, has held senior roles across Europe and internationally, including president and CEO of BMW Group Belux, head of MINI Europe, and head of sales region Europe. Most recently, he oversaw sales in Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, where the company reported strong growth and premium segment leadership. “We are…

Nissan has launched the sixth-generation Micra, now fully electric, marking a significant step in its European EV strategy. The compact hatchback made its first public appearance on the streets of Rotterdam, highlighting its responsive handling, intuitive technology, and versatile design aimed at making everyday all-electric driving more accessible. The new Micra is built on the AmpR small-car platform, which enables a low center of gravity, compact footprint, and optimized weight distribution. Weighing 1,500kg, it features multi-link rear suspension and direct steering for a nimble driving experience, whether navigating narrow urban roads or longer rural routes. Despite its size, the Micra…

Xpeng  released the first official images of its extended-range version of the G7 sport utility vehicle on Thursday, saying the model will launch in the first quarter of next year. The G7 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) is the latest addition to the company’s Super Extended-Range lineup. “The Xpeng G7 Super Extended-Range Edition will set a new generation standard! See you in the first quarter of next year!” the company wrote in a post on Weibo. The new variant is built on an 800-volt high-voltage platform and will be equipped with a large battery capable of 5C ultra-fast charging, according to…

Japanese equipment maker Komatsu has announced a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley-based Applied Intuition to co-develop a unified software-defined vehicle (SDV) and autonomy platform for mining equipment. The system, described by both companies as the “central brain” of Komatsu’s next generation of machinery, is aimed at boosting productivity, reducing downtime, and improving operational precision across global mining operations. Peter Salditt, president of Komatsu’s Mining Business Division and CEO of Komatsu Mining Technologies, said the partnership represents “a step change in delivering innovative, high-performance technology,” adding that it would allow Komatsu equipment to evolve continuously to meet the unique requirements of…