Author: Jonathan Collins

The Genesis G70 sedan, currently the South Korean luxury brand’s most affordable model starting at $42,500, could be discontinued after the 2027 model year as the automaker pivots toward SUVs and electric vehicles, according to a new report from Automotive News. Although the G70 was Genesis’ third-best-selling vehicle last year, the brand is gradually reducing its sedan offerings as consumer demand continues to favor larger vehicles and EVs. The report said industry analysts do not expect the G70 to see a second generation, and the phase-out is anticipated to be global. Genesis has not officially confirmed the discontinuation. “We have…

McKinstry, a U.S.-based design, construction, and building operations firm, has marked a milestone in its decarbonization strategy by adding its 100th all-electric Chevrolet Silverado work truck to its fleet. The move is part of the company’s broader goal to operate an emissions-free service fleet. “McKinstry is putting EVs into action,” said Joseph Hagar, president and chief financial officer of McKinstry. “Each EV advances innovation on our job sites. These are more than trucks, SUVs and vans — they’re mobile workstations driving real impact.” The company now operates 114 battery-electric vehicles, including Chevrolet Silverado EVs, Blazer EVs, Equinox EVs, and BrightDrop…

UK battery-electric van (BEV) registrations surged 72.6% in July compared with the same month a year earlier, reaching 2,442 units and marking the eighth consecutive month of year-on-year growth, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Tuesday. The rise comes amid growing model availability, with more than 40 BEV van variants now on sale across the market, spanning payloads from small urban runabouts to heavy-duty large vans, and price points designed to appeal to both small businesses and large fleet operators. Manufacturers are investing heavily in zero-emission light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to comply with the UK government’s…

Tesla’s customer loyalty in the United States dropped sharply after CEO Elon Musk publicly backed then-presidential candidate Donald Trump, before recovering following the pair’s split, according to new data from S&P Global Mobility. The market research firm analysed vehicle registration data from all 50 U.S. states, showing that in June 2024, 73% of Tesla drivers who bought a new car chose another Tesla. The turning point came a month later, when Musk declared he “fully supported” Trump shortly after an assassination attempt on the Republican candidate in Pennsylvania. Musk’s endorsement surprised many, as he had previously voted for Barack Obama…

Dongfeng Motor’s new energy vehicle brand Voyah has opened pre-sales for the updated Zhiyin SUV, priced at 220,000 yuan ($30,630) and aimed at competing with Tesla’s Model Y in China’s premium electric SUV segment. The latest Zhiyin model incorporates Huawei’s Qiankun ADS 4 smart driving assistance system and HarmonySpace 5 cabin technology. It is larger than the previous version, measuring 4,810 mm in length with a wheelbase of 2,925 mm. The SUV is available in single-motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive configurations, with the rear-wheel drive producing 230 kW (313 hp) and the front motor in the AWD version…

Lightship, a U.S. startup aiming to bring electric power to the recreational vehicle industry, said on Tuesday it has begun production of its first battery-powered travel trailer, the AE.1 Cosmos Edition, at its plant in Colorado. The move marks a key milestone for the company, which was founded in 2020 by former Tesla employees Ben Parker and Toby Kraus. The Cosmos Edition, first made available for sale late last year, is now sold out, the company said, with the first customer deliveries expected by the end of summer. The launch comes after Lightship secured $34 million in Series B funding…

General Motors is renewing its efforts in autonomous driving, shifting its focus from its defunct Cruise robotaxi division to developing advanced driver-assistance systems for private vehicles. The strategy is being shaped with input from Sterling Anderson, the former head of Tesla’s Autopilot programme, who joined GM as chief product officer earlier this year. The U.S. automaker was once regarded as a leader in self-driving technology, having launched Cruise in 2016 with backing from Microsoft and Honda. However, a series of incidents in San Francisco in 2023, including a collision that left a pedestrian seriously injured, damaged the programme’s reputation. California…

Vauxhall has confirmed that its entire range of electric cars is now eligible for the UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG), giving buyers a £1,500 reduction on list prices. The offer covers the electric versions of the Corsa, Mokka, Frontera, Astra, Astra Sports Tourer, Grandland and Combo Life, and can be combined with existing manufacturer incentives. In addition to the grant, Vauxhall is offering 0% PCP finance on most electric models, with a manufacturer deposit contribution of up to £1,500 on Corsa Electric and Mokka Electric, and £500 on Astra Electric and Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The scheme requires a…

The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) has activated a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) system that allows its electric school buses to feed power back into the electric grid during high-demand periods. Developed in partnership with The Mobility House, this project leverages the district’s electric bus fleet to bolster community energy resilience and reduce operational costs. The system uses The Mobility House’s ChargePilot® technology to manage bidirectional charging, enabling buses to discharge electricity during emergency events notified by Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) through the Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). This first phase includes multiple chargers and smart charge management that balances vehicle…

Siemens has made a strategic investment in Emporia Energy, becoming a part shareholder in the smart home energy management company. The collaboration seeks to advance the Inhab® platform, providing homeowners with tools to monitor and manage their energy usage more effectively as residential electrification increases. The partnership builds on previous cooperation between the two companies, including the launch of the Inhab® Energy Monitor. This device offers real-time insights into home energy consumption, covering appliances, electric vehicle chargers, and solar power generation, helping users optimize efficiency and reduce costs. Jacob Middleton, Head of Residential Electrical Products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure USA,…

Renault’s China-based R&D team is developing a new range of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) on Geely’s GEA platform, with production aimed at overseas markets including Southeast Asia and Latin America, AutoPix reported. The collaboration could mark the first external supply of Geely’s latest vehicle architecture. The upcoming models will be SUV-type vehicles available in both pure electric and plug-in hybrid variants. While Renault will design the vehicle bodies, the chassis and core architecture will be based on Geely’s Galaxy brand models, a move intended to reduce costs and speed up development timelines. The GEA platform currently underpins Geely’s flagship Galaxy…

BMW is promoting its i5 eDrive40 electric sedan in the United States with a lease offer that could reduce monthly payments to as low as $499. The deal, available until September 30, includes a $9,900 lease credit, combined with dealer contributions and capitalized cost reductions. The 36-month lease arrangement features a $9,900 credit alongside a suggested $3,500 dealer contribution and a $4,225 capitalized cost reduction, allowing qualified applicants to lease the single-motor rear-wheel-drive sedan with payments starting at $499 per month. According to BMW, some lessees may not be required to provide a security deposit. Lessees have the option to…

Ford Motor Co said on Monday it will launch a new midsize electric pickup built on its Universal EV Platform, aiming to offer lower ownership costs than a Tesla Model Y and more passenger space than a Toyota RAV4, with a starting price of around $30,000. The upcoming electric pickup will be assembled at Ford’s Louisville Assembly Plant and is part of the company’s broader strategy to introduce affordable electric vehicles designed to optimize efficiency and reduce costs, the company said. https://twitter.com/jimfarley98/status/1954906020494397497 “We took a radical approach to a very hard challenge: Create affordable electric vehicles that delight customers in…

A new study by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) has revealed significant differences between the official range figures of electric vehicles (EVs) and their actual performance in real-world driving, with some models delivering considerably less than advertised. The government-funded four-year testing program assessed five EV models from various brands on a standardized driving route. All five recorded shorter driving ranges than their official claims, though the scale of the shortfall varied greatly between models. See also: MIT Study Finds Dynamic Speed Control at Intersections Could Cut Carbon Emissions by Up to 22% The largest gap was observed in the BYD…

Polestar has announced an expansion of its retail network in Australia, including the opening of a new test drive and handover centre in Canberra. The move aims to improve accessibility for buyers in a key Australian market as the company continues its global shift toward active selling. Since January 2025, Polestar has added five new retail locations across South Australia, regional Victoria, and western Sydney. The new Canberra centre is expected to facilitate both online and in-store customer experiences. See also: Polestar 3 Gains Abbey Road Studios Audio Mode in New Software Update Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard said…

Leapmotor, a Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer backed by Stellantis, has introduced a dedicated car carrier to support its growing international business. The move comes as the company accelerates exports to Europe and expands its presence in overseas markets. The vessel, named “Grande Tianjin,” was delivered in Shanghai in collaboration with the Grimaldi Group, a multinational logistics firm specializing in maritime transport. Built for vehicle shipments, the carrier is capable of transporting more than 2,500 Leapmotor electric vehicles to Europe in a single voyage. Grimaldi has been providing Leapmotor with steady shipping capacity since 2022, enabling monthly transport of…

SoftBank is reportedly the buyer of the former General Motors factory in Lordstown, Ohio, previously owned by Foxconn, Bloomberg News said. The Japanese conglomerate plans to use the site to build AI servers as part of the Stargate data center project with OpenAI and Oracle. The sale was announced by Foxconn last week, with the buyer identified only as “Crescent Dune LLC,” a Delaware entity formed in late July. “Neither company immediately responded to requests for comment,” according to the report. The deal also includes electric vehicle manufacturing equipment that had been inside the facility. It remains uncertain how the…

Berlin’s public transport operator BVG has begun construction of a new electric bus depot in Marienfelde, part of the city’s broader effort to expand zero-emission public transport infrastructure. The site on Säntisstraße is scheduled for completion in 2027 and will accommodate up to 220 electric buses. The new depot will include two workshop halls, an administration building, and 209 overnight charging points capable of up to 150 kW, along with nine ultra-fast charging stations offering up to 450 kW. BVG also plans to install a transfer station, inverter stations, and charging masts to support future electric double-decker buses. The project…

Kenyan electric bus manufacturer BasiGo has deployed 100 electric buses across Kenya and Rwanda and aims to increase that number to 1,000 by 2027, aligning with the Kenyan government’s broader eMobility goals. The company began series production of its flagship nine-metre E9 Kubwa electric bus in Kenya in 2024. Designed for urban transport, the bus accommodates up to 54 passengers and incorporates a 210 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied by China’s CATL. BasiGo claims the bus can travel up to 400 kilometres daily with a fast-charging stop, taking less than two hours to fully recharge. “We shall be…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Zeekr plans to update four of its existing models and introduce two new SUVs by the end of the year, in a bid to improve transparency over product changes and strengthen its position in the market. The Geely-owned brand said it will roll out upgrades to the Zeekr X compact EV, Zeekr 007 sedan, Zeekr 001 shooting brake, and Zeekr 7X SUV in the fourth quarter. The Zeekr X update, scheduled for September or later in the year, will add the company’s Golden Battery – a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack first unveiled in December 2023…