Author: Jonathan Collins

German electric aircraft startup Vaeridion has taken over a specialised building at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport previously used by insolvent rival Lilium, raising questions about the future of Lilium’s planned takeover by investment group AAMG. The facility, which was built for battery production and includes a fireproof room and acoustic testing halls, was leased to Vaeridion in recent days, according to German business publication Wirtschaftswoche. The startup has also been given clearance to buy equipment from the site, including laser welding technology. “We have already received confirmation from Lilium’s insolvency administrator that we can purchase the technology belonging to the building,” Vaeridion…

Porsche and Audi said on Friday that their electric vehicle (EV) customers will soon be able to use Tesla’s Supercharger network across the United States and Canada, expanding charging access as competition in the EV market intensifies. Starting Sept. 9, Porsche drivers will be able to connect to more than 23,500 Tesla Superchargers in the region. Audi said select e-tron models will begin gaining access later in September. Both brands will rely on adapters to connect to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). Porsche is rolling out its NACS DC adapter with an initial “soft launch” requiring drivers to activate…

Tesla said it will raise lease payments for its Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in the United States later this month, giving customers a limited period to lock in current terms before higher costs take effect. Starting Sept. 21, lease prices will increase by $50 per month for the Model 3 and $80 per month for the Model Y, the company said. Current offers include $299 per month for the Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive and $399 per month for the Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive. The change comes just days before the expiration of the $7,500…

RecycLiCo has acquired a 10,047-square-foot building in Delta, British Columbia, to serve as its headquarters and operational hub. The facility will accommodate the company’s executive offices, a demonstration plant for battery recycling, and an in-house analytical laboratory. The building, which includes high-power infrastructure and transportation access, is intended to support expanded testing, quality control, and further development of the company’s hydrometallurgical technology. This technology is designed for both battery recycling and processing newly-mined ore and other sources of critical minerals. https://twitter.com/RecycLiCo/status/1963247632345682018 Richard Sadowsky, RecycLiCo’s Interim Chief Executive Officer, said the acquisition provides the company with additional capacity to advance commercial…

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…