Author: Jonathan Collins

Ford Motor will increase the usable battery capacity of its E-Transit Custom van and E-Tourneo Custom passenger variant to 70 kilowatt-hours from early 2026, lifting the maximum WLTP driving range to up to 370 kilometres and cutting charging times, the company said. The update marks an improvement of about 13% in range compared with the current 64 kWh net battery, which is rated at up to 337 km under the WLTP test cycle. Ford said the higher usable capacity will be achieved without changing the physical battery hardware. “We can now utilise a higher proportion of the energy content,” a…

The European Union may allow new combustion-engine vehicles beyond 2035 under revised climate regulations, provided they run exclusively on low- or zero-emission fuels, EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said, signalling potential flexibility in the bloc’s flagship decarbonisation policy for road transport. The comments come as the European Commission prepares a long-awaited review of its post-2035 CO₂ fleet targets, a move closely watched by the automotive industry. See also: Germany Seeks Broader Technology Scope in EU Review of 2035 Zero-Emission Car Rule In an interview with Germany’s Handelsblatt, Tzitzikostas said the EU was “open to all technologies” and would incorporate “all…

Thailand’s Xing Mobility and German engineering service provider Ideenion have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop advanced battery systems for vehicles, marine platforms and stationary energy storage, with a primary focus on European markets, the companies said. Under the agreement, the partners will combine Xing Mobility’s immersion-cooling and cell-to-pack battery expertise with Ideenion’s experience in full-vehicle engineering and system integration. Xing Mobility, a Taiwan-based battery technology developer with production operations in Thailand, will contribute its immersion-cooled battery architectures, while Ideenion, headquartered in Gaimersheim, will bring its capabilities in automotive design and integration for clients including Audi, BMW and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast is considering equipping some models with small petrol engines to recharge batteries and extend driving range, Reuters reported on Monday, citing three people familiar with the plan and job advertisements, signalling a potential partial shift from its all-electric strategy. The Nasdaq-listed automaker is seeking to lift sales and expand overseas as growing losses weigh on parent company Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate. One source said a team was tasked in November to explore converting the VF9 SUV into a range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), while another said hybrid options are also under review. All sources said the…

Cyprus is preparing to launch a new government subsidy programme for the purchase of electric and hybrid vehicles later this year, with a total budget of €4.5 million and incentives of up to €9,000 for zero-emission cars, according to a report by Kathimerini. The scheme, coordinated by the Ministry of Transport and the Road Traffic Authority, is expected to support around 450 vehicle purchases and is designed to stimulate demand for new electric and hybrid models. The move comes as Cyprus continues efforts to accelerate the transition to low-emission transport amid slowing momentum in parts of the local EV market.…

British startup Morris Commercial will manufacture its electric revival of the classic Morris J-Type van in Wales, with production now targeted for late 2025 and a market launch planned for late 2026, the company and Welsh government said. The timeline marks a significant delay from the original launch plan in 2021 for the retro-styled electric commercial vehicle. The company will build the Morris JE at its new facility in St Athan after securing financial support from the Welsh government through the Economy Futures Fund. In return, the project is expected to create around 150 jobs. Speaking to the BBC, Morris…

Rivian’s R1T Quad Motor equipped with the Max Pack has delivered supercar-level acceleration in independent testing, underscoring the rapid performance gains achieved by high-power electric pickup trucks. According to results published by Car and Driver, the electric truck accelerated from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.6 seconds, matching the figure recorded for the Tesla Cybertruck and placing it in the performance territory of high-end sports cars. The Rivian sustained its advantage at higher speeds, pulling ahead of the Cybertruck above 60 mph and extending the gap through the quarter-mile mark. See also: Rivian Confirms R3 Model Will Launch…

Tesla said 20,000 of its vehicles are now on the road in New Zealand, marking a new milestone for the U.S. electric car maker in one of its smaller Asia-Pacific markets. The update was shared by Tesla Australia & New Zealand on social media in a post thanking local owners, accompanied by the message “Ngā mihi Aotearoa,” a Māori expression of appreciation. See also: Tesla Offers Nearly $5,000 Discount on Full Self-Driving Software in Australia and New Zealand While modest compared with Tesla’s presence in larger markets such as the United States, Europe and Australia, the figure represents a significant…

The French government will continue its environmental incentive scheme for electric vehicle purchases into 2026, keeping the same legal framework introduced in the final quarter of 2025 in a move aimed at preserving policy stability and supporting the transition to cleaner transport. France’s EV incentive, known as the bonus écologique, is now determined by a combination of household income and the carbon footprint associated with vehicle and battery production. Since mid-2025, the government has shifted away from fixed subsidy caps, instead linking support levels to the fluctuating prices of energy savings certificates (CEE), which underpin the country’s energy efficiency policy.…

French petrochemical company TotalEnergies will cease operating its electric vehicle charging network in Singapore by the end of this year and transfer its assets to other charging point operators following the shutdown of car-sharing service BlueSG, the Straits Times reported. TotalEnergies took over more than 1,500 charging stations in Singapore in 2023 after acquiring infrastructure previously operated by Bolloré, which exited the market in 2021. The chargers were largely used by BlueSG’s fleet of shared electric vehicles under a long-standing operating agreement that allowed the cars to recharge and serve as pick-up and drop-off points. See also: TotalEnergies and Banque…

Karsan has completed the delivery of 17 of its 12-metre e-ATA battery-electric buses to the Turkish city of Mersin, marking the conclusion of a project supported by the European Union’s IPA II programme, the company said. Mersin, a Mediterranean port city with a population of more than one million, tendered the electric bus fleet as part of its cooperation with the EU to modernise public transport. Karsan secured the contract and has now handed over all vehicles to the municipality. See also: Beep to Launch Karsan Autonomous e-JEST Vehicles in Atlanta and Altamonte Springs by 2026 The supplied buses are…

MG Motor plans to introduce a compact electric vehicle in 2027 with a target price below £25,000, positioning the upcoming MG2 as the new entry-level model in its seven-vehicle electric lineup, Autocar reported, citing David Allison, head of MG Motor UK. The development marks a shift from earlier expectations that the model would debut in 2025 at around £20,000. According to Autocar, the MG2 is being prepared to compete with an expanding class of compact electric cars, including the Renault 5, Dacia Spring, Hyundai Inster, Stellantis models based on the Citroën e-C3, and Volkswagen’s ID. Polo-based offerings. See also: MG…