Author: Jonathan Collins

The rollout of electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging infrastructure in the United States is accelerating rapidly, with 2025 poised to become a record-breaking year, according to a new report from EV charging data firm Paren. The “State of the Industry Report: US EV Fast Charging – Q2 2025” forecasts the installation of 16,700 new DC fast charging ports in 2025, marking a 19% increase from the previous year. The report notes this comes on the heels of a record-setting 2024. In the second quarter alone, 4,242 new fast charging ports were activated across 784 stations, bringing the national total to 59,694—an…

Rio Tinto and Chile’s state-owned mining company Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI) have signed a binding agreement to establish a joint venture for the development of the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in the Atacama region. The agreement outlines Rio Tinto’s acquisition of a 51% interest in the project. The company has committed up to $425 million in cash and non-cash contributions, including its Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology. Cash contributions will be staged and used to fund a pre-feasibility study and subsequent assessments, subject to joint venture approvals at each stage. The transaction is expected to close in the first…

Air pollution has been increasingly recognized as a potential risk factor for dementia, and a new large-scale review published in The Lancet Planetary Health offers further evidence of a connection. The study, led by researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, found that long-term exposure to certain air pollutants is associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. The research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 51 studies involving over 29 million individuals from mostly high-income countries who had been exposed to air pollutants for at least a year. Of these,…

Slate Auto, a U.S. electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has selected the site of a former printing facility in Warsaw, Indiana, as the manufacturing base for its upcoming electric pickup, the Slate Truck. Production is expected to begin ahead of the truck’s targeted market debut at the end of 2026, according to Business Insider. The Warsaw facility spans approximately 130,000 square metres and formerly housed a printing operation that closed in 2023. The new electric vehicle plant is projected to create up to 2,000 jobs—well above the 500 jobs lost when the previous facility ceased operations.…

Tesla may be developing a smaller electric pickup truck as part of its efforts to expand into more global markets and diversify its product offerings, according to remarks made by a company executive over the weekend. Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Engineering, indicated at a Tesla owners and investors event in California that the company has long considered producing a smaller version of its Cybertruck. The vehicle’s unconventional design and size have limited its appeal and usability in certain regions, prompting internal discussions on how to better serve those markets. “We always talked about making a smaller pickup,” Moravy…

Hyundai Motor on Monday launched an updated version of its all-electric Ioniq 6 sedan in South Korea, boasting improved range, upgraded interior features, and new smart functionalities, making it the country’s longest-range domestic EV. The refreshed Ioniq 6 is equipped with Hyundai’s fourth-generation battery technology, enabling up to 562 km (349 miles) of range on a single charge — surpassing the Kia EV6’s 549 km (341 miles). The updated model is offered with two battery options: a 63 kWh standard-range version rated at 437 km (272 miles), and an 84 kWh long-range variant achieving the maximum range figure. Despite the…

Mercedes-Benz Vans is moving forward with the development of its upcoming all-electric vehicle, the VLE, scheduled for market launch in 2026. Designed to accommodate up to eight passengers, the vehicle is intended for a variety of uses, ranging from family transportation to shuttle services. Prototypes of the VLE have recently completed several phases of testing, including aerodynamic evaluations at the company’s wind tunnel in Stuttgart. Despite being camouflaged, the vehicles demonstrated a low drag coefficient, aided by a roofline and rear section designed to optimize airflow and efficiency. Additional performance testing was conducted at the Nardò test track in Southern…

EO Charging has partnered with Horizon Energy Ventures to roll out fully funded electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom, aiming to support the transition of public transport fleets to electric power through a Charging-as-a-Service (CaaS) model. The collaboration includes a bundled offering that covers charging hardware, software, installation, and ongoing maintenance under a predictable monthly fee, removing the need for upfront capital investment from fleet operators. The first deployment will begin in London with Transport UK, with plans to scale the initiative across the country. The projects will be underpinned by EO’s Charge Assurance platform, which manages…

British clean energy firm Ceres Power Holdings said on Monday that Doosan Fuel Cell, a subsidiary of South Korea’s Doosan Corporation, has started mass production of fuel cell stacks using Ceres’ solid oxide technology. The production marks the first time one of Ceres’ strategic license partners has entered mass manufacturing of its technology. The fuel cell stacks and power systems will be built at Doosan’s newly completed facility in Jeollabuk-do province, South Korea, with a targeted annual output capacity of 50 megawatts of electrical power. “Fuel cells have a major part to play in meeting the world’s rapidly-increasing power demands,…

Rivian’s updated R1T and R1S electric vehicles offer over 1,000 horsepower and advanced quad-motor powertrains, delivering strong performance across diverse terrain. But while the setup enables precise torque control, off-road enthusiasts say it still has limitations compared with traditional mechanical systems. In a recent test near Lake Tahoe, video host Roman Mica navigated a revised R1T over a steep rock pile, demonstrating the vehicle’s off-road capability. Though the Rivian eventually climbed the obstacle, it exhibited noticeable wheel slip and required significant throttle input to maintain momentum—challenges not typically faced by vehicles with locking differentials. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMBtu1dK6oM “A four-motor EV powertrain is…

Samsung Electronics has secured a $16.5 billion chip supply contract with Tesla, according to CEO Elon Musk, marking a key win for the South Korean firm’s contract chipmaking business amid ongoing efforts to compete with top rivals such as TSMC and SK Hynix. Samsung had announced the agreement on Saturday, without naming the customer, citing a confidentiality request. The deal, set to run through 2033, represents one of Samsung’s largest chip contracts to date and comes as its foundry unit faces mounting losses and competition in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Tesla’s Musk confirmed the partnership on social media platform X, stating…

Xpeng is reportedly adjusting its product strategy for the G6 SUV, as the launch of its more advanced G7 SUV has led to an overlap in pricing and features. According to local media outlet AutoPix, the Chinese electric vehicle maker is preparing a cost-reduction plan for the G6, with potential savings of RMB 10,000 to RMB 20,000 ($1,400–$2,800) per unit. The revised G6, with a project code updated from F30b to F30be, is expected to enter production in the fourth quarter of this year. While the design and core functionality of the vehicle will remain largely unchanged, Xpeng plans to…

New vehicle manufacturing in the UK declined by 11.9% year-on-year to 417,232 units in the first half of 2025, according to figures published on Wednesday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline was partly offset by a modest rebound in car production in June, which rose 6.6% compared to a disrupted month in 2024. The overall fall was driven by restructuring in commercial vehicle manufacturing, where output dropped 45.4% to 31,422 units. Year-to-date car production also dipped 7.3% to 385,810 units. Nonetheless, production of electrified cars – including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles – edged…

French carmaker Renault reported flat sales in the second quarter, as a significant drop in European van demand offset gains in its passenger car segment, the company said. Sales volumes for the three months to June were down 0.1%, a reversal from 2.8% growth recorded in the first quarter. The company had warned last week of a soft June, revising its full-year operating margin and free cash flow guidance downward. “Demand is difficult, we sense an economic context full of uncertainty, certainly leading companies to postpone a certain number of purchases,” said Ivan Segal, global sales and operations director for…

Tesla is preparing to launch its robotaxi ride-hailing platform in several U.S. states, including California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada, as part of a broader strategy to rapidly expand its autonomous vehicle network. The company said it plans to increase the geofenced operational area of its current pilot in Austin, Texas by tenfold in the coming weeks. The expansion follows internal evaluations of the Austin trial, which Tesla executives say provided scalable insights that can be applied nationwide. The company is aiming to extend its robotaxi service to cover 50% of the U.S. population by the end of 2025. According to…

Vietnamese automaker VinFast has introduced the VF 7, a C-segment electric SUV, in Indonesia, expanding its product range in one of Southeast Asia’s largest automotive markets. The launch, held at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2025, marks the company’s fifth model offering in the country. The VF 7 is available in two variants: the VF 7 Eco and the VF 7 Plus. The vehicles are priced at IDR 499 million and IDR 599 million respectively (on-the-road, battery included). Early buyers—either the first 200 customers or those taking delivery by September 1—are eligible for promotional prices of IDR 468…

BYD has introduced its lowest-cost electric vehicle, the Seagull, to the Indonesian market under the local name Atto 1, the Chinese automaker announced at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2025. The launch marks the debut of the right-hand drive version of the model, targeting affordability in Southeast Asia’s growing EV sector. The Atto 1 is available in two variants: The Dynamic model includes a 30.08-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery offering a 300-kilometer range, while the Premium is equipped with a 38.88-kWh battery pack, delivering up to 380 kilometers of driving range. “With its modern design language, energy-efficient technology,…

Tesla plans to allow personally owned vehicles to join its robotaxi network as early as 2026, CEO Elon Musk said during the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call. The update signals a broader rollout of Tesla’s autonomous ride-hailing ambitions, which began with a pilot program in Austin, Texas, using company-owned vehicles. “I’d say confidently next year,” Musk said when asked when private Tesla vehicles could be added to the fleet. “I’m not sure when next year, but confidently next year.” Tesla launched its initial robotaxi fleet in June with up to 20 Model Y vehicles operating within a limited geo-fenced zone…

Hyundai’s forthcoming Ioniq 6 N, a high-performance electric version of its sleek sedan, could debut in the United States with a price approaching $68,000—placing it well above the Tesla Model 3 Performance, according to pricing estimates based on South Korean market data. Recent reports indicate the Ioniq 6 N is expected to launch at around 77 million won in South Korea, the same starting price as the Ioniq 5 N. In the U.S., the Ioniq 5 N currently retails for $67,800, suggesting the Ioniq 6 N may carry a similar price when it becomes available in North America. See also:…

Toyota announced plans on Tuesday to begin local production of the facelifted bZ4X electric vehicle (EV) in Indonesia, marking the Japanese automaker’s first domestically manufactured EV in the country. The news was revealed during a press conference at the 2025 GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). The move comes three years after the company introduced the original bZ4X in Indonesia. By assembling the refreshed bZ4X locally, Toyota aims to support Indonesia’s efforts to accelerate EV adoption and take advantage of favorable government incentives. Under current rules, electric vehicles with at least 40% local content qualify for a reduced value-added tax…