Author: Jonathan Collins

Li Auto has launched pre-sales for its first all-electric sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Li i8, entering the premium electric vehicle market with pricing that exceeds that of its key competitor, the Onvo L90 from Nio’s (NYSE: NIO) sub-brand. Pre-orders for the six-seat Li i8 opened on Wednesday, with an estimated price range of RMB 350,000 ($48,760) to RMB 400,000. The company plans to announce official pricing at a launch event on July 29, with customer deliveries expected to begin in late August. Early buyers who place pre-orders before July 29 will be eligible for priority delivery. The Li i8…

Sønderborg Airport has become the first airport in Denmark to host a domestic flight operated by an all-electric aircraft, marking a milestone in the country’s efforts to decarbonise its transport sector. The flight, which took place on July 11, used a fully electric ALIA CTOL aircraft from U.S.-based manufacturer Beta Technologies to complete the 200-kilometre route from Sønderborg to Copenhagen. The electric aircraft, capable of flying up to 622 kilometres on a full charge, was deployed to demonstrate the viability of sustainable regional air travel. The initiative is closely tied to Sønderborg’s broader climate strategy, known as ProjectZero, which aims…

Uber has signed a multi-year strategic partnership with Chinese technology giant Baidu to integrate Apollo Go autonomous vehicles into its ride-hailing platform. The companies announced that thousands of Baidu’s robotaxis will be deployed through Uber in markets across Asia and the Middle East starting later this year, marking another step in Uber’s broader push into autonomous mobility. The agreement does not apply to the United States or mainland China, and initially, users won’t be able to directly request a Baidu vehicle. Instead, eligible riders may be offered the option to have their trip completed by one of Baidu’s fully autonomous…

Blink Charging announced plans to acquire 100% of the equity of Zemetric, a Silicon Valley-based electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure company specializing in fleet and high-utilization destination charging. The deal is expected to close on or before July 11, 2025, pending customary closing conditions. Zemetric, founded in 2022 by industry professionals, offers charging solutions designed for interoperability and scalability. The company provides hardware, software, and service offerings for commercial applications, and has focused on supporting electrification for fleet operators and multi-unit residential environments. Blink Charging stated that the acquisition is intended to enhance its product portfolio with Zemetric’s Level 2 charging…

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids increased 24% year-on-year in June, driven by continued demand in China and Europe, according to market research firm Rho Motion. However, sales declined in North America, reflecting policy shifts and a slowdown in Canadian and U.S. demand. Sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids reached 1.8 million units in June. China accounted for the majority of this growth, with registrations climbing 28% to 1.11 million vehicles. Europe followed with a 23% increase to about 390,000 units, while the “rest of the world” category — comprising emerging markets in Southeast Asia,…

Volkswagen has unveiled a limited-edition production model of its ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE, one year after its debut as a show car at the ID. Meeting in Locarno in 2024. Only 1,990 units of the high-performance electric hatchback will be produced, honouring the launch year of the original Golf II Fire and Ice from 1990. Available in two power variants—210 kW and 240 kW—the ID.3 GTX FIRE+ICE features a rear-mounted electric motor delivering up to 545 Nm of torque. Volkswagen claims acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 200 kph. The vehicle is powered…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has delivered the first two eActros 600 electric trucks to Dutch logistics provider Simon Loos, marking the initial phase of a 75-vehicle order announced last year. The trucks will be used for retail distribution by supermarket chain Lidl. The order, revealed during the IAA Transportation event in Hanover in 2023, more than doubles Simon Loos’s existing electric fleet from 60 to 135 vehicles. Most of the company’s current electric trucks were also supplied by Daimler Truck, including earlier eActros 300 models. “After months of intensive testing under various conditions, the two eActros 600 trucks have impressively proven their…

Volkswagen and its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC have closed their vehicle production plant in Nanjing, marking the first time the German automaker has shuttered a facility in China. The site, which primarily manufactured internal combustion engine (ICE) models such as the VW Passat and Skoda Superb, has ceased operations, with production expected to shift to SAIC-Volkswagen’s nearby Yizheng facility. Rumours of the plant’s closure surfaced last year, and Volkswagen has now confirmed the decision to German outlet Automobilwoche, following an initial report by Handelsblatt. Unlike previous adjustments such as VW’s exit from the controversial Xinjiang facility—which was sold rather…

German vehicle inspection company DEKRA and Chinese electric truck manufacturer Windrose have announced a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting safety standards for electric and automated transport systems across several global regions. The collaboration will cover areas such as battery and vehicle safety testing, battery state-of-health diagnostics using DEKRA’s proprietary methods, and the use of DEKRA’s international network to support Windrose operations in Europe, North America, Oceania, and Asia. According to a joint statement, the partnership seeks to support the implementation of consistent safety practices in new energy and autonomous vehicle technologies. “DEKRA and Windrose will drive harmonised safety standards across…

Gatwick Airport, the UK’s second-largest airport, will soon roll out its first fleet of fully electric shuttle buses as part of a new partnership with Spanish manufacturer Irizar e-mobility. The 14 all-electric ie tram buses will operate between long-stay car parks and terminal buildings, marking a significant step in the airport’s push toward low-emission transport. While technical specifications for Gatwick’s buses have not been disclosed, Irizar’s standard 18-metre ie tram models typically feature a 285 kW electric drivetrain and a battery range of around 350 km. To support rapid recharging, Gatwick will also install an “ultra-fast” pantograph system capable of…

Firefly, the budget electric vehicle (EV) sub-brand of Chinese automaker Nio, will begin customer deliveries in Europe at the end of July, starting in the Netherlands and Norway, the company said on Wednesday. The rollout is part of Firefly’s broader European expansion strategy, with the first markets chosen for their ability to support direct-to-consumer sales through Nio-owned showrooms, also known as Nio Houses. “We are able to move quickly in the Netherlands and Norway because of our direct retail network, which gives us greater control and agility,” said Daniel Ge, Firefly brand chief. In the Netherlands, customer test drives began…

Lucid Group has achieved a new milestone in electric vehicle performance, with its flagship Lucid Air Grand Touring setting a Guinness World Record by traveling 1,205 kilometers (749 miles) on a single charge. The record-setting journey, announced on Tuesday, exceeded the previous benchmark by 160 kilometers (99 miles). The record was set during a drive from St. Moritz, Switzerland, to Munich, Germany. The route included a combination of alpine roads, highways, and secondary streets, providing a varied terrain to test the vehicle’s efficiency. The prior record of 1,045 kilometers (649 miles) was established in June 2025. Lucid attributes the achievement…

Tesla will hold its annual shareholder meeting on November 6, the company said on Thursday, following calls from investors to set a date in accordance with legal obligations. The announcement came one day after a coalition of 27 major shareholders urged the electric vehicle maker to confirm a meeting date, citing governance concerns and the delayed release of the company’s annual proxy statement. Tesla also said it has set a new deadline of July 31 for the submission of shareholder proposals to be included in the upcoming proxy materials. The company last held its shareholder meeting in June 2024. In…

Stellantis Pro One has begun production of new battery-electric versions of its large ‘Cargo Box’ van and recreational vehicles at its Atessa facility in Italy, marking a key step in the company’s electrification strategy for commercial vehicles. The Atessa plant, the largest in Europe dedicated to large vans, will now support zero-emission production for both cargo and leisure transport markets. The Cargo Box, described by Stellantis as “the most capable BEV light commercial vehicle,” is built on the company’s Battery Electric Chassis Cab platform. It features a 110 kWh battery paired with a 200 kW electric drivetrain, delivering up to…

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said it will strengthen regulatory guidance for used vehicle exports to support the sector’s national rollout and ensure orderly development, as reported by CCTV News. At a regular press briefing, MOFCOM spokesperson He Yadong said the ministry will continue to coordinate with other government departments to implement the decision made in February 2024 to expand used car export operations nationwide. The announcement followed the conclusion of a pilot program first launched in 2019. Used vehicle trade is a common international practice, MOFCOM noted, and China is seeking to formalize the sector through stricter technical standards…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has begun pre-sales for the updated version of its C11 SUV, introducing a range of enhancements in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants. The updated model features notable hardware upgrades and higher pre-sale pricing, which typically signals possible reductions at the official launch. Pre-orders opened today, with the updated C11 EREV starting at RMB 158,800 ($22,170) and RMB 168,800 for its two variants—an increase of RMB 10,000 or 6.7% over the previous model. The C11 BEV variants are priced at RMB 165,800 and RMB 175,800, representing a RMB 14,000, or…

Dutch firms Rocsys and ICT Group have partnered to integrate hands-free electric vehicle (EV) charging with Smart Equipment Control Systems (Smart ECS), aiming to support autonomous operations and emission reduction targets in port and logistics sectors. The collaboration combines Rocsys’s robotic charging platform with ICT Group’s Smart ECS, creating a seamless interface for coordinating vehicle tasks and automated charging. The integrated system enables more efficient and scalable EV charging workflows with minimal human intervention, the companies said in a joint statement. “By working with strong partners like ICT Group, we’re delivering scalable, future-proof solutions that are ready for operational deployment,”…

Swissport is ramping up efforts to decarbonise its global airport ground operations with a €1.5 billion investment plan aimed at electrifying its ground support equipment (GSE) fleet and expanding renewable energy use over the next five years, the company said on Wednesday. The Zurich-based aviation services provider said 25% of its GSE fleet – which totals around 14,500 motorised units – is already electric, with significant progress made at major airports in Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. By 2032, Swissport aims to raise this share to 55%. In Switzerland, the company’s eGSE penetration has reached 43% at Zurich…

Ford Motor reported a 31.4% year-over-year drop in U.S. electric vehicle (EV) sales in the second quarter of 2025, delivering 16,438 units compared to 23,957 during the same period last year. The decline affected all three of Ford’s EV models and comes amid a model-year changeover and a recall that halted sales of its best-selling electric SUV. A Ford spokesperson said the drop was due to both the transition to the 2025 model year and a stop-sale order for the Mustang Mach-E. The recall, which affects nearly 200,000 vehicles in the U.S., involves a software issue that could prevent doors…

Tesla is nearing the completion of its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cell factory in Nevada, as the electric vehicle maker moves to localize production and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. The facility is expected to begin small-scale production soon. The new plant represents a strategic effort to mitigate the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions, which have intensified in recent years. Currently, Tesla sources LFP battery cells for its most affordable electric vehicles and energy storage products—such as the Megapack and Powerwall—primarily from China. Existing tariffs of 25% on Chinese battery cells, with the potential for further increases, have added urgency to…