Author: Jonathan Collins

Jaguar Land Rover has joined a consortium with LiBatt Recycling, Mint Innovation and WMG at the University of Warwick to develop large-scale recycling of end-of-life electric vehicle batteries in the UK, backed by £8.1 million in funding. The three-year project, running until 2028 in the West Midlands, will focus on low-carbon hydrometallurgical refining of black mass from lithium-ion batteries, recovering lithium, nickel and cobalt for reuse. The initiative aims to support a domestic circular supply chain at a time when the UK is expected to generate around 235 kilotonnes of EV battery waste by 2040. Half of the funding, £4.05…

His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said it will introduce a two-tier reimbursement system for electric company car drivers from Sept. 1, replacing the current flat rate structure. Under the new rules, company car drivers will be able to claim 8 pence per mile (ppm) when charging at home and 12 ppm when using public charging points. The change marks a shift from the existing Advisory Electric Rate (AER), which has been set at 7 ppm since September 2024. The single-rate system, first introduced in 2018 at 4 ppm, has faced criticism for being too simplistic compared to the Advisory…

Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe said a renewed focus on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in the United States could create a thinner competitive landscape for electric vehicle (EV) makers like Rivian and Tesla, even as he warned the trend was a setback for the auto industry and future generations. Speaking on the “InsideEVs” podcast, Scaringe described what he saw as a “reprioritization of capital towards internal combustion,” calling it “very bad for my kids and their kids, and very bad for the US auto industry.” He noted that new ICE programs and plants are being announced despite automakers having pledged…

Multinational equipment manufacturer SANY has introduced a 50-ton electric reach stacker that incorporates an energy recovery system modeled on Formula 1’s KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), aiming to improve efficiency and reduce costs for logistics and energy storage operators. The first units are expected to be delivered to customers building utility-scale energy storage projects by the end of this month. KERS, widely used in Formula 1 during the late 2000s and 2010s, converts the kinetic energy lost during braking into electricity, which is then stored in a battery or flywheel. SANY has adapted the principle for heavy lifting operations, feeding…

Three-quarters of UK van drivers now consider a fully electric van suitable for their business, up from 67% in 2023, according to research published by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The findings come as electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rose more than 50% year-on-year to June 2025. The survey of 1,000 UK van drivers highlighted cost-effectiveness as a primary factor, with 62% saying electric vans would be cheaper to run than petrol or diesel models. Charging time (49%) and driving range (43%) remain the top concerns. However, 69% of respondents who do not currently operate an electric van expect to buy…

Daimler Truck’s Japanese subsidiary Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Taiwan’s Foxconn have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore strategic cooperation in electric bus development, production and distribution, the companies said. The agreement confirms reports earlier this year that the two sides were in advanced talks. Under the plan, Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing and Foxconn’s automotive unit Foxtron Vehicle Technologies will work together on the supply chain, production and distribution of battery-powered buses, including adaptations of Foxtron’s existing Model T and Model U designs. The Model T, a 12-metre city bus with a range of around 400…

Alphabet-owned Waymo said it has introduced a new feature that allows passengers to schedule rides in advance, part of ongoing efforts to expand its autonomous ride-hailing service. The option enables users to select a pickup time through the Waymo app. “Set your pickup time, we’ll handle the rest. Now you can plan a ride with Waymo ahead of time, on your terms,” the company said. https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1960039470763262329 The update comes as Waymo last week received authorization to test its self-driving vehicles on public roads in New York City, marking the first time the city has granted such approval. The permit allows…

Camouflaged prototypes of what appears to be a long-wheelbase version of Xiaomi’s SU7 electric sedan have been captured in spy photographs shared by automotive blogger @风清颂, fueling speculation the Chinese electronics group is preparing an executive-focused variant of its debut car. The test vehicle, informally dubbed the “SU7 L,” retains the fastback profile of the standard SU7 but appears visibly stretched behind the B-pillar. Estimates suggest its overall length could extend to 5.2 metres, compared with the current 4,997 mm, with the wheelbase lengthened by 80–150 mm. The modification is expected to improve rear passenger space, a feature often prioritised…

Tern has launched two new electric bikes in collaboration with Airstream, aiming to provide RV owners with compact and versatile mobility options. The collection includes special edition versions of Tern’s Vektron S10 folding e-bike and HSD P5I compact cargo e-bike, both featuring Airstream’s signature polished aluminum design. The Vektron S10 Airstream model combines folding convenience with full-size performance, powered by Bosch’s Performance line drive system and capable of carrying cargo or a passenger. The HSD P5I Airstream, a compact electric cargo bike, offers utility in a nimble package for errands, campsite use, or short trips from an RV site. Both…

Subaru has begun testing all-solid-state batteries at its Oizumi plant in Japan, initially deploying the technology in industrial robots used to automate production, the company said. The batteries, which can last more than a decade without replacement, are currently too small to power vehicles, according to Automotive News. The automaker plans to begin testing solid-state batteries in vehicles by the end of the month, although a commercial EV using the technology is not expected in the near term. Maxwell Ltd., which manufactures the ceramic-packaged all-solid-state batteries, is focusing on smaller battery packs for industrial equipment while exploring potential automotive applications…

Jeep has returned the Cherokee SUV to the market after a two-year hiatus with a new hybrid powertrain for the 2026 model year, as the automaker emphasizes hybrid technology over fully electric vehicles. The 2026 Cherokee combines a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a battery to deliver 210 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque. Jeep estimates the hybrid SUV will achieve over 500 miles of range and approximately 37 miles per gallon, exceeding the fuel efficiency of several competitors. The new model features updated styling, including a more upright stance, increased length and height, and LED…

BYD’s sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao will launch and deliver the Tai 7 SUV, the second model in its Tai product line, in September, the company said. Brand head Xiong Tianbo confirmed the plan in a Q&A session on Weibo, adding that the first batch of display vehicles is expected to arrive at Fang Cheng Bao stores by the end of August. The first production model of the Tai 7 rolled off the assembly line on August 11, preparing for deliveries in the fourth quarter. The Tai 7 measures 4,999 mm in length, 1,995 mm in width and 1,865 mm in…