Author: Jonathan Collins

Global sales of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles climbed 24% in May compared to a year earlier, reaching 1.6 million units, according to market research firm Rho Motion. The growth was driven largely by surging demand in China, where monthly electric vehicle (EV) sales topped one million units for the first time this year. Chinese automaker BYD contributed significantly to the growth through aggressive expansion into international markets. “BYD’s exports to Mexico and Southeast Asia, along with Uzbekistan, have significantly boosted sales in these regions,” said Charles Lester, data manager at Rho Motion. China’s EV sales rose more than 24%…

A coalition of 11 U.S. states led by California filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the repeal of federal waivers that allowed the state to enforce its ambitious electric vehicle (EV) and emissions regulations, including a planned 2035 ban on new gasoline-only vehicle sales. The lawsuit comes in response to former President Donald Trump’s signing of three congressional resolutions that nullify the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) prior approvals under the Biden administration. The repeals target California’s zero-emission vehicle mandates and diesel engine restrictions. “We officially rescue the U.S. auto industry from destruction by terminating the California electric vehicle mandate once…

Chery Automobile said it is expected to reach a cumulative total of 5 million exported vehicles later this month, which would mark a first for a Chinese carmaker. The company made the announcement at the Hong Kong auto show on Wednesday, adding that it exported approximately 440,000 vehicles between January and May this year. Chery has been the leading Chinese-brand passenger vehicle exporter for 22 consecutive years and currently operates in nearly 120 countries and regions. According to data compiled by CnEVPost, Chery exported 100,737 units in May, the second time this year its monthly exports surpassed 100,000. Total exports…

A group of Tesla owners in France has filed a lawsuit against the electric vehicle manufacturer at the Paris Commercial Court, claiming that the public actions and political positions of CEO Elon Musk have caused them reputational harm. The plaintiffs are seeking to terminate their lease contracts and recover legal costs. The legal action, involving about ten Tesla leaseholders, was announced by law firm GKA, which stated the case reflects growing unease among some European Tesla owners. According to lawyers Patrick Klugman and Ivan Terel, the plaintiffs allege that Tesla vehicles have become associated with far-right political movements, undermining their…

BYD’s  sub-brand Fang Cheng Bao has officially revealed the name of its upcoming SUV model as Tai 7. The announcement was made via the company’s official Weibo account, which also featured an image of the camouflaged vehicle. While detailed specifications have yet to be disclosed, the Tai 7 is anticipated to be a larger, more family-focused offering compared to the Tai 3. The new model is likely aimed at strengthening the brand’s position in China’s mainstream electric SUV market, particularly in segments with strong demand for spacious, family-oriented vehicles. Fang Cheng Bao, launched by BYD in August 2023, currently markets…

Hyundai Motor is equipped with a rare earths stockpile sufficient to support production for about one year and does not foresee any immediate disruption from China’s recent export restrictions, a person familiar with an internal investor call told Reuters. The disclosure comes as China’s decision in April to tighten controls on rare earths and related magnets has rattled supply chains essential to industries including automotive, aerospace, and semiconductors. China accounts for around 90% of global rare earth production. Hyundai, the world’s third-largest automaker when combined with affiliate Kia Corp, appears to be better positioned than many rivals, including Ford Motor…

The Kia EV3 has received the highest possible “Very Good” rating in the assisted driving evaluation conducted by Euro NCAP, Europe’s independent vehicle safety authority. This marks a significant achievement for Kia and Hyundai Motor Group, as the EV3 is the first model from the group to attain this top rating. Euro NCAP assessed the EV3’s Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) system, which integrates real-time driver monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring. The evaluation focused on two key categories: ‘assistance competence’ and ‘safety backup’, in which the vehicle scored 74 and 88 out of 100 points, respectively. The…

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the UK continued their upward trajectory in May, increasing by 25.5% year-on-year and reaching a 21.8% market share, according to the latest data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Despite the growth, the BEV sector is still falling short of the UK government’s 2025 target of 28%, with the current outlook projecting a full-year share of 20.9%. The overall new car market also posted modest growth, with registrations rising 1.6% to 150,070 units. Analysts attribute the strong BEV performance to consumer incentives and improved public confidence in the charging infrastructure.…

South Korean firm LS Materials has developed a new hybrid energy storage system (H-ESS) for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, combining lithium-ion batteries with high-performance capacitors to enhance fast-charging reliability and reduce operating costs. The hybrid system aims to support EV fast-charging infrastructure by enabling energy buffering during peak usage periods. According to the company, the H-ESS is more compact, safer and offers a service life five to ten times longer than conventional stationary energy storage systems used at charging sites. “The system allows stable charging of multiple vehicles even during peak times,” LS Materials said in a statement, noting…

Battery cell manufacturer AESC has temporarily paused construction of its $1.6 billion factory in Florence County, South Carolina, citing uncertainty around U.S. economic policy and market conditions. The plant, which is expected to supply BMW with cylindrical battery cells and create approximately 1,600 jobs, has already received over $1 billion in investment, according to a company statement. AESC said it remains committed to the project and intends to resume construction once conditions stabilize, though no specific timeline was provided. The pause comes amid growing industry concerns about proposed changes in U.S. trade policy and electric vehicle (EV) incentives. A draft…

Xpeng  announced that its upcoming G7 sport utility vehicle will be the first model to incorporate Huawei’s augmented reality heads-up display (AR-HUD) solution, marking a notable partnership between the two Chinese technology firms. While heads-up displays (HUDs) are common in modern vehicles, Xpeng highlighted on Weibo that delivering an effective AR-HUD remains a significant technical challenge. The system, jointly developed with Huawei, offers what the company described as “the industry’s most advanced HUD hardware and software capabilities.” The AR-HUD projects key driving information onto the windshield, including remaining driving range, status of assisted driving systems, vehicle speed, and navigation prompts,…

Wincanton, a UK-based logistics provider, has added 24 electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to its fleet as part of its strategy to reduce emissions across its operations, the company said on Thursday. The new battery electric trucks, sourced from DAF Trucks, Volvo Trucks, and Renault Trucks, are capable of operating at weights exceeding 40 tonnes and are expected to be fully operational this summer. The deployment is part of Wincanton’s broader decarbonisation efforts, which saw an 18% reduction in its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions last year. To support the new vehicles, Wincanton is developing depot-based charging hubs at…

Chinese LiDAR supplier Seyond has signed a new supply partnership with a major Chinese automotive group, marking a key step in diversifying its customer base beyond Nio. Seyond will exclusively provide its 905-nanometer Robin E1X LiDAR units to several brands under the unnamed automaker’s umbrella. The company expects the models equipped with the Robin E1X to enter mass production in 2026, with cumulative sales projected to reach several hundred thousand vehicles over the following three years. “This marks a major breakthrough in terms of customer status, product range, and supported vehicle platforms,” Seyond said in a statement, describing the deal…

Dürr and Grob, two leading mechanical engineering firms, have presented their joint concept factory for lithium-ion battery cell production at the Battery Show Europe. The new factory design integrates innovations aimed at boosting battery cell quality and performance while cutting energy consumption and footprint. Among the key technologies showcased is a dry coating process for electrodes that eliminates the need for conventional drying ovens, traditionally a major energy consumer. Instead of slurry, the “Activated Dry Electrode” method uses a dry-mixed active material pressed into free-standing films and laminated onto collector foils. This approach reduces space requirements by half and enhances…

AstaZero, a vehicle testing facility operated by the Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE), has introduced the world’s first 6G, EDGE-computing enabled proving ground focused on vehicle and traffic communication testing. The system reportedly reached 99.999% reliability in connected vehicle communications, representing a notable development in this area. The facility is designed to support testing of AI-based systems and facilitate the transition from older 3G networks to 6G infrastructure for traffic management, emergency services, and business communications. With the planned phase-out of 3G networks, sectors such as emergency services are adapting their systems to work with newer communication technologies. Peter Janevik,…

TIER IV, a Japan-based pioneer in autonomous driving technology, has launched a new development kit designed to streamline the creation and validation of autonomous vehicle systems. The package, called the DTV Kit, includes a drivable test vehicle and is fully compatible with Autoware, the open-source autonomous driving software supported by TIER IV. Developed in collaboration with unmanned delivery vehicle startup Whale Dynamic, the DTV Kit is aimed at organizations and developers seeking a practical, low-barrier solution for real-world AV testing. Key features include pre-synchronized electronic control units (ECUs) and sensors, eliminating the need for complex calibration, and built-in integration with…

General Motors (NYSE: GM) is working with South Korean battery makers LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI to introduce lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production at their joint U.S. factories, as the automaker seeks to lower the cost of its electric vehicles, South Korea’s The Korea Economic Daily reported, citing industry sources. GM has reportedly asked both partners to equip production lines for LFP cells in their respective U.S. joint ventures, replacing the current nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) chemistry used in several models. The shift is intended to support a broader rollout of mid-range EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt, Equinox, Blazer,…

Germany’s public transport initiative KIRA has commenced real-world road testing of its Level 4 autonomous robotaxi vehicles in the Offenbach district, marking a significant milestone for driverless public transit in the country. The program, a partnership between Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the Rhein-Main Transport Association, is the first in Germany to trial Level 4 automated vehicles for public use. The autonomous shuttles, operated by DB Regio Bus Mitte, are currently running in the city of Langen and the municipality of Egelsbach, with plans to expand service into parts of Darmstadt later this year. The fleet comprises six Nio ES8 electric…

Belgian location analytics firm RetailSonar has acquired German e-mobility company Ladeplan, aiming to bolster its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure planning services across Europe. The two companies, which have both developed AI-based platforms to guide the rollout of EV charging stations, will now collaborate under one umbrella. RetailSonar’s ChargePlanner platform is already used by over 200 clients—including Q8, McDonald’s, Jumbo, Basic Fit, and Decathlon—to identify optimal sites for EV chargers based on data such as traffic patterns, pricing, and competitive presence. Similarly, Ladeplan offers a planning tool that draws on data from more than 800 charge point operators (CPOs) and serves…

Xpeng reported 33,525 vehicle deliveries in May, marking a 230.43 percent increase from the same month a year earlier despite a 4.34 percent decline from April’s 35,045 units, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker said on Monday. This marks the seventh consecutive month in which Xpeng has delivered more than 30,000 vehicles. Year to date, deliveries have totaled 162,578 units, representing a 293.08 percent increase compared with the first five months of 2023. Since its inception, Xpeng has delivered a cumulative 752,957 vehicles. See also: Xpeng Files for Regulatory Approval of Next-Gen P7 Sedan, Eyes Mid-Year Launch in China Among…