Author: Jonathan Collins

Rivian Automotive is working with JPMorgan Chase on a potential high-yield bond offering to raise up to $2 billion, partly aimed at refinancing bonds maturing in 2026, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter. Initial pricing discussions suggest the bonds could yield around 10%, according to the report. JPMorgan is sounding out investor interest, and the transaction could launch as early as next week. However, sources cautioned that the deal remains under consideration and may not proceed. See also: Rivian Reports Record Gross Profit in Q1 2025, Lowers Annual Delivery Forecast Amid Trade Uncertainty The potential…

Stellantis said it has appointed Antonio Filosa as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership transition nearly six months after the departure of Carlos Tavares. The announcement follows an extensive internal and external search led by a special board committee chaired by Executive Chairman John Elkann. Filosa, currently Chief Operating Officer for North and South America and Chief Quality Officer, will officially assume the CEO role on June 23. He was unanimously chosen by the Board of Directors, which cited his more than 25 years of experience in the automotive sector, global leadership acumen, and strong track record in…

Kinchbus, a Leicestershire-based bus operator, has ordered a new batch of electric single-decker buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong to serve routes in Loughborough. The order, placed through UK supplier Pelican Bus and Coach, includes a mix of E9L midi and E12 full-size models, with deliveries expected to begin in the third quarter of 2025. The purchase is being part-funded through Leicestershire County Council’s successful bid in the second round of the UK government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme. The initiative is aimed at accelerating the transition to low-emission public transport across the country. “This significant investment underscores our…

Ford Motor is reportedly allowing Nissan to utilize part of its underused battery manufacturing capacity in Kentucky, in a move that underscores the U.S. automaker’s ongoing retreat from its ambitious electric vehicle (EV) expansion plans, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. The facility in question is part of BlueOval SK, a joint venture formed in 2022 between Ford and South Korean battery manufacturer SK On. The venture includes two factories in Glendale, Kentucky, each with a planned annual capacity of 43 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to support Ford’s EV lineup. While both plants have been…

Researchers at Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) have developed a new sodium super-ionic conductor (NASICON) electrolyte that could enable more stable, high-performance solid-state batteries operating at room temperature. The breakthrough may improve safety and reduce costs compared to current lithium-ion technology. The BAM team, led by visiting researcher Gustav Graeber, is working to overcome the limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries, which rely on graphite anodes with limited ion storage. Switching to metallic lithium—or more readily available sodium—could increase energy density by up to 40%, but solid-state batteries require compatible solid electrolytes to avoid void formation at…

UK bus operator First Bus has begun operating its first set of diesel buses converted to electric under a refurbishment programme aimed at accelerating low-carbon transport while extending vehicle lifespans. Four electric buses converted from diesel vehicles are now in service on routes across Portsmouth, Fareham and Gosport. The initiative is part of a broader effort to repurpose older diesel models into zero-emission vehicles through a partnership with NewPower, a repowering division of Northern Ireland-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus. The conversion process, which takes around one week at NewPower’s factory in Bicester, Oxfordshire, involves stripping out the diesel engine, gearbox and…

BP Pulse and U.S. diner chain Waffle House have signed a strategic partnership to install fast electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at restaurant locations across the country, the companies announced on Tuesday. Each site will feature six charging bays equipped with 400kW DC chargers and a combination of CCS and NACS connectors. The chargers will be installed in Waffle House parking lots, starting in Southern states such as Texas, Georgia, and Florida, with 24/7 access expected in line with the restaurant’s round-the-clock service. BP Pulse, the EV charging division of British oil major BP, said the partnership forms part of…

Royal Mail has deployed its 7,000th electric vehicle (EV) in the United Kingdom, reinforcing its position as the operator of the country’s largest electric delivery fleet. The milestone vehicle was put into service at the South Lambeth delivery centre, which currently operates around 70 electric vans. The new EV will serve multiple London boroughs, including Chelsea, South Kensington, and Westminster. Lilian Greenwood, the UK’s Minister for the Future of Roads, presented the vehicle and highlighted the significance of Royal Mail’s electrification efforts. “Today’s unveiling of its 7,000th EV is a crucial milestone for Royal Mail as it continues to decarbonise…

General Motors’ Chevrolet division will launch the off-road-focused Silverado EV Trail Boss this summer, the automaker confirmed on Tuesday, marking a key addition to its electric truck lineup with enhanced terrain capabilities and extended range options. The Silverado EV Trail Boss is equipped with a factory-installed 2.0-inch suspension lift and 35-inch tires, making it the most off-road-capable version of the electric Silverado to date. The vehicle also includes four-wheel steering, enabling a turning circle of 42.2 feet despite the truck’s 233-inch length. An additional “Sidewinder” mode allows for diagonal movement, a feature designed for tight or uneven trails. While full-size…

Yasa, a developer of high-performance axial-flux electric motors, has officially opened its upgraded manufacturing facility in Yarnton, near Oxford, marking the UK’s first axial-flux electric motor “super factory.” The new 60,000-square-foot site, funded with a £12 million investment, is designed to scale production capacity beyond 25,000 units annually, a significant increase aimed at supporting the growing demand for compact, high-torque electric drive technology. The Yarnton facility consolidates all manufacturing under one roof, integrating four coil and bar manufacturing cells, CNC coil winding, rotor balancing, stator laser welding, and comprehensive end-of-line quality control systems. The streamlined and highly automated workflow is…

Nearly two million lives could be saved and 1.4 million new cases of childhood asthma prevented globally by 2040 if governments implement stricter policies targeting road transport emissions, according to a new study released Tuesday. The report, titled “Global health benefits of policies to reduce on-road vehicle pollution through 2040”, was conducted by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), George Washington University, and the University of Colorado Boulder. It examined health outcomes across more than 180 countries and 13,000 urban areas under various policy scenarios. “Our research demonstrates that policy choices made today will have profound implications for public…

U.S.-based electric boat startup Arc has unveiled its most accessible model yet, the Arc Coast, priced at $168,000 and slated to ship in 2026. The company has begun accepting preorders for the new model, which marks a strategic shift toward a broader consumer base. The Coast is Arc’s third electric boat, following the $300,000 Arc One and the $268,000 Arc Sport, and is designed in a center console layout commonly used for recreational and fishing purposes. Despite being founded just four years ago, Arc has quickly expanded its product lineup and development efforts. Like the Sport, the Coast is powered…

Nikola’s remaining hydrogen trucking assets are now officially up for auction, signaling one of the final steps in the electric truckmaker’s ongoing liquidation process after filing for bankruptcy earlier this year. Auction house Gordon Brothers, which finalized a purchase agreement in Delaware bankruptcy court last week, has launched the sale of approximately $114 million in hydrogen-related assets. The listing includes 103 completed hydrogen fuel cell trucks, along with raw materials, sub-assemblies, spare batteries, and tires. Also included are hydrogen storage, refueling, and testing systems, some of which have reportedly never been used. The auction follows a separate transaction last month…

California-based Archer Aviation has been appointed the official air taxi provider for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, marking a major milestone for the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer. The company’s Midnight aircraft will be deployed throughout the event to support a range of transport applications, including VIP mobility, emergency services, and security operations. The Midnight, Archer’s flagship eVTOL, is a piloted electric air taxi capable of carrying up to four passengers and reaching speeds of 241 km/h (150 mph). Powered by six battery packs and a total of twelve electric engines, the Midnight is designed…

Vianode, a specialist in advanced battery materials, and Fortum Battery Recycling have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a sustainable, scalable value chain for electric vehicle (EV) battery materials, focusing on recycled graphite for anode production. The collaboration aims to optimise recycled graphite to meet the stringent performance requirements of next-generation lithium-ion batteries. Vianode plans to integrate the recycled graphite into its commercial-scale production lines, targeting growing demand from European and North American battery cell manufacturers. The company recently launched its first recycled battery-grade graphite product and has set an ambitious target to produce anode materials with…

Leapmotor unveiled the 2026 updated version of its popular C10 SUV, aiming to boost sales with competitive pricing and enhanced features. The refreshed model continues to offer both extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) variants. Leapmotor is offering three variants of the C10 BEV, priced starting at RMB 122,800 ($17,040), RMB 132,800, and RMB 142,800 respectively. This reflects a price reduction of RMB 6,000 (4.66%) compared to the previous model’s starting price of RMB 128,800. See also: Leapmotor Kicks Off Pre-Sales for Facelifted 2026 C10 SUV The C10 EREV comes in two versions, with starting prices of…

Hyundai has announced pricing details for the 2026 Ioniq 9 in Canada, with the all-electric three-row SUV set to arrive at dealerships nationwide in June. The model will be offered in five trims, starting at C$59,999 for the Essential RWD version, which delivers an estimated range of 539 kilometres on a full charge. See also: Hyundai Offers Lease and Loan Incentives on 2026 Ioniq 9 EV The Ioniq 9 is built in Ulsan, South Korea, and is one of the first non-Tesla vehicles in Canada to feature a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, enabling direct access to Tesla’s…

Tesla has demonstrated the international versatility of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology with new test videos from Australia and France, as the company prepares to launch a driverless robotaxi service in Austin, Texas next month. In a series of videos shared on social media platform X, Tesla’s AI team highlighted the performance of its FSD (Supervised) system navigating real-world conditions in two complex urban environments. A clip from Melbourne showed a right-hand drive Tesla executing the city’s notoriously tricky “hook turn” maneuver, impressing EV advocates with its smooth handling of inner-city traffic. Meanwhile, another video from France captured the FSD…

Honda on Tuesday projected a 59% decline in operating profit for the current financial year and announced a two-year delay to its planned electric vehicle (EV) supply chain project in Canada, citing growing uncertainty from tariffs and softening global EV demand. Japan’s second-largest automaker expects operating income to fall to 500 billion yen ($3.38 billion) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, down from 1.21 trillion yen in the year just ended. The forecast reflects the automaker’s struggle to navigate U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign-made vehicles, which have intensified cost pressures across the industry. See also: Honda…

Hankook Tire & Technology on Thursday reported consolidated sales of 4.96 trillion won and operating profit of 354.6 billion won for the first quarter of 2025, reflecting the first financial contribution from Hanon Systems following its acquisition earlier this year. The South Korean tire maker acquired Hanon Systems, a global automotive thermal energy management supplier, in January. As a result, Hankook’s Q1 earnings include both tire and thermal management operations. In its core tire business, sales rose 10.3% year-on-year to 2.35 trillion won, driven by higher demand for high-value products and expanding original equipment (OE) supply to premium automakers. However,…