Author: Jonathan Collins

Volkswagen has presented a detailed twelve-point policy proposal to negotiators from the CDU, CSU, and SPD amid ongoing coalition talks, outlining its vision for strengthening Germany’s automotive industry with a focus on electromobility. The document, titled Masterplan for a Competitive German Automotive Location, has been submitted to party leaders and will also be shared with Volkswagen employees, according to Handelsblatt, which obtained an advance copy. The Wolfsburg-based automaker emphasizes the need for a stable industrial policy and a globally competitive business environment, while also calling for strong government support for electric vehicles (EVs). “The future of individual mobility will be…

J.P. Morgan lowered its price target for Tesla to $120 from $135, citing expectations of a second consecutive year of declining vehicle deliveries and shifting sentiment among consumers toward the electric vehicle maker. The brokerage now forecasts Tesla will deliver approximately 1.78 million vehicles in 2024, a 1% decline from last year. Analysts also highlighted growing backlash against the brand, including protests at Tesla stores, sales boycotts, and an increase in second-hand Tesla vehicles being resold by previous owners. See also: Tesla Aims to Double U.S. Vehicle Production Within Two Years, Says Musk “There have been reactions toward the brand…

Aito, the automotive brand backed by Huawei and Seres Group, will officially launch the updated M9 SUV on March 20, the company announced on Weibo. The brand’s latest model follows a strong pre-sale performance, with over 3,800 reservations recorded within the first hour after orders opened on March 6. See also: Aito M9 Faces Potential Facelift as New Filing Appears in Regulatory Catalog The M9, first introduced on December 26, 2023, is Aito’s third model after the M5 and M7. Initially available only as a six-seater, the company plans to introduce a five-seater version in September 2024 to widen its…

German battery manufacturer CustomCells will establish a pilot production line for round battery cells in Tübingen as part of Baden-Württemberg’s “Innovation and Future Agenda,” a state-backed initiative aimed at strengthening battery research and production. The project, which will receive eight million euros in state funding, seeks to advance the design, manufacturing capabilities, and digitalization of large-format 46-millimeter round cells. “With this project, CustomCells positions itself as one of the few European players in a strategically important segment of battery technology,” said Christoph Falk, COO of CustomCells. “Research and production in Baden-Württemberg not only ensures technological leadership but also industrial value…

Leapmotor reported that its new B10 compact SUV received 31,688 pre-orders within 48 hours of pre-sales opening, with the lower-priced LiDAR-equipped variant proving the most popular, the company said on Tuesday. Leapmotor launched pre-sales for the B10, the first model in its B-series lineup, on March 10, ahead of its official release in April. The company previously stated that the vehicle secured more than 15,010 pre-orders in the first hour, with LiDAR-equipped variants accounting for 73% of reservations. See also: Leapmotor Begins Pre-Sales for B10 SUV, Bringing LiDAR to Lower Price Segment The all-electric B10 is available in five configurations,…

German haulage company Duvenbeck has put its first MAN eTruck into service, marking a step toward more sustainable logistics. The tractor unit, configured as a lowliner, is now operating within Volkswagen’s plant logistics network. Duvenbeck had previously committed to expanding its electric fleet, signing a letter of intent in 2023 to purchase 120 eTGXs from MAN’s eTruck lineup. The first of these electric trucks was delivered in December 2024, following an earlier handover to Elflein, another logistics company. Since mid-February, the first MAN eTGX Lowliners have been actively transporting vehicle components between Duvenbeck’s Herne site and Volkswagen’s Wolfsburg plant. See…

ZF has received regulatory approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to conduct Level 4 autonomous driving tests on public roads across Germany. The approval extends beyond previous permits, which were restricted to specific routes or urban areas, and allows the company to focus on testing autonomous public transport solutions in urban and regional transit systems. See also: ZF Reportedly Considering Spin-Off of Electrified Drive Division Amid Financial Struggles Motorways, highways, and roads with speed limits exceeding 100 kph remain excluded. The authorisation is valid until the end of 2026, with a possible extension until 2028. ZF has…

U.S.-based electric vehicle manufacturer Workhorse has secured approval from Transport Canada to introduce its W56 and W750 electric delivery vans to the Canadian market, with availability expected this spring. The W56, a medium-duty electric truck, was first unveiled at Work Truck Week in Indiana in 2023. The model has since been adopted by logistics and delivery firms, including FedEx and Pride Group, which placed an order for over 6,000 units in 2021. See also: Workhorse Group’s E-GEN EV Platform Surpasses 10 Million Miles As part of the regulatory process, Workhorse completed its registration under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program,…

LG Chem has announced plans to become the first South Korean company to mass-produce cathode materials without precursors, a move expected to shorten development times and lower the carbon footprint of battery production. The company’s LPF (LG Precursor Free) cathode materials are produced through direct calcination of customized metals, eliminating the need for precursor manufacturing. See also: Exxon Mobil Signs Lithium Supply Deal with LG Chem for Arkansas Project LG Chem claims this approach improves power performance at low temperatures while reducing wastewater and CO2 emissions, though specific environmental benefits were not disclosed. Production of LPF materials is set to…

Rivian has filed a patent for wheel covers with active aerodynamic elements aimed at improving the efficiency of its electric vehicles, according to a recent disclosure by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The patent, originally submitted in August 2023 and published on Mar. 6, describes wheel covers featuring movable openings that can align with wheel spokes in one position and create a smooth surface in another. See also: Rivian Files Patent for Stowable Bed and Roof Rack System for Pickups and SUVs A spring mechanism would rotate the cover between positions, allowing for adaptability based on driving…

Volvo Cars plans to upgrade its EX90 electric SUV from a 400-volt to an 800-volt electrical architecture in future model years, aiming to improve charging efficiency and align with industry advancements. The move will bring the EX90 in line with the recently unveiled ES90 sedan, which already features an 800-volt system. The current 400-volt EX90 can charge at speeds of up to 250 kW, reaching 10-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes. The transition to 800 volts is expected to significantly reduce charging times when using high-power DC fast chargers. See also: Volvo Unveils ES90 Electric Saloon with 800V Charging and…

A research team from the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University has conducted a comparative analysis of traction batteries from Tesla and BYD, reporting “surprising results” with new insights into their structure and efficiency. PEM noted that detailed data on modern electric vehicle batteries is scarce, particularly for Tesla and BYD, which have disclosed limited information about their battery technologies. “Both players have only ever revealed little data about their batteries, so the cells’ mechanical structure and most of their properties have remained hidden to date,” said PEM Director Professor Achim Kampker. See also:…

Insolvent German air taxi startup Volocopter has reportedly found a buyer, with Diamond Aircraft, an Austrian aircraft manufacturer owned by China’s Wanfeng, set to take over the company, according to German business publication Wirtschaftswoche. However, the deal has yet to be officially confirmed. Diamond Aircraft, primarily known for its motorized gliders and small aircraft for private aviation, has been expanding its footprint in the electric aviation sector. Sources close to the matter indicate that the acquisition deal has been agreed upon, though financial details remain undisclosed. The new owner reportedly plans to reduce Volocopter’s workforce from around 500 employees to…

Genesis has introduced a refreshed version of its GV60 electric SUV, featuring an extended driving range, updated styling, and new technology. The revised model debuted in South Korea on Thursday, with international markets including the United States and Europe set to follow later this year. The latest GV60 incorporates a fourth-generation 84 kWh battery, increasing its certified range in South Korea to nearly 300 miles (481 km), up from 280 miles (451 km) in the previous model. The all-wheel-drive variant now delivers up to 490 horsepower (360 kW) and 700 Nm of maximum torque with Boost Control, enabling acceleration from…

Volvo Trucks has reaffirmed its dominance in the European heavy-duty electric truck market, reporting sales of 1,970 units over 16 tonnes in 2024. The Swedish truckmaker retains a commanding 47% market share, matching its 2023 performance, when it delivered 1,977 electric trucks. This represents a significant lead over its 2022 position, when it held a 32.3% share of the segment. Volvo has identified Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland as key markets driving its electric truck sales this year. See also: Volvo Trucks Recalls 2023-2025 VNR Electric Trucks Over High-Voltage Battery Defect According to data from the European Automobile…

LG Energy Solution’s battery plant in Queen Creek, Arizona, remains on schedule to begin series production of large cylindrical battery cells in the first half of 2026, with Tesla and Rivian among the confirmed customers. Construction of the plant, which started in November 2023, is set to be completed by late 2025. “The construction of the battery plant is well on track, with production set to start in the spring of 2026,” Queen Creek Mayor Julia Wheatley told Korea JoongAng Daily at InterBattery 2025. See also: LG Energy Solution to Cut Capex Amid Slow EV Demand Growth The Arizona facility will…

Arval, the corporate vehicle leasing subsidiary of BNP Paribas, reported a 52% rise in the number of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in its fleet in 2024, bringing its total to 253,373 units. The company says it aims to continue expanding its EV offerings throughout 2025. The firm, which leases vehicles to over 400,000 clients across 29 countries, said BEVs accounted for 22.6% of its new vehicle orders last year but represented 14.1% of its total leased fleet. Despite an overall decline in European BEV registrations by 2%, Arval recorded a 35% increase in BEV adoption in the region, outpacing market trends.…

A proposal to impose a 100% tariff on Tesla vehicles has sparked debate in Canada, as the country considers its response to new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods. Some experts and industry observers argue that instead of targeting the American EV maker, Canada should ease restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) to maintain competition and consumer choice. Chrystia Freeland, Canada’s former deputy prime minister and a candidate to lead the ruling Liberal Party, has called for a tariff specifically on Tesla as part of a broader response to the U.S. trade measures announced by President Donald Trump. The U.S. recently…

Stellantis has cautioned its U.S. dealers that newly imposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada could put the automaker at a disadvantage compared to its Asian and European competitors, according to an email sent to retailers on Tuesday. “These tariffs will put Stellantis’ flagship Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands at a competitive disadvantage versus Korean, Japanese and European importers, which are not facing similar tariffs at this time,” the company stated in the email. Stellantis also said it is engaging with the Trump administration in an effort to mitigate the impact of the tariffs. See also: Stellantis…

Rivian is making significant progress on its upcoming R2 electric SUV, with plans to expand production and take the brand global, Chief Financial Officer Claire McDonough said in an update on social media late Wednesday. The company is “working around the clock” to expand its Normal, Illinois, plant ahead of the R2’s launch, McDonough said. Production is scheduled to begin in the first half of 2026, with sourcing for the vehicle now about 95% complete. See also: Rivian’s R2 and R3 Models Unlikely to Adopt 800-Volt Architecture, Says CEO RJ Scaringe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jghrB8iNAUw Rivian is positioning the R2, which starts at…