Author: Jonathan Collins

Finnish EV charging manufacturer Kempower has launched an upgraded version of its DC ‘Station Charger,’ featuring the new ‘Kempower V2 Power Module’ with silicon carbide technology. The latest upgrade also includes enhanced energy measurement capabilities for improved efficiency and transparency. Unlike Kempower’s satellite system, the ‘Station Charger’ integrates power modules directly into the charging station’s housing. Available in 500V and 800V versions, the fast charger offers power outputs from 50 kW to 400 kW. It supports up to two dedicated DC charging points (CCS and/or CHAdeMO) and can also supply up to two Satellite columns or Kempower Control Unit wallboxes.…

At the recent Tech Days event in Landshut, Germany, BMW Group offered a detailed look into the development and production of its sixth-generation high-voltage battery and electric drive systems, set to power the forthcoming Neue Klasse series. Series production of these Gen6 drive units is slated to commence at BMW’s Steyr plant in Upper Austria by mid-2025. Pre-series production began in September 2024, with initial units undergoing rigorous testing. Some of these pre-series motors are already integrated into Neue Klasse test vehicles produced at BMW’s Debrecen facility in Hungary. The next-generation iX3, anticipated to be the first model based on…

German air taxi developer Volocopter has signed a long-term agreement with French aviation company Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services to introduce electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operations in France. The partnership comes as Volocopter continues to navigate insolvency proceedings in Germany. Under the agreement, services will initially launch in Paris, where flight routes have already been approved by European and French aviation authorities, Volocopter said. The companies plan to expand operations to southwestern and southeastern France, leveraging Jet Systems’ existing helicopter routes, which currently serve around 15,000 passengers annually. Volocopter plans to deliver two VoloCity eVTOL aircraft once certification…

Israeli battery developer StoreDot said it will form a joint venture with South Korea’s JR Energy Solution to mass-produce its ultra-fast charging (XFC) batteries, aiming to establish South Korea as a key production hub. The partnership will initially target an annual production capacity of 1.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in 2024, scaling up to 4 GWh by 2027. If demand rises, capacity could expand to 10 GWh, which would support battery supply for about 130,000 high-performance electric vehicles. South Korean media reported that reaching 10 GWh capacity would require an investment exceeding €650 million. See also: StoreDot Opens Advanced Technology Campus in…

Tesla’s Cybertruck has received the highest overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) following the agency’s crash testing procedures, marking a key milestone for the automaker’s latest electric vehicle. According to the NHTSA’s report released this week, the Cybertruck earned a five-star rating overall, based on its performance in frontal and side crash tests, as well as an assessment of its rollover risk. See also: Tesla Cybertruck Lead Engineer Offers Sneak Peek at Upcoming Off-Road Armor The electric pickup achieved five stars in both frontal and side crash categories, while its rollover rating was four stars,…

Scout Motors is seeing stronger interest in its extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) over the fully electric variant, with the EREV expected to deliver approximately 150 miles (241 km) of electric-only range and 500 miles (805 km) of total driving range, Chief Executive Scott Keogh said. Speaking with Motor Trend, Keogh confirmed that the battery pack in the EREV will be smaller, ranging from 60 to 70 kWh, while the battery electric vehicle (BEV) will feature a larger pack in the 120 to 130 kWh range. “We think this setup provides a great balance of efficiency and long-distance capability,” Keogh said.…

Peugeot will soon launch all-wheel drive (AWD) versions of its e-3008 and e-5008 electric SUVs, introducing a Dual Motor variant with a combined output of 239 kW, the company announced. These models mark the first AWD vehicles built on the Stellantis STLA Medium platform. The AWD versions will complement the existing standard and long-range variants of both SUVs. Peugeot has disclosed that the setup includes a 156 kW front motor paired with an 82 kW rear motor, delivering a total system output of 239 kW. See also: Peugeot 3008 Reaches 100,000 Orders Worldwide, Electric Variant Gains Traction The automaker has…

Hyvia, the hydrogen fuel cell joint venture between Renault and U.S.-based Plug Power, remains in financial distress as insolvency proceedings continue in France, with Renault CEO Luca de Meo citing the absence of a viable market for its products. The Versailles Commercial Court approved Hyvia’s insolvency filing in December, launching a legal recovery process aimed at reorganizing the company rather than liquidating it. Initially set to expire on Jan. 31, the procedure has been extended for several weeks to allow for potential rescue options, including a takeover or new investors. See also: Nikola Nears Bankruptcy Filing as Financial Struggles Mount…

Toyota Motor Corporation has introduced its third-generation fuel cell system (3rd Gen FC System), designed for a wide range of applications including commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and stationary generators, as part of its ongoing efforts to advance hydrogen technology. The new system, set for launch after 2026 in Japan, Europe, North America, and China, offers improved fuel efficiency and durability, achieving performance levels comparable to diesel engines. See also: BMW Launches Pilot Fleet of Hydrogen Vehicles with the BMW iX5 Hydrogen Using Toyota Fuel Cells Toyota says the 3rd Gen FC System enhances fuel efficiency by 20% and doubles durability…

The 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 has been awarded Best Luxury Car of 2025 by Cars.com, marking the second consecutive year the electric SUV has received the honor. The accolade highlights the vehicle’s balance of premium features, performance, and advanced technology. The award, open to all 2025 luxury models, was determined by Cars.com’s editorial team based on criteria including drivability, usability, and design. “The Electrified GV70’s luxurious interior, powerful electric drivetrain, and fast-charging capability set it apart,” said Mike Hanley, Senior Road Test Editor at Cars.com. See also: Genesis GV70 EV Become Korea’s First Electric Cars Produced in the US Genesis…

Ceer, Saudi Arabia’s first electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, plans to roll out its first vehicle by late 2026, according to CEO Jim DeLuca. The company has already secured significant investments and partnerships, marking a pivotal step in the Kingdom’s plans to diversify its economy and advance sustainable transportation. Ceer has signed 11 deals totaling SAR 5.5 billion ($1.4 billion) at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Public Sector Forum in Riyadh, with 80% of the agreements involving Saudi businesses. These agreements are in addition to existing partnerships worth more than SAR 6.6 billion ($1.7 billion) with over 250 local companies, DeLuca…

Nio has announced the development of a new self-hardening aluminum alloy designed for high-pressure die casting (HPDC), marking a significant milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. This innovative material has already been used in the body-in-white of Nio’s ET9 and Onvo L60 models. The new alloy, which is based on an aluminum-silicon alloy system, has been tailored through careful chemical tuning and multiple trial runs in Nio’s die-casting facilities. According to Liu Huachu, principal researcher at Nio’s Materials Research and Applications (MRA) team, the material is proven to be suitable for making large, structural castings such as rear floors…

Japanese automaker Isuzu Motors announced plans to build a new production facility in South Carolina, marking an expansion of its commercial vehicle operations in North America. The plant, set to open in 2027, will manufacture both electric and internal combustion engine models, with an expected annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles by 2030. Isuzu said it will invest approximately $280 million in the facility, which will span 750,000 square meters in Greenville County. The company expects to create around 700 jobs by 2028. “We aim to expand our business in North America by promoting local sourcing of components required for…

Rizon, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck, has completed its first official electric truck delivery in Canada, handing over an e18L model with a dump body to Villamar Construction in Victoria, British Columbia. The delivery marks the beginning of a broader rollout, with 18 additional units set to reach customers across British Columbia and Quebec in the coming weeks. See also: Daimler’s RIZON Electric Trucks Make Canadian Debut, Targeting Key Sectors with Expanded Dealer Network “This handover marks a significant step for Daimler Truck in bringing zero-emission commercial vehicles to Canadian businesses,” said Andreas Deuschle, Global Head of Rizon Truck. “Commercial…

Swiss energy management solutions provider Landis+Gyr has announced its decision to exit the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure market in the EMEA region, despite having invested in the sector less than a year ago. The company cited significant changes in market conditions and competitive pressures as key factors in its decision. In a statement, Landis+Gyr explained that its initial vision of utility customers playing a major role in the rollout and adoption of EV charging solutions had not materialized as expected. The company further emphasized that evolving regulatory conditions and intensified competition in the EV charging market made it unlikely…

Verne, a subsidiary of Croatian electric hypercar maker Rimac, has begun construction of a factory near Zagreb to manufacture autonomous electric vehicles for its planned robotaxi service, the company announced. The production facility, located on a 28,500-square-meter site in Lučko, is part of Verne’s broader strategy to develop and deploy self-driving, two-seater electric taxis. “The construction of the Verne large-scale production factory is a strategically important step for our company and a significant contribution to the development of a future-oriented automotive industry in Croatia,” said Marko Pejković, CEO and co-founder of Verne. “This is the first factory of its kind…

The Greek Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport has issued an international tender to procure 125 electric buses for service in Athens, as part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s public transport system. The tender follows a revision of the electric vehicle program under the Recovery and Resilience Fund and was published in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Deputy Finance Minister Nikos Papathanassis approved an allocation of 88.3 million euros in European Union funding for the project, which is set for completion by summer 2026. See also: Greece Reinstates Free Public Parking for Electric Vehicles Until…

General Motors (GM) will reportedly end production of the gasoline-powered Chevy Blazer in the U.S. after the 2025 model year, making the SUV available exclusively as an electric vehicle. The move aligns with GM’s broader restructuring of its crossover lineup and its transition toward electric mobility. A report from GM Authority, citing unnamed sources, claims that the gas-powered Blazer will be phased out, following the discontinuation of Cadillac’s XT4, XT5, and XT6 models. See also: GM Addresses Phone Call Sound Quality Issue in 2024-2025 Chevy Blazer EV Models However, GM declined to confirm the news, stating to Electrek, “We have no…

Lyft plans to introduce fully autonomous robotaxis, powered by Mobileye, in Dallas by 2026, with expansion to follow, TechCrunch reports. Marubeni will own and finance the Mobileye-equipped vehicles, which will be available on Lyft’s ride-hailing app. Lyft has not disclosed its automaker partner, but Mobileye’s technology is already integrated into models from Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, and General Motors. See also: Lyft, Mobileye Partner to Expand Autonomous Fleet Commercialization Jeremy Bird, Lyft’s executive vice president of driver experience, said the company aims to scale “to thousands of vehicles across multiple cities.” He emphasized the importance of Marubeni’s fleet management role,…

Porsche AG is adjusting its long-term corporate strategy to strengthen profitability, announcing plans to expand its lineup of combustion engine and plug-in hybrid models amid a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand. The move signals a shift from the company’s previously ambitious electrification targets. The German luxury carmaker, a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group (VOWG_p.DE), said on Friday that it expects sales of €39 billion to €40 billion ($42 billion to $43 billion) in 2025, with an operating profit margin of 10% to 12%, down from an estimated 14% in 2024. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) in 2022 set a…