Author: Jonathan Collins

Dutch firms Rocsys and ICT Group have partnered to integrate hands-free electric vehicle (EV) charging with Smart Equipment Control Systems (Smart ECS), aiming to support autonomous operations and emission reduction targets in port and logistics sectors. The collaboration combines Rocsys’s robotic charging platform with ICT Group’s Smart ECS, creating a seamless interface for coordinating vehicle tasks and automated charging. The integrated system enables more efficient and scalable EV charging workflows with minimal human intervention, the companies said in a joint statement. “By working with strong partners like ICT Group, we’re delivering scalable, future-proof solutions that are ready for operational deployment,”…

Swissport is ramping up efforts to decarbonise its global airport ground operations with a €1.5 billion investment plan aimed at electrifying its ground support equipment (GSE) fleet and expanding renewable energy use over the next five years, the company said on Wednesday. The Zurich-based aviation services provider said 25% of its GSE fleet – which totals around 14,500 motorised units – is already electric, with significant progress made at major airports in Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. By 2032, Swissport aims to raise this share to 55%. In Switzerland, the company’s eGSE penetration has reached 43% at Zurich…

Ford Motor reported a 31.4% year-over-year drop in U.S. electric vehicle (EV) sales in the second quarter of 2025, delivering 16,438 units compared to 23,957 during the same period last year. The decline affected all three of Ford’s EV models and comes amid a model-year changeover and a recall that halted sales of its best-selling electric SUV. A Ford spokesperson said the drop was due to both the transition to the 2025 model year and a stop-sale order for the Mustang Mach-E. The recall, which affects nearly 200,000 vehicles in the U.S., involves a software issue that could prevent doors…

Tesla is nearing the completion of its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery cell factory in Nevada, as the electric vehicle maker moves to localize production and reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers. The facility is expected to begin small-scale production soon. The new plant represents a strategic effort to mitigate the impact of U.S.-China trade tensions, which have intensified in recent years. Currently, Tesla sources LFP battery cells for its most affordable electric vehicles and energy storage products—such as the Megapack and Powerwall—primarily from China. Existing tariffs of 25% on Chinese battery cells, with the potential for further increases, have added urgency to…

Xpeng has officially launched its seventh model, the G7, a fully electric mid-size SUV, with a starting price of 195,800 yuan (approximately $27,325) in the Chinese market. The G7 is designed to directly challenge the dominance of the Tesla Model Y and new players like the Xiaomi SU7 in the highly competitive electric crossover segment. Positioned as a high-tech, family-oriented vehicle, the G7 features impressive specifications that combine performance, smart features, and everyday practicality. The G7 measures 4,892 mm in length, 1,925 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, with a 2,890 mm wheelbase, making it slightly larger than…

Toyota Motor is delaying the production of a new electric SUV in the U.S. by a year and shifting its assembly location to prioritize output of its in-demand Grand Highlander, as hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) models continue to outperform expectations. According to a Bloomberg report, Toyota has postponed the launch of the planned EV, originally scheduled to begin production at its Princeton, Indiana, facility in 2027, to 2028. The automaker has also reassigned the EV’s production line to its Georgetown, Kentucky, plant, which is now set to begin building another electric model in late 2026, roughly six months…

Sony Honda Mobility, the electric vehicle joint venture between Sony Group and Honda Motor, reported an operating loss of approximately ¥52 billion ($362 million) for the fiscal year, more than doubling the previous year’s ¥20.5 billion deficit. The loss comes ahead of the launch of its first EV model, the Afeela sedan, scheduled for release later this year. The financial figures, disclosed in recent filings, highlight the heavy upfront costs associated with entering the premium electric vehicle space. The Afeela EV, expected to start at $89,900, is positioned to compete in the luxury segment where development expenses are significantly higher…

Only 15 out of the 129 brands currently selling electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids in China are likely to remain financially viable by 2030, according to a report released Thursday by consultancy AlixPartners. The firm said these surviving brands are projected to command about 75% of the Chinese EV and plug-in hybrid market by the end of the decade, with each brand expected to average annual sales of 1.02 million units. AlixPartners did not disclose the names of the projected surviving brands. However, publicly listed EV manufacturers such as BYD and Li Auto are currently among the few that…

Tesla’s sales performance in Europe remains uneven, with strong gains in a few markets unable to offset sharp declines elsewhere. While the arrival of the updated Model Y—internally referred to as “Juniper”—has provided a boost in countries like Norway and Spain, the electric vehicle maker continues to face pressure across the broader region. In Norway, Tesla sales rose 54% in June, driven by a 115% increase in Model Y registrations to 5,004 units. Spain also saw a 60.7% year-over-year increase in Tesla deliveries, with Model Y sales jumping 127% to 1,179 units. Portugal followed with a modest 7.3% uptick. However,…

Huawei-backed Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) said Monday that the newly launched Maextro S800 flagship sedan has received over 6,500 confirmed orders since its market debut on May 30, positioning the high-end model as a serious contender in China’s premium electric vehicle segment. The Maextro S800, priced between 708,000 yuan and 1,018,000 yuan ($98,900–$142,200), competes with luxury sedans such as the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and BYD’s Yangwang U7. Initial demand has been strong, with Huawei reporting 1,000 orders in the first hour and more than 5,000 by day 19. Offered in both fully electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants,…

Rivian has introduced a new leasing promotion for July, offering up to $14,500 in total incentives for its 2025 R1S and R1T Tri-Motor models. The campaign, branded as the “Nothing but Adventure Offer,” includes a $6,500 lease incentive that can be combined with the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. The promotion applies to both the R1S electric SUV and R1T pickup in their Tri-Motor configurations, including the limited California Dune edition. According to Rivian, the deal allows lessees to sign without making a down payment, though other fees—such as a preorder deposit and the first lease payment—remain applicable. The federal…

Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun publicly praised Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities over the weekend, saying the U.S. electric vehicle maker continues to set industry benchmarks in autonomous technology. The comment followed a milestone by Tesla in which a Model Y SUV completed a 24-km driverless delivery in Austin, Texas. “For the first time, the car delivered to the owner on its own. No driver, no remote control, reaching up to 115 km/h before arriving safely at the customer’s doorstep,” Tesla Vice President Tao Lin said in a social media post Saturday. Lei Jun later reshared the post, writing:…