Author: Jonathan Collins

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…