Author: Jonathan Collins

Danish charging platform Spirii and truck services provider TRAVIS have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at expanding truck charging infrastructure across Europe. The collaboration will focus on developing new charging stations while integrating reservation, billing, and administrative tools to streamline access for logistics operators. As demand for dedicated truck charging solutions grows, the partnership seeks to provide a one-stop platform for fleet operators. TRAVIS, which already enables transport companies to book services such as secure parking, truck washes, and vehicle charging at over 2,100 locations, will integrate charging into its existing platform. This will simplify access to charging services…

Zoox, the self-driving unit of Amazon, is recalling 258 autonomous vehicles after a U.S. safety investigation found that its automated driving system could trigger unexpected hard braking, according to a company filing on Wednesday. The recall applies to Zoox vehicles running software versions released before November 5. The California-based company stated it has already resolved the issue by deploying an over-the-air software update to its fleet. See also: Zoox Debuts Commercial Showcasing Its Autonomous Robotaxi The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into Zoox’s autonomous vehicles in May, following two rear-end collisions in which sudden braking…

Honda is considering sourcing hybrid vehicle batteries from Toyota’s North Carolina plant as U.S. tariffs on Chinese and South Korean imports increase costs, according to a report by Japanese business portal Nikkei. Toyota has invested $14 billion in the North Carolina facility, which is set to begin production in April. The plant will initially operate four production lines for hybrid vehicle batteries, with plans to expand to eight additional lines for battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Honda is expected to use Toyota’s batteries for its CR-V hybrid SUV, with the possibility of integrating them into other models. The move…

BMW has officially confirmed that the first model from its Neue Klasse electric lineup will be the iX3, an electric SUV positioned in the 3 Series segment. The production version will be unveiled at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich next September, marking a significant milestone in BMW’s electrification strategy. Neue Klasse Kicks Off a Major Model Offensive The announcement came alongside BMW’s 2024 annual report, where the automaker emphasized its aggressive rollout of over 40 new and updated models across all segments by 2027. Pre-series production of the iX3 began in November 2024 at BMW’s new Debrecen plant in Hungary.…

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,…