Author: Jonathan Collins

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch a new generation of its vans and commercial vehicles in 2026, starting with the successor to the EQV. The next iteration of the Sprinter, along with the new luxury-focused VLS and commercial variants, is expected to deliver major advancements in performance, software, and efficiency, driven by 800-volt technology. Mercedes-Benz Vans, which traces its commercial vehicle legacy back nearly 130 years to Carl Benz’s first motorised delivery van, will introduce the fourth-generation Sprinter next year. See also: Mercedes-Benz Tests Experimental ‘ELF’ Van to Explore Future of Intelligent and Seamless EV Charging Electric mobility will take a…

Canada is considering removing additional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, a move that would set it apart from the United States’ trade stance, The Wire China reported on Saturday. The Ottawa government is reportedly evaluating whether to scrap the 100% surcharge imposed on Chinese-made EVs, aligning more closely with Beijing on trade policy. The potential shift comes amid efforts to ease tensions and strengthen Canada’s broader economic ties across Asia. See also: China Offers to Lift Tariffs on Canadian Agriculture if Ottawa Reconsiders 100% EV Duties Canada introduced the 100% additional tariff on October 1, 2024, mirroring…

Autonomous vehicle developer May Mobility said on Thursday it has entered a multi-year strategic partnership with Singapore-based Grab Holdings to introduce autonomous vehicle (AV) services in Southeast Asia, marking its latest expansion beyond the United States and Japan. The collaboration will combine May Mobility’s AI-powered driving system with Grab’s mapping and fleet management technology to accelerate the safe rollout of driverless mobility in the region. The partnership will integrate May Mobility’s Multi-Policy Decision Making (MPDM) system into Grab’s platform, enabling vehicles to navigate Southeast Asia’s varied and complex traffic environments. The companies will also use GrabMaps—Grab’s proprietary mapping solution—to enhance…

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is inviting private organisations to build, upgrade, operate, and maintain 34 electric vehicle (EV) charging hubs along major highways, marking the second phase of its plan to create a comprehensive fast-charging network across the state. The new phase follows ADOT’s initial rollout, which approved 18 hub locations along the Interstate 10, I-8, I-40, I-17, and I-19 corridors. The department has now identified 31 new eligible sites and three previously planned locations, bringing the total number of proposed hubs to 34. See also: Waymo and Via Partner to Bring Autonomous Vehicles to Public Transit in…

VINCI Autoroutes and Electreon have successfully demonstrated a dynamic wireless-charging system for electric vehicles (EVs) on France’s A10 motorway, in what the companies describe as the first real-world test of the technology under actual traffic conditions. Located around 40 kilometers southwest of Paris, the “Charge as You Drive” project enables EVs fitted with receiver coils to recharge wirelessly from induction coils embedded beneath the road surface. A 1.5-kilometer stretch of the motorway has been equipped for the pilot, with tests confirming that the system can deliver 200–300 kW of power while vehicles are moving. See also: Electreon And ATLoS Partner…

Electron, a provider of energy flexibility marketplaces, has agreed to acquire Rhythmos.io, a company specializing in distributed energy resource (DER) detection and grid impact analytics. The acquisition will integrate Rhythmos’ DER visibility technology with Electron’s flexibility marketplace to enable utilities to expand grid capacity cost-effectively while managing increasing demand from electric vehicles (EVs) and battery systems. See also: Zuup and GreenFlux Partner to Bring Seamless EV Roaming to Australia The combined platform is designed to offer utilities granular insight into DER impacts on specific transformers and substations, providing regulatory-grade data to support investment decisions. By optimizing DER deployment, the technology…

Thomas Built Buses, a subsidiary of Daimler Truck North America, will introduce its first all-electric Type D school bus, the Saf-T-Liner eHDX2 “Wattson,” with orders opening by the end of 2025 and initial deliveries expected in late 2026. The launch marks a key step in the company’s shift toward full-scale electrification of school transportation. Built on the company’s HDX2 platform, the Wattson features a 246 kWh battery that provides up to 150 miles of range. The bus supports standard SAE CCS1 DC fast charging at 60 kW or higher, allowing for a full charge in about two to three hours.…

Indonesian nickel mining and processing firm Anugrah Neo Energy Materials is preparing an initial public offering (IPO) to raise more than $300 million on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, according to two people familiar with the matter. The company, which is developing facilities to produce materials used in electric vehicle batteries, aims to list its shares in December, the sources said. See also: Indonesia Now Accounts for 62% of Global Refined Nickel Supply The IPO could value the company at over $2 billion, with proceeds expected to support expansion projects and related investments. Banks involved in arranging the offering include DBS…

Tesla is recalling 12,963 vehicles in the United States due to a defect in a battery pack component that could cause a sudden loss of drive power, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Wednesday. The recall affects certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. According to the NHTSA, the defect could cause the vehicles to lose acceleration capability while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. See also: Tesla Cuts U.S. Lease Prices for Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck Ahead of November Adjustment Tesla said it will replace the affected battery pack contactors free…

British electric motor developer Advanced Electric Machines (AEM) has signed a development partnership with one of the world’s largest automotive suppliers, marking a significant step forward for the Newcastle-based startup after a period of financial strain. The deal, reportedly valued in the seven-figure range, is expected to accelerate the company’s efforts to commercialize its rare-earth-free electric motor technology. Founded in 2017 as a spin-off from Newcastle University, AEM focuses on designing electric motors that eliminate the need for permanent magnets and rare earth materials such as neodymium and dysprosium. Instead, its motors are built using recyclable and widely available materials…

General Motors said it will end production of its BrightDrop electric delivery vans at the CAMI Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, marking a setback for one of Canada’s early large-scale EV manufacturing sites. The company cited lower-than-expected demand in the commercial electric vehicle market and a changing regulatory environment as key reasons for the decision. See also: General Motors Donates 59 BrightDrop Electric Vans to American Red Cross Production of the Zevo 400 and Zevo 600 models, built at the plant since 2022, will not be moved to another facility, effectively ending the BrightDrop program. Production at the Ingersoll plant…

Senior South Korean officials will travel to Washington on Wednesday for high-level discussions aimed at finalising a long-delayed tariff agreement linked to a $350 billion investment plan, as both countries push to reach a resolution before the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Presidential Policy Secretary Kim Yong-beom and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan are scheduled to meet U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for the second time in less than a week, following talks held last Friday. “Gaps have been narrowed between the two sides on many issues, but there are a couple of matters over which the two sides still…

Lucid is turning to professional athletes to elevate awareness of its new luxury electric SUV, the Gravity. The company has partnered with New York Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart for a marketing campaign emphasizing precision, performance, and cultural influence. The campaign, timed with the Knicks’ home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 22, showcases the athletes alongside the Gravity, positioning the vehicle as a reflection of the drive and dedication required to excel both on the court and on the road. See also: Lucid Delivers Record 4,078 Vehicles in Q3 2025, Production Reaches 3,891 Units as Gravity…

General Motors raised its full-year profit forecast and lowered its expected tariff impact after posting stronger-than-expected results for the third quarter, as the automaker adapts to shifting demand in the electric vehicle (EV) market and easing trade pressures. The Detroit-based company now expects annual adjusted core profit of between $12 billion and $13 billion, compared with its earlier estimate of $10 billion to $12.5 billion. GM also said it anticipates tariffs will reduce its bottom line by $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion, less than the previously projected $4 billion to $5 billion. See also: General Motors to Take $1.6 Billion…

Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) v14 update is nearing a broad release, with CEO Elon Musk confirming that version 14.2 will be distributed to all vehicles equipped with the automaker’s latest Hardware 4 (HW4/AI4) system. The rollout follows Tesla’s established pattern of limited testing before expanding to the wider fleet once performance and stability have been verified. Musk’s comments came in response to a post from ΛI DRIVR, an experienced FSD tester on social platform X, who said that “95% of the indecisive lane changes and braking have been fixed in FSD 14.1.2,” and noted they hadn’t needed to take control…

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has achieved another step in its electrification strategy, delivering the first L90 Electric wheel loader to customers. The milestone comes after the company’s fleet of battery-powered trucks surpassed 100 million all-electric miles in operation, marking a significant expansion of Volvo’s zero-emission footprint beyond the highway. See also: Stockholm Construction Site Achieves 50% Electric Operation with Volvo CE The L90 Electric, first unveiled at last summer’s Volvo Days event, represents a major evolution in construction equipment. Featuring dedicated electric motors for both propulsion and hydraulics, the machine provides full power to both systems simultaneously. The result…

Fang Cheng Bao, a sub-brand of Chinese automaker BYD, introduced new variants for two of its SUV models on Monday in a move to strengthen its position in the competitive electric and hybrid vehicle market. The updates come after the brand achieved record sales last month. At its fall product launch event, the company unveiled long-range versions of the Bao 5 SUV and five-seat options for the larger Bao 8 SUV. The additions expand Fang Cheng Bao’s current portfolio to four models — the Bao 5 and Bao 8, which target off-road consumers, and the Tai 3 and Tai 7,…

U.S. President Donald Trump has extended tariff exemptions for vehicles produced in the United States using imported components until 2030, while unveiling new import duties on trucks and buses entering the American market. Under the updated policy, manufacturers assembling vehicles domestically can continue to reclaim up to 3.75% of the retail price of their cars, a measure originally due to expire in 2027. The exemption applies to all vehicles built in the U.S., including electric models, with the level of relief determined by the share of domestically sourced components. Vehicles comprising at least 85% U.S. or USMCA-origin parts will be…

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said on Monday it has opened a preliminary investigation into about 2,000 self-driving vehicles operated by Waymo after reports that the company’s autonomous taxis may have failed to comply with traffic safety laws near stopped school buses. The inquiry, led by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation, follows a media report describing an incident in which a Waymo vehicle allegedly failed to remain stationary when approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. According to the report, the autonomous vehicle initially stopped beside the bus but then maneuvered…

Nio has introduced a limited-edition version of its ET5 Touring, the brand’s current best-selling model, as part of a collaboration with the sci-fi film Tron: Ares, which premieres in China today. The black-themed edition, limited to 555 units, is priced at RMB 316,000 ($44,370) including a 100-kWh battery pack — about 6% higher than the standard model’s starting price of RMB 298,000. See also: Singapore’s GIC Files Lawsuit Against Nio Over Revenue Recognition Dispute The special edition features a distinctive black exterior, “Moon” theme interior package, 20-inch wheels, roof rails, orange brake calipers, and exclusive decals inspired by the movie.…