Author: Jonathan Collins

Canada’s Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Programme has been paused as it has run out of allocated funds. The program, initially set to run until March 2025, has been so successful that it has fully committed its funding ahead of schedule. As a result, customers who have already placed orders for electric vehicles (EVs) and received pre-approval for the incentive will still benefit from the subsidy, while others will need to pay the full price for their vehicles or delay their purchase. While the iZEV program has been paused as of January 12, 2025, there is no clear indication of…

Opel has launched its ‘Electric All In’ package, designed to ease the transition to electric mobility for customers. Targeted at owners of battery-electric models such as the Opel Grandland Electric and Opel Frontera Electric, the package offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at convenience, connectivity, and peace of mind. The package includes a home charging solution with an eProWallbox Move, which provides WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to monitor and control the charging status remotely via an app. Additionally, Opel Connect PLUS services offer emergency and breakdown assistance, live navigation with updates on charging stations and parking, and…

Finnish startup Donut Lab showcased a groundbreaking family of wheel hub motors at CES 2025, including a 630 kW variant designed for cars. The innovative electric drives are poised to revolutionize vehicle powertrain design with unmatched torque and power density. Headquartered near Helsinki, Donut Lab is a subsidiary of Verge Motorcycles, known for its Verge TS electric motorbike featuring a signature “donut motor” that leaves the rear wheel hollow. Building on this concept, Donut Lab has expanded its technology to accommodate a range of vehicles, boasting exceptional specifications. The car-specific wheel hub motor fits a 21-inch tire, weighs 40 kilograms,…

Hyundai has introduced a new “outdoor-focused” variant of its Inster EV, called the Inster EV Cross, with prices starting at £28,745 ($35,000) in the UK. This new model builds on the Inster EV’s initial success, offering additional features designed for adventure seekers, making it a rugged option in the electric SUV market. The Inster EV, Hyundai’s first small electric SUV, debuted last June as the European counterpart to the Casper Electric, which is sold in South Korea. While the base model is priced around $27,000 (€25,000) in Europe, the Inster EV Cross comes with a £2,000 ($2,500) premium over the…

Microvast Holdings, Inc., a Texas-based battery technology company, has introduced its innovative True All-Solid-State Battery (ASSB) technology, promising to enhance battery safety, energy density, and operational efficiency. The new battery is designed for a range of industries, including electric vehicles (EVs), robotics, and energy storage, offering safer high-voltage operation in a compact form factor. The standout feature of the ASSB is its bipolar stacking architecture. Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid electrolytes, the solid-state design eliminates the liquid component, allowing for higher voltage operation and increased safety. The battery integrates internal series connections within a single cell, streamlining…

Zeekr, the electric vehicle brand under Geely, has announced plans to start series production of the Zeekr RT, a customized version of the Zeekr Mix designed in collaboration with Waymo. The Zeekr RT, developed specifically as an autonomous robotaxi, will begin deliveries to Waymo in 2025, according to the announcement made at CES. The partnership between Zeekr and Waymo, which has been in development for three years, was officially unveiled with the introduction of Zeekr’s SEA-M platform. The first prototypes of the robotaxi have been undergoing test drives in San Francisco since the summer of 2024, with a safety driver…

BT Group has announced an order of approximately 3,500 new electric vehicles (EVs), set to be supplied by Ford, Stellantis, Toyota, and Renault over the next two years. This fleet expansion is poised to make BT Group the owner of the UK’s largest electric vehicle fleet, with nearly 8,000 EVs on the road by 2026. The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to decarbonize its operations and support the UK’s transition to greener technologies. As the UK’s second-largest commercial vehicle fleet, BT Group currently operates over 27,000 vehicles, including 4,300 electric ones. The new order will push the…

Munich has initiated a new tender for the construction of 2,700 new AC charging points across eight designated zones, following a ruling by the Southern Bavaria Public Procurement Chamber in November 2023. The previous tender had to be restarted due to a formal error, as the city had mistakenly put a service contract out to tender instead of a concession. According to the city’s announcement, “Now that the city council has amended the special use guidelines and special use fees, thus establishing a binding framework for the authorisation of charging facilities on public land, charging point operators can submit applications…

Xpeng has officially introduced its latest SUV model, the G7, following widespread attention from the unveiling of Tesla’s facelifted Model Y. Positioned between Xpeng’s G6 and G9 SUVs, the G7 is expected to compete directly with Tesla’s Model Y and Nio’s L60 in the mid-range electric vehicle (EV) market in China. The G7 aims to capture buyers in the RMB 250,000 ($34,100) price range, combining advanced AI technology, ample interior space, and a family-friendly design. Initial images shared by the company showcase the sleek aesthetics of the vehicle, which is described as a “space monster,” a term previously associated with…

BMW has revealed a groundbreaking update to its in-car user interface, named Panoramic iDrive, at CES 2025. The new UI, debuting with the upcoming Neue Klasse sedan later this year, marks a significant departure from the company’s previous systems by introducing a customizable, widget-based design. While the interface remains familiar in some respects, the key innovation is the integration of a digital display reflected onto a specially treated portion of the windshield, providing an enhanced and immersive driving experience. The concept is not entirely new, but BMW’s approach presents it with a unique twist. Unlike conventional heads-up displays, this system…

Tesla has officially launched a refreshed version of its Model Y crossover, introducing new features, an upgraded interior, and an additional color option to its lineup in China. The updated vehicle, which comes in Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configurations, aims to maintain its position as the world’s best-selling car while improving affordability. The RWD model starts at under $36,000, making it an attractive option for a wider range of buyers. The redesign brings a more modern front-end look with sharper corners, echoing design elements seen in Tesla’s autonomous vehicle, the Cybercab. Alongside the aesthetic changes,…

Czech energy supplier and charge point operator ČEZ has introduced the first fast-charging station with integrated battery storage in the Czech Republic, located in Prague. Supplied by Austrian manufacturer Kreisel Electric, the Chimero 180 station can charge electric vehicles (EVs) at speeds of up to 180 kW. The charging station is equipped with a 115 kWh battery system that acts as a buffer, storing energy from the grid for use during peak charging periods. This solution is designed to address the challenges of limited grid capacity at certain locations, enabling reliable high-speed charging with a connected load between 22 and…