Author: Jonathan Collins

BYD plans to launch its ultra-fast “flash charging” network in South Africa, extending the 1,000 kW charging technology already being deployed in China and planned for Europe. The first stations are scheduled to go live in April or May 2026, the company’s senior vice president and head of Europe, Stella Li, told South African technology outlet TechCentral. The new charging network will initially be installed across BYD’s expanding dealership network before extending to key motorway locations. “We want to cover 100% of the country,” Li said in the interview. “By the end of next year, we will have 200 or…

Porsche has confirmed that it has entered talks with Michael Leiters, the former McLaren Automotive CEO, as a potential successor to Oliver Blume, who is expected to step down as Porsche chief executive in 2026 while continuing to lead Volkswagen Group. The announcement follows reports from Der Spiegel and Bild that Blume’s dual leadership roles at both Volkswagen and Porsche were drawing increasing scrutiny amid operational challenges at Porsche. See also: Porsche CEO Oliver Blume Set to Step Down, Focus on Volkswagen Role  The company said in a statement that its Supervisory Board had instructed the chairman to discuss an…

Xpeng has introduced the updated 2025 G6 electric SUV in Malaysia, marking the model’s entry into the Southeast Asian market following its domestic debut in China earlier this year. The launch coincides with the company’s first anniversary in Malaysia and underscores its broader strategy to expand globally. The updated G6 comes equipped across all variants with a 5C fast-charging battery and an 800-volt silicon carbide platform, designed to deliver faster charging speeds, longer driving range, and improved efficiency and safety. See also: XPeng Expands Fast-Charging Network in Southeast Asia Through Charge Plus Partnership The model is offered in three variants…

BYD has reached a major milestone in Thailand with the delivery of its 100,000th new energy vehicle (NEV), the BYD SEAL 06 DM-i. The model was chosen as the official vehicle for the “Friendship Fleet Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Thailand-China Diplomatic Relations,” marking its symbolic role in strengthening bilateral ties. The SEAL 06 DM-i is among the models produced locally at BYD’s Thailand factory. BYD’s manufacturing facility in Thailand, completed in July 2024, is the company’s first wholly-owned passenger vehicle factory outside China. With an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, the plant currently produces models such as the…

AGL Energy has entered into a strategic partnership with EV charging management provider AMPECO to expand electric vehicle infrastructure across Australian cities. The collaboration focuses on curbside charging stations in high-density residential areas, addressing one of the country’s most significant EV adoption barriers — limited home charging access for apartment residents. See also: Australia Allocates AU$40 Million to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure Within just six months, AGL deployed more than 150 curbside charging stations across inner Sydney, transforming the city’s public charging landscape. The initiative leverages AMPECO’s platform, which delivers 99% uptime and allows AGL to manage charging throughput in…

Li Auto has established its overseas headquarters in Hong Kong and is planning to further expand its operations and local team in the city, according to a statement released by Invest Hong Kong. The Hong Kong headquarters will serve as a strategic hub for Li Auto’s global research and development (R&D), intellectual property management, and international supply chain coordination, the agency said. It will also oversee the company’s overseas business expansion as part of Li Auto’s broader global strategy. See also: Li Auto Forms Battery Joint Venture With SEVB to Strengthen Supply Chain According to Invest Hong Kong, the new…

GM Energy, General Motors’ electric and energy solutions subsidiary, has reported significant sales growth this year as the automaker broadens its role beyond vehicle manufacturing to include integrated energy and charging services. According to GM Energy Vice President Wade Sheffer, sales of the company’s charging and energy products have increased fivefold in 2025, driven by rising demand for comprehensive electrification solutions that align with General Motors’ growing electric vehicle lineup. Sheffer said revenue has grown about 30 percent month-over-month since January, with around 70 percent of GM EV customers purchasing at least one GM Energy product. The company has also…

Tesla’s Model Y has received a Gold award at the 2025 Australian Good Design Awards, placing it among a select group of global projects recognized for excellence in innovation, user experience, and sustainability. The Model Y stood out for its refined design, incremental improvements, and cohesive vision. The international judging panel highlighted enhancements in safety, upgraded technology, and subtle styling cues aligned with Tesla’s broader design language. See also: Tesla Offers Nearly $5,000 Discount on Full Self-Driving Software in Australia and New Zealand “Tesla is clearly a trailblazer in the world of EVs. Incredible technology coupled with world-class design and…

Horse Powertrain, the powertrain joint venture between Geely and Renault, has entered into partnerships with Chinese automakers Leapmotor, Chery Automobile, and JAC Motors to help accelerate their international expansion, Reuters reported. Established in May 2023, Horse Powertrain is jointly owned by Geely (45%), Renault (45%), and Saudi Aramco (10%). Its core engineering team is composed of experts from the engine divisions of Geely, Renault, and Volvo. The company operates five R&D centers globally and manages 17 powertrain factories that were previously part of Renault, including eight in China. See also: Horse Powertrain Unveils Hybrid Concept for EV Platforms at Auto…

EHang has announced the launch of its Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Sandbox Initiative in Bangkok, Thailand, in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) and several local partners. The initiative is designed to support the development and evaluation of pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations under a regulatory “sandbox” framework. See also: Everything You Should Know About Ehang VT35 As part of the launch, EHang’s EH216-S autonomous aircraft completed several demonstration flights to test its performance, safety, and operational readiness. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl2Ahh7-3T8 The sandbox approach allows regulators and companies to assess real-world use cases before introducing commercial…

Electric aviation company Beta Technologies has filed to raise as much as $825 million through an initial public offering (IPO) in the United States, according to documents submitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The startup plans to price shares between $27 and $33, which would give it a valuation of roughly $7.2 billion at the top end of the range. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Vermont, Beta Technologies is developing electric and hybrid-electric aircraft for passenger and cargo applications. The company’s founder and chief executive officer Kyle Clark, a Harvard-educated former professional hockey player and pilot…

Zevo, a peer-to-peer electric vehicle (EV) sharing platform, has announced a strategic partnership with automaker Faraday Future to integrate 1,000 FX Super One electric vehicles into its network. The deployment is planned over the next 12–18 months in key U.S. markets, including Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. The agreement designates Zevo as a co-creation partner and is intended to diversify its fleet beyond Tesla models, providing independent hosts with access to advanced EVs while establishing pathways toward eventual ownership. See also: Zevo Secures $6 Million to Expand Peer-to-Peer EV Rental Platform Hebron Sher, Co-founder and CEO of Zevo, said…

Great Wall Motor has unveiled a renewed strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe, focusing on its SUV brand Haval and expanding its lineup to include combustion engines, full hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles. The Chinese automaker first entered the European market in 2021 with electric and plug-in hybrid models under its Ora and Wey brands but saw limited success. In 2023, it sold about 316,000 vehicles outside China, with only 6,300 units delivered in Europe. The company has since postponed its goal of reaching one million overseas sales from 2025 to 2030 after disappointing results in key markets…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the Vision Iconic concept car, signaling a major design shift away from the rounded “One Bow” styling of its EQS and EQE models. The concept introduces a bold Art Deco-inspired design, featuring the return of the brand’s classic upright grille and new solar paint technology capable of generating enough electricity for up to 12,000 kilometres annually. The move marks Mercedes’ effort to blend modern electric technology with the brand’s heritage styling after lukewarm reception of its earlier EQ models. Those designs, focused on aerodynamic efficiency and space, drew criticism for lacking the elegance and visual identity long…

The Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) chair at RWTH Aachen University has released an interim report from its VoltaVia project, indicating that electrifying road construction sites is “not only ecologically sensible, but also economically feasible.” Conducted in partnership with Munich-based construction logistics provider Zeppelin Rental, the two-year VoltaVia initiative aims to explore strategies for decarbonizing road construction sites across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) under the D-A-CH Transport Infrastructure Research program, the project has now reached its halfway point. See also: RWTH Aachen Unveils Virtual Modelling Tool for Battery Cell Production Initial…

BYD has launched two new vehicles in Cambodia as part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in Southeast Asia. The Chinese automaker introduced the BYD Seal 5 Super Hybrid and the BYD M9 Super Hybrid at an event held in Phnom Penh on October 12. The M9 is BYD’s Xia MPV, while the Seal 5 corresponds to the Seal 05 DM-i in China and the Chaser 05 in other markets such as Thailand. BYD did not clarify the specific Chinese versions linked to the Cambodian launch. See also: BYD To Double Sales Network In Cambodia As Local Plant Nears…

Polestar has introduced Polestar Fleet Telematics, a new connected service aimed at helping fleet operators manage, monitor, and optimize their electric vehicle (EV) operations more efficiently. The system delivers real-time data, actionable insights, and seamless integration with major fleet management platforms — all without requiring additional hardware or installation costs. See also: Polestar Q3 Sales Rise 13% Amid Strong European Demand, Tariff Challenges Developed in partnership with Echoes, Geotab, and High Mobility, Polestar Fleet Telematics provides operators with live vehicle data and usage analytics to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs through smarter planning, and enhance the overall customer experience. “Given…

Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle unit Waymo plans to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in London in 2026, marking its first major expansion outside the United States. The company said it will begin testing vehicles with safety drivers in the British capital ahead of full commercial operations next year. Waymo, which has grown gradually in the U.S. despite regulatory and technical challenges, is accelerating its global expansion through partnerships with fleet operators and ride-hailing platforms. Earlier this year, it began collecting data in Tokyo in collaboration with Japanese taxi operator Nihon Kotsu and the Go taxi-hailing app. See also: Waymo Hires…

Tesla’s Cybertruck is facing significant sales headwinds, prompting Elon Musk to lean on his other companies, SpaceX and xAI, to help ease the burden by purchasing hundreds of unsold vehicles, according to reports. Once marketed as a bold leap into the future of electric mobility, the Cybertruck has quickly become a challenge for Tesla. Industry sources cited by Electrek say SpaceX and xAI have recently acquired several hundred units of the stainless steel pickup, officially describing the move as part of a shift from petrol-powered company cars to an electric fleet. However, some analysts view the move as an attempt…

General Motors said on Tuesday it will record a $1.6 billion charge in the third quarter as the company recalibrates its electric vehicle (EV) strategy in response to the elimination of a key federal incentive expected to weaken demand. The move underscores how U.S. automakers are adjusting production plans amid softening EV sales, following the Trump administration’s decision to end the $7,500 federal tax credit that had supported the industry. Executives have warned that the change could trigger a sharp short-term drop in EV sales before a gradual recovery. See also: General Motors Q3 EV Sales Jump to 66,501, More…