Author: Joshua Morris

Arnold Clark has launched its ultra-rapid charging network across the UK, making 50 hubs at its dealerships available to the public following a £30 million (€35 million) investment last year. The rollout marks the halfway point of the company’s plan to install 500 chargers at more than 100 locations nationwide. The new hubs, spread across dozens of dealerships, feature up to eight chargers each, offering power levels of up to 150 kW. Charging is priced from 55p per kWh, with payments accepted via the Arnold Clark app, contactless Pay & Go, or charging cards from providers such as Allstar, Octopus…

Chinese heavy equipment maker XCMG has introduced a 70-ton reach stacker aimed at supporting construction of large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects, the company said on Friday. The new XCMG XCS65K reach stacker is designed to handle the weight and complexity of utility-scale storage projects, which involve thousands of tons of batteries. The machine combines precise controls, specialized implements, and a five-layer stacking capability with advanced safety features, the company said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHpKySMQk6o “The XCMG XCS65K is not just an upgrade; it’s the core driver of efficient delivery in large-scale energy storage projects,” said Miao Fei, Deputy General Manager of…

AUDI has unveiled the E5 Sportback, a new station wagon-style electric vehicle developed with SAIC, as part of Volkswagen Group’s “in China, for China” strategy. The model introduces the capitalized AUDI sub-brand, which departs from the traditional four-ring logo to signal independence from its legacy identity. The E5 Sportback is built on the jointly developed Advanced Digitised Platform (ADP) with an 800V architecture. AUDI claims a 10-minute charge can add 370 kilometers of driving range. Variants include both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), with prices ranging from 235,900 yuan ($32,800) to 319,900 yuan ($44,500). “We unite German engineering…

Zero-emission vehicle manufacturers Motiv and Workhorse Group said on Friday they have entered into a definitive merger agreement to form a single North American medium-duty electric truck company, valued at about $105 million. The all-stock deal will see Motiv’s controlling investor become the majority owner of the combined company, while Workhorse shareholders will retain a significant equity stake. Workhorse also completed a sale-leaseback and secured convertible note financing in connection with the agreement. The new company will focus on Class 4-6 medium-duty trucks, combining the firms’ platforms to expand product offerings, gain operational efficiencies and reduce unit costs. The companies…

Ecobat has agreed to sell its battery recycling and specialty lead operations in Germany and Austria to Clarios, a global energy storage company. The transaction includes Ecobat’s facilities in Freiberg and Braubach, Germany, and Arnoldstein, Austria, and is expected to close by early 2026, pending regulatory approvals. “We are pleased to announce the sale of our German and Austrian operations,” said Tom Slabe, President and CEO of Ecobat. “Upon completion, this transaction – along with the previously announced divestitures of France, Italy, and Battery Distribution – will enable Ecobat to concentrate its efforts on core recycling operations, as well as…

Waymo is exploring the use of generative AI and other emerging technologies in its self-driving systems, but the Alphabet-owned company said its combination of LiDAR and radar sensors remains central to the safe operation of robotaxis at scale. “We’ve done a lot of research. We’re aware of what works and what doesn’t work at our scale and what we need to do,” said Srikanth Thirumalai, Waymo’s vice president of onboard engineering, at the Ai4 Conference in Las Vegas this week. See also: Waymo Adds Spotify Streaming for Passengers in Select U.S. Cities While rivals such as Tesla are pursuing self-driving…

EVgo Inc., a U.S.-based operator of public fast-charging networks for electric vehicles, has been included in Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Companies 2025 list, which ranks 650 companies across various industries for overall business performance. The company received a 4.5 out of 5 rating in the assessment, which was conducted by Newsweek in collaboration with the research firm Plant-A Insights Group. The ranking evaluated public data, employee feedback and more than 120 performance indicators across workforce strength, technological innovation, financial performance and operational sustainability. EVgo reported $257 million in revenue for 2024, up 60% from the previous year, and has expanded partnerships…

A first-generation Nissan LEAF limousine fitted with dual batteries managed to travel nearly 19 miles after its range display reached zero, according to a test by Out of Spec Testing. Kyle Conner, who owns the retrofitted ex-Las Vegas limousine, said the unusual configuration was designed to extend the car’s range. The vehicle carries its original 24 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery in a custom rack and an additional used 24 kWh pack mounted in the factory cradle, wired in parallel. See also: Everything You Should Know About the All-New 2026 Nissan LEAF The test aimed to measure how far the electric vehicle…

Leipzig Transport Authority (LVB) has placed an order for 40 Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses to replace older diesel vehicles, marking a significant step in the German city’s shift toward zero-emission public transport. The first 15 buses are scheduled for delivery from November 2026, with the remaining 25 expected from mid-2027. The order follows the approval of €13.5 million in state funding from Saxony last year. Solaris secured the contract through an EU-wide tender, beating five competitors, according to LVB spokesman Marc Backhaus, as reported by Leipziger Volkszeitung. The authority opted for buses equipped with 576 kWh batteries, offering a range…

Three former members of Tesla’s UK Supercharger team have raised £60 million ($76 million) to develop high-powered electric vehicle charging hubs in cities across the country, starting with a site in London on Aug. 20. The new company, Hubber, was founded this year by Harry Fox, Connor Selwood and Hugh Leckie, who previously “oversaw delivery of 100+ Tesla Supercharger sites and 1,200+ ultra-rapid chargers nationwide” before Tesla’s UK Supercharger division closed in April. The founders said demand for ultra-fast charging in urban areas is outpacing supply, particularly among taxis, ride-hailing services, delivery fleets and buses. “Early ultra-fast charging focused on…

Electrify America said it will install ultra-fast electric vehicle chargers at eight Royal Farms convenience store locations in Maryland, expanding charging access in the state. The first sites, in Halethorpe and Oxon Hill, are already operational. Additional charging stations are planned in Annapolis, Catonsville, Charlotte Hall, Columbia, Pikesville and Towson, the companies said on Thursday. Each site will be equipped with Electrify America’s 350-kilowatt chargers, which can provide significant range in about 20 minutes depending on vehicle capability. Once completed, the rollout will give drivers access to more than 55 charging ports across the eight locations. “By combining speed and…

Mercedes-Benz is offering higher lease incentives on its all-electric G-Class SUV in the United States as a federal tax credit loophole for leased electric vehicles is set to close at the end of September. According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology will now come with $9,500 in lease cash, an increase from the $7,500 offered last month. The new incentive marks a 27% rise in savings, with offers available through September 2. The incentive comes ahead of the September 30 expiration of the federal $7,500 EV lease tax credit, which has allowed many leased…

Dutch electric vehicle (EV) charging company Fastned reported a wider net loss for the first half of 2025 despite a significant increase in revenue and expansion of its network across Europe. The company posted a net loss of €19.9 million for the January–June period, compared with a €11.6 million loss in the same period last year. Fastned said €16.3 million of the losses were linked to the company’s expansion strategy, which included opening 17 new charging stations in five European countries and upgrading several existing locations with additional charging points, such as in Aalscholver, the Netherlands. Revenue from its charging…

SAIC Motor’s MG brand said pre-sale orders for its new MG4 electric hatchback have surpassed 20,000 units, according to an announcement on the company’s official Weibo account. Strong demand has prompted MG to move the official launch forward to August 29 from its originally scheduled September release. MG opened a limited “Pioneer Program” on August 15, offering 500 MG4 units for early reservation through the “MG Live” app. The program sold out in just four minutes and 36 seconds. General pre-sale for the MG4 began on August 5, with pricing ranging from 73,800 yuan (about $10,300) to 105,800 yuan ($14,700).…

Tensor, a Silicon Valley-based artificial intelligence company, has unveiled the Tensor Robocar, which it says is the world’s first Level 4 autonomous vehicle developed for private ownership. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, with initial availability in the United States, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates. The Robocar is purpose-built for autonomy rather than adapted from an existing platform. It features more than 100 integrated sensors, including 37 cameras, five lidars, and 11 radars, supported by a redundant electrical architecture to maintain functionality in the event of component failure. The vehicle can operate in both manual and fully autonomous…

Chery’s Exeed brand has unveiled the first official images of the interior for its highly anticipated Exlantix E05 SUV, ahead of the vehicle’s global debut at the Munich Motor Show in September. The cabin showcases a wide triple-screen setup that spans the entire dashboard, creating an immersive digital environment for both the driver and front passenger. Early previews also suggest innovative comfort features, including a “front-row nap mode” and a “full-car large bed” configuration, highlighting the brand’s focus on passenger versatility and relaxation. Upward-curving lines on the door panels add a sense of dynamism, while the overall interior design emphasizes…

Lucid Motors has pushed back against a report from Automotive News claiming that its new Gravity SUV had only nine registrations in its first six months on the market. The publication, citing S&P Global Mobility data, said the figure was based on vehicle registration records. Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communications, told Electrek in an email that the claim is “completely inaccurate.” He added that “a quick review of social media postings from our customers shows that those numbers are simply not credible.” While Lucid does not provide a detailed breakdown of deliveries, Twork said Gravity deliveries are “well into…

Owners of fully electric Smart cars from the 451 series, produced between 2012 and 2015 and known as the Smart ED3, are facing difficulties in securing replacement batteries, as Mercedes-Benz, Smart’s former parent company, has reportedly exhausted its stock of both new and reconditioned units. The Smart ED3, launched around 13 years ago, marked one of the first mass-produced electric cars in Europe and the first fully electric Smart available to the public. Approximately 16,000 units were assembled in Hambach, France. Initially, Mercedes-Benz provided new replacement batteries under warranty or via a rental programme, but in 2019 the automaker shifted…

Foxconn will no longer manufacture electric tractors for California-based Monarch Tractor following the sale of its Ohio factory to SoftBank, Monarch CEO Praveen Penmetsa confirmed. Penmetsa said the company had worked with Foxconn to “build up inventory” ahead of the sale, adding that Monarch currently has “enough to meet customer demand for the next 12 months, along with ample spare parts.” He indicated that the startup is exploring alternative manufacturing partnerships, writing, “In the coming weeks, we will be sharing more about our plans to introduce more Monarch-enabled products in the market through new manufacturing partnerships.” The Ohio plant, previously…

Parcel service DPD Austria has transitioned to fully electric deliveries in St. Pölten, using Mercedes-Benz eSprinters supplemented by electric cargo bikes, the company said on Wednesday. Seven eSprinters operate from the local depot in Pöchlarn, delivering an average of 20,000 parcels per month. In pedestrian zones, electric cargo bikes from partner Der Fahrradkurier handle heavier loads of up to 250 kilograms. Rainer Schwarz, Managing Director of DPD Austria, said, “We consider delivery by electric vehicles to be a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions and an important signal to the outside world in terms of environmental protection. In addition, the…