Author: Joshua Morris

Volkswagen Passenger Cars will exempt its ID. series electric vehicles from its annual price adjustment for the 2026 model year, while most combustion engine models will increase by an average of 1.5%, according to a letter sent to dealers and reported by German publication Automobilwoche. The adjustment, effective from 21 August, affects models ranging from the Polo to the Touareg. In contrast, electric vehicles including the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, and the T-Roc will retain their current list prices. Optional extras, such as special paint finishes and design packages, are set to rise regardless of the vehicle’s powertrain. Analysts note…

BMW is weighing the possibility of sourcing battery cells from China for its next-generation electric vehicles in the United States, after its partner Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) halted construction of a battery cell plant in South Carolina, according to people familiar with the matter. Automotive News reported that AESC not only paused construction of the Florence facility but has also allegedly cancelled plans to supply BMW from the site. This leaves the Munich-based carmaker exploring alternative options, including importing cells from AESC’s Chinese factories, which could be cheaper in the short term despite potential tariffs. An AESC spokesperson in…

The Colorado Energy Office has allocated $5 million in grants through its Direct-Current Fast-Charging (DCFC) Plazas program, funding the installation of 56 new fast-charging ports at nine sites across the state. The money comes entirely from state funding and will expand Colorado’s public fast-charging network by roughly 4% from its current 1,400 ports. This marks the seventh round of awards under the program, which has previously completed 13 sites with charging stations in the Front Range, Eastern Plains, and Western Slope, in towns including Montrose, Frisco, Pueblo, Cortez, Longmont, Seibert and Limon. Recipients in this latest round include Helios Charging,…

Polestar’s new large electric SUV, the Polestar 3, has set a Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge, covering 935.44 km (581.3 miles). The feat was achieved by the recently launched Long range Single motor version during a near 23-hour run in mixed weather conditions. The attempt, completed in 22 hours and 57 minutes, saw the vehicle record an efficiency of 12.1 kWh per 100 km (19.5 kWh per 100 miles). Professional efficiency drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker rotated every three hours to maintain concentration. The Polestar 3…

Ford has unveiled its “Universal EV Platform,” a new architecture aimed at delivering more affordable electric vehicles, starting with a mid-size electric pickup scheduled for 2027. The first model will be built at the company’s Louisville, Kentucky, plant, with a targeted starting price of about $30,000. The pickup will not be the same as the T3 project planned for Tennessee’s BlueOval City, whose launch has been pushed to 2028. Ford describes the Kentucky-built model as “a new idea for a new era,” combining acceleration comparable to a Mustang EcoBoost with passenger space exceeding that of a 2025 Toyota RAV4. It…

Switching all U.S. gasoline-powered vehicles to electric models would not be enough to tackle climate change unless the nation also upgrades its transmission grid, according to a Northwestern University study published in Nature Communications. Researchers found that “grid congestion” would prevent clean electricity from reaching many charging locations, forcing reliance on nearby fossil fuel plants and wiping out a third of potential emissions cuts. “The charging schedule of EVs can be optimized to align with intermittent renewable generation,” said Adilson Motter, a Northwestern physics professor and director of the Center for Network Dynamics. “But even with smart charging, efficient use…

Bosch and CARIAD, Volkswagen Group’s software subsidiary, are jointly developing an artificial intelligence-based software stack designed to advance Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving systems. The collaboration, part of the Automated Driving Alliance, seeks to create driver assistance technologies that operate with human-like intuition to enhance safety and convenience for millions of motorists. The AI-driven software stack integrates intelligence across the full technology chain—from environmental perception and sensor fusion to decision-making and vehicle control. This end-to-end approach aims to make automated driving feel more natural while ensuring decisions are safe, traceable, and explainable. The software is planned for production…

An online video by American rapper Big Huey claiming Tesla remotely deactivated his Cybertruck has been revealed as a staged incident, likely intended to promote his new song named after the electric pickup. The video, posted on Instagram, showed the truck’s infotainment screen displaying a “deactivated” warning and instructions to contact customer service, drawing over 112,000 likes and widespread attention. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Detroit (@bighuey313) The rapper later posted what appeared to be a cease-and-desist letter from Tesla over the use of the Cybertruck name and imagery. However, both the letter and…

Tesla plans to make its robotaxi service available to the general public in Austin, Texas, next month, expanding access beyond the small group of early users who have been participating in the pilot since June. The timeline was confirmed by Chief Executive Elon Musk in a brief social media post, in which he said the service “will be open access next month,” without offering further details. Tesla’s Austin program uses its latest Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology to transport passengers without a human driver at the wheel, though a safety operator currently rides in the front passenger seat. The company runs…

AMPECO, a provider of electric vehicle charging management software, has partnered with Dutch manufacturer Peblar to roll out solar-powered EV charging solutions across Europe. The partnership combines AMPECO’s software platform with Peblar’s smart charging hardware, enabling EV owners to align charging with renewable energy production and reduce reliance on the power grid. Peblar’s charging stations can integrate with home energy systems and smart meters, offering three charging modes: Smart Solar, which allocates energy intelligently; Pure Solar, which runs entirely on solar power; and Fast Solar, which accelerates charging while prioritizing renewable energy use. AMPECO’s software supports dynamic electricity tariffs, allowing…

Aito, the premium electric vehicle brand backed by Huawei and Seres, has filed the latest version of its M7 sport utility vehicle with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, featuring a larger body, updated styling and a choice of extended-range electric (EREV) or pure electric powertrains. The new M7 measures 5,080 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,780 mm in height, with a 3,030 mm wheelbase, marking increases over the current model. It will be offered in both five-seat and six-seat configurations. Design updates bring the M7 in line with the brand’s newer M8 model, with a…

Hyroad Energy has acquired 113 hydrogen fuel cell trucks along with related assets from the Nikola Corporation bankruptcy auction, a move aimed at accelerating the rollout of zero-emission commercial fleets in the United States. The purchase also includes spare parts, software platforms, and intellectual property, positioning the company to strengthen its role in the hydrogen transportation sector. The California-focused deployment is part of Hyroad’s broader plan to simplify the adoption of green technology for commercial fleets by offering turnkey hydrogen trucking solutions. “These trucks and the corresponding equipment and systems represent immediate capacity to put proven hydrogen fuel cell technology…

Trek Bicycle, the US-based cycling brand, has launched redesigned versions of its Fuel and Fuel+ trail bike platforms, featuring updated frame geometry, modular configurations, and expanded suspension options across three variants: EX, MX, and LX. The Fuel serves as a traditional analog mountain bike, while the Fuel+ represents its electric counterpart, equipped with a TQ HPR60 motor and a larger 580Wh battery. The new Fuel and Fuel+ bikes offer three distinct setups tailored to diverse riding preferences. The EX model provides a balanced suspension with 145mm travel at the rear and 150mm upfront. The MX variant incorporates mixed wheel sizes,…

Acura is set to reveal its all-electric RSX prototype to the public for the first time during Monterey Car Week, which runs from August 8 to 17. The unveiling will offer a clearer look at the upcoming model, which marks Acura’s initial bespoke electric vehicle built on Honda’s new EV platform and ASIMO OS operating system. The RSX nameplate, originally associated with the early 2000s Acura Integra successor, is returning as an electric SUV, based on the Japanese automaker’s Performance EV Concept. Acura first announced plans for the RSX EV during a 2025 outlook briefing by American Honda, with the…

The ZAPI GROUP, an Italian electrification solutions provider, has acquired a majority stake in Stercom Power Solutions, a German developer of onboard chargers and energy systems for electric mobility, the companies said on Wednesday. Stercom, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Weyarn, Bavaria, will continue to operate independently within the ZAPI GROUP. The company was previously backed by German energy storage specialist Tesvolt, which acquired a stake in 2021 to support Stercom’s early work in inductive charging. Since then, the company has shifted focus toward onboard chargers for industrial and commercial vehicles, as well as bidirectional charging systems. “The acquisition…

Audi has rolled out a new entertainment feature across several of its electric and combustion-powered models in the United States, allowing drivers and passengers to play video games via the in-car AirConsole system. The feature turns the car into a mobile gaming console by enabling games to be played on the central or passenger display, with smartphones functioning as controllers. AirConsole, already available in select BMW and Mini models, has now been integrated into Audi’s infotainment platform through the Audi Application Store. Compatible vehicles include electric models such as the A6 E-Tron and Q6 E-Tron, as well as gas-powered variants…

The United States Air Force has listed the Tesla Cybertruck among a fleet of vehicles it intends to use for target practice in a munitions training and testing program, citing the vehicle’s durability and unique design as critical factors in its selection. The Cybertruck is part of a group of 33 vehicles, including sedans, pickup trucks, SUVs, and Bongo trucks, that will be used in support of the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (USSOCOM) Standoff Precision Guided Munition (SOPGM) program. According to public procurement filings, the Air Force specifically noted the Cybertruck’s potential presence in real-world conflict scenarios and emphasized the…

Chinese industrial truck manufacturer Hangcha and France’s Manitou Group have announced plans to form a joint venture focused on lithium-ion battery production for industrial vehicles, expanding their existing partnership. The company will be based in Le Mans, France, and will operate independently, pending approval from European competition authorities. The joint venture, which remains unnamed, aims to manufacture and sell lithium-ion batteries with a focus on global industrial customers transitioning from lead-acid technologies. Both companies plan to equip their own vehicles—such as Manitou’s upcoming ME LIFT—with the batteries produced at the site, which will be housed in an existing facility. “This…

U Power Limited has entered into a Letter of Intent with a Hong Kong-based technology company to purchase 300 battery-swapping compatible electric vehicles (EVs), expanding the use of its UOTTA™ battery-swapping platform in the city. An initial deposit has been submitted, and the agreement will move forward following a definitive sales contract, according to the company. The vehicles, based on U Power’s MGEP platform, will operate using the company’s smart battery-swapping station launched in Hong Kong in June. The facility enables drivers to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones in minutes and includes an incentive system where “each swap…

California has rolled out a $55 million program to expand public fast charging for electric vehicles (EVs), offering up to 100% of eligible installation costs for direct current (DC) fast chargers at commercial and community sites across the state. “This is the biggest CALeVIP project ever. It’s the first to be statewide. And, it’s the first to cover up to 100% of eligible costs,” said Hannon Rasool, director of the California Energy Commission’s (CEC) Fuels and Transportation Division. “Installing more fast chargers is vital to California’s zero emission vehicle transition, and the Fast Charge California Project prioritises ready-to-build fast charging…