Author: Joshua Morris

Kia has launched a taxi variant of its PV5 electric van in Korea, adding to its growing Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) lineup. The PV5, available in passenger and cargo versions, is Kia’s first fully electric van and forms part of a strategy to offer flexible models tailored to industries including logistics, transport, and retail. The PV5 taxi is equipped with a 71.2 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 358 km (222 miles). Features designed for taxi use include protective floor mats, rear passenger USB ports, a driver footrest, and sliding second-row doors. Kia has also introduced an upgraded…

Urban mobility specialist Tern has launched an updated version of its Vektron folding e-bike, introducing stronger motors, integration with the Bosch Smart System, and a new belt-drive option aimed at reducing maintenance and improving everyday usability. The latest Vektron lineup, available in several configurations, retains its compact folding design while offering upgrades in performance and comfort. The e-bike can roll on its wheels even when folded, easing transfers on public transport, and its pannier rack includes reinforced supports that allow the bike to stand securely when folded. Integrated mudguards, lighting, and a pannier-ready rack are standard across the range. The…

The 2025 Ford F-150 Lightning received mixed results in the latest crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), falling short of the ratings required to earn a Top Safety Pick award. While the electric pickup was rated “good” in the category of front crash prevention: pedestrian, as well as for its seat belt reminder system, the IIHS gave it lower scores in other areas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlTnWKb5Vxg The F-150 Lightning received a “marginal” rating for child seat latch ease of use, an “acceptable” rating for its headlights, and a “poor” rating in the moderate overlap front crash test.…

Volkswagen’s flagship Touareg SUV, slated to be discontinued next year, could return as an electric model and potentially become the first vehicle built on the group’s new Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), according to a report by Automobilwoche. The prospect of an ID. Touareg debuting the SSP comes as a surprise, since the architecture was expected to launch with the ID. Golf or ID. Roc in Wolfsburg. However, delays to those models — now reportedly pushed to 2030 due to the later relocation of ICE Golf production to Mexico — may clear the way for the SUV. Ending combustion Touareg production…

The FIA has entered a multi-year agreement with Extreme H to establish the first hydrogen-powered World Cup in motorsport, positioning the series as a major new global off-road championship. The FIA Extreme H World Cup is scheduled to begin later this year in Saudi Arabia, with detailed locations and dates set to be announced on 17 September. The series will run entirely on hydrogen fuel cell technology, powering not only the vehicles but also paddock operations, broadcast systems, and hospitality. Organizers describe Extreme H as a real-world demonstration of hydrogen’s potential, aiming to stimulate investment in refueling infrastructure and promote…

Orange EV, a U.S.-based electric yard truck manufacturer, has partnered with charging technology company OptiGrid to introduce the Orange Juicer™, a battery-integrated DC fast charger designed to reduce deployment timelines and cut infrastructure costs for fleet operators. The Orange Juicer incorporates a 180-kWh onboard battery that draws steady energy from existing site power, then delivers high-capacity charging on demand. The system bypasses lengthy utility upgrades, enabling fleets to bring electric trucks into service within weeks rather than years. Orange EV and OptiGrid say the solution delivers full fast-charging capability while consuming up to 85% less grid input power compared with…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng said it will introduce an extended-range version of its X9 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in October, marking its first entry into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market. The seven-seat X9 EREV, described by the company as the world’s longest-range new energy MPV, will be built on an 800-volt high-voltage platform supporting 5C ultra-fast charging. According to Xpeng, the model will offer a battery-only range of 450 kilometers under the CLTC standard, and a combined range of up to 1,600 kilometers when both fully charged and fueled. The vehicle uses a 1.5-liter engine supplied by Harbin Dongan…

Subaru is offering its 2025 Solterra electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) for lease at a rate roughly 40 percent lower than the Tesla Model Y, the company said. The promotion is available until the end of September for well-qualified buyers who take delivery from existing retail stock. Under the deal, the Solterra Premium trim can be leased for $299 per month over 36 months, with no security deposit or down payment required. By comparison, a Tesla Model Y adjusted for zero down payment leases at $492 per month for the same term. Lessees of the Solterra will have the option…

RoboSense, a developer of AI-driven automotive sensors, announced that its mass-producible digital LiDARs are now compatible with NVIDIA’s DRIVE AGX platform, a move expected to accelerate the deployment of autonomous driving technologies for automakers worldwide. The integration makes RoboSense’s E1, EMX, and EM4 LiDARs available within the NVIDIA DRIVE ecosystem, providing high-definition 3D perception data to support the development of L2 to L4 autonomous driving systems. RoboSense said the EM4 is the only mass-produced digital main LiDAR with more than 500 beams, offering both long-range perception and near-field blind-spot coverage. Mark Qiu, CEO of RoboSense, said the partnership “offers leading…

Chinese automaker BYD plans to introduce its high-power “Flash Charging” technology to Europe, enabling up to 1,000 kW charging through a single CCS cable, according to Spanish outlet TestCoches. In China, BYD’s megawatt system currently requires plugging in two cables simultaneously. But TestCoches reported from the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich that “in Europe only one cable is required to reach the 1,000 kW maximum DC charging power. And of course, the European standard connector, the CCS plug, remains in use.” BYD first showcased its 1,000-volt “Super e-platform” earlier this year, which integrates an updated Blade battery and technical…

Xpeng is preparing to launch an extended-range version of its P7+ sedan next year, marking another step in the company’s expansion into the extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) market, Chinese media outlet Cailian reported on Thursday. The upcoming P7+ EREV is expected to feature a battery capable of 5C fast charging and deliver a pure electric range of about 400 kilometers. The move aligns with Xpeng’s strategy to offer both battery electric and extended-range powertrains for future models, which will also be rolled out to global markets. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) recently disclosed regulatory filings for an…

ExxonMobil has acquired the U.S.-based assets and technology of Superior Graphite, along with select international offices, in a bid to enter the synthetic graphite market and bolster domestic production of battery materials for electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems. The acquisition brings over a century of graphite expertise to ExxonMobil, enabling the company to combine Superior Graphite’s proprietary processes, intellectual property, and production know-how with its own operational scale and technology. The move is expected to expand synthetic graphite production in the United States. Synthetic graphite, a key material for lithium-ion battery anodes, impacts both energy density and overall…