Author: Joshua Morris

Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai announced on Friday that it has begun 24/7 robotaxi testing in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, extending its daily testing window beyond the previous 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. schedule. The company said the move marks a step forward in the maturity of autonomous driving technology and has the potential to support the evolution of urban mobility. “The launch of tests covering all hours of the day demonstrates the maturity of autonomous driving technology and has far-reaching implications for the improvement and upgrading of urban transportation,” Pony.ai said in a statement. Late-night and early-morning hours are…

Tesla has begun notifying users about the rollout of its robotaxi service in California’s Bay Area, clarifying that rides will be conducted with safety drivers using its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software, according to Business Insider. The information, reportedly shared via a user notification, outlines that the service operates under existing permissions granted by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). While Tesla has indicated that rides in California will include a safety driver, the company does not hold the permits required to operate fully autonomous vehicles in the state and has not applied for them, the CPUC confirmed. This contrasts with…

Tesla said on Wednesday it is preparing to broaden the release of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software in China and Europe later this year, pending regulatory approval. The announcement came as part of the company’s second-quarter earnings disclosure, which also highlighted growing usage of its autonomous technology and global vehicle sales performance. “We continue to prepare for broader release of FSD (Supervised) in China this year, pending regulatory approval,” Tesla wrote in its Q2 shareholder deck, referring to the world’s largest market for new energy vehicles. The company added, “We continue to prepare for the launch of FSD (Supervised)…

Battery-electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for 15.6% of new car registrations in the European Union in the first half of 2025, up from 12.5% during the same period last year, according to figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). A total of 869,271 EVs were newly registered from January to June, representing a 22% year-on-year increase. However, market developments varied widely across the bloc. Germany led with a 35.1% rise in EV registrations, despite the absence of subsidies for private buyers. Belgium (+19.5%) and the Netherlands (+6.1%) also saw growth, while France recorded a 6.4% decline. These divergences reflect…

German automotive supplier Mahle has introduced a new range extender system with a rated continuous output of 85 kilowatts, ahead of its official debut at the IAA Mobility show in September. The system combines a high-voltage generator and compact combustion engine, aiming to enhance electric vehicle range while extending the viability of internal combustion technologies. The 800-volt generator, a permanently excited electric machine with integrated cooling, achieves a peak efficiency of more than 97% and a power density exceeding 50 kW per litre. According to Mahle, these figures pertain to the electric generator, while the accompanying petrol engine achieves 42%…

Tesla has delayed its planned hardware upgrades for vehicles equipped with older Full Self-Driving (FSD) systems, stating that retrofits for HW3-equipped models will not begin until after the launch of FSD Unsupervised on newer hardware. The update, provided during Tesla’s second-quarter 2025 earnings call, comes as a setback for owners of vehicles with the HW3 or AI3 self-driving computers, many of whom had expected upgrades following earlier comments from CEO Elon Musk. “What we want to do is get unsupervised [FSD] done on HW4 first,” Tesla Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja said. “Once it’s done, then we will go back…

Mercedes-Benz is rolling out major discounts on its 2026 electric vehicle lineup in the United States as automakers brace for significant changes to federal EV incentives. The German luxury brand is the latest to reduce prices in anticipation of the expiration of current EV tax credits, part of broader industry adjustments ahead of a shifting policy landscape. With the U.S. federal EV tax credit set to end under proposed legislation — dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — buyers are facing a looming September deadline to qualify for up to $7,500 on new EVs and $4,000 on used ones. As…

Polish electric bus manufacturer Solaris has secured an order to deliver 73 Trollino 18 articulated trolleybuses to the city of Vilnius, Lithuania, as the capital moves forward with its public transport electrification strategy. The €65.2 million agreement, signed last week, includes battery-equipped trolleybuses capable of operating up to 20 kilometres without an overhead line connection. Charging will be possible via traditional overhead infrastructure or overnight at depots, offering greater route flexibility. The new Trollino 18 vehicles will feature several passenger-oriented upgrades, including USB charging ports, air conditioning, bicycle racks, and security cameras. The first units are expected to begin service…

Tesla has officially opened its long-anticipated Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood, California, blending classic Americana with futuristic tech alongside its expanding electric vehicle charging network. The venue launched at 4:20 p.m. on Monday, drawing large crowds and signaling a new kind of destination charging experience. https://twitter.com/Tesla/status/1947436765515813174 The Tesla Diner & Drive-In features 80 v4 Supercharger stalls, a drive-in movie setup with dual 45-foot LED screens, and a menu inspired by traditional diner fare, according to Eater. Additional attractions include Tesla-branded merchandise and a display of the Optimus robot. While designed with Tesla drivers in mind, the facility appears intended to…

Tesla has expanded its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) transfer program to Europe and the Middle East, allowing owners in these regions to move their FSD capability to a newly purchased vehicle. This marks the first time the program is available outside of North America. The transfer program was first introduced in North America during the third quarter of 2023 as a limited-time offer. Initially described as a one-time initiative, it has since returned multiple times, including a reintroduction in early 2024 for deliveries through March 31. Its recurring nature suggests the company may be adopting a more flexible approach to the…

Australian-German start-up Vulcan Energy Resources said on Tuesday it has received €104 million ($122 million) in grants from the German government and two federal states to support its clean lithium project, as Berlin moves to boost electric vehicle (EV) battery production and reduce dependence on imported raw materials. The funds, jointly provided by the federal government and the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse, are intended to help develop critical infrastructure for domestic lithium production. Vulcan said the initiative is part of a broader effort “to assist with building Germany’s and Europe’s critical raw materials supply chain resilience.” “In times of…

The European Commission is reportedly considering new regulations that would require all new vehicles purchased by rental car companies and corporate fleets to be electric starting in 2030, according to a report by Bild am Sonntag. While the proposal is still in draft form and has yet to be officially introduced, it has already sparked opposition within industry circles and among European lawmakers. The plan, expected to be presented later this summer, would form part of the European Union’s broader effort to accelerate the transition to zero-emission transport and support the competitiveness of the continent’s automotive industry. An initial draft…

Subaru said it will launch its third all-electric model, the Uncharted, in early 2026, with plans to introduce the compact SUV coupé in both the United States and Europe. The new model follows the previously announced Trailseeker (to be sold as the electric Outback in Europe) and a refreshed version of the Solterra. The Uncharted will be based on Toyota’s C-HR+ architecture, marking another step in the technical collaboration between Subaru and Toyota that began in 2019. The cooperation allows the Japanese automakers to share development and production resources, particularly for electric vehicles built on Toyota’s eTNGA platform. Subaru’s Solterra,…

Electric vehicle (EV) charging joint venture Ionna said it will partner with Wawa, a U.S. convenience store and fuel retailer, to expand its high-power charging network across Florida. The first site under the collaboration is scheduled to open next week in Daytona Beach. Additional installations are underway at Wawa locations in Bradenton, Pensacola, and Orlando, as Ionna continues efforts to scale its charging infrastructure in the United States. The joint venture, formed by eight major automakers including BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, and Toyota, aims to deploy more than 30,000 charging bays by the end of the…

Gridserve has secured £100 million in new equity investment from institutional shareholders TPG Rise Climate, Infracapital and Mitsubishi HC Capital UK Plc, aimed at accelerating the rollout of its High Power electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the UK. The funding will support the company’s efforts to expand its fast-charging network on the UK’s busiest roads. Gridserve currently operates more than 200 locations with around 1,500 charging bays nationwide. The investment comes as the UK pushes forward with its transition to electric mobility, with demand for reliable and accessible charging infrastructure continuing to grow. “This equity raise places Gridserve in…

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer based in Illinois, said on Thursday it will establish its East Coast headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, marking another step in the company’s broader investment in the state. The new office will be located in the Junction Krog District on Auburn Avenue, adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail. The facility is expected to open in late 2025 and employ approximately 500 people when fully operational. “Atlanta is a natural fit for Rivian, home to a talented and diverse workforce, world-class schools and universities, innovative spirit, and importantly, a community we want to become a part…

The Spark Alliance, formed in April by electric vehicle (EV) charging providers Electra, Ionity, Fastned, and Atlante, has launched the initial phase of integration, allowing EV drivers to view and access more than 11,000 charge points across the networks via each partner’s mobile app. Electra reported that all Spark Alliance charging locations are now visible and accessible through its app. Ionity confirmed that its route planner, as of July, displays over 1,700 charging sites across Europe, including those operated by alliance members. The integration enables drivers to plan trips using a broader charging network without switching between apps. While the…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio is expanding customization options for its executive-class ET9 sedan, aiming to strengthen its position in the premium EV segment with enhanced exterior styling choices. A new filing with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveals that Nio plans to offer two-tone paint combinations, luxury-style wheels, and revised rear badges for the ET9. These updates echo the design language of high-end vehicles like those from Mercedes-Maybach, with color schemes and wheels that mirror models such as the Maybach GLS and S-Class. The addition of these premium elements positions the ET9 closer to global luxury…

Rivian plans to restart site preparation for its planned electric vehicle factory in Georgia next month and aims to break ground in early 2026, according to documents obtained by TechCrunch through a public records request. The company has already invested over $80 million in the project as of June 20, 2025, marking a significant increase from $41 million in July 2024. The development follows the U.S. Department of Energy’s approval of a $6.6 billion loan under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing program, which will support construction. As part of the next steps, Rivian intends to begin installing deep utilities in…

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the CLA Shooting Brake, the estate-bodied version of its all-electric CLA saloon, offering greater utility without compromising performance or design. While deliveries are not expected to begin until March 2026, the new model will initially launch in the same powertrain configurations as the CLA saloon—namely, the CLA 250+ with rear-wheel drive and the CLA 350 4MATIC with all-wheel drive. Pricing has not yet been announced but is expected to exceed the CLA saloon’s base price of €55,858.60. As with the saloon, both versions of the CLA Shooting Brake are built on Mercedes-Benz’s 800-volt MMA (Mercedes Modular Architecture)…