Author: Joshua Morris

U.S. electric vehicle (EV) registrations rose 20% in March, outpacing the broader auto market as consumers moved to secure vehicles ahead of anticipated price hikes from incoming tariffs, according to new data from S&P Global Mobility. A total of 115,758 new EVs were registered in March, representing 7.5% of the U.S. light vehicle market, up from 7.1% a year earlier. In contrast, overall light vehicle registrations increased by 14% to 1.54 million. The sales surge was largely fueled by new EV models such as the Honda Prologue, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Acura ZDX. General Motors saw a dramatic rise in…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng has entered a strategic partnership with Plugsurfing, providing its European customers with access to more than 940,000 public charging points across 27 countries. The collaboration leverages Plugsurfing’s aggregated charging infrastructure, which includes services from around 500 charge point operators. Xpeng is integrating Plugsurfing’s Drive API into its vehicle systems and mobile app, allowing real-time station data, pricing information, remote charging control, and payment functionality. See also: Xpeng Considers IPO for Flying Car Unit Aeroht Amid Expansion Plans Xpeng said the charging features are fully embedded into its in-car interface and app, offering users access to…

Rivian Automotive is moving forward with development of its upcoming R2 electric vehicle lineup, offering a closer look at the Maximus drive unit that will power the mid-size SUVs when they enter production next year. Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe recently shared new images of the Maximus drive unit, underscoring the company’s efforts to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce costs. The drive unit, designed in-house, features several innovations aimed at streamlining production, including a continuous stator winding technique that significantly reduces weld requirements. See also: Rivian Maintains $45,000 R2 Price, 2026 Production Despite Trade Uncertainty https://twitter.com/RJScaringe/status/1922793316334407735 Compared to Rivian’s existing Enduro…

Smart Automobile, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, has launched its all-electric Smart #5 SUV in Hong Kong and debuted the model in Malaysia, marking a strategic move into more right-hand drive markets in Asia. The Smart #5, unveiled on May 9, is offered in Hong Kong in four variants—Pro, Premium, Brabus, and Summit Edition—with prices ranging from HK$289,000 (US$37,100) to HK$439,000. The model is expected to go on sale in Malaysia during the second half of 2025. “The launch of Smart #5 in Hong Kong and Malaysia premiere represent an important step in our Asia Market. These markets…

Google is expanding its generative AI platform, Gemini, to vehicles equipped with Android Auto in the coming months, the company announced ahead of its annual I/O developer conference. The technology will also roll out to cars using Google’s Built-In operating system later this year, offering drivers and passengers a more conversational and context-aware in-car assistant. The move marks a significant shift in the in-vehicle experience, according to Google. “This is really going to be, we think, one of the largest transformations in the in-vehicle experience that we’ve seen in a very, very long time,” said Patrick Brady, Vice President of…

Ouster, a provider of lidar sensors, has formed a partnership with Komatsu, a manufacturer of heavy equipment, to supply 3D lidar sensors for Komatsu’s autonomous mining equipment. This agreement is intended to replace Komatsu’s current 2D lidar systems with Ouster’s 3D technology, aimed at improving the capabilities of autonomous mining operations. The lidar sensors provided by Ouster are designed to withstand the challenging conditions in mining environments, including exposure to shock, vibration, and extreme temperatures. These sensors offer improved range and spatial awareness, essential for autonomous vehicles in mining settings. The sensors also include zone monitoring features, providing accurate detection…

Kia UK has introduced a new entry-level version of its EV6 electric crossover, the ‘Air’ Standard Range, featuring a 63 kWh battery and a starting price of £39,235. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin later in May. The new rear-wheel-drive variant extends Kia’s EV6 line-up and targets a broader segment of UK and European buyers amid growing demand for electric vehicles. With a WLTP-rated range of up to 265 miles (427 km), the EV6 ‘Air’ Standard Range maintains the model’s high-speed charging credentials, offering 10 to 80 per cent DC charging in just 18 minutes using a 350 kW charger.…

Breathe Battery Technologies, a British developer of physics-based battery software for electric vehicles (EVs), has raised $21 million in Series B funding to scale its operations and expand its product suite. The round was led by Swedish investment firm Kinnevik AB, with continued participation from existing backers Lowercarbon Capital and the Volvo Cars Tech Fund. The capital will be used to further develop Breathe’s technology, grow its team, and more than double the size of its London laboratory, which the company says is now the largest battery testing facility in the city. The company introduced three new products—Breathe Model, Breathe…

Ava Community Energy has introduced a new incentive program for electric vehicle (EV) owners in its service area, offering financial rewards for charging with cleaner and cheaper electricity. The Ava SmartHome Charging program, launched in collaboration with energy tech company Optiwatt, aims to promote renewable energy usage while helping participants lower their energy bills. EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers who enroll in the program can receive a $75 reward upon sign-up, along with an additional $25 annually for continued participation. The initiative uses Optiwatt’s managed charging technology to automatically schedule charging sessions during periods when electricity is both more…

Scientists at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a new material for solid-state batteries that they say enables lithium ions to move more than 30% faster than in any previously reported substance, potentially advancing the performance of next-generation energy storage systems. The research team, led by Professor Thomas F. Fässler from TUM’s Chair of Inorganic Chemistry, achieved the result by partially substituting lithium in a lithium-antimonide compound with scandium. The modification is reported to create vacancies in the crystal lattice, allowing lithium ions to pass through the material more easily. Findings were published in Advanced Energy Materials under…

Charging infrastructure firm Milence has inaugurated its second public truck charging hub in the Netherlands, marking the country’s debut of a Megawatt Charging System (MCS) capable of delivering ultra-fast charging for heavy-duty electric vehicles. The new charging site, strategically located in the Zwolle Business Park near major Dutch highways and key transport routes to Germany, includes nine charging bays. Eight are equipped with four covered Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, while the ninth hosts the first operational MCS in the Netherlands. The MCS system, powered by a Power Electronics tower, offers up to 3.75 megawatts (MW) of DC output, enabling…

Nio has merged operations of its sub-brands Onvo and Firefly into core company departments as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and reduce costs, local media outlet 36kr reported on Friday. The restructuring focuses heavily on Onvo, whose product development, marketing, and user services are now integrated directly into Nio’s main organizational clusters. Onvo’s product development team will become a new tier-one department under Nio’s product design and development cluster, reporting directly to founder and CEO William Li. A new Onvo product line division has also been created within this structure, the report said. In parallel, Onvo’s user…

Montreal has announced plans to install 11,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging points across its greater metropolitan area by 2030. These will be strategically located on roadsides, in publicly accessible car parks, and on publicly accessible private property. The city aims to significantly enhance its EV infrastructure to support the transition to sustainable transportation. The initiative will focus on encouraging private sector participation through incentives and collaborations. Local businesses, such as petrol stations and grocery stores, are expected to play a role in providing charging points in their car parks, benefiting both employees and customers. Montreal’s efforts are aimed at…

Leonhard Kurz, a German leader in thin film technology, and Horizon, a Chinese technology company, have established a new joint venture in Europe called Horizon-Kurz New Material Technology. The focus of the venture will be on the development and production of advanced battery separator films, a crucial component in improving the safety, longevity, and performance of lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles. Although the specific ownership distribution has not been disclosed, sources confirm that Horizon holds the majority stake in the venture. Rainer Süßmann, Executive Senior Vice President at Kurz and now Managing Director of Horizon-Kurz New Material, highlighted the…

EV charging solutions provider Noodoe has launched an artificial intelligence-powered charging management system designed to improve electric vehicle (EV) station performance. The system, called “AI Advisor,” uses generative AI to analyze real-time data and provide pricing recommendations tailored to individual charging stations. According to the company, the solution has led to a reported increase in station revenue of 10 to 25 percent in early deployments. The AI-powered platform is integrated into Noodoe’s existing operating system and is intended to help operators increase utilization and revenue through data-driven pricing strategies. “AI Advisor is just the beginning. We’re actively building the next-generation…

Baidu’s autonomous driving arm, Apollo, has entered a strategic partnership with CAR Inc., one of China’s leading mobility providers, to roll out the country’s first autonomous vehicle rental service, the companies said in a joint statement. The initiative will allow users to book self-driving vehicles for designated time slots, targeting flexible transportation needs across urban and cultural destinations. The service is designed to support individuals who are unable to drive, such as seniors, foreign tourists, unlicensed users, and people with disabilities, offering them enhanced mobility options on demand. See also: Hesai to Supply Lidar for Baidu Apollo’s Robotaxi Deployment in…

Novo Energy, the battery production subsidiary of Volvo Cars, is reducing its workforce by half as part of a restructuring process triggered by its separation from former joint venture partner Northvolt, which is now insolvent. The decision affects around 150 jobs and underscores the challenges the company faces in its transition toward independent battery manufacturing. The job cuts come as Novo Energy navigates a critical phase in its development. Originally founded in 2022 as a joint venture between Volvo Cars and Northvolt, the company’s name reflects the initials of its founding partners. Following Northvolt’s financial difficulties, Volvo Cars assumed full…

The European Parliament on Tuesday endorsed a motion to accelerate approval of revised CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans, granting European automakers more time to meet regulatory requirements and potentially avoid significant financial penalties. The proposed change, initiated by the European Commission, allows vehicle manufacturers to comply with emissions limits based on their fleet averages over a three-year period from 2025 to 2027, rather than solely in 2025. The adjustment aims to ease the immediate compliance burden and respond to concerns from industry stakeholders over their ability to meet short-term electric vehicle (EV) sales targets. Automakers have warned that…

Autonomous driving startup Pony.ai said on Tuesday it will begin deploying its self-driving vehicles on the Uber ride-hailing platform, marking another major step in its global commercialization strategy and making it the third Chinese autonomous firm to announce a partnership with Uber in recent days. As part of a pilot phase, passengers using the Uber app will soon be able to opt for rides completed by Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicles, though the cars will initially operate with a safety driver onboard. A fully driverless service is planned for a later commercial launch. Pony.ai said its latest seventh-generation autonomous driving system enables…

Volvo Cars reported an 11% decline in global vehicle sales in April to 58,881 units, compared to the same month last year, as demand for its fully electric models weakened. The Sweden-based automaker, majority-owned by China’s Geely, said sales of battery-electric vehicles fell 32%, accounting for 20% of total monthly sales. See also: Volvo Begins Production of Electric EX30 at Belgium Plant to Boost European Supply Plug-in hybrid vehicle sales also dropped, leading to a 16% decline in overall electrified vehicle deliveries, which now make up 45% of Volvo’s total sales. The slowdown comes as Volvo navigates rising pressure from…