Author: Joshua Morris

Xpeng Motors, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer specializing in AI-powered mobility solutions, will participate in the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich from September 8 to 14, showcasing its latest technology and European market-focused innovations. Under the theme “AI Transforms the World,” Xpeng will occupy Booth C20 in Hall B1, where it will present its AI Tech Tree ecosystem alongside a lineup of advanced full-electric vehicles. Highlights include the European premiere of the Next Xpeng P7 sports sedan and the debut of the company’s humanoid robot IRON. Other models on display will include the Xpeng X9 MPV, the flagship SUV…

Volkswagen AG has secured €30 million ($35 million) in state aid from the Portuguese government to produce its new ID.1 electric vehicle at the Autoeuropa plant, the company said on Tuesday. The ID.1 is expected to start at approximately €20,000 ($22,000), making it the smallest and most affordable EV in Volkswagen’s lineup. Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer described the ID.1 as “the last piece of the puzzle” in the company’s expansion into entry-level electric vehicles. The model follows the unveiling of the ID.EVERY1 concept in September, which previewed a €20,000 electric Volkswagen. Thomas Hegel Gunther, president of Autoeuropa, confirmed that…

ast-charging hubs for electric vehicles (EVs) in Los Angeles County have been found to emit levels of fine particulate matter twice as high as surrounding urban areas, according to a study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. The research, published in the paper ‘Fine particulate matter emissions from electric vehicle fast charging stations’, analyzed filter samples from 50 DC fast charging stations across 47 cities. Daily PM2.5 concentrations ranged from 7.3 to 39.0 micrograms per cubic meter, significantly higher than urban sites without fast chargers, which showed concentrations of 3.6 to 12.4 micrograms per cubic meter. PM2.5…

Ford and SK On’s battery joint venture, BlueOval SK, has officially started production at its first plant in Glendale, Kentucky, marking a key step in the U.S. automaker’s push into domestic battery manufacturing. The facility will supply NMC batteries for the Ford F-150 Lightning and, later this year, the E-Transit electric van. “We are proud to be producing batteries at our Kentucky 1 plant that will power the next generation of electric vehicles,” BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams said, describing the start of production as a milestone for the company’s position in the EV battery market. https://twitter.com/BlueOval_SK/status/1957887799811797010 The Glendale site…

Nio said it will release unaudited second-quarter financial results before U.S. markets open on September 2, followed by an earnings call later the same day. The company delivered 72,056 vehicles in the quarter, meeting its forecast of 72,000 to 75,000 units. That marked a 25.6% increase from a year earlier and a 71.2% rise compared with the first quarter. Nio’s main brand delivered 47,132 vehicles, down 17.9% year-on-year but up 72.6% from the prior quarter. Its Onvo sub-brand delivered 17,081 vehicles, a 15.6% increase from the first quarter, while Firefly contributed 7,843 units after launching its first model, the Firefly…

Nissan Motor said it has entered a partnership with U.S.-based LiCAP Technologies to co-develop production process technology for cathode electrodes used in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). The collaboration will focus on dry electrode technology, which removes the need for drying and solvent recovery compared to conventional solvent-based electrodes, lowering manufacturing costs and reducing environmental impact. However, scaling up to mass production remains a challenge, particularly in achieving high production efficiency. LiCAP’s Activated Dry Electrode® process offers advantages in both efficiency and performance over traditional methods, Nissan said, adding that the partnership marks a step toward accelerating development of ASSB production processes.…

Sofia-based Ampeco and Autel Europe have completed the integration of the latest Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 2.0.1, combining Ampeco’s charging management software with Autel’s MaxiCharger DH480 to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in Europe. The collaboration is designed to give charge point operators (CPOs) advanced tools for building scalable and secure charging networks, with features including high-level cybersecurity, load balancing, and remote management. Autel’s MaxiCharger DH480, a 480 kW DC charging system, is tailored for high-demand locations such as motorways, public hubs, and commercial depots. Ampeco said the protocol supports Level 2 TLS encryption and certificate-based authentication, meeting…

Hamburg has introduced the first HOLON autonomous urban minibus, a barrier-free vehicle designed to carry up to 15 passengers, as part of efforts to advance sustainable and inclusive public transport. Test operations will begin later this summer, with passenger services expected to start in 2026. The vehicle, measuring five meters in length and capable of reaching 60 km/h, will initially undergo technical tests before its autonomous driving functions are gradually implemented. The project is supported under Hamburg’s ALIKE initiative, which is backed by €26 million in funding from the Federal Ministry of Transport. “The HOLON urban marks a new phase…

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…