Author: Joshua Morris

Volkswagen is investing $5.8 billion in Rivian to leverage the U.S. automaker’s expertise in next-generation electronic architecture and software, a move that underscores the German company’s strategy to enhance its EV technology. Volkswagen brand chief Thomas Schäfer said the partnership will focus on improving the electronic systems within vehicles. “The body systems, the drivetrains, the infotainment… all electronics in the vehicle,” Schäfer told TopGear, adding that luxury brands Porsche and Audi will be the first to integrate the new technology, with Scout Motors also set to benefit. See also: Rivian and Volkswagen’s EV Tech Collaboration Sparks Interest from Other OEMs…

Huawei-backed new energy vehicle (NEV) brand Aito has started pre-sales for its latest SUV, the M5 Ultra, with an official launch expected later this month, the company announced on [DATE]. Pre-sales for the M5 Ultra begin at RMB 238,000 ($32,680). Customers placing an early order can pay RMB 2,000 to receive a RMB 5,000 discount on the final payment, Aito said. See also: Aito M9 Faces Potential Facelift as New Filing Appears in Regulatory Catalog The M5 Ultra will introduce five major upgrades, focusing on exterior design, intelligent driving capabilities, handling, safety, and interior features. It will be equipped with…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is set to expand into Switzerland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia in the second quarter, following its recent market entry announcement for Poland. The company will partner with Sweden’s Hedin Mobility Group for sales in the three countries, further extending its European footprint. The expansion marks Xpeng’s growing focus on smaller European markets after establishing a presence in major ones. The move comes just a day after the automaker revealed its plans for Poland, where it has teamed up with British automotive distributor Inchcape. Xpeng’s latest market entries add to its presence in Germany, France,…

BMW is preparing its main plant in Munich for the production of Neue Klasse electric vehicles, with the first pre-series models set to be built this year at its Research and Innovation Centre (FIZ), the German automaker said. The company aims to begin production of Neue Klasse models in Munich from 2026, with the plant transitioning to an all-electric vehicle production facility by 2027. See also: BMW Reveals Next-Gen Electric Drive and Battery Tech with 800V Architecture and High-Density Cylindrical Cells The shift marks a significant move as BMW moves away from its multi-energy approach, focusing solely on electric drivetrains…

China has introduced new regulatory guidelines for the smart driving industry, aiming to enhance consumer protection and prevent misleading marketing as the adoption of intelligent vehicle features accelerates. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued the guidelines on Friday, stating that companies must not exaggerate system capabilities or mislead consumers regarding the automation level of smart connected vehicles. “Companies must ensure that consumers properly understand and use smart connected car products,” the MIIT said in its statement. See also: CATL, Baidu Partner to Advance Autonomous Vehicles and AI-Driven Mobility The regulations require that driver assistance systems include clear…

Thailand plans to modernize Bangkok’s public transport system by replacing aging diesel buses with 1,520 electric models by next year, as part of a broader effort to cut emissions and reduce operating costs, according to a government report. The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the city’s state-owned bus operator, intends to lease the electric buses with a budget of 15.36 billion baht ($433 million), Thai business daily Prachachat Business reported. The move marks the first phase of an electrification push that could see BMTA expand its zero-emission fleet to 3,390 buses in the coming years. See also: Mazda to Invest…

Tesla has announced plans to take legal action against individuals vandalizing its Supercharger stations, following a series of incidents involving defacement and cable theft. The automaker made the statement in response to a post on X showing a Supercharger covered in graffiti, including a Swastika and the word “NAZI.” Tesla’s official charging account assured that the vandalism would be removed immediately and confirmed that suspects would face prosecution. In addition to legal action, Tesla has implemented security measures such as branding cables and using exploding ink to deter theft. Surveillance cameras may also aid in identifying perpetrators. The announcement comes…

Dutch fuel cell system developer Zepp.solutions has been selected to supply hydrogen fuel cell systems for the NERA-H2 project, an initiative aimed at retrofitting river cruise ships with zero-emission propulsion systems. The project seeks to address increasingly stringent emissions regulations in European cities such as Amsterdam, Basel, and Vienna, where river cruise operators face mounting sustainability challenges. Zepp.solutions estimates that more than 420 river cruise vessels in Europe will need to comply with these regulations, making hydrogen-based retrofitting a viable pathway toward decarbonization. See also: Dutch Fuel Cell Developer zepp.solutions Secures EU Funding for Production Expansion Zepp.solutions will supply its…

Leapmotor, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) maker backed by Stellantis NV, has introduced an updated version of its T03 compact electric vehicle (EV), eliminating the entry-level variant and raising the model’s starting price. The revised Leapmotor T03, launched on Tuesday, is now available in two variants, priced at RMB 59,900 ($8,270) and RMB 69,900. Both models feature lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, offering CLTC ranges of 310 km and 403 km, respectively. This marks a shift from the 2024 T03, which debuted in March last year with three variants priced between RMB 49,900 and RMB 69,900, and CLTC…

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed plans to introduce an all-electric version of its E-Class sedan as part of a broader product overhaul that will see dozens of new or revised models launched by 2027. The German automaker has not specified whether the upcoming electric E-Class will replace the EQE, but a transition appears likely. Mercedes has previously moved away from the “EQ” branding, as seen with the electric G-Class, which was named G 580 with EQ technology rather than EQG. With the EQE falling short of sales expectations, a rebranding combined with new technology could offer a fresh start for the segment.…

German automotive supplier Bosch will discontinue its charging service at the end of the first quarter of 2025, citing a competitive market that has fallen short of growth expectations. The company informed customers via email that its “Charge My EV” service will be terminated on March 31, 2025. “We find ourselves in a highly competitive market that is lagging far behind the expected growth,” Bosch stated in the email. “We are thus terminating the user contract concluded with you for the ‘Charge My EV’ app in accordance with the paragraph ‘Duration, Termination’ with effect from 31 March 2025. After this…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are three to five years ahead of global rivals in product development, technology, and industrial supply chains, BYD Chief Executive Wang Chuanfu said in an interview with state broadcaster CCTV. Wang’s comments followed his participation in a symposium with Chinese President Xi Jinping and leading figures in the country’s technology sector. His remarks come as China, which overtook Japan in 2023 as the world’s largest auto exporter, faces growing trade restrictions, including a 17.0% tariff on BYD’s EVs imposed by the European Union. See also: BYD Aims for Solid-State Battery Demonstration by 2027, Mass Adoption After…

Liebherr has introduced the Liduro Power Port 100 (LPO 100), its latest and most compact battery energy storage system, designed to power electric construction equipment and mobile offices. The system will make its debut at bauma 2025, offering a portable energy solution for job sites with limited or no access to power. The LPO 100 has already been tested in real-world conditions by French construction company CJ Bois, where it powered a 65 K.1 bottom-slewing crane. By charging overnight using a standard 2 kW household outlet, the unit was able to deliver up to 26 kW of power to on-site equipment…

Smart, the brand known for its compact city cars, is reportedly working on a mid-size electric sedan, potentially positioning it as a competitor to the Tesla Model 3. The information, first reported by British automotive publication Autocar, has not been officially confirmed by Smart. According to Autocar, the rumored vehicle, possibly named Smart #6, will be a “rakish four-door saloon” with dimensions similar to the Tesla Model 3, measuring approximately 4.70 meters in length and 2.10 meters in width, including mirrors. The sedan is expected to focus on efficiency and range, with the highest-performing variant potentially achieving over 800 kilometers…

MAHLE Powertrain has entered the testing phase for hydrogen combustion engines (H2-ICE) as part of Project Cavendish, a £9.8 million initiative aimed at decarbonizing heavy-duty transport. Funded by the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), the project seeks to provide a fast-to-market hydrogen solution using existing truck engine platforms. See also: Valeo and Mahle Collaborate on Magnet-Free Electric Axle System for Enhanced EV Performance The company’s Northampton testing facility plays a key role in optimizing hydrogen combustion technology, featuring high-capacity hydrogen storage, advanced dynamometers, and real-time monitoring systems. “Hydrogen combustion engines (H2-ICE) are well-suited to heavy-duty, long-distance applications that are hard…

Porsche plans to reduce its workforce by 1,900 positions at two of its German plants by 2029 in response to declining electric vehicle (EV) sales and rising costs associated with new model development. This move comes as the luxury sports car manufacturer revises its profit forecasts for the year, expecting margins to fall to 10-12%, significantly below its long-term target of 20%. The workforce reduction, primarily at the Zuffenhausen and Weissach plants, represents a 15% decrease in staff at these sites. Porsche cited “challenging geopolitical and economic conditions” as the key factors driving the decision. The company intends for the…

Tesla has begun deploying a software update enabling its in-cabin radar system, a long-anticipated feature designed to enhance passenger safety and occupancy detection. The update, version 2025.2.6, is initially rolling out to 2022 and later Model Y units, with plans to expand to refreshed Model 3 and Cybertruck models. The in-cabin radar, positioned above the passenger dome light, uses radio waves to detect occupants more precisely than the existing interior camera. See also: New Tesla Model Y Variants: Performance Trim and Seven-Seat Option Coming Soon According to Tesla’s owner’s manual, the system can identify passengers in the front and rear seats,…

German battery recycling startup Tozero has successfully tested a battery cell using 100% recycled graphite, marking what it calls an industry-first achievement at an industrial scale. The company, which specializes in recycling lithium-ion batteries, said its test results demonstrated that battery cells made from recycled graphite perform comparably to those using newly mined material. See also: Tozero Secures €11 Million in Seed Funding to Scale Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Operations Unlike conventional recycling methods that often result in graphite being burned or lost in waste streams due to the use of strong acids, Tozero claims its process recovers more than 80%…

Lucid has opened orders for its all-electric Gravity SUV in Canada, with the premium Grand Touring variant now available for reservation at a starting price of C$134,500, the company said on Wednesday. The Gravity Grand Touring features dual electric motors producing 828 horsepower and a projected range exceeding 720 kilometers (447 miles) per charge. A more affordable Touring trim, expected to launch in late 2025, will start at C$113,500, though full specifications for the variant have not yet been disclosed. See also: Lucid Gravity SUV Gains Access to Tesla Supercharger Network Without Adapter “Canadian customers can now configure and reserve…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is investing $180 million into its technology hub in Portland, Oregon, as part of a global strategy to enhance the development of next-generation vehicle software, connectivity, and autonomous driving technologies. This investment will support the company’s long-term vision of delivering software-defined, modern luxury vehicles equipped with cutting-edge digital experiences. See also: Jaguar Land Rover to Invest £65 Million in Bespoke Paint Facilities to Meet Growing Demand The 50,000 sq. ft. facility, which has been operational since 2014, will focus on software-driven vehicle development. The expanded hub will play a pivotal role in advancing autonomous technologies, connectivity…