Author: Joshua Morris

Zeekr, the electric car brand from the Geely Group, is expanding its presence in Europe with a launch in Norway, which has the highest share of new electric car registrations on the continent. This development makes Norway the third European market for Zeekr, following previous launches in the Netherlands and Sweden. While plans for a German launch were announced for early 2024, this timeline is now expected to be extended. In Norway, Zeekr is establishing a curated dealer network, with Premium Cars Stor-Oslo set to open in October. This network will gradually include additional dealers in major cities, supported by…

Stellantis has finalized the integration of Share Now into its Free2move mobility platform, effectively retiring the Share Now brand. Users now have access to more than 10,000 car-sharing vehicles across Europe and the U.S., all managed under a single Free2move app. Share Now originated in 2019 from the merger of BMW’s Drive Now and Daimler’s Car2Go services. However, the two automakers soon stepped back from the car-sharing market, leading to Stellantis’ acquisition of Share Now in 2022. This acquisition expanded Free2move’s reach from seven cities to 21, covering more European urban centers. In a LinkedIn post, Free2move CEO Brigitte Courtehoux…

Go-Ahead has unveiled plans to invest £500 million in decarbonising its public transport fleet in the UK. Over the next three years, the public transport provider aims to purchase 1,200 new zero-emission buses from Northern Irish manufacturer Wrightbus. The new fleet will feature buses with zero tailpipe emissions, which are set to operate in various locations, including Plymouth, Gloucestershire, East Yorkshire, London, and the Isle of Wight. To support this large order, Wrightbus plans to establish a new dedicated production line, expected to create 500 manufacturing jobs and an additional 2,000 jobs within the supply chain. The UK government has…

Ford has recently introduced updates to its hands-free driving technology, BlueCruise 1.4, making it more accessible for customers. The automaker has announced a range of subscription options that allow for greater flexibility, including monthly and annual plans, as well as a new one-time purchase option. Customers can now opt for a one-time subscription for $2,495 when ordering their vehicle. However, this subscription is not a ‘lifetime’ service, as the fine print indicates that BlueCruise will be active for a minimum of seven years. After this period, Ford may adjust pricing or discontinue support for the vehicle. Depending on the model…

General Motors (GM) has announced a notable year-over-year increase in its electric vehicle (EV) sales for the third quarter of 2023, despite a decline in overall vehicle deliveries compared to the previous year. In Q3 2023, the Detroit-based automaker sold 32,095 electric vehicles in the U.S., marking a substantial rise from the 21,930 units sold in Q2 and the 16,425 units in Q1. Overall, GM’s EV sales have surged by 60% year-over-year, with a 46% increase compared to the second quarter of 2024. This growth has elevated GM’s share of the U.S. EV market to 9.5%, up from 7.1% in…

Tesla has introduced a new premium paint option, Quicksilver, for its Model 3 in the United Kingdom. This aesthetically enhanced paint choice is now available for all variants of the all-electric sedan on the Tesla U.K. order page. The addition was confirmed by Tesla U.K. through its official social media account on X, allowing customers in the U.K. to order the updated Model 3 with Quicksilver, following a similar rollout in other European markets. Quicksilver, along with Midnight Cherry Red, was developed in Giga Berlin’s advanced paint shop. Tesla describes it as a highly pigmented metallic paint that shifts in…

Global mining company Fortescue and heavy equipment manufacturer Liebherr have introduced a groundbreaking 6 MW DC fast charger, capable of charging a massive haul truck’s 1,900 kWh battery in under 30 minutes. The technology is part of a larger $4 billion agreement announced at MINEexpo, marking a significant step toward zero-emission mining equipment. The 6 MW charger, twice as powerful as the 3 MW prototype showcased at CES last year, is designed to support autonomous battery-electric trucks like Liebherr’s T 264, a 240-ton truck, dramatically reducing charging times. “Fortescue has developed the stationary fast charging solution to support the autonomous…

SUEZ, a leader in waste recycling and recovery, is set to acquire a 20% stake in Renault’s recycling and circular economy unit, The Future Is NEUTRAL. This collaboration will see both companies contributing €140 million to enhance and expand the operations of The Future Is NEUTRAL, aiming to serve the entire automotive industry across Europe. The partnership focuses on engaging with various stakeholders in the automotive sector to minimize their impact on natural resources, comply with evolving regulations, and develop new sources of recycled materials and components. SUEZ will leverage its expertise in automobile waste management, which includes collection, sorting,…

May Mobility has deployed its autonomous vehicles (AVs) in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, in partnership with T-Mobile, which is providing 5G connectivity, and the Curiosity Lab, a dedicated facility for testing mobility solutions. The Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS minivans will initially operate along Technology Parkway, featuring eight predetermined stops that include hotels, restaurants, shops, offices, the Innovation Center, and City Hall. This demonstration service will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and each AV will accommodate four passengers with a safety attendant on board. According to Manik Dhar, May Mobility’s chief commercial officer, “We can’t wait for Georgians…

Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt has announced the suspension of a major factory expansion in northern Sweden, which has delayed essential funding previously agreed upon earlier this year, according to a statement from a Swedish government agency. In September, the company revealed plans to downsize and reduce its workforce, raising alarms about the future of Europe’s leading contender in the electric vehicle battery market amidst production difficulties, sluggish demand, and escalating competition from Chinese manufacturers. At the start of the year, Northvolt secured a $5 billion green loan package from a consortium of lenders aimed at tripling its battery production capacity…

Nikola announced on Wednesday that its wholesale deliveries of hydrogen-powered electric trucks rose by 22% in the third quarter compared to the previous three-month period, highlighting sustained demand for its Class 8 trucks. The company delivered 88 hydrogen fuel cell trucks to dealers during this quarter, aligning with its expectations of delivering between 80 to 100 units. However, this figure represents a slowdown from the 80% sequential increase in deliveries observed in the second quarter. In early trading, Nikola’s shares surged by 9.5%. Despite this increase, the stock has plummeted over 82% year-to-date, impacted by sluggish growth in the broader…

The Swiss Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) has awarded five companies contracts to develop new fast-charging hubs along motorways across the country. Among the recipients are charging point operators like Fastned and GOFAST, alongside OEM-affiliated providers such as Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis-linked Atlante Italia. FEDRO’s call for projects, which began in February 2024, involved the tendering of five lots with eleven plots each. Applications closed in mid-May, and after a thorough evaluation, contracts were awarded to the best-rated companies. The selected operators are: Lot 1: Fastned Switzerland AG Lot 2: Mercedes-Benz High Power Charging Europe GmbH Lot 3: Atlante Italia S.r.l. Lot…