Author: Andy Williams

ESB e-Cars, Ireland’s state-owned electric vehicle charging network, has increased its public charging rates by 7 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), effective immediately. The operator cited higher operational expenses and rising electricity network charges as the main reasons behind the price adjustment. The increase affects all public charging plans nationwide, with a further hike likely in late October when the value-added tax (VAT) rate returns to its previous level. The updated rates for Pay-As-You-Go customers are now 59c per kWh for AC charging (7-22kW), 64c for DC charging between 50 and 150kW, and 66c for chargers exceeding 150kW. Monthly subscribers who…

bp pulse, the electric vehicle charging division of bp, has opened its largest EV charging facility in the United States, located two miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The site features 48 ultra-fast charging bays and is designed to serve ride-hail drivers, local EV owners, and rental car customers. The facility includes a mix of 400 kW and 150 kW direct current fast chargers, supporting both CCS and NACS connectors. Amenities such as a lounge, vending machines, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi are expected to be available to the public soon. The $2 million project received grant support from the…

BMW has introduced a new carbon footprint tracking feature to its My BMW and MINI smartphone apps, allowing drivers to view detailed CO2 emissions data based on their vehicle usage. The update is now available in Germany, Austria, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, and supports internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric models. The new function appears in the apps’ “My Trips” dashboard, analyzing individual journeys and calculating emissions based on energy or fuel consumption. For EVs, the feature estimates CO2 output using the average national energy mix and compares it to values assuming renewable electricity…

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday criticised a reported draft European Union proposal that would require large companies and car rental firms to purchase only electric vehicles from 2030, warning it could endanger Europe’s key automotive industry. German newspaper Bild Zeitung reported on Saturday that the European Commission was considering the measure, citing unnamed EU sources. The proposal would target corporate fleets, which account for about 60% of new vehicle sales in the EU. See also: EU Mulls 2030 EV Quota for Fleets and Rentals, Drawing Early Industry Pushback “These proposals completely miss the point of the current joint needs…

China’s BYD will delay mass production at its €4 billion electric vehicle plant in Szeged, Hungary, until 2026 and initially run the facility below capacity, Reuters reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. At the same time, the company is accelerating production plans at a new factory in Turkey, which is expected to exceed its previously announced output targets. According to the report, the Hungarian plant will produce only tens of thousands of vehicles in 2026—well below its initial annual capacity of 150,000 units. While production at the site is expected to ramp up in 2027, it will still remain…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has introduced a self-funded rebate program for its electric cars in the UK, offering savings of up to £3,750 ahead of the rollout of a new government subsidy. The initiative, launched on July 18, makes Leapmotor the first automaker to implement such a move ahead of the UK’s upcoming Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme. The offer applies to the brand’s only two models currently available in the UK market: the compact T03 hatchback and the C10 SUV. Under the new rebate scheme, dubbed the “Leap Grant,” buyers will receive a £1,500 discount on the T03…

Geely Auto’s sub-brand Geely Galaxy has submitted a new hybrid sedan, the Starshine 6, for regulatory approval in China as part of its ongoing model rollout. The vehicle was included in the latest catalog published by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which lists new vehicle models proposed for sale. The public can submit feedback on the filing between July 17 and 23. Inclusion in the MIIT catalog is the final major step before a vehicle model is approved for sale in the country. The Starshine 6 is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) listed under two model…

General Motors (GM) is supplying both used and new electric vehicle batteries to Redwood Materials, which is converting them into stationary energy storage systems, the companies said on Sunday. Under the expanded partnership, GM’s battery packs are being integrated into Redwood’s energy storage initiatives rather than being dismantled solely for recycling. Some of these batteries are already in use, powering a new 12-megawatt microgrid at Redwood’s headquarters in Sparks, Nevada. The microgrid delivers electricity to a nearby data center operated by Crusoe, utilizing solar-generated power. Redwood Materials, founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, launched its energy storage division in June…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng has officially launched updated versions of its G6 and G9 SUVs in Europe, maintaining existing price levels despite extensive technical upgrades, including next-generation batteries and ultra-fast charging capabilities. The rear-wheel-drive G6 Long Range remains priced at €47,600, while the entry-level G9 starts at €59,600. Deliveries are expected to begin later this summer in key European markets, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. Both models benefit from newly developed lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries featuring faster charging and a longer lifecycle. The updated G6, based on Xpeng’s latest 800-volt platform and equipped with…

DHL Supply Chain has signed a long-term agreement with Fortum Battery Recycling to provide dedicated service logistics for the collection, transport, and processing of electric vehicle (EV) batteries across Europe, the companies announced this week. The collaboration seeks to streamline end-of-life battery management while promoting circular economy practices in the rapidly growing electric mobility sector. DHL will manage safe logistics, including storage, handling, and just-in-time delivery of used EV batteries to Fortum’s recycling facilities. The operations are structured to comply with strict European regulatory standards for battery safety and environmental protection. “We believe that electrification of Europe is not possible…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Leapmotor has launched the 2026 model year C16 SUV with a series of upgrades, including an optional five-seat layout, enhanced battery capacities, and more than 70 technical improvements. The vehicle is available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) formats, with prices starting at 151,800 yuan (approximately €18,400). The battery-electric version now rides on an 800V platform and includes a base 74.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, up from 67.7 kWh in the previous model, providing a CLTC range of 580 km. A higher-tier variant features an 81.9 kWh LFP battery…

Toyota Motor has shifted production plans for its three-row electric SUV from Indiana to Kentucky, where it will now build two electric models alongside a partner model from Subaru. The Japanese automaker said the change was made “to improve manufacturing efficiencies and better serve customers based on market demand.” The move marks a consolidation of Toyota’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing operations in the United States as it aims to streamline future production and respond more rapidly to growing demand in the three-row SUV segment. “As previously announced, Toyota plans to produce two all-new, three-row battery electric SUVs in the US.…