Author: Andy Williams

Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) has named Liu Jiaming, a veteran automotive executive with experience at GAC Toyota and GAC Group, as chief executive of its newly launched premium electric vehicle (EV) brand Qijing. Liu’s career has spanned sales, product planning, investment strategy and technical management. At GAC Toyota, he oversaw planning for flagship models including the Highlander and Camry and led structural reforms in sales operations. GAC said Liu brings cross-functional expertise and an ability to integrate resources across diverse cultural environments. Upon taking the role, Liu posted on Weibo that Qijing’s first model had completed summer testing in Xinjiang,…

German charge point manufacturer Compleo said it has fully withdrawn from the UK market, ceasing operations at Compleo Charging Solutions UK with immediate effect, following months of difficulties for the company in Germany and abroad. No details have been shared on job losses, but parent company Kostal confirmed to Fleet News that the UK arm has ended operations. “After careful consideration, our parent company, Kostal, has made the decision to cease operations of Compleo Charging Solutions UK with immediate effect,” a Compleo spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that the UK team would continue providing “full” customer support in the short…

Panasonic Holdings said it is developing a new battery technology that could increase the driving range of electric vehicles (EVs) by about 25 percent, with plans to bring the innovation to market by 2027, Reuters reported. The Japanese company, a key supplier to Tesla, aims to address consumer concerns over range anxiety through the breakthrough. The new system eliminates the anode during manufacturing, with a lithium metal anode forming during the first charging cycle. This enables the use of more active cathode material while maintaining the same volume, boosting energy density without adding weight or size to the battery pack.…

Zeekr will launch its Zeekr 9X, a large luxury hybrid SUV, on Sept. 29, marking its formal entry into the hybrid vehicle market, the company announced Monday on Weibo. The event will begin at 7:00 p.m. Beijing time. The automaker has shipped display units of the Zeekr 9X to stores across China ahead of the launch. Pre-sales began on Aug. 29 during the Chengdu auto show, with prices starting at RMB 479,900 ($67,520). The 9X ranks among the most expensive models from a Chinese automaker. Three trims are offered — Max, Ultra, and Hyper — priced at RMB 479,900, RMB…

Citroen Racing has confirmed that Jean-Éric Vergne and Nick Cassidy will represent the team in its debut campaign in the 2025/26 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. The announcement follows Citroen’s recent confirmation that it will enter Formula E from Season 12. Vergne, a two-time and consecutive Formula E Drivers’ champion, joins Citroen Racing after an eight-season stint with DS PENSKE. The 35-year-old Frenchman has competed in every Formula E season, holds the record for most consecutive starts at 144, and is sixth in all-time wins. Vergne also balances his Formula E commitments with a seat in the FIA World…

BMW has introduced a redesigned version of its roundel logo with the debut of the iX3, the first production model of its Neue Klasse platform. While the emblem appears nearly identical to its predecessor, closer inspection shows several deliberate updates aimed at creating a cleaner and more contemporary look. The chrome ring once separating the outer black circle from the blue-and-white quadrants has been removed, while the dividing silver bars across the inner sections are no longer present. What chrome remains is limited to the outer ring and slimmer “BMW” lettering. The black border now features a satin, matte-like finish…

Rivian has commenced construction on its second electric vehicle (EV) production facility in Georgia, a $5 billion project expected to employ about 7,500 people and begin manufacturing by 2028. The plant, spanning 2,000 acres across Walton and Morgan counties east of Atlanta, will produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually, including the R2 and R3 SUVs, as Rivian expands into the more affordable EV segment. See also: Rivian Prepares 2025.34 Software Update With Smarter Charging and Enhanced Driver Assistance The facility will include approximately 20 million square feet of space, encompassing a test track, training center, and research and design building.…

Xpeng has started local electric vehicle (EV) production in Europe as part of its ongoing international expansion, with its first models assembled at the Magna plant in Graz, Austria. The Chinese automaker said the first G6 and G9 sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced at the facility have rolled off the assembly line. Additional models are expected to follow, broadening the company’s regional product portfolio. See also: Xpeng Unveils First Images Of G7 Extended-Range SUV, Sets Launch For Early 2026 The Austria project marks Xpeng’s second overseas manufacturing site after the opening of its Indonesian facility in July. The company has…

Slovak battery manufacturer InoBat has secured a €54 million ($58 million) grant and a €456,000 loan to build a battery cell gigafactory in Valladolid, northern Spain, creating 260 jobs. The plant, announced in 2022, is expected to reach 32 GWh production capacity by 2027, with full output targeted for 2029. The €54 million subsidy was awarded by Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism under its eMobility programme PERTE, which has previously funded projects by Seat, Stellantis and Volkswagen’s PowerCo. InoBat plans to invest €712 million in total for the facility, which the ministry said would generate around 500 indirect jobs…

Volkswagen is preparing to launch a family of compact electric cars starting in 2026, showcasing early design previews at the IAA Mobility show while withholding most technical specifications until official world premieres next year. The German carmaker confirmed that four models — the Cupra Raval, ID. Polo, ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq — will debut sequentially, beginning with the Raval in March 2026, followed by the ID. Polo in May and the two other models in the summer. Initial details suggest outputs of 166 kW for the Raval VZ and ID. Polo GTI, and 155 kW for the ID. Cross,…

Ferrari has unveiled its latest flagship hybrid sports car, the 849 Testarossa, a modern tribute to the iconic 1980s Testarossa. Officially revealed in Milan, the 849 Testarossa replaces the SF90 Stradale at the top of Ferrari’s range and will be available in both coupe and retractable-top spider versions. Deliveries to European clients are set to begin in the second and third quarters of next year, with U.S. deliveries arriving approximately three months later at a higher price due to import tariffs. The 849 Testarossa features a mid-rear mounted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 830 horsepower, paired with three electric motors that…

Navee has introduced the SP01, a new addition to its lineup of electric two-wheelers, expanding beyond its existing e-scooter range. The SP01 is marketed as a speed pedelec or e-bike, powered by a 1,000 W mid-mounted motor capable of delivering speeds up to 45 kph (~28 mph). The motor, producing up to 160 Nm of torque, is paired with a detachable 1,440 Wh battery, which Navee says can provide up to 260 km (~162 miles) of assistance range and fully recharges in around four hours. The company noted that in some European countries, including the UK, the SP01 may be…

Volkswagen subsidiary Elli will launch a pilot project for bidirectional charging in private households from December 2025, allowing electric vehicles to power home appliances with self-generated solar energy, the company said at the IAA Mobility show. The initiative uses an 11 kW DC wallbox developed with Cubos, designed to comply with calibration standards and integrate with home photovoltaic systems from Otovo. Through Elli’s modular software platform and app, energy flows between the public grid, solar panels, the EV and household devices can be managed. Participation is limited to households with an Otovo PV system and a Volkswagen electric car equipped…

BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle and battery maker, is reinforcing its commitment to Europe with the public unveiling of its Seal 6 DM-i Touring plug-in hybrid at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, alongside a display of the Euro NCAP five-star rated Dolphin Surf. The company also announced a new BYD Certified Pre-Owned scheme. Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, confirmed that production of the Dolphin Surf, the small electric car sold in China as the Seagull, will start at the company’s new plant in Szeged, Hungary, by the end of 2025. “Europe is a tremendously important market for…

German auto supplier Mahle said on Monday it will roll out high-voltage charging technologies for the global electric vehicle aftermarket starting in 2025, aiming to strengthen its position as a provider of EV components beyond original manufacturing. The company’s first products will include input filters available from October 2025 and onboard chargers by year-end, initially covering models from Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, DS and Opel. “Both components come directly from the original equipment manufacturing of the Mahle Group and fulfil the highest quality standards,” the company said, adding that additional high-voltage parts will follow in 2026. Onboard chargers convert alternating current…

Tesla has added launch control functionality to its Model Y Performance, a move aimed at enhancing the driving experience and acceleration capabilities of the all-electric SUV. While electric vehicles already provide near-instantaneous torque and power, reducing the criticality of launch control compared with traditional combustion-engine cars, the feature allows drivers to optimize traction and power delivery when accelerating from a standstill. The update highlights Tesla’s ongoing strategy of using over-the-air software enhancements to expand vehicle capabilities post-delivery. Launch control in electric vehicles can provide a more engaging driving experience, even though the instantaneous torque of EVs often makes traditional launch…

German charging infrastructure provider Amperfied said it is partnering with software specialist Pionix to address communication issues between electric vehicles, charging stations and backend systems that often lead to interrupted charging sessions. The Heidelberger Druckmaschinen subsidiary announced it will use Pionix’s BaseCamp software as the operating system for its new Amperfied Dynamic DC charging station. BaseCamp is based on EVerest, an open-source framework optimised for industrial use and developed by a global community. “BaseCamp means we don’t have to reinvent each standard component and can focus on the critical points that create added value for operators and users,” said Niklas…

Li Auto reported August deliveries of 28,529 vehicles, down 40.7% from a year earlier, marking its third straight month of sharp declines. Deliveries also slipped 7.2% from July, the company said on Monday. From January to August, the Chinese automaker delivered 263,198 vehicles, an 8.6% year-on-year decrease, bringing total deliveries since its founding to 1.4 million units. Amid the downturn, Li Auto is banking on its upcoming Li i6 electric SUV, priced between RMB 250,000 ($35,040) and RMB 300,000, which is set to launch in September. The company also recently adjusted its Li i8 lineup, cutting variants and lowering prices…

Mülheim-based startup Minerva Carbon, a spin-off from the Max Planck Institute for Coal Research, has received about €1.8 million in funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy’s EXIST program, the company said. The team is developing mesoporous high-performance carbon materials for use in batteries and fuel cells. The material, described as a “high-tech sponge” made of carbon, provides extensive storage space for ions and fast conductivity, enabling faster charging, longer lifespans, and greater stability for batteries. It also offers performance advantages in proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, according to the company. “We now have a unique…

EV charging software company Monta has joined ChargeUK, the British trade association for the electric vehicle charging industry, as an Associate Member, the organisations said on Tuesday. Monta, which operates a charging platform with more than half a million users across Europe, said the move highlights its commitment to “open, interoperable and intelligent charging.” The company plans to contribute technical expertise to policy discussions and infrastructure development in the UK. “With less than five years until the 2030 deadline, the UK EV sector is at a pivotal moment. Being part of ChargeUK will allow Monta to collaborate with other members…