Author: Andy Williams

Changan Mazda has started mass production of the EZ-60 crossover SUV at its Nanjing facility, marking the joint venture’s second global electric model following the EZ-6 sedan. The EZ-60 will be available as both a pure battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and a range-extender variant, with deliveries in China expected to begin at the end of September. The model is also scheduled to arrive in Europe, where it will be marketed as the Mazda CX6-e. The EZ-60, first unveiled at Auto Shanghai in April, has received strong early interest. According to CN EV News, the model accumulated 10,060 pre-orders within 48 hours…

Dutch postal and parcel service PostNL said it now completes 30% of its last-mile deliveries without emissions, surpassing local legal requirements. The company delivers entirely emission-free in 27 city centres, almost double the 14 municipalities where zero-emission operations are mandated. In Amsterdam, PostNL recently expanded its coverage to the entire area within the A10 ring road, 3.5 times larger than the city’s official zero-emission zone. Cities without designated zones, including Almere, Breda and Enschede, are also part of the network. PostNL’s electric fleet covers more than 1.5 million kilometres per month, with deliveries increasingly extending beyond city centres. “Currently, 30%…

Tesla is preparing to launch a new, more powerful Model Y Performance trim, with recent sightings in California showing the crossover testing on public roads fitted with 21-inch forged wheels. The update could coincide with a simultaneous release in the United States, Europe and China. The 2026 Model Y Performance was recently filmed in Palo Alto under camouflage wrap, displaying the larger wheels reportedly exclusive to the new trim. Earlier this year, the vehicle was spotted undergoing testing at Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack. https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/1mecxdl/new_model_y_performance_spotted_near_palo_alto/ Tesla has not disclosed pricing, but the previous Performance edition carried about a $10,000 premium over the…

Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with mobility services provider Car Inc to roll out battery swap technology in the car rental industry. The agreement, also involving CATL subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology (CAES) and CMB Leasing, was signed at CATL’s headquarters in Ningde, Fujian province. The companies will launch a pilot programme this year before scaling to more than 100,000 vehicles equipped with CATL’s Choco-SEB swap-compatible batteries, targeting first-tier and new first-tier cities in China. Vehicles will use CATL’s standardized #20 and #25 battery blocks, offering a driving range…

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has expanded its footprint in Southeast Asia’s electric mobility sector, as subsidiaries V-Green and Green GSM Philippines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with MERALCO, the Philippines’ largest power distribution company. The agreement aims to jointly develop and implement electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and services, including taxi hubs, public charging stations, and renewable energy-based solutions. Under the MOU, the three parties will collaborate on identifying potential sites for charging infrastructure and taxi depots across Metro Manila and other key urban centers. The initiative also includes evaluating the deployment of solar-powered charging systems, developing technical expertise, and delivering…

Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis, is launching its B10 electric SUV in Europe, with orders opening on 30 July 2025 in selected markets. Starting at €29,900, the five-seater compact SUV is positioned as one of the most competitively priced electric vehicles in its class, significantly undercutting rivals such as the BYD Atto 3 and several electric SUVs offered by Stellantis’ own brands. Built on the new LEAP 3.5 platform, the B10 measures 4.52 meters in length with a 2.74-meter wheelbase, placing it firmly in the C-segment. It will be offered in two trim levels, ‘Life’ and ‘Design’, both equipped with features…

Renault on Wednesday named Francois Provost as its new chief executive officer, selecting a long-serving internal executive to lead the French carmaker through a period of softening demand and intensifying industry competition. The appointment becomes effective on July 31. Provost, who most recently served as chief procurement officer, succeeds Luca de Meo, who stepped down in June to join luxury group Kering. The leadership transition comes at a critical moment for Renault, which earlier this month issued a profit warning after lower-than-expected vehicle sales in June and revised its full-year margin forecast downward. Renault has cited Provost’s operational and strategic…

Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday lowered its full-year car sales and profit margin forecasts, citing a nearly $420 million hit from U.S. tariffs in the second quarter and reduced global demand, particularly in China. The German luxury carmaker now expects a 4% to 6% profit margin for its car division in 2025, down from a previously anticipated 6% to 8%, and said group revenue for both its car and van segments would be “significantly below” 2024 levels. The company had initially issued its guidance in February but withdrew it in April as trade tensions escalated. The downward revision comes as the U.S.…

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.…