Author: Lukas Schneider

Mercedes-Benz Group increased its battery-electric vehicle deliveries by 11% in the first quarter of 2026, helped by strong demand for its new all-electric CLA, as the German luxury automaker seeks to reverse a recent decline in EV sales. The company delivered 50,400 battery-electric vehicles globally during the January-March period, compared with the same quarter a year earlier, according to company figures. That total represented about 10% of Mercedes-Benz’s overall vehicle deliveries of 499,700 units across all powertrain types in the quarter. Battery-electric passenger car deliveries rose 9% to 44,300 units, while electric van sales climbed 29% to 6,100 units. Mercedes-Benz…

Mercedes-Benz has launched steer-by-wire technology on its updated EQS electric saloon, becoming the first German automaker to bring the system to a production vehicle. The system replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels with electronic signals and will be offered across all EQS powertrain variants in combination with the model’s 10-degree rear-axle steering system. Mercedes-Benz said the setup is designed to eliminate road surface vibrations from reaching the steering wheel while maintaining steering feel through model-based calculations of tyre-road interaction. The system is paired with a flattened, more compact steering wheel, which improves driver display…

BMW said it will begin series production of its Neue Klasse i3 electric sedan at its Munich plant in August 2026, as part of a broader plan to convert the facility into a fully electric production site by 2027. The company has invested around €650 million ($750 million) to modernize the 104-year-old plant, including the construction of a new body shop, assembly systems and logistics infrastructure covering approximately 200,000 square meters. From 2027, the Munich site is expected to manufacture only all-electric vehicles, making it the first existing BMW plant to fully transition to EV production. The new i3 will…

German automaker BMW has expanded its electric SUV lineup with the introduction of the iX3 40, a rear-wheel-drive variant positioned as a more affordable alternative within its new-generation platform. The iX3 40 is priced from €63,400 in Germany, undercutting the all-wheel-drive iX3 50 xDrive by €7,500. Despite the lower price point, the model offers a WLTP range of up to 635 kilometres. Market launch is scheduled for summer 2026, with production set to take place at BMW’s Debrecen plant in Hungary. Built on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, the iX3 40 features a sixth-generation electric motor delivering 235 kW and 500…

An analysis of around 50,000 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids by TÜV Nord and Carly shows that battery health in most vehicles is stronger than expected, though degradation accelerates significantly at higher mileage. The study found a median State of Health (SoH) of 96% across vehicles built between 2016 and 2026, indicating that half of the analysed batteries retained more than 96% of their original capacity. The authors did not disclose an average value. Battery condition was generally better in newer vehicles, but the analysis also showed that older models from brands such as Hyundai, Kia and Mercedes-Benz often still…

Mercedes-Benz has recorded nearly 25,500 registrations of its all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric across Europe through February, with demand led by its home market of Germany, while sales in China remain comparatively subdued. The CLA, built on the company’s new MMA platform, marks the first model in what the automaker describes as its largest product offensive, with around 40 new or updated vehicles planned by 2027. Initially launched as a fully electric model, the CLA is also expected to be offered as a hybrid variant at a later stage. According to data compiled by Dataforce for Handelsblatt, Germany accounted for more…

Germany’s Federal Court of Justice has dismissed a climate lawsuit brought by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) against BMW and Mercedes-Benz, ruling that carmakers cannot be legally compelled to end sales of combustion-engine vehicles before existing regulatory deadlines. The decision marks the final stage of a legal effort launched in 2021, when DUH and Greenpeace sought to force automakers to align more closely with climate targets. While Greenpeace pursued claims against Volkswagen Group, DUH focused on BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The lawsuits had already been rejected by lower courts in Munich and Stuttgart. The Federal Court of Justice, acting as the final instance,…

BMW is preparing to phase out the BMW i4 as it introduces the next-generation BMW i3, reflecting a shift toward its latest electric vehicle platform and technology. The newly unveiled i3, presented in Munich by outgoing CEO Oliver Zipse, is built on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture and represents a significant upgrade over the i4 in terms of performance and efficiency. The i3 50 xDrive variant features a 345 kW all-wheel-drive system and is expected to offer a range of up to 900 kilometres, although final certification figures are pending. The model also introduces an 800-volt system capable of charging from…

Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe is progressing with the construction of two new electric bus depots, marking a key step in the German capital’s transition to zero-emission public transport. At the Säntisstraße site in Berlin’s Marienfelde district, BVG recently held a topping-out ceremony, following a similar milestone at its second depot project in Treptow three months earlier. Construction at the Marienfelde site began in mid-2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2026. The Marienfelde depot, spanning approximately 6.6 hectares, is designed exclusively for battery-electric buses and will accommodate up to 220 vehicles. Together with the Treptow facility, the two depots will provide capacity…

BMW is set to revive the i3 nameplate as a fully electric version of its core 3 Series lineup, marking a shift from its earlier experimental EV approach to a mainstream, high-volume model built on its new Neue Klasse architecture. The original BMW i3, launched under the company’s “Project i” initiative, was a pioneering electric vehicle featuring a dedicated platform and carbon-fibre construction. According to outgoing chief executive Oliver Zipse, lessons from that programme have helped position BMW competitively in the transition to electric mobility. The new i3, however, is designed as a central pillar of BMW’s product range rather…

Volkswagen Group is recalling tens of thousands of electric vehicles built on its MEB platform after authorities identified potential defects in battery modules, according to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority. The recall affects 74,579 Volkswagen-branded vehicles worldwide, including the Volkswagen ID.3, Volkswagen ID.4, Volkswagen ID.5, Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo. An additional 19,452 units of the Cupra Born are also included. According to the KBA, the affected vehicles were manufactured between February 7, 2022 and August 23, 2024. Production took place at Volkswagen’s Zwickau plant in Germany for the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and Cupra Born, while the ID. Buzz…

Audi has confirmed that its upcoming entry-level electric vehicle will be called the A2 e-tron, marking the return of a historic nameplate as the automaker expands its battery-electric lineup in Europe. The compact model, positioned below the Q4 e-tron, will be produced at Audi’s main plant in Ingolstadt and is scheduled for a world premiere in autumn 2026, the company said during its annual press conference. See also: Audi Concept C Set for Production as Electric TT Successor Within Two Years “The A2 e-tron, manufactured in Ingolstadt, will further rejuvenate Audi’s model range and open up access to premium electric…