Author: Lukas Schneider

The Volkswagen ID.3 has overtaken the Tesla Model Y to become the most widely registered battery-electric vehicle in Germany, reflecting stronger sales momentum for Volkswagen models during 2025, according to new data from the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA). Germany’s electric vehicle fleet surpassed two million units for the first time, reaching 2,034,260 vehicles as of January 1, 2026. Within that total, the ID.3 accounted for 116,053 units, representing 5.7% of all battery-electric vehicles in the country. See also: Volkswagen to End ID.4 Production at Chattanooga Plant, Shift Focus to Atlas SUV The change in ranking follows a year of stronger growth for…

ZF Friedrichshafen has appointed Peter Holdmann as its first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), creating a new executive board position to centralize technology and development across the group, the company said. ZF said the newly established role is intended to underscore the growing importance of innovation, software, and advanced engineering capabilities to its long-term competitiveness. Until now, research and development activities were managed within largely independent divisions, without centralized oversight at board level. The company said the immediate objective is to align R&D “across all divisions of the company even more effectively, efficiently, and competitively with customer needs,” although it did…

Stellantis is facing extended delivery delays for long-range electric vehicle variants of certain Opel and Peugeot models in Germany, according to dealers cited by Automobilwoche. The delays affect long-range versions of the Opel Grandland and Peugeot e-3008 and e-5008, with some deliveries now expected in the first or second quarter of 2027, the report said. Other dealers have not yet received binding delivery dates, according to Automobilwoche. The affected models are equipped with a larger 97-kWh battery pack, compared with the standard 73-kWh battery, and are priced roughly 5,000 euros higher. A Stellantis spokesperson cited strong demand from business customers…

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…

Mercedes-Benz has held preliminary discussions with Chinese automaker Geely about potential cooperation on future vehicle development in China, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter. The talks are described as being at an early stage and focus on possible collaboration for models beyond Mercedes’ current generation of electric vehicles. The outcome remains uncertain, and the discussions could end without a formal agreement. See also: Mercedes-Benz Unveils VLE Electric Van With 800-Volt Platform and 700 km Range The reported engagement comes despite Mercedes-Benz recently denying speculation that it plans to adopt a new electric vehicle platform based…

Lucid Motors has appointed German automotive retail group Wackenhut as its first European retail partner, marking a shift toward a hybrid sales model as the U.S. electric vehicle maker expands its presence in Germany. Wackenhut will begin selling and servicing Lucid’s vehicle lineup at its Baden-Baden site from March 30, 2026, with a second location in Stuttgart scheduled to open in summer 2026, Lucid said in a statement. Additional Wackenhut sites will provide service support to strengthen regional coverage. See also: Lucid Unveils Mid-Size EV Plans Including SUVs and Robotaxi Concept The partnership represents Lucid’s first move to complement its…

BMW has increased production of its all-electric BMW iX3 to a two-shift operation at its Debrecen plant in Hungary, citing strong demand for the first model in its Neue Klasse lineup. The move follows robust order intake since the vehicle’s debut at the International Motor Show (IAA) in September 2025, the company said in its annual financial results. The Debrecen facility began series production in October, with initial deliveries starting in January and a broader dealer rollout in early March. See also: BMW Completes Final Winter Tests for Neue Klasse i3 Ahead of March Design Debut “Since its world premiere…

German carmaker Volkswagen has offered an early preview of the successor to its compact electric hatchback Volkswagen ID.3, confirming the model will debut under the new name Volkswagen ID.3 Neo when it is unveiled in mid-April. The announcement comes as Volkswagen prepares extensive updates to several vehicles built on its MEB platform, including refreshed versions of the Volkswagen ID.4, Volkswagen ID.5, and Volkswagen ID.7. The company has not yet disclosed detailed drivetrain specifications for the upcoming ID.3 Neo. Volkswagen confirmed that the facelifted ID.3 will adopt a new name rather than the previously rumored “ID. Golf.” Meanwhile, media reports suggest…

BMW Group said its Supervisory Board has appointed Raymond Wittmann, currently head of Corporate Strategy and Development, to the company’s Board of Management. Wittmann is expected to assume responsibility for BMW’s production division at the company’s Annual General Meeting in May. The move comes as current production chief Milan Nedeljković prepares to succeed Oliver Zipse as chairman of the board. See also: BMW Completes Final Winter Tests for Neue Klasse i3 Ahead of March Design Debut The appointment follows earlier confirmation that BMW would need to fill the production board position after Nedeljković’s planned leadership transition. Wittmann, 47, has worked…