Author: Michael Carter

Ionna has opened its 100th fast-charging location in the United States, marking a key milestone two years after its formation by a consortium of major global automakers. The joint venture—backed by BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota—has deployed nearly 1,000 charging points across its first 100 sites, averaging about 10 chargers per location. Ionna said an additional 340 charging hubs, representing roughly 3,700 charging points, are already under contract and in advanced planning or implementation stages. This brings the total number of contracted chargers to around 4,700 nationwide. Recent sites have opened in locations including Forest…

Lucid Motors outlined initial details of its upcoming mid-size electric vehicle lineup, including two sport utility vehicles and a robotaxi concept, as the company seeks to expand beyond the premium segment and improve its path to profitability. The U.S.-based electric vehicle maker said the new range will include three model series, two of which will be SUVs named Lucid Cosmos and Lucid Earth. The Cosmos is positioned as a sportier offering, while the Earth will focus on balancing performance and practicality. A third, as-yet-unnamed model is expected to cater to more off-road-oriented use cases, according to company disclosures during a…

The revival of the Scout brand by Volkswagen could take longer than initially planned, with the first vehicles expected to reach customers in 2028, according to Scott Keogh. Speaking during a discussion with members of the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, Keogh suggested that customer deliveries would occur later than the previously anticipated 2027 timeline. “When do I see the cars in the hands of a physical customer? I see that sometime in 2028,” he said. The statement indirectly confirms an earlier report by Der Spiegel that indicated production for Scout vehicles might not begin until summer 2028. Although Keogh…

The municipal transport operator EMT Valencia has added 26 electric buses to its fleet as part of a wider plan to expand and decarbonize public transport in the Spanish city. The operator said the new battery-electric buses have entered service, although details about the exact manufacturers and models were not disclosed. A press image released alongside the announcement shows several MAN Lion’s City E vehicles in the standard 12-metre configuration. In a LinkedIn post, EMT Valencia described the delivery as consisting of 26 battery-electric buses. However, information published on the website of the City of Valencia refers to 26 electric…

Subaru has introduced hands-free highway driving capability in the 2026 Subaru Outback Touring and 2026 Subaru Outback Touring XT, marking the first time the automaker has offered a hands-free driving system on one of its vehicles. The feature, called EyeSight Highway Hands-Free Assist, allows limited hands-free driving at speeds of up to 85 mph on most interstate highways in the United States. According to Subaru, the system is available as a standard feature on Outback Touring models produced after January 19, 2026. Owners of compatible vehicles produced earlier can activate the function through a free software update. The system operates…

NFI Group has opened a new Customer Acceptance and Delivery (CAD) facility in Winnipeg, enabling full domestic production of heavy-duty transit buses in Canada for the first time in 15 years, including battery-electric models. The new site is expected to increase production capacity for the company’s New Flyer brand buses in Winnipeg by up to 240 equivalent units annually by 2027, with about four vehicles projected to enter production each week. NFI Group manufactures buses and coaches under several brands, including New Flyer, Alexander Dennis and Motor Coach Industries (MCI). According to the company, the facility allows New Flyer buses…

Two major carmakers, Toyota and Stellantis, are set to withdraw from the European CO₂ compliance pool centred around Tesla for 2026, potentially removing two of the largest contributors to the EV maker’s regulatory credit revenue in the region. Under European Union rules, automakers may form CO₂ pools that combine the emissions of multiple manufacturers into a single fleet for compliance purposes. Companies with large shares of electric vehicles can offset emissions from partners with higher CO₂ output, helping them avoid EU penalties in exchange for financial payments to the low-emission partners. According to reporting by automotive analyst Matthias Schmidt, Toyota…

Germany and Canada have signed a joint declaration of intent to strengthen cooperation in the automotive and mobility sectors, covering areas including trade, battery production and hydrogen technologies, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action said. The agreement was signed by German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche and Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Mélanie Joly. It aims to expand bilateral industrial collaboration, foster sector development and increase dialogue among companies, research institutions and industry associations in both countries. A “Joint Cooperation Group on Automotive and Mobility” will be established to support these efforts.…

Canada’s Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association (APMA) has presented two new electric vehicle prototypes at the 2026 Canadian International Auto Show, showcasing domestic supplier expertise and innovative production techniques aimed at future mobility. The prototypes form part of Project Arrow, an initiative launched in 2021 to demonstrate Canada’s ability to design and manufacture a complete electric vehicle despite lacking a globally recognized domestic automaker brand. The program brings together industry partners, universities and technology companies to highlight the country’s automotive supply chain. In the project’s second phase, the original battery-electric SUV concept has been joined by a van concept. The SUV…

Rivian has released a new software update that adds performance enhancements, expanded features and a smartwatch-based vehicle key to its R1S sport utility vehicle and R1T pickup, extending capabilities across both first- and second-generation models. The update, version 2026.03, introduces a dedicated Apple Watch application that allows drivers to control key vehicle functions without carrying a physical key or smartphone. For first-generation owners—who previously lacked full digital key support—the app enables locking and unlocking by tapping the watch screen and, when connected via Bluetooth, allows the vehicle to be placed into drive with the app active in the foreground. Second-generation…

BorgWarner has secured its first production program for a 48-volt electric cross differential (eXD) with a major Chinese original equipment manufacturer, marking the debut of the technology in its global portfolio. The system will be integrated into the automaker’s existing 48V electrical architecture, expanding BorgWarner’s presence in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. The eXD technology is designed to improve traction, stability, and handling by dynamically controlling torque distribution between wheels in real time. According to the company, the system continuously monitors driving conditions and adjusts slip control to maintain vehicle stability, particularly during high-speed maneuvers or challenging road situations.…

Mapping and navigation provider HERE Technologies has introduced new capabilities to its HERE Tour Planning solution, targeting transport and logistics companies transitioning to electric vehicles for last-mile delivery. The enhancements combine artificial intelligence with EV-focused route optimisation to address operational challenges such as congestion, tight delivery windows, and workforce shortages. The updated platform includes an “EV Planning” function designed to improve route efficiency for electric fleets. According to the company, internal testing shows the feature can deliver up to 20% better planning and routing for electric vehicles. The system evaluates each vehicle’s operating characteristics, including battery range behaviour and technical…