Author: Miguel Garcia

Holon has received approval from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to conduct nationwide testing of its autonomous Holon Urban shuttle, marking a significant step toward wider deployment of autonomous vehicles in public transport, the company said on Friday. The permit, issued under the Autonomous Vehicle Approval and Operation Regulation, allows Holon to test the shuttle in autonomous driving mode across federal, state and district roads, provided a safety driver is present. Motorways are excluded from the approval. Holon said the authorisation will first be applied in the ALIKE project in partnership with Hamburg’s public transport operator, Hamburger Hochbahn, as…

Kia and Motability Operations, the company behind the UK’s Motability Scheme, have signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop an affordable, fully electric Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) for the UK market. The first side-entry model is scheduled for launch in late 2026. Under the partnership, Kia will design, build, and sell the WAV based on its upcoming Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) architecture. Motability Operations will contribute insights from its experience serving disabled drivers and passengers in the UK, helping to guide the vehicle’s development and ensure it meets accessibility requirements. See also: Kia Unveils GT Wrap Design to Symbolize Speed…

Rad Power Bikes, a leading U.S. electric bicycle manufacturer, has told employees it may shut down operations in January 2026 if it fails to secure new funding or a buyer, according to an internal email cited by TechCrunch. The Seattle-based company said in the email that its leadership is “still fighting to find ways to continue,” but warned that a shutdown “is not a foregone conclusion.” A potential rescue deal that had appeared “very promising” recently fell through, the message added. “Rad is nothing without its people and wants to ensure that all employees are taken care of and provided…

German software provider chargecloud GmbH has partnered with Dutch payment technology company Payter to roll out AFIR-compliant credit card payment terminals for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Europe. The collaboration provides charge point operators (CPOs) with a unified, cloud-integrated platform that meets the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requirements for ad hoc public charging payments. The system connects Payter’s Apollo series payment terminals directly to chargecloud’s software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform via a cloud-to-cloud integration, eliminating the need for middleware. It supports credit and debit cards, as well as mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. The setup…

Hyundai Motor Company has released full technical specifications for the upcoming Ioniq 6 N, its latest high-performance electric vehicle scheduled for a global launch in early 2026. The model was presented to international media at the Korea International Circuit in Yeongam, highlighting Hyundai’s ongoing efforts to merge motorsport-inspired engineering with electric mobility under its N performance division. See also: Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Could Carry Premium U.S. Price Tag, Reports Suggest The Ioniq 6 N delivers a peak output of 650 PS (478 kW) and 770 Nm of torque using Hyundai’s N Grin Boost function, which provides maximum power for…

SPIE CityNetworks, in partnership with Flash, has been selected by the Syndicat Territoire d’Énergie Pyrénées-Atlantiques (STDEPA) to develop and operate the Oscéa 64 electric vehicle charging network in south-west France. The project will see the installation of 658 new charging points across 138 municipalities, with the first operational units expected in 2026. The French subsidiary of SPIE will oversee the full lifecycle of the project — from network design, installation, and commissioning to long-term maintenance — under a 15-year concession. See also: France’s e-Vadea Expands EV Charging Network Beyond Motorways Charging stations will range in power output from 22 kW…

Kodiak AI, a U.S.-based autonomous trucking company, has strengthened its partnership with ZF, one of the world’s largest suppliers of commercial vehicle technology, through the purchase of 100 redundant steering systems. The collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing fail-operational control and reliability across Kodiak’s growing fleet of fully driverless trucks. ZF’s ReAX adaptive electronic steering assist and next-generation Electric Power Steering (EPS) solutions will be integrated into Kodiak’s driverless platforms. These systems incorporate redundant actuators designed to ensure continuous steering capability even in the event of a component failure—an essential safety feature for commercial-scale autonomous operations. “At ZF, our…

The U.S. technology exchange Nasdaq has warned electric car manufacturer Polestar that trading in its shares could be suspended next year after the company’s stock price fell below the exchange’s minimum requirement of $1. Polestar shares have traded under that threshold for several weeks, putting the automaker at risk of delisting. Polestar went public in June 2022 through a merger with Gores Guggenheim, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), raising $890 million and debuting on Nasdaq with a valuation of $27.42 billion. See also: Polestar CTO Lutz Stiegler Returns to Volvo as Head of Architecture Strategy However, only about 6%…

Chinese automaker BYD plans to introduce 3,000 Dolphin Mini electric taxis and build more than 100 charging stations across Mexico’s Nuevo León state, with full operations expected to begin in 2026. The large-scale e-mobility project is designed to serve the Monterrey metropolitan area, Monterrey International Airport, and major industrial zones in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The pilot phase of the initiative is already underway, supported by a $50 million investment from Mexican car rental company One Car Now. At a presentation held at BYD’s Gonzalitos facility, company executives, local officials, and project partners outlined details of the…

The Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University has initiated the ‘Kreislauf.IN.NRW’ research project to develop a holistic recycling process for lithium-ion battery cells, including components with unprecedented recycled content. The project is funded by the Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia and collaborates with industrial partners. The project focuses on producing battery cells with more than 80% recycled material, addressing the EU Battery Regulation’s minimum recycling quotas for cathode active material (CAM). The initiative goes beyond existing efforts, which often treat recyclable components individually rather than assessing their interaction…

The UK Department for Transport has unveiled proposals aimed at making it easier for renters and residents without off-street parking to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at home. The government plans to launch a consultation on the measures, which focus on expanding access to EV charging and reducing regulatory barriers. Key proposals include mandating EV charge points in new-build covered car parks and removing planning permission requirements for installations on pavements or public land for households without private driveways. See also: UK Introduces £42,000 Price Cap for Electric Car Grant Currently, installing an EV charger outside a private driveway is…

Switzerland will launch a national programme in 2026 to support the installation of charging infrastructure for electric trucks, committing 20 million Swiss francs ($21.5 million) to promote the transition to cleaner freight transport. The scheme will be managed by the Swiss Commercial Vehicle Association (ASTAG) and will run through 2030. The initiative, titled “Electric Truck Charging Infrastructure,” will provide financial assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees. Applications open on January 1, 2026, and eligible companies will be able to receive up to 40 percent of the costs associated with planning, grid connection, cabling, and…