Author: Miguel Garcia

The Norwegian Association of Car Importers (BIL) and Sweden’s Mobility Sweden have entered into a strategic partnership to create a coordinated system for collecting and recycling electric vehicle (EV) batteries, as both countries prepare for new EU rules on battery management. The cooperation will be carried out through the organisations’ subsidiaries – Autoretur Battery Recycling (ABR) in Norway and FoRetur in Sweden – with the goal of building an efficient, harmonised take-back framework that meets future regulatory requirements. Parallel tenders for processing companies are set to launch in both countries later this month. “The automotive industry of the future will…

Torc Robotics has officially opened a new technology hub in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as part of its expansion in autonomous trucking, the company said on Friday. The 32,000-square-foot facility represents a $5.59 million investment and is expected to create up to 500 jobs. The ribbon-cutting ceremony attracted company employees, community leaders, and residents, showcasing one of Torc’s autonomous trucks as part of the event. CEO Peter Vaughan Schmidt described the hub as “a formal commitment to the region” and emphasized its role in advancing Level 4 autonomous trucking technology, which allows trucks to operate autonomously under certain conditions. The facility,…

Kia’s electric SUV, the EV5, has been spotted towing a trailer in the United States for the first time, raising questions about whether the vehicle could be launched beyond its previously announced Canadian market exclusivity. The EV5, roughly the size of the Tesla Model Y, has seen strong sales in China and Australia. Kia’s joint venture in China, Yueda Kia, recorded its first profit in seven years in 2024, partly driven by the success of the EV5. In Australia, the EV5 ranks as the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle this year, behind the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and Tesla Model…

Lynkwell has incorporated WEX payment technology into its electric vehicle (EV) charging platform, expanding services for commercial fleets and positioning itself as the only U.S.-based, vertically integrated EV charging provider to offer WEX’s corporate-grade payment solutions across its station network. The collaboration enables drivers to initiate charging sessions using the WEX DriverDash mobile application or WEX RFID card at thousands of Lynkwell chargers nationwide, aiming to increase convenience and operational efficiency. Fleet operators can access real-time charging data, budget controls, and compliance auditing through Lynkwell’s dashboard. Flexible billing models—subscription-based, per-kilowatt-hour, or dynamic pricing—are designed to give businesses greater control over…

Hesai Technology, a global provider of lidar sensing solutions, will unveil its latest high-performance automotive sensors at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, with live demonstrations of its ETX ultra-long-range lidar and its FTX solid-state lidar for blind-spot detection. The ETX has been developed specifically for Level 3 autonomous driving applications and features an automotive-grade design suitable for behind-the-windshield integration. The sensor incorporates a compact 32 mm optical window, setting a new benchmark for discreet installation while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency. It is powered by Hesai’s proprietary photon vector technology, aimed at enabling extended detection ranges for advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous…

Florida’s State Parks system has expanded its use of electric bikes for ranger patrols, adding dozens of new units as part of a broader effort to improve sustainability and reduce emissions. The Florida State Parks Foundation said the expansion, under its Greener Initiative, will see Velotric Nomad e-bikes deployed to multiple sites including Fort Clinch, Olustee Battlefield Historic, Rainbow Springs, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, and Suwannee River State Park. The e-bikes, equipped with 750-watt motors, a 65-mile range and a 500-pound payload capacity, are designed to handle rough paths and off-road trails with 4-inch-wide fat tires. “The Greener Initiative…

Following its launch in November 2024, Mercedes-Benz’s battery-electric eActros 600 has been integrated into dozens of commercial fleets across Europe, according to Daimler Truck. The company said the model, its first electric long-haul truck, is now operating in countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, France and Romania. The eActros 600 features a 621 kWh LFP battery and offers a range of up to 500 km with a gross combination mass of 40 tonnes. At compatible DC charging stations, the vehicle can reach a maximum charging power of 400 kW, with 1,000 kW megawatt charging expected in future. Daimler Truck said…

Phoenix Motor Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of heavy-duty transit buses and electrification solutions, has named John Walsh as President of Phoenix Motor and Chief Executive Officer of its commercial electric vehicle (EV) brand, PhoenixEV. The appointment is intended to accelerate the company’s growth in the zero-emission mobility sector and expand production and market share in the United States. Walsh brings over 35 years of experience in transit and electric mobility. He previously served as President of EO Charging Americas, overseeing commercial fleet electrification in North America, and held senior roles at Proterra, where he contributed to record sales of electric…

Self-driving truck startup Waabi has appointed Lior Ron, the former chief executive of Uber Freight, as chief operating officer, as it prepares to launch driverless trucks on public highways by the end of 2025. Ron, an autonomous vehicle industry veteran who co-founded self-driving truck company Otto before it was acquired by Uber in 2016, will lead Waabi’s go-to-market strategy and oversee the expansion of key partnerships. “He has shown his ability to scale from inception to a $5 billion revenue company with Uber Freight,” Waabi founder and CEO Raquel Urtasun told TechCrunch. Urtasun and Ron previously worked together at Uber,…

UK motorway service operator Extra MSA plans to expand its ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network by nearly 300% before the end of 2026, increasing its 350kW charge points from 60 to 234 across eight service stations in England in collaboration with Ionity. The expansion is already underway, with Cambridge Services, Cobham Services, and Peterborough Services each now hosting 24 chargers. Installations at Leeds Skelton Lake Services, Blackburn Services, and Baldock Services are scheduled for completion before the end of this year. “Ionity’s 350kW ultra-fast charge points are some of the highest-powered and most efficient facilities available, reflecting our commitment…

Revel, the electric vehicle (EV) startup known for its ride-hailing service in New York City, has officially ceased operations of its rideshare business to concentrate on expanding its EV charging infrastructure, the company announced. The move marks a strategic pivot from its original model, which began with electric scooter rentals in 2019. A notice on Revel’s app and website on Monday informed users that the rideshare service has been “permanently closed,” while the company commits to growing its fast charging network with additional sites and cities planned. Currently, Revel operates five charging stations in New York and one in San…

Tesla’s Director of Service for the North American market, Piero Landolfi, has left the automaker after almost nine years, joining a growing list of senior executives who have departed in 2025. Landolfi joined Tesla in 2016 to oversee technical service operations during a period when the company introduced “F1-inspired fast lanes” for vehicle servicing. He was later promoted to lead service operations for the North American market. According to his LinkedIn profile, Landolfi has been appointed Senior Vice President of Operations at Nimble, a robotics company that serves warehouses and e-commerce businesses and counts several former Tesla executives among its…