Author: Moira Shortle

Volvo Cars has been named the lead development partner for Android automotive software in an expanded collaboration with Alphabet’s Google, a move that is expected to shorten the time it takes for new Android features to reach vehicles. The deeper integration, announced during Google’s I/O developer conference, is aimed at improving the in-vehicle software experience and reducing the gap between Android releases on mobile devices and those available in cars. Volvo vehicles currently run Android 13, while its upcoming EX90 electric SUV, showcased at the event, is already operating on Android 15 — the most recent version of Google’s mobile…

Tesla will begin testing its robotaxi service in select areas of Austin, Texas, by the end of June, CEO Elon Musk said on Tuesday, reaffirming the company’s shift in focus toward autonomous driving amid increased regulatory scrutiny and weakening global sales. Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Musk said the initial rollout will involve about 10 vehicles, with plans to scale up to roughly 1,000 in the following months. “We are actually going to deploy not to the entire Austin region, but only the parts that are the safest,” he said. The pilot marks a pivotal moment for Tesla, which…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio has signed a new agreement to expand its battery swap network in northeast China, deepening its collaboration with local state-owned enterprises to boost EV infrastructure. Nio Power, the company’s energy subsidiary, signed a partnership deal with ZDK Group in Shenyang, Liaoning province, to jointly construct charging and battery swap facilities. The two sides aim to develop 100 battery swap stations across Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia. ZDK Group, a state-owned enterprise in Shenyang, has business interests spanning urban development, industrial operations, construction, logistics, and trade. The partnership is expected to support the rollout of…

BYD, the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer, has signed a partnership with Mega Motor Company (MMC) and Hub Power Company (HUBCO) to develop Pakistan’s largest electric vehicle charging network, marking a significant milestone in the country’s transition toward electric mobility. The collaboration aims to install around 128 DC fast chargers across Pakistan over the next three years, with 50 chargers expected to be operational by December 2025. Chargers will be positioned every 150–200 km along key highways and motorways, and placed at strategic urban locations including shopping malls, hotels, and hospitals. See also: Pakistan Introduces New Regulations to Expand…

Volvo Group Australia has started production of electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) at its Wacol facility in Brisbane, marking a milestone in the country’s shift towards cleaner transport. The announcement coincided with a record order of 30 electric trucks from freight giant Linfox, the largest single order of electric trucks to date in Australia. Volvo’s Brisbane plant, in operation for nearly five decades producing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, will now focus on manufacturing electric trucks. This makes the site the fifth Volvo facility globally dedicated to electric truck production, joining three in Europe and one in the United States.…

A recent comprehensive review by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) has found that electric vehicle (EV) chargers globally are significantly underutilized, with each charger capable of supporting up to 135 vehicles — far exceeding the current average of 11 EVs per charger. The extensive literature review, published in Energy Strategy Reviews, analyzed diverse studies on charging demand and concluded that large discrepancies between mean and median EV-to-charger ratios reflect varying assumptions and charger configurations across different regions and markets. “Even though there is extensive research on charging infrastructure, there is no comprehensive mapping of charging demand estimations. Our review is…

VinFast has unveiled the EC Van (E-City Van), a small electric cargo van designed to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly business and public transport solutions in Vietnam. This launch reflects the company’s continued focus on expanding its electric vehicle offerings for diverse commercial applications in its home market. The EC Van measures 3.8 meters long, 1.7 meters wide, and 1.8 meters tall, with a 2.5-meter wheelbase. Its compact size and tight turning radius of just 5.1 meters make it well-suited for maneuvering through congested city streets and narrow rural roads. Inside, the van features two front seats and a…

BASF and Group14 Technologies have introduced a commercial-ready silicon anode solution designed to significantly boost the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The technology, which combines BASF’s Licity 2698 X F binder with Group14’s silicon-carbon material SCC55, is aimed at next-generation electric vehicles and is said to offer nearly four times the capacity of traditional graphite anodes. See also: BASF Reports Lower-than-Expected Earnings, Cites EV Demand Slump and Restructuring Costs The drop-in solution is engineered for seamless integration into existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes. It is designed to maintain 80% capacity after over 1,000 charge cycles at room temperature and over 500…

British startup Vertical Aerospace is expanding its electric aviation ambitions into the defense sector, unveiling plans to develop a hybrid-electric version of its VX4 aircraft as European defense spending surges in response to geopolitical tensions. The company, known for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed for urban air mobility, said the hybrid model will offer a range of up to 1,000 miles — significantly more than the current fully electric version. Vertical has already secured over 1,500 preorders for the VX4 from major commercial customers including American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL, and Bristow. See also: Vertical Aerospace…

Japanese automaker Mazda will partner with Chinese firms Changan and CATL to develop electric vehicles based on CATL’s CIIC skateboard platform, the companies said, a move aimed at accelerating EV development and production. The collaboration will allow Changan Mazda, a joint venture between Mazda and Changan, to leverage CATL’s cell-to-chassis technology, which integrates battery cells directly into the vehicle chassis, making the battery a structural element. This approach, CATL claims, will help automakers reduce development times and better respond to evolving market demands. “The cooperation aims to decouple vehicle development from the body and underbody,” the companies stated, adding that…

Electric vehicle startup Slate Auto has secured over 100,000 reservations for its newly unveiled, customizable low-cost electric pickup truck, the company told TechCrunch, marking a significant early milestone just weeks after its public debut. The reservations, each backed by a refundable $50 deposit, were collected in the two weeks following the truck’s launch event in Los Angeles. Slate says the vehicle will start at under $20,000 after factoring in the U.S. federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The company plans to manufacture the vehicle at a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. “We are truly humbled by America’s response to…

General Motors  has appointed Sterling Anderson, co-founder of autonomous trucking firm Aurora, as its executive vice president of global product, the automaker said on Monday. Anderson will assume the role on June 2, reporting directly to GM President Mark Reuss. In his new position, Anderson will also serve as chief product officer, managing the entire lifecycle of GM’s vehicle lineup, including internal combustion and electric models. He will be based at GM’s Mountain View Tech Center in California, a hub for the automaker’s advanced technology initiatives. See also: Aurora Co-Founder Sterling Anderson to Step Down Amid Self-Driving Truck Rollout Anderson…