Author: Moira Shortle

U.S. President Donald Trump announced new tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts on Wednesday, a move expected to raise car prices and disrupt an industry already transitioning to electric vehicles. The 25% tariffs, set to take effect on April 2, will apply to all imported cars and “key automobile parts,” including engines, transmissions, and electrical components, the White House said. The policy will impact automakers reliant on foreign production, as roughly half of the 16 million vehicles sold in the U.S. last year were imported, according to S&P Global Mobility. Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Japan, and Germany are among…

Nissan has introduced a fully redesigned Leaf, transforming its long-running electric vehicle into a crossover with increased range and new technology, as part of a broader push to revamp its lineup under incoming CEO Ivan Espinosa. The third-generation Leaf, built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform shared with the Ariya, features a more upright stance with an emphasis on aerodynamics. Nissan has not disclosed full technical specifications, but François Bailly, the company’s vehicle program boss, said the new Leaf will achieve up to 600 km (373 miles) of range on a single charge. “A confident EV drive was one of the core…

South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group plans to invest $21 billion in the United States over the next three years to expand production, enhance its supply chain, and advance new technologies, the company said. The move comes as Hyundai strengthens its presence in the competitive U.S. electric vehicle (EV) market while ramping up domestic manufacturing capabilities. The investment will allocate $9 billion toward increasing production capacity across the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands, raising annual output to 1.2 million vehicles. Funds will also go toward upgrading Hyundai’s Alabama manufacturing facility and Kia’s Georgia plant to accommodate growing demand for EVs. Strengthening…

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) said on Tuesday it had received approval from China’s securities regulator for a share sale in Hong Kong, which sources estimate could raise at least $5 billion. The Shenzhen-listed company plans to issue up to 220 million shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, it said in a statement. If the fundraising meets expectations, it would be the largest listing in Hong Kong since Kuaishou Technology’s $6.2 billion initial public offering in 2021, according to Dealogic data. See also: CATL Advances Sodium-Ion Battery Technology, Nearing LFP Energy Density CATL stated in…

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL), the world’s largest battery manufacturer, has announced significant advancements in its second-generation sodium-ion battery technology. The company reports that these batteries are approaching the energy density levels of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are widely used in various applications, including electric vehicles and energy storage systems. See also: CATL Reports Record Fourth-Quarter Net Income Amid Decline in Annual Revenue In a recent quarterly call with investors, CATL highlighted that the energy density of their latest sodium-ion cells exceeds 200 Wh/kg, a substantial increase from the 160 Wh/kg achieved in the first generation. This…

InstaVolt has launched the UK’s largest and most advanced ultra-rapid charging superhub near the A34 and junction 9 of the M3 in Winchester, England. The new Winchester Superhub boasts 44 ultra-rapid chargers, each capable of delivering up to 160kW of power, aiming to set a new benchmark for EV charging infrastructure. See also: InstaVolt Doubles Charging Capacity in Banbury, Creating One of UK’s Largest Charging Hubs The site incorporates a 4 MW battery storage system alongside an on-site solar farm, which, once completed, will feature 870 solar panels. InstaVolt states that the hub will utilize a combination of solar energy,…

Wacker Neuson has introduced three new electric construction vehicles, expanding its zero-emission lineup with a focus on reduced noise levels and fast charging capabilities. The company plans to unveil the new models at the Bauma trade fair in Munich next month. The latest additions include the EZ26e and EZ10e electric excavators, with payload capacities of 2.6 tons and one ton, respectively. While detailed specifications for the EZ10e are yet to be disclosed, Wacker Neuson confirmed that the EZ26e will be available with two battery options—30 kWh and 40 kWh—and can be charged via a household outlet or a high-voltage power…

Honda and its luxury brand Acura will grant their electric vehicle (EV) owners access to Tesla’s Supercharger network in North America starting in June, the company announced. Owners of the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, which are equipped with CCS (Combined Charging System) ports rather than Tesla’s proprietary technology, will need to purchase Honda-approved fast-charging adapters through dealerships. Pricing details for the adapters have not yet been disclosed. See also: Acura Signals Openness to Hybrids Amid Slower EV Transition Honda stated that customers will receive notifications via the HondaLink and Acura EV apps once the adapters become available for purchase.…

French mobility brand Ayvens, a subsidiary of ALD Automotive and Leaseplan, has signed a financing agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to expand its fleet with 19,000 electric vans across Europe over the next three years. The EIB is providing a €350 million loan on favorable terms, matched by an equal investment from Ayvens. The vehicles will primarily serve businesses in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, where demand for electric light commercial vehicles (eLCVs) is rising due to tightening emissions regulations in urban areas. See also: BYD Partners with Ayvens to Expand EV Leasing Across Europe Ayvens will…

South Africa will allocate 1 billion rand ($54.27 million) to support local production of new energy vehicles (NEVs), batteries, and related manufacturing projects, as part of an industrial development incentive program announced by the National Treasury. The country, home to major automotive manufacturers including Toyota, Ford Motor, Isuzu, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz, is positioning itself to attract investment in electric vehicle production. See also: Volvo Trucks Delivers First All-Electric FH 6×4 Trucks to Vector Logistics in South Africa Industry stakeholders have emphasized the need for government incentives to encourage original equipment manufacturers to expand their NEV production capabilities. South Africa’s Electric…

Lotus Robotics and CaoCao Mobility have introduced a fully autonomous ride-hailing platform, which is currently undergoing trials in Suzhou and Hangzhou, China, ahead of a planned global rollout by the end of the year. The platform integrates Lotus Robotics’ self-driving technology with CaoCao Mobility’s ride-hailing services. Both companies are backed by Chinese automaker Geely, which also owns brands such as Proton, Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. The service employs a custom-built vehicle designed for full autonomy and automated operations, the companies said. See also: DeepRoute.ai Raises $100 Million to Expand Autonomous Driving Systems in China The pilot program…

South Korean battery manufacturer SK On is advancing its development of immersion cooling technology for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, aiming to enhance thermal management and efficiency. The company showcased its progress at the InterBattery 2025 trade show, highlighting its collaboration with SK Enmove, a subsidiary specializing in lubricants. See also: Hyundai, Kia Adjust U.S. EV Batteries to Qualify for $7,500 Tax Credit; SK On Scales Up Production Immersion cooling involves submerging battery cells directly in a thermal fluid, such as oil, rather than relying on traditional air or liquid circulation around modules. This method is expected to improve heat dissipation…

Volkswagen Group of America has issued a recall affecting 13,769 electric vehicles due to a defect that could cause them to lose power while driving. The issue stems from the 12-volt battery charger, which may malfunction, leading to a loss of motive power and posing a potential safety hazard. The recall includes several models, namely the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4, the 2024 to 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron, and the 2024 to 2025 Audi Q4 E-Tron Sportback. See also: Volkswagen Recalls Over 60,000 Electric Vehicles in U.S. Over Gear Display Malfunction According to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…

Nio is implementing a new organizational restructuring aimed at tighter cost control, with founder, chairman, and CEO William Li taking a more hands-on role in supply chain management, local media outlet 36kr reported on Monday. The Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer has introduced an internal management framework known as the Cell Business Unit (CBU), which is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter. The system divides Nio’s operations into distinct, non-overlapping units, each assigned specific return-on-investment (ROI) targets and a performance-based incentive structure, the report said. See also: Nio Opens First Battery Swap Station in MENA “The new…

Researchers at Florida International University (FIU) have unveiled a lithium-sulfur battery technology that could significantly enhance electric vehicle (EV) performance by increasing range and reducing charging times. The innovation addresses key shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries by offering a lighter, more cost-effective, and energy-dense alternative. See also: McGill University Achieves Breakthrough in Solid-State Lithium Battery Technology Lithium-sulfur batteries have long been considered a promising next-generation energy storage solution, but their commercial viability has been hindered by limited lifespan—typically lasting only 50 charge cycles before significant degradation. FIU researchers have developed a method to stabilize the battery’s performance by incorporating a trace…

The European Commission said on Wednesday it remains committed to its 2035 target requiring all new cars and vans sold in the European Union to be carbon dioxide-free, while also upholding its intermediate emissions targets for 2030. The EU executive, however, granted automakers an extended compliance period for 2025 emissions targets, giving them three years instead of one to meet the requirements and avoid penalties. See also: EU Commission to Push EV Adoption in Corporate Fleets, End Fossil Fuel Tax Breaks “We stick to the 2035 targets, which means that we stick to the 2025, 2030 and, of course, the…

Volkswagen has launched an updated version of its ID.3 electric vehicle in China for the 2025 model year, introducing a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery option for the first time. The refreshed model retains its existing design but features an upgraded interior and a competitive pricing strategy. The latest ID.3 now comes with two battery choices: a 52.8 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery and a newly introduced 53.6 kWh LFP battery supplied by CATL. The LFP version offers a range of 451 km under China’s CLTC testing standard, though its charging performance remains modest. See also: Volkswagen Slashes ID.4…

Rivian posted a gross profit for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2024, a key milestone for the electric vehicle startup as it works toward overall profitability. The company reported a gross profit of $170 million, largely attributed to cost reductions in producing its refreshed R1S and R1T models. “The biggest part of this is due to the massive cost reduction brought by the refreshed R1S and R1T,” Rivian Chief Financial Officer Claire McDonough said during a Q&A session. See also: Rivian CFO: R2 SUV Development on Track, Global Expansion Planned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jghrB8iNAUw Rivian managed to cut the cost…

The European Commission is considering allowing car manufacturers additional time to meet CO2 emissions targets, while also exploring new subsidies for battery production, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said ahead of the official release of the EU’s Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Industry. Von der Leyen proposed that automakers could comply with the 2025 CO2 target over three years instead of by 2025 alone, provided the European Parliament and member states agree. “Instead of annual compliance, companies will get three years – this is the principle of banking and borrowing; the targets stay the same; they…

General Motors’ Super Cruise driver assistance system has been named the winner of MotorTrend’s inaugural “Best Tech Award,” recognizing its role in advancing hands-free driving technology. The system, first introduced in 2017, allows for hands-free driving on pre-mapped roads and is set to expand its coverage to 750,000 miles across the U.S. and Canada by late 2025. See also: GM Bets on Super Cruise Technology to Drive Future Revenue Growth MotorTrend launched the new award series to highlight innovative technologies that enhance the driving experience. “MotorTrend said it launched the new awards to celebrate groundbreaking technologies and innovations that redefine…