Author: Moira Shortle

South Tyrol will cut electric vehicle (EV) charging tariffs from March as part of a broader push to expand electromobility in the region, the provincial government announced. The plan includes increasing the number of public charging stations to 1,000 by the end of 2026 and introducing new subsidies for EV purchases and home charging installations. The province-owned energy provider Alperia will lower its charging rates significantly, reducing AC charging from €0.60/kWh to €0.45/kWh and DC charging from €0.89/kWh to €0.55/kWh. See also: Massachusetts to Deploy 100 Bidirectional EV Chargers in Statewide Pilot Alperia electricity customers and those of Stadtwerke Bruneck…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto announced plans to introduce smart-driving upgrades for its L-series SUVs and the Li Mega MPV in May, while opting not to release 2025 model-year updates. The company’s decision has raised concerns among potential buyers about the longevity of their purchases amid evolving technology. The upcoming enhancements will focus on advanced driver-assistance capabilities, with no changes to battery specifications, electric drive systems, or vehicle design. Li Auto’s update strategy comes in response to growing customer inquiries about potential facelifts for existing models. See also: Li Auto to Announce Q4 and Full-Year 2024 Earnings on March…

Tesla has formally applied for regulatory approval to operate autonomous ride-hailing services in California, marking a significant step toward launching a fleet of self-driving robotaxis. The move comes weeks after company executives disclosed plans to debut the service in Austin, Texas, by June. Bloomberg first reported Tesla’s application for a “transportation charter-party carrier permit” with the California Public Utilities Commission, a requirement for companies seeking to own and operate ride-sharing fleets in the state. If granted, Tesla would receive the same permit that allows Waymo to offer driverless rides. See also: Uber CEO Confirms Tesla Declined Collaboration on Robotaxi Platform…

Waymo, the autonomous driving unit of Alphabet, has surpassed 200,000 weekly paid robotaxi rides, doubling its trip volume in under a year, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. The company, which operates driverless taxi services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, has expanded significantly from providing 10,000 rides per week two years ago. The increase marks a 20-fold growth over that period, highlighting the growing adoption of autonomous ride-hailing. See also: Waymo to Test Autonomous Vehicles in 10 New Cities, Starting with Las Vegas and San Diego Exciting new @Waymo milestone: Waymo One is now serving 200k+ paid trips each…

Autonomous driving company WeRide has launched commercial operations of its Robotaxi GXR in Beijing, marking its second fully driverless model approved for paid ride-hailing services in the city. The new service area covers key locations in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, including high-speed railway stations and major highways leading to Beijing Daxing International Airport. The deployment follows the GXR’s initial launch on Uber’s platform in Abu Dhabi last December. See also: WeRide to Provide Technology for Autonomous Driving Pilot Project in Switzerland “The commercial launch of Robotaxi GXR in Beijing represents a pivotal achievement for WeRide and the autonomous driving…

Toyota has inaugurated a hydrogen refuelling station in Karawang, West Java, as part of its efforts to advance hydrogen-based mobility and renewable energy adoption in Indonesia, the company announced on Tuesday. Located at the automaker’s xEV Center inside its third manufacturing plant, the facility features both 350-bar and 700-bar pressure pumps, catering to a range of hydrogen-powered vehicles from forklifts to the Mirai fuel cell sedan. Toyota invested more than 35 billion rupiah (€2.05 million) in the station, which was unveiled alongside a showcase of hydrogen-powered forklifts, hydrogen cartridges, and hydrogen grillers. See also: Toyota Partners with HRS and Engie…

Rivian said on Thursday it will introduce a hands-off driver assistance system for highway driving in the coming weeks, with a more advanced “eyes-off” version set to debut in 2026. The launch will position Rivian alongside competitors such as Ford and General Motors, which already offer hands-free driving systems—BlueCruise and SuperCruise, respectively. Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system also enables hands-off driving under certain conditions, though it is not fully autonomous. See also: Rivian Recalls Over 17,000 R1 Vehicles Over Headlight Malfunction in Cold Weather Rivian’s announcement comes as the electric vehicle maker braces for another challenging year, citing uncertainty over…

Tesla will begin deliveries of the updated Model Y in China later this month, earlier than the previously expected March timeline, after receiving full regulatory approval. Tesla’s China website was updated on Tuesday, stating that deliveries of the facelifted Model Y will commence in late February. The company also confirmed that its “Launch Series” variants will be available for purchase only until February 28, as initially announced. See also: Tesla Begins Production of Updated Model Y “Juniper” at Shanghai Facility The refreshed Model Y, introduced in China on January 10, was included in a public regulatory catalog released the same…

Serbia will continue offering purchase subsidies for electric vehicles in 2025, with incentives reaching up to €5,000. The government has allocated a budget of 170 million dinars (€1.5 million) for the program, which allows private individuals and businesses to apply for incentives until the end of October. The subsidy amounts vary by vehicle type, ranging from €250 for electric mopeds and light tricycles to €500 for electric motorcycles, heavy tricycles, and quadricycles. Fully electric passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (M1 and N1 categories) are eligible for the maximum €5,000 incentive. See also: EU Should Maintain 2025 CO2 Targets, Boost…

Volvo Trucks North America has issued a recall for certain 2023-2025 Volvo VNR Electric trucks due to a potential safety concern with the high-voltage battery packs. The recall affects 13 vehicles equipped with BorgWarner Akasol Gen 3 batteries, which may contain loose hardware inside the battery pack. See also: Pet Valu Adds Volvo VNR Electric Trucks to Fleet in Sustainability Push This issue was discovered following an incident in January 2025, prompting an internal investigation. Although no accidents or injuries have been reported, Volvo is taking proactive steps by replacing the affected battery packs to ensure safety. The root cause…

Samsung SDI has initiated a recall for high voltage battery packs used in Chrysler, Volkswagen/Audi, and Ford vehicles due to a potential defect that could increase the risk of battery failure and fire. This recall affects 180,196 battery packs, identified under the NHTSA Campaign Number 25E007000. The defect involves damage to the battery separator, which could result in thermal overload and internal short circuits, heightening the risk of vehicle fires and the loss of drive power. See also: Samsung SDI to Supply Batteries for Two Audi Electric Vehicle Models The recall spans several vehicle brands: Chrysler, Volkswagen/Audi, and Ford, which…

Xpeng, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has officially launched in the UK, marking a key step in its global expansion efforts. The company introduced its new lineup, which includes the Xpeng G6, an all-electric coupe SUV, now available for pre-sale. Deliveries are set to begin in March 2025, with prices starting at £39,990. The company also showcased its AI-powered vehicles, including the Xpeng P7+, which is billed as the world’s first AI-defined vehicle, as well as its eVTOL X2 flying car, developed by its subsidiary AEROHT. See also: Xpeng Eyes Smart Driving Insurance to Support NOA and Autonomous Features…

Porsche has set a new Guinness World Record with its Taycan electric model, achieving the longest continuous drift of an electric vehicle on ice. The record was set against the icy landscape of northern Finland. The attempt took place at the Porsche Arctic Center in Levi, Finland, around 150 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. Jens Richter, an instructor, piloted the Taycan GTS, completing 132 laps in controlled oversteer on an ice track. He covered a total distance of 17.503 kilometers within 46 minutes, according to Porsche. See also: Porsche Revises Strategy, Plans Expanded Combustion and Hybrid Lineup Amid Profitability…

New registrations of electric vehicles in Germany surged in January, with the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) recording 34,498 battery-electric cars, a 53.5% increase from the same period last year. This growth positioned electric vehicles ahead of diesel-powered cars, which saw a sharp decline in market share. The significant year-on-year rise is largely attributed to the previous year’s slump in January, following the abrupt end of the government’s EV subsidy program for private buyers in December 2023. While the overall German car market shrank by 2.8% in January, electric vehicles accounted for 16.6% of total registrations, up from 13.5% in…

Stellantis has made further changes to its executive leadership, appointing new heads for Jeep, Peugeot, and DS Automobiles while integrating its software division into product development. Long-time Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson and software chief Yves Bonnefont are departing the group. The automaker said in a statement that these changes align with its December 2024 restructuring plan, which aims to streamline decision-making and balance regional and global operations. Stellantis Chairman John Elkann is leading the transition independently of outgoing CEO Carlos Tavares. See also: Stellantis Takes Full Control of Hybrid Transmission Joint Venture with Punch Powertrain As part of the shake-up,…

The Geely Galaxy L6 EM-i sedan retains its exterior design but swaps retractable door handles for traditional ones, a move aimed at improving reliability and reducing costs. The vehicle measures 4,782 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,489 mm in height, with a 2,752 mm wheelbase. Interior Upgrades Inside, the L6 EM-i features a redesigned cabin highlighted by a 14.6-inch horizontally oriented touchscreen on the center console. The center tunnel now houses two wireless charging pads, two cup holders, and a rotary gear shifter—relocated from its previous position behind the steering wheel. The steering wheel itself also sports…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng is entering the Finnish market, initially offering only its electric SUV models, the G6 and G9, while its P7 sedan will not be available at launch. Xpeng will sell its vehicles in Finland through Inchcape Motors Finland, with deliveries set to begin by the end of February. The company plans to open a showroom in Helsinki, followed by another location in Espoo. The G6 will start at €48,290, with a discounted Launch Edition available for €45,790. The G9 pricing begins at €62,900, with the Launch Edition priced at €75,900. See also: Xpeng Unveils G7 SUV…

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has confirmed discussions with the company’s Chinese joint venture partners regarding their potential interest in investing in Europe. However, a spokesperson for the automaker clarified on Tuesday that no concrete decisions have been made. Blume responded to a question about whether he would consider entering talks with Chinese investors about acquiring Volkswagen’s German factories, stating that any investment in Europe, particularly if it creates value and jobs, is generally viewed positively. See also: Volkswagen Faces Challenges in U.S. Market Expansion and Cost-Cutting Efforts in Europe He added that while discussions with Volkswagen’s Chinese joint venture partners…

Flexis, a joint venture between Renault, Volvo Group, and shipping giant CMA CGM, has received letters of intent for 15,000 units of its new electric van from 10 European transport and distribution companies, the company said on Tuesday. Among the buyers are France’s Colis Privé, a CMA CGM subsidiary, UK-based Hived, and Germany’s DB Schenker. The remaining customers have not been disclosed. The orders will contribute to sales under the Renault and Renault Trucks (Volvo) brands. See also: Renault and Volvo Launch Joint Venture Flexis for Electric Vans The European market is seeing increased demand for electric vans as cities…

Daimler truck subsidiary Fuso and charging specialist Connexx Systems are set to begin a demonstration phase in February for a project involving discarded batteries from the eCanter electric truck. The initiative aims to use these batteries in battery-supported charging stations, with plans to commercialize the solution in 2026. The project, spearheaded by the Japanese companies, will repurpose old batteries from eCanter models to serve as energy storage for Connexx Systems’ EnePOND EV Charger. See also: Planway Logística Adds 22 Fuso eCanter Electric Trucks to Fleet for Correos This charger, currently under development, is designed to absorb electricity slowly from the…