Author: Moira Shortle

Stellantis has confirmed the next-generation Fiat 500 will debut in 2032, despite the challenges posed by slowing sales of the current all-electric 500e model. The automaker has also pledged to maintain production of the iconic Cinquecento at its Mirafiori plant in Turin well beyond 2030, underscoring its commitment to Italian manufacturing. The current electric Fiat 500e has struggled to gain traction in the European market, leading Stellantis to repeatedly pause production due to weak demand. Speaking to local media, Stellantis Chief Operating Officer for the Enlarged Europe region, Jean-Philippe Imparato, outlined plans to reinvigorate the Fiat 500 lineup. A mild-hybrid…

Starting one week before Christmas, Californians can apply for a state incentive of up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new e-bike, with the state initially allocating $3 million to fund up to 1,500 e-bikes. The incentive is aimed at households earning up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), with priority given to those earning 225% of FPL or less. For a single-person household, the maximum qualifying income is $45,180 annually, with priority for applicants earning $33,885 or less. For a four-person household, the income cap is $93,600 (300% of FPL) or $70,200 (225% of FPL) for…

The European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament is seeking to reverse the ban on new combustion engine vehicles set for 2035, according to a position paper quoted by Der Spiegel. This move challenges European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who has firmly supported the current legislation as a cornerstone of the EU’s climate goals. The EPP, led by Manfred Weber, plans to push for the repeal of the ban within the first 100 days of the new EU Commission’s term. The position paper argues for a “technology-neutral approach” that incorporates alternative fuels, such as biofuels and synthetic…

German logistics company Duvenbeck has added its first MAN eTGX Ultra Low Liner to its fleet, marking a step forward in its transition to sustainable transport solutions. The electric semitrailer will operate across key European logistics corridors, including the Rhine-Ruhr region and the BeNeLux freight forwarding zone, as part of Volkswagen’s plant logistics network. This acquisition is part of a larger commitment by Duvenbeck to integrate 120 MAN electric trucks into its operations by 2026, a goal established in a memorandum of understanding with MAN Truck & Bus in May 2023. The deployment is facilitated by TIP Group, a provider…

Germany’s automotive sector is navigating a period of turbulence, as strikes, internal tensions within major companies like Volkswagen, and cost-cutting measures at Mercedes, Ford, and BMW weigh on the industry. While the overall vehicle market showed resilience in November with 244,544 passenger car sales—just a 0.5% dip compared to the previous year—the real struggle is unfolding in the electric vehicle (EV) market, which is facing a significant downturn. According to the latest data from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), EV sales fell by 22% year-over-year in November, with only 35,167 new electric vehicles registered, representing 14.4% of total new…

Rivian has quietly removed the under-seat storage compartment from all second-generation R1T and R1S models, a change that has taken many new owners by surprise. This modification comes several months after the Gen 2 R1 series launched with a range of updates, making the disappearance of this small yet functional feature even more perplexing. The news of the storage compartment’s removal began circulating on social media platforms, including Twitter, Reddit, and various forums, catching new owners off guard. Some owners were shocked to find that the compartment was entirely missing, while others discovered that their vehicles still contained the drawer,…

UK-based battery startup Echion Technologies and Brazilian niobium specialist CBMM have inaugurated a groundbreaking plant in Araxá, Brazil, set to mass-produce Echion’s proprietary ultra-fast charging niobium anode material, XNO. The facility, touted as the “world’s largest niobium-based anode production facility,” aims to deliver innovative battery solutions for heavy-duty electric vehicles (EVs). The plant, with an annual production capacity of 2,000 tons of XNO, can supply lithium-ion cells with a total energy capacity of 1 GWh. Jean de La Verpilliere, CEO of Echion Technologies, called the plant’s opening a “major milestone” for the company. “XNO is already positively impacting our manufacturing…

Solaris has been awarded a contract to supply 10 electric buses to Gliwice’s public transport operator, PKM Gliwice. The fleet will include seven Urbino 18 articulated electric buses and three 12-meter Urbino 12 electric buses, scheduled for delivery in November 2025. This marks another milestone in Solaris’ longstanding partnership with PKM Gliwice, which dates back to 2005. To date, the operator has ordered 170 electric buses from the Polish manufacturer, including a 2022 order for 32 Solaris electric buses. The Urbino models are equipped with advanced battery systems, featuring 400 kWh capacities for the 12-meter buses and 700 kWh for…

Wolfspeed announced on Monday that it had removed Gregg Lowe as its CEO without cause, following a series of challenges, including slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and ongoing manufacturing issues. The news sent the company’s shares up approximately 6%. Lowe, who had been at the helm since 2017, will receive a severance package as part of the settlement, according to the company’s filing. Wolfspeed, a semiconductor manufacturer specializing in silicon carbide (SiC) chips, which are more energy-efficient than traditional silicon chips, has been grappling with a number of difficulties. These include manufacturing problems at its North Carolina facility, which…

Rivian is gearing up to showcase its next-generation electric vehicles, the R2 and R3X, on a tour across North America. The company revealed plans to display the vehicles at various locations in the U.S. and Canada, focusing on automotive shows and select retail spaces. While the R2 will be featured at all stops, the R3X will appear at most events except the LA Auto Show. The tour follows Rivian’s expansion of its Normal, Illinois factory, which will support production of the R2 models. With over 100,000 pre-orders for the R2, Rivian is targeting widespread interest in its upcoming EVs. “Our…

Cargo scooters may be rare, but the new Lightfoot cargo electric scooter, developed by Otherlab, is making waves in the market with its standout feature: built-in solar panels. These 120W panels on each side offer continuous solar charging, an eco-friendly perk that reduces the need for plug-in charging for moderate daily use. The Lightfoot cargo scooter includes a sizable 45.2L (12-gallon) storage compartment accessible via a hinged panel, concealing a 1.1 kWh battery and a 600W onboard charger. The solar panels offer an estimated 7-8% charge per hour in direct sunlight—roughly 3 miles of additional range. The company rates the…

Volvo Cars has introduced a new feature that allows electric vehicle (EV) drivers to directly enroll in a smart charging plan via their vehicle app. In collaboration with energy technology company Kaluza and energy supplier OVO, this first-of-its-kind service is designed to streamline the charging process for Volvo EV owners without requiring additional apps or external services. The feature enables Volvo EV drivers to sign up for OVO’s Charge Anytime plan, which allows them to charge their vehicles at any time for a rate of 7p/kWh. Kaluza’s software optimizes the charging schedule, automatically shifting the vehicle’s charging times to more…