Author: Moira Shortle

The UK Government has confirmed a £1 billion investment in a new gigafactory to be built by AESC in Sunderland, a move set to multiply the country’s electric vehicle (EV) battery production capacity sixfold and support 1,000 new jobs. The large-scale lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility will produce enough cells to power up to 100,000 electric vehicles each year, significantly addressing a key supply chain gap as Britain accelerates its transition to zero-emission transport. See also: UK Battery Startup Nyobolt Raises $30 Million to Expand Fast-Charging Tech The project is backed by both public and private funding, with £680 million in…

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has published its May 2025 Gaps Progress Report, providing an update on efforts to address key standardization challenges in electric vehicle (EV) deployment across the United States. The report, compiled by ANSI’s Electric Vehicles Standards Panel (EVSP), supports the safe, large-scale adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure. The report builds on the June 2023 “Roadmap of Standards and Codes for Electric Vehicles at Scale,” which had previously identified 37 standardization gaps—14 considered high priority, 20 medium, and three low priority. The May 2025 update reflects new developments in standards, research, and conformity assessment activities,…

German public transport operator VAG Nuremberg has reached a key milestone with the deployment of its 100th electric bus, following the latest delivery of a Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G articulated model. The delivery is part of a broader order of 31 eCitaro G buses expected to be completed by the end of the month. The bus, numbered 417, joins a growing fleet of battery-electric vehicles as VAG steps up its transition toward full electrification. With 46 eCitaro models already in operation, the total will rise to 77 once all new deliveries are complete. The eCitaro G buses are equipped with seven…

Mazdahas announced a significant agreement with Tesla, Inc. to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for charging ports on its battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Starting in 2027, Mazda’s BEVs launched in Japan will feature NACS, providing customers with greater convenience through access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. This move aims to broaden the range of charging options available to Mazda BEV customers, allowing them to charge their vehicles at Tesla Superchargers across Japan. https://twitter.com/TeslaCharging/status/1920721415617081842 In addition to NACS compatibility, Mazda BEVs will also support other charging standards through the use of adapters, ensuring flexibility for customers. The agreement follows…

Stellantis has signed a framework agreement with German car subscription provider FINN for 2025, with the Munich-based platform placing an initial order of 5,300 vehicles across several of the automotive group’s brands, both companies said on Monday. The deal, which builds on a five-year partnership, will see FINN continue to offer Stellantis models through its flexible subscription service. The agreement covers all powertrain types, including internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), though the companies did not disclose the breakdown of drivetrain types in the initial order. See also: Stellantis, Factorial Test Solid-State Battery With Rapid 18-Minute…

German charging infrastructure company ADS-TEC Energy said it has raised up to $50 million in growth capital from institutional investors to expand its operations across Europe and North America. The Nürtingen-based company will receive the investment through a convertible bond maturing in 2028, issued in two tranches of $15 million and $35 million. ADS-TEC did not disclose the identity of the investors involved in the transaction. See also: HyperFast to Expand Charging Network in Belgium with ADS-TEC Energy’s High-Power Battery-Backed Units The company, known for its battery-backed ultra-fast charging technology, said it plans to use the capital to transform its…

China continues to outpace the rest of the world in the electric vehicle (EV) transition, accounting for more than 60% of global EV sales in 2024 and maintaining its momentum into 2025. According to Rho Motion, out of 17 million EVs sold globally last year, China contributed 11 million units. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, 2.4 million EVs were sold in China—nearly 60% of the 4.1 million global total. The country’s dominance extends well beyond vehicle production. Chinese companies such as CATL and BYD control a majority of the global EV battery supply, with SNE Research data showing…

Canadian rare earth recycling company Cyclic Materials will invest more than $20 million in its first commercial plant in the United States, aimed at processing used components containing rare earth permanent magnets. The facility, to be located in Mesa, Arizona, is scheduled to open in early 2026 and is expected to handle 25,000 tonnes of end-of-life material annually. This marks the company’s first U.S.-based operation and its first site dedicated to recovering permanent magnets from products at the end of their life cycle. Until now, these components were not typically recycled. The Mesa facility will create approximately 30 jobs, with…

BYD has entered the Croatian passenger car market, introducing four new energy vehicle (NEV) models as part of its ongoing European growth strategy. At a launch event held on April 23 in Zagreb, the Chinese automaker debuted the Seal, Sealion 7 EV (marketed locally as the Sealion 07 EV), Seal U EV (Song Plus EV), and Seal U DM-i (Song Plus DM-i), according to BYD Europe and a brief Weibo post accompanied by promotional images. See also: BYD to Supply 200 Electric Vehicles to Dubai Taxi Company in Fleet Electrification Push BYD plans to establish a local presence in Croatia…

Zeekr, the premium electric vehicle arm of China’s Geely Group, unveiled its first hybrid SUV, the Zeekr 9X, on Thursday, combining high-performance features with battery technology designed to bridge the gap between plug-in hybrids and full battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Debuting on the opening day of the 2025 Shanghai auto show, the Zeekr 9X will officially launch in the third quarter of this year. The company said the vehicle aims to “redefine” the hybrid segment with a pure electric range of over 380 kilometers — the longest of any hybrid SUV currently available globally. See also: Zeekr Officially Launches 009…

Pony.AI unveiled its seventh-generation autonomous driving system at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, along with a new lineup of Robotaxis developed in partnership with Toyota, BAIC, and GAC. The announcement signals the company’s readiness to begin scaled production of its autonomous vehicles by mid-2025. The latest iteration of Pony.AI’s technology features a fully automotive-grade autonomous driving kit (ADK) designed for increased safety and extended product lifecycle. See also: Pony.AI Receives Permit to Test Level 4 Robotaxis in Luxembourg, Opens European Hub A major cost breakthrough was also revealed, with the company achieving a 70 percent reduction in bill-of-materials costs,…

Hyundai Motor has delivered five of its Elec City Town electric buses to Japanese transport operator Iwasaki Group, marking the South Korean automaker’s first electric bus deployment in Japan. The vehicles will begin service on Yakushima Island in the Kagoshima Prefecture, which has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Each bus is equipped with a 145 kWh battery and a high-efficiency motor delivering up to 160 kW (217 PS). According to Hyundai, the electric buses can travel up to 233 kilometers at a constant speed of 60 km/h, and up to 330 kilometers when driven at a steady 30…

Zeekr Group delivered 41,316 vehicles in April, a slight increase of 1.48% from 40,715 units in March, according to data released by the company on Wednesday. The figure includes combined deliveries from both the Zeekr and Lynk & Co brands, which are now fully integrated under the Zeekr Group umbrella. The Zeekr brand accounted for 13,727 of those deliveries, a 14.7% drop from April 2024 and down 11% compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, Lynk & Co delivered 27,589 vehicles, marking a 47.3% increase year-on-year and a 9.1% rise from March. This reflects the brand’s strong rebound and growing momentum…

Stellantis and U.S.-based battery developer Factorial Energy have validated automotive-sized solid-state battery cells with high energy density, marking a significant step toward introducing the technology in production vehicles by 2026. The announcement builds on their previous commitment to equip a fleet of Dodge Charger Daytonas with solid-state batteries. The validated cells feature Factorial’s FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) and deliver an energy density of 375 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). According to the companies, the 77 ampere-hour (Ah) cells have undergone over 600 charging cycles and are progressing toward automotive qualification—a key milestone for the use of large-format lithium-metal solid-state batteries…

At Auto Shanghai 2025, Volkswagen Group introduced its first self-developed, AI-powered Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), marking a milestone in its “In China, for China” strategy. The system, tailored specifically for the complex traffic conditions in China, is designed to provide seamless and safe driving experiences, leveraging local innovation to meet the specific needs of Chinese consumers. Developed by CARIZON, a joint venture between Volkswagen’s software arm CARIAD and Horizon Robotics, the ADAS utilizes the AI-driven GAIA platform to deliver high-precision driving functions up to Level 2++, with plans to eventually advance to Level 3. Key highlights of the system…

Slate Auto, an electric vehicle startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has begun teasing its first product by discreetly placing multiple concept versions of its vehicle on California streets, according to individuals familiar with the company’s internal plans. The strategy, days ahead of its official unveiling on April 24 at Long Beach Airport, is part of a marketing push to highlight the vehicle’s modular, customizable nature. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Michigan, Slate Auto has maintained a low public profile until recently, when reports surfaced revealing Bezos’ investment and the company’s goal to sell a highly configurable EV…

Legislators in Washington state have introduced a proposal to impose a 10 percent tax on the sale of emissions credits, a move that could impact Tesla , which earned nearly $1.8 billion globally from such transactions last year. Democratic lawmakers in Olympia submitted companion bills aimed at what they described as “windfall profits” from emissions credit sales by companies not burdened with legacy combustion engine production. The proposed legislation would apply a tax to the credits—financial instruments created by zero-emission vehicle mandates that allow EV-only manufacturers like Tesla to sell compliance allowances to automakers that have not met regulatory targets.…

South Korea’s LG Energy Solution (LGES) has formally exited a multibillion-dollar electric vehicle battery investment project in Indonesia, the company said on Monday, citing shifting market conditions and investment considerations. The move marks a withdrawal from the so-called Indonesia Grand Package (GP) agreement, a $8.45 billion plan signed in late 2020 to develop a full EV battery supply chain in the resource-rich Southeast Asian country. See also: LG Energy Solution Forecasts 138% Rise in Quarterly Profit Despite Underlying Operating Loss “Taking into account various factors, including market conditions and investment environment, we have agreed to formally withdraw from the Indonesia…

Hankook Tire has partnered with U.S.-based electric vehicle manufacturer Lucid Motors to provide its iON evo AS SUV all-season tires as original equipment for the new Lucid Gravity. The move reinforces Hankook’s growing presence in the global EV tire market, particularly in the premium segment. See also: Lucid Gravity SUV Gains Access to Tesla Supercharger Network Without Adapter The iON evo AS SUV tire is specifically designed for large electric vehicles, featuring advanced compound technology to ensure strong grip, improved mileage, and enhanced driving performance. For the Lucid Gravity, a high-performance, full-size electric SUV capable of delivering up to 828…

Nio’s third brand, Firefly, has integrated smart driving chips from domestic supplier Horizon Robotics in its debut model, as the automaker moves to reduce production costs and localize technology for its budget-friendly electric vehicle (EV) line. The collaboration was revealed through a post by Horizon Robotics on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The first Firefly-branded model, which shares its name with the sub-brand, is powered by Horizon Robotics’ Journey series of automotive-grade chips. The company describes the new model as offering responsive handling and intelligent driving capabilities, aimed at younger, urban consumers looking for compact and tech-equipped mobility solutions. See…