Author: Moira Shortle

Indonesian charge point operator Voltron has signed an agreement with Geely to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at all of the automaker’s dealerships in the country, the companies said. The deal will initially cover six locations. Geely entered the Indonesian market in January and has reported early momentum, including more than 1,000 orders for its EX5 SUV by the end of February. The Chinese automaker was also awarded the ‘Favourite New Comer Car Brand’ at the Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS). While the current scope of the charging deal is limited, Geely has stated its ambition to establish 100…

Chinese battery giants CATL and BYD retained their positions as the world’s two largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers in the first four months of 2025, according to data published by South Korea’s SNE Research on Tuesday. Global EV battery installations reached 308.5 gigawatt-hours (GWh) from January through April, a 40.2% increase compared with 220.1 GWh a year earlier. CATL led the global market with 117.6 GWh installed, up 42.4% from the same period in 2024. The company accounted for 38.1% of global battery usage, remaining the only manufacturer with a market share above 30%. BYD followed with 53.4 GWh…

Smart and travel giant TUI have teamed up to introduce special edition electric SUVs as both company cars and rental vehicles, aiming to enhance TUI’s sustainability ambitions while boosting brand engagement. The initial launch will feature TUI-branded versions of the smart #1 and #3 electric vehicles, with plans to include the smart #5 electric SUV at a later stage. These vehicles will be available to TUI employees, their families, friends, and customers at ‘attractive’ rates. Additionally, TUI intends to offer these models as company cars at its resort locations worldwide. While the special editions will retain the mechanical specifications of…

Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has formed a strategic partnership with APM Terminals, a subsidiary of Danish shipping giant Maersk, aiming to promote electrification in the global logistics sector. Announced on June 5, the collaboration will focus on leveraging CATL’s high-performance battery technologies and system-level solutions to accelerate the electrification of container handling equipment, which is crucial for reducing emissions in port operations worldwide. Grant Morrison, global asset procurement director at APM Terminals, said, “APM Terminals is committed to decarbonization and has established a clear roadmap, and today’s collaboration marks a key milestone in accelerating future…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Nio is reportedly in discussions with a potential buyer to sell a stake in a key asset, according to Chinese tech media outlet LatePost. The report did not disclose further details but indicated the move is part of Nio’s ongoing efforts to strengthen liquidity. As of the end of the first quarter, Nio held RMB 26 billion ($3.6 billion) in cash, down RMB 15.9 billion from the end of 2024, according to its recent financial report. The company also noted its shareholders’ equity turned negative during the quarter, though it affirmed its current financial resources are…

Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide said on Tuesday it will again partner with Renault Group to operate a Level-4 autonomous shuttle service at the 2025 Roland-Garros tennis tournament, expanding on last year’s deployment with extended service hours and a new night operation. The service, which uses WeRide’s Robobus, will run daily from May 25 to June 8 on a 2.8-kilometre loop through western Paris, connecting locations including Avenue de la Porte d’Auteuil and the Village de Roland-Garros. Operating times now include a night service from 10:00 p.m. to midnight, in addition to regular hours during the day and evening. “The…

BYD has quickly made its mark in the South Korean electric vehicle market, delivering 1,000 units of its compact electric SUV Atto 3 within less than two months of the model’s launch. The milestone was reached on May 28 at BYD Korea’s Seoul Seocho showroom, marking a strong market entry for the Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer. The Atto 3, known as the Yuan Plus in China, began deliveries in South Korea on April 14, after a delay from an initially planned mid-February rollout due to subsidy certification issues. Despite the delay, the model’s popularity surged rapidly, with over…

Chinese autonomous driving firm Pony.ai has signed a partnership agreement with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) to launch its robotaxi fleet in the city, the company said on Monday, marking a key step in its Middle East expansion strategy. Initial supervised trials of Pony.ai’s autonomous vehicles are scheduled to begin in 2025, followed by fully driverless operations starting in 2026. The collaboration aligns with Dubai’s “2030 Smart City Vision,” which aims to convert 25% of all transport in the city to autonomous mode by the end of the decade. “This partnership is integral to our goal of transforming 25%…

The Port of Rotterdam has introduced a fully electric hydrofoil patrol boat as part of its ongoing efforts to decarbonise its fleet by replacing older vessels. The new vessel, leased from Belfast-based Artemis Technologies, will be tested in a pilot project running until November 2025. The pilot aims to assess the Artemis EF-12 Workboat’s sailing behaviour, reliability, and suitability for tasks carried out by the Harbour Master’s Division. Officials will also evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with electric propulsion and charging infrastructure, informing future electrification initiatives within the port’s operations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnadQ3F7Joo “We are enthusiastic about exploring whether and how…

German logistics provider W&P has added 20 new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 electric trucks to its fleet, marking a major step in its push toward sustainable freight transport. The trucks were delivered during an inauguration event for the company’s new charging park at its Prichsenstadt headquarters. The newly acquired eActros 600 models join three eActros 300 units and about 40 diesel-powered trucks already in operation. The eActros 600 features a 621 kWh battery system and an electric drive axle, allowing for a range of up to 500 kilometres without intermediate charging — a key factor in W&P’s decision. “The eActros 600…

Deutsche Bahn has installed a second-life battery energy storage system combined with a photovoltaic array at its Intercity Express (ICE) depot in Leipzig, marking the first time such a setup has been deployed at one of the railway company’s long-distance maintenance sites. The system utilizes 30 battery modules repurposed from eight electric vehicles and is expected to reduce the site’s annual energy costs by approximately €85,000. The photovoltaic (PV) array, with an output of around 291 kilowatt-peak (kWp), has been installed across three buildings and is capable of covering about one-quarter of the depot’s electricity demand. “Deutsche Bahn aims to…

California is preparing to sue the U.S. federal government to defend its long-standing right to set stricter vehicle emissions standards, Attorney General Rob Bonta said, after Senate Republicans voted to repeal the state’s federal waiver. The Senate voted 51–44 on Thursday to overturn the waiver, which has historically allowed California to enforce more rigorous air pollution limits on vehicles. The decision also affects a separate waiver for medium- and heavy-duty vehicle standards. California has received such waivers over 100 times in the past five decades under federal clean air laws. “The weaponization of the Congressional Review Act to attack California’s…