Author: Nico Romano

The Spanish government has approved nearly €105 million in funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and support fleet electrification, reinforcing the country’s transition to zero-emission transportation under its broader España Auto 2030 strategy. The funding package includes more than €97 million for the Moves Corredores de Recarga program, which will finance 341 charging infrastructure projects expected to install 2,674 fast-charging points along Spain’s main transport corridors. Fast-Charging Network Receives Majority of Funding The government said the charging projects will be implemented across 15 autonomous communities on the Iberian Peninsula, with Andalusia receiving the largest number of approved projects at…

Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech has officially launched plans for a major battery materials complex in Valladolid, Spain, committing approximately €950 million to establish a cathode materials production facility alongside a large-scale battery recycling plant. The investment, unveiled in cooperation with Spain’s Ministry of Industry, will be backed by €138 million in grants under the country’s Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) programme. Two-Phase Battery Materials Project Construction of the industrial complex is scheduled to begin in 2027 on a 12-hectare site near Valladolid. The first phase will focus on building a battery recycling facility capable of processing…

Italian public transport operator CTM Cagliari has placed 47 Iveco E-Way electric midi buses into service, completing the city’s largest-ever fleet renewal programme under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The new battery-electric buses are now operating on some of Cagliari’s busiest urban routes as part of the city’s strategy to transition to a fully zero-emission public transport fleet by 2030. Electric Midi Buses Enter Service The newly delivered Iveco E-Way buses measure 10.7 metres in length and 2.33 metres in width, making them well suited for operating through Cagliari’s narrow city streets and densely populated urban areas. The…

Fiat has unveiled a new micromobility strategy centred on a family of compact battery-electric vehicles designed to address both passenger transportation and urban commercial services. Presented during an event in Rome, the strategy brings together the Fiat Topolino, the Fiat Tris commercial vehicle and the newly revealed Multiplina Concept under a single mobility ecosystem aimed at supporting sustainable urban transport. Topolino Continues to Drive Growth The Fiat Topolino remains the cornerstone of the company’s micromobility portfolio. According to Fiat, the battery-electric light vehicle led Europe’s electric light vehicle market in 2025. The company also expects second-quarter 2026 orders to reach…

Foxconn has introduced its Foxtron electric vehicles in the Czech Republic for the first time, using its Czech Tech Day exhibition to highlight the company’s strategy of expanding beyond electronics manufacturing into integrated mobility solutions. Held at Foxconn’s facility in Pardubice, the event also featured artificial intelligence infrastructure, humanoid robotics and digital twin technologies. Foxtron EVs Make Czech Debut The exhibition showcased two Foxtron electric vehicle models. The compact Model B offers a driving range of up to 516 kilometres, while the seven-seat Model D is designed for family and commercial use with a claimed driving range of up to…

Avatr Technology has officially entered the Greek market through a partnership with automotive group Autohellas, marking another step in the electric vehicle manufacturer’s European expansion strategy. The agreement follows Avatr’s broader plan to establish a stronger presence across Europe as it accelerates its international growth. Partnership Strengthens European Expansion Avatr signed a cooperation agreement with Autohellas, one of Greece’s largest automotive companies with operations covering vehicle distribution, retail, long-term leasing and mobility services. The group also has a presence across Greece, the Balkans, Cyprus and Portugal through its automotive businesses. Its Velmar dealership network represents several international vehicle brands, including…

Spain is preparing to launch its new Plan Auto+ electric vehicle subsidy programme, with applications expected to open in July and funding available retroactively for eligible vehicles purchased from 1 January 2026. The programme replaces the previous Moves III scheme and will be administered directly by Spain’s central government rather than regional authorities. According to La Tribuna de Automoción report, the detailed rules and application process are expected to be published in the Spanish Official Gazette in early July. The government has allocated €400 million to the programme. Industry reports suggest that more than half of the available funding could…

Ferrari has appointed former BMW Italy chief Massimiliano Di Silvestre to lead its commercial operations, a move that comes shortly after the launch of the company’s first fully electric vehicle, the Luce. The leadership change follows the decision by long-time Ferrari commercial chief Enrico Galliera to step down and pursue new professional opportunities, according to Reuters report. Leadership Transition Follows EV Debut Galliera, who has overseen Ferrari’s global sales and marketing activities for several years, reportedly delayed his departure to support the launch of the Luce, Ferrari’s first battery-electric vehicle. The model’s unveiling generated significant attention and sparked extensive debate…

WeRide and Uber plan to launch a commercial robotaxi service in the Greater Zurich Region later this year, expanding their autonomous mobility partnership into Switzerland. The companies said the service will be available through the Uber app, subject to regulatory approvals and in collaboration with Switzerland’s Federal Roads Office (FEDRO). Zurich will become the fifth city covered under WeRide and Uber’s global partnership, which targets deployments across 15 cities worldwide. Second European Expansion in Two Weeks The Zurich announcement follows plans unveiled earlier this month to introduce robotaxi services in Madrid, marking the second European market announced by the partners…

Ferrari’s first fully electric vehicle, the Luce, may play a strategic role beyond expanding the Italian marque’s electrified lineup. According to a report by Bloomberg, the luxury automaker could integrate the model into its customer allocation system, potentially giving buyers improved access to future limited-production Ferraris. Luce may become a pathway to exclusive Ferraris Citing people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported that Ferrari has indicated within parts of its collector and enthusiast community that purchasing the new Luce could help customers secure priority access to future high-demand models. Several Ferrari buyers interviewed anonymously by the publication suggested that the…

Skoda has revealed new details about the extensive testing programme behind its upcoming flagship electric SUV, the Peaq, ahead of the model’s world premiere on June 23. The nearly 4.90-metre-long vehicle is set to become the largest model in Skoda’s all-electric range when it enters the market in mid-2026. According to the Czech automaker, prototypes of the Skoda Peaq have covered more than 1.5 million kilometres during development. Testing took place across three continents and included some of the world’s most demanding environments, from the extreme heat of the Arizona desert to freezing conditions more than 200 kilometres north of…

Kiel Transport Company (KVG) has awarded Daimler Buses a contract to supply 28 battery-electric articulated buses, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027 as the German public transport operator continues its transition toward a fully electric fleet. The agreement, which includes an option for five additional vehicles, follows a Europe-wide procurement process in which Daimler Buses was selected as the most economical bidder. According to the companies, the evaluation considered operating and lifecycle costs, compliance with KVG’s technical requirements, the vehicle’s high-voltage architecture, and sustainability criteria. Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G Selected for Fleet Expansion The order covers four-door Mercedes-Benz eCitaro G…

Skoda Auto has released the first exterior design sketches of the upcoming Peaq, offering an early glimpse of the automaker’s future flagship electric SUV ahead of its global debut later this month. The all-electric model, which will feature three rows of seating, is scheduled to make its world premiere on June 23 in Monnetier-Mornex, France. The Peaq is expected to become a central part of Skoda’s expanding electric vehicle lineup as the Czech automaker broadens its presence in the family-oriented EV segment. Modern Solid Design Language Takes Center Stage The design sketches showcase the latest interpretation of Skoda’s Modern Solid…

Fiat has released the first official images of the Grizzly and Grizzly Fastback, two new C-segment models that will form part of the brand’s effort to strengthen its presence in the family mobility market. The two vehicles share a common global platform but target different customer preferences through distinct body styles. Both are scheduled to launch in Europe, the Middle East and Africa during the second half of 2026, with availability also planned for Latin America. Two Approaches to Family Mobility The Grizzly is positioned as a family-oriented sport utility vehicle designed to maximize interior space and practicality through its…

MG Motor, the passenger vehicle brand owned by China’s SAIC Group, has confirmed plans to establish its first manufacturing facility within the European Union, selecting north-western Spain as the location for a new production plant. The project, valued at approximately €200 million, is expected to become a key element of the company’s long-term European expansion strategy as Chinese automakers increasingly seek local production capacity within the region. The factory will be built in the Galician port city of Ferrol and is scheduled to begin operations in 2028. Local Production Strategy The investment comes as Chinese automakers face growing pressure to…

Ferrari says its first electric vehicle, the Luce, has attracted early customer interest despite criticism following its public debut and a brief decline in the company’s share price. Speaking at an event in Modena on Thursday, Ferrari Chief Executive Officer Benedetto Vigna said the company has seen strong interest from customers, including buyers new to the Ferrari brand. “There is strong interest, including from new clients,” Vigna said. According to the company, some customers who attended the unveiling event have already placed deposits for the vehicle. “We’ve already received bank transfers, clients who were there want it,” Vigna added. Orders…

Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari has officially unveiled the Luce, the company’s first fully electric vehicle, marking a major shift for the automaker as it enters the battery-electric era with a high-performance four-seat model. The Luce is scheduled to arrive in North America in the second quarter of 2027 with a starting price of about $640,000. Ferrari said the electric vehicle combines supercar-level performance with increased practicality, featuring four seats, a rear hatch design and the largest cargo capacity ever offered in a Ferrari production model. The Luce produces a combined 1,050 horsepower through four electric motors, with one motor…

Multiple high-power electric vehicle charging stations in the Naples region have been taken offline following a series of targeted thefts involving specialized charging equipment, according to local reports and EV charging communities. The incidents reportedly affected charging sites operated by Enel X Way in Naples and surrounding areas including Chiaiano, Mugnano di Napoli, Marano di Napoli, Villaricca and Giugliano in Campania. According to reports, unidentified perpetrators accessed charging cabinets and removed internal power modules used in high-power charging systems. Industry observers said the incidents differed from more common vandalism or copper cable theft cases because the removal of high-power charging…

Malta Public Transport will add 40 electric buses to its fleet under a €14 million investment programme as Malta accelerates efforts to modernise and decarbonise public transport. The investment forms part of the government’s broader Malta in Motion strategy, which focuses on sustainable mobility, upgraded infrastructure and deployment of new transport technologies. Although the government did not identify the bus manufacturer, images released alongside the announcement showed buses produced by King Long. The vehicles are expected to support Malta’s long-term objective of operating a fully electric public transport fleet on the island of Gozo. Transport Minister Chris Bonett described the…

Opel has released the first images and technical details of the new all-electric Corsa GSE, expanding its GSE performance lineup with a battery-electric hot hatch based on the Stellantis e-CMP platform. The Corsa GSE follows the launch of the Opel Mokka GSE and continues the brand’s transition of the GSE label from plug-in hybrid models to fully electric performance vehicles. Historically, the GSE badge stood for “Grand Sport Einspritzung” on models such as the Commodore GS/E and Monza GSE. Opel now uses the name to represent “Grand Sport Electric.” The new Corsa GSE shares its platform, drivetrain and battery technology…