Author: Oliver Grant

Polestar has opened order books in the United Kingdom for the updated Polestar 4, introducing chassis refinements, a revised trim lineup and lower lifecycle carbon emissions for the electric SUV coupe. The updated model starts at £56,750 and is available in three configurations: Rear motor, Dual motor and Dual motor with the Performance pack. Chassis Updated for Improved Driving Dynamics The latest Polestar 4 receives a recalibrated chassis on both Rear motor and Dual motor variants. The suspension now combines high-capacity passive dampers with revised spring and anti-roll bar settings, while polyurethane rebound stops replace the previous internal rebound coil…

Volkswagen has revealed new details of its upcoming Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) offering in Germany, including eligible brands, customer incentives, and charging hardware, as the automaker prepares for a commercial launch in the fourth quarter of 2026. The initiative, developed through Volkswagen’s energy subsidiary Elli, will initially be available to customers of Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Cupra. The company has opened non-binding registration for the service during the Power2Drive Europe trade fair in Munich. Integrated V2G Package Volkswagen’s V2G package combines compatible electric vehicles, a bidirectional DC wallbox, the Volkswagen Naturstrom V2G Flow electricity tariff, a dedicated mobile app, and backend…

Toyota has begun production of the all-new RAV4 Hybrid at its Georgetown, Kentucky manufacturing plant, supported by approximately $2 billion in investments announced over the past two years. The automaker also broke ground on a new paint facility at the site, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions and water consumption as part of the company’s broader sustainability initiatives. RAV4 Hybrid Added to Production Lineup The start of RAV4 Hybrid assembly marks the latest expansion of Toyota’s electrified vehicle production in the United States. The Georgetown facility, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, will also begin production of…

Daimler Truck will deliver the first unit of its second-generation Mercedes-Benz NextGenH2 Truck to logistics provider Dachser at the end of 2026, marking a further step in the development of hydrogen-powered freight transport in Europe. Two additional vehicles are scheduled to follow in mid-2027. The three fuel-cell trucks will be based at Dachser’s logistics centre in Karlsruhe, Germany, and incorporated into the company’s transport network, including routes extending to other European countries. Liquid Hydrogen Technology at the Core The Karlsruhe facility is located about 30 kilometres from Daimler Truck’s manufacturing plant in Wörth, where the NextGenH2 Truck is produced and…

Daimler Truck has disclosed new technical details about its NextGenH2 Truck, highlighting the common architecture it shares with the battery-electric eActros 600 while reaffirming its view that battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles will serve different long-haul transport applications. The company said the fuel cell truck will enter small-series deployment from the end of 2026 and is designed to offer a driving range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single refueling. Shared Electric Drive Platform The NextGenH2 Truck and the eActros 600 both utilize Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ in-house developed electric drive axle, which integrates electric motors, power electronics, and a four-speed transmission.…

Chinese automaker Dongfeng has introduced a new 400 kW hydrogen fuel cell system for heavy-duty commercial vehicles and unveiled a dedicated vehicle platform designed to support the technology, as the company seeks to expand its presence in the hydrogen-powered transport sector. The announcement was made during Dongfeng’s “Hydrogen Propulsion for Dongfeng – Pioneering the Future” event in Wuhan, where the manufacturer showcased what it described as its latest-generation fuel cell technology for commercial vehicles. According to Dongfeng, the new fuel cell system delivers 400 kW of power, offers a service life exceeding 30,000 operating hours and is capable of starting…

BMW has started pre-series production of the Energy Master control unit for its upcoming BMW iX5 Hydrogen at the company’s plant in Landshut. The automaker also said it has brought a second production line online for the battery-electric version of the same control unit as part of preparations for broader electrified vehicle production. BMW plans to launch the iX5 Hydrogen in 2028. The Energy Master functions as the central control unit for the vehicle’s high-voltage system, managing energy and data flows as well as power distribution for the electric drivetrain and onboard electrical systems. In the hydrogen-powered iX5, a modified…

Toyota Motor North America and Hyroad Energy have announced a partnership to expand hydrogen-powered freight transportation in Southern California through a combined offering of fuel cell trucks, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure and logistics support services. Under the agreement, the companies plan to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 trucks to support Toyota’s logistics operations in the region. Hyroad will provide vehicle maintenance, software, fleet data services and operational support as part of the collaboration. The trucks involved in the project are Nikola Tre fuel cell electric vehicle tractors acquired from the insolvency auction of Nikola in August 2025. According to…

Scottish hydrogen truck developer Hydrogen Vehicle Systems has been sold for 145,000 pounds ($190,000) through a pre-pack administration deal after entering insolvency proceedings, according to a report by The Herald citing the company’s administrators. Founded in 2017, the Glasgow-based company focused on developing fuel cell-powered electric commercial vehicles and related technologies. The business operated for nearly seven years before financial pressures forced it into administration. See also: Hyundai Partners With Seoul Operators to Expand Hydrogen Bus Deployment The pre-pack arrangement allowed the company’s business and assets to be sold as part of the insolvency process in an effort to avoid…

Canadian fuel cell supplier Ballard Power Systems will supply fuel cell modules for the next generation of hydrogen-powered buses from Polish bus maker Solaris, extending a partnership between the two companies that began seven years ago. The future Solaris hydrogen buses will use Ballard’s FCmove-SC fuel cell module, which the Canadian company introduced in 2025. The system delivers a peak output of 75 kilowatts and is designed to improve efficiency, durability and operating costs for transport operators. See also: Ballard Wins Order for 500 Fuel Cell Modules From New Flyer Solaris launched its first hydrogen-powered city bus, the Solaris Urbino…

Toyota and Saudi distributor Abdul Latif Jameel Motors have completed a public hydrogen fuel cell bus trial in Yanbu, as the companies seek to promote hydrogen-powered public transport in Saudi Arabia. The trial took place during the final days of the Yanbu Flower Festival between April 19 and April 23. The hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) bus operated on a public route of approximately 7 to 10 kilometres between the Corp Hotel on the Yanbu Waterfront and the festival site at Events Garden, including a stop at Dana Mall. See also: BMW Prepares Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle Launch in…

Hyundai Motor has entered a partnership with local transportation operators and infrastructure stakeholders in the Seoul metropolitan area to support the deployment of hydrogen-powered city buses and related refuelling infrastructure. The agreement involves public transport operators Dowon Transportation and Samhwan Transportation, as well as infrastructure firm Sewoon Industry. The initiative aims to establish conditions for wider adoption of hydrogen fuel cell buses in urban transit systems. See also: Hyundai Launches South America’s First Hydrogen Truck Fleet In Uruguay Under the plan, Hyundai Motor will supply hydrogen fuel cell electric buses based on its Hyundai Elec City model and provide maintenance…