Author: Robin Cannon

Nio’s compact premium brand Firefly has delivered 20,000 vehicles since its launch in April, doubling its total in just over two months after reaching the 10,000 mark in late July. The milestone, announced on Firefly’s Weibo account on Sunday, indicates that 5,445 vehicles have been delivered so far in September, putting the brand on pace for a new monthly record. Firefly’s hatchback, available in two trims starting at RMB 119,800 ($16,800), is positioned to compete with Mini and Smart in China’s crowded small EV market. Deliveries began on April 29, with 231 units sold in the first two days. The…

UK-based Equipmake said on Tuesday it had won an order worth £5.45 million from Brazilian bus maker Agrale to supply electric drivetrain systems for 50 buses, expanding their partnership in South America’s growing zero-emission transit market. The deal follows an initial order for five drivetrains placed in August 2024, which Equipmake has already delivered. Under the new agreement, systems will be supplied in batches from now through mid-2026. The contract also covers Agrale’s non-recurring engineering costs. “This expansion of our partnership with Agrale represents a significant step for Equipmake and reflects the company’s move to generate higher margin product and…

BMW is challenging the notion that Apple CarPlay is an indispensable feature for car buyers, citing in-car data suggesting customers rely more heavily on its own navigation system. The remarks come as debate over smartphone integration in vehicles intensifies across the industry. Stephan Durach, BMW’s Senior Vice President of UI/UX Development, said analysis of usage patterns from 10 million cars shows that drivers are not using CarPlay as consistently as often assumed. “People say they’re driving all around and using CarPlay for navigation. I can tell you, that’s not true,” Durach said. He added that while phones remain connected, CarPlay…

KGM Motors UK, formerly known as SsangYong, will showcase its new Musso EV pick-up truck in the United Kingdom for the first time this September at the SUPBIKERUN adventure triathlon in the Lake District. Attendees will have the opportunity to take the vehicle on early trial test drives, providing feedback to guide its development for the UK market. Kevin Griffin, Managing Director at KGM Motors UK, said: “SUPBIKERUN is all about adventure and new experiences, which makes it a fitting environment for participants to test drive the Musso EV for the very first time. At this stage, it is about…

Finnish electric vehicle charging company Kempower has installed its first megawatt charging stations using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard in Denmark and Sweden, the company said, marking a step forward in electrifying heavy-duty transport. The chargers have been deployed at logistics depots operated by Danske Fragtmænd in Odense, Denmark, and Alfredsson Transport in Norrköping, Sweden. The MCS system is designed to fully charge electric trucks within statutory 45-minute driver breaks, addressing the high energy demands of long-haul vehicles that can consume around 100 kWh per 100 kilometres. The ‘Kempower Mega Satellite’ system delivers up to 1.2 megawatts (MW) of…

Tesla’s new Model Y L, an extended-wheelbase six-seat variant, has sold out its October allocations in China, with new orders showing estimated delivery dates of November 2025 at the earliest. Launched in August and first delivered this month, the Model Y L has quickly become one of Tesla’s top-selling vehicles in its key overseas market. See also: Tesla Model Y L Clears Moose Test at 72 mph Despite Added Length and Weight Tesla initially positioned the vehicle for September deliveries, with Vice President Grace Tao confirming on Weibo that handovers would begin in the same month. True to schedule, the…

Australian last-mile delivery company ANC said on Monday it has expanded its fleet of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) to more than 100 and expects to add another 50 within the next year, significantly exceeding earlier electrification targets. The company, which had aimed to deploy 112 EVs by 2026, now expects 150 to be in service by next year. Its electric fleet currently represents 12.5% of total vehicles and includes a mix of commercial models such as LDV eDeliver 9 cab-chassis trucks, JAC N90 trucks, long-wheelbase vans, and BILITI electric tuk-tuks. Together, they have delivered an estimated 340,000 consignments since ANC…

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) said on Monday it will launch a series of regulatory changes aimed at modernizing federal safety standards for autonomous vehicles, in a move intended to enhance safety, reduce costs, and encourage innovation in transportation technology. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is initiating three new rulemakings to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for vehicles equipped with automated driving systems (ADS). Many of the standards were written decades ago with the assumption of a human driver, making them outdated for vehicles without steering wheels, pedals, or…

Genesis Motor North America has introduced new features aimed at making public charging more convenient for its electric vehicle customers. Integrated into the MyGenesis app, the updates allow drivers to manage charging sessions directly from their smartphones and enable automatic payments at compatible stations. The in-app charging feature lets owners of select models locate, activate, and pay for charging sessions without third-party apps or physical cards. Plug-and-charge capability, also available, enables automatic payments by simply connecting to supported chargers. Initial compatibility includes the 2026 Electrified GV70 and the upcoming 2026 GV60 across networks such as IONNA, Tesla Supercharger, ChargePoint, and…

Leapmotor delivered 57,066 vehicles in August, achieving its fourth straight month of record sales and surpassing the 50,000-unit mark for the second time. The result reflects an 88.31 percent increase from a year earlier and a 13.84 percent rise from July. From January to August, deliveries reached 328,859 vehicles, representing a 136.43 percent year-on-year gain. Since its inception, the company has delivered 928,407 vehicles, highlighting the rapid expansion of the Chinese new energy vehicle maker. Leapmotor said it will unveil a new model, the Lafa 5, at the Munich auto show on September 8. The upcoming compact hatchback will be…

Northern Ireland introduced its first autonomous passenger shuttle with the launch of the Harlander service in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, marking a milestone in the region’s adoption of connected and automated mobility technology. The self-driving shuttle, powered by Oxa’s autonomous driving software, is being deployed on a one-mile loop to connect Belfast’s railway station with a nearby innovation hub. Officials said the initiative aims to showcase how autonomous systems can enhance safety, sustainability, and connectivity in urban transportation. The Harlander shuttle operates using Oxa Driver, a software platform that integrates inputs from cameras, radar, and lidar sensors to create a 360-degree…

Stellantis has unveiled a new 1.6-liter turbocharged hybrid powertrain that delivers 210 horsepower and 230 lb.-ft. of torque while achieving an estimated 37 miles per gallon combined in city and highway driving. The system integrates a turbocharged engine with a two-motor transmission, providing hybrid performance without the need for plug-in charging. The powertrain uses a 1.03-kWh lithium-ion battery to support short-distance electric-only driving at speeds up to 62 mph. Its transmission incorporates two motor-generators and a planetary gearset to provide dual electrical and mechanical power flows, enabling EV, hybrid, and regenerative braking modes. Stellantis designed the engine with a high-pressure…

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed an artificial intelligence system capable of determining precise locations in dense urban areas without relying on GPS, reducing localization errors from 734 meters to within 22 meters. The innovation could support autonomous vehicles, delivery robots, and other navigation technologies. The system, called PEnG (Pose-Enhanced Geo-Localization), combines satellite and street-level imagery to determine location using only visual data, according to a paper published in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters. PEnG is designed for environments where GPS signals are weak or obstructed, such as tunnels, densely built cities, or areas with limited connectivity. “Many…

Tesla  has introduced a centralized customer feedback tool, called Tesla Echo, designed to simplify how owners submit issues and suggestions across the company’s products and services. The platform, now live at ts.la/feedback, is the first system of its kind for Tesla, routing feedback directly to the relevant internal teams. “For years, Tesla owners have had to navigate a patchwork of feedback channels,” the company said. “Tesla Echo consolidates all input into a single platform, enabling better tracking and resolution of issues.” The system allows owners to submit feedback across multiple categories, including service, sales, delivery, insurance, Robotaxi, Supercharging, energy, vehicles,…

The UK government has confirmed that discounts on electric vans and trucks will remain available to businesses and fleet operators until at least 2027, extending the plug-in grant scheme first launched in 2012. While grant levels for the 2026–2027 financial year have yet to be set, the Department for Transport said the programme will continue to provide cost support for companies transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The scheme currently offers up to £2,500 for small vans, £5,000 for large vans, £16,000 for small trucks, and £25,000 for large trucks. According to the government, switching to electric vehicles could save businesses more…

The Trump administration has released new guidelines for states to distribute $5 billion in federal funding for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, ending a months-long freeze that had sparked legal challenges. The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, had been withheld while the Department of Transportation (DOT) conducted a review. The freeze prompted a coalition of states to sue, arguing the administration’s actions unlawfully delayed the program. A court ruling in June sided with the states, leading to an injunction that allowed the funds to move forward. As of May, most of the funding…

The Estonian capital will expand its battery-electric trolleybus fleet to 70 vehicles after city authorities confirmed the purchase of 30 more units from Skoda Group, complementing an earlier order of 40 placed this year. The additional vehicles are scheduled for delivery in 2026 under a contract between AS Tallinna Linnatransport and Skoda. Funding from the European Modernisation Fund will cover €12.1 million of the cost for 17 of the new units. According to the city, the first of the additional trolleybuses will begin service in May 2026 on route 72, before being deployed to other routes including the city’s busiest…

Tesla has introduced an armor upgrade for its Cybertruck, offering enhanced rock sliders and an underbody battery shield designed to boost durability in off-road conditions. The “Terrestrial Armor Package,” announced on social media platform X, is currently available only for Foundation Series models, with broader availability expected by September 2025. https://twitter.com/cybertruck/status/1953932173100429655 Priced at $3,500, the package includes an aluminum underbody shield, coated steel rock sliders for both sides of the vehicle, and installation at a Tesla Service Center. The upgrade is aimed at protecting the vehicle’s battery and body structure from rocks and debris during challenging terrain use. “Get extra-terrestrial,”…

LiCAP Technologies has completed installation and testing of a 300 MWh roll‑to‑roll dry electrode production line at its Sacramento facility, supported by funding from the California Energy Commission (CEC). The company began producing customer samples this month, targeting cell manufacturers seeking cleaner and more efficient battery production methods. The production line uses LiCAP’s proprietary Activated Dry Electrode process to produce free‑standing cathode films without toxic solvents, avoiding energy‑intensive drying and solvent recovery steps common in slurry‑based electrode manufacturing. In July, the company produced its first cathode roll exceeding 500 metres in length. The process, developed with engineering partner Dürr and…

Students at Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) have unveiled an electric motorcycle prototype named Laplace, designed to advance Indonesia’s shift toward zero-emission transport and promote homegrown technology development. The project is led by the Faculty of Engineering as part of UNNES’s commitment to sustainable innovation. Dean Wirawan Sumbodo said the initiative reflects a shift from dependency on imported technology. “For too long, we have been users of imported technologies. It is now time for us to create homegrown innovations that serve our communities and support the government’s zero-emission agenda,” he said during an interview at the faculty’s Engineering Building E5 in…