Author: Ryan Fisher

UK-based bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis said on Wednesday it will begin trials of a factory-supported retrofit programme in 2026 to convert existing diesel buses to electric drivetrains, starting with the Enviro400 double-decker model. The initiative, called ‘AD Repower’, will be conducted in partnership with clean transport technology company KleanDrive. The repowering service aims to provide bus operators with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to replacing diesel fleets with new electric vehicles. The trial will begin in the UK in the first half of 2026, with future expansion to additional models and markets depending on demand. The conversion replaces the…

Lucid Group said on Tuesday that production of its Gravity SUV is ramping up more slowly than anticipated due to supply chain bottlenecks and limited access to rare earth magnets from China, prompting the electric vehicle startup to lower its full-year output guidance. The California-based company now expects to produce between 18,000 and 20,000 vehicles in 2025, slightly down from its earlier projection of 20,000 units. The Gravity, Lucid’s second model and first SUV, is considered critical to the company’s growth as it aims to transition beyond its Air luxury sedan and scale up manufacturing. See also: Lucid Lowers Annual…

Toyota Motor cut its full-year operating profit forecast by 16%, citing the impact of U.S. tariffs on imported vehicles, rising material costs, and a stronger yen. The Japanese automaker now expects operating profit for the financial year ending March 2026 to total 3.2 trillion yen ($21.7 billion), down from an earlier projection of 3.8 trillion yen. The revision reflects Toyota’s latest assessment of the financial strain from newly imposed U.S. import tariffs. The company said it now anticipates a 1.4 trillion yen ($9.50 billion) reduction in annual profit linked to the U.S. levies. It had previously estimated a smaller hit…

Foxconn said on Monday it will sell its Lordstown, Ohio, manufacturing facility to an existing business partner but will continue to occupy and operate the plant, a move it says will enhance operational efficiency and flexibility. The global electronics manufacturer, which operates in six U.S. states, said the sale does not signal an immediate shift toward vehicle manufacturing at the site. It added that its broad footprint enables it to “rapidly ramp up automotive production to meet customer demand when required.” Parent company Hon Hai Technologies said the transaction is aimed at providing “greater flexibility and operational efficiency” as Foxconn…

BMW has begun series production of its sixth-generation (Gen6) electric drive systems at its Steyr plant in Austria, which will power the upcoming ‘Neue Klasse’ range of electric vehicles. The drives use current-excited synchronous machine (SSM) technology without permanent magnets and incorporate 800-volt system voltage and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductors for improved efficiency. Production involves a largely Austrian supply chain, with rotors, stators and inverters made in Steyr, electrical steel supplied by Voestalpine in Linz, and aluminium housings produced at BMW’s Landshut foundry. BMW has set up two new assembly lines in Steyr, employing 1,000 people, and introduced in-house inverter…

Nissan launched its “Nissan Energy Marketplace,” a new one-stop online platform offering electric vehicle (EV) chargers, solar panels, and battery storage solutions, developed in partnership with U.S.-based home energy marketplace provider Electrum. The launch comes ahead of the arrival of the redesigned 2026 Nissan LEAF, set to reach U.S. dealerships this fall with a longer range and updated design. Nissan said the platform will allow customers to compare prices from a nationwide network of contractors, access local, state, and federal incentives, and receive guidance from Electrum’s Energy Advisors. “Through the new marketplace, you can research and find EV chargers, solar…

Autonomous vehicle company Zoox has announced a new partnership with AREA15, designating the Las Vegas entertainment district as an official pickup and drop-off location for its upcoming ride-hailing service. Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, has been testing its purpose-built autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas and plans to begin offering rides to the public later this year. The collaboration with AREA15 follows a similar agreement with Resorts World Las Vegas announced in June. https://twitter.com/zoox/status/1950244045512675413 “As the world’s first immersive art, entertainment, and live events destination, AREA15 embraces technological innovation and prioritizes the guest experience,” said Mark Stutzman, Chief Operating Officer at…

Chinese autonomous driving company WeRide (NASDAQ: WRD) said on Sunday it has secured Saudi Arabia’s first permit for robotaxi operations, marking a key milestone in its international expansion and making it the only autonomous driving technology firm to hold permits in six countries. “This permit marks a major step in our global expansion, enabling us to scale robotaxi services and unlock new commercial opportunities in Saudi Arabia,” said Jennifer Li, Chief Financial Officer and Head of International at WeRide. With the new authorization, WeRide is now licensed to operate autonomous vehicles in Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore,…

Taiga Motors and Aqua superPower have formed a strategic partnership aimed at expanding charging infrastructure for electric recreational and marine vehicles, addressing key adoption barriers and supporting broader electrification efforts. The collaboration will combine Taiga’s high-performance electric powersports vehicles with Aqua superPower’s growing fast-charging network, which currently spans 59 sites across marinas and trail locations in North America and Europe. The goal is to offer seamless, scalable charging solutions for both consumer and commercial use cases. “Scalable infrastructure is key to unlocking the full potential of electrification,” said Sam Bruneau, CEO of Taiga Motors. “With Aqua superPower’s expertise, we’re making…

France will relaunch its electric vehicle (EV) leasing programme for low-income households this September, after suspending the scheme earlier this year due to high demand. The government has allocated €370 million to support the lease of at least 50,000 vehicles, with applications set to open on 30 September. The “leasing social” initiative, which first launched in January 2024, was originally designed to last a year. However, the programme was halted after only six weeks when its initial €650 million budget was depleted. That round subsidised around 50,000 EVs at rates starting from €50 per month. This time, the average subsidy…

The British government has unveiled a wide-ranging investment programme aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to electric mobility, including £2 billion in new funding under the DRIVE35 scheme to support domestic electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, research, and supply chain development through 2030. Additional funding is also being directed toward public charging infrastructure, and a new consumer purchase incentive scheme for electric vehicles is reportedly in development. DRIVE35, part of the government’s Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, is designed to support zero-emission vehicle production across the automotive value chain – from gigafactories and established carmakers to startups and prototype developers. The programme…

Electric vehicle maker Zeekr has introduced a new hybrid platform called SEA-S, which it says is the world’s first full-stack 900-volt high-voltage hybrid architecture designed for luxury vehicles. Pre-sales for the platform’s first model, the Zeekr 9X SUV, will begin at the Chengdu auto show in late August, the company announced on Wednesday. The SEA-S platform is engineered to deliver high performance and efficiency, featuring a tri-silicon carbide motor setup and a hybrid battery supplied by CATL. Zeekr said the system enables seamless transitions between electric driving in urban settings and high-performance or long-range driving, aiming to address range anxiety…

Ford Pro has unveiled plans for an all-wheel drive (AWD) version of its E-Transit Custom electric van, expanding the lineup beyond the current rear-wheel drive variant. The dual-motor configuration is scheduled to launch in spring 2026, with full technical specifications yet to be disclosed. In a brief statement, the U.S. automaker said the AWD system would feature “two independent front and rear drive units,” designed to deliver maximum torque across all four wheels. The system is aimed at improving traction and stability in challenging driving conditions, including steep gradients and low-friction surfaces such as ice or mud. “The two independent…

Chinese battery makers CATL and BYD held onto their positions as the top two global electric vehicle (EV) battery suppliers in the January–May 2025 period, according to new data released by South Korea’s SNE Research. Global EV battery consumption rose 38.5% to 401.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the first five months of 2025, up from 289.8 GWh a year earlier, driven by rising EV adoption and robust production figures in major markets. CATL maintained its leadership position with 152.7 GWh of EV battery installations during the period, representing a 40.6% increase year-on-year. The company captured 38.1% of the global market, making…

Swedish hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer PowerCell has received its first commercial order for its next-generation maritime fuel cell system, securing a deal worth SEK 44 million (EUR 3.8 million) with a leading Italian original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The order represents a milestone for PowerCell’s new MW-class hydrogen system, dubbed the MS-500, which is scheduled to enter the market in 2028 following expected type approval. The company said the system will provide up to 1 MW of net electrical output from two integrated units and is designed specifically to meet maritime classification standards. “This agreement is about scale, precision, and continued…

CASE Construction Equipment has introduced four new mini excavator models this week, including the all-electric CX25EV, designed to offer emissions-free operation without sacrificing performance compared to its diesel counterparts. The electric excavator is now in production and on its way to customers, following its initial announcement as part of CASE’s broader electrification initiative last year. The CX25EV features a 32.3 kWh lithium-ion battery and supports DC fast charging, allowing for a 20% to 80% charge in under an hour and a full charge in less than two hours. CASE says the machine delivers 4,950 pounds of traction force and is…

Torc Robotics, a developer of autonomous vehicle technology for Class 8 trucks, announced the opening of a new engineering facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as part of its efforts to commercialize self-driving trucks by 2027. The expansion is aimed at tapping into the region’s established base of automotive and technology expertise. The new 32,000-square-foot office will serve as a hub for advancing product development, with plans to hire across a range of engineering disciplines including machine learning, systems integration, and safety-critical technologies. The move complements Torc’s broader national footprint and supports its roadmap for deploying autonomous long-haul trucking solutions in…

Loganair, Scotland’s largest regional airline, has announced a partnership with hydrogen aviation startup ZeroAvia to develop zero-emission aircraft for short-haul routes across the UK and Europe, marking a significant step toward sustainable regional aviation. The partnership will center on the potential integration of ZeroAvia’s ZA2000 hydrogen-electric engine, a modular 2–5 megawatt powertrain currently under development for aircraft with 40–80 seats. Loganair operates a fleet of more than 20 aircraft in that category, including ATR 42s and 72s, making it a potential early adopter for commercial hydrogen-powered flights. ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric engines use fuel cells to convert liquid hydrogen into electricity, which…

Swedish electric boat maker Candela has secured an order from Indian transport operator JalVimana for 11 P-12 electric hydrofoil ferries, marking the company’s entry into the Indian market. The move is part of an effort to ease Mumbai’s severe traffic congestion by tapping into the city’s underutilized waterways. Each Candela P-12 ferry can accommodate up to 30 passengers and will initially serve two key routes: one between the Gateway of India and Alibaug, and another connecting central Mumbai to the city’s upcoming airport. The new ferries are expected to significantly cut travel times — reducing the road trip to Alibaug…

DS Automobiles, the premium offshoot of Citroën, has launched its all-electric flagship model, the DS No8, a bold coupe-SUV that underscores the brand’s ambitions in the luxury EV space. However, in a sign of mounting industry uncertainty, DS is not ruling out adding a combustion-based variant in the future. Speaking to Autocar at a recent international press event, DS product chief Cyprien Laurentie admitted that adapting the No8 to accommodate a combustion engine “is always a possibility.” While the current No8 range includes only electric options—with outputs ranging from 227 hp (169 kW) to a maximum of 370 hp (276…