Author: Ryan Hayes

Nissan has launched a new UK-backed research programme aimed at improving electric vehicle efficiency by combining advanced power electronics, solar technology and intelligent energy management into a single vehicle platform. The three-year Smart Use of Integrated Technology for EVs (SUITE) project is led by Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield and supported through the UK government’s Drive35 funding programme, which promotes the development of zero-emission transport technologies. Focus on Smarter Energy Use The £10 million project is designed to reduce electric vehicle energy consumption while improving the integration of renewable energy into charging and easing demand on the electricity grid.…

BYD Group will present eight vehicle debuts across its DENZA, YANGWANG, and BYD brands at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, highlighting the company’s growing presence in the premium, luxury, and performance vehicle segments. The Chinese automaker said the vehicles will be displayed on a dedicated three-level exhibition stand, where several models will make either their global, European, or UK debut. DENZA to Lead Product Showcase DENZA will headline the presentation with the world premiere of the all-electric DENZA Z Coupe, a performance-oriented model based on the design language first introduced by the DENZA Z Spider concept. The company said…

Honda has announced UK pricing and order details for its new Super-N electric city car, with the compact battery-electric model starting at £18,995 ahead of showroom arrivals next month. The Super-N was first unveiled in April and represents Honda’s entry into the growing affordable electric city car segment, where it will compete with models such as the Dacia Spring and Hyundai Inster. Designed for Urban Mobility The Super-N is based on the same lightweight platform used for Honda’s N Series kei cars in Japan but has been modified for the UK market. According to Honda, the vehicle features a wider…

BYD has delivered its 100,000th new energy vehicle (NEV) in the United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in the Chinese automaker’s rapid expansion across Europe and reinforcing its growing position in one of the continent’s most competitive automotive markets. The achievement was announced by BYD Executive Vice President He Zhiqi, who highlighted the company’s accelerating growth and increasing influence in the UK electric vehicle sector. Rapid growth in the UK market According to He, BYD has become the fastest automotive brand in UK history to achieve a 5% market share. The company entered the UK passenger vehicle market in March…

bp pulse has partnered with IAG Loyalty to enable electric vehicle drivers in the UK to earn Avios points when charging their vehicles, becoming the first EV charging network in the country to offer the popular travel rewards currency. The initiative covers bp pulse’s network of more than 3,000 rapid and ultra-fast charging points across the UK and is designed to integrate EV charging into everyday loyalty and rewards programmes. Earn Avios While Charging Under the new programme, members of The British Airways Club can collect Avios points based on their charging spend. Customers who pay using a contactless payment…

JLR has confirmed that its Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform will support full hybrid powertrains in addition to battery-electric vehicles, marking a significant shift in the company’s electrification strategy. The decision broadens the scope of a platform that was originally developed exclusively for next-generation electric vehicles and reflects growing demand for multiple powertrain options across global markets. Greater Powertrain Flexibility The British luxury automaker said it is increasing propulsion flexibility to provide customers with a wider range of choices while strengthening business resilience and supporting future growth. The move aligns with JLR’s broader “Reimagine” strategy, which aims to balance electrification…

Fastned and Places for London have opened their first ultra-fast electric vehicle charging hub at Hatton Cross near Heathrow Airport, marking the beginning of a wider rollout that could see up to 25 charging hubs developed across the UK capital. The new facility features 12 ultra-rapid charging bays capable of delivering up to 400kW and is strategically located near Heathrow Airport as well as major transport corridors including the M25, M4 and A30. To mark the launch, drivers will be offered free charging between June 15 and June 19. Strategic Location for Drivers and Fleets Designed to serve a broad…

The UK government is reportedly considering a significant reduction in its electric vehicle sales targets, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer expected to support lowering the 2030 zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate from 80% to 50% of new car sales. The proposed change forms part of an ongoing review of the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, which requires automakers to increase the share of battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in their annual sales mix. According to reports from the Sunday Times, the move follows growing pressure from automotive manufacturers and trade unions concerned about the potential impact of current targets on jobs,…

BYD has unveiled the Dolphin G DM-i for the European market, introducing a new plug-in hybrid model designed specifically for the region as the Chinese automaker seeks to strengthen its presence in the highly competitive B-segment. The Dolphin G DM-i combines BYD’s proprietary DM-i hybrid system with the company’s Blade Battery technology and is scheduled to arrive at European dealerships this summer, with first customer deliveries expected in early autumn. First Europe-Focused DM-i Model According to BYD, the Dolphin G DM-i is the company’s first DM-i plug-in hybrid developed specifically for European customers. The compact hatchback will be offered in…

The Liverpool City Region has completed the electrification of the Gillmoss bus depot, creating charging capacity for more than 100 battery-electric buses and establishing the facility as a key operational hub for the region’s expanding zero-emission public transport network. The depot, operated by Stagecoach, serves routes across Liverpool and Knowsley and will play a central role in supporting the deployment of publicly owned electric buses throughout the city region. Depot Upgrades Support Fleet Expansion The electrification project forms part of a broader programme to introduce 108 battery-electric buses that began entering service in the Liverpool City Region earlier this year.…

Oxfordshire County Council has awarded new contracts to Connected Kerb and EZ-Charge to deliver more than 1,500 additional public electric vehicle charging sockets across the county, a move aimed at more than doubling the number of publicly accessible charging points currently available. The initiative is designed to create a countywide charging network that is reliable, easy to use, and supports contactless payment. Oxfordshire County Council said the rollout will prioritize neighborhoods where a large proportion of residents do not have access to private driveways or off-street parking, helping make electric vehicle ownership more practical for a wider range of households.…

Kia has secured the highest level of support available under the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme for selected variants of its EV4 electric vehicle after a reassessment of the model’s environmental credentials. The decision upgrades several EV4 variants from the lower Band 2 category to the £3,750 Band 1 grant, reducing purchase prices for eligible customers and strengthening the model’s competitiveness in the UK electric vehicle market. EV4 Moves to Top Grant Category Following a review by UK authorities, the EV4 ‘Air’ Standard Range, EV4 ‘Air’ Long Range and the newly introduced EV4 ‘Motion’ now qualify for the…

Uber has begun allowing customers in the United Kingdom to join an interest list for autonomous vehicle rides powered by Wayve, signaling that the companies are moving closer to launching a robotaxi service in London. The announcement was made in London alongside the unveiling of a black Ford Mustang Mach-E equipped with Wayve’s autonomous driving technology. While Wayve provides the self-driving system, Uber has developed the in-cabin experience, including interactive touchscreens that support 64 languages and are designed to help passengers interact with the vehicle during their journeys. https://twitter.com/Uber/status/2063962313082671206 Uber said the robotaxi service is expected to launch in the…

European and British automotive industry associations are calling for a further postponement of Brexit-related tariffs on electric vehicles, warning that current battery supply chains are not sufficiently developed to meet upcoming trade requirements. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have urged policymakers in Brussels and London to delay the implementation of stricter Rules of Origin provisions scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2027. Under the terms of the 2020 EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, electric vehicles traded between the European Union and the United Kingdom can continue to move tariff-free…

Hampshire County Council has selected EV charging operator Believ to deliver 17,180 public electric vehicle charge points across the county under what is being described as the largest project awarded through the UK government’s Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme to date. The rollout combines £6.6 million in public funding from Hampshire County Council with up to £90 million in private investment from Believ, creating a total infrastructure programme valued at approximately £96.6 million. Focus on Residential Charging Access The majority of the planned installations will consist of 22 kW AC charge points designed to support overnight and long-duration residential…

Nissan, the University of Oxford and battery materials company Gelion have launched a new research project aimed at developing next-generation solid-state lithium-sulphur batteries for electric vehicles. The project, known as Cost-effective, Resilient Solid-state Li–S (CoRe-SoLiS), seeks to combine Gelion’s nano-encapsulated sulphur (NES) cathode technology with Nissan’s solid-state battery development program to create batteries with higher energy density, faster charging capability and longer operating life. The initiative is supported by funding from the UK government and is expected to cost approximately £3.4 million (€3.9 million), with around £2.4 million provided through public funding. Focus on Sulphur-Based Battery Technology The project centers…

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the United Kingdom rose sharply in May, reaching their highest monthly market share of 2026 as demand for electric cars continued to grow. According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BEV registrations increased 34.2% year-on-year during the month, accounting for 27.3% of all new car registrations. The broader UK new car market also expanded, with total registrations rising 7.1% to 160,662 units, marking the strongest May performance since 2019. Growing Model Availability Supports Demand The SMMT attributed part of the growth to an expanding range of electric vehicle models…

Tesla has delivered its 300,000th vehicle in the United Kingdom, reaching a new milestone as the electric vehicle maker continues to expand its presence in one of Europe’s largest EV markets. The achievement comes a year after Tesla surpassed 250,000 cumulative registrations in the country and follows a strong performance in May, when the automaker registered 2,897 vehicles, up 44% from the same month a year earlier. https://twitter.com/tesla_uk/status/2062105217806520388 Tesla’s UK sales momentum has been supported by a strong first quarter. Between January and March, the company registered 11,739 vehicles, reclaiming the top position among electric vehicle brands in the country.…

Bentley has revealed a redesigned Flying Spur range and revived the performance-focused Flying Spur S, a luxury hybrid sedan that delivers 680 PS and 930 Nm of torque while introducing a significantly updated design inspired by the latest Continental GT family. The fourth-generation Flying Spur S becomes the most powerful model ever to wear Bentley’s S badge and is scheduled to enter production at the company’s Crewe facility in September, with customer deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Single Headlamps Return After More Than Six Decades The redesigned Flying Spur adopts a cleaner exterior appearance and…

Chery will manufacture passenger vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom under a new agreement between the two automakers, marking a significant step in the Chinese company’s European expansion plans. Nissan announced that the companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding covering contract manufacturing of Chery vehicles at the Sunderland facility. Production Planned From 2027 Under the proposed arrangement, production of Chery-branded vehicles is expected to begin during fiscal year 2027. The vehicles would be assembled on Sunderland’s currently idle Line One production line, which became available following Nissan’s recent manufacturing consolidation efforts. In May, Nissan announced…