Author: Ryan Hayes

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…

Scottish electric vehicle manufacturer Munro plans to establish a new production facility in the UK in 2027 as it seeks to expand manufacturing capacity for its industrial electric vehicles. The company said the planned factory will support growing demand from customers in sectors including mining, defence, construction and other heavy-duty industries. Expanding Domestic Manufacturing Munro chief executive Avinash Rugoobur told the Financial Times that the facility will primarily serve domestic customer demand, with annual production eventually scaling to thousands of vehicles. According to Rugoobur, the company’s specialist focus and relatively small operational footprint make UK-based manufacturing commercially viable despite higher…

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Spectre Series II, an updated version of its first all-electric production model, featuring a larger battery, increased driving range and improved charging performance. The update marks the first major technical revision for the electric luxury coupé since its launch in 2022. Larger Battery Boosts Range The Spectre Series II adopts new battery technology derived from the latest generation of BMW electric vehicles. The model now features a 112.5 kWh battery pack using sixth-generation cylindrical battery cells, replacing the previous 101.7 kWh battery. According to Rolls-Royce, the larger battery increases the vehicle’s driving range by up to…

GAC’s AION brand has officially launched the AION V electric SUV in the United Kingdom, with prices starting at £36,450 on the road, as the Chinese automaker advances its international expansion strategy. The launch is being led by AION Auto UK, a joint venture between GAC International and Jameel Motors. Sales were formally inaugurated at the company’s new headquarters in Slough, while the first retail locations are opening to customers this week. Nationwide Aftersales Network in Place As AION begins operations in the UK market, the company has partnered with established service providers to ensure nationwide customer support while its…

First Bus is preparing to introduce a fleet of repowered electric buses in Bath as part of a broader program to expand zero-emission public transport across the West of England. The converted vehicles will enter service over the coming months alongside newly built battery-electric buses being deployed in Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. The latest rollout forms part of a wider investment initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of the company’s regional bus operations. Electric Fleet Expansion Continues First Bus said 27 repowered electric buses will be introduced in Bath, complementing 17 new battery-electric buses for the city. The operator is…

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has awarded a contract worth up to £100 million to Wrightbus for the supply of 193 battery-electric buses that will operate on the region’s planned Weaver Network public transport system. The order includes both single-deck and double-deck electric buses, with deliveries scheduled to take place in phases between spring 2027 and late 2028. According to the authority, the vehicles will form part of the Weaver Network, an integrated transport system being introduced under a franchising model that will give public authorities greater control over bus services across West Yorkshire. New Fleet to Support Network Launch The…

Gridserve has opened a new Electric Super Hub at Moto Lymm Services in north-west England, adding 24 ultra-rapid charging bays to its growing network of electric vehicle charging sites across the UK. Located at Junction 20 of the M6 and Junction 9 of the M56, the facility sits on a key transport corridor connecting Liverpool and Manchester. Gridserve said the new chargers are capable of delivering up to 400 kW of power, enabling compatible electric vehicles to add up to 100 miles (161 km) of driving range in less than 10 minutes. The new installation complements six existing Gridserve fast…

Electric vehicle owners in the United Kingdom could face higher home charging costs from July after energy regulator Ofgem announced an increase in the electricity price cap for customers on standard variable tariffs. The maximum electricity charge will rise from 24.67 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 26.11 pence/kWh from July 1. According to Ofgem, the increase has been influenced by higher global energy prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Research conducted by automotive publication What Car? found that the higher tariff could increase annual home charging costs for some of Britain’s most popular electric vehicles by between…

Wayve, Nissan and Uber have joined Partners for Automated Vehicle Education UK (PAVE UK) as the organisation’s first industry members, supporting efforts to improve public understanding of autonomous vehicle technology ahead of planned commercial deployments in the United Kingdom. The move comes as Wayve and Uber prepare to launch autonomous vehicle trials in London later this year. Expanding Public Engagement Efforts PAVE UK was established in 2024 by a group of public-sector and academic organisations, including the UK Department for Transport, the Department for Business and Trade, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), Transport for West Midlands, and…

BYD has launched the Dolphin Cargo in the UK, introducing a compact electric light commercial vehicle derived from the Dolphin passenger hatchback. The new model is available to order through participating BYD retailers, with prices starting at £29,358 excluding VAT (£36,305 including VAT). The Dolphin Cargo has been developed through a UK-based conversion programme that transforms the standard Dolphin hatchback into a commercial vehicle. The process involves the permanent removal of the rear seats and installation of a full metal bulkhead behind the front seats, creating a dedicated cargo area tailored to the needs of fleet and business users. UK…

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has awarded Wrightbus a contract for 125 additional battery-electric buses, expanding the region’s efforts to transition the Bee Network to a fully zero-emission fleet by the end of the decade. The latest order follows a previous contract awarded to Wrightbus in March for 55 electric buses and forms part of Greater Manchester’s broader strategy to electrify public transport across the region. Of the 125 newly ordered vehicles, 100 will be allocated to Metroline Manchester and operated from the Hyde Road depot, which is currently being upgraded to accommodate a larger fleet of battery-electric buses. TfGM…

UK-based fleet electrification company Zenobē has financed more than 280 electric buses for transport operator Go-Ahead Group under what the companies described as the bus industry’s first committed finance framework agreement (CFFA). The arrangement provides Go-Ahead with a pre-agreed scalable credit line that can be drawn down when needed, supporting the company’s plan to fully electrify its bus fleet by 2035. According to the companies, the framework replaces repeated lease negotiations for individual vehicle orders with a single pre-arranged financing structure, allowing faster access to funding under fixed commercial terms. The more than 280 electric buses financed so far have…

An Post said it has reduced carbon emissions by 50% compared with 2009 levels, reaching its emissions target three months ahead of schedule as electric vehicles now account for more than half of its delivery fleet. The company said the milestone was achieved in September 2025 but disclosed the results in its newly released 2025 Sustainability Report. According to the report, An Post deployed 575 new electric vans during the first half of this year. Around 30% of the additions replaced diesel-powered vehicles, while the remainder replaced earlier-generation electric vans with lower battery range. The postal operator said its delivery…