Author: Sibley Presley

IM Motors, the electric vehicle (EV) subsidiary of SAIC Motor, has opened pre-sales for its new LS9 large SUV, introducing another extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with an exceptionally long driving range to the Chinese market. The LS9 marks the company’s latest effort to capture growing demand for premium hybrid SUVs. The automaker is offering two LS9 variants during pre-sales—the 52 Ultra and 66 Ultra—priced from RMB 336,900 ($47,280) and RMB 366,900, respectively. The model’s official launch is set for November 12. The six-seat SUV measures 5,279 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,806 mm in height, with a…

Volkswagen UK has launched a new initiative called the ‘ID Promise’, allowing retail customers to return their new electric vehicle within 80 to 100 days of delivery if they change their minds. The offer, which began on November 3, will run until March 31, 2026. The automaker said the scheme is designed to provide “complete peace of mind for anyone uncertain about switching to electric.” The offer applies to retail buyers of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, ID.7, and ID.7 Tourer, whether purchased outright or through a personal contract plan (PCP). See also: Volkswagen Says Chip Supply Stable for Now Amid…

Hamburg-based intralogistics specialist Jungheinrich has announced plans to accelerate the electrification of its global customer service fleet, aiming for more than half of its 7,000-vehicle fleet to be fully electric by 2030. The company expects to have more than 3,500 electric service vehicles in operation by the end of the decade as part of its wider sustainability strategy. Jungheinrich’s customer service operations form a crucial part of its logistics business, which supplies electric forklifts, pallet trucks and other industrial transport vehicles to warehouses worldwide. To minimize downtime for its customers, the company deploys more than 6,300 service technicians across 42…

Chinese automaker GAC Aion has started pre-sales for its new i60 model, the first from GAC Group’s electric vehicle subsidiary to be offered in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions. The Aion i60 BEV is priced from RMB 119,800 ($16,820), while the EREV variant starts at RMB 126,800, according to details released by the company. The compact five-seat SUV measures 4,685 mm in length, 1,854 mm in width, and 1,660 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. The EREV version offers a CLTC-rated electric range of 210 kilometers and a total driving range…

Samsung SDI has entered a partnership with the BMW Group and US solid-state battery specialist Solid Power to collaborate on a validation project for all-solid-state batteries (ASSB). The project will see Samsung SDI supplying solid-state cells featuring a solid electrolyte developed by Solid Power, which are expected to offer improved energy density and safety. BMW will develop the corresponding modules and packs for integration into its next-generation evaluation vehicles. See also: GM Taps LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI for LFP Battery Production in U.S. Plants The collaboration marks a shift from early functional testing to larger-scale evaluation of cells produced…

Maserati has introduced a series of upgrades to the Grecale Folgore, enhancing efficiency, driving range, and charging performance to keep its all-electric SUV competitive in the premium segment. The updated model now features a front motor decoupling system and battery preconditioning — two key improvements that align the vehicle with leading rivals. The most notable enhancement is the new all-wheel-drive disconnection system, which enables the front motor to be disengaged when not needed. This allows the Grecale Folgore to switch seamlessly to rear-wheel drive in as little as 500 milliseconds, reducing drag losses and improving efficiency. See also: Maserati May…

A newly proposed bill in Florida, HB 243, aims to overhaul the state’s regulations on high-speed electric bicycles and scooters, potentially reshaping the landscape for riders and retailers. Filed by Republican Representative Yvette Benarroch, the bill will be considered in Florida’s upcoming legislative session and could introduce new licensing, safety, and reporting requirements for e-bike users. See also: Momentum Launches Vida E+ Electric Bike Starting at $2,480 Under current Florida law, anyone aged 16 or older can operate legal electric bicycles without a driver’s license. However, HB 243 would require a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit for riders of…

Amazon has officially launched its first fleet of Rivian-built electric delivery vans in Canada, deploying 50 vehicles to serve the Greater Vancouver area. The milestone marks the partnership’s first major move north of the U.S. border and underscores Amazon’s broader push to reach net-zero carbon emissions across all operations by 2040. “We’re so excited to launch our first major step toward decarbonizing our delivery fleet in Canada,” said Eva Lorenz, Vice President and Country Manager for Amazon Canada. The vans will operate from Amazon’s delivery station in Delta, British Columbia, supporting two local Delivery Service Partners. See also: Amazon to…

A major Swedish study has found that electric vehicles from Kia and Tesla maintain their battery health better than most rivals, underscoring the growing durability of modern EV technology. The analysis, conducted by Swedish car broker Kvdbil, examined more than 1,300 used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids to identify which models best retain their battery capacity over time. See also: CATL Holds 36.8% Global EV Battery Market Share in Jan–Aug, BYD Follows With 18.0% According to the study, the Kia EV6 and Kia e-Niro ranked first and second, while Tesla’s Model Y placed third. Overall, the research found…

Fastned, the Dutch operator of fast-charging stations for electric vehicles, reported a 44% year-on-year increase in charging revenue in the third quarter of 2025, continuing the strong growth seen in the first half of the year. The company said revenue reached €31.5 million, supported by record levels of energy sales and charging sessions. Energy sales rose 32% to 46.8 GWh, while the number of charging sessions increased 27% to 1.7 million compared with the same quarter last year. Fastned estimated that these charging sessions helped avoid 42.4 kilotonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions. Gross profit climbed 40% to €25.4 million, although the…

Wallbox has completed the first residential installations of its Quasar 2 bidirectional charger in the United States, marking a step toward integrating electric vehicles (EVs) with home energy systems. The project allows compatible EVs, such as the Kia EV9, to discharge energy back into homes, providing households with a potential source of electricity during peak periods. The initial six units were installed in Menifee, California, as part of a collaborative effort with Kia America and the University of California, Irvine (UCI). The initiative aims to demonstrate how vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology can lower electricity costs, support energy independence, and reduce strain…

Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor Corporation have announced further details about their planned merger of Japanese commercial vehicle brands Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors, which will operate under a new holding company named Archion starting 1 April 2026. The holding company will own 100% of both brands, which will continue to function independently. Daimler Truck and Toyota each plan to hold a 25% stake, with the remaining 50% expected to be listed on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, although it remains unclear whether it will be offered as free float or taken up by another investor. Archion’s…

China has announced tighter export controls on rare earths, a critical component in electric vehicle motors and other high-tech products, citing national security and economic interests. The new rules will require foreign exporters dealing in rare earth products from China to obtain an export licence from the Ministry of Commerce. According to the ministry, exports of technologies related to rare earth mining, processing, magnet manufacturing, and mineral recycling will also be prohibited without special approval. “The measures are necessary to safeguard China’s national interests and industrial security,” the ministry said in a statement. See also: ReElement, Posco Plan First Fully…

Ferrari has revealed detailed technical specifications and insights into the engineering behind its first all-electric vehicle, the Elettrica, offering a glimpse into how the legendary Italian brand is approaching the transition to electric mobility. The automaker shared the information during a briefing at its Maranello headquarters but stopped short of unveiling the full car, which will debut in 2026. Chief Executive Benedetto Vigna said the Elettrica’s unveiling will be done in three stages — beginning with the current release of technical details, followed by pricing and additional information in early 2026, and the final reveal in the second quarter of…

Tesla Inc. has made progress toward testing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system on Swedish roads, conducting a joint site assessment test (SAT) with the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) this week. The evaluation focused on the company’s upcoming FSD v14 software. The assessment follows a previous denial of approval for similar trials in Stockholm earlier this year. The Transport Administration said the SAT has been completed and results are under review, a process expected to take one to two weeks. If approved, Tesla would be allowed to test FSD v14 on selected highways across Sweden. See also: Tesla Owners in Australia,…

Circle K has installed Sweden’s first 1,000 kW (1MW) charging system for heavy vehicles, marking a step in the country’s rollout of ultra-fast charging infrastructure. The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) was launched at Circle K Värnamo along the E4 motorway, north of Helsingborg. The site, the company’s 31st truck charging station in Sweden, features an Alpitronic HYC1000 unit with three 600 kW bays and one MCS bay capable of delivering up to 1MW. It is the first HYC1000 installation in the Nordic region. Lennart Olsson, senior manager of pricing & eMobility heavy transportation at Circle K Sweden, said: “We’ve had…

France has reopened applications for its social leasing program, allowing low-income households to lease electric vehicles (EVs) with state subsidies, though the funding pool and individual support levels are lower than last year. The scheme, first introduced in early 2024, enabled about 50,000 drivers to obtain EVs under favorable lease conditions before funding was exhausted within six weeks. See also: France to Offer Extra €1,000 Bonus for Locally Assembled Electric Cars The new round, announced in July and launched on Monday, provides €370 million in funding compared to €650 million in the first phase. The government still aims to support…

Denza, the premium brand under BYD (OTCMKTS: BYDDY), opened pre-sales on Thursday for its new N8L hybrid SUV, a large six-seat model aimed at family buyers in China’s fast-growing premium plug-in hybrid market. The N8L is being offered in two pre-sale variants starting at 319,800 yuan ($44,820) and 349,800 yuan. Slightly smaller than Denza’s flagship N9 launched in March, the N8L measures 5,200 mm in length with a wheelbase of 3,075 mm, positioning it as a more accessible alternative within Denza’s lineup while retaining a strong focus on size and comfort. Equipped with BYD’s e3 technology – a scaled-down version…

Tesla is working on a wheelchair-accessible solution for its upcoming Robotaxi service, aiming to improve mobility for people with disabilities and medical conditions that prevent them from driving. The development was highlighted after an investor post on social media indicated that Tesla’s ride-hailing app is preparing features to support more inclusive travel. The app shows an icon of a “Robovan,” a vehicle design with dimensions that could accommodate wheelchair accessibility. Chief Executive Elon Musk confirmed that Tesla intends to integrate such features as part of its Robotaxi rollout. NEWS: Tesla Working on Accessibility Rides as Part of Robotaxi Expansion. Tesla’s…

WeaveGrid, a US-based software company specializing in electric vehicle (EV) and grid integration, said it has received a strategic investment from LG Technology Ventures, the venture capital arm of South Korea’s LG Group. The partnership underscores the growing role of intelligent software in balancing rising EV demand with grid stability. WeaveGrid develops AI-driven software platforms that connect automakers and utilities, enabling secure and efficient EV charging while supporting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services. Its patented systems optimize charging loads, extend battery life, and provide opportunities for EV drivers to benefit from grid services. The company said LG Technology Ventures’ expertise in energy…