Author: Sibley Presley

Stellantis is expanding its activities in high-voltage battery repurposing, also known as second-life batteries, as part of its commitment to a circular economy across resources, components, and materials. One of the latest applications of this initiative is the AVATHOR ONE, an electric medical device designed for people using wheelchairs or with reduced mobility. The device exclusively uses Stellantis’ second-life batteries, repurposed through a supply agreement with local system integrator INTENT S.r.l. It aims to provide a new freedom of mobility in non-road contexts, combining technology, design, social responsibility, and sustainability. The project is the result of a collaborative local ecosystem…

BYD’s premium brand Denza officially unveiled the 2026 Denza N9 on September 17, 2025, offering three configurations priced from 389,800 to 449,800 yuan ($54,200 to $62,500). The new model introduces a green-silver exterior colour option with a two-tone body design, complementing the previously added purple-gold finish. The Denza N9 is a large plug-in hybrid SUV featuring a 202 km pure electric CLTC range and a 1,302 km combined CLTC range. It comes equipped with dual-chamber air suspension, the “God’s Eye B” driving assistance system, and the “DiSus-A” intelligent air body control system, powered by three electric motors. Dimensionally, the 2026…

Finnish equipment manufacturer Avant Techno Oy on Monday launched its largest electric wheel loader to date, the e747, as part of a push to expand its footprint in the heavy equipment sector with battery-powered machinery. Founded in 1991 and best known for its diesel-powered compact loaders, Avant first introduced electric models in 2016 with the e5 and e6. The new e727 and flagship e747 represent what the company described as its most ambitious entry into the market, with the e747 equipped with a 47 kWh in-house developed battery offering up to nine hours of operation. The battery, developed under the…

Australia’s Syrah Resources said on Wednesday it has secured an extension from Tesla (TSLA.O) to resolve an alleged breach of their graphite supply agreement, a reprieve seen as critical to the company’s U.S. expansion plans. Tesla issued a default notice in July, claiming Syrah failed to provide conforming active anode material samples from its Louisiana-based Vidalia processing plant for use in the automaker’s electric vehicle batteries. The original Sept. 16 deadline has now been pushed back to Nov. 15, 2025. “While Syrah does not accept it is in default under the offtake agreement, the parties have extended the cure date…

Tesla has reached a confidential settlement to resolve a lawsuit over the death of a 15-year-old boy in a 2019 crash in California involving a Model 3 that had Autopilot engaged, a court order showed on Tuesday. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, though the court filing said dismissal of the lawsuit was contingent on “satisfactory completion of specified terms.” The trial had been scheduled to begin next month in Alameda County Superior Court but was vacated following the notice of settlement. The case stemmed from an incident in Alameda County where a Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot…

Volkswagen has introduced the California 1.5 eHybrid 4Motion, a plug-in hybrid camper van set to launch in 2025, combining the model’s classic design elements with electrified powertrain technology and all-wheel drive. According to Auto Zeitung, the California’s hybrid system pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 177 hp (130 kW) with an electric motor on each axle, delivering a combined output of 245 hp (180 kW) and 350 Nm of torque. The setup provides an estimated electric-only range of up to 59 miles (95 km), though real-world range is closer to 50 miles (80 km). A six-speed dual-clutch transmission completes…

South Korean battery maker SK On said it has completed a pilot plant for solid-state batteries at its research centre in Daejeon, aiming to commercialise sulphide-based cells by 2029, a year earlier than initially planned. The facility will focus primarily on sulphide-based solid-state batteries, while some lines will also be configured for lithium-metal anode variants. SK On is developing two types of solid-state technology — polymer-oxide composite batteries targeted for commercialisation by 2028 and sulphide-based batteries the following year. The new plant was built with technical support from U.S. partner Solid Power. SK On acquired licences from Solid Power in…

UK engineering company Equipmake has introduced a new vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) energy transfer system designed to keep electric fire engines running during prolonged emergencies, addressing a major operational hurdle for battery-powered heavy vehicles. The year-long project, presented at the Cenex Expo 2025, centers on the Zero Emission Pumping Appliance (ZEPA) V2V application. The system enables one electric vehicle to supply more than 200 kilowatts of power directly to another, replicating the refueling process used by diesel-powered fire engines. Equipmake said the approach ensures uninterrupted operation of pumps during extended firefighting efforts. Two fully electric fire appliances equipped with the ZEPA V2V…

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will provide CAD 3.8 million ($2.8 million) to expand the province’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network, with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (NL Hydro) adding a further CAD 463,000 in support. The funding, announced in Budget 2025, allocates CAD 1.9 million each for 2025-26 and 2026-27. The expansion will include four new fast chargers of up to 120 kW in L’Anse-au-Loup and Port Hope Simpson in 2026, the first of their kind in Southern Labrador. Ten additional ultra-fast chargers with up to 400 kW capacity will also be installed that year in St John’s East,…

Tesla on Tuesday introduced a new feature called MultiPass, allowing its customers to charge at third-party stations using their existing Tesla account, in a move designed to simplify access to public charging. The program, launched first in the Netherlands, enables drivers to start charging sessions with their Tesla app or key card, eliminating the need for multiple apps, separate payment accounts or RFID membership cards. Charging locations, usage history and payments can now be managed directly through the Tesla ecosystem. https://twitter.com/TeslaCharging/status/1965296425069412403 “ Nobody likes creating more accounts with extra payment details and passwords,” said Max De Zegher, Tesla’s Director of…

Toyota Tsusho, the trading arm of Japan’s Toyota Group, will acquire a 25% stake in a South Korean cathode material plant from China’s Huayou Cobalt, reducing Huayou’s ownership in the facility to 24%, the companies said on Tuesday. The plant, operated jointly by LG Chem and Huayou Cobalt in Gumi, South Korea, produces cathode active materials for electric vehicle batteries. The shift in ownership is intended to ensure the facility’s products comply with U.S. restrictions on “foreign entities of concern” (FEOC), which limit tax credit eligibility for materials sourced from facilities with more than 25% Chinese ownership. LG Chem, which…

BMW and energy company E.ON have launched what they describe as Germany’s first commercial vehicle-to-grid (V2G) service for private customers, allowing drivers to feed electricity from their cars back into the grid. The offering will initially be available with the newly launched BMW iX3 and gradually extended to other models. The iX3, unveiled last week as part of BMW’s “Neue Klasse” line-up, is the carmaker’s first series-production model to support bidirectional charging. Alongside vehicle-to-grid capability, it also offers vehicle-to-home (V2H) functions, enabling owners to power their households, particularly in combination with rooftop solar panels. The car can also serve as…

Chinese automaker Voyah, a premium electric vehicle brand under Dongfeng Motor, has unveiled its new Taishan 9L SUV, a three-row, six-seat plug-in hybrid aimed at the high-end market, according to filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The model features technology from Huawei, including the ADS 4.0 advanced driver-assistance system and Harmony OS infotainment platform. The Taishan 9L is positioned as Voyah’s flagship SUV, with bold exterior styling highlighted by a large chrome grille, polished alloy wheels, and extensive chrome trim. The vehicle measures 5,230 mm in length, 2,025 mm in width, 1,817 mm in height, and…

Skoda used the IAA Mobility show to unveil the Vision O estate concept, a study that could evolve into a fully electric Octavia and is expected to run on Volkswagen Group’s upcoming 800-volt SSP platform. The Czech brand described the Vision O as a “bold leap forward” in its Modern Solid design language, which also shapes the recently introduced Epiq compact SUV and updated Enyaq. Skoda said the concept was designed “from the inside out,” focusing on a minimalist, customer-centric cabin that offers more than 650 litres of boot space. Interior highlights include a Horizon Display for both driver and…

Canada said on Friday it would waive a requirement that 20% of all vehicles sold in 2025 be emissions-free, part of a broader aid package aimed at easing pressure on companies facing U.S. tariffs. The mandate was introduced in 2023 by the Liberal government of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. His successor, Mark Carney, said suspending the rule would give automakers financial relief while they contend with punitive U.S. measures, which also target steel and aluminum. “This will provide immediate financial relief to automakers at a time of increased pressures on economic competitiveness,” Carney told a televised press conference. Ottawa…

Protean Electric, a UK-based developer of in-wheel motor (IWM) technology, said on Friday its latest generation of motors will achieve price parity with twin e-axle solutions when production begins in 2026, a milestone that could lower manufacturing costs for automakers. The new system, called ProteanDrive Pm18 2500, has been nominated by a European carmaker for use in a performance electric vehicle scheduled to enter production in 2026. The motor delivers more than 2,500 Newton-metres of torque and 220 kilowatts per wheel, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in about three seconds, the company said. Protean said the design simplifies…

The city of Pasadena has authorised the purchase of 17 new fuel cell electric buses, set to begin service in spring 2027, as part of its transition to a zero-emission public transit fleet. The vehicles mark Pasadena Transit’s first multivehicle zero-emission order. Until now, the authority had only introduced individual electric models, including its first battery-electric bus in May 2025 and an upcoming zero-emission “Dial-A-Ride” service later this year. Once delivered, the new fleet will mean that 46% of Pasadena Transit’s buses are powered by either batteries or hydrogen fuel cells. The purchase is part of a broader $150.7 million…

Tesla has clarified why safety monitors are positioned in the driver’s seat of its autonomous Robotaxi units, following questions raised by users and observers about the company’s approach to passenger safety. The automaker’s autonomous ride-hailing service is currently active in Austin, Texas, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand to more U.S. cities later this year. Initially, Tesla operated Robotaxis without a human in the driver’s seat, relying instead on monitors seated in the passenger side to observe and report vehicle behavior. https://twitter.com/robotaxi/status/1963436732575072723 In recent weeks, however, passengers in Austin reported that safety monitors were being placed…

The Scottish government has announced a series of measures aimed at expanding electric vehicle (EV) charging access, including a £4.5 million fund to support installations in rural and island areas where commercial investment is less likely. The initiatives come as Scotland seeks to deliver 24,000 additional public charge points by 2030, building on its existing network of more than 6,000, achieved two years ahead of schedule. The new Rural and Island Infrastructure Fund will provide financial support to landowners, charge point operators, and businesses in underserved regions, though detailed criteria and charging specifications have not yet been outlined. “That is…

Electric vehicle adoption in the United Kingdom continued to gain momentum in August, with battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) capturing 26.8% of new car registrations, according to data from New AutoMotive. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) also contributed to the growth, bringing the total share of electrified vehicles to 38.8% of new registrations for the month. The figures mark progress toward the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, with year-to-date BEV registrations of 21.9% exceeding the 21.8% implied target. The commercial sector showed significant uptake as well, with electric van registrations nearly doubling compared with August 2024. This increase pushed electric vans to…