Author: Sibley Presley

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…

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…