Author: Sibley Presley

Freudenberg e-Power Systems (FEPS) has announced the launch of XWAVE, a modular, stackable battery system designed specifically for maritime applications. The new solution, aimed at both battery-electric and hybrid-electric vessels, will be available starting in 2027, the company said in a statement. The XWAVE system is based on nickel-dominant Gen 3 SHP mid-nickel single-crystal power cells developed in-house. These cells are engineered for high charging and discharging performance, with a focus on energy density and service life. According to FEPS, the system’s flexible design and integrated telematics will allow shipbuilders and system integrators to adapt power configurations to suit individual…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast said on Wednesday it will open its first dealership in San Diego, California, this month as it shifts toward a dealer-based sales model to boost U.S. performance. The move follows sluggish demand and growing pressure from tariffs and intensifying competition in the U.S. market. Backed by Vingroup (VIC.HM), Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, VinFast initially pursued a direct-to-consumer strategy, mirroring Tesla’s approach. However, slow progress and regulatory headwinds—including new U.S. tariffs—have prompted the company to pivot. In addition to the San Diego store, VinFast said it is actively exploring more dealership locations across California. The EV maker…

Chinese automaker GAC Group has unveiled its latest electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle under its flying car brand Govy, as the sector continues to attract investment and public attention. The new model, called the AirCab, was showcased at the Hong Kong auto show on Thursday, where GAC announced the start of pre-sales. The vehicle, designed in-house, carries a guide price of no more than RMB 1.68 million ($233,900), the company said. The two-seat eVTOL is made of over 90 percent carbon fiber composite and supports Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities, according to GAC. It uses high-density cylindrical batteries…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng said on Thursday it will begin offering revised versions of its G6 and G9 electric SUVs in Europe starting in the second half of July 2025, with deliveries scheduled for the fourth quarter. The announcement marks the next phase of the company’s European expansion, as it brings its latest EV technology and design updates to key markets on the continent. The updated G6 and G9, first presented for the Chinese market in March, feature a new 800-volt architecture with advanced silicon carbide semiconductors and 5C lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries across all variants. According to…

General Motors said its next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EV will arrive for the 2027 model year, with production set to begin later this year at its Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas. The announcement comes as part of a broader $4 billion investment in three U.S. manufacturing facilities to support both electric and internal combustion vehicle output. GM had initially teased the return of the affordable Bolt in 2023 after ending production of the first-generation Bolt EV and EUV. However, updates on the project had been sparse until now. While full technical specifications remain under wraps, the new model is…

Dutch e-bike manufacturer VanMoof has returned to the market with two new high-end models, the S6 and the S6 Open, marking its first major launch since filing for bankruptcy in 2023. The announcement signals a fresh start for the brand, which previously gained recognition for its tech-forward approach to urban mobility. The S6 and S6 Open share a core set of specifications, including a 250W front hub motor with 68 Nm of torque, four levels of motor assistance, and a non-removable 487 Wh battery that provides a claimed range of up to 150 km (93 miles). Both models are capped…

Chinese automaker Chery said it will launch its first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) flying car in October, marking its official entry into the rapidly growing low-altitude economy sector. Wang Junjie, director of Chery’s flying car laboratory, announced the timeline at a forum in the southwestern city of Chongqing on Friday, adding that the company will begin the certification process for the aircraft at the same time. “Our goal is to drive the low-altitude economy from a laboratory concept into reality for households,” Wang said at the event. The eVTOL industry in China has gained momentum in recent years…

Tesla has hinted at a possible return of the long-delayed 7-seat version of its Model Y electric SUV, according to a recent email sent to customers and subscribers. The move comes as the U.S. automaker faces pressure to counter falling sales in key markets. The marketing email, titled “Model Y: Midsize SUV”, promotes the Model Y as “ready for anything with long range, seating for up to seven and enough room for everyone’s gear.” The current Model Y configuration accommodates five passengers, and Tesla’s website does not currently list a 7-seat option. https://twitter.com/DennisCW_/status/1931099695176454171 The message was circulated widely on social…

Dutch car-sharing platform MyWheels is introducing the first of 500 grid-compatible Renault electric vehicles (EVs) to its fleet this week, marking Europe’s largest vehicle-to-grid (V2G) car-sharing rollout to date. The move comes as V2G technology gains momentum amid rising concerns over energy grid stability in the region. Vehicle-to-grid technology enables electric cars to not only draw electricity from the grid but also return power during periods of peak demand. While the concept has been in development for years, it is now becoming commercially feasible thanks to advances in smart charging and robust battery systems. The vehicles will be deployed in…

EasyGo has been awarded a landmark 20-year contract worth approximately £300 million to provide electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across northern Scotland, covering the Highland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, and Moray council areas. The contract marks the first inter-council EV infrastructure partnership in northern Scotland, awarded under the Scottish Government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, and represents the largest grant allocated since the fund’s inception. Under the agreement, EasyGo will install 570 new charging points by 2028 and assume responsibility for the operation and maintenance of 425 existing council-owned chargers—comprising 133 DC fast chargers and 292 AC points. The partnership also encompasses…

ChargePoint and Eaton have announced a strategic collaboration aimed at simplifying the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across North America and Europe. The partnership will integrate ChargePoint’s cloud-based software and charging hardware with Eaton’s scalable power distribution technologies to provide turnkey electrification solutions for commercial, fleet, workplace, and public charging applications. The joint effort focuses on unifying EV charging equipment with broader energy infrastructure, streamlining the design and installation process. A key feature of the collaboration is support for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities, enabling electric vehicles to return stored energy to homes, buildings, or the grid—an advancement seen as…

Volvo Trucks France has delivered eleven new electric trucks to transport firm Groupe Malherbe as part of a strategic push to electrify logistics operations supporting its factory and regional supply chains. The new fleet includes nine Volvo FH Electric tractor units equipped with the Aero package and a 4×2 axle configuration, each powered by a 540 kWh battery and delivering 490 kW output. The remaining two are FL Electric two-axle trucks featuring 376 kWh battery capacity and 165 kW power, according to a French media report. A portion of the electric trucks will support factory logistics by delivering parts to…

Indian electric bus operator GreenCell Mobility has announced plans to deploy more than 1,200 electric buses across two states under a recent government tender. The order, awarded by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a government entity, includes 1,222 electric buses to be deployed on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) or wet lease model for public transport services. GreenCell Mobility will operate 472 electric buses across six cities in Madhya Pradesh, a central Indian state, with the vehicles supplied by VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), a joint venture between Volvo Group and India’s Eicher Motors. Details about this fleet are yet to…

California regulators have granted Waymo approval to expand its commercial robotaxi service area south of San Francisco, further widening the reach of Alphabet’s self-driving unit across the Bay Area. The California Public Utilities Commission’s decision will allow Waymo to operate its autonomous ride-hailing service in more communities beyond its current territory. In a post on social media platform X, the company said the approval “won’t change near-term plans,” but it marks a key milestone in its long-term growth strategy. See also: Waymo and Uber Launch Early Access Robotaxi Service in Atlanta https://twitter.com/Waymo/status/1924595146089496654 Waymo currently offers paid driverless rides across approximately…

Bollinger Motors, a U.S. electric truck startup known for its rugged commercial vehicle designs, has been placed in receivership by a federal judge after the company failed to meet its financial obligations. The decision follows months of mounting debt, unpaid wages, and stalled operations, marking a sharp fall for a firm once seen as a rising player in the electric commercial vehicle segment. Based in Oak Park, Michigan, Bollinger Motors had developed several all-electric models, including the B1 SUV, B2 pickup, and B4 electric truck, the latter with a gross vehicle weight rating of 7.2 tonnes. In 2022, the company…

Regent Craft, the U.S.-based developer of electric seagliders, said on Thursday it has expanded its partnership with Florida aviation startup UrbanLink Air Mobility, increasing the latter’s order of its all-electric Viceroy seagliders from 27 to 47 units. The two companies aim to develop a regional transportation network that will enable short-haul electric travel across coastal cities. Deliveries of the seagliders are expected to begin in 2027, when UrbanLink plans to initiate service in South Florida and Puerto Rico. A typical route could include trips such as Miami to West Palm Beach, a 73-mile (117 km) journey that would take about…

California and 16 other states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. federal government, accusing it of unlawfully blocking $5 billion in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure funding allocated by Congress. The funds were part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, established under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to accelerate the deployment of public EV chargers across the country. The complaint, led by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, argues that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) acted illegally when it froze funding earlier this year. The pause, allegedly prompted by directives from former President Donald Trump’s…

Rivian will invest nearly $120 million to construct a 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park adjacent to its Normal, Illinois, manufacturing plant, the company and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced on Monday. The project, supported by a $16 million incentive package from the state, is expected to create close to 100 direct jobs and help attract additional EV suppliers to the region. Construction of the supplier park is already underway and is slated for completion in 2026. The facility will host Rivian’s component suppliers, who will conduct light assembly and manufacturing before transporting parts via a dedicated route across Highway 150 to…

Nissan Motor Co. will cease production at its relatively new factory in Wuhan, China, as part of broader restructuring efforts, the company said, amid persistently low output levels and intensifying competition in the world’s largest auto market. The Japanese automaker, which operates the Wuhan plant in partnership with Dongfeng Motor Group, launched operations at the facility in 2022. The plant currently produces the battery-electric Ariya and the combustion-engine X-Trail SUV. However, the factory has been running at less than 10% of its annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, according to Japanese daily Yomiuri, prompting the decision to shut it down.…

British self-driving technology startup Wayve said on Tuesday it has opened a new testing and development centre in Japan, its first expansion into the Asian market, as it aims to support the advancement of AI-based autonomous driving systems. The new facility, located in the Tokyo area, will be used to test and develop Wayve’s driving software in collaboration with automakers. The company said incorporating data from Japan’s road environments will help improve the generalization of its foundation model and increase adaptability in global markets. See also: Nissan to Integrate Wayve’s Self-Driving Software in Vehicles by 2027 https://twitter.com/wayve_ai/status/1914500274716033435 “As the Japanese…