Author: Sibley Presley

Hyundai and Kia posted their highest-ever first-half sales in the U.S., supported by rising hybrid demand even as sales of fully electric vehicles slowed amid model year updates and evolving buyer preferences. In the first six months of 2025, Hyundai recorded 439,280 vehicle sales, a 10% increase compared to the same period last year. Kia followed with 416,511 units, up 8% year-over-year. Popular models including the Tucson, Elantra, Telluride, and K4 contributed significantly to the growth, especially in their hybrid configurations. Hyundai’s electrified vehicle lineup, which includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles, rose 20% during the period. The…

MG Motor, a subsidiary of China’s SAIC Motor, has unveiled a refreshed version of its MG4 electric hatchback for the Chinese market, with a domestic launch scheduled for September 5. Pre-orders will open a month earlier, on August 5, as the automaker aims to reinvigorate sales at home while building on solid overseas performance. The revised MG4 features modest design and technology upgrades, along with increased dimensions. The vehicle now measures 4,395 mm in length, 1,842 mm in width, and 1,551 mm in height, with a wheelbase extended to 2,750 mm. It retains a rear-mounted 120-kilowatt permanent magnet motor and…

Allego, a leading charging infrastructure operator, has lowered its DC charging rates in the Netherlands to €0.793 per kilowatt-hour, down from €0.864, in a move aimed at making high-power charging more affordable for electric vehicle users. The revised pricing, in effect since 1 July, applies to all DC fast-charging stations, including both high-power chargers (HPCs) rated at 150 kW and above, and slower 50 kW DC units, according to Allego’s mobile app ‘Smoov’. While the company’s announcement referred broadly to a “HPC price reduction,” the updated rate appears to be consistent across all DC stations. “HPC, or High-Power Charging, is…

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has announced an expansion of its Truck Voucher Incentive Program (NYTVIP), adding $53 million in new funding to support the purchase or lease of zero-emission equipment and vehicles, including those used in agriculture, construction, rail, and warehouse operations. The expanded program, which will be open for dealer applications starting July 14, extends eligibility to a broader range of non-road equipment and Class 3 vehicles powered by battery-electric or hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Commercial and municipal fleet operators across the state will be able to apply for vouchers starting in August…

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…