Author: Theo Dupont

Vattenfall InCharge will begin a pilot programme on 1 August allowing gasoline and diesel vehicles to park at selected public electric vehicle charging spaces in 19 municipalities across the Netherlands without facing penalties. The initiative aims to accelerate the rollout of public charging infrastructure by removing a key administrative hurdle associated with reserving parking spaces exclusively for electric vehicles. Pilot Removes Exclusive Parking Requirement Under the programme, Vattenfall InCharge will install 150 public charging stations in the provinces of North Brabant and Limburg without dedicated EV-only parking restrictions. https://evmagz.com/vattenfall-sells-german-fleet-charging-business-to-edenred-unit/ The company will also deploy another 150 charging stations using the…

Horse Powertrain has introduced a new methanol-powered range-extender system designed for electric vehicles, expanding its portfolio of electrified propulsion technologies with a powertrain that combines a turbocharged combustion engine, generator and power electronics into a single integrated unit. The new D20 Methanol system was unveiled at Auto China 2026 by Horse Powertrain, the joint venture established by Renault and Geely. The company said the powertrain is intended for range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs), in which the combustion engine functions solely as a generator to recharge the traction battery rather than driving the wheels directly. Methanol-Fueled Range Extender According to Horse Powertrain,…

Cupra has introduced a more affordable version of its all-electric Raval compact hatchback in Germany, opening orders for the new Raval Plus ahead of the arrival of the model’s entry-level variant. Priced from €29,850, the Raval Plus combines a 99kW front-mounted electric motor with a 37kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-September. New variant expands Raval lineup The Raval is the first model built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ platform for its next generation of compact electric vehicles. When the model debuted in April, Cupra announced a starting price below €26,000 but initially…

Renault Group has produced more than one million electric vehicles in France since 2010, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion of domestic battery-electric vehicle manufacturing. The automaker said approximately 600,000 of those vehicles have been built at its Electricity production hub in northern France, which includes the Douai and Maubeuge manufacturing facilities. The milestone comes after Renault invested €13 billion (US$14.95 billion) in its French electric vehicle operations since 2021. The company has also committed an additional €13 billion under its futuREady mid-term strategy. Northern France Hub Expands Production Renault said the Electricity manufacturing hub has developed into one…

Peugeot has introduced the E-5008 Dog Edition Concept, a one-off version of its all-electric SUV designed to explore how electric vehicles could better accommodate dog owners through dedicated accessories and software features. Developed in collaboration with the Stellantis Design Studio, the concept is based on the five-seat Peugeot E-5008. The automaker said the vehicle is intended as a design study and is not currently planned for mass production. Concept Focuses on Comfort for Dogs and Owners The E-5008 Dog Edition includes a range of features aimed at making travel with pets more convenient. Among them is a modular dog mat…

Renault has introduced a series of updates to its Master E-Tech Electric van, including a revised battery chemistry, expanded charging capabilities and additional vehicle variants aimed at commercial operators. The most significant technical change is an updated 87kWh battery that retains the same capacity while using a new medium-nickel cell chemistry. Renault said the revised battery is designed to improve thermal management and charging performance without affecting the vehicle’s driving range. The battery cells are supplied by LG Energy Solution, while assembly of the 87kWh battery takes place at Renault’s Batilly manufacturing plant. The Master E-Tech Electric continues to feature…

Chinese automaker BYD made two unsuccessful attempts within two years to acquire a stake in Renault, according to a report published by French financial newspaper Les Échos. The report, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter, said BYD sought an ownership stake in Renault as part of a strategy to gain access to the French automaker’s manufacturing facilities in Europe. According to one source quoted by the newspaper: “There was a desire to take control.” The report said Renault rejected both proposals, maintaining its position of not entering into such ownership arrangements in its core European market. Neither BYD…

Leapmotor has opened order books across Europe for the B03X, its new battery-electric compact car, with prices starting at €24,900 or €239 per month through a lease program without a down payment. The model, which made its European debut earlier this year in Brussels, is positioned as an urban-focused electric crossover and expands Leapmotor’s lineup between the entry-level T03 and the larger B10 and C10 SUVs. Two Battery Options and Up to 382km Range The 4.27-meter B03X is offered with two lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery options and two electric motor outputs. The entry-level Life version combines a 39.8kWh battery…

Alpine has unveiled the A110 Future, a development mule previewing the engineering behind its third-generation A110, which the company says will become the world’s first true electric sports car based on its newly developed Alpine Performance Platform (APP). The prototype will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, taking place from 9 to 12 July, where Alpine will also showcase its expanding range of high-performance electric vehicles. New 800V Platform Targets Lightweight Performance At the core of the A110 Future is the Alpine Performance Platform, an all-new aluminum architecture engineered specifically for electric sports cars. The platform…

Chinese automakers have outsold Japanese brands in Europe’s passenger car market for the first time, highlighting the growing influence of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers despite European Union tariffs of up to 45.3% on Chinese-made battery-electric vehicles. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), five major Chinese brands—BYD, SAIC, Geely, Chery and Leapmotor—sold a combined 138,410 vehicles across 31 European markets in May, an increase of 65% compared with a year earlier. By comparison, Japanese manufacturers Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Suzuki, Mazda and Mitsubishi collectively sold 130,424 vehicles, representing a 3% decline year over year. Chinese EV Makers Continue…

Rosatom has reported a sharp increase in the use of its public electric vehicle charging network as fuel shortages continue to affect parts of Russia, highlighting growing interest in electric mobility during disruptions to conventional fuel supplies. The state-owned nuclear energy company said utilization of its charging infrastructure increased by 40% between 21 June and 28 June, with the network comprising more than 290 public charging points across the country. Fuel Shortages Drive Higher Charging Demand Rosatom attributed the increase in charging activity to ongoing shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel in several Russian regions. According to Reuters, the supply…

Jeep has confirmed that its all-electric Recon EV will launch in Europe in early 2027, reaffirming its commitment to the region despite recent reports questioning the model’s future. Earlier this week, AutoExpress reported that Jeep was no longer planning to introduce the Recon EV in the UK or Europe. However, the company told Electrek that the report was inaccurate and confirmed the electric off-roader remains part of its European product strategy. A Jeep spokesperson said the all-electric Recon is still scheduled to go on sale in Europe in early 2027. Recon EV Still Headed for Europe The Recon EV, an…

Alpine has officially concluded production of the second-generation A110, ending an eight-year manufacturing run at its Dieppe factory as the French performance brand prepares to enter the electric sports car era. The final vehicle, an A110 R 70 finished in the iconic Bleu Alpine paint, marks the end of production for a model that has accounted for 28,701 units since its return to the market in 2017. Final A110 Marks End of an Era Including both the original and modern generations, Alpine has now produced a total of 35,450 A110s at the Manufacture Alpine Dieppe Jean Rédélé since the model…

Vehicle design has overtaken environmental concerns as the leading reason UK consumers choose electric vehicles, according to a survey of more than 1,600 Renault EV owners. The survey, conducted by Renault UK, found that 64% of respondents cited design as the main reason for purchasing an electric Renault, while only 8% said environmental considerations were their primary motivation. Design Drives Purchase Decisions Among owners of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, design proved even more influential, with 71% identifying it as the key factor behind their purchase. Renault said the findings suggest electric vehicles are increasingly being chosen for their styling…

Renault has started deploying Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence assistant to vehicles equipped with its openR link multimedia system, introducing enhanced in-car voice capabilities through an over-the-air software update. The rollout began on June 15, 2026, and is being introduced gradually across Renault’s European lineup and selected international markets. The optional upgrade replaces Google Assistant at no additional cost for compatible vehicles. Gemini Expands In-Car Voice Capabilities According to Renault, Gemini is designed to support more natural conversations by understanding contextual and multi-step requests without requiring drivers to use predefined voice commands. The AI assistant can control a range of vehicle…

The French government will open the third funding round of its subsidized electric vehicle leasing program on July 16, expanding access for lower-income commuters as part of its strategy to accelerate the adoption of battery-electric vehicles. The initiative, known as “leasing social de voitures électriques,” enables eligible drivers to lease electric cars at reduced monthly rates through government-backed subsidies. To qualify, applicants must have a taxable reference income of no more than €16,880 and either commute more than 10 kilometers each day by private vehicle or drive at least 8,000 kilometers annually for work using their own car. The latest…

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a €70 million (US$82.3 million) loan for Dutch public transport operator Qbuzz to support the deployment of 275 battery-electric buses and the expansion of charging infrastructure in the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland. The financing will be matched by an equivalent funding package from Société Générale, providing additional capital to help develop one of the largest battery-electric bus fleets in the Netherlands. Financing Supports Fleet Electrification The new buses will operate under the Zuid-Holland Noord public transport concession, serving cities including Leiden, Alphen aan den Rijn, and Gouda. They will replace conventional diesel buses,…

Volkswagen Group is reportedly considering a far-reaching restructuring programme that could include plant closures, significant workforce reductions and a broader overhaul of its corporate structure, according to Manager Magazin. The publication reported that the proposals were presented by Volkswagen Group CEO Oliver Blume to senior executives during a recent board meeting as part of a strategy presentation outlining the company’s vision through 2030. The report is based on information from sources familiar with the presentation, which has not been made public. Reported Restructuring Measures According to Manager Magazin, Volkswagen could reduce its global workforce by up to 100,000 positions over…

Skoda has unveiled the new Peaq, its largest electric SUV to date, positioning the model as the flagship of the brand’s battery-electric vehicle lineup. Measuring 4.87 metres in length, the Peaq sits above the Enyaq and even exceeds the size of the combustion-powered Kodiaq. The model is designed to accommodate up to seven passengers and targets buyers seeking a spacious family-oriented SUV with long driving range and practical features. Large SUV With Three Powertrain Options The entry-level Peaq 60 starts at €49,900 and is equipped with a 59kWh battery offering a claimed range of more than 450 kilometres on the…

Electric vehicle sales in the European Union continued to accelerate in May 2026, with new battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rising 42.9% year-on-year to more than 203,000 units, according to data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). The result marks the third consecutive month that monthly BEV registrations have exceeded the 200,000-unit threshold, underscoring continued growth in Europe’s electric vehicle market. Electric Vehicles Reach 20% Market Share A total of 203,417 battery-electric passenger cars were registered across the EU in May, broadly matching April’s total of 200,117 units. March remains the strongest month of the year so far, with…