Author: Theo Dupont

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…

Renault has unveiled an updated version of the Mégane E-Tech Electric, introducing design revisions, a larger battery pack, faster charging capabilities, and an extended driving range. The facelift arrives just a year after the model’s previous update and retains the existing 160 kW front-wheel-drive powertrain while focusing on improvements in efficiency, charging performance, and connectivity. Larger Battery Extends Driving Range The updated Mégane E-Tech Electric now features a battery with 67 kWh of usable capacity, replacing the previous 60 kWh unit. As a result, the model’s WLTP driving range increases from up to 461 kilometers to as much as 500…

Renault and Software République have introduced a new urban data collection platform called cleveR insights, designed to help municipalities and public agencies gather and analyze real-time information on city infrastructure and environmental conditions. The system is built around the battery-electric Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric and is intended to serve as a mobile platform for collecting urban data while operating in everyday city environments. Electric Vehicle Equipped With Sensors and Cameras The cleveR insights platform uses a modified Twingo E-Tech Electric fitted with a roof-mounted module containing cameras and sensors. As the vehicle travels through urban areas, the system can collect…

Genesis Motor Europe has announced plans to expand into four additional European markets in 2027, continuing the luxury brand’s renewed growth strategy across the region. The Hyundai-owned premium marque confirmed that Austria, Denmark, Poland and Portugal will join its European network next year, increasing its presence to 11 countries across the continent. The expansion follows Genesis’ planned entry into Spain in the fourth quarter of 2026 and comes after the brand resumed its European rollout earlier this year. Renewed European Growth Genesis first entered Europe in 2021 with launches in Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. After a period of…

Transport for London (TfL) has placed its 3,000th zero-emission bus into service, marking a major milestone in the capital’s transition to cleaner public transport and reinforcing London’s position as a leader in sustainable urban mobility. The milestone vehicle, a battery-electric double-decker built by Wrightbus, will operate on Route 165 between Romford and Rainham from Stagecoach London’s Rainham depot. The bus forms part of a wider order for more than 120 zero-emission vehicles from the Northern Ireland manufacturer. Once the full fleet is delivered, six additional routes operating from the Rainham depot will transition to zero-emission operation. To support the expansion,…

Opel has confirmed that the next-generation Astra will continue to be produced at its Rüsselsheim plant in Germany, as part of a broader commitment by Stellantis to invest more than €1 billion ($1.16 billion) in its German operations by 2030. The announcement reinforces Rüsselsheim’s role as a key production and development hub within Stellantis while also outlining plans for new electric vehicle programs based on the group’s next-generation STLA ONE architecture. Alongside the Astra, Opel confirmed that the next-generation Corsa will also transition to the STLA ONE platform, which is expected to play an increasingly important role across several Stellantis…

Volkswagen Group has started production of the Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval at its Martorell plant in Spain, marking the launch of the first vehicles in the company’s new Electric Urban Car Family. The two battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are designed to expand affordable electric mobility in Europe and represent the first of several entry-level electric models planned by the group. Affordable Electric Mobility Volkswagen opened order books for the ID. Polo and Cupra Raval in April. The ID. Polo starts at €24,995 ($29,000), while the Cupra Raval is priced from approximately €26,000 ($30,100). Led by Seat and Cupra, the…

Stellantis has confirmed plans to invest more than €1 billion in its Mulhouse manufacturing plant in eastern France, where it will produce three new Peugeot models based on the group’s upcoming STLA One platform beginning in 2029. The announcement follows comments made last week by French President Emmanuel Macron, who revealed the investment as part of France’s broader industrial and electrification strategy. The project is expected to strengthen the future of the Mulhouse facility, which employs approximately 4,500 people and currently manufactures several Peugeot and DS models. New Peugeot Models Planned According to Stellantis, the Mulhouse plant will produce three…

Tesla reported strong registration growth across several European markets in May, supported by rising demand for its vehicles and a recovery from weaker year-earlier results. Registration data released by national automotive associations showed significant year-on-year increases in France, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and Norway, indicating improved momentum for the U.S. electric vehicle maker in the region. The gains follow a challenging period in 2025, when Tesla faced increased competition and temporary production disruptions linked to the rollout of the updated Model Y. France Records Largest Increase France posted Tesla’s strongest performance among the reported markets. The automaker registered 5,446 vehicles in…

Infineon Technologies has unveiled a new 1300 V silicon carbide (SiC) power module for electric vehicle inverters, introducing the first HybridPACK Drive module capable of continuous operation at temperatures of up to 205°C. According to the company, the new module raises the maximum operating temperature by 30°C compared with the 175°C industry standard while delivering up to 15% higher output current than existing SiC designs. Higher Temperature Capability Expands Design Flexibility The new power module is designed to improve the performance and efficiency of electric vehicle drivetrains by allowing operation at significantly higher temperatures. Infineon said the increased thermal tolerance…

BMW has opened the configurator for the new iX3 40, the rear-wheel-drive entry-level version of its first Neue Klasse electric vehicle, with prices starting at €63,400 in Germany. The launch broadens the appeal of BMW’s next-generation electric SUV range by introducing a more affordable variant alongside the iX3 50 xDrive, which has already entered customer deliveries. Priced €7,500 below the all-wheel-drive model, the iX3 40 is intended to showcase the efficiency and performance of BMW’s sixth-generation eDrive technology in a single-motor configuration. The electric drive unit, integrated into the rear axle, delivers 235 kW of power and 500 Nm of…

France unveiled a national electrification strategy aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels and strengthening domestic industry, with President Emmanuel Macron announcing that Stellantis plans to invest more than €1 billion in a new generation of electric vehicle production at its Mulhouse plant beginning in 2029. Macron presented the roadmap during the “Réunion de l’équipe de France de l’électrification” at the Élysée Palace, where government officials and industry representatives gathered to discuss the country’s energy transition and industrial development plans. One of the strategy’s main goals is to reduce the share of fossil fuels in France’s energy mix from 60%…