Author: Theo Dupont

The Swiss city of Schaffhausen is extending its transition to battery-electric public transport from urban routes to regional bus services, with construction of charging infrastructure now underway for a new fleet of electric buses. Local operator Verkehrsbetriebe Schaffhausen (vbsh) has ordered 13 battery-electric eCitaro buses from Daimler Buses to replace diesel vehicles on regional lines. The vehicles are expected to be standard 12-metre models capable of carrying up to 88 passengers. The move follows the city’s earlier shift toward electric urban transport. Due to major construction works in the city centre, vbsh has accelerated the retirement of its trolleybuses from…

Electric vehicle charging operator Allego and ride-hailing company Uber have agreed to offer drivers in the Netherlands discounts of up to 50% per kilowatt-hour at Allego’s nationwide high-power charging (HPC) network, with eligibility limited to off-peak periods. Under the arrangement, reduced rates apply outside designated peak hours, which for the winter season are set between 10:00 and 17:00. This means Uber drivers can access discounted charging after 17:00 and before 10:00 the following day. Allego said the schedule reflects “typical charging habits before or after work,” though time windows may change with the seasons. Standard pricing for DC charging in…

Dacia is likely to manufacture its ultra-compact Hipster electric car in China by the end of 2027, according to a French media report, as the Renault-controlled brand seeks to expand its portfolio of low-cost battery vehicles. French outlet Auto Infos reported that while final approval for series production has not yet been granted, a decision is expected soon. Dacia CEO Katrin Adt indicated strong internal support for the project, saying, “We are highly motivated; now we just need to press the start button.” She added that “once the decision is made, development will take just eighteen months.” If production were…

Audi has unveiled the new RS5 as the top performance model in its A5 range, introducing a plug-in hybrid powertrain and discontinuing the coupé body style in favor of sedan and wagon variants. The latest RS5 replaces the previous RS4 in Audi’s performance lineup, following the company’s brief renaming strategy that aligned model numbers differently for electric and combustion vehicles. The new generation marks the first time the RS5 badge has been applied to an estate model and the first high-performance plug-in hybrid developed by Audi Sport. Power comes from a combination of a 2.9-litre V6 biturbo petrol engine producing…

Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 25.3% of all new car registrations in France in January, as government-backed leasing incentives spurred demand despite an overall decline in the broader auto market, industry association Avere France said. A total of 33,302 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered during the month, marking a 50% increase compared with a year earlier. Passenger cars made up the bulk of the figure at 30,594 units, alongside 2,708 light commercial vehicles. The surge lifted the EV share of new registrations to roughly one in four vehicles. See also: Genesis Launches in France With All-Electric Lineup “The year 2026 began…

Hyundai Motor’s luxury division Genesis has entered the French market, marking its fifth European presence after Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Italy, as the brand accelerates its regional expansion with an all-electric portfolio. At launch, Genesis is introducing three battery-electric models in France: the GV60 compact crossover, the Electrified GV70 mid-size SUV, and the Electrified G80 luxury sedan. Unlike in Germany, where combustion-engine variants are still available, the brand will not offer internal combustion vehicles in France or Italy for now, signaling a stronger commitment to electrification in those markets. Genesis is coordinating its European growth from its regional…

The Greater Paris transport authority Île-de-France Mobilités has launched the fully electric Tzen 4 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, introducing high-capacity vehicles operating largely on dedicated lanes in the southern suburbs of the French capital. The 14-kilometre route connects Viry-Châtillon and Corbeil-Essonnes and will gradually replace Line 402, one of the busiest bus routes in the region. Officials expect the new service to carry more than 47,000 passengers daily. Tzen 4 is operated with 30 battery-electric double-articulated buses measuring 24 metres in length and capable of transporting about 140 passengers—significantly more than the 100-passenger capacity of the previous fleet. The…

BYD has introduced the ATTO 3 EVO for European markets, bringing an 800-volt electrical architecture, higher charging performance and an available all-wheel-drive configuration to its compact electric SUV lineup. The updated model transitions to BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 and is expected to begin deliveries in spring 2026. The ATTO 3 EVO is available in two trims: rear-wheel-drive Design and all-wheel-drive Excellence. Both variants use a 74.8 kWh Blade Battery with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and Cell-to-Body (CTB) integration, which forms part of the vehicle’s structural platform. The 800V system enables DC fast charging at up to 220 kW, allowing the…

Renault is planning to buy out stakes held by Volvo Group and shipping firm CMA CGM in their electric van joint venture Flexis, French newspaper Le Monde reported on Monday, citing a strategic review of the business as market growth has fallen short of expectations. According to the report, Renault would take full control of Flexis, a venture set up in 2023 to develop electric vans, although the price negotiated for the partners’ exit was not disclosed. Le Monde added that an asset impairment related to the transaction could appear in Renault’s financial results due on Feb. 19. See also:…

Renault plans to assemble a new small electric vehicle motor in France using components supplied by Chinese manufacturer Shanghai e-drive, the carmaker confirmed, as it seeks to reduce costs and defend margins in a subdued European market. A Renault spokesperson said the motor would be assembled domestically despite relying on Chinese-sourced parts, underscoring the growing role of Chinese suppliers in Europe’s electric vehicle supply chains. The plan was first reported by L’Argus and follows earlier reporting by Reuters on Renault’s efforts to rein in EV production costs. See also: Renault Plans to Reintegrate EV Unit Ampere After Abandoned IPO Renault…

Croatia has approved funding for seven additional electric bus projects, enabling the deployment of 68 new battery-electric buses and bringing the total supported fleet under a national subsidy programme to 206 vehicles across 17 municipalities, according to the government. The Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure said it had issued the final funding decisions under its Programme for the Procurement of Vehicles with Alternative Drivetrains for Public Local and Regional Transport, as reported by Balkan Green Energy News. The programme has a total budget of €163 million and is co-financed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan using European…

The French municipal association of Saint-Nazaire has placed 25 battery-electric articulated buses from Iveco Bus into service, with a further 15 vehicles due to be delivered between 2027 and 2030 as part of a broader public transport modernisation effort. The newly deployed vehicles are E-Way Linium articulated buses operating on the electric bus rapid transit (BRT) lines of the Stran network. The BRT corridors feature elements such as dedicated lanes and priority at traffic lights to improve reliability and journey times. A central feature of the buses is their roof-mounted pantograph systems, which allow opportunity charging at terminal stops during…