Author: Theo Dupont
Theo Dupont
Theo Dupont is a European electric vehicle industry journalist at evmagz, specializing in coverage of the German and wider European Union EV markets, where policy, manufacturing, and infrastructure intersect at the fastest pace of transformation.
Opel has introduced vehicle-to-load functionality across its electric passenger car lineup, allowing drivers to power external devices directly from their vehicle batteries. The feature is now standard on the Astra Electric, Astra Sports Tourer Electric, Grandland Electric, Mokka Electric, Corsa Electric and Combo Electric, Opel said. Using a dedicated adapter connected to the charging port, the vehicles can provide up to 3.6 kilowatts of output for external devices such as tools, appliances or electric bikes. Opel said the Astra Electric, Astra Sports Tourer Electric, Grandland Electric and Combo Electric come standard with an 11-kW three-phase bidirectional onboard charger. The Mokka…
Cupra unveiled the production version of its Raval electric hatchback, the first model in the Volkswagen Group’s upcoming compact electric vehicle family, with the entry-level variant set to start at 25,950 euros when sales begin this summer. Ahead of the lower-priced launch, Cupra said the Raval will initially be offered in three launch editions priced from 37,250 euros. The Raval joins the planned compact EV lineup alongside the upcoming VW ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq, and is based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB+ platform. Measuring 4.05 meters in length with a 2.60-meter wheelbase, the front-wheel-drive hatchback features styling derived from Cupra’s…
French energy group EDF said it will provide 30 million euros ($32.7 million) in subsidies to help small and medium-sized businesses purchase electric heavy-duty trucks in France, as part of a broader push to accelerate the electrification of road freight transport. The company said the program will offer an average subsidy of 15,000 euros per battery-electric heavy goods vehicle, with the funding available for both purchased and leased trucks. EDF said the grants can be combined with other French support schemes, including CEE and Advenir. The initiative is intended to support the deployment of around 2,000 new electric trucks on…
Kia has started production of its new compact electric SUV, the Kia EV2, at its plant in Žilina, strengthening its European manufacturing footprint as part of its regional electrification strategy. The EV2 becomes the second battery-electric model produced at the Slovakian facility after the Kia EV4, which entered series production in August 2025. Kia said the new model is positioned as its most affordable electric vehicle in Europe to date, aimed at attracting new customer groups. The B-segment SUV made its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show 2026 and has been available to order since mid-March. In Germany, prices…
Citroen will continue competing in the Formula E championship into the upcoming Gen4 era, as parent group Stellantis restructures its brand participation in the all-electric racing series. The announcement follows a recent reshuffle in which DS Automobiles confirmed its withdrawal after eleven seasons, with Opel set to take its place from the 2026/2027 season. Citroen will remain as Stellantis’s second brand in the series. The next phase of the championship will introduce Gen4 race cars capable of delivering up to 600 kW of power, marking a significant technological step from the current Gen3 platform. Citroen only joined Formula E this…
French automaker Renault has initiated a recall affecting certain units of its electric Renault 5 E-Tech and Renault 4 E-Tech models produced between Dec. 12, 2025, and Jan. 28, 2026, following the identification of a defect in a batch of battery cells. According to the European Commission’s safety database, the issue stems from a manufacturing anomaly at a supplier facility that could lead to overheating or charging malfunctions, potentially increasing the risk of fire. “A production anomaly at the supplier’s facility may cause delamination of the anode in a battery cell, where electrode material detaches and can damage the current…
French carmaker Renault has unveiled a new strategic roadmap called “futuREady,” outlining plans to launch dozens of new vehicles by the end of the decade while maintaining a mix of battery-electric and hybrid powertrains. The strategy was presented by chief executive François Provost, who took over leadership of the company last year and has since reversed or restructured several initiatives introduced under former CEO Luca de Meo. Under the new plan, Renault aims to introduce 36 new models globally by 2030, including 22 vehicles for the European market, of which 16 will be fully battery-electric. The announcement follows the earlier…
North Macedonia’s Ministry of Transport of North Macedonia has issued a tender for the procurement of 150 battery-electric buses along with 75 charging stations as part of efforts to modernise public transport and reduce emissions. Under the plan, around 100 of the electric buses will be deployed in the capital, Skopje, while the remaining 50 vehicles will be allocated to other municipalities across the country. The ministry has established a strict timetable for the procurement process. Interested suppliers must submit their bids by 30 March 2026. After the contract is awarded, the selected bidder will be required to deliver 30…
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…