Author: Thomas Schmidt

Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a new agreement to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for future commercial aircraft, reinforcing their commitment to zero-emission aviation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines a phased approach to maturing the technology and aligning development strategies between the two European aerospace companies. The collaboration focuses on hydrogen fuel cell systems as a key component of next-generation electric aircraft under Airbus’ ZEROe programme, which aims to introduce a hydrogen-powered airliner by the mid-2030s. Although industry observers expect delays to that timeline, Airbus has already made progress, having developed a 1.2-megawatt…

UK forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group (MFG) will expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure within the M25 by 30% in 2025, as part of a broader effort to meet growing demand in the capital’s urban areas. The rollout includes seven new ultra-rapid EV Power Hubs and expansion at three existing sites. Each new hub will feature chargers rated between 300 kW and 400 kW, providing fast charging for high-utilisation EV drivers. “By expanding existing sites and bringing new hubs online, we are ensuring EV drivers have access to the ultra-rapid facilities they need,” said Martin Symes, Director of EV at…

Helm.ai, a California-based artificial intelligence startup, has introduced a new perception system called Helm.ai Vision, aimed at enabling urban environment recognition for vehicles equipped with Level 2+ and Level 3 driver assistance features. The technology is expected to debut in Honda’s upcoming 0 Series of electric vehicles starting in 2026. Helm.ai Vision is designed to function without the extensive use of HD maps or lidar sensors, relying instead on a multi-camera vision system and real-time 3D object recognition. The software supports highly automated driving features, allowing vehicles to navigate complex urban conditions such as dense traffic, changing road surfaces, and…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, has appointed its first-ever chief financial officer, a move that could signal renewed momentum toward a potential initial public offering (IPO). Du Chao, a former Deutsche Bank executive with a decade of experience in overseas IPOs and cross-border mergers, has been named vice president and CFO, the company confirmed to Sina Tech. Du’s appointment is seen by analysts as a key step in professionalizing the company’s financial operations ahead of a possible public listing. “This is a normal talent recruitment move,” the company said, noting that Xpeng Aeroht…

Clever, Denmark’s largest charging point operator, has signed a partnership agreement with Dutch firm PowerGo, expanding access to more than 1,000 additional EV charging points across the country. The move aims to strengthen Clever’s network and offer users more flexibility in where and when they charge. As part of the agreement, Clever customers enrolled in the Clever One program will be able to use PowerGo’s Danish charging network at no extra cost. PowerGo, which currently operates nearly 1,000 charging points in Denmark — including 65 fast and ultra-fast chargers — has also won tenders for the installation of another 1,600…

A unit of Xiaomi has secured a 50-year lease on a 485,134-square-metre plot of land in Beijing for 635 million yuan ($88 million), the city’s planning regulator said Thursday, as the tech giant pushes forward with its smart electric vehicle (EV) expansion. The new plot is located near the second phase of Xiaomi’s existing EV factory and will be used for a smart connected car and components project, according to Beijing’s municipal planning and natural resources commission. The land acquisition comes as the second phase of the EV factory, covering 531,130 square metres, nears completion. That project was awarded to…

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) and Chinese technology firm Huawei signed a new strategic cooperation agreement on Monday in Hefei, deepening their partnership in intelligent electric vehicles, the companies announced. The deal builds on a collaboration first announced in December 2023, under which the two firms jointly developed a new ultra-luxury EV brand, Maextro. The agreement will further integrate Huawei’s intelligent vehicle technologies—such as assisted driving systems, intelligent cockpits, and in-vehicle communications—into JAC’s next-generation models. The announcement comes as their first joint model, the Maextro S800 luxury electric sedan, continues to gain market momentum. Launched on May 30 with a…

Tesla has taken the top four positions in the 2025 American-Made Index (AMI) by Cars.com, with the Model 3 crowned the most “American-made” vehicle for the year. The annual index evaluates vehicles based on key criteria such as final assembly location, domestic parts content, and U.S. manufacturing workforce. Tesla, which builds all four of its light-duty passenger vehicles in California and Texas, has consistently ranked high since entering the list five years ago. Electric vehicles dominated the top tier of this year’s ranking. In addition to Tesla’s sweep of the top four, the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 secured the…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) launched its first models in Hong Kong on Thursday, continuing its global expansion with the introduction of the T03 compact electric vehicle and the C10 SUV. The company announced the start of local pre-sales at the 2025 Hong Kong auto show, offering the right-hand drive T03 at a starting price of HK$99,900 ($12,728), and the C10 at HK$199,900. Leapmotor currently offers six models in mainland China—T03, B10, C01, C10, C11, and C16—with all except the T03 and B10 available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions.…

Rheinmetall, the German technology group, has signed a high-value supply contract with a major North American truck manufacturer to provide high-voltage coolant pumps for battery-electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The double-digit million-euro agreement will see Rheinmetall deliver a mid-six-figure volume of its CWA 2000 coolant pumps starting in 2028, with deliveries set to continue through 2035. The contract underscores Rheinmetall’s growing presence in the e-mobility sector, as commercial vehicle manufacturers scale up electrification strategies. The unnamed customer, described only as a “renowned” player in the North American truck market, selected Rheinmetall’s CWA 2000 system based on its advanced technical profile…

Swiss measurement specialist LEM has introduced a compact high-voltage battery sensor for electric vehicles that combines shunt and Hall-effect technologies into a single unit. The innovation, called the Hybrid Supervising Unit (HSU), is designed to streamline battery management system (BMS) architectures while improving safety and reducing cost. Typically used separately, shunt sensors handle high-current measurement, while Hall-effect sensors provide magnetic field detection with galvanic isolation. LEM’s new HSU merges both technologies within a standard shunt footprint, marking what it claims is a market first. “The HSU represents a significant innovation in sensor technology, being the first to combine shunt and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast reported its sixth consecutive quarterly net loss on Monday, as the company continues to scale up production and invest heavily in global expansion efforts despite mounting challenges. The company posted a net loss of $712.4 million for the first quarter, narrowing from a $1.3 billion loss in the previous three months, but still 20% higher than the year-ago period. Analysts had expected a smaller loss of $616.3 million, according to LSEG data. Revenue surged 150% year-on-year to $656.5 million, beating estimates of $520 million. VinFast delivered 36,330 vehicles in the quarter, marking a near 300%…