Author: Thomas Schmidt

BMW announced that construction of its high-voltage battery assembly plant in Irlbach-Straßkirchen, Lower Bavaria, is progressing on schedule, with the central production building now completed and technical systems sufficiently advanced to allow the installation of production equipment beginning in June. The facility will serve as a key part of BMW’s plans to manufacture sixth-generation (Gen6) high-voltage batteries for its upcoming electric vehicle lineup. Construction began in April 2024, with the first pillar of the main production hall installed by the end of June that year. “The very good cooperation within the BMW teams and with our partners has made this…

U.S.-based electric vehicle manufacturer Harbinger has entered a long-term supply agreement with Panasonic Energy to source cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells for its medium-duty commercial vehicle platform, the companies said on Friday. Under the deal, Harbinger will integrate Panasonic’s high-performance 2170 battery cells into all of its electric chassis models. These cells, known for their energy density exceeding 800 Wh/l, will power a range of applications including delivery vans, RVs, and emergency response vehicles. Panasonic initially will ship cells from Japan, with plans to localize production at its gigafactory in De Soto, Kansas. See also: Harbinger Begins Production of Medium-Duty EV…

OMV, the partly state-owned Austrian energy company, announced plans to discontinue its public hydrogen refuelling operations in Austria, citing falling demand and a lack of profitability. The company will instead redirect its efforts towards expanding its commitment to electromobility, including the establishment of a fast-charging network across Austria. OMV has already closed its hydrogen station in Vienna and intends to shut down additional stations in Graz, Innsbruck, Asten, and Wiener Neudorf by the end of August 2025. Only one hydrogen station will remain open, but it will not be accessible to the public. The company’s decision marks a significant shift…

Waymo and Toyota have signed a preliminary agreement to explore a possible collaboration on autonomous vehicle development, the Alphabet-owned robotaxi operator said in a blog post. The scope of the potential partnership includes the joint creation of a self-driving platform for ride-hailing and an investigation into integrating Waymo’s autonomous technology into future Toyota consumer vehicles. While the agreement does not constitute a binding partnership, both companies have expressed interest in aligning their efforts around safety and automated driving. “The scope of the collaboration will continue to evolve through ongoing discussions,” Waymo said. See also: Uber and Waymo to Launch Robotaxi…

Mullen Automotive has received an order for 20 units of its all-electric Mullen Three trucks from Cashflow on Wheels, a Houston-based logistics company specializing in last-mile delivery and transportation services. The order, valued at approximately $1.4 million, marks a new partnership aimed at supporting major clients such as FedEx and Amazon. The Mullen Three is classified as a Class 3 vehicle in the United States, featuring a gross vehicle weight of around five tonnes. Delivery of the trucks is scheduled for May, after which Cashflow on Wheels will deploy them for last-mile operations in Texas and Georgia, the companies said…

Electric Era has introduced a new AI-enabled platform aimed at transforming electric vehicle (EV) charging at retail locations such as convenience stores, grocers, and restaurants. The platform, called Retailer AI, integrates voice-activated technology and machine learning to personalize the charging experience, providing concierge-style services and offering new marketing opportunities for businesses. The system is designed to recognize individual vehicles, assess battery status, validate loyalty programs, and suggest promotions, creating a tailored user experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qs7OdxCiwU Through voice-guided assistance, users can access charging updates, locate nearby amenities, place orders, and process payments directly from the charging screen. It also connects to retailers’…

Electric vehicles are proving more dependable than their combustion-engine counterparts, according to a new study by Germany’s largest roadside assistance organization, the ADAC. The organization, which responded to over 3.6 million breakdowns last year, reported that EVs accounted for just 1.2% of total callouts—a figure that strengthens the case for electric reliability as adoption grows. See also: German Study Finds No Elevated Health Risk from Magnetic Fields in Electric Vehicles In 2024, the ADAC said it had sufficient data to draw clear comparisons between propulsion types. The findings showed that among cars registered between 2020 and 2022, electric models experienced…

Volkswagen plans to introduce three concept vehicles at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show as part of its “In China, for China” strategy, with the models highlighting the company’s focus on tailored offerings for the Chinese market. The concepts, developed through its Chinese joint ventures, include two crossovers and one notchback sedan, each designed to appeal to local consumers. While full details have not yet been disclosed, Volkswagen confirmed that one of the crossovers will be an electric vehicle developed by Volkswagen Anhui, and the second—a B-segment SUV featuring a range-extended powertrain—will come from SAIC Volkswagen. FAW-Volkswagen is responsible for the…

The Polestar 3 has been awarded a five-star safety rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), following the latest round of crash and safety tests conducted by the independent body. The electric SUV scored 87% overall, earning high marks across all four testing categories: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Vulnerable Road Users, and Safety Assist. In the Child Occupant category, the vehicle achieved a 93% rating — the highest recorded score in that category for a passenger vehicle in nearly a decade. See also: Polestar Removes Polestar 2 from U.S. Website Amid Tariff Concerns “With a shared safety…

Chinese automaker BYD has expanded its European footprint with the launch of its electric vehicles in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, marking a shift in its regional market strategy. The company is debuting two models — the all-electric Sealion 7 and the plug-in hybrid Seal U DM-i — as it seeks to strengthen its presence in Central Europe. The move diverges from BYD’s earlier approach, which focused on launching the Atto 3, Han, and Tang models in European markets. Last week, the automaker announced a similar entry into Switzerland with the same two models now offered in Slovakia and the…

Daimler Buses has begun customer testing of its upcoming electric intercity bus, the eIntouro, ahead of its world premiere at the Busworld trade fair in Brussels this October. A near-series prototype completed a 380-kilometre round trip in Switzerland and Germany with Eurobus, which will be among the first customers once the vehicle enters production in 2026. The test drive, conducted in early April, followed a regular Eurobus route from Bassersdorf in Switzerland to the Europa-Park in Rust, Germany. Daimler Buses said the eIntouro’s two high-voltage batteries, offering a combined capacity of 414 kWh, had ample reserves to cover the nearly…

Tesla has opened orders for a more affordable version of its updated Model Y Long Range AWD in the United States and Canada, pricing it at $49,000 before incentives, significantly undercutting the previous Launch Edition model. When Tesla introduced the refreshed Model Y in January, only the fully loaded Launch Edition was available, starting at $60,000. That version bundled all premium options, including the $8,000 Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, which is typically optional for most buyers. See also: Tesla Slashes Model Y Prices as U.S. Launch of Juniper Refresh Nears The new non-Launch Edition drops these bundled features, making the…