Author: Thomas Schmidt

Co-op Funeralcare has launched a new fleet of electric vehicles (EVs), including an electric hearse, available at select funeral homes across the UK as part of a £9 million investment aimed at promoting sustainability. The electric vehicles, already operational in east London, Briston, and Leeds, are designed to offer clients “a more sustainable travel option when saying goodbye to their loved ones,” according to Co-op Funeralcare. This initiative forms a key component of the company’s broader climate plan, aiming for net zero emissions across its operations by 2040 and a complete transition to electric fleet alternatives by 2035. See also: Brahms…

Chinese construction machinery giant Sany has introduced its first electric excavator, the SY215E, outside China, targeting the European market with a debut in the Netherlands and plans for further expansion across the continent. Designed specifically for European conditions, the medium-sized SY215E boasts cost efficiency, user-friendly operation, impressive performance, and high safety standards, according to Sany. The Netherlands was selected as the initial launch market due to its reputation as a leading adopter of electric technologies. See also: Pony.ai and SANY to develop and produce autonomous trucks in new joint venture The SY215E was unveiled in collaboration with local partner DNL Machine…

China has urged the European Union (EU) to withdraw its preliminary tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) before July 4, reported China’s state-controlled Global Times. The EU plans to impose provisional duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese-made EVs, citing concerns over alleged excessive subsidies provided to Chinese manufacturers. The call for tariff withdrawal comes as both sides agree to resume trade talks, following discussions initiated during a recent visit to China by Germany’s economy minister, where EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and China’s Commerce Minister engaged in talks. See also: EU and China to Initiate Talks on Tariffs for Chinese…

In response to the European Union’s decision to impose higher import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), several Chinese car manufacturers are contemplating retaliatory measures against European imports of large combustion-powered vehicles. The move comes as tensions escalate between the two automotive powerhouses. A closed-door meeting convened by China’s Ministry of Commerce in Beijing included key players such as SAIC, BYD, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Renault, and other Chinese auto manufacturers. The meeting aimed to strategize on pressuring Europe and advocating against the increased EV tariffs. See also: EU to Impose Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Excluding Tesla, in Anti-Subsidy Move…

CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, has implemented organizational changes to elevate the importance of its overseas operations to the same level as its domestic business, according to a report by LatePost. The management at CATL has informed the company’s teams that this restructuring aims to better integrate resources in support of its globalization strategy. As part of the reorganization, CATL has restructured all of its more than 40 factories into domestic and overseas regions, compared to the previous structure of six regions, the report stated. See also: CATL Breaks Ground on Beijing Battery Production Base for BAIC, Xiaomi, and Li…

Magenta Mobility, a leading provider of electric mobility solutions, is deepening its collaboration with Tata Motors by deploying more than 100 electric trucks from the manufacturer, including 60 units of the Ace EV truck and 40 units of the recently launched Ace EV 1000. This expansion follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two companies in October 2023, aiming to deploy 500 units of the Tata Ace EV. The recent deployment of over 100 units is part of Magenta Mobility’s ambitious ‘Ab Ki Baar Dus Hazaar’ program, which targets deploying 10,000 electric vehicles by September 2025. Maxson Lewis, Founder…

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has voiced his opposition to restricting automotive trade, particularly as the European Union (EU) edges closer to imposing tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China. Speaking on Saturday, Scholz emphasized that Germany’s auto industry benefits from its business in China and can compete with Chinese carmakers as long as trade remains “fair and free.” The EU is anticipated to announce tariffs this month targeting Chinese electric cars following an investigation into the country’s EV subsidies. In response, Beijing has hinted at imposing retaliatory duties on EU-made cars with large engines, a move that would disproportionately…

Volkswagen is gearing up to launch its next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) in 2028, based on the upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). The announcement came from Volkswagen CEO Thomas Schäfer during the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the VW Golf. While specific details about the debut model were not disclosed, former Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess suggested that it would likely be an SUV. The SSP platform will serve as a replacement for various existing platforms, including the MQB, MSB, and MLB ICE platforms, as well as the MEB and PPE EV platforms. Originally planned for introduction with a highly…

Swedish electric vehicle (EV) maker Polestar has partnered with Norwegian charging infrastructure manufacturer Zaptec to provide home charging solutions to its European customers. The collaboration brings the Zaptec Go wallbox, along with installation and support services, to Polestar customers in Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway, with plans to expand to other countries in the future. See also: Polestar CEO Criticizes U.S. Tariff Hike, Plans Global Production Diversification Polestar has highlighted that the Zaptec Go wallbox is compatible with all vehicles in its lineup, including the upcoming Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 models, set for their first European customer deliveries this…

Electric vehicle (EV) buyers are experiencing a notable shift in their purchasing dynamics, with lower average costs compared to luxury internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle buyers, according to recent data from Experian and TransUnion. While EV buyers have historically had similar credit profiles to luxury buyers, they are now paying less on average for their vehicles. The average credit score, interest rate, and risk profile of EV buyers align with those of luxury ICE vehicle buyers and have remained consistent over the past few quarters. However, the key difference lies in monthly payments. In the first quarter of this year,…

Ford has commenced the mass production of its all-electric Explorer EV at the electric vehicle assembly plant in Cologne, Germany, following a $2 billion investment that has revitalized one of its most historic facilities into a “factory of the future.” The launch of the Explorer EV, the first vehicle to roll off the production lines at the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, marks a significant milestone for the company’s Model e division and signals a new era for one of the automotive industry’s most iconic brands. Kieran Cahill, Vice President of Manufacturing for Ford in Europe and International Markets Group,…

Northern Irish public transport operator Translink is ushering in a new era of sustainable transportation with the arrival of the first batch of electric buses from local manufacturer Wrightbus. The order of 100 electric buses, the largest of its kind in Northern Ireland, marks a significant step towards Translink’s goal of a zero-emission bus fleet. The initial delivery consists of 40 buses for Ulsterbus, which will serve routes in Derry-Londonderry, Limavady, Strabane, Coleraine, and Portadown. An additional 60 electric buses are destined for the Belfast Metro, a move that will see half of Translink’s bus fleet converted to zero-emission vehicles.…

Hyundai Glovis, the logistics unit of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group, and EcoPro Co., an electric vehicle battery materials producer in South Korea, have announced a partnership to advance their technology and establish a global network for electric vehicle battery recycling. The memorandum of understanding for business cooperation, signed late last month, aims to collaborate on recycling process automation and develop a supply chain management system for used batteries. See also: Chinese LFP Batteries Flood Korean Market, Raising Recycling Concerns Hyundai Glovis, known for handling vehicles from Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. for overseas shipments, also serves global carmakers like…

Stellantis announced on Monday that it would manufacture a hybrid version of its 500e small electric car at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, in response to a slowdown in electric car sales. The decision follows a meeting between Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares and union representatives in Turin, who had been advocating for increased production at Fiat’s historic home with a new, high-volume, and more affordable model. The Mirafiori plant currently produces the 500e model, but due to a global decline in sales of fully electric vehicles, Stellantis has had to significantly reduce production rates, leading to extended furlough periods…

A six-month-long strike against Tesla in Sweden has gained additional momentum this week as Unionen, the country’s largest private trade union, announced its support for the labor effort. Over a dozen unions have already been engaged in simultaneous actions to back IF Metall’s strikes against Tesla. Unionen initiated a blockade against Tesla on Tuesday, targeting workers at DEKRA Industrial AB, a company responsible for inspecting vehicles. The move comes in solidarity with IF Metall’s goal to secure a collective bargaining agreement with Tesla, a stance in direct opposition to Tesla’s historical resistance to unions and organized labor efforts worldwide. Martin…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant BYD has launched its upgraded e-Platform 3.0 Evo, alongside the debut of the first model based on the platform, the Sea Lion 07 EV, at a launch event. The e-Platform 3.0 Evo features a 12-in-1 electric drive system, offering higher integration compared to the previous 8-in-1 system. It supports motors that spin up to 23,000 rpm, the highest speed currently in production according to BYD. The Sea Lion 07 EV, the first model based on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, is a pure electric SUV designed to compete with Tesla’s Model Y. It has a…

Hyundai Motor Co and its affiliate Kia have announced a strategic agreement with Chinese tech giant Baidu to jointly develop technologies for connected cars, focusing on autonomous software, artificial intelligence (AI), and other innovations. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Hyundai and Baidu, the two companies aim to collaborate on the development of connected car technologies. The partnership will focus on enhancing connectivity, advancing self-driving software, and integrating smart cloud computing technology. Additionally, the collaboration will explore new business models leveraging artificial intelligence technologies. “Through the strategic collaboration with Baidu, we will make efforts to establish the ecosystem for…

Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco has secured a new order from Métropole Rouen Normandie for 15 Ebusco 3.0 electric buses, each 18 meters in length. These buses are scheduled to be deployed in and around Rouen starting in 2025. The order, facilitated by the public purchasing union UGAP (Union des Groupements d’Achats Publics), will increase the total number of Ebusco electric buses in Rouen to over 100, according to Ebusco. The new articulated electric buses will feature four double doors and a battery pack with a capacity of more than 500 kWh, allowing them to navigate steep roads and accommodate…

Tesla is gearing up to commence customer deliveries of upgraded Model 3 sedans that were ordered with a black and white interior, according to hints dropped by Tesla watchers and Model 3 buyers online. Recent posts on various online platforms, including X, Facebook, and the Tesla Motors Club, suggest that customers have begun receiving Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) for their white interior vehicles. Screenshots shared online indicate that some buyers who received their VINs today had placed orders for their white interior new Model 3s as far back as January. https://twitter.com/SawyerMerritt/status/1781340798077845801 While this development may seem minor, it could significantly…

The EU Council has adopted the Euro 7 regulation, marking the final step in the decision-making process for defining emission standards and battery durability rules for on-road vehicles. Once signed by the President of the European Parliament and the President of the EU Council, the regulation will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will enter into force 20 days after publication. The exact timeline for signing the regulation is not yet known, but it is expected to be a swift process. The regulation defines three categories for the application of the new standards: 30 months…