Author: Thomas Schmidt

Norway’s Hydro (NHY.OL) announced on Monday that it has agreed to acquire the remaining shares in battery recycler Hydrovolt from Swedish electric vehicle battery maker Northvolt for 78 million Norwegian crowns ($6.79 million). This deal will increase Hydro’s stake in Hydrovolt to 100%, up from the 72% it held previously. Hydro’s move comes after it raised its stake in the joint venture Hydrovolt in October, with Northvolt facing financial challenges, including Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. since November. As part of the acquisition, Hydro stated it is looking for new partnerships to secure long-term financing and support Hydrovolt’s…

BMW is set to usher in a new era for its M series, with the upcoming BMW M3 Electric (ZA0) slated for a 2027 release, marking the brand’s first full electric model in the performance M series. The M3 Electric will launch alongside next-gen G84 models, which will continue to feature combustion engines. The German automaker’s focus on electric powertrains is further highlighted by the upcoming electric-only M4 Coupe, codenamed ZA2, expected to debut in 2029. As part of its electrification strategy, BMW is positioning the M4 Electric Coupe as a fully electric performance model, diverging from the M3 lineup,…

ermany’s electric vehicle (EV) market experienced a dramatic downturn in 2024, with sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) plummeting by 27.4% to 380,609 units. This decline has been attributed to the removal of government subsidies, which had previously played a significant role in stimulating demand for EVs in the country. As a result, the EV market share in Germany fell to 13.5%, down from 18.4% in the previous year. The government’s decision to end EV subsidies in 2023 has left many potential buyers uncertain, with high prices, limited driving ranges, and an underdeveloped charging infrastructure contributing to the market slump. Analysts…

Public transport operator EMT Valencia has secured a €69 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB) to purchase 145 electric buses and the necessary infrastructure, as part of its plan to modernize the city’s fleet. The new buses will replace older vehicles that are nearing the end of their useful life. The loan also covers investments in infrastructure, including the installation of new fire safety systems, IT systems, and additional parking spaces for existing garages. EMT Valencia’s long-term strategy involves expanding its electric bus fleet to 527 vehicles by 2028, with an additional €172 million investment plan. This plan…

Austrian charge point operator (CPO) Smatrics EnBW installed around 250 ultra-fast chargers last year, bringing its high-power charging (HPC) network to 400 stations nationwide. The company aims to grow its network by at least 50% in 2025 and has announced plans to introduce dynamic daily pricing for electric vehicle charging. Smatrics EnBW plans to add 200 ultra-fast chargers in 2025, each capable of delivering up to 400 kW. This expansion aligns with its goal to operate at least 600 charging stations by the end of the year. The company has shifted from installing a minimum of four chargers per location…

Contargo, a container logistics company, has integrated 20 Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks into its operations, following the start of series production of the electric long-haul vehicle. The delivery, completed on December 20, is part of Contargo’s broader strategy to gradually transition its fleet toward electric vehicles. The new trucks will be used across Contargo’s logistics network, which connects ports to customers in Germany and neighboring countries, including the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Poland, and Switzerland. The eActros 600 delivery increases the company’s electric truck fleet to 60 vehicles, with plans to expand to 90 by mid-2025. Contargo highlighted the vehicle’s potential…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Jiyue is on the verge of collapse despite backing from technology giant Baidu and automotive conglomerate Geely. With mounting financial difficulties and slow sales, the company is struggling to avoid the fate of other failed Chinese automakers in recent years. Initially formed as a joint venture between Baidu and Geely, Jiyue’s ownership structure was later restructured, granting Geely a 65% stake and leaving Baidu with 35%. The company launched its first model, the Jiyue 01, last year as a competitor to the Tesla Model Y, followed by the award-winning Jiyue 07 sedan. However, despite positive design…

Dekra, a testing organization, has completed over 25,000 ‘state-of-health’ tests using its rapid battery test procedure, which reveals that electric vehicle (EV) batteries are generally more durable than some consumers may expect. The test, which was introduced in 2022, is available for around 130 vehicle models and is offered in multiple European countries. The process takes about 15 minutes, involving a static test and a short acceleration drive, to evaluate the battery’s condition. The procedure is based on parameterization for individual vehicle models, which allows for detailed analysis of battery health. “This creates a kind of coordinate structure that our…

Mercedes-Benz’s advanced DRIVE PILOT autonomous driving system has been approved by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), paving the way for its deployment in the EQS SUV and S-Class sedans. The system, designed for highly automated driving, will be available for purchase in Germany starting in spring 2025, with a price tag of €5,950 (VAT included). The latest iteration of DRIVE PILOT allows operation on German roads at speeds of up to 95 km/h under specific conditions, including flowing traffic on the 13,191-kilometer Autobahn network. Notably, the system permits drivers to take their eyes off the road for tasks like…

Engwe has launched its latest all-terrain electric bike, the M1, in Europe, offering two versions for different markets. The EU version features a single battery with an assistance range of up to 90 km (~56 miles), while the international version, equipped with dual batteries, provides a longer range of up to 170 km (~106 miles). Both versions of the Engwe M1 are powered by a 250W 65Nm hub motor and are capped at a top speed of 25 kph (~16 mph). Riders can enjoy added comfort thanks to front and rear suspension, as well as 20 x 4.0 inches fat…

Stellantis’ premium brand, DS Automobiles, has officially introduced its new flagship model, the DS N°8, an all-electric SUV coupé that aims to redefine the luxury electric vehicle (EV) market. This new model will be the first from DS to launch exclusively with an electric powertrain and is set to offer impressive features, including a WLTP range of up to 750 kilometres. The vehicle will be available to order from early 2025, with a market launch expected around mid-2025. At 4.82 metres in length, the DS N°8 is slightly longer than the Tesla Model Y (4.75 metres), but it is still…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled $735 million in funding aimed at accelerating the adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles across the country. The funding, which will benefit a total of 70 applicants, is part of the agency’s ‘Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program.’ Notably, approximately 70 percent of the allocated funds will be directed toward replacing traditional school buses with zero-emission alternatives. This funding announcement marks the first distribution of subsidies through the EPA’s new program, established under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), to support the transition to cleaner transportation. The funds are expected to replace over 2,400…