Author: Thomas Schmidt

German public transport operator KVG Lippe has installed its first electric bus charging depot using equipment from Finnish manufacturer Kempower, the companies said on Wednesday. The site includes 12 DC charging points delivering a combined output of 1,350 kW, with additional locations set to follow. The installation, located at the Motzek travel service premises in Lage, east of Bielefeld, uses Kempower’s modular system of separate power units and slim charging satellites designed to minimise space requirements — often a key factor when electrifying existing bus depots. See also: Kempower Installs Norway’s First Megawatt-Capable Charging Facility for ASKO Trucks KVG Lippe…

Germany has adopted a legal amendment that removes multiple charging of electricity used in bidirectional systems, a shift industry experts say could reshape the economics of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. On Thursday evening, the Bundestag approved the “Draft Act Amending Energy Industry Law to Strengthen Consumer Protection in the Energy Sector and Amending Further Energy Regulations,” a wide-ranging update to electricity and gas market rules spanning more than 250 pages. See also: Germany Yet to Finalise Electric Vehicle Subsidy Plan for Low- and Middle-Income Households An amendment included in the final resolution of the Committee on Economic Affairs and Energy—found on…

Mercedes-Benz has introduced a significant price reduction for its flagship Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV, with new incentives cutting the cost by $50,000 — the largest factory discount currently offered on any Mercedes-Benz model. According to CarsDirect, the automaker nearly doubled the savings from last month’s $30,000 offer, bringing the luxury electric SUV’s effective price down from $181,050 to around $131,000. See also: Mercedes-Benz Opens Orders for New CLA Hybrid Range in Europe, Starting at €46,243 The 2025 Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 combines high-end materials and technology aimed at the brand’s most exclusive clientele. The model features reclining and massaging rear seats,…

Rivian Automotive said on Friday it has approved a new 10-year compensation plan for Chief Executive RJ Scaringe worth as much as $4.6 billion, in a move mirroring Tesla’s landmark pay package for CEO Elon Musk. The deal aims to retain Scaringe and incentivize long-term profitability as the U.S. electric vehicle maker pushes toward sustained growth. The plan replaces a previous 2021 package that Rivian said was unlikely to be met, setting lower share price milestones and updated operational targets. Scaringe’s new award includes options to buy up to 36.5 million shares of Rivian’s Class A stock at $15.22 per…

British electric vehicle infrastructure provider EO Charging said it has raised £25 million in a shareholder-led recapitalisation and expanded its debt facility with HSBC, as the company completes its planned exit from the US market to concentrate on commercial fleet charging in the UK and Europe. The financing follows a strategic restructuring that included the sale of EO’s domestic charger hardware and manufacturing business to Cogent Technologies, part of the Heathpatch Group. See also: Kempower and EO Charging Install Over 300 Electric Bus Charging Points Across UK EO said it will now focus on “software, services and infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) for…

Waymo, the autonomous driving division of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is set to expand its robotaxi service to three additional U.S. cities — Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego — in 2026, as part of a broader push to scale its operations. With these additions, the company is poised to operate in a dozen U.S. markets, plus London, which will be its first international city. The expansion follows Waymo’s recent announcement of its entry into London and comes as competition in the autonomous ride-hailing sector intensifies. The company currently offers around 250,000 autonomous trips per week across five U.S. cities…

Vulcan Energy has received approval to build its commercial Lithium Extraction Plant (LEP) in Landau, Germany, marking a major step toward establishing a sustainable European lithium supply chain for electric vehicles. The German-Australian company said the city of Landau granted permission to build the facility in the D12 industrial zone, complementing existing permits for its geothermal power plant and substation. According to Vulcan, it now holds “all necessary permits to construct the combined geothermal and lithium extraction plant (G-LEP) in Landau.” The facility’s first phase will produce several thousand tonnes of lithium chloride, which will be transported to Frankfurt-Höchst for…

BMW has become one of the first European automakers to gain approval under the new Driver Control Assistance Systems (DCAS) regulation, allowing it to offer its motorway assistant for the iX3 electric SUV in up to 60 countries without separate national approvals. The DCAS regulation, introduced by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), establishes an international legal framework for Level 2 driver assistance systems — technologies that continuously assist in steering and speed control but require drivers to remain alert and ready to intervene. See also: BMW iX3 Passes 100,000-Kilometer Long-Term Test with Strong Results Once approved by…

Germany’s automotive industry association VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie) has proposed an unconventional approach to keep plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) relevant after 2035, when the European Union plans to allow only zero-emission vehicles. The association suggests introducing a mandatory charging system that would restrict combustion engine performance if the vehicle is not regularly charged. VDA President Hildegard Müller told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the proposal is intended to “motivate PHEV drivers to drive electric more often,” thereby ensuring the vehicles deliver real-world environmental benefits. See also: Germany Yet to Finalise Electric Vehicle Subsidy Plan for Low- and Middle-Income Households Under the plan,…

China’s BYD has unveiled refreshed versions of three hybrid models from its Song and Qin lineups, aiming to strengthen its position in an increasingly competitive domestic market. The updates come as rival Geely Auto continues to expand its Galaxy sub-brand, intensifying pressure in the hybrid and plug-in segment. The new lineup includes the 2026 Song Pro DM-i hybrid SUV, Song L DM-i hybrid SUV, and Qin L DM-i hybrid sedan. Each model features extended electric ranges and improved efficiency, reflecting BYD’s efforts to enhance the appeal of its dual-mode hybrid (DM-i) technology. See also: BYD to Phase Out Song Plus…

Porsche has inaugurated its ninth Charging Lounge in Evendorf/Nordheide, Lower Saxony, providing Taycan and Macan drivers with high-speed charging, a premium environment, and digital access through the My Porsche app. The lounge, located near the A7 autobahn, is designed to serve both business and leisure travelers. The facility features six DC charging points capable of delivering up to 400 kW, enabling a Taycan to reach 80% charge in just 18 minutes and a Macan in 21 minutes, even when all stations are occupied. See also: Porsche Develops Inductive 11 kW Wireless Charging System for Cayenne Electric The lounge operates 24/7…

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport has released a draft of its Masterplan Charging Infrastructure 2030, presenting a comprehensive strategy to expand and modernize the country’s electric vehicle charging network. The plan, which also covers charging solutions for heavy-duty vehicles, is now open for stakeholder consultation before being finalized. Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder said the new framework aims to accelerate deployment, reduce regulatory barriers, and enhance user convenience. “The Masterplan Charging Infrastructure 2030 is our new roadmap to ensure that everyone who wants to charge can charge,” Schnieder said, emphasizing that cooperation among government bodies, businesses, and citizens will be…