Author: Thomas Schmidt

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL plans to double testing capacity at its Arnstadt site in Germany by early 2026, further strengthening its position in Europe’s growing electric vehicle supply chain. The expansion will make the facility one of the largest battery cell testing centres on the continent. CATL began producing battery cells in Arnstadt at the end of 2022, marking its first European cell manufacturing site. The facility, which also includes a testing and validation centre certified by Volkswagen, supplies batteries for vehicles such as the Porsche Macan produced in Leipzig and the Audi Q6 e-tron assembled in Ingolstadt. See also:…

Italian automation group Comau has taken an investment stake in Intecells to accelerate the industrial adoption of cold plasma technology in battery cell production. The collaboration follows an initial phase in which Comau supported the commercialization of Intecells’ patented process. The technology is designed to improve cell performance while lowering investment costs, CO₂ emissions, and energy consumption during production. The companies plan to integrate cold plasma into existing production lines and validate it with customer partners. See also: Comau Opens Dry Room Laboratory in Italy to Advance Battery Cell Innovation “This new initiative reflects our broader commitment to investing in…

Lucid is once again facing criticism over its lease return process, with several customers alleging inconsistencies and excessive wear-and-tear charges. The issue comes months after the automaker acknowledged problems in its lease assessment procedures. In August, Lucid admitted its lease return evaluations had lacked consistency, with some customers being billed unexpected amounts for minor issues. Two months later, reports suggest little improvement. At least two owners have come forward with complaints, one of whom has filed a grievance with the California Department of Financial Protection & Innovation. See also: Lucid Delivers Record 4,078 Vehicles in Q3 2025, Production Reaches 3,891…

Tesla has introduced a discount of nearly $5,000 on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised software for eligible vehicles in Australia and New Zealand, one month after the feature’s regional launch. According to listings on Tesla Australia’s inventory page, in-stock cars equipped with FSD Supervised now show a price reduction of $4,940. The offer is promoted on Tesla’s website with the banner: “Enjoy savings on eligible inventory vehicles when purchased with Full Self-Driving (Supervised).” Vehicles eligible for the discount are marked with a blue FSD logo for easier identification. See also: U.S. Regulator Probes 2.9 Million Tesla Vehicles Over Full Self-Driving…

Volkswagen Anhui, the German automaker’s majority-owned Chinese joint venture, has filed for approval of a new electric sedan, the ID.UNYX 07, as part of its efforts to broaden its product portfolio in the world’s largest electric vehicle market. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has included the model in its latest catalog of vehicles eligible for sale, open for public comment from October 10 to 15. Approval in this list is typically the final regulatory step before official market entry. The ID.UNYX 07 appears under model code VWA70002BEV1. See also: Volkswagen Anhui Shifts from MEB to CEA Architecture…

The German government plans to reintroduce subsidies for electric car purchases, focusing on low- and middle-income households, Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil said on Thursday following overnight coalition committee talks. The programme will be financed with around €3 billion from the Climate and Transformation Fund and the EU Social Fund. Klingbeil, who also leads the Social Democratic Party (SPD), described the measure as a “reallocation” of funds that would not affect the overall federal budget. “We want to support those who otherwise would not be able to afford the switch to zero-emission mobility,” he said, adding that the initiative aims to make…

The German government plans to extend the vehicle tax exemption for electric cars until 2035, Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said, reviving a measure that had faced uncertainty due to budget constraints. “In order to get many more electric cars on the road in the coming years, we need to provide the right incentives now. That is why we will continue to exempt electric cars from vehicle tax,” Klingbeil told the German Press Agency (DPA). See also: Germany Drafts Rules to Put EV Bidirectional Charging on Equal Footing With Home Batteries Under the proposal, the exemption would apply to newly…

Stellantis is preparing to invest roughly $10 billion in the United States over the next several years as part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at revitalizing its struggling brands and operations, Bloomberg reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter. The French-Italian-American automaker could announce around $5 billion in fresh investment in the coming weeks, in addition to a similar amount allocated earlier this year, according to the report. The investments may support plant reopenings, new hiring, and vehicle model launches in states including Illinois and Michigan. See also: Stellantis Deepens Partnership With Mistral AI to Scale Artificial…

Swedish technology company Einride, which provides digital, electric, and autonomous solutions for road freight, said on Wednesday it has raised about $100 million in a funding round from a mix of existing and new investors. The capital will support the company’s next phase of growth, including scaling its autonomous freight solutions, deepening technology development, and expanding its global customer base. Investors include EQT Ventures, one of Einride’s largest shareholders, a U.S.-based global asset management firm, as well as other existing shareholders. Ted Persson, partner at EQT Ventures, said, “We believe Einride is building the most complete and forward-looking freight ecosystem…

Porsche on Tuesday unveiled the first undisguised look at the interior of its upcoming Cayenne EV, highlighting expanded screen space, new digital features, and broader personalization options as the German automaker prepares to debut the all-electric SUV later this year. The centerpiece is a curved OLED Innovative Flow Display, offering nearly 42 inches of combined screen space. This includes a 14.25-inch driver cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and an optional 14.9-inch passenger display. See also: Porsche Subsidiary Moon Power to Launch Energy Storage System Using Second-Life EV Batteries For the first time in a Cayenne, the electric version will also…

Turkish electric vehicle maker Togg has officially entered the German market with the launch of its T10X SUV and T10F sedan. At introduction, both models are being offered in the top-spec ‘V2 RWD Long Range’ trim, priced from €45,590 ($49,500) including delivery. The company plans to roll out more affordable versions in early 2026, with prices starting at €34,295. Togg, which introduced its first model in Turkey in 2023, celebrated the German debut at the IAA Mobility show, with sales officially opening on September 29. Orders are being accepted via the company’s own Trumore app, requiring a fully refundable €1,000…

Lynk & Co, the Chinese-owned mobility brand, said it will expand into the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland, marking a further step in its European growth strategy. The company, part of Zhejiang Geely Holding, said the move will extend its presence to 25 markets across the continent by 2026. The carmaker plans to begin sales in the Czech Republic in October 2025 before rolling out in Austria and Switzerland in the first quarter of 2026. Its lineup in the three countries will include the Lynk & Co 01 and 08 plug-in hybrid models as well as the fully electric 02.…