Author: Thomas Schmidt

Tesla has provided new insight into consumer adoption of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, with figures shared publicly for the first time. Lars Moravy, the company’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, discussed the data during a segment on Jay Leno’s Garage. According to Moravy, the acceptance rate for FSD across all Tesla vehicles has risen from below 10 percent into the “teens,” with the Model S and Model X leading adoption. “The Model S/X are the forerunners, with about half of their buyers opting for the FSD package,” he said, highlighting that buyers of more premium models are more likely…

The local authority for the UK county of Somerset has secured nearly £3.8 million in government funding to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, targeting residents without access to off-street parking. The funding, provided through the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme, will support a 17-year contract to deliver at least 1,606 AC charging sockets of up to 7kW, aimed at improving overnight charging. The council will also fully fund up to 20 rapid charging points of 50kW or more. To reduce costs, the authority plans to retrofit existing lampposts and street lighting. It will receive annual income from operators of…

Electric vehicle maker Polestar reported a wider second-quarter loss on Wednesday after U.S. tariffs and intensifying price competition forced a sharp writedown on its Polestar 3 SUV. The Sweden-based company posted a net loss of $1.03 billion for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a $268 million loss a year earlier. The result included a $739 million impairment charge that cut the recoverable value of the Polestar 3 to $25 million. Volvo Cars, which assembles the Polestar 3 at its South Carolina plant, also booked similar charges in the quarter related to tariffs and delays for its ES90 and…

Tesla has developed new nickel-based battery cells that can be charged to 90% for everyday driving without affecting long-term durability, narrowing the gap with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, its chief engineer Lars Moravy said. Tesla currently recommends owners limit daily charging of nickel-based packs to 80% to extend lifespan, reserving 100% charging for long trips. The new cells will give future Tesla drivers in the United States, where nearly all vehicles sold use nickel batteries, an additional 10% range in daily use, Moravy said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkOKm9OnR0 Nickel cells provide higher energy density but degrade more quickly when left at full…

Solaris Bus & Coach said it has signed a contract with Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) GmbH to deliver 40 articulated electric buses, with the first units expected to arrive in the second half of 2026. The order covers Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses, each with capacity for up to 120 passengers. Fifteen vehicles are scheduled for delivery in 2026, followed by 25 more in mid-2027. Two buses will be used occasionally for driver training, the company said. Each vehicle will be fitted with Solaris High Energy batteries with a usable capacity of more than 570 kWh and will support charging via…

Aito, the automotive brand jointly developed by Huawei and Seres Group, will open pre-sales for its updated M7 sport utility vehicle (SUV) on September 5, the company said on Thursday. The new version of the M7 was unveiled at the Chengdu auto show on August 29 and is scheduled for official launch on September 23. The model will be offered in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) variants, with options for five-seat and six-seat configurations. Compared with the current model, the updated M7 is larger, measuring 5,080 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,780…

Global asset finance firm DLL and U.S.-based electric vehicle charging provider ChargeTronix said on Tuesday they have formed a partnership to accelerate deployment of EV charging systems across the United States. The collaboration aims to reduce a key barrier to electrification — upfront capital costs — by pairing DLL’s financing options with ChargeTronix’s portfolio of advanced charging technology. The companies said the agreement will help businesses, municipalities and fleet operators expand charging infrastructure without heavy initial investment. Flexible lease terms from 24 to 60 months, digital management tools and end-of-term options such as renewal, upgrade or purchase are included in…

Mobility service provider UTA Edenred has extended its public electric vehicle (EV) charging solution, UTA eCharge, to Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland, the company said. With the latest expansion, UTA eCharge is now available to customers in 15 countries, offering access to more than 925,000 charging points across 28 nations, including around 300 truck-compatible fast-charging stations through the Milence network. Pierre Jalady, General Manager of Edenred Mobility EMEA and CEO of UTA Edenred, said, “With this latest expansion of UTA eCharge, we’re helping even more customers transition to sustainable mobility, regardless of the number of vehicles…

Acura, Honda’s luxury division, plans to introduce hybrid models as part of its North American lineup, shifting strategy in response to slowing electric vehicle (EV) demand and growing consumer interest in hybrids, company executives said. “Customer demand, it’s not realistic to only focus on EVs moving forward,” American Honda chief executive Kazuhiro Takizawa told The Drive at Monterey Car Week. “We will max production of ICE and hybrid models to meet the needs of our customers in North America. This means extending key ICE models and adding hybrid products. Our strategy to invest in flexible production in our EV hub…

Energy company St1 said on Thursday it has converted a Shell-branded petrol station in Ylöjärvi, Finland, into the country’s first location dedicated solely to charging electric vehicles, as it accelerates its rollout of high-power charging infrastructure across the Nordics. The site will feature ultra-fast chargers with output of up to 400 kW, while maintaining its restaurant and car wash. St1 already operates fast-charging stations at 41 locations in Finland, including nine opened this year, along with 37 in Sweden and 30 in Norway. The company launched its first all-electric site in Oslo earlier this year. The conversion comes as St1…

Irish charge point operator EZO, formerly known as EasyGo, has been selected to help install electric vehicle chargers at 229 sports clubs across Ireland. The company rebranded in July as part of its wider expansion strategy. The rollout is backed by €15 million in funding from the Government’s Shared Island Initiative and the Zero Emission Vehicle Ireland (ZEVI) infrastructure fund. It will equip GAA, rugby, soccer, cricket, golf and other sporting organisations with 50 kW DC chargers, expanding charging access into both urban and rural communities. EZO is one of three suppliers chosen and will provide clubs with a zero-cost,…

Xpeng Motors is facing increasing criticism in China over its handling of reported steering system failures in its P7+ electric sedan, after a state-affiliated newspaper alleged the automaker was quietly repairing faulty parts without initiating a formal recall. According to Economic Information Daily, which is run by Xinhua news agency, multiple owners have reported sudden power steering malfunctions, with some cases involving the steering wheel locking up while driving. The newspaper said Xpeng has not acknowledged a systemic defect but has selectively replaced components or applied sealant during routine maintenance. One Shenzhen vehicle owner told the paper, “Xpeng is gambling…

Hyundai Motor has halted production of its Genesis Electrified GV70 electric vehicle in the United States as the company pivots toward higher-volume and more profitable SUV models, including the Tucson, amid weakening EV sales and shifting U.S. policies. The automaker stopped producing the luxury EV at its Alabama plant in June, according to industry sources cited by Business Korea. Instead of assembling new models, Hyundai has been selling off remaining inventory. The Electrified GV70, which began rolling off the line in February 2023, marked Hyundai’s first electric vehicle built in the U.S., supported by a $300 million investment to upgrade…

STEER Tech and HEVO have partnered to launch a wireless autonomous charging solution that integrates driverless navigation and docking with cable-free electric vehicle charging. The companies say the technology is aimed at transforming fleet depot operations by removing manual processes, cutting labor costs, and boosting vehicle uptime. The collaboration combines STEER Tech’s high-precision autonomous vehicle software with HEVO’s patented wireless charging system. According to the companies, the system will allow vehicles to autonomously navigate through depots, execute low-speed maneuvers, dock precisely on charging pads, and begin charging without human assistance. The solution is intended for use in high-volume fleet environments…

Six months after electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft maker Lilium filed for insolvency, the future of its assets remains unresolved. A consortium led by European investment holding company Ambitious Air Mobility Group N.V. (AAMG) has intensified efforts to purchase the failed aviation startup’s facilities, intellectual property, and technical resources. On Monday, AAMG confirmed it had formally submitted a purchase agreement under which it would pay €20 million for Lilium’s assets. The group also pledged an immediate €250 million to resume operations, with an additional €500 million available to address potential complications during the revival process. The consortium has…

Slovenia will roll out a new €9.2 million subsidy programme in September to encourage purchases of fully electric vehicles, extending support to electric cars, vans, motorcycles and mopeds. The incentives, which vary by vehicle type and price, offer up to €7,200 for eligible buyers. The scheme applies to new vehicles in categories M1, N1, L7e, L6e, L5e, L4e, L3e, L2e and L1e-B, covering passenger cars, light commercial vehicles, quadricycles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds. Used electric cars and transporters are also eligible. The budget allocates €5.2 million for private buyers and €4 million for companies, sole traders and other commercial users.…

Easee, an EV charging technology company, has partnered with Fuse Energy to launch a new home electric vehicle charging tariff in the UK, offering electricity at 5 pence per kilowatt-hour during certain hours. The partnership also includes a hardware offer, allowing customers to purchase the Easee One home charger with professional installation for £899. Fuse Energy’s tariff advertises “100 miles for just £1.25,” though actual costs will vary depending on the vehicle’s efficiency. The rate is lower than comparable tariffs such as Octopus Energy GO, which charges around 7p per kWh during fixed overnight off-peak hours. However, unlike Octopus GO’s…

Lucid Group is set to reveal a new electric vehicle concept at Monterey Car Week on August 14, describing it as a “bold new concept of electric exploration.” While the company has yet to disclose full details, early visuals suggest the model could be an off-road variant of its recently launched Gravity SUV. The teaser images show features such as a roof-mounted light, rugged black wheels, and other elements typically associated with off-road capabilities. Industry observers say the upgrades resemble the approach taken by Rivian’s “California Dune Edition” models, which add all-terrain components and unique styling to enhance outdoor performance.…

German automotive supplier ZF has introduced a major update to its cubiX Tuner software that allows engineers to fine-tune a car’s driving dynamics with a level of simplicity reminiscent of video game interfaces. The latest iteration enables real-time adjustment of multiple chassis actuators—from steering to braking—through digital sliders, potentially accelerating vehicle development, especially for new electric and software-defined vehicles. In a move that could redefine the car development process, ZF’s updated software can communicate with various electronic systems within a vehicle, including brake-by-wire, electric power steering, and active damping components. This streamlines calibration by replacing the traditionally labor-intensive process with…

German electric motor startup DeepDrive will present a new compact generator based on its dual-rotor technology at the IAA Mobility 2025, responding to increasing interest from car manufacturers seeking scalable range extender solutions for electric vehicles. The new product, named MG 250, is a dual-rotor radial flow generator developed specifically for use in extended range electric vehicles (EREVs). The system combines a compact design with high torque density, offering a peak output of 150 kW and a continuous power rating of 120 kW. According to DeepDrive, the MG 250 achieves up to 96.9% efficiency and integrates an SiC inverter into…