Author: Thomas Schmidt

Stagecoach said on Thursday it has deployed six Volvo BZL electric buses on its JET747 service linking Fife with Edinburgh Airport, marking its latest step towards an all-electric fleet. The new service will run daily and connect Halbeath Park & Ride, Inverkeithing rail station and Ferrytoll Park & Ride to the airport, with discounted fares available for passengers under 22 and over 60, according to Edinburgh News. “The introduction of the new electric JET747 fleet is a significant milestone on our journey to Net Zero,” said David Frenz, interim managing director for Stagecoach East Scotland. “These state-of-the-art Volvo buses will…

Carmaker Stellantis will temporarily halt production at six European sites in response to weak demand, with stoppages ranging from several days to several weeks and affecting both combustion and electric models. The sites include Eisenach in Germany, Poissy in France, Pomigliano in Italy, Tychy in Poland, and Zaragoza and Madrid in Spain, according to French daily Les Echos. At Eisenach, where Opel builds all versions of the Grandland SUV including the fully electric variant, output is expected to pause for up to five working days, Les Echos reported. In Poissy, which produces the DS 3 and Opel Mokka, the suspension…

Voltpost has introduced its new Level 2 lamppost charging platform, Voltpost Air, with the first installation in Brooklyn at MADE Bush Terminal. The system allows one or two chargers to be mounted on wooden or metal lampposts and utility poles, offering a scalable approach to expanding EV access in urban areas. The deployment is supported by NYCEDC, NYSERDA, and Con Edison. The modular design mounts approximately 10 feet above ground and features retractable cables to reduce vandalism and improve durability. Voltpost Air integrates with the Voltpost App, providing drivers with real-time availability, flexible payment options, and remote monitoring. The company…

Mercedes-Benz announced that Jörg Burzer will assume responsibility for the Development & Purchasing division and the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) on December 1, 2025, succeeding Markus Schäfer, who is retiring after more than three decades at the company. Burzer, currently Head of Production, Quality & Supply Chain Management, will be succeeded by Michael Schiebe, chairman of Mercedes-AMG and head of the Top End Vehicle (TEV) Group, in his current position. The company said the appointments align with its strategy of maintaining “experience and continuity in top management while providing fresh impetus and a deliberate rejuvenation on the Board…

BMW said it will introduce a hydrogen fuel cell version of its next-generation X5 sport utility vehicle in 2028, confirming for the first time that the long-anticipated technology will be incorporated into the model line rather than a standalone vehicle. The new X5 line-up will include petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell variants, the German automaker said. The hydrogen model will build on lessons from its 100-vehicle iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet, which has been in testing since 2023. “By launching the new BMW X5 with a choice of five drive system variants, we are once again demonstrating…

Scout Motors said it will invest $300 million to build a new Supplier Park next to its production center in Blythewood, South Carolina, creating around 1,000 jobs and spurring an estimated $368 million in related investments. The self-funded project, which does not rely on new government incentives, builds on Scout’s existing $2 billion commitment in the state and is expected to deliver a total economic impact close to $700 million. The 200-acre facility will house a Just in Time (JIT) parts sequencing center, a battery assembly building, and an accessories building. Vehicle production at the Blythewood site is slated to…

Segway has launched the E3 Pro electric scooter globally, expanding its mid-range lineup with a model that builds on the E2 Pro with notable improvements in performance and range. The new e-scooter is designed to balance portability with upgraded power, featuring a lightweight frame and a minimal two-tone design. The E3 Pro is powered by a 400W motor with an 800W peak output, capable of a top speed of 20 mph (32.1 kph) and climbing inclines of up to 18%. The scooter now carries a larger 368 Wh battery, compared with the 275 Wh unit in its predecessor, delivering up…

Volkswagen said it will halt production for one week in October at its commercial vehicles plant in Hannover, Germany, where it builds the all-electric ID. Buzz van and the combustion-engine Multivan. The pause will coincide with Lower Saxony’s autumn holidays. The company attributed the decision to weaker demand for light commercial vehicles in Europe and slower-than-expected growth in electric vehicle sales. “The necessary flexibility to adapt production planning to changed market demand” was the reason given by a VW spokesperson, according to the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung. Volkswagen has faced challenges with the ID. Buzz rollout, particularly in the United States.…

Dutch e-bike maker Gazelle has launched three new Class 1 models in North America, emphasizing comfort and premium build quality over speed and low-cost competition. The lineup includes the Easyflow C7, Arroyo C5, and Arroyo C380. The new Easyflow C7 is designed for accessibility, targeting new, aging, or less confident riders. It features a low step-through frame, pedal-forward geometry that allows riders to place both feet on the ground when stopped, and 24-inch wheels for added stability. The bike is equipped with a Shimano EP5 mid-drive motor, a 504 Wh battery, and Gazelle’s adjustable Switch stem. The company also refreshed…

Ford Motor is prioritizing flexibility in its electric vehicle battery strategy as the industry continues to test and scale new chemistries, a senior executive said at the 2025 Jefferies Industrials Conference. “Yeah, we’re always thinking about the next chemistry,” said Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president. “I mean, I’ve been in this space for – since we started this journey for the last four years and we’ve already gone from a high nickel-based chemistry to a mid-nickel-based chemistry to an LFP chemistry to now we have LMR which is a manganese rich chemistry.” See also: Ford Expands F-150 Lightning Lineup with…

BMW said its strategy for keeping or removing physical controls in its vehicles is based on usage data collected from millions of cars, rather than following the wider industry trend of fully digital interiors. Stephan Durach, BMW’s senior vice president of UI/UX development, said the company monitors how drivers interact with controls to decide which features remain as buttons and which shift to touchscreens or voice commands. See also: BMW Launches Second-Generation iX3, First Model on Neue Klasse EV Platform “We have ten million cars out there,” Durach told. “The decision of ‘what we’re taking out, what we’re keeping,’ was…

Genesis is postponing the launch of its next-generation Electrified G80, with the luxury sedan not expected to return to the U.S. market for several years, according to a report from Korean auto blogger Motorsjason. The Hyundai-owned premium marque has quietly discontinued the current G80 EV in the U.S., after the 2024 model year, while the updated 2025 version never arrived. Genesis said it would remain responsive to market conditions in its product planning. “The customer is at the core of every decision we make, and we remain flexible as we adapt to ever-changing consumer needs and market conditions,” the company…