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…