Author: Thomas Schmidt

CAR Inc., one of China’s largest car rental companies, has partnered with Baidu’s autonomous driving platform Apollo to launch the world’s first publicly available autonomous vehicle rental service. The new offering enables customers to book fully driverless vehicles for short-term rentals without human assistance. The service operates using Baidu Apollo’s Level 4 autonomous driving system, allowing vehicles to function independently within defined urban zones. Users aged 18 and older can book vehicles by selecting a pickup time and location, after which the nearest autonomous car is dispatched. Upon arrival, customers unlock the vehicle by verifying their identity, and at the…

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has launched an investigation into several bus companies in Luxembourg over suspected subsidy fraud related to electric vehicles, the agency said on Wednesday. The probe concerns claims that operators misrepresented diesel and hybrid bus services as electric, allowing them to receive public funds and avoid emissions-related penalties. According to the EPPO, the companies allegedly received up to €12 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) between 2022 and 2023, and an additional €11 million from the national budget in 2024. The companies are suspected of having systematically billed public transport services as though…

Solaris Bus & Coach has appointed Agata Stańda as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2025. She replaces Javier Iriarte, who has assumed the position of Vice Chairman of the company’s Supervisory Board while continuing his role as CEO of CAF Rolling Stock. Stańda joined Solaris in 2020 and has most recently served as Management Board Member responsible for Strategy and Sustainability. With a career spanning multiple continents, including Europe, Africa, and Asia, she brings a broad international perspective to the role. She holds academic degrees from the Poznań University of Economics and Business and the ESCP Business…

German automotive supplier ZF has introduced TempAI, an artificial intelligence-based software solution that enhances temperature prediction and control in electric vehicle (EV) drives, aiming to significantly improve both efficiency and performance. The system relies on a self-learning model to predict internal motor temperatures with over 15% more accuracy, allowing for precise thermal management without requiring additional sensors or hardware. By leveraging only existing control units and low computing resources, TempAI presents a cost-efficient and scalable approach for series production. “With TempAI, we can further increase the efficiency and reliability of our drives,” said Dr. Stefan Sicklinger, Head of AI, Digital…

Rivian reported a sharp decline in second-quarter vehicle deliveries, citing softening demand and industry-wide challenges such as tariffs and high interest rates. The electric vehicle maker delivered 10,661 vehicles in the three months ending June 30, down 22.7% from a year earlier, although roughly in line with Visible Alpha estimates. Production fell more steeply, with Rivian building just 5,979 vehicles in the quarter—significantly below analyst expectations of 11,330 units. The drop comes as the company prepares to launch updated 2026 models of its R1T electric pickup and R1S SUV. Despite the shortfall, Rivian reiterated its full-year guidance of delivering between…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD  has officially launched operations at its new passenger vehicle production plant in Brazil, a key step in the company’s international expansion strategy. Production began on July 1 at the factory located in Camacari, Bahia State, BYD said in a statement on Monday. The plant, which forms part of a $1 billion (5.5 billion Brazilian reais) industrial complex, targets an annual output of 150,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs) in its first phase. The first model rolling off the assembly line is the Seagull, renamed Dolphin Mini for the Brazilian and Mexican markets. Additional models including the…

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport is preparing new regulations that would restrict the parking of rented e-scooters and bicycles on pavements and in pedestrian zones, aiming to address long-standing concerns from city authorities and pedestrian advocates. According to a draft bill dated June 26, the proposed changes would amend the Ordinance on Small Electric Vehicles and related road traffic regulations. The draft, seen by Tagesspiegel, introduces clear distinctions between private and commercial vehicle parking and categorises rental scooters and bikes as a “special use” of public space that will require municipal authorisation and likely be subject to fees. The move…

BP Pulse has launched a new electric vehicle (EV) charging hub just three miles from San Francisco International Airport, continuing its expansion of fast-charging infrastructure in partnership with Hertz. The site features 12 ultrafast charging bays capable of delivering up to 400kW, with dual NACS and CCS connectors. The newly opened facility is designed to serve multiple customer segments, including ride-hail drivers, airport EV renters, and local EV owners. According to BP Pulse, the high-speed chargers offer convenience for high-traffic areas, particularly near airports. “These locations are particularly aimed at ride-hail drivers, providing them with fast and convenient charging on…

Airbus and MTU Aero Engines have signed a new agreement to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for future commercial aircraft, reinforcing their commitment to zero-emission aviation. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines a phased approach to maturing the technology and aligning development strategies between the two European aerospace companies. The collaboration focuses on hydrogen fuel cell systems as a key component of next-generation electric aircraft under Airbus’ ZEROe programme, which aims to introduce a hydrogen-powered airliner by the mid-2030s. Although industry observers expect delays to that timeline, Airbus has already made progress, having developed a 1.2-megawatt…

UK forecourt operator Motor Fuel Group (MFG) will expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure within the M25 by 30% in 2025, as part of a broader effort to meet growing demand in the capital’s urban areas. The rollout includes seven new ultra-rapid EV Power Hubs and expansion at three existing sites. Each new hub will feature chargers rated between 300 kW and 400 kW, providing fast charging for high-utilisation EV drivers. “By expanding existing sites and bringing new hubs online, we are ensuring EV drivers have access to the ultra-rapid facilities they need,” said Martin Symes, Director of EV at…

Helm.ai, a California-based artificial intelligence startup, has introduced a new perception system called Helm.ai Vision, aimed at enabling urban environment recognition for vehicles equipped with Level 2+ and Level 3 driver assistance features. The technology is expected to debut in Honda’s upcoming 0 Series of electric vehicles starting in 2026. Helm.ai Vision is designed to function without the extensive use of HD maps or lidar sensors, relying instead on a multi-camera vision system and real-time 3D object recognition. The software supports highly automated driving features, allowing vehicles to navigate complex urban conditions such as dense traffic, changing road surfaces, and…

Xpeng Aeroht, the flying car subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, has appointed its first-ever chief financial officer, a move that could signal renewed momentum toward a potential initial public offering (IPO). Du Chao, a former Deutsche Bank executive with a decade of experience in overseas IPOs and cross-border mergers, has been named vice president and CFO, the company confirmed to Sina Tech. Du’s appointment is seen by analysts as a key step in professionalizing the company’s financial operations ahead of a possible public listing. “This is a normal talent recruitment move,” the company said, noting that Xpeng Aeroht…

Clever, Denmark’s largest charging point operator, has signed a partnership agreement with Dutch firm PowerGo, expanding access to more than 1,000 additional EV charging points across the country. The move aims to strengthen Clever’s network and offer users more flexibility in where and when they charge. As part of the agreement, Clever customers enrolled in the Clever One program will be able to use PowerGo’s Danish charging network at no extra cost. PowerGo, which currently operates nearly 1,000 charging points in Denmark — including 65 fast and ultra-fast chargers — has also won tenders for the installation of another 1,600…

A unit of Xiaomi has secured a 50-year lease on a 485,134-square-metre plot of land in Beijing for 635 million yuan ($88 million), the city’s planning regulator said Thursday, as the tech giant pushes forward with its smart electric vehicle (EV) expansion. The new plot is located near the second phase of Xiaomi’s existing EV factory and will be used for a smart connected car and components project, according to Beijing’s municipal planning and natural resources commission. The land acquisition comes as the second phase of the EV factory, covering 531,130 square metres, nears completion. That project was awarded to…

Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Group (JAC) and Chinese technology firm Huawei signed a new strategic cooperation agreement on Monday in Hefei, deepening their partnership in intelligent electric vehicles, the companies announced. The deal builds on a collaboration first announced in December 2023, under which the two firms jointly developed a new ultra-luxury EV brand, Maextro. The agreement will further integrate Huawei’s intelligent vehicle technologies—such as assisted driving systems, intelligent cockpits, and in-vehicle communications—into JAC’s next-generation models. The announcement comes as their first joint model, the Maextro S800 luxury electric sedan, continues to gain market momentum. Launched on May 30 with a…

Tesla has taken the top four positions in the 2025 American-Made Index (AMI) by Cars.com, with the Model 3 crowned the most “American-made” vehicle for the year. The annual index evaluates vehicles based on key criteria such as final assembly location, domestic parts content, and U.S. manufacturing workforce. Tesla, which builds all four of its light-duty passenger vehicles in California and Texas, has consistently ranked high since entering the list five years ago. Electric vehicles dominated the top tier of this year’s ranking. In addition to Tesla’s sweep of the top four, the Kia EV6 and Volkswagen ID.4 secured the…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer Leapmotor (HKG: 9863) launched its first models in Hong Kong on Thursday, continuing its global expansion with the introduction of the T03 compact electric vehicle and the C10 SUV. The company announced the start of local pre-sales at the 2025 Hong Kong auto show, offering the right-hand drive T03 at a starting price of HK$99,900 ($12,728), and the C10 at HK$199,900. Leapmotor currently offers six models in mainland China—T03, B10, C01, C10, C11, and C16—with all except the T03 and B10 available in both battery electric vehicle (BEV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions.…

Rheinmetall, the German technology group, has signed a high-value supply contract with a major North American truck manufacturer to provide high-voltage coolant pumps for battery-electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The double-digit million-euro agreement will see Rheinmetall deliver a mid-six-figure volume of its CWA 2000 coolant pumps starting in 2028, with deliveries set to continue through 2035. The contract underscores Rheinmetall’s growing presence in the e-mobility sector, as commercial vehicle manufacturers scale up electrification strategies. The unnamed customer, described only as a “renowned” player in the North American truck market, selected Rheinmetall’s CWA 2000 system based on its advanced technical profile…

Swiss measurement specialist LEM has introduced a compact high-voltage battery sensor for electric vehicles that combines shunt and Hall-effect technologies into a single unit. The innovation, called the Hybrid Supervising Unit (HSU), is designed to streamline battery management system (BMS) architectures while improving safety and reducing cost. Typically used separately, shunt sensors handle high-current measurement, while Hall-effect sensors provide magnetic field detection with galvanic isolation. LEM’s new HSU merges both technologies within a standard shunt footprint, marking what it claims is a market first. “The HSU represents a significant innovation in sensor technology, being the first to combine shunt and…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast reported its sixth consecutive quarterly net loss on Monday, as the company continues to scale up production and invest heavily in global expansion efforts despite mounting challenges. The company posted a net loss of $712.4 million for the first quarter, narrowing from a $1.3 billion loss in the previous three months, but still 20% higher than the year-ago period. Analysts had expected a smaller loss of $616.3 million, according to LSEG data. Revenue surged 150% year-on-year to $656.5 million, beating estimates of $520 million. VinFast delivered 36,330 vehicles in the quarter, marking a near 300%…