Author: Thomas Schmidt

A new European Union-backed initiative aims to accelerate the development of lithium-sulphur battery technology for cleaner and more efficient transport. The TALISSMAN project, which brings together nine organisations from four countries, is focused on delivering safer, longer-lasting, and more sustainable batteries tailored to electric mobility sectors including electric vehicles, aerospace, and heavy-duty transport. The project—short for Technologies for Advanced Lithium-Sulphur batteries towards Safe and Sustainable Mobility Applications—targets improvements across four key areas: technical performance, safety, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. A central technical goal is to achieve energy densities of up to 550 Wh/kg, with batteries capable of sustaining up to…

Austria registered 31,534 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in the first half of 2025, a 42.2% increase over the same period last year, according to Statistics Austria. The figure pushed the market share of BEVs to 22% of all new passenger car registrations, making electric cars the third most common drivetrain after petrol hybrids and conventional petrol engines. In total, 143,051 new passenger cars were registered between January and June 2025, up 5.9% year-on-year. The growth was primarily driven by electric and hybrid powertrains. Petrol hybrids topped the registration charts with 45,634 units, representing a 31.9% share of the market. These…

The state of New York has awarded $3 million to three companies focused on enhancing the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) with the power grid, while launching an additional $4 million grant program to address challenges faced by utility providers in managing growing EV demand. Funding recipients include EV charging infrastructure firms Voltpost, The Mobility House, and Weave Grid Inc. The investments are part of New York’s Vehicle Grid Integration (VGI) Program, designed to accelerate the deployment of EV charging technologies that support grid modernization. Voltpost received $775,000 to install at least ten new Level 2 lamppost-based charging stations across…

Nissan is reportedly reducing production plans for the next-generation LEAF electric vehicle, citing supply chain challenges linked to China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements. The move comes as global automakers brace for higher EV prices and reduced demand following the Trump administration’s decision to end the $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit on September 30. See also: Nissan to Export Chinese-Built EVs from 2026 Amid Major Global Restructuring While the new LEAF is set to launch in the U.S. this fall, reports from Japan suggest the company is facing parts shortages due to limits on key materials used in electric…

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…