Author: Todd Gilbert

DeepRoute.ai on Tuesday introduced its mass-production-ready IO 2.0 autonomous driving platform at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, saying the system is powered by an advanced VLA (vision-language-action) model aimed at improving safety and adaptability across global markets. The company said IO 2.0 supports both LiDAR-equipped and pure-vision configurations and is compatible with multiple automotive-grade chips, allowing carmakers to deploy assisted and automated driving features across different segments. DeepRoute.ai added it has supplied systems for more than 100,000 passenger cars and plans to leverage mass-produced vehicles to expand its robotaxi business. As part of a dual-track international strategy, DeepRoute.ai…

Qualcomm (QCOM.O) and BMW Group (BMWG.DE) on Saturday unveiled the Snapdragon Ride Pilot automated driving system, debuting in the all-new BMW iX3 electric SUV and set to be offered to automakers worldwide. The platform, co-developed over three years by engineers in Germany, the United States, Sweden, Romania and the Czech Republic, combines Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips with a jointly created software stack. It is designed to support functions ranging from basic safety features to Level 2+ automated highway and urban driving. “With Snapdragon Ride Pilot, we’re providing a scalable, safety-first solution that helps accelerate the global rollout of automated driving,”…

The new chief executive of Stellantis has urged the European Union to adopt a more flexible approach to the transition toward electric vehicles, warning that rigid policies could harm the region’s auto industry. “A strategic dialogue is very important, but now it’s vital to act with urgency. There is no time for delays,” Antonio Filosa said in an interview with Italy’s Il Sole 24 Ore and France’s Les Echos. Filosa took over as CEO of the world’s third-largest carmaker in June. The comments come ahead of a September 12 meeting where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will host…

GE Aerospace said on Thursday it will invest $300 million in electric aviation startup Beta Technologies and jointly develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for next-generation aircraft, marking a significant bet on hybrid propulsion in the advanced air mobility sector. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will give GE the right to appoint a director to Beta’s board. If completed, the funding round will bring Beta’s total capital raised to about $1.45 billion, adding GE to a roster of investors that includes Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company. GE Aerospace, a leading supplier of jet and…

Honda’s electric SUV, the Prologue, recorded its strongest sales month yet in August, with deliveries rising 80% from a year earlier to 9,347 units. The model, which only began reaching customers in March, has quickly become one of the top-selling electric vehicles in the U.S. Last month, the Prologue outsold Ford Motor’s Mustang Mach-E, which reached a record 7,226 sales, as well as Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, which posted 7,773 units, up 61% year-over-year. Honda also sold more Prologues than its own Odyssey minivan and Passport SUV, highlighting strong consumer demand for its first mass-market EV. Cumulatively, Honda has delivered nearly…

Rivian will cut around 150 jobs, its second small staff reduction this year, as the U.S. electric vehicle startup positions itself for the launch of its more affordable R2 SUV in 2026. The company confirmed the layoffs were concentrated in its commercial team, which oversees sales and service operations. Employees affected by the reduction will be eligible for rehire and encouraged to apply for other open roles. The Wall Street Journal first reported the cuts earlier in the day. The latest reduction follows a similar 1% workforce cut in June that targeted manufacturing roles. Rivian has repeatedly adjusted its workforce…

Ford said it will integrate its BlueOval Charge Network with Octopus Electroverse, a move that will give its electric vehicle customers access to more than one million public charging points across Europe. The service, to be branded BlueOval Charge Network x Octopus Electroverse, will launch in October. Ford EV drivers will be able to connect their Ford account with the Electroverse app, which aggregates over 1,200 networks including Ionity, Fastned, Allego and InstaVolt. Features include route planning, pricing information, booking, and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford customers will also receive a three-month trial of Ionity Premium, while…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has raised RMB 2.6 billion ($364 million) through a private placement of domestic shares, bringing in four state-owned enterprises as new shareholders, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The company said 75% of the proceeds, or RMB 1.95 billion, will be allocated to research and development of new electric vehicle models and upgrades to existing ones. The remaining RMB 650 million will go toward working capital and general corporate purposes. The new state-owned backers include Wuyi County Financial Investment, Jinhua Industrial Fund, Huzhou Xinchuang, and Hangzhou Hehe. Following the…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not be able to use an electric version of his armoured Range Rover, citing technological limitations in blast protection. In submissions to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate consultation, obtained by the Fast Charge newsletter and reported by the Guardian, the company said: “The required safety levels and blast protection cannot be achieved” with an electric version and that it sees no “workable engineering solution” for now. The Range Rover Sentinel fleet, which is believed to use V8 petrol engines, provides the power reserves required for moving heavily…

Fiat has opened orders for its all-electric Grande Panda in the United Kingdom, with the base model priced at £21,035 and deliveries scheduled to begin in November. The Italian automaker is offering the Grande Panda as both a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and a mild-hybrid. The electric model features a 44 kWh battery and an 83 kW electric motor, capable of a top range of up to 199 miles and acceleration from 0-62 mph in 11 seconds. It supports DC fast charging of up to 100 kW. The mild-hybrid version pairs a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a 21 kW electric…

British bicycle maker Raleigh has unveiled the Captus, a new premium low-step frame e-bike designed for everyday commuting and leisure riding, the company said on Tuesday. The Captus combines a Bosch Active Line mid-drive motor with a Bosch Powerpack Rack 400 Wh battery, offering riders up to 70 miles (112.6 km) of assisted range on a single charge. The e-bike weighs around 25 kg (55.1 lbs) and is built on a lightweight aluminum frame. It is equipped with a Shimano 9-speed derailleur system, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 50 mm front suspension fork for added comfort on varied terrain. The…

Rivian has expanded its U.S. fast-charging network to more than 120 locations, with the majority now available to all electric vehicle (EV) drivers, as the company pushes forward with broader access and a transition to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). Data from Rivian’s charging map shows the automaker operates 122 stations nationwide, of which 93 are publicly accessible and 29 remain exclusive to R1S and R1T owners. This marks a significant increase from 67 operational sites in early 2023. The company is running a retrofit program to upgrade older stations with Tesla-style NACS connectors. Initially, stations will feature both…