Author: Todd Gilbert

Autolinee Toscane, the RATP Group subsidiary responsible for public transport in Tuscany, has introduced the first 25 of 70 BYD electric buses into service in Florence as part of a broader strategy to fully electrify its bus fleet by mid-2026. The newly deployed buses are BYD K9UD models, each 12 metres long with three doors and the capacity to carry up to 85 passengers. Equipped with BYD’s proprietary LFP batteries rated at 422 kWh, the buses offer a range of approximately 260 kilometres on a single charge, according to the operator. “This project is part of our policy to encourage…

Dacia, the budget brand owned by Renault, plans to introduce an electric version of its best-selling Duster SUV, alongside broader efforts to expand its electrified lineup. Speaking to Autocar, Dacia brand chief Denis Le Vot said the company will launch the electric Duster “in due course,” although no specific launch date has been set. Le Vot noted that the upcoming electric variant will be optionally available with all-wheel drive. The model is expected to be based on the AmpR Small platform—formerly known as CMF-BEV—the same architecture underpinning the Renault 5 and the upcoming Renault 4, which was recently revealed as…

The Luxembourg government has awarded the operation of its public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to the charge@lux consortium, marking a significant shift in line with European Union regulations. The consortium — composed of Electris Luxembourg SA, Cube 4T8 SARL, and Socom SA — will manage the network under a seven-year concession. The decision comes as Luxembourg complies with Directive (EU) 2019/944, which prohibits distribution system operators (DSOs) from owning or operating public charging infrastructure, barring limited exceptions. The move necessitated a competitive tender to select a new operator for the Chargy and SuperChargy networks. “These provisions oblige DSOs to…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast began operations at its second domestic manufacturing facility on Sunday, as the company seeks to expand output of its compact, urban-focused EV models amid slower progress in its international expansion plans. The new plant, located in Ha Tinh province, adds an initial production capacity of 200,000 vehicles per year across 36 hectares, according to a company statement. It supplements VinFast’s flagship factory in Haiphong, which is targeting an annual capacity of 950,000 units by 2026. Backed by parent company Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate, VinFast has been pursuing aggressive global growth, including planned production sites in…

The Ahoi autonomous shuttle project in Hamburg, led by public transport operator VHH alongside partners IAV and eVersum, will see its operational timeline extended beyond the original 2025 target, with public testing now expected in 2026. The development comes as Hamburg continues to push forward with multiple initiatives aimed at integrating autonomous vehicles into public transport. The Ahoi project, short for “Automation of Hamburg’s On-Demand Service with Integration into Public Transport,” initially aimed to test a mixed fleet of automated and manually operated vehicles in public traffic by the end of 2025. However, during the signing of a development contract…

MUFG Bank, Ltd. has entered a strategic partnership with U.S.-based May Mobility, Inc., marking a significant move to scale up autonomous vehicle (AV) deployment globally. The collaboration combines MUFG’s financial infrastructure with May Mobility’s proprietary technology to accelerate the rollout of self-driving vehicle services across Japan and the United States. The partnership includes a direct investment in May Mobility by MUFG Bank, with the goal of supporting the company’s expansion to a fleet of thousands of autonomous vehicles over the coming years. The bank said it would offer its financial expertise and global network to support May Mobility’s commercial goals…

Guident Corporation, in collaboration with ADASTEC Corp., has remotely operated a full-size SAE Level-4 automated electric bus over a distance of 1,200 miles, in what the companies describe as a first for the autonomous transportation sector. The demonstration involved Guident’s Remote Monitor and Control Center (RMCC) in Boca Raton, Florida, remotely taking control of the automated vehicle located on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan. The test aimed to showcase the viability of teleoperation support for autonomous vehicle (AV) systems facing edge cases—situations the vehicle’s core automation cannot resolve independently. “This successful deployment is a…

ZF unveiled a major performance upgrade to its ultra-compact CentriX e-bike drive system at Eurobike 2025, boosting peak output to 105 Newton metres of torque and 750 watts of power, while introducing app-based ride profiles that tailor motor behaviour to specific riding conditions. The German supplier said the upgraded CentriX motor retains its compact 2.5-kilogram form factor—about the size of a drinks can—but now delivers significantly enhanced performance through a software update. Users can access three ride modes—Race, Wet, and Ride—via the updated “ZF Ride” app. Each mode dynamically adjusts parameters like overrun, power delivery, and startup sensitivity to match…

EV charging network operator Blink Charging has appointed Alex Calnan as Managing Director Europe, expanding his current role as UK chief to include oversight of operations in Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and other European markets. The change in leadership will take effect on 1 July 2025. Calnan succeeds Miko de Haan, who previously served as President of Europe Operations. The move is part of Blink’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Europe while streamlining operations globally. The company has recently undergone significant restructuring, including a 20% workforce reduction in March and a CEO change in August 2024. “We are confident…

Emma Nehrenheim has been appointed the new Managing Director of the European Battery Alliance (EBA), a European Commission-led initiative aimed at building a competitive and sustainable battery industry across the EU. The announcement was made by InnoEnergy, which coordinates the alliance on behalf of the Commission. Nehrenheim joins EBA from InnoEnergy and brings over 20 years of experience in environmental technology and battery manufacturing. Most recently, she served as Chief Environmental Officer and President of Northvolt Materials. She succeeds Thore Sekkenes, who led the EBA’s industrial division for more than six years. “Our mission isn’t just to build a battery…

SAIC Motor  has taken delivery of a new roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel, further strengthening its capacity to export vehicles as part of a broader industry trend among Chinese automakers seeking greater control over their global logistics operations. The newly commissioned vessel, Anji Commonality, was delivered on June 25 at the Jiangnan Shipyard, according to a statement by Anji Logistics, the logistics arm of SAIC. It is the third 7,800-vehicle capacity ro-ro ship built by the shipyard and the fourth ocean-going car carrier added to Anji’s fleet in the first half of 2025. Designed to transport a wide range of vehicles —…

Nio is set to enter Hong Kong in the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the latest step in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker’s shift to a light-asset operational model in international markets, according to local media reports citing a company insider. The move mirrors Nio’s strategy in other regions, where it collaborates with local distributors instead of operating directly. “We aim to enter more markets with low capital costs,” the unnamed Nio source told media outlet Lanjinger, adding that the company will also apply this model in Azerbaijan and Brazil. The company is expected to officially enter the Macau…