Author: Todd Gilbert
Todd Gilbert has been covering the global electric vehicle industry for EVMagz.com since becoming a reporter in 2018, with a focus on EV manufacturing, battery technology, charging infrastructure, and clean mobility policy across major international markets. With a background in business journalism, he brings a sharp analytical perspective to industry trends and corporate strategy. Outside of work, Todd enjoys early-morning cycling, home coffee roasting, and restoring vintage mechanical watches.
Hubject, a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging interoperability, has announced a new partnership with ChargeHub, a North American e-mobility roaming platform provider, to integrate their technologies and offer a streamlined Plug&Charge experience for EV drivers and service providers. The collaboration links Hubject’s established Plug&Charge ecosystem with ChargeHub’s Passport Hub platform, enabling e-mobility service providers (eMSPs) to deliver a secure and fully automated charging process. The system is designed to simplify EV charging by eliminating the need for apps, cards, or RFID tokens, instead relying on vehicle-based authentication using ISO 15118-2 standards. The companies described the result as “a…
Volvo Cars previewed its next premium midsize electric SUV, the EX60, scheduled for an official unveiling in early 2026. The model will be the fully electric successor to the XC60, the company’s most successful vehicle to date with over 2.7 million units sold since its 2008 debut. Built on Volvo’s upcoming SPA3 platform, the EX60 aims to offer enhanced range, energy efficiency, and next-generation computing capabilities. According to a statement posted by the company, SPA3 is designed to evolve with over-the-air updates, allowing the vehicle to learn and adapt over time. “SPA3 is designed to learn and adapt over time…
WeRide Confirms Confidential Hong Kong Listing Application Following Regulatory Changes
Chinese autonomous driving technology company WeRide has confidentially filed for a listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, becoming the latest firm to do so after the city updated its rules to allow such filings, local media outlet Jiemian reported Monday, citing unnamed sources. Founded in 2017, WeRide is among China’s earliest developers of advanced smart driving solutions. The company listed on the Nasdaq in October 2024 and has since been expanding its global operations, conducting autonomous driving testing and services in 30 cities across 10 countries. The move to seek a Hong Kong listing comes as the city’s financial…
Chinese tech giant Baidu is planning to expand its Apollo Go robotaxi service into Southeast Asia, with Singapore and Malaysia identified as potential first markets, according to reports from Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the matter. Apollo Go is currently in discussions with local partners to evaluate suitable business models for both countries. While Bloomberg suggests a launch could take place by the end of 2024, the Wall Street Journal reports that Baidu is targeting an official market entry in Southeast Asia by late 2025. Launched in 2013, Baidu’s autonomous driving division has become one…
Alphabet’s self-driving unit Waymo announced plans to resume autonomous vehicle testing in New York City next month, as competition intensifies in the U.S. robotaxi sector. The company has applied for a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation to begin autonomous operations with a safety driver behind the wheel. “This is not an expansion, but we have every intention of bringing our fully autonomous ride-hailing service to the city in the future,” Waymo said in a statement. The company added that it would initially operate its vehicles manually while awaiting regulatory approval. If granted, it would mark the…
Zeekr will hold a tech showcase for its first hybrid model, the Zeekr 9X, on July 9, ahead of the SUV’s official launch later this year. The event will highlight the vehicle’s advanced features, including a high-performance hybrid powertrain, next-generation battery technology, and cutting-edge autonomous driving capabilities. Described as “the most luxurious SUV of the new energy era,” the Zeekr 9X will feature CATL’s Freevoy Battery, which delivers an all-electric range of over 380 kilometers. The hybrid SUV is expected to be priced from RMB 600,000 (approximately $83,550), with the official market launch set for the third quarter. Zeekr said…
DKV Mobility has integrated 480 charging stations from Hungarian energy company MOL into its European EV roaming network, expanding coverage across Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The charging stations, operated under the MOL Plugee brand, are now accessible via DKV’s ‘Card +Charge’ system. All existing and future MOL Plugee charging points will be added to the DKV Mobility network using backend software developed by GreenFlux, a DKV Mobility subsidiary. The integration marks a strategic step in the company’s continued expansion across Central and Eastern Europe. “By connecting the charging points of MOL Plugee, we are setting…
Swiss Energy Agency Withheld EV Study Showing Clear Climate Benefits of Switching from Combustion Cars
A study commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy has concluded that replacing most internal combustion engine cars with electric vehicles (EVs) of the same size would lead to significant CO₂ reductions—yet the agency decided not to publish the report. The suppression has sparked criticism from mobility experts and political figures, who accuse the government office of withholding public information out of fear of political backlash. The study, titled “Kaufentscheid: Wann es sich lohnt, auf ein Elektroauto umzusteigen” (“Purchase decision: When is it worth switching to an electric car”), found that for more than 90% of petrol and diesel…
BMW is evaluating the integration of range extender technology into future electric models, with internal discussions ongoing about launching extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), according to German publication Automobilwoche. The company is reportedly testing a prototype known as the iX5 REx and may bring it to market as early as 2026. EREVs are vehicles powered exclusively by electric motors, but equipped with small combustion engines that generate electricity when the battery is depleted—unlike plug-in hybrids, which can directly drive the wheels using either engine. The format has proven especially popular in China, a market where BMW sees strong potential for EREVs,…
Micromobility Startup Infinite Machine Unveils Modular Seated Scooter Olto for $3,495
Infinite Machine, a New York-based micromobility startup, has introduced a new modular seated electric scooter called the Olto, priced at $3,495 and slated to ship later this year. Designed for versatility and urban commuting, the Olto aims to blend the functionality of an e-bike with the comfort and customization of a small cargo vehicle. The Olto features a 750W rear hub motor capable of reaching 20 miles per hour on bike lanes and up to 33 mph off-road. It draws power from a swappable 48V lithium-ion battery with a claimed range of 40 miles. The vehicle includes high/low beam headlights…
Belgium’s De Lijn Awards 290 Electric Bus Contracts to BYD, Iveco and VDL, Eyes 500 More in 2025
Belgian public transport operator De Lijn has awarded contracts for the supply of 290 battery-electric buses to manufacturers BYD, Iveco and VDL, as part of its broader strategy to electrify its fleet by 2035. The deal, valued at 185 million euros, is part of a larger procurement effort that may include 500 more units later in 2025. China’s BYD secured the largest share of the current order with 140 solo 12-metre electric buses, likely under a framework agreement from late 2023 that allows for up to 500 vehicles. Iveco and VDL were awarded contracts for 100 and 50 articulated electric…
Wallbox and ENSOL EV have announced an expanded collaboration to deploy DC fast charging infrastructure in key electric vehicle (EV) markets in the United States. The rollout will begin in the second half of 2025, focusing on urban centers and transit corridors in Texas, Florida, and Georgia. This initiative builds on an existing relationship between the two companies, which previously included the installation of Wallbox’s Pulsar line of AC chargers. The current plan introduces Wallbox’s Supernova DC fast charger, capable of delivering up to 180 kW of power. The charger has recently received CTEP and NTEP certifications, allowing for broader…