Author: Todd Gilbert

Ava Community Energy has opened a large electric vehicle fast charging station in downtown Oakland, a facility it describes as the biggest non-Tesla fast charging site currently operating in Northern California, according to Bloomberg. The installation is the first of up to 15 planned stations the agency intends to deploy across its service area by 2030. The Oakland City Center West Garage site includes 18 chargers with 31 connectors and is designed to accommodate all major electric vehicle models. The location is intended to expand charging access in underserved communities, particularly renters, as about half of Alameda County residents lack…

Tesla’s efforts to strengthen its domestic battery supply chain have faced further delays, with Syrah Resources confirming another extension to key deadlines under their graphite offtake agreement. This marks the second extension in as many months, highlighting ongoing challenges in producing battery-grade material at commercial scale. The partnership, established in 2021, secures Tesla’s access to the majority of battery-ready graphite from Syrah’s Vidalia, Louisiana facility, the only vertically integrated, commercial-scale anode material plant in the Western Hemisphere. The plant processes natural graphite sourced from Syrah’s Balama mine in Mozambique into active anode material used in lithium-ion batteries for Tesla’s U.S.…

Geely Auto sub-brand Geely Galaxy has launched the 2026 Starship 7 EM-i, also marketed overseas as the Starray EM-i, aiming to compete with hybrid SUVs such as BYD’s Song Pro DM-i. The Starship 7 EM-i is offered in four variants with discounted starting prices ranging from RMB 95,800 ($13,470) to RMB 123,800, slightly below the previous generation. The compact SUV measures 4,740 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,685 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,755 mm. See also: Geely Q3 Net Profit Jumps 59% to RMB 3.82 Billion as Quarterly Sales Hit Record 761,009 Units The…

Jeep has unveiled the Recon, a fully electric SUV designed for off-road use, with production scheduled to start in early 2026 at the Toluca plant in Mexico. The first deliveries to the United States and Canada are expected to follow, with other markets planned for the fourth quarter of 2026. The SUV is expected to be priced from $65,000 in the U.S. The Recon is built on a specially developed electric architecture, likely an adaptation of Stellantis’ STLA Large platform used by the electric Jeep Wagoneer S. The vehicle is equipped with a 100 kWh NMC battery, providing an estimated…

Zoox has started offering limited public access to its purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco, moving the Amazon-owned company closer to a commercial ride-hailing service and direct competition with Waymo. The autonomous vehicles, which operate without a steering wheel or pedals, have been in testing on San Francisco streets for nearly a year. Until now, rides were restricted to Zoox employees and their invited guests. The company will now invite selected individuals from its waitlist to join its early rider program, Zoox Explorer, where rides will be free during this phase. https://twitter.com/zoox/status/1990808922090037752 Zoox plans to gradually expand access as it increases…

Tesla has introduced support for charging cards as a payment method for its Supercharger network in Europe, expanding options for both Tesla drivers and third-party EV users. While charging cards still cannot be used directly at the charging stalls, they can now be stored in the Tesla app, allowing session costs to be billed through the selected card rather than a linked credit card. The update initially supports 34 charging cards, with more than 40 additional options expected in the coming weeks. Once registered, Tesla vehicles continue to initiate charging automatically when plugged in, while non-Tesla vehicles still need to…

ECARX announced it will deepen its cooperation with Volkswagen Group by supplying intelligent cockpit technologies for several Volkswagen-brand models destined for the Latin American market. The move follows a sourcing nomination under Volkswagen’s GEI program and marks the second collaboration between the companies this year. The new agreement builds on the partnership formed in March, when ECARX and Volkswagen Group first outlined plans to integrate ECARX’s cockpit systems into Volkswagen and Škoda vehicles. Under the latest deal, ECARX will deliver its Antora® computing platforms and Cloudpeak cross-domain software platform across multiple upcoming Volkswagen models. Vehicles equipped with Google Automotive Services…

Tesla is reportedly taking steps to phase out China-made components from vehicles produced at its US factories, following a similar move by General Motors as both companies navigate intensifying trade tensions. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the automaker has already begun replacing certain Chinese parts with components sourced from other countries and aims to transition the remainder over the next one to two years. See also: Tesla Marks Milestone as 5-Millionth Battery Pack Rolls Off Line at Giga Shanghai The effort reflects Tesla’s long-running attempt to reduce its dependence on Chinese suppliers, a process accelerated this year after…

“Team Sauberes Karlsruhe” (TSK), the municipal waste-management organisation in Karlsruhe, has deployed seven Mercedes-Benz eEconic electric refuse trucks for citywide operations and has placed a follow-up order for eleven more units. Once delivered, the city will operate 18 electric refuse trucks as part of its transition toward a cleaner municipal fleet. The seven trucks have been running across all districts of Karlsruhe for several weeks. They support residual waste collection, paper pickup and bulky-waste services. The vehicles use rear-loader bodies supplied by Faun, with two adapted for bulky refuse and five fitted with multi-purpose Variopress units. See also: Daimler Truck Reports…

Global sales of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose 23% year-on-year in October to 1.9 million units, supported by surging demand in key markets, according to market research firm Rho Motion. China remained the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) market, accounting for more than half of total global EV sales, while Europe saw strong growth in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. North America, however, recorded a sharp monthly decline following record highs in August and September. See also: Ford Projects Smaller U.S. EV Market Share Following Tax Credit Expiry “The price parity between electric and ICE vehicles in…

Volkswagen has released official images of its ID.Unyx 08 full-size electric SUV, showcasing its bold design and three-row seating ahead of its expected launch in China. The SUV, produced by the Volkswagen-Anhui joint venture, recently appeared in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) latest catalog of vehicles awaiting sales approval, a final step before commercial release. See also: Volkswagen Anhui Files for ID.UNYX 08 SUV as First Model Co-Developed With Xpeng Nears Launch The ID.Unyx 08 is based on Xpeng’s G9 platform and incorporates the company’s Connectivity and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) software. Volkswagen and Xpeng announced…

California-based Archer Aviation has announced plans to purchase Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, marking a significant step in its bid to establish a regional air taxi network. The company intends to use the facility as both a testing site and an operational hub for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft as it prepares for the 2028 Olympic Games, where it serves as the official air taxi partner. The binding acquisition agreement, revealed alongside Archer’s third-quarter results, includes the airport’s 32-hectare site, encompassing 17,650 square metres of terminal, office, and hangar space. Located in the…

GWM marked the production of its 10,000th vehicle at its assembly plant in Uzbekistan, underscoring the Chinese automaker’s growing overseas manufacturing footprint. The milestone comes two years after the facility began operations, the company said in a statement on Friday. The Uzbekistan plant operates as a KD (Knocked Down) facility, where vehicles are assembled locally from imported components. GWM also runs similar KD plants in Malaysia and Vietnam as part of its broader localization strategy. The company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Uzbekistan’s ADM Jizzakh Auto Group in July 2023 to assemble its models at the group’s facility. See…

Nigeria’s Senate has advanced a bill aimed at establishing a comprehensive legal and political framework for the nation’s transition from combustion engine vehicles to electric mobility. The ‘Electric Vehicle Transition and Green Mobility Bill, 2025’, sponsored by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia North, has passed its second reading, marking a major step toward the country’s shift to cleaner transportation. The bill promotes domestic electric vehicle production, job creation, and nationwide charging infrastructure development. It also introduces tax holidays, import duty waivers, toll exemptions, and EV subsidies to accelerate adoption. Additionally, every fuel station in the country would be required…

Europe’s Green NCAP has released its latest assessment of electric vehicle performance, focusing on real-world range, charging speed, and energy efficiency under challenging winter conditions. The study shows that cold temperatures, cabin heating systems, and charging rates can substantially reduce usable range, even in modern EVs. Tests conducted at –7°C (19°F) revealed that smaller batteries were particularly affected. The Dacia Spring, equipped with a 27.6 kWh battery, saw its mixed-weather range drop from 180 km to 133 km in cold conditions and fell to 119 km on motorways. By contrast, the Hyundai Inster (49 kWh) maintained 219 km in cold…

ChargePoint and The Mobility House have each been awarded public cooperative purchasing contracts by U.S. government agency Sourcewell to supply electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, software, and services to public-sector entities across North America. ChargePoint said the new Sourcewell contract marks its third agreement with the organisation since 2017 and will allow the company to provide charging hardware, software, and management services to municipalities, transit authorities, and public schools in the United States and Canada. See also: ChargePoint Expands Availability of Omni Port With New Conversion Kit “This latest agreement extends our longstanding relationship with Sourcewell to accelerate and simplify…

Lexus has announced updates for the 2026 RZ, enhancing the all-electric crossover’s charging convenience, connectivity, and network reach. The model now supports Plug & Charge functionality and access to the Tesla Supercharger Network, extending the brand’s electrification strategy while improving usability for existing and new owners. The 2026 RZ now connects to more than 25,000 Tesla Supercharger plugs across North America, supplementing existing access to the IONNA, ChargePoint, and EVgo networks. See also: Lexus Opens UK Orders for Updated RZ with New Powertrain and First F Sport Model Plug & Charge capability debuts for the model year, enabling drivers to…

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management will reopen its Zero-Emission Trucks Purchase Subsidy Scheme (AanZET) on 27 January 2026, offering €78 million to support the purchase of new fully electric trucks, the ministry said on Thursday. The funding is expected to cover roughly 1,100 vehicles. A second application period is scheduled for late September 2026, with its budget to be announced closer to the date. The ministry noted that the 2026 budget has not yet been approved by parliament, meaning a full-year subsidy ceiling cannot yet be set. The scheme includes several changes, including a new definition of…

ChargeUK, a lobbying group representing the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging industry, has warned that upcoming changes to business tax rules could impose new costs on operators of public charging stations. The group said the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is preparing to apply business rates to charging bays from next April, ending the sector’s previous tax exemption, The Guardian reported. Business rates are a form of property tax applied to most commercial premises in the UK, helping fund local services. While petrol stations, car parks, and shops have long been subject to these taxes, EV charging bays have been exempt,…

BYD has achieved a major production milestone with the 100,000th Sealion 06 SUV rolling off the assembly line, just 100 days after the model’s launch. The milestone marks the fastest ramp-up for any model in the company’s history, underscoring the strong market reception for its latest mid-size SUV. The Sealion 06, introduced on July 24, replaces the Song Plus within the Ocean series, which features designs inspired by marine life. See also: BYD Expands Ocean Series with Launch of Sealion 06 SUV in Hybrid and EV Versions Available in both hybrid (Sealion 06 DM-i) and fully electric (Sealion 06 EV)…