Author: Todd Gilbert

Tesla’s vehicle sales declined sharply across several European markets in May, marking the fifth consecutive monthly drop as political controversies surrounding CEO Elon Musk and an aging product lineup weighed on demand. Despite the overall downturn, Norway stood out as a rare success, buoyed by the launch of the refreshed Model Y SUV. In Sweden, Tesla’s sales fell 53.7% year-on-year, while Portugal reported a 68% drop. Other key markets also saw declines, with sales down 30.5% in Denmark, 36% in the Netherlands, and 19% in Spain. In France, the fall was even steeper, at 67%, according to recent data from…

Italy has inaugurated its first megawatt charging station for electric trucks, located at the Firmian car park off the Bolzano South exit of the A22 Brenner motorway. Developed by local manufacturer Alpitronic and operated by Autostrada del Brennero S.p.A., the new site marks a significant step in advancing electric freight transport on one of Europe’s key logistics corridors. The site features Alpitronic’s newly launched HYC1000 system, capable of delivering up to 1,000 kW of charging power. The Power Cabinet integrates eight 125 kW modules and can serve up to eight vehicles. The current configuration includes two high-power chargers and three…

Serbian lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturer ElevenEs has unveiled its latest advanced prismatic cell designed for electric vehicle use, emphasizing rapid charging capability and enhanced durability. The newly launched Edge574 Blade Cell measures 57.4 cm by 12 cm by 1.6 cm and is capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in approximately twelve minutes at temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius. The cell supports a peak charging power of up to 1 megawatt for a full battery pack configuration and maintains fast charging performance even in lower temperatures, albeit at reduced rates. The company highlighted the cell’s improved energy…

BYD will collaborate with charging partners Xiaoju Charging and LongShine to deploy 15,000 ultra-fast 1-megawatt (MW) EV chargers across China, the automaker announced during the 2025 Shenzhen auto show on May 31. Under the agreement, BYD will work with Xiaoju, the charging unit of ride-hailing platform Didi, to build 10,000 of the 1-MW chargers. A further 5,000 will be constructed in partnership with LongShine, a firm with access to more than 90 percent of China’s public charging infrastructure and a presence in over 400 cities. The expansion builds on BYD’s March unveiling of its 1-MW charger, which it says can…

Blink Charging said on Tuesday it will reduce its global workforce by about 20% by the end of the third quarter as part of a broader restructuring plan intended to enhance operational efficiency and support long-term growth. The job cuts follow an earlier round of layoffs in September 2024, when the company announced a 14% reduction in staff. At the time, Blink described the move as a proactive adjustment to prevailing market conditions in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The latest measure falls under Blink’s ‘BlinkForward’ strategy, which the company said is focused on rationalising operations, increasing agility, and aligning…

Chinese new energy vehicle (NEV) giant BYD has entered into a strategic partnership with car rental firm Car Inc, aiming to broaden its customer base and strengthen its presence in the mobility services sector. The agreement was signed today at BYD’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, with BYD chairman Wang Chuanfu and Car Inc chairman Yu Hongfei in attendance, according to a statement from the automaker. The companies outlined cooperation for the 2025 summer vehicle procurement program, as well as initiatives to advance the development of green mobility and the car rental market. The deal builds on an initial collaboration in…

Autonomous driving company WeRide has launched eight fully autonomous Robotaxi routes operating 24 hours a day in the heart of Guangzhou, marking a significant step in the commercialization of self-driving mobility services in China. The network, the first of its kind in a Tier 1 city, connects major landmarks such as Canton Tower, Zhujiang New Town, and key transport hubs including Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Guangzhou South Railway Station. Users can book rides via the WeRide Go app, with next-day bookings available from 6 p.m. See also: WeRide Launches First Paid Level-4 Robobus Service in Central Guangzhou WeRide’s new…

Austrian oil and gas company OMV announced it will begin closing 10 of its 28 compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel stations in Austria starting this summer, citing low demand and poor profitability. The decision follows OMV’s recent move to shut down all public hydrogen refuelling stations in the country for similar reasons. According to OMV, natural gas vehicles (NGVs) remain a niche segment in Austria, with just 4,350 registered NGVs out of more than 7.4 million vehicles on the road. The company said this limited adoption undermines the business case for maintaining its full network of CNG stations. “The limited…

XPeng Motors has officially entered the Italian market, strengthening its presence in Europe as the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer pursues a strategy to derive half of its sales from outside China. The company said it would begin selling its G6 and G9 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in Italy next month through a distribution partnership with ATFLOW. The vehicles will be manufactured in China and imported into the country. See also: Xpeng Aeroht’s “Land Aircraft Carrier” Flying Car Production Certificate Application Accepted by CAAC Italy becomes the latest addition to XPeng’s growing European footprint, which already includes markets such as Germany,…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks will expand its electric heavy-duty truck portfolio with new variants of the eActros 600, available for order from autumn 2025, as it phases out production of the earlier eActros 300 and 400 models by the end of this year. The German truckmaker said it would add flatbed chassis configurations, additional wheelbase options, and new versions with two battery packs instead of the standard three to the eActros 600 range. The move is aimed at broadening use-case flexibility, particularly in the distribution sector. The current eActros 600 comes equipped with three 207 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs…

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD has made a strong debut in South Korea’s EV market, with its compact SUV, the Atto 3, topping the imported EV sales chart in April despite a delayed launch and slower access to government subsidies. According to industry data, BYD registered 543 units of the Atto 3 between April 14 and the end of the month, surpassing competitors such as Tesla’s Model Y Long Range (533 units) and Model 3 Long Range (350 units). The Atto 3 also outperformed internal combustion engine vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne SUV (536 units) and the BMW 3 Series…

DS Automobiles has delivered its first fully electric official state vehicle, the Presidential DS No. 8, to French President Emmanuel Macron, marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8. This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a French president has used a fully electric vehicle for official functions. The Presidential DS No. 8 is a bespoke electric flagship designed exclusively for the French Presidency. The vehicle, which was driven to the Paris Armistice celebrations, features a striking Sapphire Blue paint with black-painted quarter panels, along with an illuminated grille adorned with the red, white,…