Author: Todd Gilbert

Porsche’s Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach package has added another lap record to its growing list of achievements, setting the fastest time for an electric vehicle at Brazil’s Interlagos circuit. The high-performance EV clocked 1:42.1 minutes on the 4.3-kilometre track, nearly eight seconds faster than the previous Taycan Turbo S record from 2022. See also: Porsche Completes Takeover of Varta’s V4Drive, Rebrands Unit as V4Smart Felipe Nasr, a three-time IMSA champion and former Formula 1 driver, piloted the Taycan Turbo GT to its latest record on Feb. 5. The lap time was also nearly a second quicker than the best…

Geely Auto has launched its EX5 all-electric SUV in Australia and New Zealand, marking its expansion into Oceania. The unveiling took place on March 11 at Sydney’s Luna Park, where the company also introduced its international user brand, Geely Go. By the end of 2024, Geely plans to expand into the UK, Brazil, and South Africa, adding 300+ new sales and service outlets, bringing its total international network to over 1,100 locations, according to Jerry Gan, CEO of Geely Auto Group. See also: Geely Returns to Indonesian Market with EX5 Electric SUV The EX5 has gained traction in multiple markets,…

Mercedes-Benz has received regulatory approval in Germany to test external vehicle marker lights indicating when automated driving is engaged, marking a step forward in the development of self-driving technology, the company announced on Tuesday. The German automaker became the first company to secure an exemption for such lights, which are designed to signal to other road users, including drivers, pedestrians, and law enforcement, when the vehicle’s conditional automation system is active. See also: Mercedes-Benz Set to Launch Enhanced Autonomous Driving System in Germany by 2025 The company has been testing the feature in the United States, specifically in Nevada and…

Toyota has launched the bZ3X, its most affordable battery electric vehicle (BEV) to date, in China. The bZ3X is Toyota’s first pure electric SUV priced within the RMB 100,000 range. GAC Toyota, a joint venture between Toyota and GAC Group, unveiled the bZ3X with a starting price of RMB 109,800 (approximately $15,150). The model is available in seven variants: five without LiDAR, priced at RMB 109,800, RMB 119,800, RMB 129,800, RMB 139,800, and RMB 159,800; and two with LiDAR, starting at RMB 149,800 and RMB 159,800. Limited-time purchase entitlements reduce these starting prices by RMB 5,000. See also: Toyota’s GAC…

Transport Malta has introduced an extensive grant scheme to support the purchase of new electric vehicles, including cars, vans, pedelecs, motorcycles, and other vehicle categories. As part of the initiative, an additional €1,000 is available for buyers who scrap an older vehicle under the government’s scrappage program. See also: Malta Unveils 250 Electric Vehicles to Replace Combustion Engines in Government Fleet The scheme, set to run throughout 2025, offers varying grant amounts depending on the type of vehicle purchased. The incentives apply only to new electric vehicles and are structured as follows: Pedelecs – €500 Cargo Pedelecs, Mopeds, Motorcycles –…

Ionity has launched its first dedicated charging solution for corporate electric vehicle (EV) fleets, the company announced. Dubbed Ionity Fleet, the new service offers flexible tariff models and centralized billing for businesses operating electric fleets. The ultra-fast charging network operator said Ionity Fleet provides access to over 4,800 charging points across 740 locations in 24 European countries. See also: Ionity to Install Fast Chargers at 15 L’Osteria Locations in Germany and Austria The service includes an RFID charging card—standard in Ionity’s purple and pink design, though fleets with over 250 vehicles can customize it with their own branding. “We’re seeing…

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the UK surged nearly 42% year-on-year in February, even as overall car sales declined for the fifth consecutive month, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 21,244 BEVs were registered last month, securing a 25.3% market share. Petrol cars remained the most popular choice, with 39,865 units sold, though this represented a decline from 48,211 units in the same period last year. Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) registrations also grew 19.3% to 7,273 units, capturing a 7.2% share of the market. See also: UK Government Explores Loan Subsidies…

Chinese autonomous driving firm WeRide has expanded its global footprint with the launch of high-level autonomous shuttles in Europe, marking a milestone in its partnership with beti, French insurer Macif, and Renault Group, the company said on Monday. The initiative introduces fully operational self-driving shuttles aimed at improving public transportation efficiency, safety, and comfort. WeRide CEO Tony Han, in an interview with CNBC, emphasized that the technology addresses labor shortages in aging societies while enhancing mobility solutions. See also: WeRide to Launch Fully Driverless Robobus Service in France “If you have ever taken a ride in our autonomous driving bus,…

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems has deployed an advanced Merging Support Information System to facilitate Japan’s first autonomous truck trial on the Shin-Tomei Expressway, the company said on Monday. The system is designed to enhance highway merging safety by providing autonomous trucks with real-time traffic data, enabling them to adjust speed accordingly before entering the acceleration lane. See also: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Invests in Koloma to Boost Geologic Hydrogen Development The trial, led by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM), and Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited (NEXCO Central),…

A fleet of 25 hydrogen fuel cell buses in the Polish city of Poznań was unexpectedly forced out of service on Monday morning, with all units experiencing simultaneous failures. The breakdown left city officials scrambling to deploy diesel buses while the issue is being investigated, Hydrogen Insight and Sustainable Bus reported. MPK Poznań, the city’s public transport operator, confirmed that the failure affected all 25 hydrogen buses at the same time, prompting immediate collaboration with Solaris, the Polish bus manufacturer, and the city’s hydrogen supplier. See also: MPK Poznań Expands Zero-Emission Fleet with Nine New Solaris Hydrogen Buses “Around the…

Rivian and Ben & Jerry’s have partnered to launch an all-electric ice cream truck, offering a glimpse into the future of mobile dessert vendors. The “Scoop Truck,” based on Rivian’s newly introduced Commercial Van, will debut at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, before embarking on a nationwide tour. See also: Rivian Opens Orders for All-Electric Commercial Van, Starting Price $79,990 The electric ice cream truck, designed to reduce emissions while serving frozen treats, will make stops at Rivian community events and various locations in Vermont, home to Ben & Jerry’s. Equipped with a range of up…

The European Commission is set to propose draft legislation this year aimed at granting insurers, leasing firms, and repair shops fair access to vehicle data, according to an auto industry action plan scheduled for release on Wednesday. If backed by EU member states, the law could resolve an ongoing dispute between car service providers, technology firms, and automakers over the monetization of in-vehicle data. See also: EU Considers Easing 2025 CO2 Targets for Carmakers, Signals New Battery Support Automakers, in particular, have been leveraging vehicle-generated information to develop new services, while third-party firms argue that access should be more widely…