Author: Todd Gilbert

Endera, a manufacturer of electric shuttles and school buses, has raised $49 million in funding to support its growth. The investment includes $36 million in equity led by Magnetar, with additional participation from Pulse Fund and Pritchard Auto Company. The remaining $13 million is a credit facility to help the company scale production, expand its product lineup, and create jobs at its manufacturing facility in Ohio. Endera is the only vertically integrated U.S. original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for Class 4 electric shuttles and school buses. The company plans to use the funds to boost electric vehicle production and support domestic…

Toyota Chemical Engineering has introduced a new recycling technology for high-voltage batteries, aiming to lower CO2 emissions and improve raw material recovery in the process, the company announced. As demand for electrified vehicles rises, the need for rare metals such as cobalt and lithium has grown significantly. Toyota emphasizes that efficient recycling is crucial to conserving these limited resources and supporting a circular economy in the transition to climate neutrality. The automaker also notes that European battery manufacturers will be required to process a fixed proportion of recovered rare metals from used batteries starting in 2031. See also: Toyota’s North…

Italian atelier Caselani has revealed its latest retro conversion kit, the ‘Type-Ami,’ transforming the electric Citroen Ami into a miniature version of the iconic Citroen Type H van. The Type-Ami, which mimics the corrugated metal look of the 1948-1981 Type H, was showcased at the Retromobile trade fair in Paris. The conversion kit, which will be available in various colors, is designed to give the Ami a distinctive retro appearance without altering the electric vehicle’s original structure. Made from fiberglass parts, the kit can be easily attached to Ami models using brackets and screws, whether the vehicle is new or…

Tesla has confirmed that its upcoming Model Y will be the first vehicle in North America to feature adaptive matrix headlights, marking a significant advancement in the company’s lighting technology. This new functionality was revealed by Lars Moravy, Tesla’s Vice President of Vehicle Engineering, during an episode of Jay Leno’s Garage released on Monday. Tesla has been incorporating matrix LED headlights into its vehicles since 2022, but the technology has faced regulatory hurdles in North America, limiting its availability. While the adaptive high-beam feature has been rolled out to European customers through software updates, Tesla has worked through regulatory processes…

TIER IV, a developer of open-source autonomous driving software, has partnered with Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, to launch a data collection project aimed at advancing AI development for self-driving vehicles. The initiative, which began in February 2025, utilizes taxis equipped with TIER IV’s Data Recording System (DRS) to gather large-scale driving data for improving autonomous driving technology. The project, which aligns with Japan’s broader efforts to introduce Level 4 autonomous driving, started with five taxis operating in Greater Tokyo, with plans to expand to 20 vehicles. The data collected will be shared with industry partners to refine AI…

Stellantis’ premium brand DS Automobiles has begun taking orders for its first all-electric model, the N°8, in the UK. Prices start at £50,790 on-the-road, with deliveries expected in the second half of 2025. Unveiled in December, the N°8 is DS Automobiles’ first model available exclusively with electric drive. The 4.82-metre-long SUV coupé is built on the STLA Medium platform, placing it in the mid-range segment alongside the Peugeot e-5008 and Opel Grandland Electric. The model operates on a 400-volt electric system. See also: DS Automobiles Unveils the DS N°8: A New Flagship Electric SUV Coupé with Up to 750 km…

LiveWire, the electric motorcycle subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, has introduced the S2 Mulholland to the European market, expanding its lineup just weeks after launching the S2 Alpinista. The S2 Mulholland, a performance-oriented cruiser, was first unveiled in March 2024 and made its U.S. debut shortly after. Built on the same S2 platform as the S2 Del Mar, the Mulholland offers a riding experience tailored to cruiser enthusiasts. The model features higher and more rearward handlebars, positioning riders in a more upright stance. Powered by a 60 kW electric motor producing 263 Nm of torque, the motorcycle accelerates from 0 to 60…

German supplier ZF has entered into a collaboration with Californian company Range Energy to promote the development of electric trailers (eTrailers) for the North American commercial vehicle market. The partnership will integrate ZF’s AxTrax 2 e-axle into Range’s eTrailer system, aimed at enhancing the efficiency, emissions reduction, and range of commercial trucks. The AxTrax 2 e-axle, a key component in ZF’s electric drive technology, will be combined with a modular battery pack, an intelligent kingpin, and control algorithms from Range. This collaboration is expected to enable significant improvements in fleet performance. “Range’s eTrailer System is delivering projected savings of up…

Luxembourg-based public transport operator Emile Weber has placed an order for eleven electric buses from Spanish manufacturer Irizar e-Mobility. The fleet will comprise predominantly 12-metre models, with two 18-metre electric buses. These vehicles are expected to be delivered by the end of 2025. The new buses will feature the latest generation of “Irizar NMC 3.0 batteries,” coupled with a regenerative braking system designed to improve efficiency. The 12-metre buses will have a power output of 185 kW, while the larger 18-metre versions will produce 285 kW. Both versions are expected to offer a range of up to 350 kilometres. See…

Audi has reversed its 2023 decision to introduce a new nomenclature system where even-numbered model names were to denote electric vehicles (EVs), while odd-numbered models would be reserved for combustion-engine vehicles. This new naming convention was short-lived, with only the A5, launched in 2024, following the system as planned. The scheme will be discarded with the upcoming 2025 model lineup, including the new A6, which will retain its traditional naming. See also: Audi Unveils Q6 e-tron Offroad Concept with Portal Axles, Draws Mixed Reactions Markus Duesmann, Audi’s former CEO, had introduced the idea in 2023, stating, “In the future, it…

Chinese automaker BYD  has introduced the Sealion 7 electric SUV in Hungary, reinforcing its presence in international markets as part of its global expansion strategy. The company announced the launch on Monday, stating that the high-performance electric SUV is designed to meet the diverse needs of Hungarian consumers. The model, known as the Sealion 07 in China, has been rebranded as the Sealion 7 for overseas markets, following a similar naming approach in other regions. See also: BYD Sells 300,538 NEVs in January, Up 49.16% Year-on-Year Despite Seasonal Slowdown BYD is offering three versions of the Sealion 7 in Hungary—Comfort,…

AESC France has received European Union approval for €48 million ($50 million) in state aid to support the establishment of a new lithium-ion battery factory for electric vehicles in Douai, northern France. The approval, granted on Friday, is part of a broader effort to bolster the region’s competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Raj Shah, Chief Communications Officer at AESC, expressed his gratitude for the decision, stating, “We are grateful for this decision and look forward to starting production in Douai later this year.” The factory is expected to create approximately 1,000 direct jobs, contributing to the European Union’s…