Author: Todd Gilbert

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)…

MAN Truck & Bus has received its largest electric bus order outside Europe after South Africa’s Paruk Group placed an order for 100 fully electric Lion’s Explorer E buses, marking a major step forward in the country’s transition to zero-emission transport. The 12-metre Lion’s Explorer E buses are based on the Lion’s Chassis E, which MAN designed specifically for international markets. Unlike in Europe, where MAN supplies complete buses, its global strategy focuses on providing chassis to local certified body manufacturers. In this case, both the chassis and body will be built in South Africa — the chassis at Pinetown…

Wallbox, a global supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging and energy management solutions, has partnered with Hera Comm, part of Italy’s Hera Group, to install 58 Supernova 120 kW DC fast chargers across Central-Northern Italy by the end of 2025. The rollout will be supported by Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) under the European Union’s Next Generation EU program. See also: Wallbox Completes First U.S. Residential Installations of Quasar 2 Bidirectional EV Charger The chargers will be located throughout key areas of the Emilia-Romagna region, including Forlì-Cesena, Ravenna, and Rimini. The project forms part of Italy’s broader push…

Peugeot is preparing to introduce the next generation of its e-208 in late 2026, built on Stellantis’ new STLA Small platform. The French automaker said the updated model will mark a major technological step, offering higher battery capacities, extended range, and a redesigned, futuristic interior. The upcoming e-208 will be Peugeot’s first model to use the STLA Small architecture, which enables larger batteries while maintaining compact dimensions. The shift to the new platform is expected to significantly increase driving range beyond 500 kilometres on the WLTP cycle, compared to the current model’s 432 kilometres. See also: Peugeot Adds Battery Preheating,…

Grubhub, in partnership with robotics company Avride and multi-restaurant operator Wonder, has launched an autonomous food delivery pilot in Jersey City, marking the food delivery platform’s first use of self-driving robots outside university campuses. The pilot, operating from Wonder’s Jersey City location, introduces AI-powered delivery robots designed by Avride to Grubhub’s marketplace. Customers ordering from Wonder’s more than 20 restaurant brands — including Tejas Barbecue, Alanza, and Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson — can now select robot delivery if they live within the designated service zone. See also: Avride Secures $375 Million Backing from Uber and Nebius Group to Scale Self-Driving…

Rivian has delayed the launch of two of its most anticipated off-road and performance features, “Kick Turn” and “RAD Tuner,” for the 2026 R1T and R1S Quad models. Initially scheduled for a September rollout via an over-the-air (OTA) update, the features are now expected to arrive later this year, the company confirmed. Both functions were first unveiled during the debut of Rivian’s updated 2026 R1 lineup earlier this summer. However, the October update window passed without their release. In a statement to The Drive, a Rivian spokesperson said the company needed additional time to ensure both technologies meet performance expectations.…

Tesla reported that its vehicles operating with Autopilot technology were involved in one crash every 6.36 million miles during the third quarter of 2025, a rate that remains about nine times lower than the U.S. national average for vehicle accidents. According to the company’s Q3 2025 Vehicle Safety Report, the results compare favorably with the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which indicate one automobile crash occurs every 702,000 miles driven. However, Tesla’s latest figures were slightly below the 7 million miles between crashes recorded in Q3 2024. See also:…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk said the company is preparing to launch fully autonomous robotaxi operations in Austin, Texas, before the end of 2025. Speaking during Tesla’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Musk also indicated plans to expand the program to as many as ten U.S. metropolitan areas within the same timeframe. Austin has served as a testing ground for Tesla’s robotaxi program since June 2025, with Safety Operators stationed in the passenger seat for city rides and in the driver’s seat on highways. See also: Tesla Expands Robotaxi Operations in Austin to Highways, Shifts Safety Operator Role For fully autonomous operations,…

Global competition in the electric vehicle (EV) industry is accelerating as legacy automakers like General Motors (GM) face mounting pressure to match the swift product development cycles of Chinese rivals. According to GM President Mark Reuss, the company is rethinking its approach to design and production speed in order to stay competitive in a market where traditional hierarchies no longer ensure success. See also: General Motors Lifts Full-Year Outlook, Trims Tariff Impact After Solid Q3 Results https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YWpDSNdAcg In an interview with InsideEVs, Reuss said that the rapid pace of innovation among Chinese automakers offers important lessons for global manufacturers. “I…