Author: Todd Gilbert

BYD has rolled out the 2026 model year Seal 07 DM-i, introducing wider range options, updated dimensions and lower prices as it seeks to broaden the appeal of its hybrid sedan. The new Seal 07 DM-i is offered in four trims, with two providing a 135-km battery range and two offering 230 km. Prices start at RMB 149,800 ($21,040) and rise to RMB 186,800. The previous model, launched in August 2024, had five trims priced between RMB 139,800 and RMB 195,800, most of which delivered a 125-km electric range. The updated model’s adjustments to specifications and pricing structure are expected…

Argo Cargo Bikes, a Denver-based e-bike developer, has launched the Argo Fy Cargo Bike Kit 2.0, a conversion kit designed to turn standard rear-hub motor e-bikes into fully functional cargo bikes. The kit allows users to carry heavy loads or transport passengers without having to purchase a dedicated e-cargo bike, offering a cost-effective solution for urban mobility. The kit features a reinforced aluminum frame with additional ribs for durability, as well as a redesigned steering system that provides a wider turning angle for enhanced maneuverability. A waterproof phenolic plywood cargo box is included, capable of supporting up to 68 kilograms,…

Volkswagen Group will build its next family of electric small cars in Spain, with production expected to reach 800,000 units per year by the end of the decade, Seat’s interim CEO Markus Haupt said at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. Haupt said the target comprises 500,000 vehicles from Martorell, including the VW ID. Polo and Cupra Raval, and 300,000 from Pamplona, where the VW ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq will be produced. Speaking to Spanish portal La Tribuna de Automoción, Haupt described himself as “absolutely optimistic” about achieving these volumes. The projection marks a significant increase over earlier forecasts.…

Autel Energy has completed its first integrated electric vehicle (EV) charging and battery energy storage system (BESS) project in the United States, advancing its effort to deliver scalable and grid-friendly energy solutions. The installation, located at the company’s manufacturing plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, received full approval from Duke Energy. The system combines a 250 kWh battery cabinet with a 125 kW power conversion system, powering one Autel MaxiCharger DC Fast charger and two DC Compact units. By integrating storage, the project is designed to reduce peak demand costs and improve site resilience. “These first utility-approved EV + BESS projects…

Taiga Motors on Tuesday announced its next-generation Orca electric watercraft, introducing a new three-seat model, upgraded digital features and vehicle-to-grid charging, with deliveries set to begin in 2026 and global expansion into Europe. The lineup includes the Orca WX3, a three-passenger crossover model designed for recreational use and tow sports, and the Orca P2, an updated version of the company’s two-seat performance craft. Both models will be equipped with DC fast charging and bidirectional charging, allowing the watercraft to supply power for homes, cabins or dockside equipment. The Orca WX3, priced from $23,999, features a longer hull for added stability,…

France will grant an additional €1,000 ($1,090) subsidy for the purchase of electric cars assembled in Europe and equipped with European-made batteries from Oct. 1, the government said on Monday. The measure adds to the existing “bonus écologique” scheme that offers households up to €4,200 depending on income and environmental criteria. “Ecological transition is a lever for reindustrialisation,” said Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition. “By increasing the environmental bonus by €1,000, we are promoting electric vehicles whose batteries are produced in Europe and whose manufacture emits fewer greenhouse gases. This is a win-win situation for purchasing power, the climate…

German automotive supplier ZF is using the IAA Mobility show in Munich to present a wide range of technologies, including its new SELECT e-drive platform, thermal management system and an upgraded hybrid transmission. The company said its approach to electrification is moving away from “off-the-shelf products” towards a modular platform that allows manufacturers to configure different types of electric drives. The SELECT system integrates electric motors, inverters, converters, reduction gearboxes and software, with each module offered as a kit of multiple options. ZF said this approach enables shorter development times and faster innovation cycles while maintaining cost efficiency. “In the…

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are expected to make up more than half of new light vehicle sales in Europe by 2032, overtaking hybrids after 2030, consultancy EY said in a report published on Tuesday. The study forecasts BEVs will climb to nearly 100% of new car sales across the region by 2050, driven by policy targets, a rebound in consumer demand and the introduction of lower-cost models. “Policy targets, a rebound in demand and affordable models are expected to drive EV uptake,” EY said, noting that softened emissions penalties through 2027 will not prevent the shift. The findings come as…

DeepRoute.ai on Tuesday introduced its mass-production-ready IO 2.0 autonomous driving platform at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, saying the system is powered by an advanced VLA (vision-language-action) model aimed at improving safety and adaptability across global markets. The company said IO 2.0 supports both LiDAR-equipped and pure-vision configurations and is compatible with multiple automotive-grade chips, allowing carmakers to deploy assisted and automated driving features across different segments. DeepRoute.ai added it has supplied systems for more than 100,000 passenger cars and plans to leverage mass-produced vehicles to expand its robotaxi business. As part of a dual-track international strategy, DeepRoute.ai…

Qualcomm (QCOM.O) and BMW Group (BMWG.DE) on Saturday unveiled the Snapdragon Ride Pilot automated driving system, debuting in the all-new BMW iX3 electric SUV and set to be offered to automakers worldwide. The platform, co-developed over three years by engineers in Germany, the United States, Sweden, Romania and the Czech Republic, combines Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Ride system-on-chips with a jointly created software stack. It is designed to support functions ranging from basic safety features to Level 2+ automated highway and urban driving. “With Snapdragon Ride Pilot, we’re providing a scalable, safety-first solution that helps accelerate the global rollout of automated driving,”…

The new chief executive of Stellantis has urged the European Union to adopt a more flexible approach to the transition toward electric vehicles, warning that rigid policies could harm the region’s auto industry. “A strategic dialogue is very important, but now it’s vital to act with urgency. There is no time for delays,” Antonio Filosa said in an interview with Italy’s Il Sole 24 Ore and France’s Les Echos. Filosa took over as CEO of the world’s third-largest carmaker in June. The comments come ahead of a September 12 meeting where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will host…

GE Aerospace said on Thursday it will invest $300 million in electric aviation startup Beta Technologies and jointly develop a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for next-generation aircraft, marking a significant bet on hybrid propulsion in the advanced air mobility sector. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, will give GE the right to appoint a director to Beta’s board. If completed, the funding round will bring Beta’s total capital raised to about $1.45 billion, adding GE to a roster of investors that includes Amazon’s Climate Pledge Fund and Fidelity Management & Research Company. GE Aerospace, a leading supplier of jet and…

Honda’s electric SUV, the Prologue, recorded its strongest sales month yet in August, with deliveries rising 80% from a year earlier to 9,347 units. The model, which only began reaching customers in March, has quickly become one of the top-selling electric vehicles in the U.S. Last month, the Prologue outsold Ford Motor’s Mustang Mach-E, which reached a record 7,226 sales, as well as Hyundai’s Ioniq 5, which posted 7,773 units, up 61% year-over-year. Honda also sold more Prologues than its own Odyssey minivan and Passport SUV, highlighting strong consumer demand for its first mass-market EV. Cumulatively, Honda has delivered nearly…

Rivian will cut around 150 jobs, its second small staff reduction this year, as the U.S. electric vehicle startup positions itself for the launch of its more affordable R2 SUV in 2026. The company confirmed the layoffs were concentrated in its commercial team, which oversees sales and service operations. Employees affected by the reduction will be eligible for rehire and encouraged to apply for other open roles. The Wall Street Journal first reported the cuts earlier in the day. The latest reduction follows a similar 1% workforce cut in June that targeted manufacturing roles. Rivian has repeatedly adjusted its workforce…

Ford said it will integrate its BlueOval Charge Network with Octopus Electroverse, a move that will give its electric vehicle customers access to more than one million public charging points across Europe. The service, to be branded BlueOval Charge Network x Octopus Electroverse, will launch in October. Ford EV drivers will be able to connect their Ford account with the Electroverse app, which aggregates over 1,200 networks including Ionity, Fastned, Allego and InstaVolt. Features include route planning, pricing information, booking, and integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford customers will also receive a three-month trial of Ionity Premium, while…

Chinese electric vehicle maker Leapmotor has raised RMB 2.6 billion ($364 million) through a private placement of domestic shares, bringing in four state-owned enterprises as new shareholders, according to a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The company said 75% of the proceeds, or RMB 1.95 billion, will be allocated to research and development of new electric vehicle models and upgrades to existing ones. The remaining RMB 650 million will go toward working capital and general corporate purposes. The new state-owned backers include Wuyi County Financial Investment, Jinhua Industrial Fund, Huzhou Xinchuang, and Hangzhou Hehe. Following the…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not be able to use an electric version of his armoured Range Rover, citing technological limitations in blast protection. In submissions to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate consultation, obtained by the Fast Charge newsletter and reported by the Guardian, the company said: “The required safety levels and blast protection cannot be achieved” with an electric version and that it sees no “workable engineering solution” for now. The Range Rover Sentinel fleet, which is believed to use V8 petrol engines, provides the power reserves required for moving heavily…

Fiat has opened orders for its all-electric Grande Panda in the United Kingdom, with the base model priced at £21,035 and deliveries scheduled to begin in November. The Italian automaker is offering the Grande Panda as both a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and a mild-hybrid. The electric model features a 44 kWh battery and an 83 kW electric motor, capable of a top range of up to 199 miles and acceleration from 0-62 mph in 11 seconds. It supports DC fast charging of up to 100 kW. The mild-hybrid version pairs a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a 21 kW electric…

British bicycle maker Raleigh has unveiled the Captus, a new premium low-step frame e-bike designed for everyday commuting and leisure riding, the company said on Tuesday. The Captus combines a Bosch Active Line mid-drive motor with a Bosch Powerpack Rack 400 Wh battery, offering riders up to 70 miles (112.6 km) of assisted range on a single charge. The e-bike weighs around 25 kg (55.1 lbs) and is built on a lightweight aluminum frame. It is equipped with a Shimano 9-speed derailleur system, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 50 mm front suspension fork for added comfort on varied terrain. The…

Rivian has expanded its U.S. fast-charging network to more than 120 locations, with the majority now available to all electric vehicle (EV) drivers, as the company pushes forward with broader access and a transition to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS). Data from Rivian’s charging map shows the automaker operates 122 stations nationwide, of which 93 are publicly accessible and 29 remain exclusive to R1S and R1T owners. This marks a significant increase from 67 operational sites in early 2023. The company is running a retrofit program to upgrade older stations with Tesla-style NACS connectors. Initially, stations will feature both…