Author: Tyne Rodriquez

Guadalajara is set to expand its electric public transport network with the deployment of 53 locally manufactured Volvo electric buses from late 2025, as the state of Jalisco advances its shift toward zero-emission mobility ahead of next year’s World Cup. The order supports a broader strategy to modernise the region’s urban transport system with cleaner, quieter and more efficient vehicles. The new fleet consists of 31 Luminus high-floor buses built on the Volvo BZR platform, 12 Luminus low-floor units based on the BZL platform, and 10 articulated Volvo 7800 Electric buses. All models will be produced in Mexico, reinforcing the…

U.S. solar EV startup Aptera Motors said on Tuesday it has begun constructing a validation assembly line at its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, marking a key step toward scaled production of its three-wheeled solar-powered vehicle. The new validation line will allow Aptera to move from prototype development to a structured and repeatable assembly process. Co-founder and co-CEO Steve Fambro said the facility serves as a bridge between prototype builds and full-scale production systems the company plans to deploy for its solar mobility rollout. Aptera, which listed directly on the Nasdaq last month under the ticker SEV, said it recently secured…

Hyundai Motor Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pyeongtaek City to transform Pyeongtaek Port into a carbon-free green hydrogen port, marking the first introduction of hydrogen energy infrastructure at a domestic port terminal. The collaboration aims to support Korea’s carbon neutrality goals and establish Pyeongtaek Port as a central hub for green shipping routes with zero carbon emissions during maritime transport. The MOU, signed on Nov. 11, was attended by Ken Ramirez, vice president of Hyundai Motor Group’s Energy and Hydrogen Business Division, Jung Jang-seon, mayor of Pyeongtaek City, and Do Kyeong-sik, director of the Pyeongtaek Regional…

A new analysis of nearly 500 used electric vehicle (EV) sales calls from UK retailers has found that buyer concerns over battery health and warranty coverage dominate early-stage inquiries, highlighting the growing role of transparency in the second-hand EV market. The study, conducted by data analytics firm Barbuck in collaboration with certification technology provider Generational, used AI-driven voice analytics to identify key themes in customer conversations. See also: Study Proposes Adding ‘White Light’ to Traffic Signals for Autonomous Vehicles According to the findings, 31% of calls included questions about vehicle performance, health, or maintenance, while 49% of those discussions focused…

Tesla has partnered with Oona Insurance Philippines to provide a year of complimentary comprehensive coverage for new Model Y owners, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market. Under the promotion, customers who purchase a Model Y between October 1 and November 26, 2025, will receive 12 months of free insurance through Oona. The policy takes effect immediately upon delivery and includes digital claims processing and 24/7 roadside assistance, according to Insurance Asia. The initiative comes as EV adoption accelerates in the Philippines. Data from the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and…

Traffic lights may be getting their first major update in a century. Researchers at North Carolina State University have proposed introducing a fourth color — white — to traditional red, yellow, and green signals, to help manage traffic in a future where human drivers and autonomous vehicles share the roads. The idea, detailed in a study published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), would activate the white light only when a significant number of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) are present at an intersection. See also: Businesses Prioritize Autonomous Systems as Strategic Focus Intensifies, Study Finds These vehicles…

Geely will introduce its EX2 electric city car – the global version of the Chinese bestseller Xingyuan – in markets across five continents over the next 12 months, marking a major step in the automaker’s international expansion strategy. The model, a rival to the BYD Dolphin Mini, will be produced in partnership with Renault. “We are bringing one of China’s most popular electric cars to a truly global audience, making zero-emission mobility more accessible than ever,” a Geely spokesperson said. The rollout begins in Brazil, where Chinese EVs have gained significant traction. Production of the EX2 will take place locally…

Brazil has launched the €80 million Brazil E-Bus Credit Enhancement Fund, a public–private initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of public transport systems across the country. The program seeks to deploy more than 1,700 zero-emission buses and supporting charging infrastructure in several Brazilian cities by 2030. The fund is designed to mobilize around €450 million in private investment and reduce financial risk for lenders, enabling cities and bus operators to access more affordable financing. It combines public and philanthropic first-loss capital with an anchor investment from Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual, which is contributing €24 million. See also: Geely to…

Toyota has introduced the bZ Time Attack Concept at the 2025 SEMA Show, marking its first fully electric performance concept and a bold step into the high-performance EV space. Based on the upcoming 2026 bZ AWD platform, the concept features a dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain producing over 400 horsepower, supported by bespoke ECU tuning and motorsport-grade aerodynamics. Developed by Toyota’s Motorsports Technical Center, the bZ Time Attack Concept explores the limits of battery-electric performance in demanding motorsport conditions such as time attack circuits and hill climbs. See also: Toyota Lifts Full-Year Profit Forecast Despite Hit from U.S. Tariffs The vehicle builds…

Rivian Automotive CEO RJ Scaringe has confirmed that the company’s upcoming R2 compact SUV will debut with a “well-appointed” Dual Motor configuration, marking the first production variant of the highly anticipated next-generation vehicle. Speaking during the company’s third-quarter 2025 earnings call, Scaringe said the launch version will offer strong performance and premium features, promising to “make people happy right out of the gate.” Additional R2 variants, including higher-performance trims, are planned to roll out later in 2026 as Rivian expands the lineup. Scaringe also announced that Rivian will hold a dedicated R2 launch event in early 2026, where the automaker…

Hertz Global returned to profitability in the third quarter after nearly two years, driven by stronger used vehicle sales and a refreshed rental fleet, the company said on Tuesday. The results sent its shares soaring 42% as investors welcomed the turnaround. The car rental company has been working to diversify its operations amid a slowdown in travel demand by overhauling its fleet and expanding its fully online car-buying platform. In recent years, Hertz scaled back its electric vehicle lineup, selling off much of its Tesla fleet due to higher repair costs and replacing them with gas-powered models to better align…

Chinese ride-hailing provider DiDi is preparing to launch an all-electric premium service called DiDi Premier in Mexico City, marking a significant expansion of its electric mobility strategy in the country. The new service will begin operations with an initial fleet of 500 electric vehicles, available only to drivers who meet specific experience and quality criteria. According to DiDi, only drivers who have completed at least 100 trips on the platform and received excellent customer reviews will be eligible to operate the EVs. In addition, they must undergo specialised training focused on electric vehicle handling and premium customer service standards. The…