Author: Tyne Rodriquez

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…

The UK government has announced £10 million in new funding to accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers that can operate independently of the main electricity grid. The initiative seeks to address grid capacity challenges and expand charging access in remote or rural areas where infrastructure is limited. See also: UK Launches Grant Scheme to Support EV Charging Infrastructure at Fleet Depots The Department for Transport (DfT) said the funding will support charge point operators and investors in developing innovative charging solutions that use renewable power and energy storage to avoid costly grid upgrades. Projects combining technologies such as solar…

Xpeng said that its extended-range X9 MPV will officially debut, coinciding with the company’s 2025 AI Day event expected on November 5. The new model will be the automaker’s first multi-purpose vehicle equipped with its proprietary Kunpeng Super Electric System. The X9 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) will feature a combined CLTC range of 1,602 kilometres, which Xpeng says is the longest among large seven-seater hybrids globally. The model includes a 63.3-kWh battery pack and a 60-litre fuel tank, providing 452 kilometres of pure electric range. Xpeng highlighted that the X9 EREV is equipped with three self-developed Turing AI driving chips…

Alpine has announced pricing for its new electric flagship, the A390, ahead of official orders opening on November 21. The mid-size crossover represents the French performance brand’s entry into a new segment, marking a major step in Alpine’s transition toward electric mobility. The A390 GT, the base variant, starts at €67,500, while the top-spec GTS version, due in early 2026, will retail from €78,000. Pre-orders begin on November 7 for customers holding the Alpine A390 Première Pass, which includes exclusive perks such as Devialet audio headphones. Broader sales will open later in the month, with first showroom appearances in Germany…

Tesla has officially expanded its footprint in South America with the opening of an Experience Center in Santiago, Chile. The 260-square-meter showroom, located inside Mall Cenco Alto Las Condes, serves as both a retail hub and a showcase for Tesla’s technology and innovation. The Santiago Experience Center allows visitors to explore Tesla’s vehicles firsthand, with the Model 3 and Model Y on display. Customers can learn about the company’s software, charging network, and energy solutions, while staff provide personalized consultations for prospective buyers. See also: Tesla Adds 3.99% Financing for 2026 Model Y Standard, Making Its Cheapest SUV More Accessible…

Andretti Formula E has presented its Season 12 livery and driver lineup for the 2025 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, confirming Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 FIA Formula 2 Champion, will partner reigning Season 9 World Champion Jake Dennis. The Indianapolis-based team also announced the return of Nerea Martí for the all-women’s pre-season test and the continuation of partnerships with Quest Global, Crowe UK, and Reflo. See also: Jaguar TCS Racing Unveils I‑TYPE 7 Livery Ahead of 2025/26 Formula E Season The new livery, inspired by the Andretti Global logo introduced during the organization’s 2023 rebrand, features a bold chevron…

Brazilian motor manufacturer Weg announced on Thursday it had acquired a roughly 54% stake in Tupinamba Energia, a company that provides electric vehicle (EV) charging management software, in a deal valued at 38 million reais ($6.99 million). The acquisition gives Weg a majority interest in Tupi Mob, which operates a digital platform linking more than 370,000 users to a network of EV chargers. See also: Bulgaria to Install 600 kW Fast Chargers for EVs and Buses at Railway Stations by 2026 According to the company, Tupi has completed over 1.3 million charging sessions and delivered 26 gigawatt-hours of energy to…

Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled its first Super Hybrid vehicle capable of running on biofuel in Brazil, marking a milestone as the company’s 14 millionth new-energy vehicle (NEV) rolled off the production line. The debut coincides with BYD’s plan to double production capacity at its Camaçari plant to 600,000 vehicles annually. The new powertrain system, developed specifically for Brazil, made its first appearance in the SONG PRO COP30, a special edition model that will be donated to the upcoming UN climate summit COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The hybrid system integrates BYD’s DM-i (Dual Mode Intelligent) technology, which prioritizes electric driving…

Honda Research Institute USA (HRI-US) plans to invest $2.6 million to expand its research operations in Ohio, establishing a new Advanced Materials Science Lab that will strengthen its collaboration with The Ohio State University (OSU) on future mobility technologies. The new facility, to be located on OSU’s SciTech Campus in Columbus, will focus on research in quantum technologies, hydrogen fuel cells, next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and carbon capture. The lab is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2025. See also: Honda Prologue Surpasses 36,000 U.S. Sales in 2025 After Record September Deliveries According to Dr. Christopher Brooks,…

Tesla has launched a more affordable version of its popular electric SUV in Germany, with the Model Y Standard now available to order for €39,990. Produced at the company’s Gigafactory in Grünheide, Brandenburg, the new entry-level variant aims to make Tesla’s mid-size SUV lineup more accessible to a wider range of buyers. The Standard model is around €10,000 cheaper than the previous base model, now renamed “Premium Rear-Wheel Drive.” In France, Tesla lists the vehicle at a monthly leasing rate of €299. Production of the new variant appears to have already begun, with first deliveries scheduled for November. See also:…

Wallbox said its 180 kW Supernova fast chargers will be deployed across Alberta and British Columbia as part of a new public charging network led by SureCharge Corp., aiming to improve access to charging along key transportation routes. The project, supported by more than C$4.7 million from the Government of Canada and C$400,000 from the Government of British Columbia, will establish up to 24 high-speed charging sites with a total of 96 charging points. The first locations are expected to open by late 2025, beginning in Red Deer, Lacombe, and Enoch Cree Nation. See also: Wallbox and ENSOL EV to…

XCharge EU has opened a new 5,000-square-foot technical centre near Madrid to strengthen its customer support and accelerate development of high-power charging solutions, the company said on Thursday. Located in Torrejón de Ardoz, the facility combines offices, a testing laboratory, a logistics warehouse and a workshop. It will serve customers in Spain and neighbouring European markets such as Germany, France, Portugal, Italy and Greece, as well as in Latin America. “Madrid is a strategic location within our European network,” said Albina Iljasov, Head of Europe at XCharge EU. “The new centre strengthens our customer service and support capabilities by serving…

The Trump administration is reportedly seeking a 10% stake in the Thacker Pass lithium project in Nevada, operated by Lithium Americas (LAC). The project, a flagship lithium mine for the company, had previously secured a $2.26 billion government loan under the Biden administration to advance production. Reports of the potential federal stake sent Lithium Americas’ shares up by as much as 80% in after-hours trading. The company confirmed it is “in discussions” with the Department of Energy, which issued the loan, and General Motors, a 38% stakeholder in the project, regarding conditions for the first draw of the loan. The…

Honda said on Wednesday it has ended production of the Acura ZDX, its sole electric SUV, as the automaker prepares to introduce a new generation of vehicles including the RSX and future hybrid models. The ZDX, assembled by General Motors at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant on the Ultium platform, will not return for another model year. GM had been scheduled to begin building the 2026 model later this month. “To better align our product portfolio with the needs of our customers and market conditions, as well as our long-term strategic goals, we can confirm the Acura ZDX has ended…

Nuvei said on Wednesday it has expanded its partnership with Loop Global to power electric vehicle (EV) charging payments in Canada, enhancing transaction speed and reliability while planning to extend into the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by the end of 2025. The collaboration builds on a U.S. initiative, integrating Nuvei’s local acquiring capabilities into Loop Global’s unattended EV charging terminals. These units are being deployed across Canadian commercial properties, workplaces, municipalities, and public infrastructure, with the aim of delivering faster and more reliable transactions for drivers. Canada’s EV sector is growing quickly, with zero-emission vehicles making up 15.4% of new…

Ayala Corporation’s automotive arm ACMobility said it will roll out more than 100 new direct current (DC) charging points across the Philippines in partnership with Shell, expanding the country’s electric vehicle infrastructure. The company will use Shell’s nationwide service station network for the first phase of deployment, installing DC fast chargers with outputs ranging from 60 to 120 kW at 50 outlets. Twenty Shell stations are scheduled to be equipped in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the remaining 30 to follow in 2026. “ACMobility is pleased to welcome Shell as a partner in delivering the Philippine EV Spine Network,”…

The European Commission and nine EU member states have officially launched the “Clean Transport Corridor” initiative, a cross-border project to accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure for electric lorries along key freight routes across the bloc. The initiative, first announced earlier this year, will initially focus on two strategic axes of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T): the North Sea–Baltic route and the Scandinavian–Mediterranean corridor. The aim is to create seamless, zero-emission freight corridors by 2030, underpinned by coordinated investment in charging stations, faster permitting and grid expansion. Nine countries – Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland and…