Author: Tyne Rodriquez

Danish energy tech company FLEXeCHARGE has secured €5 million in a financing round led by EnBW Ventures and Eneco Ventures, the corporate venture arms of major utilities from Germany and the Netherlands, respectively. Existing investors Greencode Ventures and Vireo Ventures also joined the round, signaling continued support for the startup’s intelligent energy management platform. The investment will fuel the expansion of FLEXeCHARGE’s HARMON-E cloud platform, which enables charge point operators (CPOs) to manage electric vehicle (EV) charging sites more efficiently across multiple locations. Unlike conventional site-specific solutions, FLEXeCHARGE provides global load management designed to optimize energy use and reduce grid…

Portuguese bus manufacturer CaetanoBus has launched a new generation of zero-emission urban buses in 8.5-, 12-, and 18-metre versions, offering battery-electric options across all models and hydrogen-powered variants in the larger sizes. The lineup features significant drivetrain updates, including new partnerships with battery supplier CATL and motor systems from CRRC. The revised models mark CaetanoBus’ shift from NMC to LFP battery chemistry, with CATL’s BC5 battery system now standard across the fleet. The system supports energy capacities of up to 266 kWh, 465 kWh, and 700 kWh for the 8.5-, 12-, and 18-metre models respectively. The LFP cells are designed…

Volkswagen Group said its long-delayed electric vehicle architecture known as SSP (Scalable Systems Platform) will now include support for combustion engine-based range extenders, as it finalizes plans to roll out the all-new platform starting in 2026. Originally unveiled in 2020, SSP was intended to unify Volkswagen’s EV development across brands and replace existing electric platforms such as MEB and PPE. However, development setbacks—largely linked to the company’s in-house software division, Cariad—have pushed the launch of SSP vehicles to later this decade. In a strategic shift, the German automaker confirmed SSP will accommodate internal combustion engines used solely as power generators,…

Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Global reported an 8.5% year-on-year rise in revenue for the first quarter of 2025, reaching 53.3 billion yuan ($7.42 billion), as the company continues to recover from a prolonged regulatory crackdown. Net income stood at 2.4 billion yuan for the quarter, reversing a net loss of 1.4 billion yuan in the same period last year, supported by the adoption of new accounting standards. Didi has been regaining ground since facing a major regulatory overhaul in 2021, when China’s cyberspace regulator investigated its U.S. IPO and ordered its apps removed from stores. The company was fined $1.2…

Hyundai is reportedly considering a 1% price increase across its entire U.S. vehicle lineup as it seeks to mitigate the financial impact of tariffs imposed by the U.S. government, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter. The potential price adjustment could be implemented as early as next week and would apply to newly manufactured vehicles, while existing inventory on dealer lots would remain unaffected. The report also indicated that Hyundai is likely to increase charges for shipping as well as for optional add-ons such as floor mats and roof rails. This approach aims to reduce the…

Seat has achieved two key milestones on its path to electric vehicle production at its Martorell plant in Spain, marking significant progress toward series manufacturing planned to begin in 2026. The company announced the start of pre-series assembly of battery systems and the initial production of body parts using its new PXL press. These components will serve two upcoming electric models: the Cupra Raval and the VW ID.2, both slated for production at Martorell. The battery assembly facility, part of a €300 million project unveiled in 2023, has already produced its first pre-series battery packs. The plant, linked directly to…

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on legislation that would block California from enforcing its plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, Senate Majority Whip John Thune said on Tuesday. The measure, which follows House approval on May 1, would repeal a waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Biden administration. That waiver allows California to mandate that at least 80% of new vehicles sold by 2035 be electric or zero-emission. Eleven other states, including New York and Massachusetts, have adopted similar rules, collectively representing nearly 40% of…

Chile’s state-owned mining company Codelco announced on Monday a partnership with global miner Rio Tinto to develop the Maricunga lithium project, marking the Anglo-Australian firm’s first foray into Chile’s lithium-rich salt flats. The move bolsters Chile’s ambition to reclaim its former dominance in the lithium industry, amid rising global demand for the metal used in electric vehicle batteries. Under the terms of the deal, Rio Tinto will invest up to $900 million to extract lithium from the untapped Maricunga brine deposit in northern Chile, acquiring a 49.99% stake in the venture. Codelco will retain a 50.01% controlling share. The project…

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday cautioned that the European Union’s green policies, if applied too rigidly, could damage Europe’s industrial base, particularly its automotive sector, and called for a more pragmatic approach to climate goals. Speaking in Rome following talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Meloni said the EU’s transition strategy should prioritize economic and social stability alongside environmental objectives. “I have often said that in a desert there is nothing green,” Meloni told reporters. “Before anything else, we must fight the desertification of European industry.” See also: Italy Urges Stellantis to Safeguard National Factories in Future Plans…

Public transport operator Red Movilidad has deployed 300 new electric buses in Santiago, marking the start of a large-scale expansion of Chile’s zero-emission transit fleet. The rollout is part of a national plan to introduce 1,800 electric buses by the end of 2025, which would bring the capital’s share of electric buses to 68%, according to government estimates. The newly arrived buses, manufactured by Zhongtong in China, will operate on routes US 16, 17, and 18, serving nearly 20 districts, including La Granja, San Miguel, and San Joaquín. These areas have historically lacked access to clean public transport infrastructure. Chile’s…

Valenzuela City, part of the national capital region of the Philippines, has acquired 41 units of the BYD Dolphin electric hatchback, creating the country’s largest electric vehicle fleet for law enforcement, local officials and BYD’s distributor said on Monday. ACMobility, the official distributor of BYD vehicles in the Philippines, said the city will deploy 35 units for police patrol and enforcement, five for general government use, and one as a first responder vehicle. The move is part of Valenzuela’s “Go Green Valenzuela” programme, which promotes environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solutions in public services. See also: Philippines Expands EV Charging Network…

South Korean battery manufacturer SK On said it has made progress in its research on solid-state battery technology, unveiling methods to improve the cycle life and performance of next-generation energy storage systems through collaborations with academic institutions. The company said it has developed a technique to enhance the durability of sulfide-based all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs) by forming a protective layer on the lithium metal anode. According to SK On, this layer increases interfacial stability, thereby improving battery safety and extending its operational life. The research, conducted in partnership with Dr. Dong-Won Kim’s group at Hanyang University and published in…

Spanish charging infrastructure manufacturer Circontrol has introduced its new high-power DC charging station, the Sonic One, offering up to 400 kW of output, at the Power2Drive trade show in Munich. The launch was accompanied by updates to its AC product range and new regulatory certification for Germany. The Sonic One is available in two versions—Sonic One 320 and Sonic One 400—corresponding to their peak charging capacity in kilowatts. Both variants support charging at up to 500 amps in boost mode, regardless of vehicle voltage. Power can be distributed between two charging points per unit, which include integrated cable management and…

Portuguese EV charging infrastructure provider Efacec debuted two new fast charging systems at Power2Drive Europe 2025, including its flagship HPC 240/400 high-performance chargers and a modular DC fast charger aimed at customisable fleet and public charging needs. The new HPC series includes the HPC 240, which offers up to 240 kW of power, and the HPC 400, which reaches 400 kW. Designed with scalability and efficiency in mind, both models target high-traffic locations and heavy-duty electric vehicles. “With improved functions, greater efficiency and scalability, this solution has been specially developed to meet the requirements of modern energy infrastructures,” the company…

Lucid is expanding its international presence as it prepares to ship a second batch of its Gravity electric SUVs to Saudi Arabia. The American automaker, known for its high-performance electric vehicles, reported a solid performance in the first quarter of 2025, delivering 3,109 vehicles, marking its fifth consecutive quarter of record deliveries despite some logistical challenges in Saudi Arabia. The company noted that deliveries to Saudi Arabia were initially limited due to a system change but have since been resolved. Lucid’s manufacturing operations in Arizona have shown increased output, with 2,213 units produced in the first quarter alone. The company…

Audi is evaluating options to localize electric vehicle (EV) production in the United States in response to higher import tariffs, with possible plans to assemble certain models at existing or upcoming Volkswagen Group facilities, industry sources told Automobilwoche. While Audi has not confirmed any shift in manufacturing strategy, speculation has emerged over potential U.S. assembly of the Q4 e-tron at Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant in Tennessee, where the automaker has been producing the ID.4 SUV for the local market since mid-2022. The site is already equipped with the MEB platform, which underpins both models, and utilizes a partially localized supply chain…

Rivian reported its highest gross profit to date in the first quarter of 2025, supported by gains in both automotive and software services. The company also trimmed its full-year delivery guidance, citing evolving trade regulations and global economic conditions. In its latest financial update, Rivian posted a gross profit of $206 million for the three months ended March 31, marking its second straight quarter in the black. Of that total, $92 million came from automotive operations, while $114 million was generated from software and services. See also: Rivian Reveals Maximus Drive Unit for Next-Gen R2 EV The American EV maker…

Hyundai Motor Company and autonomous driving technology firm Plus have announced a groundbreaking partnership aimed at transforming long-haul freight transportation in the United States. The two companies revealed their pioneering concept for a hydrogen-powered, autonomous freight network at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo 2025 in Anaheim, California. The innovative initiative integrates Hyundai’s hydrogen fuel cell technology with Plus’s advanced autonomous driving software to create a scalable, zero-emission solution for freight operations. The concept features Hyundai’s XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, which is equipped with Plus’s SuperDrive™ autonomous software. Together, these technologies aim to revolutionize long-haul freight by enhancing efficiency, road…

California has committed $500 million to help school districts purchase 1,000 electric school buses and install related charging infrastructure, state officials said, as part of its ongoing efforts to cut emissions from public transportation and reduce air pollution in vulnerable communities. The funding, part of the Zero-Emission School Bus and Infrastructure (ZESBI) program, is managed by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the California Energy Commission (CEC). In a statement, the agencies said 133 educational agencies across the state were awarded grants to replace aging diesel and gasoline buses with battery-electric models. Under the program, each recipient can receive…

Tesla’s new vehicle registrations in California declined by 15% in the first quarter of 2025, as the electric vehicle maker lost market share in the U.S. state that has traditionally been its stronghold, according to data released by the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) on Wednesday. Tesla’s share of California’s battery-electric vehicle (BEV) market dropped to 43.9% from 55.5% a year earlier, marking the first time the automaker has failed to account for the majority of EV sales in the state. The overall market for zero-emission vehicles in California grew 7.3% during the same period, with brands such as…