December 15, 2022
The Opel Mokka-e is the next Stellantis model to receive its more efficient motor and battery combination. We also can’t call it the Mokka-e anymore because Opel has changed its naming scheme and is now giving its EV models the ‘Electric’ suffix. Like the Peugeot e-208, e-308, and the Opel Astra Electric, the Mokka Electric […]
December 13, 2022
Rivian has pressed pause on the partnership with Mercedes, which sought to jointly build a factory in Eastern Europe to build two large electric vans. Instead, Rivian wants to focus its resources on delivering its consumer products, the R1T and R1S electric vehicles, and its commercial business, building delivery vans for Amazon. In September, Mercedes […]
December 13, 2022
Volvo Trucks has expanded its electric range to include ‘rigid’ versions of the FH, FM, and FMX Electric: long-wheelbase versions for heavy box trucks, construction vehicles, or heavy distribution vehicles. These new trucks are primarily meant for urban use, but several battery and cab options are available. Volvo Trucks already produces lighter electric box trucks […]
December 08, 2022
The Chinese car and bus manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) has expressed an interest in building its own car factories in Europe. This move would support its European expansion and overcome issues with getting the cars shipped to our shores in the long term. For now, China’s biggest EV maker will start by buying up […]
December 08, 2022
Volvo CEO Jim Rowan has confirmed that its new ‘baby EX90’ will be called the EX30 and is set to launch in 2023. To keep costs low, it will be built in China on Geely’s SEA platform, which is also used for the recently-launched Smart models. At the launch of the EX90, the new electric […]
December 07, 2022
As promised, the Vietnamese car manufacturer VinFast has opened its first two stores in Cologne (Germany) and Paris (France). However, the cars have been delayed to 2023 due to chip shortages affecting the launch. VinFast has officially kicked off its European endeavor with the first stores in Cologne and Paris, located in “high-visibility corners” in […]
December 05, 2022
Stellantis has signed an agreement with French retrofitting specialist Qinomic to investigate the business case of retrofitting EV powertrains to light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to ensure their continued usability within low-emission zones. This could also be interesting for Belgium. No big plans have yet been announced by Stellantis: the partnership with Qinomic merely seeks to […]
December 05, 2022
The Mercedes EQT is the electric version of the T-Class compact family van, with the same powertrain as the Renault Kangoo E-Tech Electric. Mercedes has given two examples of how the EQT can be used as a leisure vehicle with the Concept Marco Polo and the Marco Polo module. No surprises under the hood of […]
November 30, 2022
With the first delivery of the Semi scheduled for this Thursday, December 1st, Elon Musk has announced on Twitter that Tesla’s long-haul truck has achieved a 500-mile (800 km) drive with a loaded trailer earlier this week. That would match the initial promises made by Musk back in 2017. As ever, Tesla CEO Elon Musk […]
November 30, 2022
Opel has unveiled the Electric version of the latest Astra, with similar specs to its closely related cousin, the Peugeot e-308. The Opel Astra Electric is available as a hatchback and an estate version, with WLTP ranges of up to 416 km. After launching the PHEV versions of the Astra first, including a sporty Astra […]
November 29, 2022
Automotive supplier Continental has introduced its ‘Green Caliper’, a brake caliper and disc designed specifically for EVs. It saves up to five kg of unsprung weight per wheel and further improves efficiency by reducing residual brake force after releasing the pedal. The Green Caliper is designed with EVs in mind and optimizes weight and efficiency […]
November 29, 2022
Yes, that’s quite a few buzzwords in one title. Spanish start-up Liux wants to make the Animal, an electric crossover SUV with a range of up to 600 km. More importantly, though, is the goal of producing it out of 90% recycled and plant-based materials, with a simplified assembly that facilitates production and repairs. The […]
November 24, 2022
Abarth has launched its first electric car with the Abarth 500e, which follows the recipe of its combustion brothers by giving the Fiat 500e more power and a sporty look. The brand has also solicited its community to develop some features, with members getting priority in the pre-order process in return for their efforts. Abarth […]
November 23, 2022
Ford has unveiled the passenger version of its E-Transit Custom, which gets the E-Tourneo Custom nameplate. The electric people carrier has up to eight seats, an electric range of 370 km, and offers more comfort and technology than before. PHEV and diesel versions are also available. Like the E-Transit Custom, the E-Tourneo Custom gets a […]
November 21, 2022
Smart’s second new-gen model has been revealed as the #3, another compact electric SUV, but a larger one than the #1, which was launched earlier this year. The model was spotted in a new batch of regulatory filings from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which also revealed a few key specifications. The […]
October 27, 2022
Opel has renamed the most powerful Grandland Hybrid4, giving it the new GSe label, following the recently-announced Astra GSe. Power stays the same at 300 hp, but the looks of the Grandland GSe do evolve to suit its sporty badge. No changes to the drivetrain on this Opel Grandland GSe: it keeps its 300 hp […]
October 26, 2022
After releasing the Enyaq RS Coupé iV with a 220 kW (299 hp) dual-motor drivetrain, Skoda has given the non-Coupé version of its electric SUV the same sporty treatment. In addition, the RS model also gets visual changes to enhance its sporty appearance. Up to now, the most powerful Skoda Enyaq iV was the 80x […]
October 25, 2022
The Japanese electric motor manufacturer Nidec has launched its second-generation E-Axle electric drive system for EVs. Compared to the previous generation, it gains efficiency, uses less rare materials, and is quieter. Nidec supplies electric motors for several Chinese EV manufacturers, including Guangzhou Automobile Group Co (GAC) and Geely. Its first-generation E-Axle, which integrates the motor, […]
October 20, 2022
Hon Hai Technology Group, better known as Foxconn, held its third annual tech day, unveiling two new EV prototypes (Model B and Model V) and the production version of the Model C, a battery-electric SUV with a range of nearly 700 km. Foxconn is progressing rapidly in the electric car market. After showing three BEV […]
October 20, 2022
GM Defense, General Motors’ military vehicle subsidiary, has been selected by the US military’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to develop a battery pack prototype based on the Ultium platform suitable for military use. GM Defense already had several hydrogen-based projects in development for the military. For this contract, GM Defense has to develop an Ultium-based […]
October 19, 2022
The Vietnamese car manufacturer Vinfast has announced its first European store locations, with the Cologne (Germany) store to kick off its European debut in November 2022. In addition, stores in France and the Netherlands are also announced to be coming soon, with those three countries also housing the three European headquarters for Vinfast. In September, […]
October 18, 2022
Renault is one of the few car manufacturers present at the Paris Motor Show 2022, and has used the occasion to present its 4Ever Trophy, a tribute to the classic Renault 4 and a preview for a production version coming soon. Last year, Renault celebrated the 60th anniversary of one of its most iconic models: […]
October 13, 2022
According to data from the European constructors’ federation ACEA, 6 of 27 EU countries have less than one EV charging point per 100 km of road, with fast charging availability also below the level needed to support the growing electric vehicle market share. It’s not the first time that the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) […]
October 13, 2022
Lexus’ first battery-electric car, the UX 300e, gets a new battery that increases its range from 314 km to 450 km while also gaining a revamped interior and more body rigidity. However, no improvements to the previously lacking charging capabilities are mentioned. The UX 300e was launched in 2020 as Lexus’s first fully electric model. […]
October 12, 2022
The student-run GreenTeam of the University of Stuttgart has again broken the acceleration record for electric vehicles, with a lightning-fast time of 1,461 seconds from 0-100 km/hour, beating the previous record of 1,513 seconds set by a Swiss student team. Neither the Porsche Taycan nor the Tesla Model S Plaid comes close to the GreenTeam […]
October 04, 2022
American start-up Lordstown Motors and Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn have finally started production of the Endurance electric pickup truck. The vehicles are produced by the now Foxconn-owned former GM plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The manufacturer stresses that production will ramp up slowly due to supply chain constraints. The slow production start of the Lordstown Endurance […]
October 03, 2022
The Audi factory in Forest (Brussels) will get a second model, next to the current e-tron. After initially denying the Belgian production plant’s request, Audi decided to let Audi Brussels build the Q4 e-tron to meet the high demand and shorten delivery times. In December 2021, the news broke that Audi Brussels had applied to […]
September 29, 2022
Daimler Truck has already received an order of 50 electric Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul from the German transport group Hegelmann, only a few days after revealing the near-production version of the long-distance electric truck at IAA Transportation in Hannover. It has been a productive show for Daimler Truck at IAA Transportation. After showing the near-production ‘concept […]
September 28, 2022
BMW has given a significant portion of its model range a refresh with the fall 2022 model updates. It includes the sales launch of the hybrid X1 and electric iX1 models, a new entry-level powertrain for the i4, new hybrid versions of the 7 Series, and more. The new BMW X1 features two hybrid models, […]
September 28, 2022
BMW has unveiled its XM (not to be confused with the Citroën XM), its first standalone M model since the M1, and also the first electrified full-fat M model from the brand. The large SUV combines a V8 engine with a 197 hp electric motor to generate 653 hp of total power, although a 748 […]
September 22, 2022
ElectricBrands, best known for their funky XBUS, brought three new vehicles to IAA Transportation in Hannover. The XBUS S, Evetta Cargo, and NITO C+S are all compact electric vehicles designed for business use but with a friendly touch. The German start-up ElectricBrands first came into the spotlight with two compact electric vehicles based on iconic […]
September 21, 2022
Maxus has expanded its European model range with three new electric models: the T90 pickup truck, the MIFA 9 minivan, and the 7,5-ton Electric Light Truck. With this expansion, the Chinese manufacturer enters both passenger and heavier commercial vehicle markets. Maxus, part of the Chinese conglomerate SAIC and imported by Astara Western Europe in Belgium, […]
September 21, 2022
Quantron has presented its QHM FCEV Heavy Truck at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, a MAN TGX-based hydrogen truck that boasts driving ranges of up to 1 500 km. That would make it the longest-range hydrogen truck on the market, with delivery expected in 2023. The Quantron QHM FCEV Heavy Truck uses two 120 kW […]
September 20, 2022
Iveco shows off its hydrogen and electric future for vans and trucks at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, thanks to partnerships with Hyundai and Nikola. Both the Daily light commercial vehicle and the Nikola Tre zero-emission truck will be available with either batteries or a hydrogen fuel cell. Back in March, Hyundai and Iveco announced […]
September 19, 2022
Daimler Truck has unveiled a ‘concept prototype version of the Mercedes-Benz eActros LongHaul at the IAA Transportation in Hannover. It previews the design of the long-haul electric truck, which will enter production in 2024 and boasts ranges of up to 800 km. The truck won the “2023 Truck Innovation Award” at the show, a prize […]
September 15, 2022
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) has conducted a study on the viability of decarbonizing European road transport with hydrogen trucks by 2030. It appears that, even with dropping (green) hydrogen prices and more stringent CO2 reduction measures, subsidies will still be needed to bridge the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) gap between renewable […]
September 15, 2022
Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has unveiled its Urbino 18 articulated hydrogen bus, a second zero-emission model with a fuel cell, which complements the existing Urbino 12. It adds space for up to 140 passengers while keeping the same 350 km estimated range, thanks to the addition of three extra hydrogen tanks. The Solaris Urbino 18 […]
