Chinese Huawei shows its second car: the Luxeed EH3

August 14, 2023

Chinese tech company Huawei has released pictures of its second car, an all-electric coupé-sedan codenamed EH3. Huwai’s CEO, Chengdong Yu released the images. The EH3 is believed to experience its public debut at Chengdu Auto Show, opening doors on the 25th of August. As a well-known telecommunications and information technology provider, the car industry is a […]

Volkswagen to electrify its California camper van (update)

August 14, 2023

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is gearing up to unveil the newest generation of the California camper van at the Caravan Salon trade fair in Düsseldorf later this month. As the first teaser images reveal, the lifestyle van is, as usual, based on the long Multivan. It aims to bring unique features to its class, from innovative […]

California allows paid robotaxi rides in San Francisco 24/7

August 11, 2023

Robotaxi companies Waymo and Cruise can deploy paid taxi rides in San Francisco every day of the week, night and day. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) made the decision after a seven-hour public hearing. For autonomous driving companies, the approval is a capital step forward. Driverless robotaxis were already allowed in San Francisco for […]

BYD surpasses five million ‘new energy vehicles’

August 10, 2023

Who can stop BYD on its impressive growth path? On Wednesday, the Chinese car and battery maker unveiled that it had produced its fifth million ‘new energy vehicle’.  That is BEVs and PHEVs combined. The news shortly after the company crossed the three-million mark and surpassed Volkswagen as the number one brand in China. The […]

New MG4 Extended Range tops 520 kilometers of range

August 10, 2023

MG Motor introduces a new iteration of the all-electric MG4. The Extended Range offers an impressive autonomy of more than 500 kilometers (WLTP) on a full charge and gains some power. The new version will be launched in the UK first before it hits the other European markets. This expanded driving range is made possible […]

E.ON pioneers flexible rates for public charging in Denmark

August 09, 2023

Charging at half the price? German energy pioneer E.ON is making it possible for Danish EV drivers, as it has unlocked flexible rates at its charging stations in the capital of Copenhagen. The company has been testing dynamic pricing since the beginning of the year and offers it publicly for the first time. With dynamic […]

Lucid bows for Tesla and cuts prices (update)

August 08, 2023

In the United States, Lucid has adapted the ticker prices for some of the Air models to woo over some tempted Tesla customers who can enjoy considerable discounts. Lucid’s offer is only valid as long as the current supply lasts. The company needs to shift some stock, as it reported another significant loss of $700 […]

Ford Trucks readies heavy-duty F-Max on hydrogen

August 07, 2023

By the end of the year, Ford will deploy a fuel cell version of its F-Max, under development at its Turkish subsidiary Ford Otosan, within the framework of an EU incentive. The 44-tonne truck features fuel cell stacks from Canadian specialist firm Ballard. Together with Volvo, Scania, and Renault, Ford Trucks is a member of […]

American customers sue Hyundai over faulty charging BEV models

August 07, 2023

Hyundai and Kia face a class action lawsuit in California over charging faults with some battery-powered cars. Overheating issues at the charging port may result in a discontinued or fragmented charging process. A group of customers dissatisfied with the results from an update is now bringing the case to court. The problem that the Ioniq […]

Phyron: ‘Artificial intelligence will replace car salesperson by 2025’

August 04, 2023

According to Swedish tech pioneer Phyron, the future for car sales representatives is looking bleak. In 2025, according to their latest insight, artificial intelligence will be able to sell cars as effectively as humans. The development speed of the technology and the eager adoption of it by retailers are the main drivers. As chatbots don’t […]

German hydrogen train pioneer switches to cheaper battery power

August 04, 2023

German railway company LNVG has decided to halt further investments in hydrogen trains to replace diesel engines. Claiming they are cheaper to run, the company’s latest order consists of battery-powered and catenary trains only. The strategic move is significant, as the company was famed for inaugurating the first commercial hydrogen train line. In the summer […]

BMW’s Start-Up Garage incubator bears in-car gaming for new 5-Series

August 04, 2023

Since last month, the new BMW 5 Series owners can enjoy in-car gaming as a suspenseful pastime inside their cars. Though the concept isn’t new, BMW claims the collaboration with start-up AirConsole came about in record time in the lap of its innovation incubator BMW Start-Up Garage.  A dedicated app in the curved infotainment system […]

Carmakers sign agreement to end price war in China (update)

July 14, 2023

Sixteen carmakers committed at Shanghai Auto Forum to fend off the ongoing price war in China. Among the underwriters was also the brand that kickstarted the spiral: Tesla. The agreement was an intention of good faith, not legally binding. Two days later, the deal was withdrawn, without any publicity, by the Chinese Association of Automotive […]

Facelifted Peugeot 208 drops diesel to favor hybrids and electric

July 07, 2023

While the city car segment is under significant strain due to stronger emission rulings and a growing appetite for SUVs, the French brands aren’t loosening their grip. After the heavily revised Renault Clio, Peugeot took the wraps of its updated 208, last year’s best-selling car in Europe. The facelift doesn’t strike as lightning, as the […]

Stellantis’ new electric STLA Medium platform promises 700 km range

July 06, 2023

Stellantis has unveiled STLA Medium, a global battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. It’s the group’s first dedicated architecture for electric vehicles, dressed to rival MEB from the Volkswagen Group and the underpinnings from Tesla. The ambition for cars building on the architecture is to provide a best-in-class range of over 700 km. STLA Medium is […]

Nio opens R&D center in Berlin and makes 150 kWh solid-state available

July 05, 2023

Expanding on its European presence, Chinese EV maker Nio has opened an innovation center in Berlin. It will be the hub for five teams focusing on digital technology. Nio is on a roll, as it also starts offering semi-solid-state batteries of 150 kW in China. As the automotive industry is gearing up for software-defined vehicles […]

Tesla’s pricewar leads to record second quarter

July 03, 2023

Announcing its production and delivery numbers for the second quarter of 2023, Tesla posted a new record, beating analysts’ predictions. The company is well on track to achieve its annual goal of deliveries by the end of the year, meaning it would globally outperform Audi. But over in China, BYD is in a fierce fight […]

ZF’s future electric driveline promises 30% more range

July 03, 2023

In a showcase car based on a Porsche Taycan, automotive supplier ZF has unveiled its latest evolution of electric drive. Together with its thermal management system, the EVSys800 sets new weight, compactness, and efficiency standards. The firm eyes a market introduction in 2026. With the EVbeat, ZF wants to demonstrate the potential of future electric […]

Renault’s delay of Ampere IPO doesn’t hurt profits

June 30, 2023

Renault delays the stock market introduction of its all-electric subbrand Ampere to the first half of 2024. The French car maker points to a less-than-ideal market climate, but the postponed launch of the all-electric R5 is also playing its part. Renault is pushing forward with a revolutionary plan to launch 18 new models by 2025, […]

Audi’s boss replaced over ‘slow progress on innovation’

June 30, 2023

The Volkswagen Group has ousted Marcus Duesmann as CEO of Audi, as the brand falls short of its main rivals, Mercedes and BMW, on innovation. Duesmann will be replaced by an insider, Gernot Döllner, who takes over at the helm of the German luxury brand as of the 1st of September. Duesmanns replacement doesn’t come as […]

MG to unveil two sporty EV prototypes at Goodwood FOS

June 29, 2023

At the upcoming Festival of Speed in Goodwood, MG will enroll its Cyberster for the famous hill climb. The company also announces that it will show two additional prototypes at the fair. The Cyberster taking its chances at the festival is a confirmation that it will be offered in Europe. When MG lifted the veils […]

EV start-up Lordstown Motors files for bankrupcy

June 29, 2023

Following a troubled relationship with its investment and manufacturing partner Foxtron, electric pickup maker Lordstown Motors has filed for protection against debtors. In the eponymous town, the company had the Endurance assembled in a factory that it had sold to the Taiwanese firm. But as the latter allegedly broke the terms of an investment agreement, […]

Lucid to power Aston Martin’s first full-electric sports car

June 27, 2023

Prepping for its first battery-powered model in 2025, the British sports carmaker has announced a partnership with American EV start-up Lucid for the supply of batteries and powertrain technology. For Lucid, which gains a 4% stake in Aston Martin in return, it’s the first partnership of this kind. While combustion-engine parts can easily be shared […]

Major companies call upon EU for phase-out date for ICE trucks (again)

June 26, 2023

In an open letter to the EU, 41 firms call for bigger ambitions on the greening of transportation in the logistics sector. Among the companies are Heineken, Nike, the Colruyt Group, and shippers like DFDS and Maersk. They say that increasing the targets will lower costs and make it easier to decarbonize fleets. More precisely, […]

McMurtry’s electric fan car goes into production

June 23, 2023

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, British EV start-up McMurtry stunned the crowds breaking the hill climb record. The blistering run has spawned the necessary interest in this 1 000 bhp single-seater so that the Spéirling Pure will go into production. As a supercar for the modern ages, the Spéirling Pure builds its performance upon […]

China extends electrified cars’ incentive to reboot sales

June 22, 2023

As the Chinese economy shows signs of slowing down, the government has extended the tax exemption for hybrids and electric cars to 2027. Buyers of these so-called new energy vehicles (NEV) skip the purchase tax. Since 2014, the Chinese government doesn’t impose a ten percent purchase tax on electrified cars to support their adoption and […]

Teething problems force Turkish Togg to refocus on home market

June 20, 2023

Turkish electric car brand Togg is reversing its sales plans. Available since March in dedicated European markets, the brand is re-focusing on its domestic market only as the brand needs to sort out certain teething problems. “We should first show sustained success in our own market,” told Togg CEO Gürcan Karakas to the German newspaper […]

BYD targets 10% market share in Germany

June 19, 2023

Chinese carmaker BYD eyes one-tenth of the electric vehicle market in Germany. The ambition was made public by its sales director Lars Pauly, who didn’t commit to timing for the target. BYD’s commercial start in dedicated markets in Europe is very fresh. But the brand obviously aims to make its mark. “We want to have […]

Court of Auditors: ‘EU ambition in EV battery leadership is at risk’   

June 19, 2023

According to the European Court of Auditors, Europe’s plan of becoming a world leader in battery development and production is at risk. The stakes are high. If Europe fails in shaping up, the energy transition can falter, while it might also affect the 2035 ban on combustion engines. In 2018, the European Union issued the Battery […]

BEV share of Belgian company cars same as diesel

June 16, 2023

Partena Professional’s latest survey reveals some interesting insights on the trends and evolutions of Belgian company cars. As the share of diesel power is, for the first time, matched by fully electric models, plug-in hybrids showed a substantial rise in 2023. Also, on average, company cars for men are 18% more expensive than for women. […]

EU approves landmark law for green batteries

June 15, 2023

The European Parliament has passed the proposal for green batteries, which puts world-leading standards on the environmental impact of their entire lifecycle. The rules apply to batteries used in both vehicles as lighter means of transport, like e-scooters. The new law means that battery producers will be obliged to report on the entire carbon footprint […]

Fully electric Elise refills as quick as ICE original: in six minutes

June 14, 2023

Petrolheads will immediately recognize this Nyobolt EV Concept as the contemporary version of the original Lotus Elise. Unsurprisingly, this little battery-powered roadster was designed by Julian Thomson, the same man who styled the original version. But instead of lap times, the promised charging time of six minutes stands out, or half the waiting time of […]

Long time coming: the seven-seater VW ID. Buzz

June 05, 2023

Revealing the three-row version of its ID. Buzz is more than adding extra inches of wheelbase and one more bench in the back. The new LWB version also adds an enhanced infotainment system, a new head-up display, a clever configuration, and more range. First, that length. Overall, the wheelbase stretches to 3 239 mm (up […]

New Lexus LBX undercuts BMW and Mercedes

June 05, 2023

To boost its European expansion plans, Lexus is treading where BMW and Mercedes cancel out: the class of small city cross-overs. With a length of 4.1 metres, the new Japan-built LBX is beyond competition from the German premium brands, as Audi has announced the withdrawal of the Q2, its closest rival. In fact, this is […]

Engie refunds EV drivers who charge off-peak

June 02, 2023

Electricity supplier Engie offers a new type of contract, aimed at drivers of electric vehicles. To promote off-peak charging and maintaining grid capacity,  customers can receive a bonus. A dedicated app manages the process. According to Engie, it is a first that customers can benefit from a financial incentive if they adapt their charging behaviour […]

Norwegian EV sales slightly blossomed again in May

June 02, 2023

Sales of electric cars reached 80.7% last May, recuperating from a minor setback in April. It seems Norwegian buyers aren’t turning their backs to battery-powered cars after less generous incentives were introduced at the beginning of the year. The fiscal change of heart is most noticeable among premium cars, which have become less popular. The […]

Toyota Yaris receives second hybrid driveline

June 01, 2023

As from the summer, the Toyota Yaris can be ordered with a second hybrid driveline gaining power and a refined drive. In addition, the upgrade includes new digital features, such as an instrument display and an app-based key. But as for the design, everything remains like before. So, Toyota’s minor overhaul of its city car […]

Merger between truck makers Hino and Fuso

May 31, 2023

Japanese truck builders Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso have announced a merger and intend to become a publicly listed company. Both brands revealed that the union is on equal footing. Though the new truck maker from Japan will operate globally, its prime focus will be on the Southeast Asian market. As Hino Motors is fully […]

Tesla Model Y dethrones Toyota Corolla as the world’s best-selling car

May 30, 2023

The Model Y can parade itself as the best-sold car in the world. It took the title in Q1 of 2023 from the Toyota Corolla, which has held the top spot for many years. It’s the first time an electric car has won the gold medal. The Model Y also surges in Europe. Tesla’s price […]

Belgian students say flax is the new carbon-fiber for racing cars

May 26, 2023

Zero-emission racing is not a novelty, but a group of students from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) have made sportscars circular. At Fablab in Brussels, they presented an electric racing car made of biodegradable flax fibers yesterday. More than a concept, the car will be raced at Formula Student, an engineering competition for students worldwide. […]

Electric sports car from Alpine and Lotus is dead end

May 25, 2023

Alpine and Lotus will not be co-developing an all-electric sportscar. The sports car brands have axed their collaboration under “mutual agreement” and will go through the development process alone. The project was scheduled to spawn a successor to the Alpine A110 and the new Lotus Type 135. Developing electric cars is costly, particularly when the […]

More than 400 km range for facelifted Opel Corsa Electric

May 25, 2023

Now called Electric instead of Corsa-e, Opel’s compact city car gets an upgraded battery pack and electric motor. Subsequently, the range has been increased from 357 to 402 kilometres. The boost also comes from an added heat pump. As the Corsa is technically mated to the Peugeot 208 and DS 3 E-Tense, it shouldn’t come […]

Swedish Cary Group buys Belgian Autoglass Clinic and Touring Glass

May 25, 2023

The Swedish car glass specialist Cary group has announced the acquisition of both Autoglass Clinic and Touring Glass, which are the second and third most important glass repair players in Belgium after the undisputed market leader Car Glass. ‘We want to grow into a strong number two”, says Charline Leroi from AutoGlass Clinic, who remains […]

Europe and United States stumble over incentive agreement for EVs

May 24, 2023

According to news site Politico negotiations between Brussels and Washington on the protectionist Inflation Reduction Act, blocking EU-made EVs from incentives in the United States, are stuck in a rut. Both parties disagree on the legal framework of the deal. Ever since Joe Biden passed the Inflation Reduction Act, favouring only American-made BEVs with batteries […]

ACEA: Euro 7 ruling to cost up to 2 600 euros per car

May 24, 2023

The lobby organisation for car manufacturers ACEA is flashing the lights again on the proposed Euro 7 rules, which are considered unnecessary and a waste of money by many car brands. A new survey has calculated that the price increase could be four to seven times higher than initially accounted for. “The effects on the […]

Geely doubles its stake to electrify Aston Martin

May 23, 2023

Chinese car giant Geely is increasing its interest in iconic British sports car brands. The owner of Lotus has raised its share in Aston Martin to 17 percent, a little more than a half year after it stepped in, buying 7,6 percent in September last year. Geely is now the third-biggest shareholder of Aston Martin. […]

Gotion adds manganese to LFP and achieves 1 000 km range

May 23, 2023

Chinese battery maker Gotion High-Tech, a company heavily backed by Volkswagen, has unveiled its L600 battery. Its cells use lithium manganese ferro phosphate chemistry capable of providing a range of 1 000 kilometers. Under the optimistic Chinese driving cycle, that is. Battery packs promising 1 000 kilometers of range aren’t new, but until today, these […]

Shell and Nio open first joint swapping station

May 19, 2023

In Harmelen, the Netherlands, Shell and Nio have inaugurated their first jointly deployed swapping station. This means the Chinese EV maker network now grows to 17 stations, spread over Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. As the roll-out plan lags, the companies hope to scale up fast. Nio follows its path with swapping stations, […]

e.Volution Space: the car that lasts for half a century

May 19, 2023

The University of Aachen has spawned a sustainable car meant to stick around for fifty years. The boxy SUV propagates flexibility and features not only swappable materials but also swappable drivelines. It’s survival of the fittest but on wheels – an answer to the uncertainties of today and the challenges of tomorrow. The Space, a […]

Mercedes VAN.EA to increase e-van sales to 50%

May 19, 2023

Mercedes has unveiled its new VAN.EA architecture. The modular underpinnings can house a variety of van models, from medium to large, and must significantly boost electrifying its utility department. The first models on the new platform are expected in 2026. The VAN.EA platform, which will be produced in sites all over the world from Mercedes, […]

Meet the all-electric Nissan Navara: Ebro

May 19, 2023

It’s been two years since Nissan ceased production of the Nissan Navara and closed its factory near Barcelona. But a Spanish group of investors is reanimating the model and preparing to launch an all-electric Navara called Ebro. As pickup trucks are challenging to comply with stern emission rulings in the EU, Nissan decided to withdraw […]

Is Macron wooing Musk to bring Tesla production to France?

May 16, 2023

French President Macron is accelerating his plans to put France at the forefront of the zero-emission transition in the automotive industry. After his CO2 tax favoring local-built EVs and announcing a battery plant in Northern France, Macron met with Elon Musk at the Choose France Summit to discuss an investment. After the summit, which took […]

Mercedes introduces carbon-friendly aluminium on EQE and EQS

May 15, 2023

Mercedes starts to manufacture the EQE and EQS models with aluminium of a significantly reduced carbon footprint as of this summer. As aluminium production emits up to four times more CO2 than steel, this is an important step in further reducing greenhouse gas emissions from its EVs. Compared to the average, the reduction in the […]

German study: ‘e-fuel could cost €1 per liter in the long run’

May 12, 2023

According to German Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, electric fuels have the potential to reach cost parity with actual oil-based fuels. Today’s price of 50 euros per liter could fall to 1 euro as industrialization and cheaper CO2 capture reap benefits. But uncertainties remain to be resolved. As the EU approved electric or synthetic […]

Copenhagen wants to ban all ICE cars by 2030

May 12, 2023

The Danish capital plans to oust all passenger cars on combustion engines from its center by the decade’s end. The proposition isn’t put into law yet but has been accepted by all the governing parties. The confines of the electric-only zone will be determined after a feasibility study. Copenhagen is an example of the transition […]

Will Nio market solid state battery cars already this summer?

May 11, 2023

BMW has promised a prototype by 2025. Toyota says it has developers working like ants to make it work. And specialist Dotstore says we shouldn’t expect them before the beginning of the next decade. And then there’s Chinese EV start-up Nio, who filed for three BEV models with assumed solid-state technology expected to hit the […]

Toyota’s revenue increases amidst ‘difficult year’

May 11, 2023

The world’s biggest carmaker, Toyota, managed to boost revenue last year by 18%, while output was still plagued by supply chain constraints. The results from its last fiscal year unveil a slipping net income, but the performance nonetheless exceeds expectations. The group’s new boss Koji Sato comments that he sees further sales growth for the […]

Sparki wants to double Belgian supercharger network in 2023

May 10, 2023

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo (Open Vld) has inaugurated the first supercharger station from Sparki, a provider rooted in Belgium. The two superchargers in Deinze kickstart the first series of six ultra-fast charging stations capable of 300 kW, becoming operational in the following days. By the end of this year, the start-up company wants to […]

Volvo cuts 1 300 office jobs but leaves Ghent untouched

May 05, 2023

Volvo is the next car manufacturer to lay off staff in the wake of the electric transition challenging the automotive industry. To streamline its efficiency, the company is reducing its office-based national workforce by 6%, corresponding to 1 300 jobs. So, the cuts are made entirely in Sweden. In an official statement, CEO of Volvo […]

Punch Powertrain starts production of e-transmission for Stellantis

May 04, 2023

In Sint-Truiden, gearbox manufacturer Punch Powertrain has kickstarted the production of components for the eDCT transmission for Stellantis. The gearbox will be assembled in the car giant’s 1,2 million vehicles, providing substantial CO2 savings. “Our patented technology enables us to bring sustainable technologies to global markets at affordable cost,” said Jorge Solis, CEO of Punch […]

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