Renault readies production version of new electric R5

July 12, 2023

Renault recently gave a glimpse into readying the production version of its next-generation EV model. The Renault 5 is on a prototype production run in a ‘secret and high-tech miniature plant’. As a part of the brand’s Technocenter engineering complex near Paris, the location itself is not so secret. Created 25 years ago, the Global […]

Mercedes more than doubled EV sales in Q2

July 12, 2023

Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars more than doubled its sales of battery-electric cars in the second quarter to 56 300 units (+123%). This growth was mainly due to demand in three model series. The van division also posted gains in Q2, but not as strong as the passenger car business. With these 56 300 fully electric vehicles […]

BMW Smartglasses: a head-up display for motorcycles

July 11, 2023

BMW Motorrad is bringing the head-up display to the motorcycle world with the ConnectedRide Smartglasses. This clever pair of glasses connect to your smartphone to display all relevant riding data, including navigation and traffic information. BMW is not the first to introduce a head-up display (HUD) for bikers. Other third-party manufacturers have had these systems […]

Audi apprentices create ‘electrical prince’ EP4

July 11, 2023

To mark the 150th anniversary at the Audi site in Neckarsulm, twelve brand apprentices have electrified the iconic, classic EP4. The ‘E’ in the name of this futuristic one-off stands for the electric drive, and ‘P4’ refers to the NSU Prinz 4, a model that the former NSU Motorenwerke brand built in Neckarsulm from 1961 […]

Is there an EV price war coming up in Europe?

July 10, 2023

In the battle for the top spot in the German electric car market, Tesla was ahead again in the first half of the year, but its lead over the Volkswagen (VW) brand is shrinking. Analysts see a price war coming up in Europe on the EV market, also as a result of the Chinese price […]

BMW doubles EV sales again, PHEV sales decline

July 10, 2023

The BMW Group delivered 88 289 fully electric vehicles of the BMW and Mini brands to customers in the second quarter. This means the company again succeeded in more than doubling BEV sales compared to last year’s period (+117,5%). Plug-in hybrid registrations, on the other hand, are falling behind at the moment. According to the […]

Mercedes joins NACS charging standard

July 10, 2023

Mercedes-Benz just became the first German carmaker to join the NACS or North American Charging System initiated by Tesla in the U.S. The company will integrate it into its EV fleet in the US and Canada in 2025. At the same time, Mercedes is sticking to its plans for its own HPC network. Mercedes-Benz follows […]

BMW’s eParkourer: ‘neither e-motorbike nor e-scooter for the city’

July 10, 2023

Two years after the full-electric CE 04 ‘kicked off BMW Motorrad’s electric urban mobility future, there is a new full-electric sibling on two wheels: the CE 02 eParkourer. The bike, with its chassis with a double-loop tube frame, telescopic forks, single-sided swingarm, and cast light alloy wheels, looks somewhat like an oversized fat bike. Created […]

Ford Fiesta is past as of today

July 07, 2023

The final Ford Fiesta will roll off the production line today, Friday, 7 July, following the company’s decision late last year to axe the popular B-segment car after 47 years and eight generations. The final two Fiestas will remain with Ford. One will join the firm’s international heritage fleet, based at the Cologne, Germany, plant […]

New Mercedes CLE also as PHEV

July 07, 2023

In November, Mercedes-Benz will bring the CLE on the market, a Coupe that uses the technology of both the C- and (recently updated) E-Class. Later (in 2024), there will also be a cabriolet version and a PHEV variant. Although coupes and cabriolets seem to be an extinguishing species in car land, premium manufacturers like Mercedes […]

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 […]

Nissan launches 3-24-months flexible EV subscription in UK

July 06, 2023

Nissan has launched in the United Kingdom a flexible subscription service featuring a simple all-in-one monthly payment for its EVs, Leaf, and Ariya, and the hybrid Qashqai e-POWER, with 800 miles (1 287 km) per month included. But it doesn’t always come as a bargain. Prices start as ‘low’ as £645/mth (€755) for the Leaf […]

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 […]

Iveco eDaily tows 153 tons setting new Guinness World Record

July 06, 2023

Iveco has shown off the strength of its electric Daily with a bit of towing exercise. The eDaily managed to tow a heavy truck carrying a digger, a construction truck filled with rocks, and a fire truck along a short section of runway, setting a new Guinness World Record for ‘Heaviest weight towed by an […]

Chinese SAIC Motor wants to produce in Europe

July 06, 2023

The Chinese car manufacturer SAIC plans to build a plant for electric vehicles in Europe and is currently looking for a location. SAIC has joint ventures in China with Volkswagen and General Motors that produce electric cars, among other things. According to Reuters, the company is not yet giving any further details. SAIC is active […]

Fiat launches electric 600e SUV along the Topolino

July 05, 2023

Italian carmaker Fiat is back in the B-segment with a new electric SUV. Sister of the 500e, the new 600e is based on the same Stellantis CMP electric platform as the Jeep Avenger. The Italian boasts similar performances with a WLTP range of 409 km thanks to a 54-kWh battery. The Fiat is also cheaper, […]

Dieselgate: former Audi CEO Stadler appeals (update)

July 05, 2023

Former Audi boss Rupert Stadler got off with a suspended prison sentence and a fine after his involvement in the so-called ‘Dieselgate’ scandal. The Munich Regional Court had sentenced Stadler to 21 months of suspended imprisonment and a fine of €1,1 million. Stadler has now appealed against the sentence, just like its two fellow convicted […]

Volvo Cars to use renewable fuels for ocean freight

July 05, 2023

The Swedish/Chinese car manufacturer Volvo Cars switches to renewable fuels for ocean freight. The company claims that this will cut fossil CO2 emissions by 84%. “Every year, tens of thousands of containers of production material destined for Volvo Cars factories are carried across the world’s oceans on container ships. From now on, most seafaring journeys […]

Belux car registrations in June: serious growth again

July 04, 2023

51 760 cars were newly registered in Belgium and Luxembourg in the month of June, 48,7% more than the same month last year. It also means that the first half-year registrations grew by 35,4% to 264 475, indicating that the supply and delivery problems in the car market are finally fading away. The same tendency […]

BMW to offer six new gravel, road, and urban bikes

July 03, 2023

BMW has joined forces with long-established Italian bicycle manufacturer 3T to create three types of bikes for various use cases. Customers can choose from a gravel bike, road bike, or urban bike; each of which can also be ordered with an electric motor. All models offer a unique combination of state-of-the-art technology and progressive design. […]

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 […]

VW and Polestar also opt for NACS charging standard in the U.S.

July 03, 2023

The Volkswagen Group also opens up to Tesla’s fast charging system in North America. VW’s charging infrastructure subsidiary Electrify America announces that it will integrate the NACS connection into its fast charging stations in the USA and Canada. While Volkswagen is still weighing its options to avoid losing US customers, Polestar confirmed the move entirely. […]

Comprehensive facelift for Polestar 2 (update)

June 30, 2023

At the beginning of the year, Polestar released a comprehensive facelift for the 2024 model year of the 2, including new e-motors and more powerful batteries. Variants with a single-motor switched to rear-wheel drive, analogous to the electric drive system update for the Volvo models XC40 and C40, technically a twinned model. There’s one big […]

Lotus finally launches its Eletre SUV (Update)

June 30, 2023

Lotus has already revealed the final pricing and specifications of its Eletre electric ‘Hyper-SUV’, and the first all-electric Lotus is now available for configuration in Europe. Lotus is launching sales of the Eletre in parallel in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. In the UK, the electric SUV is […]

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, […]

Renault Group upgrades its 2023 financial outlook

June 29, 2023

Given the current level of performance of Renault Group, which is above initial expectations, the group upgrades its financial outlook for the full year 2023. It expects an operating margin between 7% and 8% (6% before) and an automotive-operational free cash flow superior to or equal to €2,5 billion (€2 billion previously). “This improvement is […]

Volkswagen to temporarily slow down EV production?

June 28, 2023

According to the works council, Volkswagen has temporarily reduced the production of electric cars at its Emden plant. The reason for this is weakening sales. This apparently affects not only the ID.4 but also the production start-up of the new electric sedan ID.7. Demand is almost 30% below the planned initial production figures, it was […]

BMW breaks ground for new high-voltage battery plant in US

June 28, 2023

On Tuesday, the BMW Group took a significant step toward building electric vehicles in the United States as it broke ground for a new high-voltage battery assembly plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. The Woodruff plant will produce sixth-generation batteries to supply fully electric vehicles at nearby BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg. More than 300 jobs will […]

Zeekr opens up pre-ordering in Netherlands and Sweden

June 28, 2023

Chinese luxury brand Zeekr, daughter of Geely Holding Group and sister brand to Volvo and Lynk & Co, among others, is starting its European offensive by opening preordering for the Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X in the Netherlands and Sweden. The latter is Zeekr’s second ‘homeland’, where the Global Design Center and European R&D are […]

Volvo joins the NACS charging standard in North America

June 28, 2023

As part of Volvo Cars’ aim to be a fully electric carmaker by 2030, Volvo joins Tesla, Ford, and GM in North America using the North American Charging Standard (NACS), recently launched by Tesla. “The company is the first European carmaker to sign an agreement with Tesla, giving current and future electric Volvo car drivers […]

French postal service gets new airless Michelin tires

June 28, 2023

Michelin and the French postal services are partnering for a two-year test of airless tires. A European-first, forty yellow ‘La Poste’ vans will be equipped with Michelin Utips tires by the end of 2024 in the Hauts-de-France region. Currently, this is the only airless tire being used on open public roads in Europe. With that, […]

Pussyfooting with Maxus’ electric ‘VIP shuttle’ MIFA9

June 27, 2023

With its 5,27-meter length and full two meters width, the Chinese Maxus’ MIFA9 is quite a giant-looking full electric people mover for seven or eight persons. A challenge to test drive on narrow roads in the hinterland of Namur. But that proved surprisingly pleasant: a rather pussyfooting elephant, we would say. The price of its […]

Next-gen Skoda Kodiaq PHEV gets +100 km electric range

June 27, 2023

Skoda has unveiled some technical details of its next-generation Kodiaq family SUV, which will get a plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the first time. The model is launching before the end of 2023 and should share its technical basis with the future Superb. The second-generation Skoda Kodiaq will build on the practical strengths of its predecessor, […]

Alpine to launch seven new electric sports cars by 2030

June 27, 2023

French sportscar builder, Alpine, has confirmed its electric ambitions for the future. By 2030, the brand will have launched seven fully electric cars, including a future A110 coupé, a roadster, and a new A310 4-seat coupé, to sit on a new dedicated platform. In Formula 1, Alpine Racing Ltd. gets a €200 million investment to […]

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 […]

Toyota’s all-new C-HR inherits Prius’ plug-in hybrid drivetrain

June 26, 2023

Toyota has revealed the production version of its second-generation C-HR, which shares the striking design and plug-in hybrid drivetrain of the recently launched Prius. The development work of this hybrid crossover was done by Toyota’s R&D Center in Zaventem, Belgium, while the production of the model will come from Europe. De design of this new […]

Ford-SK battery joint venture to get historic $9,2 billion loan

June 23, 2023

The US Department of Energy (DOE) plans to loan $9,2 billion to the joint venture BlueOval SK between Ford Motor and South Korean battery maker SK On for its battery plants in Kentucky and Tennessee. A massive loan that nearly matches the $11,4 billion the companies themselves are investing in the project. It marks the […]

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 […]

Smart launches second AWD variant of #1

June 23, 2023

Smart has announced another variant of its Smart #1 electric model. The #1 Pulse is planned to hit German roads still in 2023. This will be the second all-wheel-drive variant next to the Brabus offshoot and top model. Orders can be placed now in the ‘Bundesrepublik’ at prices starting at €46 490. Other European markets […]

Driving the Opel Astra Electric: is it really that efficient?

June 22, 2023

After a long wait, Opel has finally finished the development of its Astra Electric, which means we got to drive it. Thanks to its new Nidec electric motor, the compact hatchback promises, quite frankly, astonishing efficiency figures. Or is it too good to be true? In the battle between the technically similar e-308 and Astra […]

Mazda going for round battery cells from Panasonic

June 22, 2023

Panasonic and Mazda announced they have agreed to enter into discussions on establishing a medium- to long-term partnership for automotive batteries with round cells. The tentative language suits Mazda’s relatively relaxed approach towards electrification, yet the timeline also fits. Mazda said it would commence “concrete discussions” with a view toward Panasonic Energy supplying the carmaker […]

Volvo Trucks pumps up range of FL and FE Electric to 450 km

June 22, 2023

The Volvo FL and FE Electric distribution trucks have received a significant battery upgrade, offering 42% more capacity and increasing the range to 450 km. According to Volvo Trucks, this significantly increases the usability of these electric trucks, making them suitable to “replace our customers’ entire fleet of diesel city trucks”. The FL and FE […]

ACEA wants EU to delay more stringent ‘rules of origin’ for EVs

June 21, 2023

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) calls for a three-year postponement to restrictive rules on EU-UK electric vehicle trade, set to come into force in six months. Otherwise, tariffs could total € 4,3 billion, potentially reducing electric vehicle production by some 480 000 units, according to ACEA. Goods exported under EU free-trade agreements must comply […]

Chinese luxury brand HiPhi reaches European shores

June 21, 2023

The ‘tsunami’ of Chinese EVs is reaching European shores with yet another brand, Human Horizon’s flagships HiPhi X and Z, available now in Norway and Germany. With prices above €100 000 euros, these are not your average budget cars, and they’re bluntly targeting the heart of Europe’s premium car market, armed with luxury and high-tech. […]

SiliconAuto is the new joint venture of Stellantis and Foxconn

June 21, 2023

Car manufacturing group Stellantis, the world’s number four, and Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn have announced the formation of SiliconAuto, an equally owned joint venture for developing and selling advanced semiconductors, particularly for electric vehicles. Like Stellantis, SiliconAuto will be headquartered in the Netherlands and is expected to supply the automotive industry, including Stellantis and Foxconn, […]

Ark Zero: ‘UK’s most affordable electric (micro)car’

June 20, 2023

Ark, a London-based EV start-up, has launched its first electric car, a quadricycle called the Ark Zero, claiming it’s the most affordable EV in the United Kingdom, where it is offered exclusively. With a price tag of £5 995 (€7 012), this microcar is a competitor to Citroen’s Ami (£7 695) on the other side […]

Porsche to become full battery producer and supplier

June 20, 2023

Porsche looks likely to produce high-performance battery cells on a much larger scale than previously planned. The German carmaker will no longer do so with its partner Customcells but on its own. The Cellforce Group, the battery joint venture between Porsche and Customcells, is said to have been completely overtaken by Porsche in May. 20 […]

BYD Dolphin crosses the ocean to Europe (update)

June 20, 2023

After launching the Han, Tang, and Atto 3 in Europe late last year, the Chinese EV leader BYD (Build Your Dreams) is expanding its European portfolio with two more models previously launched in China: the Dolphin hatchback and the Seal sedan. The Dolphin, the first to be deliverable from the fourth quarter of 2023, is […]

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 […]

An all-electric Dacia Sandero by 2028?

June 20, 2023

Dacia allegedly wants to offer the next generation of its most popular small car as an electric model from 2027 or 2028. It could even become a BEV-only model, some British media report. The new-generation Sandero is expected to be based on the CMF-BEV platform, which will also be used by the full-electric Renault 5, […]

Citroën to offer a sub-€25.000 full electric ë-C3 in early 2024 (Update)

June 20, 2023

Citroën will be the first to launch a small, affordable EV costing less than €25 000. The ë-C3 will be available in Spring 2024, earlier than already announced competitors like the VW ID.2 and the Renault 5 Electric. The affordability of an EV in the lower segments is a big concern for car manufacturers. Until […]

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 […]

Renault’s new flagship is the hybrid Rafale

June 19, 2023

After reorganizing its C-segment cars with Mégane Electric, Arkana, and Austral, Renault now takes on the D-segment. It just launched the new Espace, and it is now followed by an ultimate flagship, the Rafale. When they hear the name Rafale, some will think of the French jetfighter with the same name, but Rafale is also […]

NIO launches EL6 SUV and ET5 Touring for Europe

June 16, 2023

Chinese premium carmaker NIO is pushing two more models – the EL6 and ET5 Touring – to Europe, at least in those countries where it is already present: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands. The EL6 – called ES6 in China – is a slightly smaller SUV than its EL7 sibling at a somewhat […]

Mercedes Vision One-Eleven concept: new tech in neo-retro vest

June 16, 2023

Mercedes-Benz has showcased its new Vision One-Eleven concept car. The low and sleek design arches back to the C111 prototypes of the 60s and 70s, incorporating it into Stuttgart’s recent ‘One-Bow’ shape specific to EVs. The new concept features a new axial flux motor from subsidiary YASA, supposedly lighter, smaller, and more powerful. Mercedes-Benz is […]

Rolls-Royce CEO: ‘hydrogen is a possibility’

June 15, 2023

Rolls-Royce is considering using hydrogen fuel cell technology over conventional batteries for its future electric cars once this technology is mature enough to be commercialized at scale for the high standards Rolls-Royce is claiming. The new Rolls-Royce Spectre made its European debut at the Concours d’Elegance event at Villa d’Este (Como Lake, Italy) last week. […]

H1st vision, the first concept car by Software République

June 14, 2023

Created only two years ago, Software République is staging the world premiere of a collaborative concept at the Viva Technology 2023 exhibition. H1st vision ( for ‘Human First vision’) incorporates functional and innovative technologies that illustrate its human-centered visions of future mobility. Software République is an open innovation ecosystem created by six large companies (Atos, […]

Mercedes eActros 600 LongHaul to enter production in 2024

June 14, 2023

Daimler Truck has revealed the series production name of its eActros LongHaul battery-electric long-distance heavy truck. It will enter production in 2024 as the eActros 600, referring to its battery capacity and putting it above the eActros 300/400 electric distribution trucks. Daimler Truck unveiled its long-distance electric hauler’s ‘concept prototype’ in September 2022 at the […]

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 […]

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