California has opened applications for a new rebate programme for electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Backed by more than $1 billion through 2030, the initiative aims to accelerate fleet electrification and strengthen the state’s position in the global zero-emission vehicle market. Read more…

BMW has launched a preferred pricing programme for BMW and Mini EV drivers at Ionna charging locations across the United States. The offer provides a 20% discount on charging sessions and is integrated via Plug & Charge and the My BMW App. Read more…

Vietnamese electric taxi operator and leasing provider Green SM has announced plans to deploy up to 18,497 VinFast EVs across the Philippines. The agreement could mark the largest bulk deal for VinFast EVs in the country. Read more…

Ford plans to introduce five entirely new passenger car models by the end of 2029, all manufactured in Europe for the European market. These include a fully electric compact car, a small electric SUV, and three models available with various powertrain options. Read more…

Stellantis is expanding its partnership with the Chinese state-owned company Dongfeng. However, contrary to expectations, this does not involve the production of Dongfeng vehicles in European Stellantis plants. Instead, the focus is on manufacturing Jeep and Peugeot models at Dongfeng’s facilities in China. Read more…

Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech has been provisionally awarded €92 million under Spain’s Perte VEC funding program to advance two battery projects in Valladolid. These include a production facility for battery cathodes and a battery recycling plant. Read more…

Xiaomi has set up a subsidiary called Beijing Xiaomi Jingxu Technology, which is intended to produce electric motors and batteries. According to Chinese media, Xiaomi plans a joint-venture battery factory with an annual capacity of 15 GWh, which is expected to begin production later this year. Read more…

Nidec is seeking to exit its e-axle business in China and Europe: To this end, the Japanese industrial group plans to withdraw from Guangzhou Nidec Auto Drive System, a joint venture established in 2019 with partner GAC. In Europe, a joint venture with Stellantis is affected. Read more…

Volkswagen agreed with Germany’s IG Metall union at the end of 2024 to cut domestic production capacity by more than 700,000 vehicles and has now largely completed the reduction. Meanwhile, Xpeng confirmed talks with Volkswagen about the use of a plant in Europe. Read more…

Volkswagen has confirmed the return of the ID. Buzz to its North American line-up for model year 2027 following a one-year hiatus. And even the ID. 4 will get a ‘future version,’ despite its currently low sales figures. Read more…

The figures suggest that Tesla’s strategy is working: registrations in Europe have increased again since the launch of the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y variants. But has Tesla struck the right balance with its cheaper base versions, or have some of the cost-cutting measures gone too far? Our review of the entry-level Model Y provides the answers.

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Volkswagen is bringing the GTI into the electric era while drawing heavily on the badge’s heritage. A red stripe, tartan trim and GTI mode meet 166 kW, an adaptive chassis and a front-axle differential lock. Whether the iconic name lives up to expectations on the road remains to be seen. What is certain is that Volkswagen will open pre-sales for the ID. Polo GTI in autumn at prices starting just below €39,000. Read more…

Plugsurfing launched in Berlin in 2012 with the ambition of giving EV drivers access to charging stations across Europe through a single app. The startup went on to shape the roaming market and inspire many later providers. Since then, the company has changed ownership twice, while its B2B business with white-label apps and APIs has grown into a far more significant part of the business. We spoke with Wilhelm Henriksson, Head of Networks, Strategy and BI at Plugsurfing, about how the company and the charging ecosystem have evolved. Read more…

Rompetrol plans to build a new fast-charging network for electric cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles in Romania. The project comprises 30 charging stations across 26 locations, which the company aims to put into operation by the end of 2027. EU funds support the project. Read more…

German intralogistics equipment manufacturer Jungheinrich has begun practical trials of sodium-ion batteries in industrial trucks with selected customers. The aim is to validate the performance and reliability of this new battery technology under a wide range of operating conditions. Read more…

Renault will unveil the new Renault 4 JP4x4 Concept on 18 May at the French Open tennis tournament in Paris. The vehicle combines the playful and cheerful elements of a beach buggy and a pick-up truck and recalls historic R4 derivatives from past decades. Read more…

Dutch fast-charging provider Fastned is issuing another bond for investors in Belgium and the Netherlands. The company aims to use the targeted sum to help finance its expansion across Europe. Read more…

Kia has begun exporting the PV5 to Japan, marking the final stage of preparations for the model’s sales launch in the country. The South Korean automaker is set to enter the Japanese market with its first purpose-built vehicle (PBV) later this spring. Read more…

Chinese automaker BYD has started formulating plans for the overseas launch of the second-generation Yuan Plus, which it unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April. The company plans to market the model as the ‘Atto 5’ overseas. Read more…

The UK government will remove a range of regulatory barriers for larger electric vans from June 2026, bringing vehicles weighing between 3.5 and 4.25 tonnes broadly into line with their diesel and petrol counterparts. The reforms remove HGV testing and tachograph requirements, reducing costs and administrative burdens for fleet operators switching to zero-emission vans. Read more…