Electric cars could link both the energy and transport transitions, but the right framework remains absent. However, energy expert Dr. Tim Meyer sees bidirectional charging as the “sleeping giant” of the energy system. Ahead of the CharIN Testival & Conference Europe 2026, Dr. Meyer explains why both regulation and the energy industry are lagging behind the technology. Read more…

In the Greek city of Thessaloniki, 50 new e-buses have entered service. The 18-meter-long articulated buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong are operated by OASTH, the city’s public transport authority, on four routes. OASTH now has around 160 electric buses. Read more…

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has initiated a $45 m programme to accelerate the deployment of electric trucks and charging infrastructure. The scheme is in partnership with CALSTART. Read more…

In the UK, Zest is partnering with Heart of England Co-op to deliver high-powered charging at nine supermarkets in the Midlands. Zest will fund and operate the infrastructure under a multi-year agreement. Read more…

BMW is advancing its preparations for the Neue Klasse at its Regensburg plant. During a three-week production pause, the automaker installed a new pre-assembly line for the integration of high-voltage batteries, among other updates. Read more…

UltraTech Cement, the world’s largest cement company by sales volume and capacity outside China, has announced plans to scale its logistics fleet operation by introducing over 600 new electric trucks by December 2026. Read more…

Surprisingly, the Volkswagen supervisory board has approved the management board’s restructuring plan early. According to Volkswagen, the vote was unanimous – partly because a decision on potentially spinning off the core Volkswagen brand has been deferred, removing some of the immediate pressure for now. Read more…

China is gradually phasing out tax incentives for electric cars and batteries. Since September, the previously announced consumption tax on lithium-ion batteries has been in effect, and further benefits will be removed in 2027. Read more…

Vulcan Energy has presented a pre-feasibility study for its second lithium project in the Upper Rhine Valley. The Ludwigshafen region is expected to produce 21,100 tons of lithium carbonate annually. However, several development steps are still required before an investment decision can be made. Read more…

SUSTAINera, Stellantis’ circular economy business unit, is expanding its range of refurbished parts with a focus on electric and hybrid vehicles. Refurbished high-voltage batteries are now available for most BEV and PHEV models of Stellantis brands. Read more…

Tesla has deployed its first fleet of Cybercabs- the company’s highly anticipated robotaxi, which operates completely without a steering wheel or pedals. In Austin, Texas, Tesla is now allowed to use the all-electric two-seaters for its driverless ride-hailing service. Read more…

MAN Truck & Bus looks set to invest significantly more in the development of its service network by 2030 than previously planned. Thanks to dealers and partners, a total of around €700m will now flow into the further expansion and development of the European service and sales network by the end of 2030. Read more…

Wayve and Uber have launched their autonomous ride service in London as planned. However, a safety driver will remain onboard for the time being. Read more…

In Germany, an alliance is forming to accelerate the commercialisation of heavy H2 trucks and associated infrastructure. To achieve this, Daimler Truck, the Volvo Group, and Toyota are joining forces, supported by industry giants such as Bosch, Air Liquide, and TotalEnergies. The message: Domestic players want to establish an H2 ecosystem – before others do. Read more…

Opel is turning Germany’s best-selling small car into a fully electric hot hatch. On the test track in Pachfurth, the Opel Corsa GSE performed much more impressively than its starting price of €39,900 suggests. However, for everyday use, some features are missing, which slightly tarnish the otherwise positive overall impression. Read more…

Building on FAME, PM E-Drive, PM E-Bus Sewa, and several other schemes over the past decade, the Indian government is considering a new programme to support heavy-duty electric vehicles. The proposed scheme, an initiative by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), could cover up to 100,000 EVs. Read more…

XPENG is set to take direct responsibility for its operations in Britain with the establishment of a national sales company. It marks a shift away from the initial distributor-led model the company used to enter the UK market. Read more…

Chinese car brands have significantly increased their exports in recent months. National regulatory authorities are using this as an opportunity to impose stricter controls on the foreign business operations of Chinese automakers. The means: fresh regulations on marketing, pricing, and more. Read more…

XD Thermal has developed a new cooling architecture for the batteries of a European electric bus platform. The integrated system is said to require fewer components and can be adapted to different battery sizes. Read more…

Hyundai Mobis has opened its first European plant for electric drive systems in Slovakia. Up to 280,000 units can be produced annually at the Nováky site. Read more…