Smart has provided a clearer indication of the pricing for its upcoming electric two-seater. According to Europe CEO Wolfgang Ufer, the #2 could launch in Europe next year with a starting price below €22,500. Ufer also said European production could become an option if demand reaches sufficient volumes. Read more…

According to a report by Manager Magazin, Volkswagen is considering a far more extensive restructuring programme than previously reported. The German business magazine claims the company is planning to close its plants in Hanover, Zwickau and Emden, as well as Audi’s factory in Neckarsulm. The report also states that Volkswagen could cut up to 100,000 jobs worldwide. Read more…

CATL expects that up to 10,000 to 20,000 electric vehicles with its novel sodium-ion batteries will enter the market this year. Additionally, the Chinese battery market leader has now unveiled its first stationary battery storage system with sodium-ion cells. Read more…

Neath Port Talbot Council has begun rolling out a fully electric recycling fleet, becoming the first local authority in the UK to electrify its entire recycling vehicle operation. Once complete, the fleet will comprise 21 battery-electric recycling vehicles, replacing the council’s existing diesel trucks. Read more…

Tesla plans to significantly increase production at its Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg. From October, the plant in Grünheide aims to raise weekly output from the current 5,000 Model Y vehicles to 7,500 units. After recently adding 1,000 employees, the company now plans to hire another 1,000 to support the production ramp-up. Read more…

Mercedes is shedding its van image. The VLE takes centre stage as an all-electric luxury people mover with seating for up to eight passengers. Our first drive through the mountains around Bilbao and the narrow streets of the northern Spanish industrial and port city revealed whether the concept delivers. Along the way, we experienced several technical highlights – and even developed a fondness for the rear-axle steering.

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Nissan is participating in a new research project exploring intelligent energy and charging solutions for EVs. The project aims to test Vehicle-to-Grid technologies, solar modules, and AI-based energy management systems. Read more…

Hyundai is working on an evolution of the virtual gearshift for its electric N models. In the future, the vehicles will offer simulated idle noises, vibrations, and exhaust pops, among other features. Read more…

The German-Canadian company Rock Tech Lithium is failing to make progress with its planned lithium converter in Guben (Brandenburg). As company representatives explained at a city council meeting, there are currently financing issues. Read more…

The Vietnamese electric ride-hailing service Green SM has expanded to its sixth international market: Kazakhstan. It marks the company’s commercial entry into Central Asia. Read more…

The Brazilian government has decided to allow duty-free imports of CKD and SKD kits for EVs in the second half of 2026, which will then be assembled in Brazil by automakers. This is expected to primarily benefit BYD and GM’s Chevrolet brand. However, there is an upper limit. Read more…

US truck maker Orange EV has just delivered its 2000th electric terminal truck to its customer Coca-Cola Canada. The deployment expands the drinks company’s use of battery-electric yard truck in British Columbia and Quebec – while marking a key milestone for the truck manufacturer. Read more…

According to an American trade portal, GM is developing a new electric vehicle platform internally referred to as ‘BEV-N’, which is set to succeed the current BEV3 architecture. The first vehicles based on this platform could roll off the production line by the end of 2028 or early 2029. Read more…

The EV startup Slate, backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is launching its debut models: an electric pickup starting at $24,950, and an electric SUV from $29,950. This price is made possible through an explicit low-budget approach, with Slate forgoing features like touchscreens. Read more…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks currently deploys around 80 Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks within its own production network. These e-trucks not only reinforce in-house logistics but also provide the manufacturer with valuable operational data. And now, the brand has shared insights into this data. Read more…

Dacia is introducing a new generation of the battery-electric compact car Spring to the market. The model will continue to feature a fully electric drivetrain, four seats, and a practical trunk – but, unlike the first generation, it will be manufactured in Europe. Read more…

Chinese mining giant Zijin Mining is advancing electrification of its vehicle fleets. The company now deploys battery-electric dump trucks at multiple sites and even develops some of the vehicles in-house. Read more…

Bangladesh has just announced a sweeping package of tax incentives aimed at accelerating EV adoption. It includes tax breaks for importers, manufacturers and buyers of BEVs and PHEVs – as well as machinery imports and charging stations. Read more…

The state government of New South Wales, Australia, has announced a major spending programme for electric buses and associated infrastructure. The latest state budget allocates $6.5bn AUD over ten years to purchase 1,700 new electric buses and build 17 charging depots. Read more…

Fleet electrification firm Zenobe has secured a $400m AUD financing facility to support the deployment of electric commercial vehicles in Australia and New Zealand. The company describes it as the region’s “first integrated, multi-site heavy vehicle fleet electrification financing platform.” Read more…