Chinese state-owned automaker FAW has brought its luxury brand Hongqi to Thailand and launched the E-HS9 as its first model in the market. It has appointed Metro Group as the official distributor and strategic partner for the brand. Read more…

The French government will open the third funding round of its social leasing scheme for electric cars on 16 July. The programme enables low-income employees to lease an electric vehicle at subsidised rates and forms part of France’s efforts to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. Read more…

Artemis Technologies has unveiled the EF-12 Pilot, which it claims is the world’s first fully electric hydrofoil pilot boat. The vessel is now in the water and currently undergoing trial runs before its planned deployment in regular port operations. Read more…

São Paulo has introduced 500 new battery-electric buses, increasing its zero-emission fleet to 1,759 vehicles, including trolleybuses. More than half of the latest deliveries come from BYD, while the city has confirmed it will no longer procure buses powered exclusively by diesel. Read more…

Porsche is reportedly considering relocating production of all Cayenne variants – including combustion-engine, hybrid and electric models – from Bratislava, Slovakia, to its plant in Leipzig, Germany. According to a newspaper report, the move would depend on employees agreeing to lower labour costs. Read more…

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a 70-million-euro loan for Dutch public transport operator Qbuzz. The financing will support the deployment of 275 battery-electric buses and the expansion of the associated charging infrastructure in the Dutch province of Zuid-Holland. Read more…

Volvo Buses has unveiled Australia’s first locally built battery-electric articulated bus, with two vehicles set to join the Transperth fleet in Western Australia. The 18-metre model will begin testing with Transperth in Perth in the coming weeks before entering passenger service around August. Read more…

Amazon subsidiary Zoox has unveiled an updated version of its robotaxi ahead of the start of series production in California. The company says the refinements incorporate feedback from passengers who have used the driverless service in Las Vegas and San Francisco, among other sources. Read more…

Bosch has announced a surprising leadership change: Despite Bosch CEO Stefan Hartung (60) receiving a contract extension until 2031 just last year, he will step down on June 30 — reportedly at his own request. His successor will be his current deputy, Christian Fischer. Read more…

Bus manufacturer BasiGo has expanded its electric bus fleet in Rwanda by 18 additional intercity buses. The new vehicles are intended for use on intercity routes and will drive forward the electrification of public transport in the East African country. Read more…

Porsche has published a patent for a flexible powertrain concept that combines elements of battery-electric, hybrid and combustion-engine drivetrains. The system allows the driver to switch between four operating modes, blurring the traditional boundaries between the different powertrain types. Read more…

Volkswagen Group charging subsidiary Elli will end production of its battery-buffered Flexpole fast-charging stations at its Hanover plant by the end of the year, as electrive has learned exclusively. The business will be taken over by current partner ZhongDe Energy, which plans to assemble an upgraded version of the charging station at a facility near Frankfurt. Read more…

Polestar will no longer be able to offer new vehicles in the US market starting from the 2027 model year. This follows a decision by the US Department of Commerce not to grant the electric vehicle manufacturer an exemption under the so-called Connected Vehicle Rule. Read more…

Construction has officially started on the first of five battery-electric ferries for Perth’s Swan River, marking a key milestone in Western Australia’s A$107 million METRONET on Swan Ferry Service Expansion project. A keel laying ceremony signalled the start of vessel construction. Read more…

Volkswagen Group’s battery subsidiary PowerCo has selected nanotechnology company OCSiAl as a supplier for its Unified Cell battery platform. The Luxembourg-based company will supply nanotube additives for the graphite anodes used in PowerCo’s standardised battery cell. OCSiAl will manufacture the additives at its production facility in Serbia. Read more…

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…