Volkswagen has increased its stake in US partner Rivian. A second payment of one billion US dollars became due on 30 June, after Rivian achieved the targets agreed in the contract. Read more…
Category: Electrive
ZF starts electric motor production for SELECT platform
German automotive supplier ZF has kicked off series production of its asynchronous electric motor for the recently unveiled SELECT drive platform in China. The asynchronous motors, manufactured at its Hangzhou plant, are intended for integration by Chinese carmakers. Read more…
EU to exempt electric trucks from tolls until 2031
The European Commission wants to continue exempting zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles from toll and usage charges for longer. Instead of ending on 31 December 2025, the exemption is set to run until 30 June 2031 if the Commission gets its way. Read more…
Electric Buses for Europe: BYD triples capacity at Komárom plant
BYD has laid the foundation stone for the expansion of its electric bus production facility in the Hungarian city of Komárom. This will see the production capacity of the plant, which opened in 2017, tripled to 1,250 vehicles per year. Read more…
Hamburg: autonomous shuttles delayed until 2026
Two autonomous driving projects are set to launch in Hamburg, Germany. First, the project ALIKE by Hamburger Hochbahn, Moia, Holon, and Volkswagen, and then Ahoi by VHH, IAV, and eVersum. However, it seems that the Ahoi project will take longer to hit the road than initially planned. Read more…
Vingroup bags order for 1,300 VinFast EVs and 1,000 charging points in Vietnam
GSM, the Vingroup subsidiary which offers SM Green electric ride-hailing service, has secured a major contract to supply 1,300 VinFast EVs in Vietnam. Meanwhile, V-Green, Vingroup’s EV charging network company, has signed a deal to set up 1,000 charging points in the country. Read more…
BP Pulse opens new San Francisco charging hub
BP Pulse’s latest EV charging hub has just opened near San Francisco Airport. It follows a series of collaborations between the brand and car hire company Hertz to build charging hubs near US airports. Read more…
Xiaomi sets speed record for fastest EV
The EV manufacturer Xiaomi claims to have set a new record for fastest electric vehicle with a production model of the SU7 Ultra. The company states it achieved a lap time of 7:04.957 minutes on the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit. Read more…
OMV and Prazska Energetika expand fast-charging network in the Czech Republic
Oil company OMV and energy provider Prazska Energetika plan to install 113 new fast-charging stations at 48 OMV fuel sites across the Czech Republic by 2030. Both firms also aim to deploy chargers at selected Billa supermarkets. Read more…
Gebrüder Weiss deploys Fuso eCanter for last-mile deliveries in Croatia
Global logistics provider Gebrüder Weiss has integrated two fully electric Fuso eCanter trucks into its Croatian fleet to decarbonise last-mile deliveries around Zagreb. It now has more than 50 vehicles with alternative drivetrains in its fleet. Read more…
Group14 sets benchmark for silicon battery cycle life
Group14, a battery material manufacturer supported by Porsche, is offering insights into its silicon-dominated anode material SCC55. The US company is drawing on data collected from over 20 customers. The material is expected to open up new horizons, particularly in terms of charging cycles. Read more…
Future Flight signs agreement for 54 Eve Air eVTOLs
Future Flight Global (FFG) & Eve Air Mobility have signed a letter of intent for 54 eVTOL aircraft, with an eye towards commercial deployment in the US and Brazil. The agreement would see Eve Air Mobility deliver the aircraft and FFG operate them. Read more…
Rock Tech seeks European deal with Chinese manufacturer Ronbay
Rock Tech Lithium and Ronbay Technology have signed a strategic MoU to establish an integrated battery materials supply chain in Europe. The deal includes lithium hydroxide supply from Rock Tech’s Guben Converter to Ronbay’s CAM plant in Poland. Read more…
Lexus begins construction of first wholly-owned EV plant in China
Lexus has broken ground on its first wholly-owned EV factory in China. The Shanghai plant will produce up to 100,000 electric vehicles annually from 2027, marking Toyota’s push to accelerate electrification in the world’s largest EV market. Read more…
BMW forced to recall some 70,000 EVs in the US
BMW has to recall more than 70,000 electric vehicles in the US due to a software issue with the electric motor. It could lead to a sudden loss of propulsion while driving, increasing the risk of an accident. The i4, i5, i7 and iX model series are affected. Read more…
Ireland introduces green ‘flash’ plates for EVs from July
Ireland will roll out green ‘flash’ registration plates for electric vehicles from July. The new plates aim to boost EV visibility and normalise zero-emission driving as part of national decarbonisation goals. Read more…
First 10 electric buses to enter service at BC Transit
The Victoria Regional Transit System will soon begin deploying its first electric buses, following their arrival in April this year. All 10 vehicles are set to hit the road by autumn. Read more…
Tesla reportedly sacks its head of US and Europe
Tesla has reportedly dismissed Omead Afshar, a long-time confidant of CEO Elon Musk who was only promoted a few months ago to lead Tesla’s business in Europe and the US. The reason appears to be declining sales figures. Read more…
Xiaomi launches YU7 in China from the equivalent of €30,300
Xiaomi has started sales of its second electric car model, the YU7. This also reveals the pricing: The Xiaomi YU7 is available in China from 253,500 yuan, which equates to around €30,300. This positions Xiaomi’s electric SUV slightly below the Tesla Model Y in China in terms of price. Read more…
Driving the Hyundai Ioniq 5: more attention to detail
First 72.6, then 77.4 and now 84.0 kWh – although the Hyundai Ioniq 5 has only been on sale for four years, it has already received two battery updates. The most recent one was part of a model upgrade with further changes. And these were good for the Ioniq 5, as our test shows.
