Today's Automotive Pulse
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Rivian rolls out R2 EV for 2026 launch
Rivian unveiled its R2 model slated for a 2026 release, detailing specifications and pricing aimed at a broader consumer base. The company is banking on the R2 to elevate its brand to a household‑name status comparable to Tesla.
New Lexus ES to Arrive in June From £59,345 – and EV only in UK
Lexus will launch the eighth‑generation ES in the UK this June, offering only the plug‑in hybrid 350e model at a starting price of £59,345 (approximately $74,000). The 350e delivers 221 bhp, a 77 kWh battery and an estimated 329‑mile WLTP range, with three trim levels topping out at £72,545 (about $90,700). Unlike its Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series rivals, the UK ES will not be sold with a conventional hybrid powertrain, and a four‑wheel‑drive 500e variant is expected later. The new ES sits on the GA‑K platform shared with the NX SUV and features a minimalist cockpit dominated by a 12.3‑inch touchscreen.
Tesla Delivery Growth Lifts These EV Battery Suppliers, Report
Tesla’s first‑quarter deliveries rose 6% year‑over‑year, bucking a broader slowdown in China and the U.S. that has dampened global battery demand. The uptick lifted its key battery partners, with Panasonic’s shipments increasing 2.7% to 5.3 GWh, while LG Energy Solutions saw...
How New AI Tech Can Predict Potholes Before You Hit Them
ZF unveiled AI Road Sense at CES as part of its Chassis 2.0 strategy, using AI, cameras and lidar to predict road surface conditions up to 25 metres ahead and automatically retune suspension damping. The system runs on ZF's Cubix software and...
Intel to Join Musk’s Terafab in Surprise Move, Lifting Stock
Intel announced a partnership with Elon Musk’s Terafab project to develop next‑generation chips for AI, robotics, and autonomous systems. The chipmaker will help "refactor" the factory’s technology, a process aimed at boosting chip performance and reliability. The surprise move aligns...
Feature*: Integration Failures that only Appear on Real Vehicles
Nitish Sanghi highlights that autonomous‑vehicle stacks that pass simulation, replay and bench testing can still fail once deployed on a real vehicle. Timing jitter, clock drift, and sensor‑calibration shifts emerge only when the full hardware‑software system operates under real‑world conditions....
$51 Million In New EV Charger Funding Available In Michigan
Michigan’s Department of Transportation announced the release of $51 million in discretionary NEVI formula funds to accelerate fast‑charging infrastructure across the state. The money will target gaps on major highways, aiming for a charger roughly every 60 miles and expanding the network...
Gotion, Green Power Morocco and Chery Launch 2,000‑km Europe‑Africa Electric Freight Corridor
Gotion, Green Power Morocco (GPM) and Chery Heavy Trucks have signed an agreement to build a 2,000‑km electric logistics corridor linking Agadir, Morocco, to Perpignan, France. The partnership will initially deploy 100 heavy‑duty electric trucks and a network of battery‑swapping...
VW to Launch ID. UNYX 08 Electric SUV in China on Apr 16
Volkswagen will launch the ID. UNYX 08, its first jointly developed electric SUV with Xpeng, in China on April 16. The midsize to large SUV starts pre‑sales at 239,900 yuan (about $35,000) and tops out at 299,900 yuan (roughly $44,000). Built on an 800‑volt...
JPMorgan Warns Tesla Could Lose up to 60% as Sales Slump and Inventory Piles Up
JPMorgan reiterated an underweight rating on Tesla, slashing its price target to $145 and warning that the stock could fall as much as 60% from current levels. The call follows a first‑quarter delivery shortfall, record‑high unsold inventory and a broader...
Robotaxi Firms Refuse Senate Request for Remote‑operator Intervention Data
Seven robotaxi firms—Aurora, May Mobility, Motional, Nuro, Tesla, Waymo and Zoox—have refused Sen. Ed Markey’s request for data on remote assistance operator (RAO) interventions. The denial intensifies a Senate‑led probe into safety oversight and data transparency for autonomous‑vehicle platforms.
Autonomous Driving Shifts From a Tech Story to a Business Story
Autonomous driving is transitioning from a technology showcase to a revenue‑driven business. In 2026, the focus is on paid passenger rides, contracted freight contracts, and the construction of production facilities. Waymo, Alphabet’s self‑driving unit, announced it has completed 500,000 paid...
Australia March 2026: BYD First Chinese on Monthly Podium, BEVs (+88.9%) at Record 14.6% Share
Australia’s March 2026 new‑vehicle registrations fell 2.6% year‑on‑year to 108,703 units, reflecting higher fuel prices and geopolitical tensions. Battery‑electric vehicle (BEV) sales surged 88.9% to 15,839 units, pushing the BEV share to a record 14.6% of the market. Chinese manufacturers...
UK Car Market Posts Strong March Growth as EV Adoption Hits Record Levels
The UK new‑car market posted a 6.6% year‑on‑year rise in March 2026, reaching 380,627 registrations – the strongest March since 2019. Private buyer demand led the surge, with retail registrations up 10.1%, while fleet and business sectors also grew. Battery‑electric...
Karsan’s Autonomous E-Atak Passes Road Tests in Paris
Karsan’s driverless electric midibus, the e‑Atak, completed roughly 3,000 km of real‑world testing on Paris streets in partnership with RATP. The vehicle operated an average of five hours daily, navigating mixed traffic, precise bus‑stop parking, and traffic‑light interactions on the...
UK Automotive’s EV Crossroads: Pressure, Pushback and the Race to Net Zero
The UK government is doubling down on its Zero‑Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, positioning the country as a leader in decarbonising road transport. Automotive manufacturers warn that soaring battery‑material prices, volatile energy costs and supply‑chain strains could outpace the policy’s pace,...
UK Electric Car Sales Surge to 'Best Ever' Month in March
UK sales of fully electric, hybrid and plug‑in hybrid vehicles topped 196,000 units in March 2026, marking the highest monthly total on record. Fully electric cars alone captured almost a quarter of all new car registrations, according to the Society...
GM Trims over 1,000 Jobs at Factory Zero as EV Output Is Right‑sized
General Motors announced a second wave of layoffs at its all‑electric Factory Zero, temporarily furloughing 1,300 workers and expecting a $1‑$1.5 billion cost benefit. The cuts follow the expiration of the federal EV tax credit and a $1.6 billion charge recorded in...
'The Thaw Is Real': Indian Delegation Visits China to Talk EVs and More
India’s PHD Chamber led its first business delegation to China in more than five years, meeting firms in Shanghai, Zhejiang and Wuxi. The eight companies, mainly EV‑charging and battery startups, explored joint ventures and technology transfers to bolster India’s renewable‑energy...
UK BEV Sales Surge 24% as Petrol
UK BEV sales jump 24% year-on-year in March 2026, the first full month since US/Israel attacks on Iran +47% PHEV in March (+47 YTD) +22% BEV (+15 YTD) +7% hybrid (+6) -6% diesel (-10) -11% petrol (-4) Petrol/diesel have lost 5 points of mkt share in...
Tesla's March Sales in Germany Surge 315%
Tesla just had its best-ever March in Germany with 9,252 registrations, quadrupling year-over-year. +315% YoY +307% MoM +355% vs December & the Q1 2026 was the best quarter for Tesla Germany in the past two years. Read more: https://t.co/aFULt3uVrH cc @elonmusk, h/t @piloly
EURIAS Adds Three New Logistics and Transport Organisations
The European Union Research and Innovation for the Automotive Sector (EURIAS) has added three logistics and transport organisations—ALICE, Einride and Gruber Logistics—to its roster of 60 members. EURIAS advises the European Commission on research and innovation priorities across the automotive...
European EV Sales Surge 50% Across Top Six Markets
"EV sales in the six biggest car markets in Europe. The growth is close to 50% year over year. No further questions, your honor." ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging https://t.co/K95RQb1iIc
Car Ownership Will Become Obsolete in the Future
@dkhos talks about how it won't make sense for people to own cars in the future. https://t.co/6sS5KPDUVF
LG Energy Solution Flags Q1 Operating Loss on Weak EV Demand
South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES) warned that it will record a first‑quarter operating loss of 208 billion won, about $138 million, as electric‑vehicle demand weakens. The loss would have been 398 billion won (~$265 million) without U.S. Inflation Reduction Act tax...
Driving Exams May Boost Trust in Autonomous Cars
Can driving exams for autonomous cars increase the trustworthiness of these systems? A recent Focus discusses whether this model could build trust without shifting responsibility away from manufacturers. Learn more in Science #Robotics: https://t.co/iwDfY6PZZb
UK Car Sales Hit Highest Level Since 2019
UK car sales rise to highest since 2019 in resilient showing https://t.co/SdD77s8CtF via @JamieNimmo63 https://t.co/k4WT8h1Gv1
Jaecoo 7 Becomes UK's Best-Selling Car in March
Chinese automaker Chery’s Jaecoo 7 became the UK’s best‑selling new car in March, registering 10,064 units and overtaking the Ford Puma, Nissan Qashqai and Kia Sportage. Launched in the UK only in January 2025, the crossover now sits second in year‑to‑date sales...
Lynk&Co Charges 40% in Three Minutes
Are We Even Playing? Lynk&Co (GEELY) shows a vehicle charging from 10% SoC to 50% within three minutes, at that point it's still charging at over 900A (805kW) 95kWh battery ⚡️⚡️⚡️ #alwaysbecharging https://t.co/hrq0w5Br9x
Germany's Cheapest Lease Car Will Soon Be Electric
Soon: Germany's Cheapest Car To Lease 🇩🇪🇩🇪 will be an EV 🌩️🌩️ #exciting times #alwaysbecharging #rentelectric ⚡️⚡️⚡️ https://t.co/IB5WHA1NI4
How EVs Could Solve a Problem with America’s Rickety Grid
A new study modeling the San Francisco Bay Area shows that vehicle‑to‑grid (V2G) technology can help balance electricity demand, but only if the power system is upgraded in advance. Researchers found proactive grid investments—new transformers and transmission lines—are cheaper than...
Micromobility Use Rises as Fuel Costs Reshape Short Trips
Rising gasoline prices are prompting U.S. urban commuters to substitute short car trips with shared micromobility options, according to a new Veo rider survey of over 2,000 respondents. Among participants who own or have access to a vehicle, many reported...
'The Focus Remains On Driving:' Mazda Defends Its Screen-Heavy Approach
Mazda is overhauling its interior design philosophy by equipping its new China‑built EVs, the 6e and CX‑6e, with massive 26‑inch touchscreens that dominate the dashboard. The company argues that larger screens, combined with a head‑up display, enhance information clarity while...
XPENG Launches G6 and G9 Electric SUVs in Mexico
Chinese EV maker XPeng entered Mexico by launching its G6 and G9 electric SUVs, both built on an 800 V silicon‑carbide platform with ultra‑fast charging. The G6 is priced from roughly $45,000 to $51,000, while the larger G9 starts near $60,500...
CATL Appoints Former Zijin Mining Founder as Mining Adviser
Top EV battery maker CATL has tapped the founder and ex-chairman of Zijin Mining as an adviser for its growing mining business, according to people familiar with the matter https://t.co/bIslk5SVG8
Geely Q1 2026 Sales Surge Driven by EV Boom and Global Expansion
Geely Automobile posted a record 709,358 vehicles sold in Q1 2026, its strongest first‑quarter performance ever. The company delivered 369,059 new‑energy vehicles, pushing its EV share to 52% of total sales, and exported 203,024 units, a 126% year‑on‑year increase. Core...
Europe’s First Robotaxi Service Set for Zagreb via Uber, Pony.ai & Verne
Uber, Pony.ai and Verne have formed a three‑way partnership to launch Europe’s first commercial robotaxi service in Zagreb. The rollout will use Pony.ai’s Gen‑7 autonomous driving system on Arcfox Alpha T5 vehicles, with Verne handling fleet ownership, regulatory approvals and day‑to‑day...
Tesla's 'ASS' Is Safe As Feds End Probe Into Remote Control Feature
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed its investigation into Tesla’s Actual Smart Summon (ASS) feature, concluding that the roughly 100 reported crashes were low‑severity and occurred at very low speeds. The probe, launched in early 2025 after...
Tesla Pivots Strategy; Microsoft Boosts AI in Japan
MyPOV: R 'Ray' Wang highlights @Tesla's shift in focus going forward https://t.co/jyBoP58dOc @FoxBusiness @VarneyCo @rwang0 of @constellationr discusses Tesla's shift in focus and @Microsoft's AI investment in Japan on 'Varney & Co.'
Audi Q3 Now Comes with Adaptive Projection Lighting
Audi equips the new Q3 with AMS Osram’s EVIYOS HD25 micro‑LED matrix, a digital lighting system containing over 25,000 individually addressable pixels. The solution modulates light in real time using sensor data, projecting lane‑keeping cues, blind‑spot alerts, ice warnings and construction‑zone...
GWM Loudly Launches Tank 300 Plug-In Hybrid Under ‘BE MORE TANK’ Platform via Thinkerbell
Great Wall Motors (GWM) unveiled the Tank 300 plug‑in hybrid in Australia and New Zealand, anchoring the launch to its ‘BE MORE TANK’ campaign created by Thinkerbell. The vehicle uses GWM’s Hi4‑T Hybrid Intelligent 4WD system, promising true 4×4 capability while delivering...
Material Demand for EV Batteries to Reach 22.2 Million Tonnes by 2036
IDTechEx forecasts global electric‑vehicle battery material demand will reach 22.2 million tonnes by 2036. More than 70% of that demand comes from cell components, with a clear shift toward low‑cost LFP chemistries and higher‑nickel NMC as manufacturers chase energy density. Anode...
Expert Webinar on EV Battery Material Trends
IDTechEx hosted a 30‑minute webinar on March 19, 2026, where analyst Daniel Parr examined how evolving electric‑vehicle battery material trends are driving lower prices and higher energy density. The session covered regional EV market dynamics, the trade‑offs between NMC and...
EV Li-Ion Cell Materials Market Set to Reach US$154 Billion by 2036
IDTechEx forecasts the global EV lithium‑ion cell material market to reach about $154 billion by 2036. The report highlights the current dominance of nickel‑based NMC 811 and low‑cost LFP chemistries, with LFP priced at $34/kWh and NMC 811 at $39/kWh in 2025. Material...
Used EVs Match Gas Prices, Save on Running Costs
Average price of a used EV in the US? $34,821 Average price of a used gas car? $33,487 Essentially at price parity, with much lower operating costs when you factor in fuel and maintenance savings.
Singapore: Corporate Lab to Advance Automotive AI Innovation
Singapore launched the AUMOVIO‑NTU Corporate Lab to accelerate AI‑driven transformation in the automotive sector. Since 2019 the lab has generated 131 research papers, filed 104 patents and earned 10 patent awards, demonstrating a strong output pipeline. Its flagship AI Pathfinder...
Investigating Platoon Formation and Retention Using Reduced-Scale Mobile Robots with Controllers Based on Established Car-Following Models
A July 2026 study published in Transportation Research Part C examined platoon formation and retention using reduced‑scale mobile robots (RSMRs) equipped with controllers derived from five classic car‑following models. The researchers implemented the Gazis‑Herman‑Rothery, Gipps, Intelligent Driver Model (IDM), PID,...
Investigating Platoon Formation and Retention Using Reduced-Scale Mobile Robots with Controllers Based on Established Car-Following Models
A team of researchers evaluated five classic car‑following models—GHR, Gipps, IDM, PID, and ACC—by implementing them as controllers on reduced‑scale mobile robots (RSMRs). The experiments covered steady‑flow, congested, and stop‑and‑go traffic scenarios, revealing that the IDM‑based controller delivered the optimal...
China Unveils Self‑balancing Autonomous Electric Scooters
China has launched self-driving electric scooters with features like auto-balance. by @XueJia24682 #SelfDrivingCars #AutonomousVehicles #EV #Automation #Automotive #Transport https://t.co/m4MXrVAEvl
Tesla Europe Sales Surge in March on New Model 3/Y
JUST IN: Tesla sales spiked across Europe in March '26 driven by demand for updated Model 3 and Y
Your Car Could Soon Become a Federal Surveillance Device — What to Know
Starting in 2027, the U.S. federal government will require all new passenger vehicles to install an active driver‑alertness system that monitors eye movement, steering behavior, and breath alcohol levels. The technology, born from the 2008 DADSS project and mandated by...