China’s Carmakers Surge Past Japan, European Peers with AI, Battery Tech
Chinese automakers are outpacing Japanese and European rivals by deploying advanced AI driver‑assistance chips and ultra‑fast‑charging Blade batteries. Volkswagen’s 5% stake in Xpeng now feeds Turing AI chips into its ID Unyx 08, while BYD showcases a battery that reaches 97% charge in nine minutes at –30 °C. Exports surged 57% year‑over‑year as domestic sales slipped 20%, prompting firms like Xiaomi to target Germany in 2027 and leverage new Canadian tariff cuts. The shift signals a strategic push into premium overseas markets, including a potential U.S. entry.
First Tesla Semi Electric Truck Rolls Off High Volume Production Line
Tesla announced that the first Semi electric truck has rolled off its new high‑volume production line at the Nevada Gigafactory. The facility is designed to build up to 50,000 Semis per year, a dramatic scale‑up from pilot runs. The inaugural...
Where the Industry Is Heading: Five Takeaways From the 2026 Beijing Auto Show
The 2026 Beijing Auto Show underscored China’s transition from a follower to a global automotive hub, occupying 380,000 sq m, displaying 1,451 vehicles and 181 world premieres. It highlighted deepening cross‑border collaborations, with multinationals moving toward co‑development on Chinese platforms and Chinese...
Everything You Need To Know About Used EV Battery Health In 2026
Used electric‑vehicle sales hit a fresh record in March 2026, with roughly 43,000 units sold nationwide. Recurrent’s research of over a billion miles shows modern EVs keep 97 % of their original range after three years and 95 % after five, while...
AI Takes the Wheel at Europe’s Biggest Carmakers
European premium automakers Audi, BMW and Mercedes‑Benz are embedding artificial intelligence across factories, supply chains and vehicles. AI‑driven image processing now flags welding defects in real time, while autonomous robots handle material transport and generative AI compresses development cycles. BMW...
Driverless Cars Will Be Subject to Moving-Violation Tickets in California Soon
California’s Department of Motor Vehicles approved rules that will let police issue moving‑violation tickets to driverless cars, directing the citations to the manufacturers. The regulation, part of a 2024 autonomous‑vehicle bill, also imposes testing milestones of 50,000 miles for light‑duty...
Nissan Cancels 2 Electric SUVs Planned for the US Market
Nissan North America has scrapped two electric‑SUV programs slated for its Canton, Mississippi plant, despite a $500 million investment announced in 2022. The move aligns with a refreshed strategy that emphasizes e‑Power hybrids, plug‑in and extended‑range powertrains rather than pure EVs....
Coral Charge Brings Solar Power to EV Chargers
Los Angeles startup Coral Charge, founded in 2022, builds off‑grid DC fast‑charging stations that draw electricity directly from on‑site solar arrays. Its modular cabinet combines solar panels, battery storage and a charger, delivering near‑zero electricity cost for the next two...
Kia’s EV Sales Gain Steam as It Prepares to Launch the EV3
Kia posted a record‑setting start to 2026 in the United States, moving 72,000 vehicles in April despite a 3.3% year‑over‑year dip. Electrified models, especially the three‑row EV9, drove a 2% annual volume increase, with EV9 sales soaring 481% to 1,349...
Trump Says He Will Hike Tariffs on EU Cars to 25%
President Donald Trump announced a hike in tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the European Union, raising the rate to 25% effective next week. The move reverses the 15% ceiling established in the 2023 US‑EU trade agreement negotiated at...
Podcast: Tesla Semi Is Here, Xpeng VLA 2.0 Test Drive, Rivian Earnings, and More
The Electrek Podcast highlighted Tesla’s Semi moving into high‑volume production, with the first truck rolling off the line and a new $188,000 Megacharger announced to support the fleet. The show also covered Xpeng’s VLA 2.0 test drive, showcasing autonomous capabilities that...
The Rivian R2 Costs Half As Much To Build As The R1S. Here's How Rivian Did It.
Rivian announced that its upcoming R2 crossover can be built for roughly half the cost of the flagship R1S, enabling a base price of about $45,000 and a performance version near $58,000. The company achieved the savings through extensive part...
Kia's EV Sales Were Up Last Month, Surprisingly
Kia reported 72,703 vehicle sales in April 2026, a modest decline from 74,805 a year earlier. Despite the dip, the automaker’s electric‑vehicle lineup showed strong momentum, with the EV9 posting a 481% jump and the EV6 rising 11% month‑over‑month. Hybrid...
Trump Says He Will Raise Tariff on EU Vehicles to 25%
Former President Donald Trump announced he would raise the tariff on European‑made vehicles to 25% if he returns to the White House. The proposal would double the current 10% duty applied to cars from the EU, targeting major manufacturers such...
Roadzen to Attend Nordics’ Leading Automotive Event VECS 2026 in Gothenburg on May 5–6
Roadzen Inc. (Nasdaq: RDZN) will attend VECS 2026, the Nordic automotive conference in Gothenburg on May 5–6, after a private Business Sweden reception on May 4. The company is leveraging recent embedded insurance mandates with two Tier‑1 global OEMs and regulatory validation of...
Sedans Are Back as Honda Accord Sales Soar 42% and the Camry Isn’t Far Behind
Honda announced a 42% year‑over‑year increase in Accord deliveries for April 2026, while the Accord Hybrid rose 27% year‑to‑date. Toyota’s Camry also posted an 18% jump in the same month, signaling a broader sedan resurgence. In contrast, most of Honda’s...
Good Conversation, Smart Music … Oh, and Directions. (GM)
Google is rolling out its Gemini audio chat interface to replace Google Assistant in GM vehicles built from 2022 onward. The AI‑powered system enables natural, two‑way conversation for navigation, music, podcasts, translation and casual chat, aiming to keep drivers’ hands...
'No Way to Treat Close Partners': Trump Hikes Tariffs on EU Cars to 25%
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will raise tariffs on European Union cars and trucks from the current 15 % to 25 % starting next week, citing alleged non‑compliance with the 2025 US‑EU trade deal. The move is intended to...
How Cadillac's F1 Tech Will Help Shape Future Performance Cars
Cadillac will race under its own livery at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, marking GM’s first U.S. Formula 1 entry. CEO Mary Barra explained that performance data from the track is funneled into road models such as the CT5‑V Blackwing, then...
Lexus Is About to Reveal Its Three-Row Electric SUV
Lexus will unveil its first three‑row electric SUV, the TZ, on May 6 at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. The model is expected to sit on the same platform as the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV, but with Lexus‑specific styling and a premium interior....
Trump Is Breaking the Turnberry Deal over Cars. Semiconductors Are Next in Line.
President Trump announced a 25% tariff on EU cars and trucks, up from the 10% rate applied after a February Supreme Court ruling, accusing the bloc of vague non‑compliance with the Turnbird Agreement. The 2025 agreement capped U.S. tariffs on...
Nissan Kills Its EV Plans In America, Pivots To Trucks
Nissan has cancelled its plan to produce electric vehicles at the Canton, Mississippi plant, redirecting the facility toward new trucks such as the Xterra SUV, a redesigned Frontier and a three‑row SUV. The $500 million investment aimed at an EV hub...
Trump Says US to Raise Tariff Rate on EU Cars, Trucks to 25%
President Donald Trump announced that the United States will raise tariffs on imported European Union cars and trucks to 25% after accusing the bloc of breaching a recently negotiated trade agreement. The new levy excludes vehicles assembled in U.S. facilities,...
Diehl Automotive Group Adds Toyota, VW Dealerships Amid Buying Spree
Diehl Automotive Group announced the acquisition of Firelands Toyota and Volkswagen dealerships in Wooster, Ohio, along with an off‑site collision center, marking its second and third purchases in four months. The deals bring Diehl’s portfolio to 24 rooftops representing 13...
Robotaxis Are Rolling Out Across America
After a decade of hype, setbacks, and renewed interest, driverless taxis are now appearing on streets across the United States. Waymo, Tesla and five other firms are operating fleets in California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida and Illinois, with plans to...
Tesla Launches Basecharger for Semi, Reveals $188,000 Megacharger
Tesla unveiled a "Semi Charging for Business" program offering two chargers: the ultra‑fast Megacharger, priced from $188,000 for a pair of 1.2 MW posts, and the lower‑power Basecharger, starting at $40,000 and delivering 125 kW for depot or overnight use. The Megacharger...
Electric Car Interest Surges Following Spike in Fuel Prices
Fuel price spikes caused by the Iran‑U.S. conflict have sparked a sharp rise in electric‑vehicle interest across Europe, with Renault reporting a 42% jump in UK website enquiries and EVs making up just under 50% of its April registrations. Similar...
Autonomous VW Buses to Begin Microtransit Service in Florida Community
Beep and Volkswagen’s Moia America are launching an autonomous microtransit service in Lake Nona, Florida, using purpose‑built ID.Buzz electric shuttles. Six four‑passenger vehicles equipped with safety drivers are currently being tested, with public rides slated for later this year. The...
ITECH Launches IT8100A/E DC Electronic Loads with 1.8 MW Parallel Capacity and 150 A/Μs Slew Rate
ITECH has introduced the IT8100A/E series of DC electronic loads, capable of scaling to a combined 1.8 MW when paralleled. Each 3U rack delivers 7.2 kW, and the system can expand to 86.4 kW in a 37U cabinet. The loads feature a 150 A/µs...
Morrow Begins Battery Cell Deliveries to Proventia as Norwegian Production Scales Up
Norwegian battery maker Morrow Batteries has begun delivering lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) cells to Finnish industrial‑technology firm Proventia, marking the first shipments under a master supply agreement that runs through 2031. The prismatic LFP cells will be used in Proventia’s off‑highway and...
Advancements in Thermal Adhesives: Enhancing Battery Cell-to-Pack and Cell-to-Ribbon Performance for EVs
Parker Lord introduced CoolTherm TC-850, a thermally conductive acrylic adhesive that builds on its earlier TC-2002 product. The new formulation delivers four‑times higher elongation, stronger adhesion to plastics, and optimized 100 µm bondlines for lower thermal resistance. These advances target cell‑to‑pack...
EV Maker Ola Electric Sees 20% M-O-M Growth in April
Ola Electric reported a 20% month‑on‑month increase in April 2026, registering 12,166 two‑wheelers versus 10,133 in March. The growth came as the broader Indian electric two‑wheeler market contracted over 22% in the same period, making Ola the only brand to...
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 Is Back with Sales Now up 11% in 2026
Hyundai’s 2026 IONIQ 5 electric SUV posted an 11% sales increase through April, selling 13,393 units in the first four months. After the $7,500 federal tax credit lapsed, the model rebounded from a 58% Q4‑2025 dip, rising 6% year‑to‑date and outpacing...
EU-Funded HiPower 5.0 Project Developing GaN-Based EV On-Board Chargers
The EU‑funded HiPower 5.0 project, led by Fraunhofer IZM, is creating a 22 kW gallium‑nitride (GaN) on‑board charger (OBC) that occupies only 4 L—about one‑third the size of today’s average 12 L units. By using monolithic bi‑directional GaN switches supplied by Infineon, the charger...
Walmart Rolls Out ABB A400 EV Fast Chargers at Seven Sites in Metro Phoenix
Walmart is installing ABB e‑mobility A400 All‑in‑One DC fast chargers at seven Phoenix‑area stores, part of a broader rollout that will bring 38 chargers to nine locations. Each unit can deliver up to 400 kW, either 200 kW to two cars simultaneously...
Software-Defined Vehicles Test Auto Supply Chains: Moody’s
Moody’s warns that software‑defined vehicles (SDVs) turn cars into updatable software platforms, exposing automakers to new cyber‑security and code‑integrity risks. The shift also drives higher demand for memory chips, as AI workloads compete for the same semiconductor capacity, pushing automotive...
‘Temu Range Rover’: What the Bestselling Jaecoo 7 Says About China’s Electric Car Ascendancy
China’s Chery saw its Jaecoo 7 crossover become the UK’s top‑selling car in March, moving 10,064 units and displacing established models from Ford, Nissan and Kia. The plug‑in hybrid version is built for roughly $25,000, about $8,000 cheaper than a comparable...
With Driverless Cars a Reality, What Can Cities Do to Prepare for Them?
Waymo has logged over 200 million autonomous miles and now delivers more than 400,000 paid rides each week across major U.S. cities, achieving a ten‑fold reduction in serious‑injury crashes versus human drivers. The rapid expansion highlights the need for cities to...
Hyundai Unveils Pleos Connect for Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture
Hyundai Motor unveiled Pleos Connect, a software‑defined infotainment platform debuting on the Grandeur sedan in South Korea. The system features Gleo AI, a large‑language‑model voice assistant that handles multi‑command, context‑aware, zone‑specific requests and integrates an open App Market for third‑party...
BYD Exports Jump as Soaring Fuel Prices Spur Global EV Demand
BYD’s overseas sales jumped 71% year‑on‑year in April, reaching 134,542 units, while total deliveries fell 16% to 321,123 amid a domestic slowdown. The surge was driven by soaring fuel prices after the Iran war, reviving global interest in electric vehicles....
Nissan Abandons Plans for US EV Plant
Nissan announced it will abandon a $500 million plan to convert its Canton, Mississippi plant to produce all‑electric vehicles. Instead, the 4.7‑million‑square‑foot facility will focus on gasoline and hybrid models, beginning with a new body‑on‑frame Xterra slated for 2028. The decision...
1,000th Electric Bus Set For Part Of Belgium
Belgium’s Flanders region transport agency De Lijn celebrated the arrival of its 1,000th electric bus, marking a major milestone in the region’s electrification push. The Flemish government has allocated €400 million (about $436 million) to fund the purchase of electric buses, aiming for...
GM Bets on Trucks and Keeps Writing Down EVs, Amid War and Trade Unease
General Motors reported Q1 2026 results, leading U.S. sales with 626,000 deliveries and a 42 percent share of the full‑size pickup market. Despite a $1.1 billion EV charge this quarter, adding to $7.6 billion from late 2025, the company is shifting production toward...
Xiaomi Hits 30k April Deliveries, 550k Target Remains Doable
Xiaomi reported delivering more than 30,000 electric vehicles in April 2026, a notable jump from 21,440 units in March and a modest beat over its April 2025 figure of 28,585. The company disclosed the number via Weibo, awaiting official China...
XPeng Deliveries in April Rise 13% to 31,011
Chinese EV maker XPeng reported April deliveries of 31,011 vehicles, up 13% from March but down 11.5% year‑over‑year. The month’s rebound follows a 27.4% YoY decline in the first four months of 2026. XPeng credits the lift to its VLA...
ADI Rolls Out A²B 2.0 for Automotive Audio with Higher Bandwidth
Analog Devices announced that its A²B 2.0 automotive audio bus has entered full production. The new version boosts bandwidth to 98.3 Mbps in full‑duplex mode while keeping latency around 62 µs. It adds Ethernet tunneling via an OASPI interface and remains compatible with...
There's a Lot of Hype About Chinese EVs—Is Any of It True?
The Beijing Auto Show showcases Chinese electric vehicles that boast low prices, heavy infotainment, and AI‑driven features, prompting headlines that claim five Chinese EVs could be bought for the price of one U.S. car. U.S. policymakers have responded with 100%...
How Well Can EVs Handle the Heat — and the Cold? AAA Put Them to the Test
AAA’s latest testing shows extreme temperatures dramatically affect electric‑vehicle range. In a heated chamber (95 °F) EVs lost about 8.5 % of their range, while a cold chamber (20 °F) slashed range by roughly 39 %. Compared with AAA’s 2019 study, heat‑related loss improved...
Citroen E-C3
The Citroën ë‑C3 Max is positioned as a low‑cost electric supermini, priced around $23,500 after the UK grant. It offers two battery packs—a 30 kWh unit with about 130 mi range and a 43.7 kWh unit delivering roughly 199 mi on paper, though real‑world...
Bosch Begins Delivering Hardware to Kodiak as Autonomous Trucking Moves Toward Production Scale
Bosch has started shipping critical sensors and actuation components to Kodiak AI, accelerating the company’s move toward a production‑grade autonomous trucking platform. Kodiak is already testing Bosch camera samples and integrating them into its proprietary SensorPod hardware modules. The partnership,...