Škoda Epiq Launches as First Car on New MEB+ Platform
Škoda Auto unveiled the Epiq, the first model built on Volkswagen Group’s new MEB+ electric‑vehicle platform and the brand’s inaugural front‑wheel‑drive EV. The compact crossover will be priced to match the gasoline‑powered Kamiq in many markets, offering three powertrains: two LFP‑based 35‑ and 40‑kWh versions with about 310 km range, and a 55‑kWh NMC version delivering roughly 440 km. All variants support bidirectional charging for vehicle‑to‑home, load, and grid applications. The Epiq also introduces Škoda’s ‘Modern Solid’ design language and T‑shaped light signature.
Battery Debonding
Henkel introduced a debonding‑on‑demand adhesive system that lets electric‑vehicle batteries be repaired, upgraded, or recycled without destroying the pack structure. The technology works via thermal or electrical triggers, enabling clean separation of cells, modules, and cooling components in integrated cell‑to‑pack...
Tesla’s Musk Expects Widespread US Use of Cars Without Human Monitors This Year
Elon Musk told the Smart Mobility Summit that Tesla’s fully driverless cars, already operating without human safety monitors in Texas, will see broader U.S. deployment later this year. The company’s robotaxi service in Austin, Dallas and Houston has drawn criticism...
Limoges Orders 33 to 85 Electric Buses From Iveco Bus for TCL Network Electrification
Limoges Métropole has awarded Iveco Bus two contracts to supply between 33 and 85 electric buses for its TCL network, with deliveries starting in 2028 and spanning four years. The first deal covers 20‑45 articulated GX 437 Elec Linium buses and...
BYD Targets Europe with Smaller, Tailored EV Models
Chinese EV giant BYD announced a Europe‑focused product wave, beginning with the Dolphin G plug‑in hybrid debuting at the Goodwood Festival in July. The model is under 4.3 m long, targeting the B‑segment, and is the first vehicle BYD has designed specifically...
E-Week Highlights | BYD Is in Talks with Stellantis and Other Automakers to Acquire European Factories; Li Xiang Says Li...
Chinese EV makers are accelerating global expansion and domestic growth. BYD is in talks with Stellantis and other European automakers to acquire idle factories, while XPENG is negotiating for a Volkswagen plant to bypass tariffs and speed localization. In China,...
![[Gasgoo Express] GAC Responds to Aion Being Called Ride-Hailing King; Tesla China Denies Price Hike](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://imagecn.gasgoo.com/moblogo/News/UEditor/image/20250610/6388517001938359565414136.jpg)
[Gasgoo Express] GAC Responds to Aion Being Called Ride-Hailing King; Tesla China Denies Price Hike
GAC Group’s chairman Feng Xingya defended the Aion brand’s "Ride‑Hailing King" label, arguing that ride‑hailing vehicles must meet capital‑goods quality standards to earn driver loyalty. In a separate statement, Tesla China denied any recent price increase for the Model Y, urging...
GBA Synergy, Intelligent Future | 4th Future Auto Pioneer Conference — Intelligent Connected NEV Technology Collaboration Meeting
The 4th Future Auto Pioneer Conference will convene on May 29, 2026 in Shenzhen, leveraging the 30th Guangdong‑Hong‑Kong‑Macao Greater Bay Area International Auto Expo. The gathering targets domestic OEMs, Tier‑1 and Tier‑2 suppliers, and upstream partners to discuss intelligent connected...
Volvo Teases a New Affordable EV to Replace Discontinued EX30
Volvo announced that it will replace the discontinued EX30 with a new, more affordable electric vehicle slated for a 2027 U.S. launch. The EX30’s price ballooned from an intended $34,950 to $44,900 due to tariffs and a battery recall forced...
Global EV Market Hits 1.60 Million Units in April 2026 Amid Regional Divergence
Global electric‑vehicle sales reached 1.60 million units in April 2026, lifting the first‑four‑month total to 5.6 million – a 6% year‑on‑year rise but a 9% drop from March. Europe emerged as the growth engine, topping 400,000 units in April and posting a 26%...
Maruti Suzuki Commences Second Factory at Kharkhoda with 2.5-lakh Units
Maruti Suzuki began commercial production at the second phase of its Kharkhoda plant, adding 250,000 vehicles per year and bringing the site’s total capacity to 500,000 units. The expansion lifts the company’s overall annual production capacity to 2.65 million vehicles across...
Proterra Adds US-Sourced Cell Option to Onyx Heavy-Duty Battery Platform
Proterra announced that its modular Onyx heavy‑duty battery platform will be offered with a U.S.-sourced cell option, with first shipments slated for the first quarter of 2027. The company says the new configuration will boost the American content of the...
Monomyth Materials Acquires NanoGraf to Pair SiOx Silicon Anodes with Its Domestic Synthetic Graphite Platform
Monomyth Materials has acquired the assets of NanoGraf, a Chicago‑based silicon anode developer, to combine its SiOx technology with Monomyth’s domestic synthetic graphite business. The assets will form a new subsidiary, M2Innovations, responsible for advanced battery material R&D and pilot‑scale...
BUILD America 250 Act Hands AV Trucks a Fed Framework
The bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, passed by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, embeds a new Subtitle E that tasks the U.S. Department of Transportation with drafting a performance‑based safety standard for autonomous commercial trucks within two years. The...
Record Vehicle Exports in 2025, but Component Exports Continue to Decline as EV Sales Grow
South Africa recorded a new high in vehicle exports for 2025, shipping 414,271 units and earning roughly $12.1 bn, which lifted total automotive export value to about $15.3 bn—15.6% of the country’s overall exports. The sector’s contribution to GDP reached 5.2%, reinforcing...
Gotion Receives €92 Million for Two Battery Projects in Spain
Chinese battery maker Gotion High‑Tech has been provisionally awarded a €92 million ($100 million) grant from Spain’s PERTE VEC e‑Mobility programme for two projects in Valladolid. The projects, backed by a €944.3 million ($1.03 billion) investment, will build a battery‑cathode plant and a recycling...
Xiaomi EV Ramps up European Retail Launch Plans
Xiaomi EV is accelerating its European rollout by appointing a senior regional retail manager and hosting partner workshops, indicating a franchise dealer approach rather than direct sales. The company showcased its SU7 Ultra at a track event and highlighted integration...
64% Sales Jump in South Africa that Few Saw Coming
South Africa’s second‑largest EV charge‑point operator, Rubicon, reported a 64% jump in daily energy dispensed in the first four months of 2026, driven by a 28% month‑on‑month rise between March and April. April’s consumption reached a record 103,317 kWh, pushing quarterly...
94% of Irish EV Drivers Vow Never to Return to Petrol or Diesel
The Q2 2026 Nevo EV Consumer Sentiment Survey of over 1,000 Irish drivers shows a 94% satisfaction rate among current electric‑vehicle owners, with 97% rating their EVs as as reliable or more reliable than petrol or diesel cars. Nearly all respondents...
Nidec to Dissolve E-Axle JVs in China, Europe – Report
Nidec announced it will dissolve its e‑axle joint ventures in China and Europe as part of a structural reform drive. The move follows a ¥87.7 bn ($629 m) loss in the e‑axle segment for the fiscal half ending September and a recent...
New Fuel-Efficiency Rules, Global Testing Systems Could Raise Car Prices, Lower Mileage
India will replace its Modified Indian Driving Cycle with the global WLTP test on April 1, 2027, while tightening Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE III) targets. The new regime will make certified mileage and electric‑vehicle range appear 10‑20% lower, prompting automakers to add...
Kia Expands Accessible Mobility Range with PV5 WAV Side Entry
Kia unveiled the PV5 WAV Side Entry, a factory‑built wheelchair‑accessible electric van, at the Motability Scheme Live exhibition in Birmingham. The model introduces a first‑in‑segment side‑entry ramp that lets users board directly from the curb, a departure from traditional rear‑entry...
Hyundai Signs Hong Kong Hydrogen Ecosystem MoU
Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding with nine partners from Korea, Hong Kong, mainland China and France to create a full hydrogen ecosystem in Hong Kong by 2030. The agreement, announced at the International Hydrogen Development Symposium, covers waste‑to‑hydrogen production...
Scania to Supply 91 Electric Buses to VR in Sweden
Scania has secured a contract to deliver 91 battery‑electric buses to VR Sweden, the largest single EV bus order the OEM has executed in the country. The fleet, built on Scania’s Fencer f1 BEV platform, will begin operating in the Södertälje‑Nykvarn...
Tesla Increases Actually Smart Summon Speed by 33% in New FSD Update
Tesla rolled out FSD V14.3.3, boosting the Actually Smart Summon (ASS) top speed from 6 mph to 8 mph—a 33 % increase that cuts a typical 200‑foot lot travel time by about six seconds. The upgrade is available only on vehicles equipped with the...
How Owners of EVs From Bankrupt Fisker Saved Their Cars With an Open Source Nonprofit
When Fisker Inc. entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2024, about 11,000 Ocean SUV owners were left with $40,000‑$70,000 vehicles that suddenly lost over‑the‑air updates, connected services and warranty coverage. Within weeks, those owners created the Fisker Owners Association, a nonprofit...
Uber Commits $10B to AV Fleet — While Trashing Waymo
Uber announced a commitment of more than $10 billion to build its own autonomous‑vehicle fleet, shifting from a pure platform model to asset ownership. The company will invest in Rivian, Lucid and Nuro and launch a hybrid service that mixes human...
After Struggling With EVs, US Automakers Pivot to Energy
U.S. automakers Ford and General Motors are scaling back electric‑vehicle ambitions and launching dedicated battery‑energy‑storage divisions, with Ford spinning off a new Ford Energy unit slated to ship its first systems in late 2027. The move follows a $19.5 billion EV...
Testing the Entry-Level Model Y: Where and How Tesla Stripped Back Its Bestseller
Tesla’s entry‑level Model Y Rear‑Wheel‑Drive hit the European market in autumn 2025, driving a 59.6% jump in Q1 registrations and a 101.9% surge in March. Priced at €39,990 (≈$43,600) before incentives, the model can be reduced to €30,990 (≈$33,800) after a...
CEO Interview: How Ionna Is Taking On The Tesla Supercharger Network
Ionna, a new EV charging network backed by seven of the world’s largest automakers, launched in 2024 and is rapidly expanding its U.S. footprint. CEO Seth Cutler says the company aims to become the go‑to charging provider for American drivers,...
Ramaphosa Says Chinese Will Build Electric Car Charging Networks in South Africa
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa is finalising a comprehensive electric‑vehicle programme and that Chinese manufacturers, including BYD, will deploy a nationwide charging network. The plan aims to attract EV makers, boost local manufacturing and curb job losses as...
BMW, MINI EV Drivers Gain 20% Discount on IONNA Charging
BMW and MINI electric‑vehicle owners in the United States will receive an automatic 20 percent discount on all public charging sessions at IONNA stations. The reduction is applied through the My BMW app or Plug & Charge, eliminating the need for separate subscriptions or...
Leapmotor Gets Bigger Avenue Into Europe — And Beyond
Stellantis is deepening its partnership with Chinese EV maker Leapmotor, adding new production lines at its Zaragoza and Villaverde plants to build both an Opel C‑SUV and Leapmotor’s B10 model. Stellantis now holds a 21% stake in Leapmotor and the...
Honda Taps Ace Engineer to Lead Transformation After EV Strategy Pause
Honda Motor announced that Mahito Shikama, a veteran R&D engineer, will become the company’s corporate transformation officer this summer. Shikama, known for leading powertrain and hybrid projects, is tasked with revamping Honda’s product roadmap after the automaker paused its aggressive...
OPmobility Secures Significant Order From Stellantis
French supplier OPmobility has landed a major contract with Stellantis to provide an integrated tailgate assembly for the automaker's upcoming pure‑electric SUVs in Europe. The deal centers on OPmobility’s “One4You” solution, a thermoplastic tailgate that combines the rear bumper, lighting...
Now Is Moment to Electrify Brazil’s Urban Buses
Electric buses are the most mature technology to replace diesel, already reshaping cities worldwide. Santiago, Chile, leads Latin America with the region’s largest e‑bus fleet. In Brazil, buses generate 69% of transport‑sector GHG emissions, and with COP30 in Rio the...
Rivian Opens R2 Configurator: Here Are All the Options and Pricing
Rivian has launched an online configurator for its mid‑size R2 SUV, allowing reservation holders to customize the Performance trim priced at $57,990 with delivery slated for spring 2026. The company is rolling out the R2 in three trims, but only...
Automakers Say PM’s EV Push Can Help Grow Penetration
India’s prime minister has renewed a push for electric vehicles, linking the drive to lower oil imports and energy security. The government’s PM‑E‑DRIVE scheme earmarks roughly $1.3 billion for two‑wheelers, three‑wheelers, buses and trucks, while approving $60 million for 4,874 new charging...
Anthro Energy Clears DOE Phase Approval for 12,000-Ton Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte Plant in Louisville
Anthro Energy received Department of Energy approval to move its Louisville, Kentucky electrolyte plant into construction, unlocking the next phase of a $24.9 million DOE grant. The project also benefits from $18.4 million in IRA Section 48C tax credits, totaling roughly $43 million in...
Chinese EV Maker BYD: We Don’t Need to Sell Cars in the US Market
Chinese EV giant BYD announced it does not need to sell passenger cars in the United States to sustain growth. Executive Vice‑President Stella Li emphasized that the company is already thriving on strong demand in Brazil, the UK, Europe and other...
Subaru’s EBIT Collapsed in Q4, BEVs Now Postponed
Subaru’s fiscal 2026 operating profit guidance was cut to about ¥130 bn (~$936 m) after a steep EBIT drop to ¥40.1 bn (~$289 m) in Q4, a 90.1% decline from 2025. The collapse reflects mounting US tariffs and stricter emissions regulations that penalise models...
Global Briefing: Tesla to Invest $250m in Berlin Gigafactory
Tesla announced a $250 million investment to expand its Berlin‑Brandenburg gigafactory, focusing on battery‑cell production. The funding supports the plant’s goal of reaching a one‑million‑vehicle annual output, strengthening Tesla’s European manufacturing footprint. By scaling battery capacity locally, the company aims to...
Inside Lucid’s Autonomy-Ready Architecture for Next-Gen Robotaxi Operations
Lucid Motors is engineering an autonomy‑ready platform for a next‑generation robotaxi service with Uber and Nuro, designing the Gravity vehicle architecture around self‑driving from the outset. The platform embeds redundant steering and braking systems, high‑resolution sensors, and a fail‑operational brake...
Jeep Recon EV Production Delayed to Mid-2026
Stellantis has postponed the launch of Jeep’s fully electric Recon SUV from its original late‑2024 target to mid‑2026, citing a reassessment of production timing and market conditions. The Recon, built on the STLA large platform, promises roughly 650 horsepower, a...
Honda’s Financial Recovery From EV Pivot Could Take Years
Honda’s fiscal 2026 results revealed a steep decline after the automaker scrapped several electric‑vehicle programs slated for North America. The cancellations generated an EV‑related loss of roughly ¥1.31 trillion (about $9.4 billion) in Q4 and pushed the full‑year operating result into a...
Rising Fuel Prices Drive 500% EV Sales Jump at Motorfinity
Motorfinity reported a 500% year‑on‑year jump in electric‑vehicle sales in Q1 2026, with battery‑electric models climbing to 19% of total sales from 5% a year earlier. Rising petrol and diesel costs—up to £27 per tank (about $34)—and a focus on long‑term...
BYD’s FLASH Charging Is an Exercise in Systems Engineering
BYD unveiled a flash‑charging system that can deliver up to 1.5 MW, enabling a 10%‑to‑70% charge in five minutes and 10%‑to‑97% in nine minutes for the Denza Z9GT equipped with a 122 kWh Blade 2.0 battery. The technology combines a FlashPass ion‑transport battery...
Xiaomi Cuts YU7 Wait Times From One Year to Two Hours
Xiaomi announced that its YU7 electric SUV can now be delivered within two hours of order, a dramatic reduction from the previous one‑year wait. The speedup follows rapid production scaling, including a new Wuhan plant that adds 150,000 units of...
Tesla, Toyota Expose Surprising Auto Industry Truth
Toyota reported FY2026 operating income of about $24 billion, missing estimates by $2 billion, and projected FY2027 profit of $19 billion, roughly 37% below Wall Street forecasts. The automaker cited tariffs and geopolitical headwinds, which trimmed $9 billion from its earnings, and warned of...
Li Auto Launches All-New L9 with Global Rollout Planned
Li Auto began delivering its all‑new L9 flagship SUV in China on May 15, offering Ultra and Livis editions. The model features a third‑generation extended‑range powertrain with 420 km of pure electric range and a combined 1,650 km range. An International Exclusive version...