Kia EV2 ‘First Edition’ Now Eligible for UK’s Electric Car Grant
Kia UK announced that the EV2 ‘First Edition’ now qualifies for the United Kingdom’s £1,500 (≈$1,905) Electric Car Grant, replacing the brand‑run £1,500 reservation saving. The on‑road price remains £26,995 (≈$34,300), unchanged from its launch. The grant applies to both fleet and retail orders, aligning the EV2 with Kia’s EV3, EV4 and PV5 models. Other EV2 variants such as the Air and GT‑Line still await grant eligibility and continue to receive a £3,750 (≈$4,760) reservation saving.
Austria: Blaguss Integrates a Dozen Battery-Electric Coaches
Austrian bus operator Blaguss has placed twelve Yutong T12E battery‑electric coaches into regular service, initially on tour routes and slated for long‑distance lines this autumn. Each 12‑metre coach carries 47 passengers, boasts a 466 kWh battery delivering roughly 500 km of range,...
The Mobility House to Offer Free Electricity for V2G Customers
The Mobility House will let owners of V2G‑capable electric cars charge at home for free, offsetting costs by using the vehicle batteries as grid storage and selling electricity during peak periods. The program launches this quarter for the Renault 5, with...
BASF and TSR Group Collaborate on Battery Recycling
BASF and the TSR Group announced a partnership to integrate battery‑dismantling, safe discharge, and black‑mass processing across Europe. TSR will contribute its network of more than 190 licensed waste‑management sites, while BASF adds its Schwarzheide recycling plant that produces black...
Lightship Expands US Facility for Electric Caravans
Electric RV maker Lightship announced a major expansion of its Colorado plant, adding roughly 4,100 square metres to bring total floor space above 7,000 square metres. The upgrade will more than quadruple the company's manufacturing capacity by the end of 2026 and...
Mercedes VLE Now Available From €82,260
Mercedes‑Benz Vans has opened orders for its all‑electric VLE van in Germany, starting with the VLE 300 model. The base five‑seat version is priced at €82,260 (≈$89,600) and the six‑seat at €82,712 (≈$90,200), with cheaper trims around €70,000 (≈$76,300) expected later....
Coca-Cola Germany Electrifies Its Fleet
Coca‑Cola Europacific Partners Germany has finished converting its entire fleet of 1,600 passenger cars and light‑commercial vehicles to battery‑electric models, completing the move a year ahead of its 2023 target. The BEV lineup includes Hyundai, Opel, Škoda and BMW models,...
UK Firm EO Charging Enters Administration
UK EV charger maker EO Charging has entered administration, with PwC appointed as administrator. The move follows liquidity problems despite a $80 million US expansion fund and a £25 million (≈$32 million) recapitalisation effort that fell short. The company laid off 69 of...
Is Mercedes Set to Source Battery Cells From Samsung SDI Soon?
Samsung SDI is in advanced negotiations with Mercedes‑Benz to supply prismatic battery cells for the automaker’s MMA platform, targeting compact EV models slated for a 2028 market launch. The talks cover a potential multi‑GWh order and the establishment of a...
France Plans Third Social Leasing Scheme and New EV Incentives
France will launch the third wave of its social‑leasing programme in June 2026, offering 50,000 low‑cost electric‑vehicle contracts to low‑income households. A parallel subsidy for middle‑income, high‑mileage drivers will add another 50,000 EVs from 2026, though funding details are pending....
Ekoenergetyka Introduces New Product Brand: Axon Charger
Polish EV‑charging specialist Ekoenergetyka has launched Axon Charger, a new product brand that will serve as the public face of its charging solutions. The brand rollout includes a refreshed visual identity, the AxonConnect knowledge platform, and a dedicated training centre...
Sri Lanka Urges Daytime EV Charging to Ease Grid Pressure
Sri Lanka is urging electric‑vehicle owners to shift charging from night to daytime to ease a 300 MW evening load spike. The country’s grid relies heavily on a 900 MW coal plant and about 1,000 MW of diesel capacity at night, while solar...
Santa Monica Breaks Ground on $56m Zero-Emission Bus and Charging Project
Santa Monica has launched a $56 million zero‑emission bus program, backed by a $53.3 million state grant, to expand its battery‑electric fleet and build overhead gantry chargers. The initiative will support up to 195 electric buses and aims for a fully zero‑emission...
UK: Volkswagen Gives ID.4 and ID.5 Larger Batteries and V2L
Volkswagen has rolled out technical updates for the ID.4 and ID.5 in the UK, boosting battery capacities and adding vehicle‑to‑load (V2L) capability. Pure variants now use 58 kWh packs (up from 52 kWh) and other trims get 79 kWh, delivering up to 40 km...
Canada Invests $10.6 Million in EV Charging Infrastructure
The Canadian government is allocating CAD 10.6 million (≈US$7.8 million) to 14 electric‑vehicle charging projects that will add more than 1,600 Level 2 and DC fast chargers across Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island. Major installations include 262 chargers at the Greater...
