Google just announced a big new upgrade to Android Automotive – support for over 70 new apps. Up until now, Google’s native infotainment system platform supported just under 200 apps, but with the new update, the library is now closer to 300. But there’s a big caveat. Almost all newly added apps can only run when the vehicle is stationary.… Read more…
Tesla store under attack, arson and gunshots, FBI gets involved again
A Tesla store in Oregon was attacked with arson and gunshots on two separate occasions. The FBI got involved, which is the second time federal law enforcement intervened in incidents at Tesla stores. Read more…
Volocopter and Jet Systems want to bring eVTOLs to France
The German air taxi developer Volocopter and the French company Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services have signed an agreement to bring services for electric vertical take-off aircraft to France. And that while Volocopter is still going through insolvency proceedings in Germany.
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Ionna to integrate Plug&Charge into charging network
The North American fast-charging joint venture Ionna from BMW, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Toyota has decided to integrate Hubject’s Plug&Charge ecosystem. Read more…
Electric truck service provider WattEV orders 40 Tesla Semi
Californian electric truck specialist WattEV has ordered 40 Tesla Semi vehicles. The first two units have already been handed over to the company, while the remaining vehicles should arrive by the end of next year. Read more…
Huawei-JAC joint brand Maextro to officially launch S800 luxury sedan at end of May
The Maextro S800, a model designed on the L3 autonomous driving architecture, will be launched at the Shenzhen auto show at the end of May.
The model is expected to be priced between RMB 1 million ($138,000) and RMB 1.5 million.
Research project for faster battery production
The development and industrialisation of a new type of production system for the manufacture of battery cell stacks is the aim of the EXINOS2 joint project, which involves Siemens, KIT and Fraunhofer FFB, among others. Read more…
Polestar 3 Gets Apple Digital Key Support, New Nvidia Processor
Owners will get the new Nvidia Drive AGX Orin processor as a free hardware upgrade. Read more…
Symbio showcases new fuel cell system
Symbio, the fuel cell joint venture Symbio from Forvia, Michelin and Stellantis, has unveiled its StackPack 75 hydrogen fuel cell system at the H2 & FC Expo in Tokyo, Japan. It is meant for electric commercial vehicles and construction equipment. Read more…
Kia shows the design of the PV5 in advance
After recently unveiling the series design of the EV4, Kia has now also revealed the design of the PV5. The brand’s first dedicated PBV model (Platform Beyond Vehicle) comes in variants for passenger transport and goods transport. The range will be supplemented by special conversion options, which will be presented at the Kia EV Day 2025 at the end of February. Read more…
Mercedes plots new ICE vans, reverses course on electric-only
Mercedes-Benz has said up until now that its future vans would be based on a dedicated electric architecture, but on Thursday it confirmed plans for a new internal-combustion van architecture as well. Electric vans based on the new Van.EA platform will still debut in 2026, as previously discussed. They’ll now be joined by other fuel-burning models… Read more…
The 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Didn’t Get This Important Update
In Europe, the refreshed Outlander PHEV comes with a bigger battery for more electric range. In the U.S., not so much. Read more…
The Volvo ES90 Is a Preview Of Volvo’s Software-Driven Future
The ES90 will use two Nvidia Drive AGX Orin chips. Existing EX90 units will also soon get this upgrade, for free. Read more…
Kia reveals the exterior of its new electric van PV5
Ahead of the official debut later this month, Kia has unveiled its new and innovative electric van. This is Kia’s first electric vehicle in the Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) segment. The PV5, showcased in initial images, will be officially revealed at Kia EV Day in Tarragona, Spain, on February 27th. The PV5 definitely stands out from the crowd with its… Read more…
JPMorgan raises 2026 sales forecast for BYD to 6.5 million from 6 million units
JPMorgan believes that BYD will probably become the “Toyota” of the global EV market.
The bank’s analysts expect BYD’s sales in 2025 to grow about 30 percent from 2024 to 5.5 million units.
Because of US tariffs: Hyundai considers expansion of US electric car plant
The threat of potential US tariffs is showing an effect. The Korean Hyundai Group apparently wants to increase the production capacity of its electric car plant Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in the US state of Georgia from 300,000 to 500,000 units per year. Read more…
Coreless technology shrinks current sensor
Melexis has used a digitally controlled, coreless technology that shrinks the size of a current sensor, writes Nick Flaherty.
The MLX91235 sensor eliminates the need for a ferromagnetic core, enabling the measurement of larger currents flowing through external primary conductors, including busbars. Read more…
Volvo ES90 tech stack to set future for automaker
ES90 electric sedan will debut the most powerful computing capacity ever in a Volvo EX90 electric SUV will gain the same processing upgrade, be upgraded to it as a retrofit Will support AI-based features, more efficient battery management Volvo’s next electric vehicle will build on the automaker’s recently-introduced tech stack with even more… Read more…
Nio exec named 1st chair of new working group to promote China-EU auto cooperation
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU has set up an automotive working group, and Nio’s vice president for Europe, Zhang Hui, has been appointed as the group’s first chairman.
Companies in the automotive supply chain have been calling for such a group since the EU launched an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs.
GAF Energy’s nailable solar shingle is now 23% more powerful
GAF Energy has launched an upgraded version of its Timberline Solar nailable shingle, the ES 2, which delivers 23% more power per shingle. Read more…
