A federal judge, Tana Lin, has ordered the Trump administration to release billions of dollars earmarked for the construction of electric vehicle charging stations in more than a dozen US states. This decision grants a preliminary injunction for the distribution of funds under the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program, which was allocated $5 billion and was set to be utilized from 2022 to 2026. The program was originally signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, but fa...

A senior executive from Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the largest manufacturer of EV batteries, has called for authorities in mainland China to intervene to address the ongoing price war in the new-energy car market. Ni Jun, CATL's chief manufacturing officer, emphasized that the discount war will not end unless Beijing steps in, as the strategy of reducing prices to gain market share threatens smaller competitors. BYD, the world's largest EV manufacturer, initiated signific...

Emma Nehrenheim has been appointed as the new managing director of the European Battery Alliance (EBA), led by InnoEnergy under the mandate of the European Commission. InnoEnergy manages the EBA's industrial development program under the European Commission's mandate. These programs aim to build a competitive and sustainable battery industry in Europe, crucial for the continent's clean energy transition. Nehrenheim, who has previously served Northvolt as the chief environmental officer and...

Tesla Inc.'s self-driving taxis experienced issues on their first day offering paid rides, with instances of traffic law violations being captured, Bloomberg reported June 23. One significant incident involved a Model Y that failed to execute a left turn properly, entering a lane meant for opposite direction traffic in Austin. The vehicle swerved and crossed a double-yellow line to reenter the correct lane, an infraction caught on video by Rob Maurer, a Tesla investor, the report said. Additi...

Hubject Financial Services GmbH, a subsidiary of Hubject, has secured regulatory permission from Germany's Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht [BaFin]) to process payments under the Payment Services Oversight Act in Europe, marking a significant milestone for the eMobility industry. This makes Hubject, which is noted as a leading eRoaming Service provider, the first eMobility company to obtain such a license from BaFin. Hubject p...

The European Council has adopted a position on the end-of-life vehicles (ELV) regulation, aiming to ensure that new vehicles are designed to support reuse, recycling and recovery. This includes setting a mandatory target for recycled plastics and the potential for future targets for recycled steel, aluminum and other critical raw materials. The regulation's scope has expanded to include trucks, motorbikes and quadricycles, requiring their design to allow part removal. Producers must esta...

The CellLab research project at the Chair of Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at RWTH Aachen University is focusing on developing an advanced analytics infrastructure to explore the intricate relationships between battery production and performance. This initiative, funded by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, aims to establish a laboratory capable of supporting the safe and reproducible operation of all necessary measuring instruments. The facility ...

The Irish government has allocated about €8 million in grants to fund the development of 53 new high-power electric vehicle charging hubs across Ireland's national road network. The installation of EV chargers at the finalized sites is expected by the year-end. The official announcement was made by Ireland's Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien. The planned EV charging hubs are expected to provide 175 fast and ultrafast-recharging points across the 53 chosen lo...

Antimony suppliers and battery-makers are facing significant challenges due to mainland China's restrictions on antimony exports, which include a ban on shipments to the US. This has led to soaring prices, causing the US battery industry to view the shortage as a national emergency, as Steve Christensen of the Responsible Battery Coalition said. The cost of antimony has escalated to more than $60,000 per metric ton, more than quadrupling over the past year, impacting industries reliant on this m...

Critical Metals Corp., a critical minerals mining company, has received a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) for a non-dilutive funding package of $120 million. This funding is intended to develop the Tanbreez Project in Greenland, recognized as one of the largest rare earth deposits globally. EXIM's consideration involves financing up to $120 million, repayable over 15 years as part of its Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative (SCRI). This fund...

The US Senate's draft tax bill proposes increasing the investment credit for semiconductor manufacturers from 25% to 30%, according to a Bloomberg report on June 17. This incentive aims to encourage chipmakers to begin new projects in the US before the 2026 deadline, allowing them to continue claiming credits for ongoing construction beyond that date. The tax credit, part of the 2022 Chips and Science Act, is designed to revitalize the US semiconductor industry by offsetting the shift of prod...

India has instructed state-run miner IREL to suspend a long-standing agreement on rare earth exports to Japan to prioritize domestic needs and reduce dependence on mainland China. Two sources familiar with the matter revealed that this decision comes amid global concerns over mainland China's dominance in rare earth processing and its recent export restrictions, which have impacted automakers and manufacturers. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has indicated that halting exports of materi...

Mainland Chinese automakers such as SAIC Motor, Changan, Great Wall Motor, BYD, Li Auto and Geely are set to launch models featuring 100% domestically produced chips, with at least two brands planning mass production by 2026, according to Nikkei Asia report on June 17. These models will include updated versions of existing lines, as part of mainland China's push for self-reliance in chip production. The initiative is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), whic...

The UK government is expanding local electric vehicle charge points across England to aid millions of EV drivers without off-street parking. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood announced the country's plan to install over 100,000 local charge points, in addition to the existing 80,000 public charge points. This initiative is supported by the £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, which is part of a broader £4 billion investment to promote the switch to EVs and...

In a press release on June 13, US Transportation Department Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the acceleration of the safe development of automated vehicles through the streamlining of the Part 555 exemption process by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The adjustment allows manufacturers to sell up to 2,500 vehicles annually that do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, as long as they provide equivalent safety levels and serve the public interes...

For more than 30 years, automakers and suppliers—including manufacturers of complete seats and seat components—in North America benefited from nearly hassle-free movements of vehicles and auto parts between the US, Canada, and Mexico; first as part of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and later under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the trade dynamics have changed rapidly this year after the US government announced several tariffs on imports of goods i...

US President Donald Trump has signed three congressional resolutions to reverse California's efforts to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and phaseout diesel engines and the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035. These resolutions seek to repeal state-level mandates supported by former President Joe Biden's administration. General Motors and Toyota had opposed California's rules concerning EVs and gas-powered engines. California's plan, which inspired similar initiatives in 11 other sta...

Zimbabwe plans to ban the export of lithium concentrates from 2027 as part of efforts to enhance local processing capabilities, according to Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando. This decision follows a 2022 ban on the export of lithium ore. The country, Africa's leading lithium producer, has been encouraging domestic processing, with a focus on lithium sulfates, which can be refined into battery-grade materials. Lithium concentrates are primarily exported to mainland Chi...

US and mainland Chinese officials have agreed on a framework to revive trade and ease mainland China's export restrictions on rare earths, though the agreement offers limited potential of resolving long-standing trade differences, a Reuters report said June 11. After intense negotiations in London, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the framework would add substance to a previous agreement from Geneva, which aimed to ease bilateral tariffs that had reached high levels. The Geneva ...

South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor has accumulated a rare earths stockpile sufficient to last about a year, Reuters reported June 10. The company does not expect any immediate effects from the global supply chain disruptions triggered by mainland China's export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets. Mainland China's decision to limit exports of rare earths and related magnets in April caused challenges in the supply chains vital to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semicondu...

The UK government has announced that pilot programs for self-driving taxi and bus-like services will be advanced to spring 2026, a move that should bring significant economic benefits and position the UK as a prominent player in automated vehicle technology. The initiative is projected to create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion to the UK economy by 2035, aligning with the government's Plan for Change by boosting employment and investment. The pilot programs will focus on innovation, stringent re...

US-based battery-swap technology company Ample has established its first modular battery-swapping stations in Madrid. This initiative was facilitated by the Moves Singulares award, a Spanish government-backed program aimed at promoting innovative technologies to support the transition to electric mobility. With €9.76 million in financial backing, Ample plans to install additional modular EV battery-swapping stations in Madrid's city center. This development is part of a larger strategy...

Dongfeng Motor, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. (GAC) and FAW Group, the leading state-owned automakers in mainland China, have committed to reducing supplier payment terms to 60 days, ETAuto reported June 11. The development comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny over delayed supplier payments and opaque financing practices in the automotive supply chain. This initiative is expected to improve capital flow and financial transparency in the mainland Chinese automotive industry, which ha...

Mainland China has issued temporary export licenses to rare earth suppliers for the top three US automakers, according to a June 6 report by Reuters, citing sources familiar with the matter. These licenses, valid for six months, come amid supply chain disruptions caused by mainland China's recent export curbs on rare earth materials. The restrictions, imposed in April, have impacted industries globally, including automakers, aerospace manufacturers and semiconductor companies. The export curb...

Cork and Kerry County Councils have initiated a joint public consultation to gather input on the future expansion of electric vehicle charging points in the southwest region of Ireland, which encompasses rural and tourist-heavy areas. This initiative is part of an overarching national plan aimed at developing four primary EV charging categories: Home/apartment charging, residential neighborhood charging, destination charging and motorway/en-route charging. Given Cork City's urban nature, its ...

Waymo suspended its robotaxi service in areas of Los Angeles after five of its self-driving vehicles were vandalized during protests over immigration raids, The Detroit News reported on June 9. During the protests, images showed Waymo vehicles covered in graffiti, as protesters waved Mexican and Guatemalan flags, and one individual struck a vehicle with a skateboard. Some electric scooters were reportedly thrown into the fires. In ...

Electric vehicle-battery maker AESC has paused the construction of its planned gigafactory in Florence, South Carolina, US, due to market uncertainties. Ongoing work at the planned battery manufacturing plant, which was intended to produce EV battery cells for BMW and expected to employ about 1,600 people, has been halted amid speculation surrounding US President Donald Trump's decisions on import tariffs and a proposal to eliminate subsidies to consumers for buying EVs. Trump's move c...

On June 4, the European Commission announced the adoption of a first list of 13 strategic projects for securing access to strategic raw materials in countries outside the EU, including overseas territories. These projects aim to diversify the EU's supply sources while enhancing local economies in third countries. This initiative aligns with a previously adopted list of 47 Strategic Projects within the EU, both developed under the Critical Raw Materials Act, effective since May 2024, to fortif...

Mainland China recently approved several export license applications for rare earth-related items in response to the increasing international demand for medium and heavy rare earth elements, primarily utilized in high-tech manufacturing sectors such as industrial robotics and electric vehicles. This strategy aims to balance mainland China's resource security with its status as a crucial supplier in the global high-tech value chain. The Commerce Ministry said that the export controls on rare e...

Believ, a leading electric vehicle charge-point operator (CPO), secured a £300 million investment facility to install at least 30,000 charge points across the UK by 2030, with an aim to expand the country's EV charging infrastructure. The funding was led by joint owners Liberty Global and Zouk Capital, along with Santander, ABN Amro, NatWest, and MUFG. It positions Believ as a well-supported CPO in the UK. This investment marks a significant step in expanding the public charging ne...

Marelli Holdings, a major auto parts supplier owned by private equity firm KKR, is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, according to a June 7 Reuters report. The report referenced Kyodo news agency as the source of the news, with Kyodo citing unnamed sources. Marelli is a key supplier for Nissan and Stellantis, and is exploring this option to ensure that its business operations continue uninterrupted, even if negotiations with creditors do not yield positive re...

India is in discussions with companies to establish long-term stockpiles of rare earth magnets by offering fiscal incentives for domestic production. The effort aims to reduce India's reliance on mainland China, which dominates 90% of the processing of these magnets crucial for industries such as clean energy, defense and automobiles. Mainland China's decision in April to curb exports of rare earth materials has prompted global industry concerns, highlighting the need for India to develop its ma...

US Critical Materials Corp. and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) are undertaking efforts to bolster America's access to critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs) by developing an environmentally responsible demonstration facility on the Idaho National Laboratory Campus. This initiative is in response to a March Executive Order by President Donald Trump, which declared a national emergency due to US reliance on foreign nations for these essential materials. REEs are vital for the US' def...

Suzuki Motor has suspended production of its Swift subcompact car owing to the shortage of rare earth materials and magnets in Japan. Mainland China's restrictions on rare earth exports have caused the shortage. Citing unnamed sources aware of the development, a news report published by Reuters on June 5 stated that Suzuki became the first Japanese automaker affected by these curbs. Production of the Swift models, excluding the Swift Sport version, was halted on May 26 because of a sh...

The Barnet Council in the UK is advancing its efforts to support the transition to electric vehicles by initiating the installation of up to 1,000 new on-street charge points. The first 500 are under installation and are expected to be operational within three months, while the remaining 500 will be installed over the next three years, increasing the total number of EV charge points in Barnet to 2,500. This initiative is being executed in collaboration with Char.gy, a prominent UK-based EV ch...

Mainland China's Ministry of Industry of Information Technology has proposed formulating new safety rules for driving assistance systems, as shown in a recent post from the national standards database, according to a report published by Insurance Journal on June 5. The proposal involves contributions from various parties, including carmaker Dongfeng Motor and tech giant Huawei, with discussions occurring over a period concluding on July 4. This initiative comes amid a surge in the launch of n...

The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles [CLEPA]) warned that mainland China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements (REEs) and magnets have caused a severe shortage of critical materials, shuttering several assembly lines and plant operations in Europe. “These restrictions have led to the shutdown of several production lines and plants across Europe, with further impacts expected in the comi...

Leading charge-point operator (CPO) EasyGo has secured a 20-year contract worth approximately £300 million to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the north of Scotland, covering Highland, Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Council areas, with Highland Council as the lead authority. This initiative represents the first intercouncil contract awarded as part of the Scottish government's Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund and stands as the largest grant award from the fund ...

The Trump administration has implemented new export controls on chip design software that is used to produce and utilize advanced AI chips, according to a report published by TechCrunch on May 30. Siemens EDA, Cadence Design Systems and Synopsys have confirmed receiving notifications from the US Commerce Department regarding these export controls specifically targeting electronic design automation (EDA) software to China. EDA tools are essential for designing and validating semiconductor manufac...

Assembly Bill 33 (AB33), supported by the Teamsters, successfully passed the California Legislature's lower chamber. The union is advocating for the state Senate to consider the bill. Authored by Majority Leader Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, this bipartisan initiative seeks to mandate a trained human operator in any autonomous vehicle used for delivering commercial goods to residences or businesses, as reported in a press release on June 3. This regulatory effort is taking place amid multiple setback...

The Indian government has approved a forward-looking scheme to promote the domestic production of passenger cars, with a special focus on electric vehicles, according to a press note published by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), via Press Information Bureau, on June 2. The scheme will allow approved applicants to import electric passenger cars as completely built units (CBUs) with a $35,000 minimum value at a 15% reduced customs duty for a period of 5 years from the application approva...

Mainland China announced its intent to enhance cooperation with other nations concerning its rare earth export controls amid potential shortages that could impact automobile and semiconductor manufacturers in Europe and India, according to a May 30 report by Reuters. Mainland China holds more than 90% of the global processing capacity for rare earth magnets, which are essential in various industries, and began enforcing stricter export regulations in early April, requiring exporters to acquir...

Taiwan introduced its first Level 3 AI-powered autonomous electric bus equipped with state-of-the-art systems such as intelligent cabin monitoring, AI-driven vibration and noise analysis, and electronic rearview mirrors, according to a report published by Taiwan News on May 30. It includes advanced safety features such as lane keeping, active obstacle avoidance and driver condition monitoring, while adhering to the United Nations Regulation No. 157, established by the United Nations Economi...

US President Donald Trump has decided to further raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective June 4. "We are going to be imposing a 25% increase. We're going to bring it from 25% to 50% — the tariffs on steel into the United States of America, which will even further secure the steel industry in the United States," Trump announced while speaking at a rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the US.  In February 2025, a few days after becoming the US ...

ComEd has received approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission for its second Beneficial Electrification Plan, earmarking $168 million over three years starting in 2026 to advance transportation electrification in Illinois. This initiative builds on ComEd's previous $231 million investment from 2023 to 2025 aimed at promoting electric vehicle adoption and reducing emissions in northern Illinois. The plan focuses on assisting residential and non-residential customers in transitioning to EVs th...

The UK government is streamlining the process for installing electric vehicle chargepoints, eliminating the need for planning applications and potentially saving drivers up to £1,100 annually. This change, effective May 29, 2025, aims to make it easier and more affordable for drivers and businesses to install EV chargepoints by reducing paperwork. As a result, drivers with home driveways can more easily install private chargepoints, and businesses can more swiftly establish workplace and pub...

The European Council approved a targeted amendment to the regulation concerning CO2 standards for new passenger cars and vans, providing car manufacturers with added flexibility to meet emissions targets for 2025. This amendment is the final step in the decision-making process. Under the revised regulation, manufacturers' compliance with their emissions targets for the years 2025 to 2027 will be evaluated based on a three-year average performance, rather than annually. Following the...

Infineon Technologies announced that its SEMPER NOR Flash memory has been certified by SGS-TÜV to ASIL-D, which is the highest certification level for functional safety, the company said in a press release on May 8. This certification comes after a comprehensive analysis of the product's safety documentation according to the ISO 26262:2018 standard. External experts from SGS-TÜV have confirmed that the SEMPER devices meet the most stringent safety performance criteria required for automotive a...

Indonesia is advancing its electric vehicle battery industry through a strategic alliance involving Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency (Danantara), Huayou and Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd. (CATL). President Prabowo Subianto has directed this collaboration to enhance Indonesia's role in EV battery manufacturing and to address financial challenges in green technology projects. At a press conference in Jakarta, CEO of Danantara Rosan P. Roeslani underscored the ...

The Ministry of Transport in Spain is initiating a pilot program to install ultrafast electric charging stations at eight service areas along state highways. The first set of projects, collectively valued at over €50 million, has been provisionally approved and will soon be open for public comment. This initiative aims to decarbonize the transportation sector, encourage private investment in electric infrastructure and improve services for road users. The construction covers various highway...

The South Korean government announced plans to provide a total of 250 billion won (about $182.4 million) in low-interest loans to small and medium-sized auto-parts manufacturing firms until the end of 2026 as a measure to mitigate the impact of US tariff, Yonhap News Agency reported May 28. This initiative, articulated by the Industry Ministry on Wednesday (May 28), is aimed at cushioning the sector from economic disruptions caused by these tariffs. Auto-parts manufacturers that have been exp...

The US Senate voted to block California's plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035, a policy adopted by 11 other states. This decision affects a third of the US auto market and challenges the waiver granted by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in December 2024 under former president Joe Biden. The waiver allowed California to mandate electric vehicles for at least 80% of new car sales by 2035. Automakers such as General Motors and Toyota, who lobbied against thes...

The state government of New South Wales in Australia is advancing the deployment of electric vehicle chargers with a new investment of A$16.1 million aimed at installing 246 fast and ultrafast chargers across the state. This initiative is augmented by private sector participation, resulting in a total of A$41.2 million being allocated for the installation of new charging ports, all powered by renewable energy. This effort aligns with the government's commitment to increase EV charger availabi...

The state of Maharashtra in India announced plans to boost the establishment of recycling centers for electric vehicle batteries and promote the production of new batteries and EVs, as part of the Electric Vehicle Policy 2025. The government resolution (GR) emphasizes the collection of used EV batteries from various facilities such as charging stations, battery-swapping centers and authorized dealers. Key locations identified for these recycling centers include the Mumbai Metropolitan Regio...

The UK government is considering raising the luxury-car tax threshold for electric vehicles to drive their demand, Autocar reported May 22. With effect from April 1, all new vehicles including EVs priced above £40,000 attract the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) in the UK. This adds an extra £425 in vehicle excise duty (VED) annually from the second to the sixth year after purchase. Combined with the standard VED rate of £195 from the second year, cars over £40,000 inc...

Japan is considering offering subsidies for Tesla's electric vehicle charging stations as part of tariff discussions with the US, according to a report from Reuters, citing TBS. Currently, Japan only provides subsidies for the CHAdeMO charging standard, which originated in Japan, excluding Tesla's Supercharger stations. The US Trade Representative has expressed concerns about this exclusion and is seeking improvements, according to the report. Japan is preparing for a third round of trade tal...

As reported in a press release on May 29, Ireland unveiled its Semiconductor Strategy, dubbed Silicon Island, focusing on strengthening the country's global position in the semiconductor industry. This initiative, aligned with the European Chips Act and the EU Digital Decade, aims to expand Ireland's semiconductor sector by creating high-value jobs, attracting investment and positioning the country as a pivotal player in Europe's semiconductor landscape. The strategy was developed through con...

India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries has approved an outlay of 20 billion rupees (about $234 million) under the PM E-Drive initiative to support the installation of about 72,000 public electric vehicle charging stations across the Indian subcontinent, the government of India’s Press Information Bureau said in a press note released May 21. Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy chaired an interministerial coordination meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Petrole...

Alphabet's self-driving unit, Waymo, announced that it received permission from California, US, to extend its robo-taxi operations to additional areas of the San Francisco Peninsula, including San Jose, according to a report published by Reuters on May 20. This development coincides with Tesla's preparations to launch a paid robo-taxi service in Austin, Texas, with plans for expansion into California later in 2025, as stated by CEO Elon Musk. Waymo sought this expansion authorization in March...

Tesla is set to begin shipping components from China to the US for the production of its Cybercab and Semi trucks by the end of May following a truce over tariffs, Reuters reported May 14, citing a source with direct knowledge. This development comes after discussions in Geneva led to the de-escalation of trade tensions, immediately affecting business operations. Previously, Tesla had halted these plans when US President Donald Trump increased tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, disrupting Tesla's...

The central government of India plans to install 360-kW charging stations along highways, expressways and bus stops to promote the electric vehicle ecosystem, particularly in the commercial vehicle sector. These high-capacity charging points are expected to benefit electric buses, trucks and premium and luxury EVs from companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Audi and Mercedes-Benz by reducing recharge times to just 15 minutes. This initiative is crucial for commercial vehicles, enabling fleet manag...

According to a press release on May 13, the Teamsters are calling on Texas lawmakers to pass House Bill 4402 (HB 4402), critical legislation requiring trained human operators in autonomous vehicles, following its passage out of the Texas House Committee on Transportation. The push for autonomous vehicle regulation comes as the tech company Aurora begins operating fully driverless trucks on Texas roads, despite serious concerns about safety and accountability. The company announced plans ...

PlaxidityX, an expert in automotive cybersecurity, announced its role in providing cybersecurity consulting services to Tier IV, known for its open-source software for autonomous driving. In June 2024, Tier IV was chosen for a government project in Japan to develop low-speed autonomous buses for airport terminal transfers. A key requirement for the trial was adherence to UN-R155 regulation and ISO/SAE 21434 standard. PlaxidityX conducted a gap analysis of Tier IV's cybersecurity standing relativ...

Waymo is recalling more than 1,200 self-driving vehicles to update the software and address collision risks with chains, gates and other roadway barriers after US auto safety investigators opened a probe in 2024, Reuters reported. The recall affects 1,212 Waymo vehicles operating on the company's fifth-generation automated driving system software. Waymo reported that it was aware of 16 collisions with chains, gates and other barriers be...

According to Gabriel Padilla, general director of the National Auto Parts Industry (La Industria Nacional de Autopartes: INA), the association of automotive components suppliers in Mexico, about 92% of auto parts manufactured in the country comply with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations, allowing them to be exempt from tariffs when exported to the US. The remaining 8% face an average tariff of 27%. “We are one of the sectors with the highest level of compliance with the USMC...

Indonesia's Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Rosan Roeslani announced that the government will offer larger incentives to electric vehicle manufacturers that utilize higher levels of domestic components, known as TKDN. Roeslani emphasized that the more significant the TKDN contribution by EV manufacturers, the more substantial the incentive they will receive. He highlighted a shift toward a more positive approach in supporting TKDN. Currently, seven EV companies — VinFast, Volk...

Spain has initiated the fourth call of the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation of the Electric and Connected Vehicle (PERTE VEC IV), with a total budget of €1.25 billion, comprising €1 billion in loans and €250 million in grants. This round will be managed by the State Society for Industrial Promotion and Business Development (SEPIDES) and will focus on battery projects and the electric vehicle value chain. The regulatory bases will be published in the Official State...

The United States and the United Kingdom have reached an agreement to reduce import taxes on a set number of British cars and allow some steel and aluminum to enter the US tariff-free. This new arrangement presents a respite for key UK industries from certain tariffs implemented by US President Donald Trump since his re-election. That said, a 10% duty will still apply to most UK goods. Although the announcement has been praised by leaders from both nations, analysts suggest it does not signif...

The US and mainland China have agreed to roll back reciprocal tariffs on each other’s goods announced last month for an initial period of days, CNN Business reported today (May 12). The world’s two leading economies released a joint statement after extensive trade negotiations held over the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland. The joint statement highlighted the “substantial progress” made by officials from both countries. The officials acknowledged the necessity of fostering a sustainable, l...

The Qwello Group, an operator of public charging infrastructure across Europe, announced that Park&Charge won the public MRA-e tender from the province of North Holland. Park&Charge by Qwello secured a significant regional concession to install and operate up to 1,000 charging points in municipal parking garages across eight Dutch municipalities. The development marks the Qwello Group's expansion into complex urban infrastructure projects. The p...

The new national standard GB/T 45500-2025, titled “Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Automotive Lidar,” has officially come into effect in China. The standard establishes unified testing methodologies and performance benchmarks for automotive lidar systems, including criteria for ranging accuracy, angular resolution, anti-interference, and environmental durability. It aims to support the safe and scalable deployment of advanced driver-assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, a...

Britain has announced a £1 billion funding deal for a new gigafactory by Japanese-headquartered battery-maker AESC, which will be constructed in Sunderland, northern England. This facility is expected to produce electric vehicle batteries for up to 100,000 EVs annually, significantly increasing current capacity. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves emphasized the role of this investment in strengthening industry resilience and promoting sustainable transport while also creating high-quality jobs. ...

The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), associated with the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has made a substantial investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, through public-private partnership (PPP) contracts. These contracts cover the supply, installation, operation and maintenance of EV charging stations across the capital. This initiative is part of Abu Dhabi Mobility's efforts to transition to clean mobility and sup...

The US Congress has passed a resolution to repeal a regulation that requires rubber tire manufacturers to reduce emissions from their manufacturing processes in the US. The regulation — National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing — was finalized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November 2024. This resolution was introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-Va.), Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and p...

The city of Montreal has laid out an ambitious objective to add 11,000 public charging points for electric vehicles in the Greater Montreal area by 2030, the Office of Ecological Transition and Resilience, city of Montreal, announced May 6. The initiative is part of the city's Climate Plan and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, in which the transport industry is expected to have a contribution of about 30%. The city of Montreal plans to deploy new levers to improve the supply of...

Nexen Tire has entered a long-term supply agreement with LD Carbon for sourcing recovered carbon black (rCB) for use in tire manufacturing. South Korea-based LD Carbon specializes in resource circulation and material recycling, and its rCB is produced by pyrolyzing end-of-life tires in an oxygen-free environment, significantly reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainability. This partnership enables Nexen Tire to enhance its eco-friendly tire manufacturing by replacing petrol...

On May 6, India and the UK finalized a free trade agreement (FTA). The agreement, signed after three years of intense negotiations, is expected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion by 2040 with liberal market access and eased trade restrictions. It is also projected to double bilateral trade between India and the UK to $120 billion by 2030 from $60 billion currently, according to a report by the Times of India. The FTA opens massive export opportunities, eliminating tariffs on 9...

India has proposed zero tariffs on steel and automotive components on a reciprocal basis up to a certain quantity of imports in its trade negotiations with the US, according to a Mint article dated May 5. The article quoted Bloomberg as the original source, citing people familiar with the development. However, beyond this threshold, imported industrial goods would attract the applicable rate of tariffs, the sources said. US President Donald Trump imposed a 26% tariff on Indian expor...

Amazon.com's self-driving unit, Zoox, has agreed to recall 270 of its driverless vehicles following an incident involving an unoccupied robo-taxi and a passenger car on April 8 in Las Vegas, according to Reuters. The crash resulted in no injuries. According to Zoox, the Automated Driving Systems may inaccurately predict situations where another vehicle slowly approaches perpendicularly and stops, potentially leading to a collision. After the incident, Zoox halted operations for a few days to con...

Rivian announced plans to invest $120 million in constructing a supplier park near its vehicle manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois, in the US. The electric-car maker expects its key suppliers to locate in the 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park to supply materials and components used in its electric vehicles. The planned investment is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the next two years, including approximately 100 positions directly within the company. This strategi...

CATL, the world's largest battery-maker, has become the first company to meet mainland China's "No Fire, No Explosion" national safety standard. This regulation, effective from July 1, 2026, mandates that batteries must prevent fires and explosions after an internal thermal runaway occurs. The updated mandatory national standard for battery safety, GB 38031-2025, was released on March 28, with a significant change being the thermal diffusion test requirement to ensure that during thermal runa...

Skycharger has been conditionally granted $10 million by the California Energy Commission (CEC) to develop two electric truck charging facilities along the Interstate 5 highway in Southern California, US. This funding, awarded under CEC's Critical Paths 2.0 initiative, will be utilized to establish high-capacity fast-charging stations in Kettleman City and Lebec, California. The stations will collectively support charging for 64 heavy-duty trucks at a time, with each charging at rates of at l...

The West Midlands region in the UK plans to significantly expand its electric vehicle charging network, with Mayor Richard Parker announcing the addition of 10,000 new connection points across the region. The West Midlands region has over 4,000 publicly accessible charging points, marking a 36% increase over the past year, making it the fifth highest in number among English regions outside London. This expansion offers approximately 11 chargers per square mile for residents and businesses tha...

The US has issued an executive order on April 24 highlighting its strategic interest in advancing its leadership in deep-sea science, technology and the development of sea bed mineral resources. This initiative is driven by national security and economic needs to secure reliable supplies of critical minerals independent of foreign control and to strengthen the economy by tapping into vast offshore sea bed areas rich in critical minerals and energy resources. Significant potential exists ...

Toyota Motor is exploring the possibility of investing in a potential buyout of Toyota Industries, Reuters reported April 27. “We are currently exploring various possibilities, including partial investment,” the Japanese automaker confirmed in a regulatory filing with the Tokyo Stock Exchange on April 26. Meanwhile, a report from Bloomberg on April 25 said that Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor, and his founding family have proposed to acquire Toyota Industries for ¥6 trillion (...

The Delhi government has unveiled a new initiative to establish a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the city. The plan aims to have at least one public charging station every 5 km, facilitating easier adoption and use of EVs. Under the Delhi EV Policy 2.0, the target is to expand public charging stations to 3,500 by 2025 and 13,700 by 2030, with one charging and battery-swapping station every square kilometer. The Delhi Transport Department will devise det...

The US Transportation Department is set to introduce new measures aimed at promoting the deployment of automated driving technology, Automotive News reported April 24, citing four sources familiar with the plans. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in his formal announcement, is expected to address aspects of current rules and regulations considered as obstacles by automakers and technology firms, the report said. The focus will be on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the process fo...

US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched a formal investigation into semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME), and their derivative products imports under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, signaling potential new tariffs on chips amid growing concerns about US dependency on foreign suppliers, Reuters reported on April 15, citing Federal Register filings on April 14. The Federal Register filings indicated that the probe began April 1 and is ...

Mainland China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has issued new regulations targeting autonomous driving technologies, effectively halting public beta testing, banning driverless features such as remote parking, and tightening marketing and software update rules. The move follows a high-profile incident involving an autonomous vehicle that resulted in three fatalities, prompting regulators to prioritize safety over rapid innovation. One of the most consequential devel...

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a temporary halt in US shipments for a month to evaluate the impact of tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on vehicle imports, according to a report by CNBC dated April 6. This decision follows the implementation of a 25% tariff on all foreign cars imported into the US, which began April 3, as well as the anticipated tariffs on auto parts by May 3. JLR, a major British carmaker owned by Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors, views the US as a key m...

Ford Motor Co. has halted shipments of its sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks and sports cars to mainland China as it begins to face tariffs as high as 150%, according to a news report published by Reuters on April 19. “We have adjusted exports from the US to [mainland] China in light of the current tariffs,” the report said, quoting a statement from the carmaker. Elaborating further, the report mentioned that the vehicle manufacturer has halted shipments of its F-150 Raptors, Musta...

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the state government has earmarked $30 million in new funds to incentivize consumers to lease or purchase new electric vehicles, according to a news report published by Green Car Congress on April 19. The state government plans to offer these incentives through the state’s Drive Clean Rebate program, which provides point-of-sale rebates for more than 60 new EVs, the report said. The report mentioned that the Drive Clean Rebate Program, which ...

South Korean battery firms are reconsidering joint ventures with mainland Chinese companies amid rising geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties, a Business Korea report said on April 17, citing industry sources. According to the report, LG Energy Solution has postponed plans to establish a battery recycling JV with mainland China's Huayou Cobalt. The plan was to set up processing plants in Nanjing and Quzhou in mainland China, with construction starting in the latter half of 2023 and o...

US President Donald Trump has announced plans to introduce a tariff rate on imported semiconductors within the coming week, indicating a shift from previously announced exemptions for smartphones and computers, according to a report published by Reuters on April 14. "We wanted to uncomplicate it from a lot of other companies, because we want to make our chips and semiconductors and other things in our country," Trump said, according to the report. Despite not providing specifics on potenti...

In a press note released by the White House on April 15, the US government said that President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to launch an investigation into the national security risks posed by the reliance on imported processed critical materials and their derivative products. The investigation is aimed at evaluating vulnerabilities in supply chains, the economic impact of foreign market distortions, and potential trade remedies to ensure a secure and sustainable domestic supply...

South Korea announced an increase in its support package for the country's critical semiconductor industry, raising the amount to 33 trillion won (about $23.25 billion), which marks a significant increase from the previously unveiled package of 26 trillion won, according to a report published by Reuters on April 15. This decision comes in the wake of growing policy uncertainty under the current US administration and increasing competition from mainland Chinese rivals. To address these chall...

US President Donald Trump has initiated a significant move by ordering a probe into the potential imposition of new tariffs on all critical mineral imports to the US, according to a report by Reuters on April 16. This decision is seen as a major step in the ongoing dispute with global trade partners, specifically targeting mainland China, a dominant player in the critical minerals market, the report said. The US has long been dependent on foreign nations for procuring processed versions of mi...

Mainland China is set to enforce stricter regulations on the safety standards of batteries used in electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids to mitigate the risks of fires and explosions within this rapidly expanding industry segment. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology announced new technical standards, aiming to enhance the safety of EVs, a category that now constitutes over half of the country's new car sales. Set to be implemented starting July 2026, these standards demand rig...

Tesla’s plans to import undisclosed components from mainland China for its Cybercab and Semi electric trucks in the US were suspended after US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on the import of mainland Chinese goods amid deepening trade tensions, according to a news report published by Reuters on April 16. The report cited an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the matter. The move could disrupt Tesla's plan to commence mass production of the much-anticipated models, accord...

Guangzhou, mainland China-headquartered electric-car maker Xpeng has done a thorough analysis of its supply chain to ensure its production plans are not disrupted by the ongoing tariffs and trade tensions between the world’s largest electric vehicle market and the US, according to a news report published by Reuters on April 16. However, Xpeng's President Brian Gu, who spoke to the publication in Hong Kong, said that while sales are not currently impacted, it would be difficult to escap...