The Lewisham Council is collaborating with Zest, a UK investor-operator of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, to expand public EV charging spaces across the borough. The project aims to install at least 200 charging points specifically for households dependent on on-street parking. Zest has committed an initial investment of £1.5 million to deliver, operate and maintain the charging network over the next 15 years, without placing a financial burden on the council or taxpayers. Ad...

Upstream has announced a strategic partnership with ŠKODA to enhance cybersecurity measures across ŠKODA's connected vehicles, digital services and supporting systems. As ŠKODA's digital reach grows, managing cyber-related risks has become crucial for ensuring operational resilience and adhering to regulatory requirements. Through this partnership, ŠKODA consolidates cyberthreat intelligence and risk information into a single platform accessible to the entire organization. This consolid...

Mainland China and the EU have reached a consensus regarding the price undertakings for exported battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The agreement includes providing general guidance to Chinese exporters of BEVs to the EU. This consensus follows the EU's decision to impose anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese BEVs in 2024, after an investigation into state support for the segment. The tariffs imposed were up to 35.3% in addition to the standard 10% tariff, a policy mainland China disagreed with...

California, US, has announced a $200 million state-funded electric vehicle tax credit to replace the federal $7,500 credit that ended in September 2025 under US President Trump. This initiative aims to support the state's dominant EV market, which constituted 22.9% of new light-duty vehicle registrations in the second quarter of 2025. The program may also explore credits for used EVs. Automakers have responded positively to California's move, as it could boost sales that had previously declin...

The Delhi government plans to install about 7,000 electric vehicle charging stations by the end of 2026 as part of a strategy to promote clean mobility and reduce air pollution. This initiative aims to curb vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to the city's air pollution. In addition to enhancing the charging infrastructure, the government is set to expand the public transport system by increasing the bus fleet. A revised EV policy is expected to be finalized and announced by March's e...

Italy's antitrust regulator has initiated an investigation into utility group A2A regarding potential violations of EU regulations concerning its electric vehicle charging services. The case sits within a regulatory context in which charging infrastructure is treated as a strategic asset. Regulators are reviewing access conditions, operational practices and the pricing structures applied by vertically integrated operators. A2A responded by asserting that its units have adhered to princip...

Illinois, US, has joined a lawsuit against the US Trump administration following the decision to freeze over $130 million in bipartisan grants intended for the expansion of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. This funding pause affects programs aimed at establishing new charging stations in Chicago as well as in more rural areas. Despite consistently being among the top states for EV registrations, Illinois ranks low in EV infrastructure. The lawsuit and funding issues com...

Baidu has announced that its autonomous ride-hailing platform, Apollo Go, has been granted Dubai, United Arab Emirates' first driverless vehicle trial permit by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). This permit allows Apollo Go to operate fully autonomous vehicles on designated public roads without a human safety driver, paving the way for the launch of a fully autonomous commercial ride-hailing service in Dubai by the first quarter of 2026. The RTA issued the permit during the opening of ...

Autocrypt, a South Korea-based automotive and AI cybersecurity solutions provider, introduced the Automotive-CIS (Cybersecurity Infrastructure Standard) at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 this week (Jan. 6–9) in Las Vegas. This new standard serves as a global benchmark for vehicle cybersecurity infrastructure, expanding on their previous Software Security Infrastructure solution used by original equipment manufacturers. Automotive-CIS now includes suppliers in its integrated s...

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) is seeking public feedback on the proposed acquisition of Strides YTL Pte. Ltd., known as ChargEco, by SP Mobility Pte. Ltd. (SPM). This acquisition, referred to as the Proposed Transaction, is under review to determine if it could potentially be anti-competitive. Both companies involved, SPM and ChargEco, operate electric vehicle charging networks in Singapore. SPM manages its EV charging points using its own Charging System Manageme...

The Indian government has released draft guidelines for a Battery Pack Aadhaar system, which introduces a unique 21-character digital identity known as BPAN for electric vehicle batteries and industrial batteries. This initiative is designed to track the life cycle of batteries from production to disposal, aiming to improve transparency, traceability and sustainability within India's growing EV sector. The guidelines focus primarily on EV batteries but may also cover industrial batteries...

Shanghai has announced the extension of its policy to provide free license plates for electric vehicles registered in the city until Dec. 31, 2026. Initially set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025, the measure has been renewed for another year, applicable to consumers purchasing EVs for non-commercial use. Shanghai, which hosts Tesla's China factory and serves as the global headquarters for Nio Inc., is also home to leading automotive manufacturer SAIC Motor. Eligibility for the free license plate...

Florida is set to introduce a roadway that allows electric vehicles to charge as they drive, marking the first system of its kind in the US and potentially influencing future transportation strategies. The Central Florida Expressway Authority will begin constructing this 3/4-mile inductive charging lane on State Road 516 in 2026, aiming for completion and opening to the public by 2029. This innovative system involves coils beneath the road surface that create a magnetic field, which is picked...

Mainland China has started a public feedback process for solid-state batteries used in electric vehicles, as the country prepares for the large-scale commercialization of this next-generation technology within the next two years. The initiative began with the release of "Solid-state Battery for Electric Vehicle — Part 1: Terms and Classification" by mainland China's National Technical Committee of Auto Standardization on Dec. 30, 2025. This marks the country's first national standard for so...

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Hyundai Motor is recalling 51,587 vehicles in the US due to a potential fire risk arising from a short-circuit in trailer lights. This issue is attributed to the incorrect installation of the wiring harness. Vehicle owners have been advised to park their cars outside and away from structures until the recall repair is completed. Hyundai dealers will replace the trailer wiring harness at no cost to the owners. In rece...

Cui Dongshu, the secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), anticipates a notable decrease in mainland China's lithium battery demand in early 2026, coinciding with a downturn in new-energy vehicle (NEV) sales. This decline in demand is expected to be significant compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, as discussed by Cui in a recent article on his personal WeChat account. Battery manufacturers are likely to respond to these demand fluctuations by reducing production or ...

India has marked a major milestone in its electric vehicle revolution, installing over 27,000 new charging stations across the country in 2025 to fuel the growing adoption of electric cars, bikes and commercial fleets. The expansion, detailed in a year-end statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, underscores the nation's push toward sustainable mobility. Nearly 8,932 stations were established under the central government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Ve...

Mainland China has completed the development and revision of 294 national standards across 13 key sectors, including electric vehicle power battery safety requirements, which have been upgraded to mandatory status for the first time. This information was released by the State Administration for Market Regulation on Dec. 26 and reported by CCTV. These standards were issued under a joint action plan by seven government departments and have been approved and published for future implementation. ...

LG Energy Solution (LGES), a South Korean battery manufacturer, has announced the cancellation of a 3.9 trillion won (about $2.7 billion) contract with Freudenberg Battery Power Systems. This move follows Freudenberg's decision to abandon its battery business plans. The cancellation will result in LGES losing 13.5 trillion won in anticipated revenue, including from Ford, which recently announced a significant $19.5 billion writedown and the discontinuation of several electric vehicle models d...

ComEd has awarded a $500,000 electric vehicle rebate to BP Pulse to help develop one of the largest public charging hubs near O'Hare Airport in Des Plaines, Illinois. This initiative, through ComEd's Beneficial Electrification Plan, aims to enhance EV charging access and support local vehicle operators by installing 40 new ultrafast-charging ports. This project is part of a broader effort by ComEd, which has facilitated the installation of over 9,500 charging ports since launching its EV...

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a defect petition to assess the emergency door release mechanisms of the Tesla Model 3, news website Eletrek reported Dec. 24. The investigation involves about 180,000 vehicles and focuses on concerns that the manual release mechanisms are difficult to locate during emergencies. The probe stems from media reports of fatal crashes where occupants or first responders had difficulty opening vehicle doors to e...

Arcfox and Deepal have recently obtained dedicated license plates for Level 3 autonomous vehicles in their respective home cities, reflecting the latest developments in China's regulatory and industrial landscape. This follows the issuance of the first Level 3 autonomous driving permits by China's industrial regulator earlier in December. Arcfox, the electric vehicle unit of Beijing Automotive Group Co. Ltd. (BAIC Group), received its first Level 3 highway autonomous vehicle license plates in...

Hyundai and Kia have agreed to provide free repairs to millions of vehicles as part of a settlement following an issue over inadequate antitheft technology, The Detroit News reported Dec. 16. This settlement, led by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and involving 35 states, addresses the lack of engine immobilizers in certain vehicles.  The South Korean automakers will install this technology in all future US vehicles and provide up to $4.5 million in restitution to individuals wh...

Milepost AB, an independent electric vehicle charging operator in Sweden specializing in everyday charging, has begun implementing its services in Lund, Sweden, in conjunction with Lund Municipality. The company was awarded the task of deploying EV charging services at multiple locations in Lund following a comprehensive evaluation by the municipality earlier in 2025. The first charging site has been launched at the Genarps Sports Centre, with more sites to become operational soon, and a broa...

Mainland China's industry regulator, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), has granted conditional approval for two electric sedans with Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities to operate on select public roads in Chongqing and Beijing. The vehicles, developed by Changan Automobile and BAIC Motor's Arcfox, mark the first time Level 3 automation is permitted beyond testing, aligning with mainland China's initiative to leverage technology for economic growth. Level 3, kn...

The US Justice Department (US DOJ) has reached a settlement with Wanxiang America, a wholly owned subsidiary of mainland China-based auto parts supplier Wanxiang Group Corp., Reuters reported Dec. 18. This settlement concerns import tariffs on wheel hub assemblies and other parts imported from mainland China over a five-year period. The US government alleged that Wanxiang America had incorrectly classified its imported wheel hub assemblies and failed to disclose that these parts were subject ...

Japanese telecommunications group NTT aims to deploy more than 1,000 autonomous buses and cars across Japan by the 2030s to ease chronic driver shortages in the country. The company’s newly established unit, NTT Mobility, will be responsible for deploying and operating autonomous vehicles in partnership with local governments and transportation operators. NTT Mobility plans to start operating Level 4 autonomous route buses by 2028, followed by on-demand buses and robo-taxis. NTT Mobility will ...

The Thai Cabinet has approved changes to its electric vehicle promotion strategies, specifically targeting the EV3 and EV3.5 measures, to prevent potential market oversupply and price wars. The adjustments aim to offer manufacturers more flexibility while maintaining market stability as Thailand pursues its ambition to become a significant global hub for EV production. Key updates include an extension of the vehicle registration timelines, with EV3 vehicles needing to be sold by Dec. 31, 2025...

Xpeng Motors has obtained a Level 3 conditional autonomous driving road test license in Guangzhou, mainland China, and initiated regular Level 3 testing on specified intelligent connected vehicle expressways. A vice president of Xpeng expressed anticipation for a surprise in the first quarter of the following year with the full rollout, noting that some individuals might experience the version even earlier. At its 2025 Tech Day, Xpeng revealed the second-generation VLA with Level 4 capabiliti...

Hyundai Steel has teamed up with the Posco Group to jointly establish a steel manufacturing plant in Donaldsonville, Louisiana, US. The two South Korean steel companies will invest $5.8 billion in the greenfield plant, which is expected to commence commercial production in early 2029. Hyundai Motor Group — including Hyundai Steel, Hyundai Motor and Kia — will collectively hold an 80% equity stake in the venture, with Posco Group securing the remaining 20%. The total project cost will be s...

The European Commission has imposed fines totaling approximately €72 million on three automotive starter battery manufacturers, Exide, FET (including its predecessor Elettra) and Rombat, along with the trade association EUROBAT, for their involvement in a cartel that violated EU antitrust rules. This cartel also included Clarios (formerly JC Autobatterie) and restricted competition, potentially leading to higher prices for automotive manufacturers in Europe. Clarios, however, was not f...

The European Commission unveiled the automotive package on Dec. 16, focusing on providing flexibility for CO2 emissions of cars and vans to vehicle manufacturers, promoting affordable small electric cars, and establishing mandatory targets for corporate vehicles, as well as local development of the battery supply chain. Softening its stance on the earlier proposed ban on the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered passenger cars by 2035, the new proposal from the European Commission ...

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into the recall of 331,401 Jeep vehicles over improperly installed rear coil springs, Reuters reported. Rear coil springs play a critical role in supporting a vehicle’s weight and absorbing road impacts. If incorrectly installed, a spring can detach while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. The recall, issued in June 2023, affected certain 2022–2023 Jeep Grand C...

Fescaro, a South Korea-based startup specialising in mobility software solutions, has secured five consecutive contracts in 2025 for its Key Management System (KMS) as global automakers strive to comply with increasingly strict cybersecurity regulations, The Korea Herald reported Dec. 11. The automotive industry's shift toward software-defined vehicles enhances connectivity but also increases the risk of hacking, leading regulators in the EU, South Korea and mainland China to enforce tougher ...

The Illinois Transportation Department (IDOT) has announced a new funding opportunity through the Illinois National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, offering approximately $65.6 million for building electric vehicle charging stations statewide. This initiative advances the efforts from the first two rounds that funded 62 charging stations along Illinois interstates to support Gov. JB Pritzker's aim of having 1 million EVs on Illinois roads by 2030. Illinois Transportation Secretary Gi...

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is investing A$21 million to expedite the transition to electric vehicles in Australia. Through ARENA's Driving the Nation Program, three new projects have been initiated to improve access to EV charging infrastructure, making it more affordable and readily available across the country. These initiatives aim to advance the infrastructure and insights necessary for Australia's shift toward zero-emission transportation. The projects include funding...

Six EU countries have requested the European Commission to reconsider its planned effective ban on the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars from 2035. Ahead of the unveiling of a new auto package, the EU countries have proposed allowing the sale of hybrid vehicles or cars powered by other existing or emerging technologies that could potentially reduce emissions after 2035. The request was made in a joint letter signed by the prime ministers of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary...

The SWTCH platform has received approval from the California Type Evaluation Program (CTEP), which is recognized for its rigorous standards for commercial weighing and measuring devices in the US. This certification signifies that the SWTCH platform meets high benchmarks in North America for metering accuracy and billing transparency, similar to the certified accuracy of gas pumps that drivers have relied on for decades. As the transition to electric vehicles progresses, it is crucial for EV ...

Waymo, an autonomous ride-hailing service and a subsidiary of Alphabet, plans to voluntarily issue a software recall after reports of its self-driving taxis illegally passing stopped school buses. This move follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) initiated in October, prompted by a media report that highlighted a Waymo autonomous vehicle failing to stop for a school bus despite flashing red lights and deployed stop arms. A video aired by WXIA-TV in ...

Spain has announced a financial package of nearly €1.3 billion aimed at bolstering its electric vehicle market and industry in the upcoming year. This initiative is part of a larger plan to increase the share of EV production to 95% in the country by 2035, as stated by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. As of the first 10 months of 2025, the proportion of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles manufactured in Spain stands at approximately 10%, while self-charging hybrids account for 26.7%. I...

China has established itself as a dominant force in the global electric mobility sector, creating a charging infrastructure network that surpasses those of other countries, according to industry experts. This infrastructure development is seen as a competitive advantage, helping to accelerate the adoption of new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in the world's largest auto market. By the end of October, China's inventory of electric vehicle charging stations reached 18.65 million, marking a 54% increase...

Ava Community Energy has inaugurated its first electric vehicle fast-charging station in downtown Oakland, California, marking the beginning of a network of up to 15 EV charging stations aimed at increasing convenience for EV users and reducing barriers to EV adoption. Howard Chang, Ava Community Energy CEO, highlighted the importance of launching the first charging station in Oakland, emphasizing the city's crucial role in the founding of the agency. Ava's collaboration with Oakland refle...

The European Commission has introduced the RESourceEU Action Plan, aimed at securing the EU's supply of critical raw materials, including rare earth elements, cobalt and lithium. This initiative builds on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), which provides financing and tools to shield industries from geopolitical and price fluctuations, promote critical raw materials projects in Europe and beyond, and partner with like-minded countries to diversify supply chains. By early 2026, a Euro...

Vulcan Energy has secured €250 million in financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its Lionheart Project in Germany's Upper Rhine Valley. With a total investment of €2 billion, this initiative aims to establish an integrated, battery-quality lithium supply chain in Europe, sourced from geothermal brines. Lionheart is Europe's first project to combine Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) with renewable energy generation, providing a strategic supply of lithium and thereby reducing ...

Earlier in September, the Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) released the revised draft of the Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE-III), which will be implemented during the next cycle between April 2027 and March 2032. The new regulation will require vehicle manufacturers to meet increasingly stringent fuel consumption and CO2 emission requirements for M1 categories of vehicles (weighing less than 3,500 kg), comprising passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, multipurpose vehicles...

The South Korean government has announced an investment plan of 280 billion won (approximately $191 million) over the next four years to develop next-generation battery technologies. These technologies include all-solid-state, lithium metal and lithium sulfur batteries. The initiative aims to boost the competitiveness of local companies amid global competition and was announced during a national advanced industry committee meeting led by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. The Ministry of Trade, Ind...

Hundreds of Porsche vehicles across Russia have become undrivable due to a malfunction in their factory-installed satellite security systems. Owners and dealerships have reported instances where engines suddenly shut down and fuel delivery was blocked, effectively immobilizing the cars. The issue has been noted in Moscow, Krasnodar and several other cities since last week. Rolf, identified as Russia's largest dealership group, observed a surge in service requests on Nov. 28 as vehicle...

The European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) is implementing significant changes to its car safety evaluation methods to align with modern driving conditions and address current road hazards. The updates, set to take effect in 2026, mark the most comprehensive revision since 2009, restructuring vehicle testing and scoring procedures and introducing a new rating methodology that focuses on four safety stages: Safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash safety. The...

Thailand has adjusted its electric vehicle incentive policy to promote exports and prevent potential oversupply in the domestic market, as announced by the country's Board of Investment. This new policy stipulates that each EV produced for export will count as 1.5 units toward a manufacturer's local production obligations. The policy revision follows an earlier change in July that aimed to provide carmakers with more flexibility to meet production requirements and to bolster exports. Thail...

The Canadian government has allocated over C$10 million to support the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure as well as research and development of magnetic materials used in the production of electric motors. As part of this initiative, more than C$9 million will be allocated through the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP) to collaborate with Green Economy Canada and the New Brunswick Power Corp. This collaboration aims to install over 1,200 EV charge...

The Indian Telecom Department has announced an exemption for short-range vehicle radar systems in the country, primarily used in automotive advanced driver assistance systems, from the spectrum assignment rule through a gazette notification. These radar systems operate in the 77-81 GHz frequency range, and this exemption is anticipated to facilitate the development of autonomous vehicles in India. Despite the exemption, users must adhere to specific technical standards, including non-interfer...

The South Korean government has announced plans to introduce more than 100 new self-driving cars in a designated local city as part of a wider initiative to enhance the country's position in the global autonomous driving industry, trailing the US and China. By conducting more tests and collecting extensive big data, the aim is to emulate the industry scale and road testing found in these leading economies. Currently, 132 self-driving cars have driven a cumulative 13 million km across 47 designat...

Mainland China plans to curb excessive competition in the battery industry, similar to previous actions taken in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. According to Li Lecheng, minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), new measures will be accelerated to address irrational competition in the power battery and energy storage battery industries. At a symposium for battery industry entrepreneurs, Li emphasized the importance of enhancing capacity monitoring, early war...

The US state of Wisconsin plans to grant $14 million for the construction of electric vehicle fast-charging stations across the state, following a legal dispute with the US Trump administration. The latest funding round includes the installation of EV charging stations across 26 locations. Gov. Tony Evers, alongside the State Transportation Department, announced the allocation on Nov. 17. In 2024, Wisconsin allocated $22.4 million for over 50 EV charging projects. With the fun...

Honda has selected Toyoda Gosei's curtain airbags for its new Prelude sports coupe, which was launched in September. These airbags provide head impact reduction by deploying over the window glass during side collisions. They also play a crucial role in preventing passengers from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of a rollover, which is especially important given strict global safety regulations. The newly launched airbags can be integrated into the limited interior space of cou...

The UK government has announced a new pay-per-mile tax for electric and hybrid vehicles as part of the Budget. Starting April 2028, electric car drivers will be charged 3 pence per mile, and plug-in hybrid drivers 1.5 pence per mile, with rates increasing annually with inflation. This tax is roughly half the fuel duty paid by petrol car drivers, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). The chancellor also extended the 5 pence cut in fuel duty until September 2024, after w...

The Indian government has proposed changes to the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) framework to expand the scope of passenger vehicle safety star ratings. These changes, detailed in a new draft released by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on Nov. 21, highlight the need for modern vehicles to prevent accidents, protect vulnerable road users and support occupants after a crash to achieve higher star ratings. In the current Bharat NCAP framework, effec...

Perrone Robotics Inc. and Perrone Robotics Innovations have filed lawsuits against Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda and Nissan, alleging infringement of its patented automated vehicle and robotics technologies. The lawsuits were filed in the US District Courts for the Eastern District of Texas and the Eastern District of Virginia. The complaints allege that these automakers utilize Perrone Robotics' innovations in general-purpose robotics operating systems and applications related ...

Tesla is seeking authorization to deploy its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised driver-assistance system in the Netherlands, but Dutch vehicle authority RDW has warned enthusiasts to stop flooding its offices with requests. The regulator said the messages waste time and will not influence the approval process, emphasizing that road safety remains paramount and that the system must convincingly meet national standards. RDW said Tesla will be allowed to demonstrate its technology on a set ...

Mainland Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Li Auto has announced its forthcoming AI-powered smart glasses, which underscore the company's dedication to integrating AI technology into its vehicles. The smart glasses will operate alongside Li Auto's MindVLA system, which was introduced earlier in 2025 and supports assisted driving and various vehicle automation features. The accessory aims to offer passengers an interactive and personalized experience by utilizing spatial, lingu...

The North Lincolnshire Council in the UK is collaborating with leading charge-point operator (CPO) Believ to install hundreds of electric vehicle charge points over the coming years to facilitate charging infrastructure for local residents. This initiative is predominantly funded by Believ, with additional support from the UK Department for Transport's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. It aligns with the council's commitment to promote cleaner, more sustainable transportat...

Amid shifting global trade dynamics, automakers are being forced to rethink supply chains for critical electric vehicle (EV) components. EV motors—long dependent on rare earth elements (REEs)—are now a strategic pressure point. Recent export restrictions from mainland China, which currently dominates the mining and refining of rare earth elements, combined with geopolitical uncertainty, have transformed automakers' dependence on REEs into a significant strategic vulnerability. Rare earth ...

EV Buddy Inc., a clean-tech startup based in Edison, New Jersey, has been selected by the New Jersey Commission on Science, Innovation and Technology (CSIT) to receive a Clean Tech Seed Grant as part of its fourth round. This grant aims to assist the company in testing, improving and launching its innovative electric vehicle to electric vehicle (EV-to-EV) roadside charging solution, which is designed to prevent drivers from getting stranded with a low battery. The startup, located near Thomas Ed...

The Georgia Transportation Department (Georgia DOT) announced the approval of the Best Value Awards for the second round of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program at the Georgia State Transportation Board's meeting on Nov. 20. This move supports Georgia's efforts to develop a reliable and comprehensive fast-charging network to accommodate the increasing adoption of electric vehicles throughout the state. A total of $24.4 million in NEVI funds will be allocated to 26 location...

The Southend-on-Sea city council in the UK has partnered with Zest to install over 3,000 public chargers throughout the city. The move is expected to drive the adoption of electric vehicles among residents, businesses and visitors in the region. This initiative, slated to begin in early 2026, aims to facilitate cleaner travel options for everyone and includes the installation of various types of chargers, such as lamppost, fast and rapid chargers, catering to different driving ...

The UK government is expected to announce an additional £1.3 billion in funding for a scheme promoting the use of electric vehicles in the upcoming Budget. The Electric Car Grant scheme, initiated in July to foster a transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), reportedly assisted 35,000 individuals in switching to EVs. Despite this, early research indicates minimal impact in attracting new buyers. The Budget will also allocate funds for more charging points and consultations on facilitating...

Thomas Schaefer, head of the VW brand, confirmed that Volkswagen has successfully secured the necessary supply of chips for its production. Other automakers and suppliers are facing continued difficulties due to a chip supply shortage stemming from a trade dispute over the manufacturer Nexperia. Schaefer stated on Nov. 18 that Europe's largest automaker learned valuable lessons from the chip crisis that followed the COVID-19 pandemic, and they are not experiencing shortages. The same day, sup...

The Dutch government has decided to relinquish control of Nexperia, a Chinese-owned chipmaker, effectively de-escalating a crisis that could have disrupted global auto production, according to an Automotive News Europe report on Nov. 19. This decision follows constructive talks with China, after the Netherlands had seized control at the end of September due to concerns that actions by Wingtech Technology, Nexperia's Chinese owner, could disrupt the company's operations. Nexperia plays a crucial ...

Malaysia has launched the region's first electric vehicle battery passport standard, aiming to boost transparency and accelerate the growth of the EV ecosystem amid rapid technological changes. The Malaysian Standard MS 2818: Battery Passport for Electrified Vehicle — General Requirements was introduced by the Department of Standards Malaysia during Miti Asean Day 2025. This initiative was developed in collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics and IoT Institute. Deputy Investment...

Weev, an electric vehicle infrastructure company, has been appointed to deliver over 250 EV charge points across nine councils in Northern Ireland. This initiative is part of the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles' (OZEV) On-street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS). The charge points will be installed in residential areas across various towns and cities, with work set to begin in the coming weeks. The ORCS project sees a £2 million investment, funded by OZEV with £1.4 million, the Depart...

Seventy projects across 24 EU countries are set to receive over €600 million in EU grants aimed at electrifying and decarbonizing various transport modes, including road, maritime, inland waterway and air transport, as part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The funding will be used to establish alternative fuel supply infrastructure, such as electric recharging stations, hydrogen refueling stations, electricity supply, and ammonia and methanol bunkering facilities. For roa...

Avancez, a US-based supplier to General Motors, plans to lay off approximately 143 workers at its plant in Oakland County, Hazel Park, Michigan, due to changes in customer orders. The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice on Nov. 7 with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, detailing these permanent layoffs, which will take effect on or shortly after Dec. 5. Avancez explained that these layoffs are a result of the cancellation of it...

Blink Charging Co., a provider of electric vehicle charging equipment and services, announced that it has been awarded a Sourcewell contract. This contract, which is effective through Sept. 18, 2029, with potential extensions, allows over 50,000 government, education and nonprofit agencies to procure Blink's EV charging solutions. Under the terms of the agreement, participating agencies can access Blink's Level 2 and DC fast-charging stations, along with network management software, installat...

The Korean government intends to develop 25 secondary battery standards by 2030 to boost the safety of K-batteries and support a circular economy, Chosun Biz reported Nov. 13.  The initiative aims to enhance the global competitiveness of the Korean battery industry, covering areas from battery safety and next-generation cell technology to circular economy activation. The strategy, announced by the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry an...

WeRide has received a permit to conduct fully driverless robo-taxi commercial operations, making it one of the first companies to obtain a city-level commercial permit for Level 4 autonomous driving outside the US. Granted on Oct. 31, the permit allows WeRide's robo-taxis to operate commercially in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, without an onboard safety driver, with operations beginning on the Uber and TXAI platforms.  The approval followed a thorough evaluation process, culminating i...

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board has approved a new program, the Take Charge Program, aimed at increasing electric vehicle charging stations across New Jersey, US. With a budget of $50 million, this initiative will fund charging infrastructure projects for private commercial fleets, facilitating the transition to EVs on New Jersey roads. The program addresses the high costs associated with the installation and necessary site upgrades for reliable EV chargers, offeri...

Nearly 113,000 Jeep vehicles in the US are being recalled due to reports of debris found in some engines, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This recall follows a separate alert issued earlier by Stellantis regarding high-voltage battery issues in some sport utility vehicles that could result in fires. The current recall affects 112,859 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrids at risk of engine failure due to sand contamination in the engine. The con...

South Korea has announced plans to increase subsidies for electric vehicles by 20% in 2026 to support the auto industry amid challenges posed by US tariffs. The government statement revealed that passenger EV subsidies will rise to 936 billion won (approximately $658 million) from 780 billion won this year to boost local demand. Additionally, the initiative includes aiding auto parts suppliers by providing policy finance exceeding 15 trillion won, which was provided in 2025. To further suppor...

On Nov. 12, Gabriel India Ltd. announced that its board of directors has approved a revised joint venture agreement with Inalfa Roof Systems Group for the sunroof systems business. Under the revised arrangement, Inalfa will hold a 35% stake in Inalfa Gabriel Sunroof Systems Private Ltd. (IGSSPL), while Gabriel India will maintain 65% ownership and majority control. The revision in shareholding comes after India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries rejected a previous proposal on Au...

The European Commission plans to introduce a new category for affordable small electric vehicles in December, according to an EU commissioner. This initiative aims to counter competition from mainland Chinese manufacturers and bolster the European automotive market. The goal is to create an intermediate category for small EVs that do not require the extensive safety features and technology present in larger cars. This regulatory change has been under discussion, but its timeline was prev...

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS launched the DRYplatform on Nov. 3 at the Dry Coating Forum. This new infrastructure, funded with €3.7 million by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, focuses on battery research and features the DRYtraec process, which replaces traditional wet electrode coating. DRYtraec is a dry-coating method that removes solvents and energy-intensive drying steps, reducing costs and environmental impacts. DRYplatform in...

Altilium Metals has received funding from the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Innovate UK to demonstrate the sustainable production of electric vehicle battery cells using recycled anode and cathode materials. The project will utilize Altilium's proprietary recycling technologies, EcoAnode and EcoCathode, along with recently showcased automotive-grade multilayer pouch cells. This initiative aims to showcase both the commercial viability and environmental a...

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a funding opportunity for the installation of new electric vehicle charging stations under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). This initiative, part of Gov. Pritzker's Rebuild Illinois capital plan, aims to support the development of publicly accessible charging infrastructure throughout Illinois, US. The funding will cover DC fast-charging (DCFC) stations, known as Level 3, and AC Level 2 charging stations. Applicat...

China has announced exemptions to export controls on Nexperia chips intended for civilian use, according to its Ministry of Commerce. This decision is expected to help relieve supply constraints in the automotive sector. This move indicates an easing of restrictions impacting the global auto industry, following the Dutch government's control over Nexperia, a significant producer of automotive electrical system chips. Nexperia, based in the Netherlands, is owned by Wingtech, a Chinese compan...

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, Michigan, announced on November 5 that it has invested more than $1.84 million in 31 multifamily properties across the US state for 201 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations under the first two rounds of its Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure (CFCI) Program. These grants aim to expand EV charging access for residents throughout Michigan and move the state closer to the MI Healthy Climate Plan (MHCP) goal of sufficient infrastruc...

ChargePoint has been awarded a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract to provide electric vehicle charging solutions to public agencies across the US and Canada. This marks ChargePoint's third consecutive agreement with Sourcewell, dating back to 2017. The contract allows municipalities, transit authorities and public schools to deploy ChargePoint's EV chargers, software and services through a simplified procurement process with preferred pricing. ChargePoint was awarded th...

The UK government has announced £10 million in funding for new technology aimed at supporting the supply of electric vehicle charge points, allowing them to operate without relying heavily on large grid connections, or even off-grid entirely. This initiative is designed to accelerate the installation of EV charge points on England's motorways and major A-roads, making EVs more accessible as part of efforts to boost the country's charging infrastructure. The deadline for applications fro...

NTT Inc. has announced plans to establish NTT Mobility in December, with the goal of creating a safer, more secure and sustainable autonomous driving society. This comes as the Japanese Road Traffic Act, amended in 2023, allows for the operation of Level 4 autonomous driving under certain conditions, leading to demonstration experiments progressing across various locations. The government aims to implement autonomous mobility services in about 50 locations by fiscal year 2025, with the intention...

Toyota Motor announced a recall of 1.02 million vehicles in the US due to a defect that could cause the rearview camera to malfunction and increase the risk of a crash, Reuters reported Nov. 5. The recall affects certain Toyota and Lexus models from 2022 to 2026, including the Camry, Highlander, RAV4 and Prius, as well as Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor system. The issue stems from a software error that may cause the camera feed to freeze or become blank while ...

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia BV said it welcomes recent announcements by the US and Chinese governments lifting restrictions on the shipment of its chips, marking a potential turning point in the global supply disruption that has alarmed automakers, Reuters reported Nov. 2. The company emphasized that its priority is now ensuring supply stability for customers. The Dutch government, which recently took control of Nexperia citing national security reasons, stated it continues discussions with Chin...

Electreon has achieved a breakthrough in the form of in-motion wireless charging for electric vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, at highway speeds on one of France's busiest highways, the A10. This advancement allows electric trucks, buses, and cars to charge wirelessly without the need for plugs or cables, and without stopping. The development is part of France's Electric Road System roadmap, representing arguably the first scalable model for on-the-go charging. This universal model accommo...

The mainland Chinese government has announced a one-year suspension of recent export controls on lithium-ion batteries and related materials, as part of a trade agreement with the US. The suspension was agreed upon by mainland Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, with mainland China pausing the controls that were announced since October. Concurrently, the US has agreed to reduce tariffs on mainland Chinese imports. The controls included a requirement for exporters of hi...

The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Comité de Liaison Européen des Fabricants d'Equipements et de Pièces Automobiles [CLEPA]) has expressed concern that the EU Data Act might be diluted by the upcoming Digital Omnibus initiative expected in mid-November. The association emphasized that the Data Act contains essential provisions that promote investments in data-based services by enabling consumers to share data generated from connected products. The Data Act is pivotal to Europe'...

San Francisco has selected Bluedot to help streamline its electric vehicle operations by integrating the city's charging needs into a single platform. This initiative aims at simplifying the management of public fleets that operate across diverse departments and missions, each with different charging contexts throughout the day. Traditionally, managing these fleets separately has resulted in complications with payments, invoicing, oversight and reducing vehicle downtime. With Bluedot's integr...

Mainland China has decided to exclude electric vehicles from its strategic industries list in its latest five-year development plan for 2026–2030, marking the first time in over a decade that EVs have not been prioritized. Previously classified as new-energy vehicles (NEVs), including EVs, plug-in hybrids, and fuel-cell vehicles, these were considered strategic emerging industries in the last three five-year plans, benefiting from significant governmental subsidies to boost industrial compe...

The United States and Japan have signed a framework agreement to secure the supply of rare earths and critical minerals, aiming to reduce dependence on mainland China's dominant role in the global market. This agreement was signed by US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during Trump's visit to Tokyo, which was part of his weeklong tour of Asia. The document outlines cooperation in extraction, recycling, stockpiling and investment in mineral supply chains crucia...

Plug-in hybrids, which integrate a combustion engine, an electric motor, and a rechargeable battery, are being scrutinized by EU emission regulators for the frequency of electric propulsion systems used by hybrid car owners in comparison to the usage of combustion engines. The German auto industry is advocating against stricter emissions regulations for hybrids in anticipation of the EU's phaseout of combustion engines. Hildegard Müller, President of the German automotive association VDA, ac...

Europe's automotive industry is bracing for disruptions after a diplomatic and trade dispute over Dutch chipmaker Nexperia escalated, prompting urgent calls from automakers and suppliers for political intervention to avert production halts. The standoff began after the Dutch government placed Nexperia—owned by China's Wingtech Technology- under state control, citing national-security and intellectual-property concerns. In response, Beijing blocked exports of Nexperia's chips from its facili...

Euro NCAP has announced a new safety policy requiring the return of physical buttons in cars by January 2026. This change mandates that vehicle manufacturers include physical controls such as buttons, levers or switches for essential functions like turn signals, hazard lights, horn, windshield wipers and emergency call (eCall). Failure to comply could reduce safety ratings, impacting the reputation of vehicle models that rely solely on touchscreens. The decision comes in response to growing conc...