Karas Plating opens silver busbar electroplating line
Karas Plating has commissioned a £1.5m automated silver electroplating line in the UK, which has added 4,500 tonnes per year of busbar capacity, reshored plating capability and has achieved defect rates below five parts per million.
MATTER integrates Iontra battery intelligence
MATTER has integrated Iontra’s battery intelligence into its AI‑Defined Vehicle platform, enabling real‑time state‑of‑health sensing and adaptive charge control to predict degradation, manage thermal stress and potentially improve charging speed, reliability and lifetime ownership costs.
BYD Considers Canadian Manufacturing and Acquisitions
BYD has indicated it has considered building a wholly owned Canadian manufacturing plant and has said it has been open to acquiring struggling legacy manufacturers as part of its international expansion strategy.
Fleet optimisation to reduce TCO and improve efficiency
Analyses have shown telematics-led fleet optimisation has reduced total cost of ownership, improved utilisation and enabled EV integration, while predictive maintenance and driver-behaviour monitoring have lowered downtime and operating expenditure.
ROHM and Suchi Semicon to localise semiconductor packaging
ROHM has formed a partnership with Suchi Semicon to establish local back-end manufacturing for power semiconductor packaging and testing in India, has initiated technical evaluations and has targeted mass production from 2026 to strengthen automotive supply-chain resilience.
Audi E7X: China-focused electric SUV for local market
Audi has been developing a China-focused E7X electric SUV under a Volkswagen Group–SAIC joint strategy and has used a dedicated local platform to shorten development cycles, enhance digital features and improve competitiveness in China’s EV market.
2026 Volvo EX30 launched in China after battery recall
Volvo has launched the updated 2026 EX30 in China, introducing a lower-priced RWD Plus entry model, revised trim line-up and limited-time prices from 159,800–209,800 yuan, and has implemented the changes following a recent battery recall.
BAIC advances prismatic sodium‑ion battery tech
BAIC has completed development of a prismatic sodium‑ion cell achieving 170 Wh/kg and 4C fast charging, has validated mass‑production processes and has reported safety and low‑temperature performance; vehicle application and launch timing have not been disclosed.
AI and Fleet Technologies Improve Truck Safety
Fleets have adopted AI-driven video telematics, predictive maintenance and tyre pressure monitoring, which have delivered reduced incidents, improved uptime and enhanced route management, while providing managers with real-time visibility and actionable safety insights.
Transition to Software- and AI-Defined Vehicles
Automakers have adopted software-defined architectures, have begun integrating artificial intelligence across vehicle platforms, have implemented centralised computing and over-the-air updates, and have pursued flexible powertrain strategies and cross-regional partnerships and have created new monetisation opportunities.
CharIN opens Unified Error Codes repo on GitHub
CharIN has launched a public GitHub repository for Unified Error Codes, has invited community contributions, and has partnered with the UEC Initiative to develop protocol‑agnostic hardware and software error code specifications, with software definitions due by October 2026.
Integrated thermal safety for electric transit fleets
moviTHERM and Troman have launched an integrated thermal-safety platform for buses, rail and paratransit, combining infrared monitoring, onboard detection and suppression to cover vehicles, depots and charging sites via a single cloud-based system.
Uber to invest $1.25bn in Rivian for robotaxi fleet
Uber has agreed to invest up to $1.25bn in Rivian and has arranged to acquire up to 50,000 autonomous R2 vehicles for deployment through 2031, with funding tranches and initial purchases contingent on regulatory approval and performance milestones.
Eve Energy unveils two solid-state battery cells
Eve Energy has begun pilot production in Chengdu of two Longquan solid-state cells; it has positioned Longquan No.3 for low-pressure consumer use and Longquan No.4 as a 60 Ah EV cell, and it has not disclosed commercial timelines.
Global EV fleet cut oil consumption by 1.7m bpd in 2025
A report by Ember has found that the global electric vehicle fleet has avoided 1.7m barrels per day of oil consumption in 2025, equivalent to roughly 70 per cent of Iran's exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
Closed-loop digital maintenance for fleet compliance
Fleets have adopted closed-loop digital maintenance and electronic DVIRs, have integrated telematics to document inspections and trigger work orders, and have reported reduced maintenance costs and improved asset uptime.
Chery to test 400Wh/kg solid-state batteries in Exeed ES8
Chery has unveiled 400Wh/kg solid-state cells, has said it has scheduled vehicle testing of the Exeed ES8 within a year, and has invested over 10 billion yuan in R&D while developing liquid-state and hybrid battery formats.
Thermal adhesives for EV battery cell-to-pack bonding
Manufacturers have advanced thermally conductive adhesives to improve bonding and thermal management in EV battery cell-to-pack and cell-to-plate architectures, enabling higher bond strength, tailored reworkability, and reduced thermal resistance through thinner bondlines.
Windrose and Autel complete MCS megawatt charging trial
Windrose and Autel Europe have completed a real-world megawatt charging session in Roosendaal using the MCS standard, and have demonstrated interoperability between Autel’s infrastructure and Windrose’s truck platform with a 1,440 kW system.
Xiid and eVerged partner on EV charging cybersecurity
Xiid and eVerged have announced a partnership to bolster EV charging cybersecurity, using Xiid’s Terniion platform and SealedTunnel technology to protect charging stations, billing systems and data transport across distributed networks for operators, municipalities, fleets and utilities.
Hesai lidar chosen for Niu NXT2 two-wheeler
Hesai has partnered with Niu to supply FTX lidar for the NXT2, has reduced sensor prices sharply and has enabled wider lidar adoption in electric two-wheelers as Niu has launched an AI operating system and new AI-enabled models.
SAIC-Audi E7X electric SUV listed on official site
SAIC-Audi has listed the E7X SUV on its official website and app, and the model has been presented with 300 kW rear-wheel drive and 500 kW all-wheel drive options, a 109 kWh CATL battery and a 751 km range.
GWM: solid-state batteries to take five years
GWM has said that its solid‑state batteries have required at least five years to reach widespread use, citing development, cost, safety and performance challenges; it has produced 20 Ah cells while rivals have unveiled 60 Ah cells and liquid‑solid packs.
India extends PM E-Drive localisation deadline
The Indian government has extended PM E-Drive localisation deadlines to September 2026, has allowed continued imports of traction motors and has provided manufacturers relief from supply constraints while preserving a phased push for domestic production, including electric buses.
Exicom opens ₹216 crore EV power electronics plant
Exicom Tele-Systems has opened a ₹216 crore integrated manufacturing facility in Hyderabad and has increased production capacity by about 2.5 times to produce AC and DC chargers, battery systems and critical power solutions for domestic and export markets.
Hyundai launches HTWO hydrogen brand in Japan
Hyundai has introduced its HTWO hydrogen brand in Japan, has showcased production, storage, refuelling and fuel-cell mobility solutions, and has presented a Japan-specific NEXO with vehicle-to-home capability, and has signalled its intent to build an integrated hydrogen ecosystem.
Changan launches Deepal S05 EV in UK with 303-mile WLTP
Changan has launched the Deepal S05 electric SUV in the UK, offering a 68.8kWh LFP battery with up to 303 miles WLTP (RWD). The model has been developed in Europe and has been produced at Changan's Rayong, Thailand factory.
Geely Starshine 8 Voyager integrates Gen2 Golden battery
Geely has introduced the Starshine 8 Voyager with a second-generation Golden Brick battery and enhanced driver-assistance, and has reported a 225 km electric range, 1,725 km combined range and an upgraded 27‑sensor kit.
Australia's largest apartment EV charging retrofit
A Melbourne apartment building has been fitted with 251 EV charging outlets as part of an ARENA-supported pilot, has demonstrated managed billing and load control without new substation works, and has been integrated with fire-alarm shutdown capacity.
CSIRO develops proof-of-concept quantum battery
CSIRO researchers have developed a proof-of-concept quantum battery that has demonstrated wireless laser charging and has stored energy for six times the charging duration, and have identified scaling and retention challenges before commercialisation.
Automated Driver Coaching in Fleet Management
Fleet operators have adopted automated coaching tools that have consolidated telematics and ELD data, have generated driver scorecards, have delivered real‑time feedback, and have reduced managers' manual reporting burden and have improved transparency.
Qoolers launches BTMS CORE tube heat exchanger for batteries
Qoolers has introduced BTMS CORE, which the company has said has reduced cooling-system weight by over 70% while maintaining tighter thermal control, and has increased heat-transfer speed and efficiency for EV, energy-storage and high-power applications.
Buick GL8 Encasa electric MPV launched in China
SAIC‑GM has launched the Buick GL8 Encasa electric MPV in China, has priced it at 489,900 yuan, and has fitted it with dual motors producing 646 hp, a 96 kWh battery and a CLTC range of 601 km.
UKBIC opens Flexible Pilot Line for battery scale-up
UKBIC has opened a Flexible Pilot Line in Coventry to help battery startups scale technologies from lab to commercial scale. The line has been backed by £38m from the Faraday Battery Challenge and has been described as unique in Europe.
Ionna reaches 100 sites, offers manufacturer discounts
Ionna has opened its 100th charging site, has deployed nearly 1,000 live bays and has contracted a further 340 sites; it has introduced manufacturer-specific discounts and loyalty options for vehicles from its eight founding backers.
Soneil Spark mobile charging trailer for EV fleets
Soneil Spark has introduced a trailer-mounted mobile charger with configurable battery capacity and AC/DC ports, and has marketed it to fleets, off-grid sites, events and disaster response, and has highlighted microgrid and rapid-deployment capabilities.
ION Storage Systems qualifies solid-state battery cell
ION Storage Systems has qualified its Cornerstone solid-state cell with a customer and has scheduled production at its expanded Beltsville, Maryland facility to begin in 2026, after having supplied sample cells to customers since August.
BYD to deploy 1,500 kW Flash Charging 2.0 network in Europe
BYD has announced plans to deploy a 1,500 kW Flash Charging 2.0 network in Europe within weeks and has indicated initial service will support Blade Battery‑equipped Denza Z9 GTs; compatibility and claimed recharge speeds have yet to be validated.
Honda cancels three North American EVs, flags $15.7bn loss
Honda has cancelled development and market launch of three North American EV models, has flagged about $15.7bn in write-downs and has said it will refocus on hybrid vehicles.
BYD launches Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging network
BYD has launched Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging 2.0 and has seen increased consumer interest across China. The company has committed to deploy 20,000 high‑power stations by end‑2026 and has reported faster all‑temperature charging performance.
Chery sets 18 March event for solid-state battery roadmap
Chery has scheduled an 18 March Battery Night and has outlined a solid‑state battery roadmap targeting 2026 pilot use and 2027 mass‑market availability, while claiming potential driving ranges beyond 1,500 km and has withheld technical specifications.
Lucid unveils three models on lower-cost Midsize platform
Lucid has announced three models on a new Midsize platform, including two SUVs named Cosmos and Earth, and has outlined the Atlas drive unit and has targeted sub-US$50,000 pricing and efficiency measures while reaffirming its strategic tie-up with Uber.
BYD Seal 06 wagon filing shows 210 km WLTC range
Regulatory filings have revealed a BYD Seal 06 wagon with a 34.275 kWh battery and a 210 km WLTC electric range, pairing a 74 kW petrol engine with a 175 kW motor and optional roof‑mounted lidar and sensor suites.
Ouyang Minggao outlines solid-state battery timeline
Ouyang Minggao has advised that solid‑state batteries will require further development and testing, has outlined a phased industrialisation timeline to 2035, and has stated that current EV battery technology has been adequate for near‑term market needs.
Australia's EV policy choices and fuel security impacts
Policy decisions in Australia and New Zealand have slowed EV adoption, increased reliance on imported petrol and diesel, and have prompted relaxed fuel‑quality rules, thereby heightening exposure to oil‑price shocks compared with early-adopting markets.
BYD updates Denza N9 and N8L with 75.3 kWh battery
BYD has updated the Denza N9 and N8L with a 75.264 kWh LFP battery, which has increased electric range by about 40% to 315-320 km; vehicle curb weights have consequently risen above 3,100 kg.
Arcfox files S3 model for CATL Choco‑SEB battery swap
Arcfox has filed regulatory documents for an S3 battery‑swap model compatible with CATL’s Choco‑SEB and has disclosed dimensions, powertrain details and battery suppliers; the swap variant has been positioned alongside a pure‑electric S3.
Tesla opens first customer-facing Megacharger in California
Tesla has opened a customer-facing Megacharger in Ontario, California, has begun deploying a planned 66-site US network with 37 sites targeted by end-2026, and has offered 750 kW at the site while competitors have advanced MCS charging deployments.
