U Mobile deploys ULTRA5G indoor 5G network in Malaysia
U Mobile has adopted an "Indoor First" ULTRA5G rollout with Huawei, and has deployed over 80 indoor sites; it has pledged 600 in‑building coverage sites by H2 2029 and has targeted 90% populated‑area coverage by H2 2027.
Nio updates ES6, EC6, ET5 and ET5 Touring in China
Nio has launched updated ES6, EC6, ET5 and ET5 Touring models in China with exterior and equipment upgrades, revised pricing and optional battery-as-a-service, and has reported concentrated demand for the ES8 alongside weaker take-up of other models.
Intelligent networks for Europe's digital infrastructure
Europe has invested heavily in connectivity but has seen flat telecom revenues and value has accrued outside operators; European telecoms have begun embedding AI into networks to enable real-time services, efficiency gains and new monetisation models.
Middle East conflict has increased electric vehicle interest
The Iran conflict has disrupted oil exports and pushed up fuel prices, and consumer interest in electric vehicles has increased; carmakers have recorded restructuring and write-offs as some have scaled back EV strategies.
A$107m allocated to 42 local road projects
A$107 million has been allocated to 42 road projects under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, and more than A$91 million has been earmarked for regional upgrades across states and territories.
Modern Fleet Technologies to Prevent Cargo Theft
Estimated cargo theft losses have risen and fleets have adopted GPS tracking, sensors and cameras. Centralised management platforms have provided real‑time monitoring and alerts, and tail‑light trackers have enhanced trailer visibility and recovery capability.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks opens orders for eArocs 400
Mercedes-Benz Trucks has opened orders for the battery-electric eArocs 400 in 13 EU markets and has outlined production and technical details, including 414 kWh battery capacity, 800-volt architecture, up to 400 kW charging and planned 2026 production.
Bosch Rexroth launches TS 7plus conveyor for 3,000 kg payloads
Bosch Rexroth has introduced the TS 7plus, a configurable, fully electric roller conveyor supporting payloads up to 3,000 kg, featuring larger rollers, lubrication-free king-shafts, two operating modes and MTpro-based configuration to reduce energy use and simplify maintenance.
Kia EV3 and Subaru Getaway debut at New York Auto Show
Two battery-electric models have been unveiled at the New York Auto Show media preview: the compact Kia EV3, positioned as a low-cost North American entrant, and Subaru’s three-row Getaway, presented as a US-assembled, 300-plus-mile range SUV.
Route optimisation in corporate employee transport
Enterprises have adopted route optimisation to reduce costs, improve billing accuracy and strengthen safety and compliance through GPS-validated data, dynamic re-rostering and real-time monitoring across multi-city employee transport operations.
Volkswagen partners with Xpeng for vehicle technology
Volkswagen has partnered with Xpeng to source vehicle hardware and software in China after profits have fallen and local competitors have gained market share; the collaboration has accelerated development timelines compared with Western peers.
Voyah Taishan X8 SUV debuts with HarmonyOS and 800V
Voyah has launched the Taishan X8, a large SUV offered in EV and PHEV variants, and has introduced Huawei’s latest HarmonyOS cockpit with dual 15.6-inch 2K screens; the vehicle has adopted an 800V platform and 5C fast charging.
Apollo Go robotaxis stalled in Wuhan
Multiple Apollo Go robotaxis have stalled in Wuhan, local traffic police have said, and preliminary investigations have attributed the incidents to system malfunctions while authorities and Apollo Go staff have been managing the response and investigations have been opened.
Xiaomi appoints former Tesla China GM to lead auto sales
Xiaomi has reportedly appointed Kong Yanshuang, formerly Tesla China regional general manager, to head automotive sales, and has begun integrating Tesla executive practices into its retail network following the SU7 launch and strong initial order volumes.
Sodium-ion batteries projected to reach cost parity by 2027
Manufacturers have narrowed sodium‑ion and lithium‑ion cost differentials with forecasts of parity by 2027; truck trials have reported roughly 20% greater range and energy efficiency, and commercial deployments and scaling plans have advanced.
US senator proposes ban on Chinese-linked vehicles
A US senator has proposed legislation to bar vehicles linked to Chinese firms, has sought allied alignment to the measure, and has elicited industry support and criticism from the Chinese Embassy.
BYD reaches 5,000 flash-charging stations in 27 days
BYD has commissioned its 5,000th flash‑charging station, extending the network to 297 cities and signalling a target of 20,000 stations by end‑2026, with company‑reported second‑generation Blade Battery performance and rapid‑charge metrics.
China launches national power battery traceability platform
China has launched a national power battery traceability platform and has mandated industry integration from 1 April, centralising lifecycle data and requiring manufacturers, vehicle producers, maintenance firms and recyclers to report production, sales, maintenance and recycling information.
Southwest Metro enters final integration testing
Southwest Metro has entered its integration testing phase and has begun trialling trains, signalling, platform screen doors and gap fillers together; over 3,600km of loaded tests have been completed and more than 2,500 of 9,000 test hours have been logged.
GMV showcases ground-segment solutions at SATELLITE
GMV has presented ground-segment control, operations centres and data-processing capabilities at SATELLITE, emphasising cybersecurity and lifecycle operational readiness to support secure, scalable space operations.
Apollo Go robotaxi fleet halts on Wuhan elevated highways
Baidu’s Apollo Go has suffered a widespread system failure in Wuhan, leaving numerous robotaxis stalled on elevated highways and passengers stranded for up to two hours; customer service has blamed network problems and no corporate statement has been issued.
Dash-cam Evidence for Fleet Traffic Defence
Mid-sized fleets have adopted network-connected dash-cams that have produced timestamped video and telematics, and have established chain-of-custody processes that have improved defence of traffic citations and reduced regulatory and insurance risk.
Mercedes sets 2030 US sales target amid market headwinds
Mercedes has said 2026 has proved tougher than expected and has committed US$4bn to its Alabama plant to raise capacity, and has maintained a 2030 US retail target of 400,000 vehicles amid higher rates, fuel costs and tariffs.
Magna launches DHD REX single-motor hybrid drive
Magna has unveiled DHD REX, a modular single-motor hybrid drive for range-extended EVs. The system has been validated across multiple vehicle segments and has been designed to integrate with ICE-based platforms and BEV architectures, including an optional parallel hybrid mode.
ENNOVI patents adhesive-free battery lamination
ENNOVI has secured a German patent for an adhesive‑free laser lamination for battery cell contacting systems, which has been validated and has offered OEMs a pre‑qualified alternative that has reduced engineering risk and has supported multiple cell formats.
Inlyte, Ervin to localise iron battery supply chain
Inlyte Energy has agreed with Ervin Industries to develop domestically sourced iron powder for iron‑sodium batteries and has sought to expand US materials supply while reducing reliance on overseas battery processing.
ChargePoint launches Premier Care and Support Portal
ChargePoint has introduced Premier Care, a managed service for large or complex charger networks, and has launched the Support Portal with Cloud Plan subscriptions, which has provided self-service case management, analytics and a searchable knowledge base.
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover launch Freelander NEV brand
Chery and Jaguar Land Rover have launched Freelander, an independent NEV brand headquartered in Shanghai, and have unveiled the Concept97 concept; the brand has secured NEV production qualification for end-2025 and has scheduled production to start in late 2026.
CEFC commits $100m to support EV loans via VWFS
The CEFC has committed $100 million in partnership with Volkswagen Financial Services Australia to subsidise discounted loans for eligible new and used electric vehicles, and has sought to lower costs for consumers and small-to-medium business fleets.
Indosat pursues AI strategy to build sovereign capabilities
Indosat has repositioned as an AI-native operator, has deployed GPU-based infrastructure and the Sahabat AI platform for Bahasa Indonesia, and has partnered with global cloud vendors to develop domestic data‑centre and sovereign cloud capabilities.
ABAX to present site-visibility solution at ScotPlant
ABAX has announced it has scheduled demonstrations of its Site Operations platform at ScotPlant, providing real-time tracking of tools, equipment and connected assets across sites and integrating data from multiple connectivity options to support operational decision-making.
Virgin Media O2 selects Nokia for UK 5G RAN upgrade
Virgin Media O2 has selected Nokia for a multi‑year UK 5G Radio Access Network modernisation programme, under which Nokia has been appointed to supply AirScale RAN equipment, Massive MIMO radios and AI‑enabled baseband platforms to improve capacity and efficiency.
Fleet costs rise across lifecycle stages
Fleet operators have faced simultaneous cost increases across acquisition, maintenance, insurance and fuel. Higher repair expenses, component shortages, volatile fuel prices and extended vehicle downtime have constrained cost control and planning.
Volvo to import and distribute Lynk & Co in Europe
Volvo Cars and Geely Auto have signed a non-binding MoU under which Volvo has agreed to become Lynk & Co’s exclusive importer and distributor in Europe and to integrate sales and after-sales systems to scale the brand.
Middle East conflict linked to rising EV demand in Australia
The Middle East conflict has prompted renewed interest in electric vehicles in Australia, and dealers have reported increased enquiries, manufacturers have introduced lower-priced Chinese models, and industry sources have suggested a potential record market share for EVs.
bp pulse chargers added to Chargefox network
Chargefox has integrated more than 270 bp pulse fast chargers into its app, enabling over 300,000 users to locate and access additional charging plugs and strengthening roaming coverage across metropolitan, regional and rural Australia.
BMW reduces Australian prices for iX1 and iX2
BMW has reduced Australian pricing for its fully electric iX1 and iX2, has introduced an iX1 xDrive30 Sport Collection variant and has repositioned entry prices below A$80,000, reflecting discounts of roughly A$7,000.
Chery QQ3 EV launched with 56,879 orders
Chery has launched the QQ3 EV and has recorded 56,879 orders at launch; it has been offered in four variants with prices ranging from 58,900 to 78,900 yuan and has introduced two battery options and driver-assistance features.
Changan unveils BlueCore hybrid with 44.28% efficiency
Changan has unveiled the BlueCore Super Engine, featuring a 500bar direct-injection hybrid architecture and a peak thermal efficiency of 44.28%, and has reported urban fuel consumption as low as 2.98–3.54 L/100km in tests.
ARA coordinates rail response to fuel supply disruption
The Australasian Railway Association has engaged with federal ministers, agencies and industry stakeholders to assess and coordinate rail responses to potential fuel supply disruptions, and has consulted members on operational impacts and capacity to provide additional freight services.
Ballarat Station overpass and accessibility upgrades
The Victorian Government has completed the Ballarat Station upgrade, opening a 28-metre overpass that has provided accessible inter-platform access, upgraded the northern entrance, and has incorporated heritage-informed design to improve accessibility and passenger circulation.
Federal funding for three Melbourne electric truck hubs
ARENA has committed A$25.3m to a A$61m NewVolt project to establish three high‑power charging hubs in Melbourne, delivering 24 fast‑charging bays and capacity for up to 100 heavy and medium electric trucks.
Limits of third-party BMS safety certification
A recent analysis has shown that third-party functional safety certifications for BMSs have often validated controller electronics but have not necessarily ensured cell-level monitoring or protection; firms have been advised to start with an FMEA and verify system architecture.
ChargeUp Accelerator adds 10 battery startups to 2026 cohort
Binghamton University and New Energy New York have selected 10 battery and energy storage startups for the 2026 ChargeUp Accelerator, which has offered funding, technical support and a seven-month programme to advance regional battery innovation.
Ateios and Kodak extend RaiCore electrodes to LFP, NMC, LCO
Ateios and Kodak have expanded the RaiCore electrode platform to LFP, NMC and LCO, have obtained third-party PFAS-free verification and have introduced a fourth-generation formulation compatible with existing battery production lines.
Volkswagen ID. Era 9X EREV SUV begins presales in China
Volkswagen and SAIC have launched presales in China for the ID. Era 9X, a 5.2-metre extended-range SUV priced from 329,800 yuan, which has six seats, dual-motor AWD and a claimed mixed range of 1,611 km.
MAXIMA develops low-impact axial flux motor
The MAXIMA project has applied life cycle assessment, materials innovation and modular design to develop a lower-impact axial flux motor, reducing dependence on rare earths and improving recyclability across vehicle lifecycles.
Ateios and Kodak scale RaiCore after PFAS‑free verification
Ateios Systems has had its RaiCore electrodes independently verified as PFAS‑free and has released a fourth‑generation formulation with over 98% active material loading; pilot programmes, NSF Engine funding and Kodak collaboration have supported scaling and supply‑chain expansion.
Lightfoot introduces plug-and-play driver coaching solution
Lightfoot has engineered its driver coaching device to be plug-and-play, has enabled fleets to self-install via OBD ports, has delivered average fuel savings of up to 15% and has supported remote system setup and connectivity.