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Volkswagen and Uber Partner to Launch Self-Driving ID. Buzz Vans in the U.S.

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Volkswagen and Uber have announced a strategic partnership that will bring thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz electric vans to Uber’s ride-hailing platform in the U.S. The rollout will begin with pilot testing in Los Angeles by late 2025, and a full commercial launch is expected in 2026.

These won’t just be electric rides—they’ll be driverless. Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz AD (Autonomous Driving) is designed with Level 4 autonomy in partnership with Mobileye, and will be operated through VW’s mobility company, MOIA.

Built for the Future of Urban Mobility

The ID. Buzz AD comes packed with next-gen tech:

  • 13 cameras

  • 9 LIDAR sensors

  • 5 radar units

  • Redundant systems for critical functions like braking, steering, and power

In the early phases, each vehicle will still have a human operator onboard to monitor safety and performance, but the goal is fully autonomous operations down the line.

A Strategic Move for Both Brands

Uber, which sold off its in-house self-driving division in 2020, is taking a partnership-first approach to autonomy. It has recently joined forces with other developers like Waymo and WeRide, and this collaboration with Volkswagen represents one of its largest autonomous vehicle deals yet.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen is continuing its push into the U.S. EV and mobility markets, expanding on testing already happening in Germany and Austin, Texas.

The long-term goal? A nationwide fleet of electric, autonomous vans offering Uber rides without a driver at the wheel.

Source: Uber

Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers

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On 27 April 2025, Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Simon Watts announced the Government is updating the way it co-invests in public EV chargers with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of EV chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mr Watts says, “Since 2016, government investment in EV chargers has consisted of direct grants… The Government is moving to a more sophisticated, commercial procurement model. We have set aside up to $68.5 million in currently held grant funding, to provide concessionary loans to private operators to co-invest in public EV charging infrastructure. Loans will be quicker to implement and will help achieve the Government’s objectives with less complexity, cost and risk.”

Drive Electric sees the announcement as a postive step in the right direction and shows the Government is continuing its investment and commitment to 10,000 public chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand by 2030.

There are 1,349 operational charge points across the country. In order to meet the Government’s goal of 10,000 public chargers by 2030, installations will need to increase from approximately 20 per month to 125.

Drive Electric board chair, Kirsten Corson who discussed the issue RNZ, Newstalk ZB and the TVNZ breakfast show on 28 April, says, “We hope that will be successful, but there is more that needs to be done. We can’t rely on that.”

Funding alone will not solve the infrastructure challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the UK, there are six line companies; in Australia, there are typically one or two per state. Aotearoa New Zealand, by comparison, has 29. Each company has “…different processes, different pricing and CPOs don’t have visibility on the network capacity” says Corson.

Since 2023, the Drive Electric CPO Subgroup has been addressing industry-wide barriers to investment that are curtailing the roll-out of charging infrastructure at pace and scale. Click here to learn more about the group, their work and the other barries the Goverment could remove to speed up installation.

The post Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers appeared first on Drive Electric.

Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers

by

On 27 April 2025, Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Simon Watts announced the Government is updating the way it co-invests in public EV chargers with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of EV chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mr Watts says, “Since 2016, government investment in EV chargers has consisted of direct grants… The Government is moving to a more sophisticated, commercial procurement model. We have set aside up to $68.5 million in currently held grant funding, to provide concessionary loans to private operators to co-invest in public EV charging infrastructure. Loans will be quicker to implement and will help achieve the Government’s objectives with less complexity, cost and risk.”

Drive Electric sees the announcement as a postive step in the right direction and shows the Government is continuing its investment and commitment to 10,000 public chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand by 2030.

There are 1,349 operational charge points across the country. In order to meet the Government’s goal of 10,000 public chargers by 2030, installations will need to increase from approximately 20 per month to 125.

Drive Electric board chair, Kirsten Corson who discussed the issue RNZ, Newstalk ZB and the TVNZ breakfast show on 28 April, says, “We hope that will be successful, but there is more that needs to be done. We can’t rely on that.”

Funding alone will not solve the infrastructure challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the UK, there are six line companies; in Australia, there are typically one or two per state. Aotearoa New Zealand, by comparison, has 29. Each company has “…different processes, different pricing and CPOs don’t have visibility on the network capacity” says Corson.

Since 2023, the Drive Electric CPO Subgroup has been addressing industry-wide barriers to investment that are curtailing the roll-out of charging infrastructure at pace and scale. Click here to learn more about the group, their work and the other barries the Goverment could remove to speed up installation.

The post Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers appeared first on Drive Electric.

Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers

by

On 27 April 2025, Hon Chris Bishop and Hon Simon Watts announced the Government is updating the way it co-invests in public EV chargers with the private sector to accelerate the delivery of EV chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Mr Watts says, “Since 2016, government investment in EV chargers has consisted of direct grants… The Government is moving to a more sophisticated, commercial procurement model. We have set aside up to $68.5 million in currently held grant funding, to provide concessionary loans to private operators to co-invest in public EV charging infrastructure. Loans will be quicker to implement and will help achieve the Government’s objectives with less complexity, cost and risk.”

Drive Electric sees the announcement as a postive step in the right direction and shows the Government is continuing its investment and commitment to 10,000 public chargers across Aotearoa New Zealand by 2030.

There are 1,349 operational charge points across the country. In order to meet the Government’s goal of 10,000 public chargers by 2030, installations will need to increase from approximately 20 per month to 125.

Drive Electric board chair, Kirsten Corson who discussed the issue RNZ, Newstalk ZB and the TVNZ breakfast show on 28 April, says, “We hope that will be successful, but there is more that needs to be done. We can’t rely on that.”

Funding alone will not solve the infrastructure challenges in Aotearoa New Zealand. In the UK, there are six line companies; in Australia, there are typically one or two per state. Aotearoa New Zealand, by comparison, has 29. Each company has “…different processes, different pricing and CPOs don’t have visibility on the network capacity” says Corson.

Since 2023, the Drive Electric CPO Subgroup has been addressing industry-wide barriers to investment that are curtailing the roll-out of charging infrastructure at pace and scale. Click here to learn more about the group, their work and the other barries the Goverment could remove to speed up installation.

The post Government announces $68.5 million concessionary loan scheme for public EV chargers appeared first on Drive Electric.

Used EV Prices Drop 40% as Buyer Interest Hits All-Time High

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Used electric vehicle (EV) prices have taken a steep dive -falling over 40% in just three years- sparking a surge of interest from car buyers across the U.S.

According to CarMax’s Spring 2025 Electric Vehicle Consumer Report, used EV prices dropped sharply between January 2022 and February 2025. For comparison, used gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicle prices only declined about 12% during the same timeframe.

This dramatic price shift is turning heads, and it’s showing up in the numbers. CarMax reports that filtered searches for “electric vehicle” nearly doubled since January 2022, indicating more Americans are actively hunting for used EVs than ever before.

Which Used EVs Are in Demand?

Topping the list of most popular used EVs are familiar names. The Tesla Model 3 and Model Y continue to dominate, but new contenders are climbing fast. The Chevy Bolt, for example, jumped from the #7 spot in 2023 and 2024 to #3 this year.

Here’s the full Top 10 list of most searched used EVs:

  1. Tesla Model 3

  2. Tesla Model Y

  3. Chevy Bolt

  4. Volkswagen ID.4

  5. Hyundai Ioniq 5

  6. Nissan Leaf

  7. Ford F-150 Lightning

  8. BMW i3

  9. Ford Mustang Mach-E

  10. Rivian R1T

Notably, the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T broke into the top 10 for the first time, while older favorites like the Tesla Model S and Audi e-tron dropped off the list.

Sedans and Coupes Take the Lead in EV Trade-Ins

In a surprising shift, more people are now trading in sedans and coupes for EVs than SUVs. According to CarMax, 44% of all EV trade-ins came from these smaller car segments, up from 36% in 2024 and 29% in 2023.

This suggests that the EV buyer base is expanding beyond the SUV crowd and tapping into everyday drivers looking for affordable, efficient alternatives.

What’s Driving the Trend?

Lower prices are only part of the story. Used EV shoppers may also be motivated by incentives like the federal $4,000 tax credit for qualifying pre-owned EVs, growing environmental awareness, and increasing availability of models in the resale market.

If you’ve been considering making the switch to electric, now might be the best time to start shopping.

Source: Electrek.co

Goliath solid-state battery achieves scale-up milestone

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Goliath solid-state battery achieves scale-up milestone
Goliath solid-state battery achieves scale-up milestone

UK solid-state battery technology developer Ilika has verified the high performance of its Goliath batteries manufactured via an industrially scaled process at The UK Battery Industrialisation Centre.

This confirms the battery is on track on its route to market, the company said.

The announcement follows Ilika’s announcement in February reporting large-scale preparation of the Goliath electrolyte and coating of its composite electrolyte-electrode. Ilika has used these materials to build a batch of solid-state 10 Ah prototype cells.

Analysis of the performance of these cells indicated that the scaled manufacturing process at UKBIC resulted in a higher manufacturing yield and delivered higher-performing cells than cells made with similar starting materials on Ilika’s pilot line. This resulted from enhanced handling robustness after coating and fewer defects from the drying process. The superior performance was measured as higher battery capacity under rapid charging protocols, Ilika said.

“This data set confirms the suitability of Ilika’s Goliath process for gigafactory deployment. Following the announcement in the 2024 Autumn Statement from the UK Government of further support for the electrification of the automotive sector,  we look forward to further opportunities to benefit from accessing the expertise of UKBIC,” said Ilika’s CEO, Graeme Purdy.

In October 2023, the company received grant support from the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) through an 18-month, £2.7-million collaboration program code-named Project SiSTEM, to scale up its solid-state battery production capability. The program partnered Ilika with Mpac, a global supplier of packaging and assembly automation, UKBIC and Agratas, the global battery business of Indian conglomerate Tata.

Project SiSTEM has now ended and the associated delivery of a 1.5 MWh solid-state battery assembly line from Mpac is planned for the second half of this year. The assembly line will be capable of producing Ilika’s Goliath prototype large-format pouch cells for automotive original equipment manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers.

Source: Ilika

Scania adds a three-​axle low-​entry model to its lineup of battery-​electric buses

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Scania adds a three-​axle low-​entry model to its lineup of battery-​electric buses
Scania adds a three-​axle low-​entry model to its lineup of battery-​electric buses

Scania has launched a new variant on the battery-electric bus platform the company introduced in 2023. The new low-entry 6×2*4 variant is “designed to meet the demands of medium- and heavy-duty operations, and with an increased passenger capacity compared to the existing 4×2 LE BEV, it is suitable for city, suburban and shorter intercity routes.”

The new e-bus version features a new rear axle, as well as Scania’s recently launched e-machine and charging interface (all of which are also available for the two-axle version).

Two new axle gears come with faster gear ratios and reduce internal losses, delivering improved efficiency. The new steered tag axle is situated behind the half shaft, and is designed to match the new rear axle. Steering using the last axle helps to distribute weight better and reduces wear on the tires, according to Scania.

Key benefits of the new 6×2*4 LE BEV variant include: a robust chassis design that increases durability and helps to extends service life; an enhanced sub-frame that minimizes noise levels and improves driveability; and simpler maintenance due to the positioning of the vehicle’s components.

“With a completely new e-machine, this three-axle electric variant is reliable, energy-efficient and powerful, thus providing excellent uptime, range, acceleration and startability, not least on steep slopes,” says Carl-Johan Lööf, Head of Product Management for People Transport Solutions at Scania.  “And with the new rear position high-speed charging option and several more power nodes to choose from, it offers flexibility that translates to buses that fit local requirements.”

Source: Scania

Chinese OEM Windrose launches Class 8 electric semi-truck in the US

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Chinese OEM Windrose launches Class 8 electric semi-truck in the US
Chinese OEM Windrose launches Class 8 electric semi-truck in the US

Chinese electric truck OEM Windrose Technology has officially launched its battery-electric R700 Class 8 tractor in the US. The company plans to open an assembly plant in Georgia in 2025.

The Windrose R700 earned its certificate of conformity from the EPA in January, certifying that it meets federal fuel economy and emissions requirements.

As Jay Traugott reports in Clean Trucking, Windrose recently partnered with Phoenix-based JoyRide Logistics and EO Charging for a demonstration drive. The R700 has already undergone real-world testing in Asia, Europe and North America, including a 2,800-mile cross-country road trip in the US using public charging stations.

The Windrose R700 features an 800-volt architecture, a drag coefficient of 0.2755, a 729 kWh battery pack, 4 motors with total peak output of 1,400 hp, and a loaded range of 670 km (416 miles). It supports megawatt-level dual-inlet charging. A base price of around $250,000 is rumored.

“This isn’t just a prototype or promise—this is a fully operational, long-range electric truck that’s ready to haul freight today,” said Wen Han, founder, Chairman and CEO of Windrose. “We’ve validated our technology globally and are proud to bring it to the US—one of the most important logistics markets in the world.”

“Partnering with Windrose allows us to stay ahead—not just on sustainability, but on total operational performance,” said Adis Danan, President at JoyRide Logistics, a regional carrier with a 250-vehicle fleet operating in six states. “We’re talking fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and a future-ready fleet that our customers can get behind.”

Source: Clean Trucking

Tesla engineer explains the brake system improvements in the new Model Y Juniper

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Compared to traditional automakers, the pace of innovation and improvement at Tesla (TSLA) is consistently rapid.

It has only been around 6 years since Tesla launched the Model Y mid-sized electric SUV, but it has been constantly getting new updates and features throughout its lifespan.

To bring a fresh new look and differentiate it from the entry-level Model 3 compact electric sedan, Tesla launched the new Model Y, codenamed Juniper, earlier this year.

However, Tesla didn’t just put cosmetic changes on the table. The new Model Y is also better in terms of engineering and tech innovations compared to its previous generation.

In one of the official videos posted on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, Tesla lead engineer Lars Moravy explains the innovations of the new Model Y braking system.

Lars Moravy said that this is a “brand new brake system”. So, what was the need for introducing this new system?

In the previous generation Model Y and other existing Tesla vehicles, there’s a single brake master cylinder. Therefore, when the vehicle is driven on Autopilot/FSD, the brake pedal is physically pressed whenever the car brakes automatically.

As the human driver wants to intervene (take over driving from Autopilot), the brake pedal is pressed and is in an unexpected lower position. In the new Model Y Juniper, Tesla has removed this engineering flaw.

Above: Tesla engineer explains the brake system improvements in the new Model Y.

Tesla has now integrated two master cylinders for the brake system in the new Model Y. As the car is driven by Autopilot, the brake pedal intended for human use isn’t affected. On Autopilot, the car brakes without pressing the brake pedal.

Since the brake pedal remains in the same position when the car is self-driving and self-braking, it’s not lowered when the human driver wants to take over driving from the Autopilot Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.

Tesla Model Y Juniper is the first vehicle to get this newly engineered brake system. Tesla transitions new innovative systems to other vehicles as soon as possible. Tesla Model S and Model X refresh are due this year, and this new brake system is most probably going to make it to those cars as well.

A Tesla engineer explains the new braking system on the Model Y as:

In the new Model Y, we went through a total firmware integration of what happens with the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal.

This means that all our logic in terms of deceleration with the brakes, as well the traction control are now integrated and on top of having a much more consistent brake pedal feel, the brake is shorter, more responsive, gives you always the best possible stability.

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Featured image: Courtesy of Tesla, Inc.

Note: This article was published earlier on Tesla Oracle. Author: Iqtidar Ali.

ZF showcases by-wire technology and range extender at Auto Shanghai

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The German automotive supplier is presenting its Chassis 2.0 concept, which interconnects steering, braking and damping systems through cubiX software that coordinates these components with minimal latency. By-wire technologies, which […]

The post ZF showcases by-wire technology and range extender at Auto Shanghai appeared first on Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology International.