Carla Westerheide

Nio has won Lotus as another partner for its battery swapping business. Both companies have agreed on a comprehensive strategic cooperation in connection with swapping and charging electric car batteries.

Markus Groll, Managing Director and COO at Ionity, spoke at our online conference electrive LIVE. He outlined the challenges CPOs face when setting up a pan-European charging network but also mentioned which markets have the most potential. As the European Alternative Fuels Regulations (AFIR) took effect, countries must ensure a tighter DC charging network along major routes, for example. But will it solve existing issues?

Toyota presented two new BEV models for the Chinese market at the Auto China in Beijing. The electric mid-size SUVs were developed with joint venture partners FAW and GAC.

BMW will invest 2.8 billion dollars in its plant in Shenyang, China, to prepare for the production of electric cars from its Neue Klasse (New Class) model family. BMW and the province of Liaoning, where the BMW plants are located, have signed a letter of intent to this effect.

Can a Chinese state car become a global brand? Chinese brand Hongqi presented several appealing electric cars at the Auto China in Beijing. These will be exported to numerous world markets in a few years - including Germany. Hongqi wants to compete with Audi, BMW, and Mercedes in the premium segment. However, some questions remained unanswered in Beijing.

In time for the motor show in Beijing, the Chinese government launched a new subsidy programme. Under the programme, drivers who want to replace their old car with a modern electric or a plug-in hybrid model will receive financial support.

The Österreichische Post (Austrian Post) has implemented its 'Green Salzburg' project and introduced CO2-free delivery of parcels, letters, print media and advertising mail on the last mile. To this end, the CEP provider has 193 electric vehicles on the road.

Osnabrück's municipal utility subsidiary SWO Mobil has selected Daimler Buses as the supplier for 19 new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric buses. SWO Mobil wants to electrify its fleet completely.

As sales of Hyundai's purely electric cars fell again in the first quarter of 2024, the carmaker will focus more strongly on getting hybrids on the road. And it will use its electric car plant in Georgia, USA, to build them.

Swedish electric boat manufacturer X Shore has completed a financing round of 100 million crowns (around 8.5 million euros). The company's former founder also invested. The fresh capital comes after a turbulent phase for X Shore.