Floyd Hawkins

Honda has revealed a demonstration production line for its all-solid-state EV batteries, marking progress in its efforts to develop next-generation battery technology. The facility, located at Honda's R&D center in Sakura City, Japan, will be used to finalize the specifications of the batteries and prepare for mass production.

Capital Metro, the public transport operator in Austin, Texas, has decided to store 46 newly delivered ZX5 electric buses from Proterra for at least a year, citing unresolved technical issues and warranty concerns following Proterra's bankruptcy and the acquisition of its bus division by Phoenix Motor.

At this week's Guangzhou Auto Show, Toyota introduced its all-electric bZ7 concept, an electric sedan set to launch in China next year. The sleek new model showcases Toyota's updated design theme and will likely feature BYD-supplied batteries and motors, following the trend set by the bZ3 sedan.

Lectron, a U.S.-based manufacturer, has increased production of its NACS-to-CCS adapters to meet rising demand from electric vehicle drivers accessing Tesla's expanding Supercharger network. The company now produces up to 12,000 adapters weekly, including the Vortex Plug, which supports 1,000 volts and 500 amps.

Kia showcased its updated 2025 EV6 at the LA Auto Show, featuring a suite of enhancements, including a larger battery, a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, and new production plans in Georgia to improve eligibility for U.S. EV tax credits.

Charging infrastructure manufacturer XCharge North America has announced a collaboration with Swiss recycling startup Grensol Group to tackle end-of-life waste from Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). The initiative aims to reduce waste associated with EV charging cables and modules, promoting sustainability in the rapidly growing EV sector.

Northern Irish bus manufacturer Wrightbus has completed the delivery of 31 hydrogen fuel cell buses to Regionalverkehr Köln (RVK), marking its first deployment of such vehicles in Europe. The buses, ordered in May 2022, are undergoing final testing before commencing operations in the Cologne region.

Landis+Gyr, a global provider of energy management solutions, has announced its entry into the DC fast charging market, unveiling a new portfolio of scalable, high-power charging products aimed at addressing the growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure.

UK government officials have reiterated their commitment to phasing out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2030, following discussions with the automotive industry on zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates and targets. While manufacturers welcomed the government's resolve to lead the ZEV transition, concerns remain over financial penalties tied to non-compliance with emissions goals.

Vulcan Energy and BASF have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on developing geothermal energy at BASF's Ludwigshafen site in Germany, aiming to generate renewable energy and sustainably extract lithium. The partnership aligns with both companies' commitments to decarbonization and renewable resource utilization in the industrial sector.