Hyundai Motor Group opens new European test facility to lead development of next-generation technology

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Hyundai Motor Group reinforces commitment to Europe with ‘Square Campus’ expansion at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center New €150m facility underpins the development of advanced, market-leading technologies for European customers Investment includes one of the world’s largest semi-anechoic chamber, climate testing and EV charging laboratory Square Campus enhances collaboration with Hyundai Motor Group’s main R&D facility in Namyang, South Korea, to deliver exciting new Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models Rüsselsheim am Main, November 6, 2025 – Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has today announced the opening of a new €150m facility at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) in Rüsselsheim am Main, Germany, marking a major milestone in its commitment to European innovation and engineering excellence. Square Campus is the most significant investment in R&D facilities at HMETC since the opening of the Round Campus in 2003, underpins the development of innovative, market leading technologies, and will play a vital role in the development of future Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models in Europe. Tyrone Johnson, Managing Director at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, said: “The investment at Square Campus is a clear sign of our commitment to the region and reflects the importance of Europe in our long-term growth strategy. The extensive new capabilities at HMETC give us more independence and flexibility, while creating exciting new opportunities for collaboration between our brands. Fundamentally, Square Campus will also support us as we continue to grow our market share in Europe, developing new vehicles and technologies designed around the needs of our customers.” Advanced facility unlocks new capabilities The 25,000m2 site is equipped with the largest semi-anechoic chamber within the Group, allowing unrestricted Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) and drive-by noise testing with complete independence from weather conditions. Highly advanced dyno facilities at Square Campus play a key role in development, allowing for the comprehensive testing of vehicles and individual components, compatible with all-electric, hybrid and ICE powertrain applications. The facility is also equipped with a new EV charging laboratory, a state-of-the-art driving simulator, and new facilities for extended Electronics System Development – including Over-the-Air-Updates (OTA), Cybersecurity, and Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS). These industry leading capabilities allow HMETC to test and validate every type of vehicle under real world conditions, while developing future products tailored to the unique expectations of European customers. The investment at Square Campus forms an essential part of the Group’s strategy, underlining its position as a leader in advanced technologies. While real-world prototype testing will remain a crucial part of the development journey, Square Campus protects against the challenges associated with external outdoor testing and complements the Group’s existing global testing and knowledge sharing programmes. Sustainable design, enhanced collaboration Square Campus supports the Group’s environmental objectives, incorporating recycled materials, photovoltaic panels and heat pump systems. This reflects the Group’s broader commitment to developing sustainable mobility solutions and achieving zero-tailpipe emissions globally by 2045. The significant expansion is also a foundation for the continued growth of HMETC’s team, which has increased by 20% since 2024, with the organization now employing now more than 500 employees. This investment in talent and technology simultaneously drives a new phase of integrated innovation, bringing together experts from across disciplines to advance the Group’s vision for sustainable, connected mobility. European development will continue at HMETC’s facilities at the Nürburgring, opened in 2013. This facility was also expanded thanks to a €13m investment in January 2025, with an additional 834m2 of cutting-edge testing facilities, dedicated workshop areas and specialised laboratories. This content has been automatically generated from the original source. Please note that the original source may have been modified since the content was generated.

Waymo plans to launch robot taxi service in Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego in 2026

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Waymo’s robot taxi service is accelerating its expansion: Google’s sister company has now announced that it will also launch in Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego next year. Together with its existing markets and other announcements, Waymo is likely to serve a dozen cities soon. Perhaps in light of Tesla’s plans to establish its own robot taxi service, Waymo now wants to expand its network even faster than previously announced. Just a few days after announcing its intention to enter London, its first city outside the US, Waymo has now also announced its launch in three other major US cities next year: Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego. These three cities will join the five existing US cities of Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and Atlanta, where Waymo already operates 250,000 autonomous trips per week. Launches in Dallas, Denver, Miami, Nashville and Washington, DC have also been announced. Adding up all the announcements and existing cities, this brings the total to twelve US cities plus London. In Las Vegas, Waymo will face competition from Zoox: after lengthy preparations, the Amazon subsidiary launched its first robot taxi service there in September. Zoox’s specially developed vehicle has no steering wheel, pedals or driver’s seat and can transport up to four people. Waymo’s vehicle fleet currently consists of fully electric Jaguar i-Pace EVs converted at its own factory, with fully electric minivans from Zeekr and specially prepared Hyundai Ioniq 5s set to be added soon. Waymo’s hardware suite most recently consisted of 13 cameras, four lidar sensors and six radars to create a 360° view for the autonomous vehicle. In contrast, Tesla CEO Elon Musk relies solely on cameras for autonomous driving, which is cheaper, but raises doubts about the safety of the technology. Waymo has already tested its autonomous vehicles in winter conditions in preparation for the launch in Detroit to ensure that the robotaxis can operate safely there even in heavy snowfall. Test drives were also conducted on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, north of Detroit. This article was first published by Florian Treiß for electrive’s German edition. This content has been automatically generated from the original source. Please note that the original source may have been modified since the content was generated.

Volvo Trucks launches stop/start engine tech for heavy-duty trucks

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Claims a world first that will make incremental fuel use saving of up to 1%. Volvo Trucks has developed what it claims is a world-first – for heavy-duty vehicles – stop/start engine technology to save fuel and CO2. The latest addition in Volvo’s striving for fuel savings is developed in-house at Volvo and is based on the company’s existing I-See and I-Roll technologies. The new stop/start engine feature is enabled by constantly monitoring road data and road curvature information. The engine will be turned off temporarily when an oncoming downward slope is identified along the route. While the engine is turned off, zero fuel will be consumed and consequently, there will be no CO2 tailpipe emissions. “Our engineers have done it again – innovating a new engine technology that contributes to making transport by truck more fuel-efficient”, says Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management, Volvo Trucks. He continues: “As part of our decarbonization strategy, we will continue to innovate to make our combustion engines even better and to reduce our impact on the environment.” The new engine stop/start functionality is activated at speeds above 60 km/h. Depending on enabling conditions such as topography and ambient temperature, the new I-Roll with Engine stop/start will be able to cut up to one percent of fuel and CO2 emissions on top of already achieved savings. Together, Volvo’s many innovations represent significant efficiencies and a positive impact on emissions from transport, as well as running costs for the operator. The new feature will be offered on the Volvo FH and FH Aero with 13-liter diesel engine and customers can order it from November 2025. Volvo Trucks’ strategy for decarbonization includes combustion engines powered by renewable fuels, battery-electric and fuel-cell electric trucks. This content has been automatically generated from the original source. Please note that the original source may have been modified since the content was generated.

Project E|MPOWER launches test phase for highway charging in Germany

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In the E|MPOWER project for inductive charging of EVs while driving, the construction phase on the A6 motorway near Amberg has been completed. The test phase is now beginning. This is the first time in Germany that research is being conducted on a motorway into how electric vehicles can be charged wirelessly while driving. The test track along the A6 motorway in the Upper Palatinate was inaugurated in the summer. The section between Amberg-West and Sulzbach-Rosenberg is just under one kilometre long. With the official completion of the construction phase, the project, led by Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), is taking “a decisive step towards electrified mobility,” according to the FAU. However, it is not only the test phase that is now beginning that is expected to yield important insights into inductive charging while driving: the consortium consisting of FAU, Electreon, VIA IMC, Risomat and the Georg Simon Ohm University of Applied Sciences in Nuremberg (Ohm), as well as the partners Seamless and Eurovia involved in the project, intend to use the results of the construction phase to develop construction and installation processes suitable for series production. The efficient production of induction coils is also part of E|MPOWER. The system embedded in the A6 is based on a solution from Electreon, one of the market leaders in inductive charging and, above all, dynamic inductive charging. The principle sounds simple: coils embedded in the road surface generate a magnetic field as soon as a suitably equipped vehicle drives over them. A counter coil in the vehicle absorbs the energy and feeds it directly into the battery. Unlike overhead line solutions, for example, the technology is invisible and vandal-proof, integrated into the road surface, so that the section remains a normal stretch of motorway for all other road users. Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel Image: FAU/Harald Sippel The technology for the integration and scalable production of the coils comes from Seamless Energy Technologies in Nuremberg. “The company supplies the electronic unit, which is integrated beneath the road surface and enables precise energy transfer between the road and the vehicle,” as FAU writes. “The system works dynamically while driving as well as statically when parked.” The press release does not specify the charging capacities to be transmitted. The press photos from the event do not provide any information on this: the display always shows ‘- – kW’. A recently installed Electreon system near Paris is said to be capable of transmitting up to 200 kW of continuous power and 300 kW of peak power. The use of Electreon technology on the A6 is the longest test track of its kind in Germany to date – and, as mentioned, the first test on/in a motorway. However, it is not the first use in Germany: Electreon already implemented its first projects in Karlsruhe and Balingen in 2020 and 2023, although the latter involved a slow-moving shuttle bus for a garden show. The motorway section near Amberg is longer and the vehicles are travelling at significantly higher speeds. E|MPOWER also focuses on production and construction techniques in order to reduce the construction costs and duration for such systems. ‘With E|MPOWER, we are literally bringing research to the road,’ says Florian Risch, Professor of Assembly Technologies for Electrical Energy Storage at the Chair of Manufacturing Automation and Production Systems (FAPS) at FAU. ‘The technology has the potential to overcome range anxiety, reduce the need for battery imports and strengthen regional value creation in electromobility.’ Andreas Wendt, Managing Director of Electreon in Germany, adds: ‘The test track on the A6 is an important step in validating our technology under real-world conditions and demonstrating its advantages for everyday use. We are convinced that inductive charging will make a decisive contribution to making electric mobility more efficient and suitable for mass use.’ One potential advantage of inductive charging is that the system with the counter coil on the underbody of the vehicle can be used on different types of vehicles – cars, lorries or buses. Overhead lines, on the other hand, have to be mounted high enough on the motorway so that lorries and coaches can pass underneath them, which means that the overhead line is very high for cars. An electric truck, an electric van and an electric car – a Toyota bZ4X – will be on the road during the test. Electreon states that energy flow can be intelligently controlled via a digital platform. ‘Charging times and quantities are adjusted according to demand in order to avoid peak loads and use the available energy efficiently. In this way, the system supports optimised fleet management and contributes to the stability of the power grid,’ the announcement states. The E|MPOWER project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) as part of the Elektro-Mobil programme and supported by the federal motorway company Autobahn GmbH. The project consortium used the resurfacing of the Nuremberg-bound carriageway of the A6 motorway between the Sulzbach-Rosenberg and Amberg-West junctions to implement the test track on a section of the motorway. In the long term, the technology is to be extended to longer sections of motorway and urban areas.

IAA Mobility 2025: Will Chinese OEMs revive Europe’s contract manufacturers?

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As traditional OEMs reduce their reliance on outsourcing, Chinese automakers are stepping in. The IAA Mobility Show in Munich highlighted a clear shift in the European auto industry; contract manufacturing, used primarily for overflow from European OEMs, is now being redefined as Chinese brands seek to establish a local foothold. Legacy OEMs step back, contract manufacturers left idle Companies such as Magna Steyr in Austria, Valmet Automotive in Finland, and VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands traditionally built additional models for Europe’s automakers. These included low-volume projects or temporary runs when in-house plants operated at full capacity. Today, however, consolidation sweeps across the industry and the phase-out of many Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle lines leaves European OEMs with low utilization rates at their own facilities. Volkswagen Group is on track to shed 30% of its manufacturing capacity in Germany alone over the next 4-5 years, while BMW Group will bring all European production in-house from 2028, despite outsourcing as much as 10-20% of it annually in the past. The result is falling demand for external manufacturing. Magna Steyr has been particularly affected, with contracts for Jaguar’s E-Pace and I-Pace ending in 2024, BMW’s 5-Series stopping in 2023, and production of the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 scheduled to finish by 2027. This has created significant spare capacity at its plant in Graz, which can produce up to 235k units per annum, while also presenting an opportunity for smaller Chinese brands looking for a low-risk, ready-made European launchpad to test the waters. Chinese automakers localize in Europe Enter Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) and Xpeng. At this year’s IAA Mobility Show, GAC announced that its Aion V Midsize SUV and Aion UT Hatchback will be built at Magna Steyr, while Xpeng confirmed that assembly of its G6 and G9 SUVs is already underway at the same facility. By producing locally, the companies aim to avoid EU tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles (EVs) while increasing their responsiveness to European tastes and demand. To this end, Xpeng also announced it will open a new R&D centre in Munich, with the explicit goal of expanding its regional model range. A broader push across the continent GAC and Xpeng are part of a broader second wave of Chinese models entering Europe, characterized by a greater emphasis on localization and sheer variety compared to the first wave in the early 2020s. BYD confirmed at the show that the Dolphin Surf will be the first model at its new Hungarian plant, coming online at the end of 2025. Leapmotor, in partnership with Stellantis, unveiled the B05 Hatchback which it intends to localize from 2027. Chery has also begun production in Spain through a joint venture with Ebro, while other Chinese brands continue to explore local assembly arrangements. Contract manufacturers reposition themselves For European contract manufacturers, the arrival of smaller Chinese OEMs offers a crucial lifeline. Magna Steyr’s new contracts with GAC and Xpeng will help offset its loss of business with established European players. Valmet Automotive, meanwhile, has faced reduced order volumes and a change in ownership structure, with CATL exiting and the Finnish state stepping in as a shareholder. VDL Nedcar has also faced contract losses from BMW and remains under pressure to secure long-term agreements, having ended large-scale vehicle assembly in early 2024 and partially transitioned to mobility solutions and defense. For Magna Steyr and Valmet, at least, partnering with Chinese automakers represents a way to continue operating as car producers, even as their traditional clientele reduces its reliance on outsourced manufacturing. Chinese presence at the IAA The strong Chinese presence in Munich underlined this strategic shift. A total of 116 Chinese exhibitors participated, making them the largest foreign group at the event. GAC emphasized its “in Europe, for Europe” strategy, with executives stressing that localization is central to its international plans. Xpeng showcased updated models with record charging speeds, while also outlining plans to diversify its line-up with new Sedans developed in part through its Munich R&D centre. The breadth of the Chinese offering, from affordable Hatchbacks to Premium Sedans and SUVs, underscored how quickly these brands have built comprehensive product portfolios. Europe faces a market realignment For European OEMs, the trend represents both competitive pressure and a structural shift in the supply base. Domestic automakers still dominated the Munich event, but with stagnant demand and shrinking margins, their competitive position looks increasingly challenged. GlobalData estimates that Chinese automakers could reach European market shares similar to those of Japanese and Korean OEMs, at 13% and 7% respectively, within the next decade. In this environment, contract manufacturing is no longer simply a mechanism to handle overflow. Instead, it is becoming a strategic channel through which new entrants establish themselves and compete on equal terms. Conclusion The announcements at the IAA Mobility Show 2025 confirm that Europe’s contract manufacturing capacity is being repurposed. As traditional OEMs reduce their reliance on outsourcing, Chinese automakers are stepping in to use existing facilities, manage tariff exposure, and accelerate their entry into the market. For companies such as Magna Steyr and Valmet, these partnerships may be vital to their future as car manufacturers. For European automakers, the shift signals a more competitive landscape where capacity-for-hire, once entirely at their disposal, is now becoming a key conduit for the second wave of Chinese EVs. Jeremy Worlock, Analyst, Production Forecasts, GlobalData This article was first published on GlobalData’s dedicated research platform, the Automotive Intelligence Center.

New car registrations: down 9.3% in October 2025; Battery electric vehicles up 34.3%

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Images are for editorial use only. Today, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) released their official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for October. New car registrations for October were down 9.3% (2,192) when compared to October 2024 (2,417). Registrations year to date are up 3.4% (123,858) on the same period last year (119,772). Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 41.8% (1,694) compared to October last year (1,195). Year to date, LCVs are up 4.7% (31,447). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 7.8% (138) compared to October 2024 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 7.6% (2,541). Imported Used Cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709). Year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446). In October 709 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 34.3% higher than the 528 registrations in October 2024. So far this year, 23,085 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 38.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 16,653 electric cars were registered. In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 25.23%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.56%, Electric at 18.64%, Diesel at 17.13%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.83%. Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General, commented: “While October new car registrations declined by 9% when compared to the same month last year, year-to-date new car sales remain over 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered. October’s new battery electric car registrations indicate growth in every county, with 709 units registered, an increase of 34% when compared to October 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth in EV sales. Year-to-date EV registrations have now reached 23,085 units, a 39% increase on the same period last year. In the commercial vehicle sector, both light and heavy commercial vehicles experienced growth in October, with LCV registrations showing a 42% increase for the month and are 5% up year-to-date. HGV registrations showed an 8% increase in October, but overall are 8% down on last year.”

Hanon Systems Joins Hankook & Company Group to Showcase Thermal Management Technologies at AAPEX 2025

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  Hanon Systems Joins Hankook & Company Group to Showcase Thermal Management Technologies at AAPEX 2025   Joint participation by three affiliates — Hankook Tire, Hanon Systems, and Hankook & Company’s ES Division — presents integrated solutions for electrified and sustainable mobility  Expanding innovation and technological leadership into the aftermarket to strengthen global competitiveness   Las Vegas, US, Nov. 4, 2025 – Hanon Systems, a leading global automotive thermal management supplier and a subsidiary of Hankook & Company Group, announced that it will participate in the AAPEX 2025 exhibition in Las Vegas, USA, from November 4 to 6, marking the company’s first joint exhibition with Hankook & Company Group affiliates.   AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) is recognized as North America’s leading automotive aftermarket exhibition and the largest industry event in the Western Hemisphere. Through this platform, Hanon Systems aims to showcase its latest advancements in thermal management solutions, reinforcing its position as a global leader in automotive innovation that supports both OEMs and the aftermarket. Participation with Hankook & Company group affiliates also serves to strengthen brand awareness and foster strategic partnerships across North and Latin American markets.   Hanon Systems Vice Chairman and CEO Soo-Il Lee will attend the exhibition in person to meet with global customers and partners, discussing opportunities for future collaboration. Building on these engagements, the company plans to develop tailored solutions aligned with customer needs to expand global business partnerships.   The Hanon Systems exhibition area will feature six themed zones: HVAC systems, compressors, coolant and refrigerant modules, heat exchangers, electronic & fluid pressure products, and PACE award-winning technologies.    At the booth entrance, a vehicle mock-up will demonstrate the Group’s comprehensive integrated solutions, incorporating Hanon Systems’ 4th-generation heat pump system, Hankook Tire’s iON evo formula E edition, and Hankook & Company’s ES Division AGM battery.   Hanon Systems’ 4th-generation heat pump system, first applied to the Kia EV3, is the world’s first to feature a parallel heat-source recovery structure that simultaneously utilizes ambient air and waste heat from the motor and battery. This innovation design enhances cabin comfort and battery thermal efficiency, contributing to extended driving range for electric vehicles (EVs). An advanced controller further optimizes performance by integrating hardware and software to efficiently manage the vehicle’s thermal system.   The booth will also showcase a range of eco-friendly EV components utilizing natural refrigerants, including Hanon Systems’ R744-based electric compressor and R290-based refrigerant modules. The R744 electric compressor, supplied to the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, achieved a major production milestone of one million units in September 2025.   In the PACE Award zone, visitors can see the company’s award-winning visible-light LED photocatalyst HVAC technology, designed to enhance in-vehicle air quality through advanced sterilization and deodorization. This innovative delivers 98.5% sterilization and 97.5% deodorization efficiency, while generating zero electromagnetic interference and offering semi-permanent durability compared with conventional ionizers.   Vice Chairman and CEO Soo-Il Lee stated, “Although APPEX traditionally focuses on the aftermarket, it is recognized as a meeting point for innovation and collaboration across the entire mobility industry. Through this exhibition, we will highlight the technologies that shape the future of sustainable mobility and demonstrate the strength of Hankook & Company Group synergy.”   All visitors are invited to experience the latest technologies and integrated mobility solutions at both A30021, level 2, Venetian Expo during APPEX 2025.   This content has been automatically generated from the original source. Please note that the original source may have been modified since the content was generated.

Putting Saudi Arabia in the driver’s seat for the future of green mobility

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The role of green mobility in NEOM’s future vision for urban living. Spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, NEOM is a futuristic high-tech project designed to harness technology, sustainability and business for a new planned city in Saudi Arabia. It is part of efforts to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy. A sustainable and connected mobility ecosystem is an important part of the vision. In this guest article, Michel Ladrak, Head of Mobility, NEOM, describes the NEOM vision of future green mobility. The severe wildfires that California has been experiencing recently have added further fuel to claims that climate change is increasing this annual devastation. Of the 20 largest fires in California’s history, eight have occurred in the past three years1 and with the fires starting earlier and finishing later, California’s wildfire season is becoming an almost year–round event2 . With the transport sector responsible for approximately a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, it is certainly implicated in the climate change issues we are witnessing. Transport derives 95% of its energy from fossil fuels3 and although the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the world’s roads is growing, figures show that sales have recently slowed4. Several factors for this have been identified, including concerns about EV resale values, fears about changes in government policy for electric vehicles, and worries over a lack of rapid-charging infrastructure5. Norway is one country that is bucking this trend. The Scandinavian nation’s EV sales have continued to remain strong, with these vehicles accounting for nine out of 10 new passenger car sales in 20246 . This has been achieved through generous government subsidies, investment in infrastructure and incentives for day-to-day driving, such as free parking, free charging, congestion charge exemption and permission for EVs to use bus lanes. It is also noteworthy that the country has embraced the future of electric transport despite its wealth of oil and gas natural resources, which it could easily put to domestic use if it chose to. Saudi Arabia, once known for fueling the world’s internal combustion engine vehicles, is now poised to lead the global transition away from fossil fuel-based transport. While Norway has been able to tap into its renewable hydroelectricity, which accounts for 88% of its energy production7, Saudi Arabia similarly enjoys an abundance of renewable energy derived from the sun, with solar power having the capacity to meet all the country’s energy needs8. Thanks to its commitment to green mobility, Saudi Arabia has the potential to not only transition its domestic sector away from fossil fuels as Norway has done, but to accelerate the global shift towards delivering sustainability, in the process becoming a world leader for sustainable transport. Under Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom is creating a comprehensive EV ecosystem underwritten by favorable policies for EV adoption and significant investments in EV infrastructure. The Kingdom has already established its first automotive brand, Ceer, to design, manufacture and sell electric vehicles9 and in early 2025, the company signed USD 1.4 billion worth of deals at a PIF event to support the launch of its first model, which is scheduled for 202610. The establishment of Ceer follows the 2023 opening of a Lucid Group car factory at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Economic City, Jeddah – the country’s first-ever car manufacturing facility and Lucid Group’s first international plant. The site will produce Lucid’s electric vehicles for Saudi Arabia’s domestic market, as well as for export11. NEOM’s Mobility sector is playing its role in helping the Kingdom meet its sustainable transport sector objectives and is developing a fully sustainable mobility ecosystem for its range of developments. These include the linear city THE LINE, the mountain retreat Trojena, the coastal region of Magna, and the port and manufacturing center, Oxagon. Unlike most cities, which are retrofitting infrastructure for new technology and vehicles, NEOM is designing a new mobility paradigm from the ground up. NEOM has made significant progress in developing its charging infrastructure, which will support the incorporation of EVs into our shared public transport system. The sector has installed charging stations in six areas across the region as part of its long-term plan to offer full connectivity across NEOM. These new stations support the expanded use of its EV fleet, which, with around 140 electric vehicles for use by the NEOM community members, is the largest electric vehicle fleet in the Kingdom. More charging stations are in the pipeline and will be progressively rolled out as Mobility’s network grows. While electrification of infrastructure and vehicles is an essential element in delivering sustainable mobility, it is far from being the sole component. NEOM’s Mobility strategy is prioritizing shared mobility and automation as fundamental pillars of its future transport model. Shared mobility reduces congestion, enhances accessibility and decreases the environmental footprint of transportation. By integrating on-demand shuttles, autonomous taxis, and app-based ridesharing, NEOM can create a seamless, multimodal transport system that is both efficient, comfortable and better for the future of the region and indeed, our planet. Within the next decade, cities which have not embraced autonomous transport will be gridlocked, inefficient and economically disadvantaged. NEOM is showing the world how to avoid this fate. Autonomous electric shuttles and ride-sharing fleets can operate at peak efficiency, minimizing energy waste and improving overall user experience. NEOM’s partnership with Pony.ai—one of the world’s leaders in autonomous driving technology—has resulted in Saudi Arabia’s first permit for autonomous vehicle testing, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s mobility transformation. Finally, we need to state the importance of hydrogen as a growing source of clean energy and an increasingly significant aspect of green mobility. Hydrogen fuel cells provide a sustainable alternative for heavy-duty transport where battery-electric solutions may not be as practical due to weight and range limitations. Hydrogen-powered vehicles play a crucial role in NEOM Mobility’s ecosystem and I see it playing a much more important role as a fuel for transport moving forward, particularly with construction vehicles. Off-highway hydrogen vehicle applications confer the advantages of not only zero emissions but also reduced noise on…

How US tariffs on China will disrupt the EV market

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As tensions between the US and China continue to shape global trade, tariffs have become a central weapon in their economic standoff. Tariffs are essentially taxes or duties imposed by a government on goods and services imported into, and exported out of, a country. As China imposes new export restrictions on certain grades of graphite, a critical material in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, the US faces increasing pressure to secure its supply chain. These tariffs come at a pivotal moment for the US, just as federal incentives and private investments are driving a nationwide push to expand EV production and battery manufacturing. Graphite is essential for lithium-ion battery anodes, and China currently dominates both mining and refining of graphite, controlling over 60% of global supply and more than 90% of processing capacity. With export controls now in place, US automakers and battery manufacturers are confronting a potential shortfall of this vital material, threatening production schedules and cost structures. Short-term consequences In the immediate future, the tariffs are likely to create bottlenecks and drive up prices for battery-grade graphite. Companies such as Tesla, GM, and Ford may be forced to navigate higher input costs, which could ripple through to vehicle pricing and manufacturing timeliness. With many EV battery plants under construction or scaling up in the US, this supply pressure could complicate efforts to meet federal targets for EV adoption. EVs already face affordability challenges for many consumers, and any rise in production costs could slow down adoption, particularly in the mid and entry-level market segments. Automakers such as GM, Ford, and Stellantis report significant margin pressure. GM is targeting 30% of tariff costs through capacity reallocation and pricing strategies. Battery producers and retailers are diversifying supply. For example, Batteries Plus cut its China sourcing from 32% in 2018 to 4%, adding the US, Vietnam, and Malaysia as suppliers. Graphite producers outside China, like Syrah Resources and Nouveau Monde, saw stock surges up to 22–26% due to new US duties. How the US government may respond In response, the US Commerce Department imposed a 93.5% tariff on anode-grade graphite imports from China, effective on materials with a minimum carbon purity of 90%, whether synthetic, natural, or blended. This case was initiated in December 2024 by the American Active Anode Material Producers, a coalition of US graphite companies, including Anovion, Syrah, Novonic, and Epsilon. This action has escalated US-China trade tensions, particularly in the critical minerals sector that is essential for electric vehicles. While US producers may gain domestic advantages from this tariff, graphite-dependent industries, especially EV battery manufacturers, are advocating for exemptions and seeking alternative sources. The US is also intensifying efforts on multiple fronts to secure a more resilient supply of graphite. Domestic mining and processing projects in states like Alaska and Alabama are receiving increased attention and investment to extract and process natural graphite. While these initiatives are promising, permitting and development timelines indicate that significant supplies may still be several years away. To diversify sourcing and reduce reliance on China, the US is deepening trade partnerships with graphite-producing countries such as Canada, Australia, and Mozambique. These collaborations align with broader clean energy trade policies.

Yasa surpasses its own record in motor power density

Industry News

UK-based electric motor specialist Yasa, part of Mercedes-Benz, has broken its own record for power density. With a short-term peak output of 750 kW, Yasa reports an unofficial new world record for electric motor power density of 59 kW/kg. In July, Yasa achieved 550 kW at a weight of 13.1 kg with a prototype of its new axial-flux motor, corresponding to a power density of 42 kW/kg. The latest tests with an even lighter version have “significantly exceeded” this figure, the company states. The recently tested motor is reportedly slightly lighter at 12.7 kg and exceeds the July peak performance with a short-term output of 750 kW. At 59 kW/kg, the power density is roughly 40 per cent higher than the previous tests. While the 42 kW/kg figure in July was only shared in a LinkedIn post by Chief Technology Officer Tim Woolmer rather than through an official company announcement, Yasa has now issued a formal statement, even though the record remains unofficial. Up to 400 kW continuous power? Yasa indicates that the current prototype was not developed purely for peak performance. The company estimates that “that all-important continuous power for the new motor will also be in the region of 350kW-400kW.” In summer, Woolmer had mentioned 670 volts and 850 amperes over five seconds, but similar detailed figures for the new record have not been released. “Further details on the development of the prototype motor will be shared in upcoming releases,” Yasa states. Woolmer had already suggested a new record in July, noting that, together with partner Drive System Design, the test bench had been pushed beyond the initially planned 500 kW limit and that further tests on a “large test bench” would follow in summer. The 750 kW output was reportedly achieved on this larger facility. “On behalf of the entire YASA team, I’m proud and excited to so quickly follow up on the already remarkable results of our initial testing with this incredible result,” said CTO Woolmer in the announcement. “To achieve a 750kW short-term peak rating and a density of 59kW/kg is a major validation of our next-generation axial flux technology. It’s proof of what focused engineering innovation can achieve. And this isn’t a concept on a screen — it’s running, right now, on the dynos. We’ve built an electric motor that’s significantly more power-dense than anything before it – all with scalable materials and processes. This motor will bring game-changing technology to the high-performance automotive sector.” “This record demonstrates what makes YASA unique,” added Yasa CEO Jörg Miska. “With three times the performance density of today’s leading radial flux motors, YASA continues to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in electric motor design – turning pure innovation into tangible engineering progress. Our technology is delivering measurable results today, while paving the way for a new generation of lightweight, efficient electric propulsion systems.” Yasa specialises in compact axial-flux motors – unlike conventional radial-flux motors, the stator’s magnetic field is aligned with the rotation axis rather than the radius. This arrangement increases power density, making the motors smaller overall. Due to their component layout, they often have a disc-like form. Mercedes-Benz acquired the Oxford-based company in 2021 and presented the Mercedes-Benz Vision One-Eleven show car with Yasa axial-flux motors two years later. This evolved into the AMG GT XX, equipped with three of these motors and setting numerous world records in August, partly thanks to the efficiency and output of its drivetrain. The technology is not yet used in Mercedes production EVs but is applied in some hybrid supercars, including models from Ferrari. Source: Information via e-mail This article was first published by Sebastian Schaal for electrive’s German edition.