On June 26-27, 2025, Tesla completed its first fully autonomous delivery of a Model Y from the factory near Austin to a customer's home, reaching 72 mph without human assistance. CEO Elon Musk confirmed the event, highlighting the advancement in Tesla's autonomous driving technology.

Travis Kalanick, Uber's founder, is in talks to acquire the US arm of Pony AI Inc., a Chinese self-driving firm, with Uber potentially helping fund the acquisition. If completed, Kalanick would run Pony.AI Inc., marking his attempt to re-enter the autonomous driving space.

Amazon ordered nearly 5,000 electric vans from Mercedes-Benz for its delivery partners in Europe, including eSprinter and eVito models. This order, the largest ever received by the German automaker, will deploy the vans across five European countries and contribute to delivering over 200 million parcels annually.

On June 26-27, 2025, Xiaomi launched the YU7 electric SUV, receiving 289,000 orders, and announced deeper Apple ecosystem integration, including iPhone and Apple Watch digital keys. The YU7 is priced competitively, and the integration enhances user experience with features like remote AC control and improved Apple Music integration.

Volkswagen plans to invest more in its high-end combustion engines due to slow electric car sales, upgrading the technological basis of luxury brands like Lamborghini. VW is considering a new technological basis for large combustion engine limousines, SUVs, sports cars, and plug-in hybrids.

Tesla appointed Henry Kuang, formerly of Cruise, as its AI director to boost its robotaxi efforts, following restructuring and layoffs. This move underscores Tesla's focus on AI-driven self-driving technology and robotics.

The 2026 Hyundai Ioniq 9 and the 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz were compared, with the Ioniq 9 winning due to its performance, user interface, and overall competence. The Ioniq 9 features a dual-screen setup and comfortable seats, sharing underpinnings with the Kia EV9.

Mercedes-AMG recalled 219 of 275 AMG One hypercars due to a fire risk from a missing pin lock in the hydraulic line. The recall addresses potential leaks in the rear wing's hydraulic system, requiring inspection and possible repair.

TfL is progressing with regulating pedicabs in London, following a public consultation that revealed safety concerns. Proposed restrictions include driver licensing, safety standards, and vehicle inspections, with regulations potentially coming into force next year.

The 2026 Dacia Sandero will undergo a facelift, featuring a refreshed design, advanced technology, and possible hybrid powertrains. The Sandero dominated European sales in 2024 with over 268,000 units.

Hyundai's N performance division will not be limited to electric vehicles and will continue to offer internal combustion engines 'as long as regulations allow'. The brand aims to maintain a diverse powertrain offering, including electric, hybrid, and combustion engine models.

BMW will continue developing combustion engines, including 3-, 4-, 6-, and 8-cylinder gas engines, alongside electric vehicles. The company will also explore alternative fuels like HVO100 to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Skoda is planning an onslaught of hot hatchbacks and SUVs led by the Skoda Epiq vRS and Enyaq vRS. The Skoda Epiq vRS, due in 2026, is expected to boast at least 220bhp from a single, front-mounted electric motor.

An article explores the true costs of owning an electric vehicle (EV), including purchase price, charging, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. The average transaction price of a new EV was $57,734, nearly $9000 more than gas-powered vehicles.

Lotus is developing plug-in hybrid sports cars with its 'Hyper Hybrid' technology, planning to introduce petrol/electric ‘hyper hybrids’ in 2026, starting with the Eletre. The Eletre Hyper Hybrid SUV, expected by the end of 2025, will feature 186 miles of electric range and 600 miles total range.

Fisker has announced the new Pear EV, which will arrive in 2025 with a range of up to 348 miles and a starting price of $29,000 in North America. The Pear will be built by Foxconn in the US and will feature a 17.1-inch rotating touchscreen and 5G connectivity.

Filipino vehicle manufacturer Francisco Motors Corporation (FMC) rolled out its electric public utility vehicle (PUV), the Pinoy Transporter, accommodating 18 seated and 12 standing passengers. The vehicle can charge from 30% to 90% in 30 minutes and is priced at approximately ₱2,800,000 (~$49,477).

Günther Schuh unveils the StreetRunner UpVan, an electric and modular van to compete with the future Renault Estafette E-Tech and Kia PV5. The van features a 42 or 54 kWh battery, 150 ch and 220 Nm, with autonomy ranging from 200-300 km.

A 2026 Mercedes-AMG CLA EQ Performance EV prototype was spied with an active rear spoiler, expected in two versions. The hotter AMG CLA EQ is rumored to have electric drive units developing over 500 horsepower and a range of over 400 miles.

CATL, a leading Chinese EV battery maker, is expanding globally, including its battery-swapping and recycling technology to Europe. The company is investing heavily in Europe, including a 7.6 billion ($8.2 billion) battery plant in Hungary and a facility in Germany.

LG Energy Solution (LGES) has expanded its Holland, MI, plant with a $1.4 billion investment to produce lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) batteries for energy storage systems (ESS). The facility has a capacity of 16.5 GWh, bringing the total to 21.5 GWh.

BYD announced a $94 million investment in a new plant in Komarom, Hungary, to triple its annual capacity to 1,250 electric buses and trucks. The Hungarian government will support the project with a 3.1 billion forint grant.

Major car dealer networks in the U.S. are urging lawmakers to preserve the Biden-era EV framework and the tax credits, arguing that ending the federal electric vehicle tax credits would threaten dealerships. Omead Afshar, Tesla’s VP, has left the company, and Rivian has laid off about 140 employees.

A TikTok video highlighted the complexities of fixing a flat tire on a modern Audi, involving fault scans, resets, and drive cycles. This "software creep" requires expensive OEM diagnostic tools and software, increasing labor time.

Decathlon's Owuru division unveiled the Owuru Ride motor for e-bikes, delivering 1,000 W peak power and featuring a continuously variable transmission. The first e-bikes with this motor are expected by the end of 2026.

Nissan is launching its third-generation e-POWER technology, featuring a 5-in-1 powertrain unit with a 1.5-liter turbo engine, increasing motor output to 202-205ps. The system will debut in the U.S. on the 2026 Rogue and in Europe on the new Qashqai SUV.

Lyten's lithium-sulfur batteries may help extend the life of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and potentially reduce costs. Lyten's cells are expected to start with 300 Wh/kg energy density, exceeding current ternary lithium-ion batteries.