Category: News

Once a symbol of the decline of oil, San Antonio is becoming a pioneer in electric mobility. Electric vehicles reduce pollution, urban heat and harmful emissions, while gaining in popularity with residents and businesses alike.

Electric vehicles, a forgotten past

Around 1900, electric cars were already outperforming petrol models, but they were soon eclipsed, explains the San Antonio Express-News. At the time, starting a petrol car required a lot of force and could cause serious injury to drivers. The invention of the electric starter in 1912 and the low cost of petrol made internal combustion cars popular.

Oil dependency revealed

The oil crisis of 1973-1974 demonstrated the fragility of America’s dependence on oil. San Antonio was at the centre of the modern concept of “peak oil”, thanks to geologist M. King Hubbert in 1956. Although shale oil has extended the fossil age, the conversation is now focused on sustainability and public health.

Burning fossil fuels worsens climate change and degrades air quality. San Antonio and Bexar County violate federal air quality standards because of automobile emissions. Thermal cars also generate heat, accentuating the heat island effect in streets and neighbourhoods.

The rise of electric vehicles

Electric vehicles account for almost 10% of sales in the United States and emit no tailpipe pollution. They are more energy efficient, reduce waste heat and improve local air quality. Batteries are improving, prices are falling, and the recharging infrastructure is gradually developing in San Antonio.

Growing adoption by residents and businesses

According to the San Antonio Express-News, many residents are already opting for electric vehicles, and businesses are adopting fully electric fleets. The city is committed to electrifying its vehicles through the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan. CPS Energy is supporting this transition with subsidies and an expanded public charging network.

Electric buses for VIA Metropolitan Transit and the San Antonio Independent School District reduce maintenance costs. This transition is also helping to improve air quality and reduce urban heat. In this way, San Antonio is becoming a pioneer, promoting electric mobility and the long-term health of its residents.

The Zeekr 9X, China’s plug-in hybrid SUV, stands out for its luxurious design and its exceptional power of over 1,300 bhp. Its record-breaking 70 kWh battery promises a long range, but its weight limits its real efficiency.

Luxurious design inspired by large saloons

The Zeekr 9X is an eye-catcher with a design reminiscent of a Rolls-Royce, but it’s 100% Chinese. This hybrid SUV is 5.2 metres long, 2 metres wide and 1.82 metres high. Its 3.2-metre wheelbase maximises passenger space and comfort.

Gigantic batteries for a world record

The Zeekr 9X has a 55.1 or 70 kWh CATL battery, the largest ever fitted to a plug-in hybrid. It provides a maximum range of 302 km according to the CLTC cycle, or around 250 km according to the WLTP standard. Thanks to its 900 V and 420 kW architecture, the vehicle can be recharged from 20% to 80% in just nine minutes.

Impressive power and performance

Under the bonnet, a 2-litre internal combustion engine develops 275 bhp with a thermal efficiency of 46%. Three electric motors add their power for a total of 1,381 bhp. So, despite weighing in at over three tonnes, the SUV reaches 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds.

Questionable effectiveness

Despite its huge batteries, electric range is limited by the vehicle’s weight and size. According to a conservative conversion of the CLTC cycle to a European standard, the Zeekr 9X’s range could be around 250 km. This puts it closer to massive vehicles like the Hummer EV than to energy-efficient models.

Availability and prices

The Zeekr 9X can already be pre-ordered in China for between €72,000 and €108,000. Its arrival in Europe remains uncertain, but the launch is scheduled for the third quarter of this year. With its blend of luxury, power and limited range, this record-breaking hybrid SUV has divided electric enthusiasts.

This summer, charging points were used more than ever in France. According to Avere-France, activity rose sharply in July 2025. The data confirms that electric cars have taken centre stage among holidaymakers. With charging sessions on the rise, record consumption and a reliable network, all the indicators are green.

Figures that reassure drivers

In July 2025, each chargepoint recorded an average of 29.5 charging sessions, compared with 16.9 a year earlier. This rise can also be explained by a 22% increase in the number of chargepoints across the country. Powerdot also noted a 92% increase in usage over the first weekend in August, confirming that electric vehicles are being used more and more during the holidays.

Sharp rise in energy consumption

Total consumption at charge points in France is estimated at 109 GWh in July, compared with less than 60 GWh in September 2024. This figure clearly illustrates the growth in the number of zero-emission cars on French roads, and confirms the growing popularity of electric vehicles during the summer months.

According to Avere-France, 70% of charging points were available 99% of the time in July. What’s more, immediate access remains stable at 95%, enabling drivers to plug in as soon as they arrive.

An expanding but uneven network

France now has 174,574 stations, an average of 259 per 100,000 inhabitants. However, their distribution varies greatly: the Île-de-France region dominates with 6,893 stations, while French Guiana has just 30. This territorial inequality shows that some regions remain less well served despite the general extension of the network.

The majority of charging points are installed in shops (44%), followed by car parks (28%) and on roads (16%). In terms of power, 47% deliver between 7.4 and 22 kW, while 32% offer less than 7.4 kW. Lastly, very high-power charging points, in excess of 150 kW, account for 11% of the network. Of these, 9% deliver between 150 and 350 kW, while 2% deliver 350 kW or more, mainly on motorways and in commercial car parks.

American carmaker Ford is transforming its Louisville plant to launch affordable, high-performance electric vehicles. The aim of this strategy is to strengthen its position in the face of global competition.

A historic transformation for the Louisville plant

After 70 years of producing petrol cars, the plant will be converted to produce electric vehicles. CEO Jim Farley has described the project as a “Model T moment” for the company. According to him, this transformation will change the way vehicles are designed and built in the United States.

The electric pick-up will be the star of the new range

The first vehicle to be produced will be a four-door mid-size pick-up, scheduled for 2027. It will offer enough space for five adults and performance close to that of an EcoBoost Mustang. Cheaper batteries will be sourced from Ford’s Michigan plant, reducing costs.

Faster, cheaper production

The new universal platform will enable several models to be produced from a single base. Ford is announcing 20% fewer parts, 25% fewer fasteners and 40% fewer workstations. The plant will adopt an ‘assembly tree’ with three simultaneous lines, replacing the traditional long conveyor. This will cut assembly time by 15%, while maintaining quality and performance.

Massive investment to secure jobs

The $2 billion investment will guarantee 2,200 hourly jobs in Louisville. Combined with the Michigan battery plant, Ford anticipates nearly 4,000 direct jobs and many indirect jobs. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear hailed the project as a reinforcement of the 100-year partnership with Ford.

Ford faces international competition

Chinese manufacturers are expanding rapidly with affordable electric vehicles. However, Farley says Ford is focused on a profitable and sustainable business, not volume. In his view, the new pick-up will offer a better solution than what is available in China.

A risky but strategic ambition

The CEO acknowledges that the project involves risks, recalling past failures in the sector. However, Ford wants to break the cycle of losses and create affordable vehicles that are popular in the United States. The company is counting on innovation and the modernisation of its production lines to guarantee competitiveness and profitability.

Ford is banking on the standardisation of platforms to produce several electric models on a large scale. Reducing the number of parts and optimising assembly lines will help to cut costs. In this way, the brand hopes to offer a vehicle that is affordable, profitable and competitive with international models.

Chevrolet has set a new world range record with its Silverado EV electric pick-up, covering 1,704 km on a single charge. A feat achieved under ultra-optimised driving conditions that are difficult to reproduce in everyday life.

A technical feat in extreme conditions

The test was conducted by General Motors engineers on open roads near the Milford test centre in Michigan. What’s more, the Silverado EV Max Range has a giant 205 kWh battery, twice the capacity of a Tesla Model S. To beat the record, the average speed remained between 32 and 40 km/h, a far cry from everyday use. The tyres were inflated to maximum pressure and the alignment was optimised to reduce rolling resistance. The spare wheel was also removed and the body covered with a cover to improve overall aerodynamics. The air conditioning remained switched off, and no passengers were seated for most of the journey.

A much more modest official autonomy

On the market, the Max Range version claims an official range of around 740 km, according to the homologation results. This figure, already high, falls to around a third of the record in real traffic conditions. During the test, average fuel consumption was just 12 kWh/100 km, a remarkable score for a vehicle weighing 3.8 tonnes. By comparison, some electric saloon cars achieve this level at normal speed, but with a much lower weight and a more aerodynamic profile.

A symbolic record

Above all, this challenge shows the major impact of ultra-optimised driving on the range of electric vehicles. However, under normal conditions, it is impossible to hope to reproduce this figure without sacrificing speed, comfort and payload. Chevrolet concluded the event by using the Silverado to power a 3D printer making the record trophy.

A summer campaign is informing holidaymakers about the advantages of electric mobility. Free educational kits are being distributed on motorways.

A national operation supported by Avere-France

The CEE Advenir Formations programme is launching a campaign at the main motorway service areas from 8 August 2025. The aim is to take advantage of summer traffic to reach as many motorists on holiday as possible. The campaign already took place at Whitsun with 32,000 kits distributed. It will return in August with a similar format and a presence every weekend.

Fun learning kits

Each kit contains two brochures explaining electric mobility. A family quiz card game invites you to test your knowledge. A simulator shows the ecological and economic benefits of electric vehicles. The fun format makes it easy to tackle a technical subject in an accessible way.

A measurable impact on motorists

According to the ROOLE media, a survey of 529 people carried out in June confirms the effectiveness of the approach. 40% of those surveyed were already using an electric vehicle before the operation. 85% said they had learned new information thanks to the kit they had received. Over 90% said that their perception of electric vehicles had changed for the better.

Distribution dates and locations

• From 8 to 10 August: Sorgues, Narbonne Vinassan Nord, Saint Léger Est, Sainte Victoire.
• From 15 to 17 August: Montélimar Est, La Riviera Française, Ambrussum Nord, Béziers Montblanc Nord.
• From 22 to 24 August: Saint Rambert d’Albon Est, Vidauban Sud, Corbières Sud
• From 29 to 31 August: Mornas les Adrets, Toulouse Sud, Poitou Charentes Nord.

500 km of range and a recharge in ten minutes. A start-up from Normandy is aiming to revolutionise electric mobility with a ground-breaking prototype.

A response to the energy consumption of cars

In France, cars account for 30% of national energy consumption. Marc Guillemaud and Aurélien Roulleaux Dugage, two engineers from Normandy, want to change this equation. They founded FacteurDix in 2024 in Saint-Romain-de-Colbosc, near Le Havre. Their aim: to reduce the energy consumption of an electric vehicle by a factor of ten. The result: LINE, an aerodynamic, lightweight and ultra-efficient three-wheeler.

A sober design

LINE weighs less than 500 kg, thanks to composite materials from the boating and aeronautical industries. Its teardrop profile reduces air resistance and optimises efficiency. With a reduced frontal area, it achieves a drag coefficient of 0.28 m². By comparison, the best Tesla is 0.51 m². This design delivers record fuel consumption of 4 kWh/100 km.

Performance worthy of a classic road car

LINE reaches speeds of 165 km/h and offers a WLTP range of over 500 km. It recharges from 20% to 80% in ten minutes using a 100 kW charging point. This performance means it can be driven on the motorway at 130 km/h for two to three hours.

Despite its small size, the car is still very safe, with airbags, ESP and ABS. The engine is compact and light, with torque close to that of a Lotus Elise.

An ambitious industrial project

The prototype is being built by Faster in Plaisir (Yvelines), a specialist in experimental vehicles. FacteurDix expects the vehicle to be approved in 2027, before going into production. Ten examples will initially be offered to investors and ambassadors. Between 2028 and 2029, the aim is to produce 500 vehicles a year. From 2030, production could reach 10,000 units a year.

An assertive positioning

The target price has been set at around €30,000. The start-up is targeting a public that is aware of climate issues and looking for something original. LINE could also be attractive as a second car or for professional fleets. FacteurDix aims to become a Mission Company by 2026. The company is committed to reparability, sustainability and local job creation.

Sony is leaving the show floor to take to the pavement – a major first for the renowned tech brand. After Xiaomi’s arrival on the market with its YU 7 and SU7 Ultra, it’s Sony’s turn. The Japanese brand, historically known for its televisions, consoles and cameras, is taking an unprecedented step into the automotive sector. It is now entering the pre-production phase of the Afeela 1, its first 100% electric car.

Designed and built in partnership with Honda, assembly of the model began on Wednesday 30 July 2025. It will take place at Honda’s East Liberty plant in Ohio, USA. This is a decisive step in making the project a reality.

Presented in prototype form at CES in Vegas in 2023, and then in a near-complete version in January 2025, the Afeela 1 was until then no more than a “promising concept”. It is now becoming a concrete industrial product in the making, with deliveries scheduled from mid-2026 for the first American customers.

A strategic turning point for Sony

This is the first time that Sony has entered the automotive industry in such a concrete way. And it’s no mean feat. The company is bringing to this project its expertise in key areas: sensors, on-board software, interfaces, AI – everything that is shaping the future of the connected car today. The Afeela 1 is as much a saloon car as a digital terminal on wheels. With screens all over the dashboard, facial recognition at the entrance, high-level in-car entertainment and cutting-edge driver assistance systems, technology is not just an add-on, it’s at the heart of the project.

Where are we now?

This entry into pre-production is much more than a simple test phase. In this pivotal phase, the engineers go through every stage of assembly with a fine-tooth comb. They check the fit of the parts, the quality of the materials, the precision of the welds and the robot chains. This is when we check that what has been designed on screen can actually be mass-produced, without a hitch or error. In concrete terms, we move from theory to practice. We test the vehicle, but above all we test the factory itself. Because a car as technologically advanced as the Afeela cannot tolerate any approximations. Pre-production allows us to correct any remaining faults. It also serves to fine-tune industrial processes and anticipate sticking points before the launch. In short, this is the stage that transforms a concept into a reliable product.

In designing this vehicle, Sony could not have gone so far without Honda. The two companies signed a partnership agreement in 2022 with the creation of Sony Honda Mobility, forming an unprecedented collaboration between the tech and automotive industries, which, given the cross-fertilisation of these two sectors, could inspire other companies to join forces. The launch of pre-production shows that the collaboration is working. The assembly lines are in place, assembly tests are beginning, and the production rate will be gradually increased over the coming months.

An example paving the way for new alliances?

Behind the scenes, this initiative is also sending out a message to the general public: the energy transition is no longer just a matter for traditional car manufacturers. The growing involvement of technology players like Sony is helping to accelerate the integration of electric cars into the public arena. And if other companies of this calibre follow suit, world opinion could move more quickly towards mass adoption, making electric mobility truly universal.

Too much technology?

The fact remains that this rise in technological power is not universally accepted… In barely two decades, the automotive world has moved from a world centred on the driving experience, mechanical sensations and the feel of the chassis to an environment increasingly controlled by technology, where panoramic screens, on-board algorithms and voice assistants now play a central role in the driving experience. Emotion, on the other hand, cannot be downloaded. It remains to be seen whether this energy transition will really lead to the end of the car that moves.

With its 21700 cylindrical cells, Samsung SDI propels the Lucid Air Grand Touring to the pinnacle of electric autonomy.

A world record to validate a technology

The record set by the Lucid Air Grand Touring would not have been possible without the batteries developed by Samsung SDI. Powered by 21700 cylindrical cells, the electric saloon covered 1,205 kilometres on a single charge. This record has been approved by Guinness World Records. The journey, made in July 2025 between St. Moritz in Switzerland and Munich in Germany, demonstrated the vehicle’s real-world performance. It took place in a variety of conditions, including Alpine roads, motorways and secondary networks.

High-performance cylindrical cells

The 21700 cells used by Samsung SDI represent a major advance in terms of energy capacity. As a result, they also offer extended life and rapid recharging. This format, which is larger than conventional 18650 cells, offers higher energy density while improving thermal stability. These cells enable the battery to maintain high efficiency even under prolonged loads, an essential advantage for long-distance use.

An ultra-fast recharging system

The integration of this battery into Lucid’s electric platform is based on an advanced charging architecture. Thanks to this technological synergy, the pack can recover up to 400 kilometres of range in just 16 minutes. This recharging speed, unprecedented for a production model, is made possible by the optimisation of the cells, the pack and the power electronics developed jointly by Lucid and Samsung SDI.

A long-term technological partnership

Samsung SDI and Lucid have been working together since 2016, long before the launch of the brand’s first production model. This strategic collaboration led to the development of the first Lucid Air prototypes. It then led to marketed versions, such as the Dream Edition and the Grand Touring. Together, the two companies have refined an integrated technical solution that combines efficiency, reliability and safety.

A showcase for battery innovation

With this record, Samsung SDI is showing that its technologies are not reserved for prototypes or concepts. They are being deployed in production vehicles, accessible to consumers and approved for the road. The company intends to strengthen its presence in the global high-performance battery market. It will continue to invest in R&D (research and development), while consolidating its partnership with Lucid.

Mercedes is preparing an unprecedented offensive with 32 new models between 2026 and 2027, half of which will be 100% electric. This marks a strategic shift for the German manufacturer as it seeks to revive its commercial momentum and catch up with the competition.

A response to falling sales

Mercedes is going through a difficult period, with sales down by 3% in 2024 and 6.2% in the first half of 2025. To reassure its investors and counter the rise of Tesla and Chinese brands, the manufacturer is betting on the most ambitious product plan in its history.

From 2026, 18 models will be launched, followed by a further 14 in 2027. Of these, 15 will be 100% electric vehicles, across all segments.

Electrification across the range

Mercedes is planning a complete overhaul of its range. At entry level, the new GLA, GLB and CLA Shooting Brake will be offered in both internal combustion and electric versions.

At the heart of the range, the brand is preparing an electric GLC (presented at the Munich Motor Show 2025) and a zero-emission C-Class, both based on the new MB.EA platform.

The top of the range is not to be outdone, with ten launches planned, including a restyled EQS, a new small electric G-Class, and an electric version of the AMG GT 4-door.

End of the EQ range announced

Mercedes is also planning to rethink its design approach. The aesthetic differences between combustion and electric models will disappear, marking the gradual end of the EQ range. Eventually, all vehicles will share the same styling language, whatever their engine.

AMG enters the electric era without abandoning the V8

The AMG sports division will accompany the transition with new electric models, including a high-performance SUV and a saloon derived from the GT XX concept. At the same time, Mercedes has confirmed the return of the naturally-aspirated V8 from 2027, which will remain in the catalogue “until the middle of the next decade”.

A strategic shift, but not a break with the past

Contrary to its earlier plans, Mercedes will not be phasing out combustion engines in 2030. The manufacturer prefers to use a mix of technologies, in response to the diversity of markets and geopolitical uncertainties.

With this dual strategy – ambitious electrification and the retention of combustion engines – Mercedes hopes to regain ground in a premium market that is more competitive than ever.