Blog

Saint-Étienne-based start-up Eenuee is pursuing its ambition to revolutionise regional aviation with a 100% electric aircraft. Thanks to a new industrial partnership and an ongoing fund-raising drive, its project is taking on a more concrete dimension. The aim is to have a 19-seater aircraft flying by 2029 that is as affordable as a TGV ticket.

A strategic alliance to take a decisive step forward

After several years of promising research and testing, Eenuee is now joining forces with Duqueine Group, a company based in Ain and renowned for its expertise in aeronautical composite materials. This partnership, described as a “major asset” by Benjamin Persiani, CEO of Eenuee, should enable the start-up to move from a small-scale prototype to a larger-scale demonstrator. Duqueine, a supplier of parts to Airbus, Safran and Dassault, will contribute its industrial expertise to design the structure of the future aircraft. Together, the two companies want to prove that regional innovation can compete with the big names in aeronautics.

This collaboration marks a key stage for Eenuee, which has been working since 2019 on its GEN-ee regional aircraft. This model, which looks like a flying wing, is based on a “load-bearing fuselage” concept, which is more complex to design but offers better aerodynamic and energy performance. Initial tests on a radio-controlled prototype with a four-metre wingspan have already validated the technical feasibility of the project.

A prototype twice the size to get closer to the real thing

The next step is to build an eight-metre model, twice the size of the initial prototype. This intermediate version, scheduled for completion by 2027, will enable the team to move closer to a certifiable aircraft. The Eenuee engineers will see this as an opportunity to test the performance of the fuselage and electric propulsion in real conditions. The ultimate goal is ambitious: to design an aircraft with a 33-metre wingspan capable of carrying 19 passengers over 500 kilometres, with no polluting emissions.

To achieve this, Eenuee still needs to raise nearly €4 million. Supported by the Banque Publique d’Investissement via a Deeptech grant, the company is stepping up discussions with investment funds. According to Baptiste Giuliani, sales manager, “each passenger on our plane will consume less than an electric car driver”.

A clean, quiet and versatile aircraft

The GEN-ee has a claimed range of 500 kilometres and a cruising speed of around 260 km/h. It will run on two shrouded propeller engines powered by 1,500 kg of solid batteries. Its designers claim that it will consume up to eleven times less energy than an equivalent internal combustion aircraft, while considerably reducing noise. This silent, low-carbon aircraft could, for example, link Clermont-Ferrand to Nantes in less than two hours, or Rome to Monaco in just over two hours.

Another major advantage is its versatility. Eenuee’s electric aircraft can take off and land on very short runways, or even on grassy or watery surfaces. An amphibious version is even envisaged, capable of landing on islands. This flexibility is already of interest to several regional airlines looking for solutions adapted to isolated areas.

An industrial challenge and a race against time

Competing with Aura Aero of Toulouse, which is developing the ERA hybrid aircraft, Eenuee is taking measured but determined steps forward. The Toulouse-based project has a head start and a large number of pre-orders, but the Stéphane-based company’s 100% electric approach is seductive because of its ecological coherence. If all goes according to plan, the full-scale prototype will make its first flight in 2029, before entering service around 2033.

More than just a technological feat, Eenuee wants to help structure a low-carbon aeronautics industry in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. By relying on a local ecosystem of innovative companies, the start-up hopes to prove that a successful energy transition can also come from the regions. For Benjamin Persiani, “this regional partnership is a major asset. It allows us to combine technological agility and local industrial strength to take a key step forward. An essential combination if the future of clean aviation is to take off.

Towards a new regional transport model

With its GEN-ee project, Eenuee aims to make air transport as environmentally friendly as rail, while retaining its speed and flexibility. Its objective is clear: to offer regional connections at an affordable price, without compromising the environment. Although the technical and financial challenges are still numerous, the vision of this young team from Saint-Etienne symbolises a new era for French aviation.

So by 2030, it’s not impossible that the passengers of the future will be boarding an electric aircraft “made in Saint-Étienne” from a small regional aerodrome. A powerful symbol of the transition to cleaner, quieter and more sustainable skies.

On Wednesday 12 November 2025, ECO MOTORS NEWS had the privilege of being invited to Montigny-le-Bretonneux for a press test of the new 100% electric eSprinter, in its chassis cab version, by Mercedes-Benz. A technical day devoted to discovering this new electric version of the famous German van.

The eSprinter chassis: a new stage for Mercedes

Launched in April 2025, the eSprinter is the latest addition to the Mercedes-Benz range of electric vans, which has already sold more than 40,000 vehicles since the first eVito in 2010. This chassis version opens up new possibilities for the electrification of commercial vehicle fleets. To suit different uses, this version of the 100% electric eSprinter is designed to be specifically bodied.

This versatile van from the German brand has been designed to meet the needs of professionals. The vehicle is available in two lengths (5.90 m or 6.70 m) and four GVWs (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): 3.5 t, 3.95 t, 4.15 t and 4.25 t.

Two engines are also available: 136 bhp (100 kW) or 204 bhp (150 kW). Three battery capacities are available: 56 kWh (around 210 km range), 81 kWh (around 300 km) and 113 kWh for intensive use. Rapid recharging can deliver up to 115 kW in direct current.

With this chassis version, Mercedes-Benz is aiming directly at small businesses, local authorities and specialist fleets, a segment that has yet to be electrified, but which is undergoing rapid change.

A full day of testing

Accompanied by five fellow journalists, various bodybuilder representatives and, of course, several members of the Mercedes group, the day began with a technical and historical presentation of the Mercedes eVans range and the eSprinter chassis.

Once we’d learned all we needed to know about this vehicle, we were treated to a presentation of the five eSprinter bodies, each built by its respective bodybuilder: Corsin, Laloyau, Trouillet, Labbé and JPM. Tipper, flatbed or specialised configuration, each vehicle has been ingeniously designed to meet the needs of professionals.

After a question-and-answer session with the various players present on the day, we journalists divided up the different vehicles to carry out our tests.

In total, we covered around a hundred kilometres on a route covering different types of road (town, country, motorway), divided into three test slots allowing us to test three different body configurations.

A recharging workshop was also on offer: an opportunity for the Mercedes group to demonstrate its impressive linear recharging capacity, with an average power output of around 116 kW.

A full test to come

As mentioned earlier, ECO MOTORS NEWS was able to test several configurations of the eSprinter chassis during the day. Road behaviour, real autonomy, ergonomics, bodywork adaptation: all aspects were tested on the roads of the Paris region.

A full, detailed test will shortly be published in our columns, with figures, measurements and feedback on this electric van. What we can already tell you is that Mercedes-Benz has perfected the adaptation of its vans to electrified mobility.

Confirmation that the electrification of commercial vehicles is no longer an option, but a tangible industrial reality.

American EV manufacturer Rivian Automotive is going through a decisive moment. While the brand is focusing on its new compact SUV, due to be launched in the first half of 2026, it is currently facing serious financial strains.

R2: a strategic model for Rivian

Unveiled over a year ago, the Rivian R2 and its 4.71 metre length are aimed directly at the mass-market electric SUV segment, in competition with the Tesla Model Y and the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The vehicle retains the Rivian DNA: a square, robust design inspired by the R1S and an outdoor philosophy faithful to the Californian brand.

In November 2025, the brand announced that development of the R2 was well advanced: prototypes are being assembled at the Normal factory in Illinois, and a little more is known about its technical specifications. Three configurations will be offered: single-engine, twin-engine and three-engine, each corresponding to a more or less affordable range. The announced range exceeds 480 km, for a price that should reach $45,000 in the United States, a strategic price for the brand that wants to widen its audience and thus reach more profitable production volumes.

CEO RJ Scaringe has confirmed that the first commercial version will be a well-equipped but affordable twin-engine Launch Edition, to maximise take-up from launch. The European version is not expected until 2027.

A financially fragile company

Despite these advances, Rivian remains in the red. For 2025, the company is forecasting an operating loss of between 2 and 2.25 billion dollars, compared with an initial forecast of 1.7 to 1.9 billion. Sales are stagnating at around 50,000 vehicles a year, far short of the volumes needed to be profitable.

Even more worryingly, in October 2025 Rivian carried out a third wave of redundancies, cutting around 600 jobs, or 4.5% of the workforce, bringing the total annual cuts to more than 10%. These cuts come at a time when the company is having to adjust its workforce in the face of a weakened US EV market, linked in particular to the expiry of the $7,500 federal tax credit.

A controversial remuneration plan

While sales figures are nothing to write home about, on 7 November 2025 the board of directors announced, in a document sent to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a record remuneration package for CEO RJ Scaringe. According to Reuters, the sum allocated could reach an astronomical 4.6 billion dollars over ten years, a plan inspired by that of Elon Musk. The plan is conditional on ambitious objectives, namely to increase the share price to at least $40 from the current $15.22, and to meet the various financial targets set (profit, cash flow) over several years.

The announcement, which came just after the redundancies and against a backdrop of massive losses, drew criticism. While some see it as a necessary ambition to attract and retain the executive in his post, others feel that announcing this plan, which could bring in $4.6 billion for a single person, at such short notice, gives the Californian manufacturer an unfair and inconsistent image.

R2: a decisive test for Rivian

For the brand, the R2 is much more than a new model: its success will determine whether or not the brand can achieve significant volumes, reduce its losses and win over consumers in the face of fierce competition.

One thing is certain: with the announcement of the remuneration package for the CEO, RJ Scaringe will do everything in his power to ensure that Rivian Automotive remains a major player in the electromobility sector.

Lucid and NVIDIA announce a major collaboration to propel the automotive industry towards complete autonomy. The electric vehicle manufacturer intends to revolutionise the driving experience. The alliance aims to combine artificial intelligence and manufacturing excellence for its next vehicles.

Unprecedented autonomy for the vehicles of tomorrow

Lucid plans to launch one of the first Level 4 consumer autonomous vehicles incorporating NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor technology. This breakthrough will enable true “no look, no touch, no think” driving, ushering in a new era of motoring. The project is based on the DreamDrive Pro ADAS, introduced on the Lucid Air in 2021, which is already capable of hands-free driving and automatic lane changes.

As of today, Lucid is beginning the transition with the Lucid Gravity and its future midsize models in L2++ assisted driving, guaranteeing safety and comfort. The ultimate goal is to reach level 4, thanks to a multi-sensor system combining cameras, radar and lidar. Two NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor computers will unify all the automation functions and ensure smooth progress on the autonomy ladder.

Strategic partnership with NVIDIA

This collaboration is not limited to vehicles. NVIDIA is also contributing its industrial platform to optimise manufacturing and reduce costs. Lucid will be able to create intelligent factories, controlled by connected robots and digital twins to simulate and validate processes. Planning becomes faster, production lines more flexible and quality more rigorous.

For Jensen Huang, founder of NVIDIA, this alliance transforms every vehicle into a supercomputer on wheels, reinventing mobility with intelligence. For his part, Marc Winterhoff, interim CEO of Lucid, emphasises the desire to combine cutting-edge technology with engineering excellence. Together, they aim to deliver a luxurious and fully autonomous driving experience.

Towards AI-driven manufacturing

In addition to driving, Lucid uses NVIDIA’s industrial platform to optimise production. Digitalisation and artificial intelligence make it possible to simulate factories before they are built, to anticipate problems and plan effective solutions. The robots follow optimised trajectories, guaranteeing safety and speed, while reducing production costs.

This strategy paves the way for reconfigurable production lines, capable of adapting to different models and volumes. The use of digital twins also makes it possible to test complex scenarios without interrupting actual production. In this way, Lucid combines vehicle autonomy and factory intelligence to create an innovative end-to-end chain.

A transformed customer experience

For consumers, this evolution promises a future where luxury, performance and autonomy come together. Lucid vehicles will become evolving software platforms, capable of receiving continuous updates. This ensures that each car remains at the cutting edge of innovation, even after delivery.

By integrating NVIDIA DRIVE AV and its scalable architecture, Lucid ensures technological continuity, enabling the addition of new autonomous and safety features. Drivers will be able to enjoy a fluid, intelligent and safe experience, radically transforming the notion of personal driving.

Lucid and the future of electric mobility

Lucid has positioned itself as a major player in intelligent electric mobility. With factories in the United States and Saudi Arabia, the company combines performance, design and energy efficiency. The integration of AI into its vehicles and factories promises to redefine industry standards, while paving the way for mass adoption of autonomous driving.

Thanks to this strategic partnership, the car of the future is becoming a tangible reality, where artificial intelligence and technological innovation offer safe, high-performance, forward-looking vehicles.

Since yesterday, Peugeot fans and gaming enthusiasts have been able to explore Polygon City in Fortnite. A virtual island dedicated to the Polygon Concept car, before its official unveiling tomorrow. This initiative combines futuristic design, technology and an interactive universe. It offers an unprecedented level of immersion, enabling visitors to discover the vehicle from every angle. With this approach, Peugeot is not only offering a preview of the concept, but also a participative experience that combines fun and creativity.

A futuristic concept car with a sculptural design

The Polygon Concept reflects all the boldness and feline style so dear to Peugeot. The interior has been completely redesigned around the Hypersquare® steering wheel and Steer-by-Wire technology. These guarantee a fluid, intuitive and totally connected driving experience. Every detail of the vehicle has been designed to transform mobility into a genuine emotion, where technology and sensations meet. The angular, sculptural bodywork illustrates the creativity of the designers and gives the concept a strong visual identity. In this way, the Polygon Concept becomes both an objet d’art and a technological showcase, embodying Peugeot’s vision of the car of the future.

Polygon City: a virtual island to discover the concept

Polygon City has been available in Fortnite since 10 November. This island, created by Gameloft in collaboration with Peugeot designers, reproduces the shapes of the Hypersquare® steering wheel and offers total immersion. Players can fly over the city, discover the concept car and take part in a number of mini-games to earn tokens. These tokens give players the chance to customise the Polygon Concept down to the smallest detail. You can personalise the body colour, the wheels, the Hypersquare® and the light signatures. Players can create their own unique version of the vehicle, combining exploration, creativity and entertainment. This interactive experience brings Peugeot fans and gamers together around a shared vision of automotive innovation.

A digital strategy to reach new generations

Polygon City illustrates Peugeot’s desire to engage with new generations through gaming and digital worlds. Phil York, Global Marketing Director, explains that the concept offers “a multi-faceted vehicle”, making it possible to show all the possible configurations of the Polygon Concept even before its official unveiling. Jean-Baptiste Godinot, Vice President of Gameloft for Brands, points out that the island is an interactive expression of Peugeot’s core values and engages younger generations in a fun and immersive experience. This approach demonstrates how the brand is reinventing automotive communications, combining innovation, design and digital culture, while creating a strong anticipation for tomorrow’s event.

An immersive experience before the official reveal

For gamers and fans alike, Polygon City offers the chance to explore a futuristic, interactive and creative environment. The island lets you discover the Hypersquare® shape from the air, explore each district and test the vehicle’s customisation in exchange for tokens. This fun and immersive experience transforms a simple concept car into a truly participative event, combining exploration, fun and creativity. By interacting with the Polygon Concept before its official unveiling, players can make the vehicle their own and experience its unique design in an engaging virtual context.

Tomorrow, the official reveal on YouTube

On 12 November at 1pm, Peugeot will officially present the Polygon Concept during a keynote broadcast on its YouTube channel. In the meantime, the Fortnite experience allows you to discover the vehicle, experiment with its customisation and immerse yourself in a world that combines innovation, design and digital culture. Peugeot has succeeded in transforming a concept car into a participative adventure. In this way, the brand offers a vision of the mobility of the future that combines technology, creativity and immersion. This approach demonstrates that the automobile can now be experienced as an interactive event, accessible to all, where each player becomes a player in the discovery.

Thirty-seven years after his triumph at the wheel of a Lancia Delta HF 4WD, Bruno Saby returned to the Principality of Monaco. This time, the driver from Grenoble was no longer carried away by the roar of an internal combustion engine, but by the powerful silence of a 100% electric Lancia Ypsilon HF. At 76, the man who left his mark on rallying in the 1980s is proving that passion never dies out. This comeback also symbolises Lancia’s sporting renaissance, on the eve of a major worldwide comeback scheduled for 2026.

An emotional and symbolic return

When Bruno Saby took the start of the 2025 E-Rally Monte-Carlo, the scenery had changed, but not the spirit. The former winner of the classic Monte-Carlo was back on familiar roads, those of the Col de Turini and the Alpes-Maritimes, this time at the wheel of a 280hp electric compact. At his side was his faithful co-driver Christophe Marquès, who had already been a partner when he won the E-Rallye France Auvergne Rhône-Alpes a few weeks earlier.

For the driver, this return was no mere media stunt. “Returning to Monte Carlo with Lancia is a powerful symbol,” he confided before the start. His career, marked by victory in 1988 and successes in the World Championship, finds a new echo in this modern adventure. Lancia, for its part, has seized the opportunity to celebrate its glorious past while affirming its electric ambitions.

Lancia Ypsilon HF: the bridge between tradition and innovation

The Ypsilon HF is not just a tribute to history. It’s a statement of intent. Beneath its compact silhouette, it conceals a 100% electric motor delivering 280 bhp, a lowered chassis and a Torsen differential. All designed for the winding roads of Monte Carlo, where precision and traction are essential.

During the event, the Lancia stood out for its efficiency and reliability. Despite covering more than 1,000 kilometres, often at altitudes of over 2,000 metres, the Saby-Marquès team only recharged at night. A remarkable performance that underlines the progress made by Italian technology. The duo finished just off the podium, fourth in the regularity ranking and fifth in efficiency. A result that confirmed the competitiveness of the model and the relevance of Lancia’s return to modern competition.

Bruno Saby, the undiminished passion of a champion

At 76, Bruno Saby has lost none of his enthusiasm. Having excelled in world rallying, the Dakar and rallycross, he remains an active ambassador for the discipline. Committed to the association Espoir contre le cancer (Hope against Cancer), he is now putting his talent at the service of a worthy cause. “I still love driving. It’s a deep passion that you can’t let go of”, he recently declared.

This vitality has found new impetus in electric regularity rallies. Far from being a minor challenge, these competitions demand precision, strategy and energy management. For Saby, it’s a way of continuing to learn and pass on his experience. Through his example, he embodies the continuity between the golden age of rallying and the electric era, with emotion and innovation.

Lancia’s revival on the world stage

The year 2025 will be Lancia’s big comeback. After years of absence, the Italian brand is preparing its sporting resurrection with ambition. From January 2026, the new Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale will make its debut on the Rallye Monte-Carlo, in the WRC2 category. A decisive step for the most successful brand in the history of the World Rally Championship.

Under the impetus of Luca Napolitano, Managing Director of Lancia, and two-time world champion Miki Biasion, Lancia returns to world competition. The programme is based on a complete range: Ypsilon Rally4 HF, Rally HF Racing and now the Rally2 HF Integrale. A range designed for professional drivers and private teams alike, aimed at putting Lancia back at the heart of international motor sport.

A living heritage, a future on the move

The Trofeo Lancia 2025 confirmed this momentum. With an increase in participation and some outstanding victories, the brand was back in touch with its public. The Rallye Sanremo, the final round of the season, crowned Gianandrea Pisani and Nicola Biagi, symbols of the new generation of Lancia ambassadors. On the roads of Italy, passion was passed on from one era to the next, from the Delta Integrale of yesterday to the Ypsilon HF of today.

In the Lancia villages, the public was able to rediscover the legendary models – Delta, 037, Integrale – alongside the electric vehicles of the new era. A reminder that technology does not erase emotion, but rather extends it. Lancia has understood this: to return to the top, it must rely on the soul of its history.

Monte-Carlo, still the common thread

The E-Rallye, Monte-Carlo remains the point of convergence between past and future. Bruno Saby has once again written a fine page in his legend, while Lancia is preparing its world return to these same roads in January. Both demonstrate that the passion for rallying knows neither the wear and tear of time nor the limits of technology.

This joint comeback, between memory and modernity, marks more than just a race. It embodies the rebirth of a legendary brand and the loyalty of a champion to its history. In the silence of electric propulsion, the music of motor sport continues to vibrate.

The Netherlands is spearheading electromobility in Europe, and has once again confirmed its pioneering role. In October 2025, 100% electric vehicles (BEVs) broke the 40% barrier in terms of market share of new car registrations, an all-time record for the country.

An all-time record for BEV

It’s a historic figure that is good news for the electrified car industry. Holland has become the first European country to increase the market share of electric vehicles to over 40% by October 2025. The country registered 13,968 BEVs in October 2025, corresponding to a market share of 40.2% of all new cars. This is a spectacular increase on the previous year, when BEVs accounted for only around 30% of the market.

This remarkable performance puts the Netherlands well above the European average, where BEVs generally account for 15% of the market. It illustrates that electromobility has become a tangible reality here, far exceeding the trend.

Why are the Netherlands ahead of the game?

There are several reasons for this rapid adoption:

• Attractive financial incentives: the Netherlands has been offering support for the purchase of electric vehicles for a number of years, including direct subsidies, road tax exemptions and tax breaks for businesses. Unlike other countries where subsidies fluctuate or run out quickly, the Dutch system is stable and predictable, encouraging consumers to take the plunge without waiting for government assistance.
• The country has one of the most developed recharging networks in Europe, with over 150,000 public recharging points available throughout the country. This accessibility reduces fears about autonomy.
• A high level of environmental awareness: keen to use public transport, trams and bicycles, the Dutch are sensitive to climate issues and increasingly see electric vehicles as a responsible and modern choice.
• Favourable regulations: local and national measures encourage electrification and, conversely, penalise combustion-powered cars, such as access restrictions for combustion-powered vehicles in certain urban areas.

Comparison with the rest of Europe

With a 40% market share for 100% electric vehicles, the Netherlands dominates a Europe where the situation is very different in other European countries. France is also enjoying a historic month, with the market share of 100% electric vehicles reaching 24.4%, while Germany is at 19.8%. Spain’s market share has risen significantly, to 12.3%, an increase of 119% over one year. Italy, meanwhile, is lagging behind, with a 5% market share.

These differences show that the Dutch success is based on a rare alignment between financial incentives, dense infrastructure and cultural adoption. Other European countries could draw inspiration from this model to accelerate their transition to zero-emission vehicles.

A key step for European electromobility

This all-time record shows that mass adoption of electric vehicles is possible when public policy, infrastructure and consumer behaviour are aligned. For the European automotive industry, the Netherlands is now a model to follow.