Europe

After beginning sales in Europe last year, Chinese EV automaker Great Wall Motor appears poised to expand its reach across the continent to at least eight additional countries. Furthermore, the automaker intends to establish a new European R&D center as it ponders bringing EV production over from China as well.

Less than two weeks after cutting the ribbon on its first charging hub in the US, Mercedes-Benz has begun operations at its first location in Europe. Can you guess where? Don’t think too hard…

McDonald’s, or “McDo” as the French say, is installing 2,000 new fast charging points across 700 car parks in France by 2025. Each McDonald’s charging station will offer 150-200 kilowatts of power, so you can recharge your car in about the time it takes to inhale a Big Mac and extra-large frites.

MEPs of the European Union voted to adopt strict new rules regarding emissions from trucking and busses today, seeking a 90% reduction in total fleet CO2 emissions by 2040 — but there’s a big loophole involved. While initial planning from the EU Commission sought to categorize effectively all ICE trucks and busses as CO2-emitting, the EU Parliament has other ideas.

Here’s a breath of fresh air, literally. In a new milestone, the number of new electric car registrations has exceeded those of diesel-powered vehicles in Europe for the first time, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association.

The European Union is not fooling around, and European countries are under pressure to adhere to ambitious plans to get their roadways up and ready for the total phaseout of fossil fuels in the years ahead. To this end, both France and Denmark have just announced huge investments in building out their electric vehicle charging infrastructure to adhere to new EU regulations announced this summer. France will put €200 million into expanding fast charging stations within the country, and Denmark has earmarked €91.5 million to focus on charging for heavy-transport vehicles.

In a disappointing move that could result in billions of euros in health and environmental costs, the European Union today caved to pressure from the automobile industry to rethink its landmark rules setting strict limits for toxic emissions from cars and trucks. As legacy automakers lose ground in the transition to EVs, automobile lobbies are urging governments to kill off clean air laws.

In a controversial move, Switzerland has decided to tax electric cars in the same way it does for gas guzzlers, saying that special tax exemptions are no longer necessary.  

After Barcelona already clamped down on e-scooters in public transport with a temporary ban after a fire on a train, Madrid and other Spanish cities are following suit with tighter restrictions.

Chinese-owned automaker BYD has announced plans to build a factory in Europe in hopes of bringing its affordable EVs to the masses there. As the brand picks up steam in sales, it will break ground on its first European factory, with Hungary selected as the location. Still, it has some challenges to face: a new investigation from the European Union and a lack of solid brand recognition to compete with Tesla and European automakers.

Once a fierce critic of the European Union’s push to restrict ICE vehicles, Stellantis is now reaping rewards from its shift in focus to EVs, with France taking the lead thanks to revised “green bonus” incentives for Europe-made cars while freezing out Chinese brands. Yesterday the company announced a 7% year-on-year sales uptick yesterday, with a 37% boost in EV sales in Europe, beating out Tesla.

One year after filing for bankruptcy with its Jeep joint venture in China, Stellantis has found a new partner in EV startup Leapmotor to utilize its existing technology ecosystem as part of a $1.6 billion joint venture that will expand availability of the Chinese EVs in new markets in Europe, possibly beyond.

Four months after launching the ET5 in its native China, NIO has begun deliveries of the electric sedan in Europe. NIO’s latest model has begun simultaneously making its way to first customers in four separate markets, including Germany.

The EU Court of Justice yesterday announced a landmark ruling stating that pedal-assist e-bikes are actually bikes, not motorbikes or (gasp) motor vehicles, which means e-cyclists aren’t obligated to be insured in the same way as motorists and can be compensated as a cyclist, not a “motor vehicle driver,” in the case of an accident.

Young and promising Chinese EV brand ZEEKR announced it is moving some of its current European staff in Gothenburg, Sweden to a new spot closer to the action in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Following the move, ZEEKR plans to grow its staff overseas and it continues to expand into new markets.

Italy and Greece are planning to install a subsea cable to increase their interconnection capacity and share renewable energy.

Exactly two months after calling out Tesla directly while announcing a speedy performance version of its flagship 001, Chinese automaker ZEEKR is hinting at possible sales of the EV in Europe. The company already has two models making their way overseas and could soon add the third, according to an executive at the company.

Less than two years after sharing expansion plans for Europe, US-based battery recycling specialist Redwood Materials is adding Germany to its map of locations. Today, the company announced the acquisition of Redux Recycling GmbH – the leading lithium ion battery recycler in the EU, as it looks to quickly expand its operations overseas.

Weeks after battery developer Gotion-High Tech acquired a 25% stake in startup InoBat, the two companies have signed an agreement to erect a gigafactory in Europe. As a Tier 1 battery supplier to its top shareholder Volkswagen Group, Gotion will look to InoBat to help it provide the German automaker and other marques with EV batteries… but where will the joint venture set up shop?

Less than a month after sending its flagship 001 sedans on a ship overseas to Europe, ZEEKR is loading up its first batch of X SUVs to join them. When they arrive, ZEEKR will immediately begin selling the two passenger EVs models in two markets of Europe as part of a strategy that includes further global expansion.

The European Union launched an investigation over Chinese EV subsidies as the global markets are “now flooded with cheaper electric cars.” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen revealed the probe Wednesday, claiming Chinese EV makers benefit from state subsidies.