Author: Sam Allcock

Verra Mobility Corporation, a prominent provider of smart mobility technology solutions, has extended its electronic toll payment programmes to include more rental car locations across Italy. This expansion aims to simplify toll payments for tourists and locals alike, offering its automated tolling service in collaboration with two of Europe’s largest rental car companies. This service, initially launched earlier this year, now covers over 25% of the Italian rental car market, which operates an estimated fleet of 50,000 vehicles. Italy, home to one of the largest toll road networks in Europe, has over 4,600 kilometres of tolled motorways. The country’s appeal…

A pioneering energy storage project launched by renewable energy company SERMATEC is set to transform Bulgaria’s solar energy landscape. The newly introduced 5.1MW/17.8MWh commercial and industrial energy storage system promises to boost the efficiency of solar power generation and support local economic growth, marking a significant step forward in the country’s green energy efforts. The innovative solution was developed to address a key challenge faced by a client operating a photovoltaic plant in Bulgaria. Excess solar power generated during the day was being wasted due to a lack of adequate storage capacity. This forced the client to rely on purchasing…

Chinese luxury carmaker HONGQI made a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Motor Show with the debut of its new energy vehicles, the EH7 and EHS7. These electric models marked the company’s first foray into the European market, and the announcement of open orders across the continent drew considerable attention from consumers and industry insiders alike. Both the EH7 and EHS7 are designed to offer a compelling blend of performance, advanced technology, and affordability. Priced competitively, the EH7 starts at €49,999, while the EHS7 is available from €53,999, making them highly attractive options for European customers seeking high-quality electric vehicles…

Chinese luxury car brand HONGQI has announced a unique partnership with renowned European fabric manufacturer SCABAL at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The collaboration, described as a fusion of luxury, craftsmanship, and innovative design, marks the beginning of a cross-industry relationship between the two prestigious brands. Representatives from both companies were present at the event, including Mr Liu Changqing, Vice President of the HONGQI Brand Operation Committee, and Mr Stefano Rivera, CEO of SCABAL Group, who officiated the partnership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The two exchanged symbolic gifts to commemorate the partnership, which highlights the shared ethos of high-quality production…

A new study has revealed that several popular petrol and diesel car models are on the brink of extinction, as the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles. According to the report from car parts marketplace Ovoko, the Hyundai Coupe is set to become the first to reach ‘extinction’, with its registrations predicted to dwindle to near zero by August 2026. The study analysed a list of the most popular petrol and diesel car models in the UK, based on data from YouGov. Ovoko calculated the rate of decline in registrations for each model to forecast when they would…

Trina Storage, a global leader in energy storage solutions, has announced the successful grid connection and commissioning of the 40MWh Maldon Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Essex. The project, carried out in collaboration with energy storage specialist Eku Energy, marks a significant milestone for the UK’s renewable energy transition and grid stability. The Maldon battery system, which provides rapid-response capabilities within 350 milliseconds, is Eku Energy’s first commercially operational battery storage project in the UK. It will deliver essential ancillary and balancing services to the national grid, helping improve overall flexibility and resilience in the country’s electricity network. Trina…

AITO, a high-end electric vehicle brand from China, has completed an impressive 38-day journey across the Eurasian continent, covering approximately 15,000 kilometres from Chongqing to Paris. This expedition showcased the reliability and performance of AITO’s vehicles, including the AITO 9, AITO 7, and AITO 5, as part of the brand’s participation in the 90th Paris Motor Show under the theme “Intelligence Redefining Luxury.” The “Eurasian Tour with AITO” convoy traversed 12 countries, illustrating the brand’s commitment to delivering leading intelligent mobility experiences worldwide. The highlight of the event was the display of a special AITO 9, which successfully navigated complex…

Kia Corporation has announced the development of the world’s first car accessory crafted from plastic sourced from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), marking a significant milestone in its partnership with The Ocean Cleanup. This innovative accessory, a limited-edition trunk liner for the all-new Kia EV3, underscores Kia’s commitment to sustainability and its ongoing transformation into a leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions. The announcement comes as part of Kia’s long-term collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation focused on removing plastic waste from the world’s oceans. Since 2022, Kia has been actively supporting the group, which aims to…

Family-run haulage company ELB Partners, based in Croydon, has invested £40,000 in upgrading its fleet’s safety equipment ahead of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) law change that comes into effect later this month. The new regulation requires all heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London to meet a minimum three-star DVS rating from 28 October. ELB Partners, which has a fleet of 29 vehicles, has spent £1,400 per vehicle to ensure each one meets the new safety standards. The investment comes as part of a broader effort by the company to stay compliant with the growing…

Hyundai Motor Group has announced a major new collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore to develop advanced energy technologies, with a focus on hydrogen energy. The partnership was formalised at the Singapore-Korea Business Forum, held on 8 October at the Ritz Carlton Singapore. It marks a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality, with the two institutions set to undertake a three-year joint research programme. The agreement between Hyundai and NTU is aimed at exploring alternative energy solutions tailored to the specific needs of Singapore, a densely populated urban nation. This collaboration brings together Hyundai’s cutting-edge energy expertise with…