by Grace Dawes | Jul 2, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Keynote videos, MOVE, Popular |
In this keynote session from MOVE 2025, Kaity Fischer, VP of Commercial and Fleet Operations at Wayve explored the comapny’s innovative use of embodied AI in autonomous driving, highlighting how the company’s end-to-end AI enables scalable, hardware-agnostic vehicle intelligence.
Wayve shared insights on its global expansion, including zero-shot deployment in new cities without prior mapping.
The discussion also covered the company’s partnerships with OEMs like Nissan and the roadmap for advancing from Level 2+ to Level 4 autonomy, emphasising the readiness of technology and infrastructure for widespread adoption.
Watch the full fireside chat with Wayve below.
by Grace Dawes | Jul 2, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Keynote videos, MOVE, Tech & Data |
In this exclusive talk from MOVE 2025, WeRide Founder & CEO Tony Han reflects on the company’s recent listing on NASDAQ and what it means for the future of autonomous mobility.
Han discusses WeRide’s journey from R&D to commercialisation, including its growing global footprint in markets like the UAE and Southeast Asia.
From robotaxis to autonomous sanitation vehicles, Han shares how WeRide is pushing the boundaries of driverless technology at scale.
Watch the full fireside chat below.
by Grace Dawes | Jul 2, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Keynote videos, MOVE |
At MOVE 2025, Motability Operations revealed the eVITA. This is a purpose-built, inclusive electric wheelchair-accessible vehicle (eWAV) to ensure disabled drivers aren’t left behind in the EV transition.
Designed with CALLUM, eVITA reimagines accessibility from the ground up: low flat floor, rear ramp access, and forward wheelchair seating.
Watch the full session to see how Motability Operations is shaping a fairer, more inclusive EV future.
by Grace Dawes | Jul 1, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Interviews, MOVE, Tech & Data |
At MOVE 2025, we spoke with Tony Han, CEO and Co-Founder of WeRide, about the company’s growth and its approach to global deployment of autonomous vehicle technology.
Founded in 2017 in Silicon Valley, WeRide has expanded to operate in 30 cities across 10 countries. The company’s autonomous fleet includes over 1,200 vehicles, such as robotaxis, robovans, and robosweepers. WeRide currently holds driverless permits in five countries: China, the United States, France, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.
Han explained that the company evaluates new markets based on factors such as regulatory support and described a vision for mobility where travel time can also serve as productive time.
As WeRide continues to explore new markets including Europe, Japan, and the Middle East, the company remains focused on integrating autonomous technology into real-world urban transportation systems.
Watch the full interview for more exclusive insight below.
by Grace Dawes | Jun 10, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, MOVE, Popular, Resources |
Press release supplied by Ekoenergetyka
The electric truck sector is currently facing significant challenges that require not only innovative technological solutions, but also flexibility in adapting to the rapidly changing needs of the market. One of the most pressing issues is the development of fast and efficient megawatt charging solutions capable of supporting the growing number of electric trucks.
Additional challenges include space limitations related to charging station availability and the need for advanced system solutions to ensure smooth and efficient charging processes under varying conditions.
The revolutionary SAT 1500 MCS satellite, developed by Ekoenergetyka, is a direct response to these challenges. With its powerful megawatt-level power unit, the SAT 1500 MCS supports hybrid charging hubs capable of serving all generations of electric trucks, regardless of whether they are equipped with MCS or CCS connectors.
Ekoenergetyka, a leader in electric vehicle charging technology, has long been committed to developing innovative solutions that drive the future of e-mobility. The company’s product portfolio not only meets current market demands but is also designed with the future in mind, enabling it to evolve alongside the industry’s rapid development. Ekoenergetyka is focused on sustainable development by investing in technologies that are not only efficient but also
environmentally conscious.
Modern hybrid charging hubs, which are a key element of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure, must be flexible and adaptable to the changing demands of the market. These hubs should be designed to meet the increasing requirements of both the growing number of electric vehicles and the need for shorter charging times. Such solutions are the foundation of the future e-mobility infrastructure. Charging systems must also be tailored to diverse conditions as well as to the needs and expectations of customers, who often seek solutions that allow for the efficient charging of their entire electric fleet.
The SAT 1500 MCS system is designed to meet the specific challenges of the electric truck industry, where logistics and operational efficiency are critical. Ekoenergetyka’s cutting-edge solution enables full charging of electric trucks within a standard 45-minute driver break. This innovative approach aligns the charging process with operational needs and legal requirements regarding drivers’ working and rest times.
The SAT 1500 MCS device has been engineered for maximum charging performance – boasting an impressive power output of 1440 kW. Dual charging outlets allow for simultaneous charging of two trucks, maximizing efficiency and flexibility, particularly in areas with limited space for charging station installations. This solution opens up significant opportunities for scaling charging infrastructure and accelerating the rollout of charging networks across various locations.
What makes Ekoenergetyka’s offering revolutionary is its future-ready design tailored to the further development of the electric truck market. Leveraging advanced technologies, the company’s portfolio supports all currently available charging standards, making it a universal solution ready to face upcoming industry challenges. In doing so, Ekoenergetyka sets new benchmarks in electric vehicle charging, supporting the transformation of the transport sector on a global scale.
With the growing demand for e-mobility solutions, Ekoenergetyka – through its SAT 1500 MCS system, but also through the whole product portfolio – not only addresses current industry needs but also effectively defines the direction for the development of the electric truck market.
The latest solutions from Ekoenergetyka’s portfolio, including the SAT1500 MCS, will be presented at MOVE London at Booth 75 in ExCeL London on June 18–19, 2025.
If you are interested in learning more about all the solutions offered by Ekoenergetyka, book a meeting during the event.
by Grace Dawes | May 20, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Tech & Data |
Image: Huawei
Chinese state-owned energy company Huaneng has launched operations of the largest ever fleet of unmanned autonomous electric mining trucks.
100 autonomous mining trucks have officially entered operation at the Yimin open-pit mine in Inner Mongolia, China, after being developed and delivered by Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group (XCMG).
Huaneng Ruichi is a subsidiary of China Huaneng Group, which has been developing and deploying 5G-A autonomous electric mining trucks
As coal is China’s primary energy source and key to its energy strategy, the country has been driving the transition towards a high-end, intelligent, and green coal industry.
China Huaneng Group has partnered with XCMG, Huawei, and State Grid Smart Internet of Vehicles on a joint innovation project to develop the world’s first zero-carbon, autonomous, and intelligent open-pit mine transportation system.
The machines will reportedly operate across three shifts per day, achieving 20% higher efficiency than traditional diesel-powered, manned vehicles.
Battery swaps also take just six minutes and the project is expected to save over 15,000 tonnes of diesel and reduce CO₂ emissions by around 48,000 tonnes annually.
by Grace Dawes | May 15, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Tech & Data |
Chinese tech giant Baidu has entered into talks to launch its autonomous taxi service in Switzerland and Turkey.
Its autonomous vehicle division has been holding discussions with Swiss bus service provider PostAuto to potentially launch its robotaxi service app, Apollo Go.
The Beijing-based company intends to begin testing in Switzerland by the end of the year, as well as plans to launch its app in Turkey.
Baidu currently operates across 10 cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and Wuhan. The company recently announced plans to launch its robotaxis in the Middle East.
As competition is rises from other Chinese autonomous vehicle giants like Pony.ai and WeRide, Baidu is making bold efforts to break into the European market.
Pony.ai currently operates in China and the United States (U.S.), whilst WeRide holds driverless permits in China, the UAE, Singapore, France, and the U.S.
Baidu’s CEO, Robin Li, has reportedly told investors that 2025 would be “a paramount year” as the company’s Q1 results loom.
by Grace Dawes | May 8, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Tech & Data |
Unites States (U.S.) delivery giant DoorDash is set to acquire UK delivery platform Deliveroo as part of a £2.9 billion deal.
The respective companies reached an agreement on the acquisition on Tuesday, which could see the combined companies reach a global presence in over 40 countries with approximately 50 million monthly active users.
Tony Xu, CEO and Co-founder of DoorDash, said:
“Coming together with teams that have similar visions and values accelerates our work to achieve that mission. Deliveroo is just such a team and one that I have long admired. Like DoorDash, Deliveroo is obsessively focused on their customers – consumers, merchants, and riders.”
The Amazon-backed UK delivery brand has partnered with approximately 176,000 local businesses and has added new categories such as grocery and retail, reaching approximately 7 million monthly active consumers.
Claudia Arney, Chair of Deliveroo, said:
“Following careful consideration, the Deliveroo Independent Committee has unanimously decided to recommend this offer, considering it to be in the interests of all our shareholders and wider stakeholders.”
Deliveroo operates in nine countries, all of which are new for DoorDash. Bringing together both companies’ existing footprints will enable the Enlarged Group to operate in countries with a combined population exceeding 1 billion people.
DoorDash is offering 180p per Deliveroo share to its stakeholders, despite the company’s initial 390p share price when Deliveroo went public on the London Stock Exchange in April 2021.
by Grace Dawes | May 8, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Pennsylvanian autonomous tech start-up Aurora has launched its commercial self-driving trucks in Texas by completing customer deliveries between Dallas and Houston.
The Uber, Morgan Stanley and BlackRock-backed start-up has now become the first company to operate a commercial self-driving service with heavy-duty trucks on public roads.
Chris Urmson, CEO and Co-Founder of Aurora, said:
“We founded Aurora to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly. Now, we are the first company to successfully and safely operate a commercial driverless trucking service on public roads. Riding in the back seat for our inaugural trip was an honor of a lifetime – the Aurora Driver performed perfectly and it’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The company stated plans to expand its service to El Paso, Texas and Phoenix, Arizona this year in a press release.
Trucking is a trillion dollar industry in the U.S. but it faces challenges, including an aging driver population with high turnover rates and increasing operating costs.
Lior Ron, Founder and CEO of Uber Freight, said:
“When Uber Freight and Aurora came together more than four years ago, we set out to transform the future of logistics…Moving autonomous commercial freight without anyone behind the wheel is a historic step forward in our mission to build a smarter and more efficient supply chain.”
Most U.S. states today allow for driverless vehicles, including Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.
Aurora’s launch trucks are equipped with the Aurora Driver hardware kit and numerous redundant systems including braking, steering, power, sensing, controls, computing, cooling, and communication, enabling them to operate without a human driver.
The start-up has boasted working with industry leaders such as Continental, FedEx, Hirschbach, NVIDIA, PACCAR, Ryder, Schneider, Toyota, Uber, Uber Freight, Volvo Trucks, Volvo Autonomous Solutions, and Werner, who it may look to to scale its operations.
by Grace Dawes | Apr 29, 2025 | Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Auckland Transport (AT) has launched a new fleet of 44 electric buses, including 25 double-deckers that will run every 10 minutes AT’s WX1 Western Express frequent service.
Over the coming months the new electric buses are set to replace Auckland’s diesel buses that are currently in operation.
AT’s Infrastructure and Fleet Specification Manager, Edward Wright, said:
“One of our key targets is that by 2030, we want all buses coming into the city centre to be electric…We’re adding another 31 electric buses to our fleet by the end of June. By August next year, we will have a fleet of 450 electric buses, which is around a third of the 1350 buses that operates AT’s services. Longer term, we have plans in place for Auckland’s bus fleet to be fully electric by 2035.”
With the Government’s announcement last week that it will fund a new dedicated busway and stations between Westgate and into the central city, the future of public transport is suddenly looking much brighter for west Auckland communities.
The new buses are operated by Tranzit’s Tranzurban Division, and General Manager Catherine Jones says they are a win-win for west Aucklanders, and the environment.
“Electric buses will contribute to net neutral carbon emission on transport services, so having this eye-catching fleet on the road in west Auckland supports AT’s environmental goals,” said Jones.
by Grace Dawes | Apr 24, 2025 | Energy & Charging, Fleets, Popular, Tech & Data |
Electric fleet charging solutions company Terawatt Infrastructure has opened its first medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Rancho Dominguez, California.
Located 12 miles north of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the charging hub is available for charging electric truck fleets travelling in and out of the largest container ports in the United States.
First customers include Dreaded Trucking, Hight Logistics, PepsiCo, Quick Container Drayage, Southern Counties Express, Tradelink Transport, and WestCoast Trucking & Warehousing.
The site operates a total of 20 pull-through and bobtail DC fast charging stalls and boast a capacity of 7MW – enabling charging for up to 125 trucks per day.
Neha Palmer, CEO and Cofounder of Terawatt, said:
“With the launch of other sites in the Terawatt network – including our upcoming Rialto, CA site in June – fleets can create ‘electric lanes’ between the ports and the Inland Empire, enabling top-up charging that increases fleets’ use of EV assets and drives a better total cost of ownership.”
Terawatt has scaled fleet EV charging sites for a range of vehicles, including electric vans, box trucks, daycabs, and school buses, in addition to launching full-build light-duty fleet sites in Inglewood and San Francisco,
by Grace Dawes | Apr 22, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Last year Californian autonomous driving company Waymo partnered with Japanese taxi platform GO, and Nihon Kotsu, Tokyo’s largest taxi company.
The partnership was formed to introduce Waymo’s autonomous vehicles to Japan. Since then, Waymo conducted training sessions with Nihon Kotsu and GO teams, focusing on best practices for autonomous fleet operations management.
Soon Nihon Kotsu drivers will begin manually driving Waymo’s vehicles in Tokyo, across several wards of Japan’s capital city including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō.
Nicole Gavel, Senior Director, Head of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships, Waymo, said:
“After months of strong collaboration with Nihon Kotsu and GO, Waymo has reached a historic milestone— our first venture on international public roads.”
During these drives in the Japanese capital, the cars will collect data to create 3D maps of the city and gather experience from professional drivers to inform the development of Waymo’s technology for Japan.
Ichiro Kawanabe, Chairman of GO, Board Director of Nihon Kotsu and Chairman of the Japan Taxi Association, said:
“I took my first ride with Waymo in Phoenix a year and a half ago and was amazed that there was really no one in the driver’s seat. That was the moment I was convinced that autonomous driving technology could absolutely benefit Japan.”
by Grace Dawes | Apr 16, 2025 | Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
American ride-hailing company Lyft announced it has purchased a European taxi app in a €175 million deal.
The acquired company, named FREENOW, was purchased from BMW Group and Mercedes-Benz Mobility.
This marks Lyft’s largest expansion outside North America, with the new app opening-up the European taxi market to the American company.
David Risher, CEO of Lyft, said:
“We’re on an ambitious path to build the best, most customer-obsessed mobility platform in the world, and entering Europe is an important step in our growth journey. We found the perfect partner in FREENOW and can learn a lot from the team.”
In Europe the taxi aggregation business is strong and growing, with FREENOW already operating in several major European cities, including Dublin, London, Athens, Berlin, Barcelona, Madrid, and Hamburg, with luxury vehicles making up a significant portion of its fleet.
FREENOW’s CEO, Thomas Zimmermann, said:
“Joining forces with Lyft is a powerful step forward for FREENOW and marks the beginning of an ambitious new phase—one where we strengthen our role as a leading force in European mobility. Lyft’s strong, customer-first track record aligns perfectly with our deep roots in the taxi industry, and together we will push boundaries and raise expectations for fleet owners, taxi drivers, and riders across the continent.”
by Grace Dawes | Apr 1, 2025 | Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Photo: Daimler
Daimler Trucks bus subsidiary Daimler Buses has just announced the acquisition of a 49% stake in software company Sinos.
The German-based software company Sinos specialises in software solutions for the operation of electrified city bus fleets and offers intelligent charging management systems.
This could allow Daimler’s e-buses to be charged when the load on the power grid is low, and electricity is inexpensive.
CEO Daimler Buses, Till Oberwörder, said:
“With our stake, we want to make use of Sinos’ expertise and innovative strength to develop charging management software that is even better tailored to our e-buses.”
Daimler Buses has been working with Sinos since 2022 and offers its customers the software as part of the electrification of their fleets and depots.
More than 20 transport companies in Europe have already successfully implemented Sinos solutions in their fleet in collaboration with Daimler Buses.
Founded in 2023, the wholly-owned subsidiary Daimler Buses has developed the fully battery-electric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city bus which has been in series production since 2018.
The vehicle has also been available with a hydrogen-based fuel cell as a range extender since 2023.
Daimler Buses aims to use these to offer battery or hydrogen-based CO2-free models for local applications in each segment by 2030.
by Grace Dawes | Mar 24, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Photo: SCALE
An autonomous shuttle bus service project has launched in Birmingham carrying passengers from Birmingham International station to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Birmingham Business Park.
The Solihull and Coventry Automated Links Evolution (SCALE) project will see a fleet of three self-driving shuttles ferry passengers along a new 7km route linking passengers from Birmingham International rail station to the NEC and Birmingham Business Park. View the full route here.
The accessible fully-electric shuttles being used for this latest trial have been built by New Zealand based autonomous vehicle manufacturer Ohmio and can carry up to 14 passengers.
They use cameras and sensors to understand their surroundings, allowing them to interact with live traffic and move around safely. In line with current legislation, the shuttles will have a human operator permanently onboard, who will have the ability to take control if required.
Each journey will also be tracked in real time from Transport for West Midlands’ (TfWM) control centre on Summer Lane.
The pioneering project is being delivered by a consortium led by Solihull Council, including both the University of Warwick and Coventry University, TfWM, the NEC, Coventry City Council, and automated vehicle simulation specialists IPG and dRISK.
On site testing is began earlier this year and passenger trials along the first section of the route are now taking place. The pilot project is currently scheduled to run until the end of June 2025.
The first phase of the route, linking bp pulse LIVE Arena to the VIP & blue badge parking area is now in operation.
by Grace Dawes | Mar 19, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Swedish-founded micromobility company Voi is expanding its fleet with the launch of three new vehicles: two e-bikes and an e-scooter.
The new models – the Voiager 8 (e-scooter), Explorer 4 (e-bike), and Explorer Light 1 (new light e-bike) – increases Voi’s total fleet size by 40% to meet the growing demand for micromobility services by both riders and cities.
Fredrik Hjelm, CEO and co-founder of Voi, said:
“More and more cities across Europe are envisioning both shared e-scooters and e-bikes as key elements in their mobility offering and view micromobility as an extension of their public transit system. This expansion supports our mission to offer more choices for riders, whether they prefer the agility of an e-scooter or the comfort and range of an e-bike.”
The models reportedly have enhanced positioning and parking accuracy as well as handling, balance, and responsiveness improvements to create an effortless experience.
The new e-scooter also lasts longer in-between charges with 54% lower power consumption, minimising energy use and operational impact.
Voi is also expanding into several new cities in 2025, such as Le Havre, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, and Mannheim, as well as introducing e-bikes in London and Cambridge.
by Grace Dawes | Mar 19, 2025 | Autos, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Volvo’s bus subsidiary has launched a new electric model in Mexico, releasing the first electric articulated bus manufactured in the country.
The new model – the Volvo 7800 Electric – is built on Volvo Buses’ global electromobility Volvo BZR platform and evolve the Bus Rapid Transit systems in Mexico.
Rafael Kisel, President Volvo Group Mexico, said:
“We are accelerating the transformation to sustainable and efficient transport solutions to further improve the public transport system in Mexican cities. This will not only have a positive effect for the operators and the passengers, but it will also improve the quality of life for citizens in cities.”
The vehicles can carry up to 300 passengers and the articulated model can carry up to 191 passengers. Both models have a charging capacity of 250 kWh.
Additionally, the model will be equipped with Volvo Buses’ latest active safety systems, improving safety for vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists.
Both the bi-articulated and the articulated models will be manufactured in Volvo Buses plant in Mexico and the first buses are expected to be delivered during 2026.
by Grace Dawes | Mar 13, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities, Tech & Data |
Chinese autonomous vehicle company Pony AI has announced it will be rapidly accelerating the size of its robotaxi fleet this year with profits estimated by 2029, according to WSJ.
The Silicon Valley-founded company holds a current robotaxi fleet of just 250 vehicles and 190 robotrucks. However, CEO Dr. James Peng told WSJ that he hopes to launch more than 1,000 robotaxis by the end of the year and have more than 10,000 of them on the road by 2028.
This would require a significant ramping-up in the company’s robotaxi production. Pony AI’s self-driving vehicles currently operate in both the Unites States and China, including four of China’s tier-one cities: Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenzhen.
The company went public in November last year, listing on Nasdaq with shares priced at $13 each.
Since launching in 2016 Pony AI has received a total funding of $1.19 billion in investment from the likes of Toyota, BAIC, NEOM, IDG Capital and more. Its largest funding round totalled $462 million with investments from Toyota and FAW Group.
The company’s 2024 end-of-year financial report is set to be announced on March 25, containing a financial evaluation of 2024, plus production and revenue predictions for this year.
Peng stated last year his ambitions to expand robotaxi operations in Europe at MOVE 2024. He said:
“Europe is a great market but the challenge here is too many countries and too many different types of regulations, our first step into Europe is in Luxembourg.”
by Grace Dawes | Mar 7, 2025 | Autos, Business, Fleets, Popular |
California-based electric vehicle (EV) maker Rivian has delivered an all-electric ice cream truck to American ice cream giant Ben & Jerry’s.
The electric truck was specially-made for the Vermont ice cream maker, and based on Rivian’s Commercial Van.
Brian Gase, Senior Director of Prototype Development at Rivian, said:
“Collaborating with the Ben & Jerry’s team to build the next generation of electric scoop trucks has been an incredible experience. It’s one of those projects that just makes the team smile.”
Fans will have a chance to check out the new scoop trucks when one debuts at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas this week.
The electric scoop trucks will be hitting the road in two weeks, bringing ice cream to the Rivian community across the country and will pop up at events in Ben & Jerry’s home state of Vermont.
Rivian’s recent announcement launching the Rivian Commercial Van to businesses across the U.S. helped to form the basis of this custom-made truck.
Part of Ben & Jerry’s mission is to use its operations to have a positive impact on its community and the planet.
With an impressive range of 161 miles, the Rivian Commercial Vans will allow for more ice cream than ever to Ben & Jerry’s and Rivian’s collective fans.
by Grace Dawes | Mar 5, 2025 | Business, Fleets, Popular, Smart Cities |
Ride-hailing platform leader Bolt has partnered with micro-mobility operator Forest to improve e-bike hire access in London.
From next week, UK start-up Forest will be renting out its e-bikes via Bolt’s app, enabling access to 15,000 more e-bikes in the English capital.
London currently has one of the largest e-bike rental markets in the world, with around 50,000 e-bikes available to rent, according to Smart Cities World.
The only companies currently operating e-bikes in the capital city are reportedly Forest and Lime, cumulating a combined total of 30 million rides in 2024 between the two.
Agustin Guilisasti, CEO and founder of Forest, said:
“Forest’s priority has always been to lower barriers to make cycling as accessible as possible. This is another powerful example of how mobility players can join forces to simplify how we travel, and boost the number of trips made by bike for the benefit of our communities and the environment.”
The partnership between the two companies, will enable millions of customers with access to Forest’s shared e-bikes.
The micro-mobility start-up’s parent company, HumanForest, recently announced a £17 million funding round which included investments from Güil Mobility Ventures, Fen Ventures and multiple Cabify executives.
