Europe

Volvo Cars announced plans to leave the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) by the end of 2022, citing differences between the long-standing lobby’s zero-emission strategy and its own.

During EVS35 in Olso, Vietnamese EV automaker VinFast outlined its plans for expansion overseas, alongside the European debut of its VF 8 and VF 9 EVs. During the presentation, VinFast shared intentions to open at least 50 stores spread throughout Europe in countries including Germany, France, and the Netherlands to start. Additionally, VinFast shared new sales policies exclusive to those European markets.

The EU plans to transition to renewables more than twice as fast as Japan by 2030, according to new analysis released by global energy think tank Ember ahead of the G7 environment, climate, and energy ministers meeting, which kicks off today in Berlin. The ministers will decide whether and how G7 countries will commit to clean power by 2035. 

Four EU countries – Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands – jointly announced yesterday that they have set an offshore wind target of at least 65 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and then intend to more than double that combined total to 150 GW by 2050.

For perspective, according to the Global Wind Energy Council, as of September 2021, there were 35.3 GW of global offshore wind capacity.

Following the opening of reservations in four European markets last month, XPeng Motors has shared what pricing EU customers can expect to see after they put a deposit down on a new P5. Three of the four EU countries XPeng now calls home are accepting deposits on P5 reservations, with Norway to follow later this spring.

Chinese EV automaker BYD announced it has found an unlikely partner in Shell to expand and promote a good deal of energy and charging technologies together throughout Europe and China. This includes EV charging network services, integrated home energy solutions, electric vehicle service centers, and more.

Hankook is the latest tire company debuting its own line of EV-specific tires – more specifically, tires for premium EVs. Hankook Tire’s new iON family will debut later this year and will include both winter and summer options for Europe, as well as an all-season EV tire for North America.

American automaker Ford Motor Company, has outlined plans to expedite its push for EVs in Europe, promising nine all-electric models by 2024, seven of which are new to a lineup that already includes the Mustang Mach-E followed by the E-Transit next quarter. Vehicles from commercial unit Ford Pro, and the recently announced Ford e, combine to further expand Ford EV adoption in Europe.

Chinese EV automaker, XPeng Motors, is expanding its presence in the EU by opening reservations of its P5 smart EV to four countries – Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The P5 is the third production model to arrive from XPeng, and its reservations are joined by news of an “Experience Store” which just opened in the Netherlands – the automaker’s second showroom in Europe.

Environmentalist, author, and journalist Bill McKibben wrote about an innovative idea that would help curb Europe’s dependency on Russian fossil fuels, and the Biden administration might actually implement the plan.

Ahead of an opening of orders on March 1, the 2022 Nissan LEAF will arrive in the UK and Europe with a refreshed exterior look. The 2022 models will include new alloy wheels, Nissan brand badges, and new exterior color choices. However, not much else has changed compared to previous model year LEAFs, including the decision to stick with the lame duck CHAdeMO charging port.

American EV automaker Fisker Inc. announced its flagship Ocean SUV will make its official debut in Europe at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The annual trade show will take place from February 28 to March 3, and will give visitors a first chance to see the Fisker Ocean up close in Europe, ahead of production this fall.

The European Commission wants to label some natural gas and nuclear power plants as sustainable, calling them “transitional” sources of energy in rules proposed yesterday. But that label comes with strings attached, and many, from environmental groups to countries, call the proposal a greenwash.

It may sound foreign to Americans, but being paid to cycle to work on a pedal bicycle or electric bike is common in many countries.

Czech auto manufacturer Škoda has expanded its all-electric vehicle offerings by introducing a new Enyaq Coupé iV for Europe. The new EV was unveiled alongside a sportier Rally Sport version and can come in two different battery sizes as well as rear- or all-wheel drive.

As EV adoption continues to grow around the world, Europe in particular appears to be moving at a quicker pace. With automakers vowing to go all electric as a result of laws to eventually eliminate the sale of combustion vehicles, countries overseas are well on their way to fully embracing zero-emissions vehicles. A new study used historical date to predict where European countries will stand in 2035, based on new EV registrations.

Chinese eVTOL developer AutoFlight is showcasing its global expansion by officially entering Europe. The company has set up shop at Augsburg Airport in Germany, as it now seeks to to achieve certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its “Prosperity I” eVTOL taxi. The certification program will begin this year and is expected to be completed by 2025.

French automaker Renault has joined the all-electric party in Europe, as its CEO recently shared news that the brand would become 100% electric by 2030. While the announcement is welcomed progress, its timing also correlates with current climate proposals in the UK and EU that will limit ICE by 2030, and require 100% EV sales by 2035. Conversely, another Renault exec has openly spoken out against the ICE ban.

Efforts by automakers and legislators overseas appear to be paying off, as a new study found that consumers’ transition to all-electric vehicles in the EU and UK is “inevitable.” Due to commitments from automakers, tighter regulations on CO2 emissions, and a decline in overall costs of EVs, sales across Europe are expected to surpass those of ICE vehicles in the next three years.

Geely-owned EV sub-brand ZEEKR continues its ambitious entry into electrified markets by sharing ambitious delivery goals for China this year. Furthermore, ZEEKR now plans to enter the EU market next year, joining previously announced plans to enter North America as well.

If you asked a Hyundai executive to describe their relationship status with hydrogen these days, they’d probably tell you, “it’s complicated”. Indeed, the news regarding the Korean carmaker’s various hydrogen programs seems – well, if not contradictory, at least confusing – with the company’s announcement that its hydrogen fuel-cell (HFC) powered Nexo crossover had broken some key, extreme-weather endurance records in Europe arriving almost lock-step with news that Hyundai had paused development of its HFC Genesis.

What the “H” is really going on at Hyundai, and what does the EU have to do with its future hydrogen plans? Read on.