Europe is moving at two speeds on EV adoption

2020 Porsche Taycan 4SElectric-car sales are surging in Europe, but only in richer countries, recent analyses have shown. The coronavirus pandemic has greatly slowed sales of gasoline and diesel cars, but it hasn't had the same effect on electric cars, according to a Politico report. Data from the ACEA industry lobbying group showed overall car sales in Europe dropping...

Former Smart plant was headed all-electric, now might make diesel SUVs

Daimler Hambach factoryHere's a textbook case of taking two steps forward, and one step back. The former Smart factory in Hambach, France, became all-electric when the brand dropped its gasoline models, and was initially planned to continue making electric cars for fellow Daimler division Mercedes-Benz. Instead, the factory may build gasoline and diesel SUVs. That's...

France is making EVs and plug-in hybrids the basis for $9 billion program

2017 Renault ZoeThe French government is putting together an 8 billion euro ($8.8 billion) bailout package to help the auto industry recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and electric cars will be an important part of it. The aid package, as reported by Automotive News Europe, includes more generous incentives for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, as well as a...

Germany on track to become biggest electric vehicle market in Europe

Volkswagen Transparent Factory in Dresden, GermanyUp until the past year, Norway was seen as a fringe case for electric-vehicle adoption, a nation in which widespread incentives had led to a situation in which there are more electric-car owners and drivers, per capita, than anywhere else in the world. By the sheer number, Norway, which we’ve noted is about the size of Los Angeles County in...

Tesla picks Berlin for European Gigafactory

Tesla CEO Elon Musk introducing Model YTesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed Tuesday night that the company would be building its so-called “Gigafactory 4” in Berlin, Germany. Musk had already been in Germany to accept a Golden Steering Wheel, an award made by Auto-Bild group publisher Axel Springer, for the Tesla Model 3. "Everyone knows that German engineering is outstanding and...