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Stellantis Experiments with EV Tech in Peugeot E-3008

Stellantis is pushing the boundaries of electric vehicle technology with a prototype Peugeot E-3008 that carries something quite different under its skin. In partnership with Saft, the battery subsidiary of TotalEnergies, the carmaker has fitted the SUV with a new system called IBIS, which is now undergoing proper road testing.

IBIS has been in the works for years, developed with support from French research institutions as well as engineering firms like E2-CAD and Sherpa Engineering. Back in 2022, the technology had its first outing in a stationary demonstrator, where it proved its technical viability and generated several patents.

Moving it into a fully operational car is seen as the next logical step in bringing the idea closer to production reality.

The clever bit about IBIS lies in how it simplifies the electric powertrain. Rather than using separate modules for the inverter and charger, these functions are integrated directly into the battery pack itself. By doing so, the battery can deliver power not only to the motor but also to the grid or to the car’s 12-volt and auxiliary systems, without relying on additional hardware.

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China Drafts National Standard for Car Door Handle Safety

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) is drafting the country’s first mandatory standard for automobile door handles. The proposed regulation, Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles, is open for public feedback and aims to address safety concerns linked to the growing use of concealed electric handles in modern vehicles.

With the rise of EVs, door handle designs have become more complex, often prioritising style and aerodynamics over ease of use. This has raised concerns about usability in emergencies, particularly when electrical systems fail. The new standard sets out requirements for handle design, placement, and performance to ensure that doors remain operable in all situations.

As reported by Autohome, development began in 2024 under MIIT’s guidance, with the National Technical Committee for Automotive Standardisation leading the process. Experts from more than 100 automakers, suppliers, and testing agencies were involved, examining over 230 vehicle models and carrying out extensive ergonomic research. Tests on more than 20 vehicles helped validate the requirements.

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McLaren Eyes Expansion Under New Ownership – And Hints At More Than Supercars

McLaren may have recently unveiled the Artura sports car and the track-focused W1 hypercar, but questions still linger about what the future holds for the legendary British brand. The company has just undergone a major shift in ownership, having been taken over by CYVN Holdings, an investment arm of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, and merged with UK-based EV startup Forseven.

What this means for McLaren long-term is still uncertain, but some clues have started to emerge. Speaking to Car Magazine in the UK, new CEO Nick Collins outlined parts of the plan, and it looks as though McLaren is preparing to stretch beyond its traditional playground of lightweight, two-seat supercars.

Collins stopped short of confirming whether an SUV is on the way, something McLaren has teased before, but he did reveal that the brand will move into what he called “adjacent segments.” Crucially, he confirmed a future model will arrive with more than two seats, which would mark a significant departure from McLaren’s history of strictly sticking to the supercar formula.

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XPENG Expands Charging Network in Southeast Asia with Charge Plus Partnership

XPENG has announced a major step forward in its charging infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. The company’s partnership with Charge Plus will give XPENG drivers access to over 3,800 charging piles in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as stations spanning 5,000km of highways that connect five countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

This marks the first time a Chinese emerging EV brand has collaborated with Charge Plus in Southeast Asia.

Through this cooperation, XPENG vehicles such as the G6, G9, and X9—all of which use an 800V fast-charging platform—will have expanded coverage along key routes, including the entire north-south expressway network in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. In Singapore, the network includes the country’s largest public charging system, which holds more than 30% of the market.

The first XPENG and Charge Plus co-branded charging stations are already operational in major cities across Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. XPENG owners using these stations will receive exclusive benefits, including charging discounts by the end of 2025. Real-time station information will also be integrated into XPENG’s in-car displays, allowing drivers to check availability and navigate to stations directly.

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Toyota Australia May Look to China for More EVs

Toyota Australia is thinking about bringing in more electric cars from China as it looks to grow its EV line-up.

Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s Sales and Marketing boss, said the company is watching what its partners in China are making. He explained that Toyota already has strong ties with factories there and sees no issue with selling Chinese-built cars in Australia, as long as they meet Toyota’s standards.

Right now, Toyota only has one electric car worldwide – the bZ4X SUV. An updated version will arrive later this year, and a Touring version with more space is coming in 2025.

In China, Toyota already sells more EVs, such as the bZ3 sedan, bZ5 SUV coupe, and bigger models like the bZ7 and bZ3X SUV. These are built with local partners FAW and GAC.

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Australia Kicks Off Vehicle-to-Grid Trials with Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr EVs

Australia’s two biggest electricity providers, Origin Energy and AGL, have both announced fresh trials of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology – a system that lets certain electric vehicles feed power back into the grid.

AGL’s programme is the bigger of the two, opening this week for expressions of interest from owners of select Hyundai, Kia, BYD and Zeekr models. The trial will run for 12 months and, unlike earlier small-scale tests, covers customers under all major National Electricity Market (NEM) distribution networks in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

Importantly, AGL has confirmed it is working directly with the carmakers to ensure that participation won’t affect the vehicle’s battery warranty.

Origin’s approach is a little different. According to Drive, instead of asking existing EV owners to join, the company is offering a subscription package tied to the BYD Atto 3. For under AUD800 (RM2,222) a month after tax savings, customers will get the car on a novated lease along with a StarCharge V2G Halo bi-directional wallbox.