News

SolarEdge, a leading provider of smart energy solutions, has entered into a strategic partnership with Schaeffler, a prominent automotive and industrial supplier, to roll out EV charging hardware and software across company sites. The initiative aims to install 2,300 charging points by 2030, starting with Schaeffler’s global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Under the agreement, SolarEdge Technologies will support the deployment of EV charging infrastructure throughout Schaeffler’s European operations.

ZF is introducing the next generation of this intelligent chassis technology, just months after the launch of its Smart Chassis Sensor. The latest version now includes an integrated accelerometer in its advanced configuration, enabling direct data collection from within the ball joint. In addition to measuring wheel height, the enhanced sensor can now capture three-dimensional acceleration data. ZF is rolling out a significant update to its Chassis 2.0 strategy - an approach that integrates smart components, by-wire systems, and digital platforms to support more connected and efficient mobility.

Equity investor T2Y Capital announced last week that it will become the second-largest shareholder in Romanian lithium energy storage firm Prime Batteries Energy Holding. The newly established T2Y Capital plans to support the Bucharest-based company’s global growth ambitions by providing expansion capital and strategic guidance.

As part of the deal, T2Y will join Prime’s board of directors. The partnership aims to scale Prime’s production capacity from the current 300 MWh to over 8 GWh by 2030.

The energy price index eased by 0.6% in July, driven by a 6% decline in European natural gas prices.

The non-energy price index dipped by 0.4%.

Food prices rose by 0.9%, beverages fell by 10.8%, and raw materials remained broadly unchanged.

The first half of 2025 was a difficult period for the EU commercial vehicle market, with substantial registration declines across key countries, compounding an already strained economic environment. Although the share of electrically chargeable vehicles increased, the pace of growth remains insufficient, as widespread adoption continues to be hampered by a lack of critical supporting infrastructure and conditions.

Motion plastics specialist igus has introduced its first humanoid robot, Iggy Rob, designed to assist with industrial production, service operations, and transportation tasks. Priced competitively at approximately $54,500, Iggy Rob offers an accessible entry point into humanoid robotics for businesses looking to automate their workflows without the high costs typically associated with such systems. The debut of Iggy Rob comes as projections suggest up to 20 million humanoid robots could be in industrial use by 2030. 

Helsing, a leading defence technology company based in Europe, has announced the successful close of a €600 million Series D funding round. Founded in 2021, Helsing is at the forefront of integrating advanced AI technology into modern defence systems. The company specializes in AI-powered software that processes vast amounts of sensor and weapons system data to support real-time military decision-making. In 2024, Helsing also expanded into hardware, launching its own military drone line, the HX-2.

BASF Coatings and Toyota Motor Europe have entered into an agreement to jointly develop the Toyota Body & Paint program across Europe, laying the groundwork for a long-term strategic partnership focused on the Toyota and Lexus brands. This collaboration leverages BASF’s premium automotive refinish solutions, offered under the Glasurit and R-M brands, to serve the European market. 

4screen, the pioneering driver interaction platform, has closed a $21 million Series B funding round to accelerate its global growth. Already integrated with many top automotive brands and accessible in millions of connected vehicles, 4screen aims to unlock a major opportunity in mobility: in-car screen advertising. This latest investment will support the company’s international expansion and diversification into new product categories.

On Tuesday, Romania’s National Energy Regulatory Authority (ANRE) approved the establishment of upstream supply pipelines for the Neptun Deep strategic natural gas project, according to a press release issued by the institution. The authorization covers critical infrastructure linking the offshore production area in the Black Sea to the onshore terminal located in Tuzla commune, Constanța County. This approval marks a key milestone in the development and exploitation of Romania’s most significant natural gas discovery in recent decades.

Hyundai Motor Company has finalized development of the IONIQ 9-based Seed Ball Drone Station, designed to aid forest restoration efforts in Korea. This initiative follows the 2023 debut of the IONIQ 5 Monitoring Drone Station. The new project will launch in Uljin, a region on Korea’s East Coast that experienced extensive wildfire damage in 2022. The IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station, based on Hyundai’s flagship electric SUV, was developed in partnership with Guru E&T, a startup specializing in reforestation technology. The vehicle is purpose-built for forest restoration, supporting activities such as tree planting and environmental monitoring.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), in partnership with the national automotive associations of Czechia, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia, has launched the ACEA Central and Eastern European Automotive Hub (“the Hub”). This new initiative enhances collaboration between ACEA and national industry bodies to more effectively represent the interests of the Central and Eastern European automotive sector in EU policymaking.

The European Commission has selected six projects dedicated to electric vehicle battery cell production to receive a combined €852 million in funding from the EU’s Innovation Fund. Financed through proceeds from the EU Emissions Trading System, this initiative aims to scale up battery manufacturing in Europe, support decarbonization, and strengthen the regional industry.

Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) continues to enhance comfort and user experience in its vehicles. As part of its latest upgrade, the company has integrated Google Places into its navigation systems. This new feature is available in all vehicles equipped with the ccNC infotainment system and the latest software update. 

Hyundai and Google have steadily strengthened their partnership in recent years, working together to deliver cutting-edge navigation and infotainment solutions. 

Backed by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), eleven leading automotive companies have agreed to collaborate on open-source software development in a pre-competitive space. This agreement was formalized at the end of June with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during the Automotive Electronics Congress in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The signatories include BMW Group, Robert Bosch, Continental, ETAS, Forvia’s Hella, Mercedes-Benz Group, Qorix, Valeo, Vector Informatik, Volkswagen Group, and ZF Friedrichshafen.