Charging & Infrastructure

United States – September 29, 2026 -- Lucid Motors has begun rolling out Air UX 3.0, a redesigned infotainment experience arriving via over-the-air update as part of Software Version 2.11.0, starting September 29, 2026.

The update reaches all eligible Lucid Air vehicles automatically. Owners of model year 2022, 2023, and some 2024 Air vehicles will need a hardware upgrade to access the new software, with the infotainment processor upgrade priced at $950 in the United States, including installation and excluding taxes. Pricing for other markets is not yet available, and owners can contact Lucid Customer Care to check eligibility.

Santa Monica, Calif. – September 23, 2026 -- Autonomy has added the Volkswagen ID.4 electric vehicle to its subscription app, with the model available immediately to customers in California.

Volkswagen becomes the latest brand added to Autonomy's growing subscription fleet

The company says more Volkswagen models will follow in additional markets as it responds to customer demand for greater vehicle choice. The ID.4 joins an existing lineup of electric vehicles on the platform, including the Tesla Model 3, Ford Mustang Mach-E, BMW i4, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Chevrolet Equinox EV. Autonomy has also recently added gas-powered models such as the Ford Mustang, Ranger, F-150, Bronco Sport, Escape and Explorer.

San Ramon – September 23, 2026 -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and GM Energy have launched the Smart Charge Bundle, a program giving new Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac EV buyers a free home charger and a $15 monthly credit on their PG&E bill.

The offer is available at participating dealerships across Northern and Central California at the point of sale when customers purchase or lease a new EV.

Customers get a home charger worth up to $1,999 at no extra cost

Buyers can choose between a GM Energy PowerUp 2 charger, which delivers standard Level 2 home charging, or a PowerShift Charger, which supports bidirectional charging -- allowing energy to flow from the vehicle back into the home during a power outage when paired with compatible GM Energy equipment.

Turin, Italy – September 16, 2026 -- GAC's AION UT electric SUV has won Best Exterior Design at the 2026 Torino Automotive Design Award, presented during Salone Auto Torino 2026.

Jury praises clean lines over flashy styling

The TADA jury cited the AION UT's "clean, cohesive design and distinctive personality," pointing to its balanced proportions, smooth surfaces and a spacious cabin as evidence of overall design quality without relying on excessive decoration.

Milan design team aimed for a look that won't date

The AION UT was designed by GAC's European design team in Milan. Stéphane Janin, head of GAC's Milan Design Studio, said the goal was a design that wouldn't quickly go out of fashion, achieved by stripping away decorative effects while avoiding a result that feels too cold.

Amsterdam – September 12, 2026 -- Euro NCAP awarded the AION UT electric hatchback a five-star safety rating on September 2, covering all left- and right-hand-drive variants and configurations.

New four-stage protocol shapes the 2026 score

Euro NCAP's revised 2026 testing framework evaluates vehicles across four stages: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection, and post-crash safety. The AION UT scored 66% in safe driving, 74% in crash avoidance, 91% in crash protection, and 88% in post-crash safety, earning its overall five-star rating.

Amsterdam – September 12, 2026 -- The AION UT electric hatchback sedan has received a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP under its revised 2026 testing protocol, with the score published on September 2 applying to both left-hand and right-hand drive versions of the car.

Euro NCAP now tests four separate safety stages

The 2026 protocol breaks vehicle safety into four categories: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection, and post-crash safety. Each stage evaluates a different phase, from how a car assists a driver before a collision to how it protects occupants during impact and supports rescue operations afterward.

The AION UT scored 66% for safe driving, 74% for crash avoidance, 91% for crash protection, and 88% for post-crash safety, with the overall five-star rating reflecting combined performance across all four areas.

Hangzhou – September 10, 2026 -- Hoymiles has launched a 22 kW DC V2X charger designed to plug into its HiOne All-in-One battery energy storage system, letting homeowners link solar panels, home batteries, electric vehicles and the grid into a single controllable energy setup.

The charger turns parked EVs into backup power sources

The V2X charger supports bidirectional charging, meaning a connected EV can supply power back into the house through Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) mode during outages. It also enables Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) participation, letting households shave peak demand and take part in virtual power plant programs. An integrated EU MID-certified meter tracks electricity flow for accurate monitoring.