Electromobility (e-mobility)

(dpa) Charging instead of fueling: Electric cars are becoming more popular. Worldwide, new registrations even hit a record - despite stagnation in the largest market China.

Two electric motors, up to 285 hp and room for large travel groups: With the E-Tourneo Custom AWD, Ford makes its electric large-capacity van fit for snow, inclines and commercial passenger transport. We were on a test drive in the Salzburg region.

The Hyundai Staria has attracted attention since its premiere, particularly due to its striking design. The new electric version in particular is likely to be an ideal choice for shuttle services and large families, because the Staria is swift on the road, charges quickly, and offers abundant comfort for fellow travelers.

68 percent of electric car drivers support a general speed limit on German motorways. Among internal-combustion engine drivers, approval is lower. An ACV survey also shows differences between women and men – and why the personal sense of safety does not necessarily match accident statistics.

Volkswagen wanted to bring MOIA's autonomous ride service to the cities. But high investments, technical delays, and the difficult search for partners put the plan in doubt. While U.S. providers expand their services, Germany risks losing ground in a future technology.

(dpa/jr) For years Elon Musk had promised a rocket car - and the Tesla Roadster now shown can fly a little thanks to cold-gas thrusters. One can't help but wonder: what's the point?

Elon Musk doesn't think much of restraint when it comes to the future of Tesla. For years, he has emphasized that autonomous driving is the key to the success of the electric car manufacturer. Now the controversial e-car pioneer has applied for a ride-hailing license.

The retrofit specialist Adler adds the seven-seat Xpeng X9 to its program. The first Taxi-X9 makes a stop at the taxi trade fair - and then goes to a customer from Munich.

More than one in three new cars in Germany is now fully electric. While Tesla and Chinese manufacturers are making strong gains, many established brands are under pressure. The shift to electromobility is changing the automotive market faster than expected.

The electrification of vehicle fleets is seen as the key to the transport transition. At the Urban Charge Conference in Cologne, however, it became clear: For the taxi and rental car industry, not only new technologies determine success, but above all reliable policy framework conditions and a nationwide charging infrastructure.

The new Lexus ES arrives in 2026 with two faces: as a traditional full hybrid and, for the first time, also as a battery-electric sedan. Both are priced the same; both target company car drivers and taxi operators. But on the road it quickly becomes clear that the Japanese, precisely with the electric drive, have found their more convincing answer to the German business class.

92 countries, almost 100,000 kilometers and not a single technical defect: With a production-spec VW ID. Buzz, the record-setting driver Rainer Zietlow has circumnavigated the world. The tour provides an unusually pragmatic argument in a debate about electric mobility that is often ideologically driven.

The London black cab is entering the next round. The manufacturer LEVC has announced that in 2027 it will bring a completely new taxi model to market. Geely is therefore continuing to rely on LEVC to deliver accessible, purpose-built vehicles for professional passenger transport.

At the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, not only parcel delivery services and trades businesses are in focus. Many of the new vans could soon also operate as accessible and multi-passenger taxis. Faster charging technology, longer ranges, and flexible interior concepts are changing the outlook for electrically powered passenger transport.

For taxi companies that rely on Tesla electric vehicles, the taxi conversion will become easier in the future. The Austrian taximeter manufacturer HALE has presented a technical solution that is intended to speed up installation, reduce costs, and render additional hardware unnecessary.

The electric fastback sedan complements the G6 in the conversion specialist's portfolio. It offers up to 350 kilowatts of charging power, 573 liters of luggage space, and various battery variants.

On a long-distance drive from Eisenach to Lake Eibsee, the electric SUV goes the distance without a charging stop. At the destination, the display shows five percent battery remaining.

Anyone currently driving through Vienna, Graz, or Linz might encounter them: 15 taxis that not only transport passengers but also carry a message. On their bodies they advertise the campaign "No More E-Fears!", with which the Austrian Ministry of Mobility aims to reduce reservations about electric mobility.

The accelerated transition to electric mobility is injecting more activity into the vehicle market of the taxi and rental-car industry. Retrofit specialist Adler is now expanding its existing program with two additional models: alongside the already presented Xpeng G6, the Xpeng P7+ sedan and the G6 SUV in pale ivory will now also be available.

More than 500 kilometres of range, hybrid powertrains and 800-volt technology: The planned vehicles meet the different requirements of taxi and rental-car operators.

Up to 510 kilometers of range, 220 kW charging power, and additional storage space under the front hood: The electric SUV is now also available for taxi and rental car operators.

Toyota announces in a recent press release that it intends to intensify its partnership with Uber. The offering is targeted at central European markets and builds on the high popularity of Toyota models in the European ride-hailing segment, according to the automaker. It's a pity that Toyota's engagement in taxis, however, seems to be waning – so far the Japanese have not booked a stand at this year's taxi trade fair in Cologne!

The SMART/LAB Innovationsgesellschaft mbH (Smartlab) offers BVTM members an exclusive charging card offer. This makes it easier for Smartlab to enter electromobility and at the same time enables access to a Europe-wide charging network.

(dpa) While the real list prices of comparable electric vehicles have fallen significantly since 2020, internal-combustion cars have become more expensive. Researchers see several reasons why this development could continue.

(dpa/tk) The demand for electric cars is picking up again. That gives the carmaker Tesla a tailwind for its production plans. Now the complete value chain – from the battery to the finished vehicle – is to be consolidated in Grünheide.

With the GB 38031–2025 standard, China is setting the facts on the ground that reshape the safety debate around electric cars. How this makes electric cars even safer - and why taxi operators are affected by it.

Whoever books a company car at Tesla in Grünheide can apparently experience much more than just the trip from A to B. According to the person responsible for the internal company car program, more than 100 tickets are issued every month at the electric car manufacturer – incurred by employees who use the vehicles.

Even though Elon Musk is now reaching for the stars with SpaceX, he wants to make money with his cars. That is enough reason to put the current Model 3 under the magnifying glass to find out how Tesla is faring in the increasingly tougher competition.

The fully electric minibus is now available to order in Germany with up to seven seats. New equipment details and additional charging options are expected to further increase everyday practicality.

When you order a taxi in Germany's major cities, you are increasingly getting into an electric car. In Hamburg, since the beginning of 2025, even only emissions-free taxis may be newly registered. In the countryside, the situation looks different. There, economic realities count more than political directives.

A factsheet demonstrates the everyday practicality of electromobility. Transparent charging prices are demanded and a stronger used-car market is needed to further accelerate the transition.

Analyses of driving and charging data debunk widespread concerns about range, battery life, and costs. In particular, rising diesel prices significantly tilt the cost-benefit calculation in favor of electric drives.

Around 3,000 vehicles are to be converted in the long term. Project partners and the administration will explain on 1 July in Hamburg how subsidies, charging options and policy framework conditions interact.

With the PV5 WAV, Kia expands its electric van family with a wheelchair-accessible variant. The vehicle will be presented at the trade fair “Motability Scheme Live” in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Production start is planned for mid-July; the market launch will follow later.

Almost two-thirds of all vehicle inquiries in Germany now account for electric and hybrid models. However, the gap between interest and actual purchase remains large.

Attractive terms from Hamburg's "Future Taxi" initiative are now valid nationwide. The range of benefits also expands significantly for car washing and refueling.

(dpa/lno) The share of electric taxis has steadily increased in recent years. The city provides financial support for the switch.

Doubt often accompanies it. Whoever speaks about electromobility in the taxi trade quickly lands on the question of the battery's durability. Especially in continuous operation, with many charging cycles and high mileage, it is regarded as a bottleneck. Now figures from DEKRA and from Munich taxi operations provide a differentiated picture.

Australia goes electric. The fifth continent, known for kangaroos, endless outback, venomous snakes and the gigantic Ayers Rock, will be surprisingly electric. A tour with the Mini Aceman is meant to show why many Australians are switching – at least in the big cities.

The Xpeng G6 hasn't been on German roads for long yet, but in the taxi business it is already being regarded as a serious option. After Intax recently presented its Xpeng taxi, there are now two Xpeng G6s from the retrofit specialist Adler at Auto Grill in Ebersberg, available for interested taxi operators to test.

The automotive industry knows no breathing space. Not even for a manufacturer like Tesla, which for a long time was regarded as the pace-setter of electric mobility. In Grünheide near Berlin, it is currently becoming evident how strongly the usual market mechanisms also take hold there—and how differently they are communicated.

With the conversion of the Kia PV5 Passenger into a taxi, the Oldenburg-based specialist presents another model from Kia. The PV5 from Intax is electric, spacious, and designed for flexible use. And - it can also be fully retrofitted if needed.

The Hansa-Taxi cooperative makes its support for the Olympic bid publicly visible and points to emission-free and accessible offerings in its own fleet.

Mercedes recently showed the way with the S-Class and the EQS — now BMW is also presenting its revised flagship: the duo of the 7 Series and the all-electric i7. Visually, there has been a lot of change at the front of the noble flagship, because the new generation is driving ahead more confidently than ever before.

The Kia EV5 as a taxi - the South Korean automaker, which has so far been positioned mainly as a family vehicle, is set to also establish a foothold in taxi and rental-car operations. The conversion will be carried out by the taxi specialist Intax.

Mercedes-Benz pushes the boundaries of a familiar segment. With the sales launch of the Mercedes-Benz VLE, Mercedes-Benz is aiming to do exactly that: redefine the classic minivan — as a kind of electric limousine in XXL format.

The Kia EV3 combines a compact size with an astonishing amount of interior space. With the electric SUV, the taxi specialist Intax expands its portfolio with a compact electric option offering a good range.

(dpa/tmn) More space, more range: Toyota brings the C-HR+ with up to 607 kilometers Teaser: Thanks to a 2.75-meter wheelbase, 416 liters of trunk space and fast charging capability, the new electric SUV is aimed at customers with premium space and performance requirements.

The XPeng G6 charges to 80 percent in around twelve minutes and achieves up to 535 kilometers of range. INTAX now provides suitable taxi and rental-car packages, including a vehicle wrap.

For taxi operators who rely on electromobility, Tesla vehicles have been among the more conspicuous alternatives in the fleet in recent years. But anyone who currently wants to convert a Tesla into a taxi or rental car will encounter a pause in the system. According to conversion specialist Intax from Oldenburg, such conversions cannot be carried out at present.

The partnership connects London's cultural and transport sectors. In addition to logistics for almost two million visitors per year, sustainability and accessibility goals are at the forefront.

World premiere in Stuttgart: Mercedes presents the VLE and VLS — and Die Taxi Heute was there. With the new generation of the V-Class, Mercedes wants nothing less than to redefine the van segment—from the family van through shuttle services to premium transport.

President Gregor Beiner held discussions with the European Commission and Members of the European Parliament on decarbonisation, autonomous vehicles and the initiative “Clean Corporate Vehicles”.

Toyota has recently comprehensively revised its first large-series battery-electric model. The bZ4X originally hit the market in 2022. With the current facelift, Toyota primarily aims to improve those aspects that are decisive in daily use: efficiency, charging behavior, and range. The current model is now also available to order as a taxi from Intax.

Big things are ahead for the world's oldest car manufacturer. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new VLE marks the beginning of a new era: The all-electric van is set to carve out its own market segment as a "Grand Limousine".

The switch to electric vehicles is causing ongoing tensions in Greece. Trade unions point to the lack of charging infrastructure and criticize planned regulations for chauffeur services.

(dpa/lno) The Senate is increasing funding for electric taxis. Financial subsidies are intended to accelerate the replacement of remaining internal-combustion vehicles and to secure operations with additional charging points.

With the new two-and-a-half-liter diesel, taxi and rental-car operators, alongside families and fleets, gain another powertrain option that, according to the manufacturer, is intended to enable lower operating costs and additional flexibility in daily use.

A new collaboration enables electric taxi and fleet operators across Europe to reduce their annual charging costs by up to 43 percent. The basis for this is access to more than 1.3 million charging points.