The European Union’s plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 is showing signs of major change. According to a report from The Sunday Times, several senior figures within Europe’s automotive industry have privately confirmed that the EU is considering postponing the ban to 2040. Although the information has yet to receive formal confirmation from the EU, it has already triggered significant shockwaves across European politics and the automotive sector, becoming one of the most closely watched issues in European transport and industrial policy.

The 2025 Hon Hai Tech Day (HHTD 25) concluded successfully at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. This year’s event surpassed all previous editions in scale and, for the first time, brought together suppliers and partners to jointly showcase achievements—clearly demonstrating Hon Hai’s determination to realize its “Three Smart Platforms” integrated with AI. With over 207 exhibits across six major zones, ranging from smart manufacturing and AI Factory to smart cities and semiconductors, HHTD has become more than a tech exhibition; it has evolved into a key indicator for observing global trends in electric vehicles and the AI industrial chain.

The electrification of mobility is undeniably one of the most crucial elements in achieving net-zero emissions, serving as a central pillar of the automotive industry’s current transformation. Yet, after driving itself becomes carbon-free, a key question remains: can the act of charging also become part of sustainable transformation? Recently, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the ELF (Experimental-Lade-Fahrzeug) experimental charging vehicle—an integrated research platform that combines ultra-fast, bidirectional, solar, inductive, and conductive charging technologies. Acting as a mobile charging laboratory, ELF explores how “sustainability” can evolve from a conceptual goal into a tangible, testable, and applicable technological reality.

Although demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. has recently cooled, battery technology development has not slowed down. Recently, Cambridge-based startup 24M Technologies unveiled a new battery architecture called “SemiSolid” and ETOP (Electrode-to-Pack). Originating from laboratory research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this design claims to increase energy density within the same space, shorten charging times, and even reduce battery production costs. If successfully commercialized, it could become the next major breakthrough after Cell-to-Pack (CTP).

Following the earlier discussion of how the 2025 IAA Munich Auto Show reflects the auto industry’s transition toward becoming part of the broader mobility technology sector, it is also clear that batteries were another highlight worth paying close attention to. Several battery makers and automakers chose this stage to showcase their latest achievements. Rimac, in collaboration with ProLogium, introduced a prototype of its next-generation solid-state battery, while China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) presented an ultra-long-life LFP battery designed for the European market, as well as a “dual-chemistry” concept. These innovations target different aspects of performance, cost-efficiency, and flexible applications.

The European Union’s plan to completely ban the sale of carbon-emitting vehicles starting in 2035 has affected automakers’ new product planning and sparked significant controversy. Recently, Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius sharply criticized the policy in a media interview, warning that if implemented as scheduled, Europe’s auto market could face a “head-on crash.” The EU is set to conduct a formal review of the plan, ensuring that debate will intensify.

As the AI wave sweeps across the globe, energy demand is growing rapidly. Meanwhile, the electric vehicle industry has continued to expand in recent years. When EV batteries reach the end of their usable life, these retired batteries may become a new solution to meet the energy demands of the AI sector. Led by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, Redwood Materials is working to repurpose these used EV batteries to build the largest second-life energy storage system in North America—an advancement in battery recycling technology.