Mercedes-Benz on Wednesday announced plans to introduce a new ultrafast charging system in partnership with Alpitronic, designed to make charging times closer to refueling at a petrol station. The rollout, set to begin in 2026, aims to improve convenience for electric vehicle (EV) drivers while challenging rival networks from Tesla and BYD. The HYC1000 system uses a modular, decentralized design, delivering up to 1,000 kW of power shared across multiple points. Each charging stall can supply as much as 600 kW at 800 volts, allowing a Mercedes-Benz CLA to gain 325 km of range in just 10 minutes. “The HYC1000…
Author: Lalu Jazidi
QuantumScape and Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary PowerCo showcased a motorcycle powered entirely by solid-state batteries at the IAA Mobility 2025 show in Munich, presenting the first integration of the technology into a functional vehicle. The modified Ducati V21L runs on QuantumScape’s QSE-5 battery cells, manufactured at the company’s pilot line in San José using its proprietary Cobra process. “Today we’ve crossed the threshold from possibility to reality,” said Dr. Siva Sivaram, president of QuantumScape. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEq32utDNEw&ab_channel=tuningblog Long seen as a leader in anode-free solid-state batteries, QuantumScape collaborated with Ducati, which contributed its motorsports expertise for the demonstration. The company said its QSE-5…
Naoya Matsumoto’s manga Kaiju No. 8 has surpassed 19 million copies in circulation across print and digital formats in Japan, according to publisher Shueisha. The series, serialized on Shonen Jump+, has also gained international popularity through its anime adaptation, particularly in North America. The franchise is now expanding into interactive media with the release of Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME, co-produced by Akatsuki Games, TOHO and Production I.G. The title is available on the App Store and Google Play, with a Steam version expected soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plIyuosHT84&ab_channel=KAIJUNO.8THEGAMEOfficial “Kaiju No. 8 THE GAME—co-produced by the powerhouse team of Akatsuki Games, TOHO, and…
Google has moved its “net-zero by 2030” pledge from its homepage to the appendix of its latest environmental report, while its data center page now frames the target as an ambitious aspiration rather than a firm commitment. The adjustment marks a step away from earlier climate positioning, first highlighted by Canada’s National Observer. The company said it still aims to reach net-zero emissions across its operations and supply chain by the end of the decade. It reported a 12% decline in data center emissions in 2024, but overall electricity use climbed 26% to 32.2 terawatt-hours, a level exceeding Ireland’s annual…
Meta Platforms is introducing a new feature on Threads that allows users to attach up to 10,000 characters of text to their posts, in a move aimed at giving creators more room to share detailed perspectives and promote their work. The update comes as users increasingly share screenshots of long-form content from books, newsletters, or podcast transcripts when the platform’s 500-character limit is not sufficient. “There are many ways to share your perspective on Threads, but we’ve noticed people expressing themselves with screenshots of longer content … when 500 characters isn’t enough,” the company said in a statement on its…
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 will bring back familiar battlegrounds when it launches on Nov. 14, 2025, with remastered maps and gameplay mechanics from earlier entries in the franchise. The title continues the storyline from Black Ops 6 while reconnecting to events from 2012’s Black Ops 2. During a rapid Q&A session, Treyarch Design Director Matt Scronce confirmed that post-launch content would include maps from Black Ops 2. Asked if unremastered maps from the 2012 release would appear, he replied: “Yeah, you can.” https://twitter.com/Treyarch/status/1964011130155913323 At launch, the game’s multiplayer mode will feature 16 six-versus-six maps, comprising 13 new arenas…
Uber has invested $300 million in U.S. electric vehicle maker Lucid, providing financial backing and a major customer for its technology as the automaker seeks to expand beyond retail sales. The deal will see Lucid develop premium self-driving electric cars exclusively for Uber’s ride-hailing service. The vehicles will be built on Lucid’s EV platform, including its upcoming Gravity SUV, and integrated with Nuro’s Level 4 autonomous driving package. The company will assemble the robotaxis at its Arizona factory, with the first units expected to arrive in 2026. Lucid, which has struggled to meet early sales expectations for its luxury sedans,…
Porsche electric vehicle owners will now be able to recharge at Tesla’s Supercharger stations across North America, the German carmaker said, marking a step toward broader compatibility between rival EV brands. The new option gives Porsche drivers access to more than 23,500 Superchargers in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The company said the transition will begin with a soft launch phase, requiring owners to use Tesla’s mobile app before charging services are fully integrated into Porsche’s own platform. “All 2026 Taycan and Macan Electric models will come equipped with the adapter at no extra cost,” Porsche said in a…
BMW has unveiled the iX3 50 xDrive, a new electric SUV that can travel up to 500 miles on a single charge, making it the longest-range electric car currently available in the UK. A less expensive rear-wheel-drive model, the iX3 40, is scheduled to arrive in 2026 and is expected to achieve more than 600 miles between charges. Both vehicles are part of the company’s Neue Klasse generation, which introduces new design, engineering and software platforms. The iX3 50 xDrive adopts a minimalist design approach, featuring slim headlights, hidden window seals and optional illuminated kidney grilles. “Compared to the older…
Amazfit has launched the T-Rex 3 Pro smartwatch in Europe, highlighting new functions aimed at endurance athletes and outdoor users. The wearable, available in 44 mm and 48 mm models, builds on the rugged T-Rex 3 with tools designed for training, navigation and recovery. The device integrates a dual-color flashlight, which can illuminate trails after dark or act as an SOS signal. It also includes a built-in speaker and microphone, allowing Bluetooth calls and voice interaction without a phone. Offline navigation tools have been expanded to include automatic route planning based on distance and direction, along with saved points of…