US-Zölle, Skoda, Porsche, Airbus, Hyundai and more

U.S. President Donald Trump has enacted new tariffs targeting the automotive industry. Effective immediately, all passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks imported into the United States are subject to an additional 25% tariff. Tariffs on car components are scheduled to follow on May 3.

Hildegard Müller, president of the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA) responded: "The extensive new reciprocal US tariffs against large parts of the world announced today by US President Donald Trump, which are to gradually take effect in the coming days, mark a fundamental turning point in trade policy. It represents the US's departure from the rules-based global trading order - and thus a departure from the foundation for global value creation and corresponding growth and prosperity in many regions of the world.”

Six months after launching the Elroq, its second fully electric model, Skoda has introduced the Elroq RS as the new top-tier version in its electric SUV lineup. The new model will make its physical debut next week at Milan Design Week. The Elroq RS delivers 250 kW of system power and features an 84 kWh battery, offering up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) of range. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0–62 mph) in just 5.4 seconds. According to Skoda, it is now the brand's fastest-accelerating model in its current portfolio.

Porsche has initiated a pilot project aimed at extending the life cycle of high-voltage batteries and reducing the environmental impact of battery production. In the first phase, batteries from development vehicles will be mechanically crushed and processed into black mass, a granulate containing valuable raw materials like nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium. In phase two, the black mass will be separated into individual elements suitable for use in new battery cell production. The third phase will involve creating battery cells with a defined share of recycled materials and testing them in Porsche vehicles.

At an event in Toronto, Airbus revealed an updated design for a hydrogen-powered aircraft. The concept features four 2-megawatt electric motors, each powered by its own hydrogen fuel cell system. The motors are supplied by two liquid hydrogen tanks, designed to deliver efficient, zero-emission power. However, the aircraft's maiden flight, initially scheduled for 2035, has been pushed to the latter half of the 2030s due to technological and regulatory challenges.

Meanwhile, the European Space Agency (ESA) has tasked Airbus with building the landing platform for the Rosalind Franklin Mars rover. The contract is valued at £150 million (approx. $194 million USD). The platform will be developed and built at Airbus’ Stevenage site in the United Kingdom. Originally slated for a 2022 launch, the rover is now expected to lift off in 2028, with a touchdown on Mars, scheduled for 2030. The mission aims to search for signs of past life up to two meters below the Martian surface.

Hyundai has introduced "Pleos," a comprehensive software platform designed to enable autonomous and intelligent interaction between various mobile devices, including vehicles. Pleos integrates technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning to support seamless communication and automation. It combines high-performance chips and controllers, a vehicle operating system (Vehicle OS), an infotainment system (Pleos Connect), fleet management tools, cloud infrastructure, and mobility optimization solutions. The platform will enable advanced features such as  autonomous driving, real-time data analysis, and optimized route planning, and will be implemented in future Hyundai models.

Hyundai also unveiled the Insteroid, a concept car based on its compact EV model Inster and inspired by the gaming world. With bold design elements like a wide body, oversized rear spoiler, and racing-style wheels, the Insteroid aims to appeal emotionally to a younger generation of drivers. Inside, the cockpit features a minimal, playful layout with sport seats and a roll cage. Hyundai says the Insteroid is all about fun and imagination.

Sumitomo Metal Mining and Panasonic have formed a partnership to enhance nickel recycling from used batteries. Under the agreement, nickel will be recovered from cathode materials processed at Panasonic's Suminoe plant in Japan. The reclaimed nickel will be reused in the fabrication of new batteries, helping to establish a closed-loop material cycle.

Estonian e-bike brand Ampler has launched the Nova and Nova Pro, the first production e-bikes equipped with a USB-C charging port. This innovation allows riders to use standardized chargers, reducing the need for proprietary power supplies. The bikes' batteries can be fully recharged in approximately 3.5 hours. The USB-C port can also be used to charge external devices such as smartphones. This feature could set a new industry standard in e-bike design.

Chinese company EHang has received all necessary regulatory certifications for its EH216-S autonomous air taxi. With the issuance of its Operation Certificate, EHang is now the first eVTOL company in the world to hold full regulatory approval, clearing the way for commercial operations in China. EHang plans to begin EH216-S flights in the near future at its Guangzhou and Hefei locations.