Elli, Uber, Mercedes-Benz, Mobility House, Jeep, Skoda

Volkswagen subsidiary Elli has introduced the next generation of its battery-buffered fast charging station: the Flexpole Plus. Thanks to an integrated battery system, the Flexpole Plus enables DC fast charging at up to 150 kW — without the need for costly grid upgrades or major construction work.

Key improvements include a modular payment system that supports various payment service providers, intelligent load and energy management to smooth peak demand, enhanced thermal management, and a customizable user interface.

Elli also announced a partnership with German fuel station association UNITI to expand EV charging infrastructure at approximately 8,600 gas stations across Germany.

Uber is continuing to grow its autonomous mobility footprint by entering new partnerships with May Mobility and Momenta. In the US, Uber is working with May Mobility — a startup backed by Toyota and BMW — to deploy thousands of self-driving Toyota Sienna Hybrid minivans. The service is set to launch in late 2025 in Arlington, Texas, initially with safety drivers on board.

In parallel, Uber is collaborating with Momenta, a Chinese autonomous tech company, to introduce self-driving vehicles in Europe. These new alliances complement Uber’s existing partnerships with Waymo, WeRide, and Volkswagen, reinforcing Uber’s goal of becoming a central platform for multiple robotaxi providers.

Mercedes-Benz has entered into a Europe-wide partnership with Munich-based tech company The Mobility House to develop smart home charging solutions. The initiative covers both unidirectional (V1G) and bidirectional (V2G) charging — the latter allowing EVs to not only draw power from the grid but also feed electricity back into it.

These features will debut with Mercedes-Benz’s next generation of electric vehicles, starting with the upcoming electric CLA, based on the new MMA platform. While V2G hardware will be built in, functionality will become available later via an over-the-air update, depending on each country’s regulatory framework.

Jeep has introduced the latest version of its Compass, now offered as a fully electric vehicle built on the STLA Medium platform. A standout feature is its all-wheel drive system, delivering a combined output of 276 kW (370 hp) — developed exclusively for the Jeep brand.

A specialized rear electric motor adds up to 49 kW of peak power and 232 Nm of torque, enhancing traction in challenging conditions. The AWD variant is expected to offer up to 650 kilometers (404 miles) of range, likely thanks to a 97 kWh battery. DC fast charging supports up to 160 kW, enabling a 20–80% charge in around 30 minutes. For AC charging, a 22 kW onboard charger will be available.

Inside, the Compass features a new infotainment system with a 16-inch touchscreen and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. It will also support Level 2 autonomous driving.

Škoda Auto has unveiled the Elroq "Respectline" concept car, designed to reflect the values of respect, diversity, and inclusion. With this initiative, the Czech automaker is showing its visible support for the LGBTQ+ community and standing up for inclusivity across the industry.

The reveal coincides with European Diversity Month, and the vehicle’s design was co-created by employees from across various departments. The Respectline concept will make its public debut on May 9 in Hamburg.