Attractiveness Index, BYD, Continental, Alpine and more

Management and technology consultancy BearingPoint, in partnership with the Handelsblatt Research Institute, has published the 2025 Electromobility Attractiveness Index. For the first time, the index compares the four largest automotive markets — China, the US, Germany, and France — in terms of how appealing battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are to potential buyers. Key evaluation criteria included price, electricity costs, charging infrastructure, and brand trust. China leads with 133.5 points (base value: 100), followed by the US (114.4), Germany (108.4), and France (94.6).

Chinese EV manufacturer BYD has announced plans to build a network of megawatt charging stations across Europe within the next 12 months. These “Megawatt Flash Chargers” will deliver charging power of up to 1,360 kW and will initially be installed at BYD dealerships. In China, BYD already operates 500 of these stations and aims to expand the network to over 15,000 in collaboration with partners such as Xiaoju Charging and LongShine.

Automotive supplier Continental has developed a new sensor that measures temperature directly at the rotor of permanent magnet synchronous motors — a first in the industry. The two-part system consists of a “Mote” inside the rotor and a “Transducer” outside the motor. It offers a precision range of just three degrees Celsius, a significant improvement over the typical 15-degree range. This technology is expected to enable more efficient use of materials, especially rare earth elements, and improve motor cooling systems.

French sports car brand Alpine has revealed plans for a new hybrid supercar set to launch in 2028. The vehicle will combine a V6 turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing over 1,000 hp in total. This high-performance hybrid will succeed the current A110 as Alpine’s flagship and aims to balance raw power with improved efficiency.

Tata Motors has unveiled the Harrier.ev, a fully electric SUV designed as the brand’s new flagship for the Indian market. Built on a modified D8 platform, it’s Tata’s first model with all-wheel drive. Available with either a 65 kWh or 75 kWh LFP battery, the vehicle offers a range of up to 627 km. The AWD version delivers 291 kW (390 hp) and 504 Nm of torque, with 0–100 km/h acceleration in just 6.3 seconds. The Harrier.ev will launch first in India.

BMW will expand its i4 lineup in summer 2025 with the new i4 M60 xDrive. With 442 kW (601 hp), it outperforms the i4 M50 xDrive by 42 kW. The AWD model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 225 km/h. It consumes 20.9 kWh/100 km and offers a range of up to 433 kilometers. BMW also plans to equip the i4 eDrive35 and i4 eDrive40 with new silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics starting July 2025.

Global testing and certification organization DEKRA has opened a state-of-the-art automotive testing laboratory in Plymouth, Michigan. The lab focuses on electric vehicle components and offers a wide range of testing services — including electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), reliability, connectivity, cybersecurity, functional safety, and AI evaluations. The facility was developed in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has launched its second electric SUV, the YU7, available in three versions: YU7 RWD, YU7 Pro AWD, and YU7 Max AWD. All three models use the 800-volts architecture. The YU7 RWD features a 235 kW rear motor, a 96.3 kWh LFP battery, and up to 835 km of range. The YU7 Pro AWD includes 365 kW of total power and the same battery, with up to 770 km range. The top-tier YU7 Max AWD delivers 508 kW using a 101.7 kWh NMC battery from CATL, offering up to 760 km of range. The Max version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.23 seconds and reaches a top speed of 253 km/h. A standout feature is its ultra-fast charging: up to 620 km of range can be added in just 15 minutes. The YU7 is scheduled to launch in July 2025.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority has launched a pilot project to test a fully electric hydrofoil patrol vessel. The EF-12 workboat, named RPA ZERO, was developed by Artemis Technologies and is now operating on the Nieuwe Maas. Its hydrofoil design lifts the hull above water to reduce drag and improve energy efficiency, enabling higher speeds and extended range. The pilot, running through November 2025, aims to assess the feasibility, benefits, and operational challenges of hydrofoil vessels in port operations.

Germany’s BatteryPass-Ready project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, has developed a test environment for the upcoming EU digital battery passport, which becomes mandatory in February 2027. The platform allows companies to check their data management systems for compliance with the new requirements. Building on the previous BatteryPass project, the tool enables businesses — especially SMEs — to verify data completeness and plausibility. Key features include mandatory data point analysis, testing with sample or proprietary data, and conformity checks aligned with EU standards.