BMW, Nvidia, Opel, Toyota, Rivian, Lemmo and more

BMW will officially debut its iX3, the first Neue Klasse-based model, at IAA MOBILITY in September. Ahead of its world premiere, BMW has shared details from prototype testing. The camouflaged vehicles are currently undergoing real-world trials. According to BMW, the iX3 will offer peak charging power of up to 400 kW. Testing has been conducted using Alpitronic's Hypercharger HYC400. The company also claims that drivers will be able to add more than 350 kilometers (217 miles) of range in just ten minutes. Estimated range figures include up to 800 kilometers (500 miles) WLTP for the iX3 50 xDrive, 900 kilometers CLTC for China, and 400 miles EPA for the US. The time needed to charge from 10% to 80% hasn’t been disclosed yet, but BMW suggests it could be under 20 minutes, with exact details expected at the world premiere in September.

Nvidia will establish its first industrial AI cloud platform in Germany, combining AI and robotics to support automotive manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz — from product design simulations to logistics management. CEO Jensen Huang also announced plans to increase Nvidia’s AI compute capacity in Europe tenfold over the next two years, building 20 "AI factories" across seven EU countries. Additionally, Germany will host a high-performance data center equipped with around 10,000 Nvidia Blackwell GPUs — dubbed "Germany’s AI Autobahn." Nvidia also plans to expand existing technology centers in six more EU countries and open its compute marketplace to European businesses.

Opel is expanding its fully electric lineup with the Grandland Electric AWD, the brand’s first battery-electric model featuring standard all-wheel drive. Powered by dual electric motors, the system delivers 239 kW (325 hp) and 509 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 6.1 seconds. Equipped with a usable 73 kWh battery, the Grandland Electric AWD offers a driving range of up to 501 kilometers (311 miles). Fast charging from 20% to 80% takes under 30 minutes at a public DC fast charger.

FAW Toyota has launched its new electric SUV coupe, the bZ5, in China. The vehicle is powered by a 200 kW electric motor and offers two LFP battery options: 65 kWh and 74 kWh. Depending on the battery, range figures are 550 km and 630 km (under China’s CLTC cycle). Charging from 30% to 80% takes approximately 29 minutes. Built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, the bZ5 uses Blade Batteries supplied by BYD.

Later this year, Rivian will integrate WeaveGrid's intelligent home charging software into its electric vehicles. The platform allows owners to shift home charging to periods when electricity is cheaper or has lower carbon intensity, earning financial incentives in the process. WeaveGrid connects OEMs, customers, and more than 3,000 US utilities to increase charging flexibility and grid stability. The software dynamically adjusts to utility signals while ensuring vehicles reach the desired state of charge.

As part of its unveiling of the new ET5 and ET5T models, Nio announced a partnership with German company Lemmo. The collaboration produced the Lemmo Zero, a folding dual-mode e-bike that can be seamlessly integrated into Nio vehicles. The NIO Edition of the e-bike is visually matched to the new ET5T model and is over 20% smaller than typical folding bikes. A specially designed transport system allows for easy storage in the vehicle's trunk.

South Korean firm LS Materials has introduced a new hybrid energy storage system (H-ESS) for EV charging stations, combining lithium-ion batteries with supercapacitors. The supercapacitors handle rapid charge-discharge cycles, while the lithium-ion cells serve as long-term energy storage. This reduces peak load strain on the batteries and allows multiple vehicles to charge simultaneously. The buffer storage also lowers heat buildup and fire risks. LS Materials claims the H-ESS offers 5 to 10 times the lifespan of conventional stationary storage systems. Its compact design and lower cost could help accelerate the deployment of high-power charging infrastructure. LS Materials also plans to offer the system for AI data centers, renewable energy, and to expand into the North American and European markets.