The mobility highlights of week 31/2026

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the new GLA, adding a fully electric powertrain family to the compact SUV for the first time. At launch, three electric variants will be available, offering up to 657 kilometers of WLTP range, an 800-volt architecture, and a DC fast-charging capacity of up to 320 kW. Orders open on July 30, 2026.  

The electric versions deliver outputs of 165 kW, 200 kW, and 260 kW. Thanks to 800-volt technology, up to 270 kilometers of range can be added in just ten minutes. In early 2027, Mercedes-Benz will expand the lineup with hybrid models featuring 48-volt technology and a newly developed 1.5-liter turbocharged gas engine.  

Additionally, the GLA gets a refreshed design, a new interior with an optional MBUX Superscreen, upgraded driver assistance systems, and increased storage space—offering up to 410 liters of trunk capacity plus a 107-liter frunk on electric models.  

Hyundai Motor Group is launching AllDayEnergy, a new global brand for its Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) energy services. Under this new banner, the company is bringing together Smart Charging (V1G), Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and Vehicle-to-Home (V2H). The rollout will kick off in the UK in the second half of 2026, with plans to expand across Europe, the U.S., and South Korea.  

The initial launch focuses on Smart Charging (V1G), which automatically adjusts charging schedules based on electricity prices, grid conditions, and user preferences. Vehicle-to-Grid and Vehicle-to-Home capabilities will follow later, allowing electric vehicles to feed energy back into the power grid or individual households. 

Through AllDayEnergy, Hyundai aims to integrate electric vehicles more deeply into the broader energy ecosystem. The V2X services are designed to lower energy costs, boost self-consumption of electricity, and help stabilize power grids.

According to the company, GE Aerospace—in collaboration with NASA, BETA Technologies, and Boeing—has completed the world's first hybrid-electric flight at an altitude exceeding 9,100 meters (roughly 30,000 feet). Conducted using a modified Saab 340B, the flight test marks a major milestone in the development of more efficient aircraft propulsion systems. 

As part of NASA's Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) program, a hybrid powertrain combining a gas turbine engine with an electric motor was evaluated under real cruise-flight conditions for the first time. During testing, one flight logged more than two hours operating in hybrid mode.  

The partners plan to use insights from these flight tests to advance future hybrid and electric propulsion systems. Designed to cut fuel consumption and $CO_2$ emissions, this technology will feed directly into the development of the next-generation engine architecture under the CFM RISE program.