The German cabinet has approved the Charging Infrastructure Master Plan 2030, which is intended to serve as a central strategic framework for the ongoing expansion of charging infrastructure across the country. German Federal Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder presented the document at LISKON Charging Infrastructure Conference, organized by NOW GmbH and the German National Charging Infrastructure Coordination Office.

The plan outlines 41 concrete actions across five key focus areas: strengthening demand and investment, simplifying and accelerating implementation, increasing competition and price transparency, improving grid integration, and enhancing user-friendliness and innovation. The measures aim to improve investment, permitting, and usage conditions for charging infrastructure; strengthen competition; increase transparency in charging prices; and foster better integration with the federal power grid. The Master Plan also aims stimulation of innovation in areas such as bidirectional charging.

Link to Master Plan (in German): Masterplan Ladeinfrastruktur 2030 der Bundesregierung

The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has welcomed the plan. VDA President Hildegard Müller commented:“It is good news for consumers and for electromobility that the German Federal Cabinet today approved the Master Plan for Charging Infrastructure 2030. The Master Plan includes a whole range of appropriate measures that can contribute to further increase attractiveness of electromobility for consumers and thus strengthen the market ramp-up of electric vehicles. It will be crucial that these measures are now implemented quickly and consistently.”

Link to full VDA statement: VDA Statement: VDA Statement: Master plan for charging infrastructure 2030 | VDA

Swedish EV brand Polestar will introduce the AI-powered Google Gemini voice assistant across its entire model lineup beginning with the Polestar 2. Gemini will replace the current Google Assistant through an over-the-air software update and is designed to enable more natural conversations inside the vehicle.

In addition to basic commands, users will be able to activate Gemini Live, which supports more advanced interactions — including brainstorming sessions, follow-up questions, and on-the-go learning prompts using the phrase: “Hey Google, let’s talk.”
 Polestar will roll out Gemini across its models beginning in 2026.

At a Los Angeles event, Hyundai unveiled the CRATER Concept, offering an early look at an electrified off-road SUV. The sketches show a rugged SUV with long-travel suspension, pronounced fenders, a distinctive underbody, more capable off-road wheels, and a fully enclosed front fascia without a traditional grille.

The concept has been developed at Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) in Irvine and is part of Hyundai’s “XRT” sub-brand focused on adventure and off-road mobility. Hyundai has not yet released technical data such as battery capacity, drivetrain specifications, or production plans.

Six leading European hydrogen refueling station operators have formed the “H2 Infrastructure Alliance” (H2IA) to jointly accelerate the development of hydrogen mobility infrastructure — particularly for heavy-duty and commercial vehicles.

Founding members include Hydri (Sweden), TEAL Mobility (France), Fountain Fuel (Netherlands), H2 Mobility (Germany), Virya Energy (Belgium), and HYmpulsion (France). Together, they are currently operating 92 hydrogen refueling stations for light- and heavy-duty vehicles. By 2028, they plan to add 39 large-capacity stations — enough, according to H2IA, to fuel more than 1,800 trucks per day.

The alliance emphasizes a deliberate “infrastructure first” strategy to break the classic chicken-and-egg cycle: build stations first, then scale vehicle fleets. Under the tagline “Connecting the Dots,” H2IA argues that a robust, widespread refueling network will accelerate OEMs’ move into large-scale production.

Belgian materials and recycling company Umicore has formed a joint venture with South Korean specialist HS Hyosung Advanced Materials, called The Extra Mile, to scale the industrial production of silicon-carbon (Si-C) anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.

After more than a decade of research, Umicore says it is ready to manufacture. Its anode technology center in Olen (Belgium) will be transformed into a demonstration site, with an industrial-grade demo plant expected by the end of 2026. The advantages of silicon-enhanced anodes, according to Umicore, include higher energy density, longer driving range, faster charging, and lower CO₂ emissions during production.

UK-based startup Hydrohertz has introduced a highly precise battery-cooling system for EV packs, branded Dectravalve. The smart multi-zone valve system can independently manage several temperature zones within a battery pack.

During tests with a 100-kWh LFP pack, Hydrohertz reports a maximum cell temperature below 44.5°C at charging rates up to 350 kW. The temperature spread across the pack was just 2.6°C — compared with previous systems that reached up to 56°C with spreads as large as 12°C.

The result: charging from 10% to 80% was reduced to roughly 10 minutes.

Hydrohertz also claims the system improves efficiency (by reducing thermal throttling), extends cell life, and can increase real-world driving range by up to 10%.

Bosch Engineering has presented the EDM (Electric Drive for Marine Applications), a new turnkey electric inboard system designed to simplify high-voltage electrification for boats and small vessels.

The system includes the electric motor, gearbox, inverter, onboard charger, heat exchanger, control and cooling components, and all necessary wiring — packaged at around 180 kg with a continuous output of 118 kW (≈160 hp) and a power density of roughly 0.7 kW/kg.

A key highlight: the installation dimensions are designed to match those of a comparable combustion inboard engine, making retrofits and conversions a lot easier. A variant with components that can be positioned freely, will be available for vessels with limited space. Bosch also notes that the system uses a standardized interface compatible with various high-voltage battery systems, giving shipbuilders and integrators greater flexibility