RVL Aviation has announced it is set to launch the UK’s 1st hydrogen-electric commercial flights in partnership with ZeroAvia, marking a major milestone in sustainable aviation. This initiative will see RVL operate aircraft powered by ZeroAvia’s ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines, which are designed for 9-19-seat aircraft and offer zero-emission flight capabilities. These engines use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, thus significantly reducing carbon emissions compared to traditional aviation fuels. The partnership aims to begin operations in 2026, with RVL integrating the hydrogen-electric propulsion system into its existing fleet. The move supports the UK’s broader goals for decarbonising aviation and aligns with ZeroAvia’s mission to make hydrogen-powered flight commercially viable. The project is backed by government support and is part of the UK’s push to lead in clean aviation technologies. This collaboration represents a significant step toward greener regional air travel, hopefully offering a scalable solution for short-haul routes while reducing environmental impact.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) published its Global EV Outlook 2025, which highlighted a dynamic year for the electric car industry, marked by strong growth and shifting global production patterns. In 2024, global electric car production reached 17.3 million units, up 25% from 2023, driven largely by China, which produced 12.4 million vehicles and accounted for over 70% of global output. Chinese OEMs now dominate domestic production, making up more than 80% of the total, although their overseas manufacturing remains minimal at under 2%. In contrast, the European Union’s production somewhat stagnated at 2.4 million units, though it exceeded domestic sales by over 5%. US OEMs, particularly Tesla and Ford, significantly expanded their EU production, now representing 20% of the region’s total. Global electric car exports surged nearly 20% in 2024 to 3.2 million units, with China leading at 40% of the total. The report underscores the growing importance of regional manufacturing strategies, trade dynamics, and the need for diversified supply chains to support the accelerating global transition to electric mobility.
BMW, Hyundai, and Toyota have announced they are teaming up to jointly launch the Hydrogen Transport Forum (HTF) in Australia. This will be a new industry coalition aimed at accelerating the deployment of hydrogen-powered mobility solutions. The HTF will seek to address what the founding members describe as a critical gap in Australia’s hydrogen ecosystem, specifically the lack of coordinated efforts around hydrogen vehicle deployment and refuelling infrastructure. The coalition will focus on aligning fleet rollouts with infrastructure development, identifying investment opportunities, and advocating for supportive government policies. This initiative comes in response to the Australian government’s recent withdrawal of c.$48m in funding that had been earmarked for hydrogen truck and refuelling station deployment. The HTF aims to fill the void left by this policy reversal by fostering collaboration between automakers, infrastructure providers, and policymakers. The coalition is expected to complement existing trade bodies but will concentrate exclusively on mobility and infrastructure. By uniting major global automotive players with a shared interest in hydrogen, the HTF represents a proactive step toward building a viable hydrogen transport ecosystem in Australia.
Germany’s new-car market showed signs of stabilisation in April 2025, with registrations falling just 0.2% YoY to 242,704 units, a marginal drop of only 398 vehicles. Despite this being the 10th consecutive month of decline, it marked the strongest monthly performance since June 2024. The slight downturn was also influenced by one fewer working day compared to April 2024. Commercial registrations, which made up 66.4% of the market, dipped by 0.7%, while private registrations rose by 1.1%, accounting for 33.6% of the total. YTD, new-car registrations are down 3.3%, with 907,268 units registered, 30,619 fewer than the same period in 2024. Industry experts warn that this continued downward trend poses challenges for the automotive trade. However, battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were a bright spot, with registrations surging 53.5% in April to 45,535 units, the highest monthly volume since December 2023. This growth extended a streak of double-digit increases that began in January, driven partly by the end of private BEV incentives and regulatory pressures. Interestingly, without BEVs, the overall market would have declined by 7.6%.
Bosch Engineering GmbH has announced it is pioneering hydrogen technology in motorsport with the introduction of its hydrogen-based systems at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Central to this initiative is the L-HSCU (Liquid Hydrogen Storage Control Unit), a cutting-edge system designed to safely manage both liquid and pressurised hydrogen in high-performance race cars. This technology is showcased in the H24EVO prototype, developed under the MissionH24 program, which demonstrates the potential of hydrogen fuel cells in endurance racing. The L-HSCU system enables compact, efficient hydrogen storage by cooling liquid hydrogen to -253°C, therefore allowing for higher energy density and reduced space requirements, which are critical for motorsport applications. It includes advanced safety features such as pressure and temperature sensors, protective circuits, and gas dilution fans to ensure secure operation. The system also streamlines refuelling by communicating with external infrastructure for faster, safer hydrogen transfer. This initiative underscores Bosch’s commitment to sustainable mobility and positions hydrogen as a viable, high-performance alternative in both racing and commercial automotive sectors.
ChangAn Automobile has announced it has launched its first international new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturing hub in Rayong, Thailand, marking a major step in its global expansion strategy under the Vast Ocean Plan. This initiative transitions ChangAn from simply exporting vehicles to establishing full-scale industrial ecosystems abroad. The Rayong facility, spanning 392,000 square meters, integrates advanced manufacturing, R&D, and sustainable supply chains, aiming to serve 5 key markets: Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, Central and South America, Europe, and Eurasia. The plant features eco-friendly technologies such as solar power, water recycling, and daylight optimisation, reducing energy use per vehicle by 20%. It houses 5 workshops for welding, painting, assembly, engine, and battery production, and will manufacture vehicles under the CHANG-AN, DEEPAL, and AVATR brands.
Kinchbus has announced it has placed an order for 21 Yutong battery-electric single-decker buses, comprising a blend of E9L midis and E12 full-size models, from Pelican Bus and Coach. These new vehicles will be deployed on services in Loughborough and are part-funded by Leicestershire County Council via the UK government’s ZEBRA fund. The delivery is pencilled in to begin in Q3 25. This investment is a prominent part of Kinchbus’s decarbonisation strategy and reflects its commitment to sustainable, high-quality public transport. The new buses will feature passenger-centric amenities such as double-glazing, cantilever seating, and standard saloon air-conditioning. The interiors are being developed in collaboration with Camira and Altro to ensure they are inclusive, addressing the needs of passengers with disabilities and neurodivergent sensitivities. The order brings the total number of Yutong electric buses across the Wellglade Group (Kinchbus’s parent company) to 42. Yutong UK praised the tailored specifications and innovation behind the order, which represents a significant step forward in the UK’s transition to zero-emission public transport.
The UK government has announced that revenues to support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) will be generated through a new levy on the aviation industry. This funding mechanism is part of the UK’s broader Jet Zero strategy, which aims to decarbonise the aviation sector and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The levy will be imposed on airlines and aviation fuel suppliers, with the collected funds directed toward scaling up SAF production and infrastructure. The government plans to introduce a SAF mandate requiring at least 10% of jet fuel to come from sustainable sources by 2030. The levy is designed to ensure that the aviation industry contributes fairly to the transition, while also stimulating private investment in SAF technologies. Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move but are urging the government to allocate a greater share of the funds toward green hydrogen-based e-fuels, which are seen as a key long-term solution for decarbonising long-haul flights. This initiative is expected to create jobs, boost innovation, and position the UK as a leader in clean aviation technologies.
Deals
Saildrone, a maritime defence and oceanographic survey company, has secured $60m in funding to expand its operations into Europe, with a particular focus on enhancing maritime security and defence capabilities. The investment round was led by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, alongside existing investors such as Lux Capital, Washington Harbor Partners, Crowley, and Academy Securities. The funding will support the deployment of Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in European waters, particularly in the Baltic, North Sea, and Arctic regions, which are facing increasing security threats. Saildrone’s USVs, powered by wind and solar energy, are equipped with advanced sensors and proprietary AI algorithms that provide persistent, real-time maritime domain awareness above and below the sea surface. The company will establish its European HQ in Copenhagen and begin operations in partnership with the Danish Armed Forces. The first 4 Saildrone Voyagers are scheduled for deployment in the Baltic Sea in June 2025. This expansion aims to offer 24/7 surveillance of critical infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of traditional patrol ships.
InfinitForm, an AI-powered design optimisation platform, has closed a $12.7m Seed funding round to accelerate its growth and product development. The round was led by UP.Partners, with participation from Schematic Ventures, Counterpart Ventures, and Yamaha Motor Ventures. The funding will be used to expand InfinitForm’s engineering and go-to-market teams, enhance its AI-driven design assistant, and support its growing customer base across aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors. The company’s platform enables engineers to move from concept to production-ready geometry faster and more efficiently than traditional CAD and generative design tools, which often fall short in real-world manufacturability. InfinitForm’s software leverages GPU processing to deliver highly optimised, CNC-machinable designs. The company positions itself as a disruptive force in the design-for-manufacturing space, offering tools that significantly reduce time-to-market.