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Three major transportation firms are set to work with one another on the development of a European charging network for “battery electric heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches.” 

In a joint announcement earlier this week, Volvo, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group said they had signed a non-binding agreement related to the installation and operation of the network. The goal is to set up a joint venture that all three firms would own an equal part of, with operations slated to commence in 2022.

Together, the companies are set to invest 500 million euros (around $593 million) in the joint venture, which would be based in the Dutch city of Amsterdam.

It’s hoped that, within five years of the JV being set up, at least 1,700 “green energy charging points” will have been installed and functioning. The tech, the firms said, is set to be located “close to highways as well as at logistic and destination points.”

“The number of charging points is with time intended to be increased significantly by seeking additional partners as well as public funding,” they added.

Change on the cards, but challenges ahead

In April, the International Energy Agency said that, globally, the number of electric cars, buses, vans and heavy trucks on roads was expected to hit 145 million by 2030.

According to the Paris-based organization, if governments ramp up their efforts to meet international energy and climate goals, the global electric vehicle fleet could increase further still, hitting 230 million by the end of the decade. Both of these projections exclude two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles.

As the number of EVs on our roads increases, extensive charging networks will need to be rolled out for all types of vehicles to meet increased demand and dispel lingering concerns around “range anxiety” — the notion that EVs aren’t able to undertake long journeys without losing power and getting stranded.

The electrification of long-haul, heavy-duty trucks and coaches poses its own set of unique challenges. As the IEA’s Global EV Outlook for 2021 notes, “long-haul trucking requires advanced technologies for high power charging and/or large batteries.”

Speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Wednesday, Volvo’s chief technology officer, Lars Stenqvist, sought to explain why a charging network for heavy duty vehicles was needed.

“Right now, we are producing and distributing electric heavy duty trucks mainly for refuse applications, for city applications,” he said. “And those vehicles, normally they’re coming home to their ‘base camp’ every evening for charging.”

Stenqvist said the next step on the journey would be regional and long haul applications.

“Then, you are dependent on … [getting] the pan-European charging network in place and, right now, it’s a little bit of [a] chicken and egg discussion because there are no vehicles out there and … no infrastructure. But if there is no infrastructure, there will not be any vehicles.”

In terms of how the project would operate on the ground, Stenqvist explained it would be a “public, open network — so whatever make can charge their vehicles in this network.”

Later on in the discussion, Stenqvist stressed the importance of differentiating between vehicles. “We are talking about really high capacity chargers here and that is one of the reasons why we are not using, and cannot use, the car charging network … not from a performance perspective and of course also not from a … layout perspective.”

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Jeep Wagoneer S EV just got a $5,000 price cut with a new Limited trim

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Jeep Wagoneer S EV just got a ,000 price cut with a new Limited trim

Jeep’s first electric SUV in the US just got more affordable. On Thursday, Jeep launched a new Limited trim at the Chicago Auto Show. The new 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited trim is $5,000 cheaper than the Launch Edition. And it also qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Here’s what the new model includes.

Jeep promised a new Wagoneer S trim would be available this month, and it delivered. The new Limited model, with a starting price of $66,995, “further enhances” the electric SUV’s attractiveness.

The new Limited trim joins the Launch Edition in Jeep’s 2025 Wagoneer S lineup. The Wagoneer S Limited model is $5,000 cheaper than the Launch Edition, which starts at $71,995.

Like the initial model, the new Wagoneer S Limited still offers plenty of features and exclusive design elements. It has a black roof and mirror caps, a dual-pane panoramic sunroof, 20″ aluminum wheels, and low-profile exterior badging.

Inside, the Limited trim maintains the “best-in-class” infotainment system from the Launch Edition, with 45″ of usable screen space. Buyers can choose from a new Hyrdo Blue exterior color and Arctic Grey interior design.

Jeep-Wagoneer-S-Limited-interior
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited interior (Source: Stellantis)

Other optional features include a segment-exlusive front passenger screen and a premium 920-watt McItosh sound system, The Propulsion Boost Package and Obsidian Appearance Package will be available later. The Propulsion upgrade is delivered over-the-air (OTA), providing up to 600 hp.

Jeep-Wagoneer-S-Limited
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited (Source: Stellantis)

Jeep’s new model still includes its signature Selec-Terrain traction management system with five drive modes: Auto, Sport, Snow, Sand, and Eco.

With a 400V, 100 kWh battery pack, the Wagoneer S can charge from 20% to 80% in 23 minutes using a DC fast charger.

2025 Jeep Wagoneer S trim Starting Price Range
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition $71,995 +300 miles
Jeep Wagoneer S Limited $66,995 +300 miles
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S price and range by trim

The 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited is available to order now, starting at $66,995 (including a $1,795 destination fee). All Wagoneer S models qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit.

Ready to test out Jeep’s new electric SUV for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find 2025 Jeep Wagoneer S models at a dealer near you today.

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Trump to help spark a nuclear energy ‘renaissance,’ investor says

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Trump to help spark a nuclear energy ‘renaissance,’ investor says

There's a 'nuclear renaissance,' says CIO

Nuclear energy is set for a “renaissance” that will be accelerated by backing from U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration.

That’s according to Yuri Khodjamirian, chief information officer at Tema ETFs, who noted that the Trump administration is “very, very interested in backing this technology.’ However, he also warned investors that developing this energy source is “going to take time.”

New nuclear technology approvals take “10 years to get done,” Khodjamirian said, but added that the nuclear re-emergence will likely be accelerated under the new Trump administration.

Speaking to CNBC’s Silvia Amaro on Tuesday’s “Squawk Box Europe,” Khodjamirian said his investment fund has its eyes on firms with a history of developing nuclear technology, such as U.S.-based BWX Technologies, which builds nuclear reactors for military carriers and submarines.

Khodjamirian said Tema is being “very selective in a new technology called small scale modular reactors.”

Small scale modular reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with the ability to provide around one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

SMRs take up less physical space compared to conventional reactors and produce a large amount of low-carbon electricity.

“There’s a lot of excitement there, and equally, a lot of loss-making companies that have unproven technologies, and we’re going for companies that have projects that are approved,” Khodjamirian said.

The nuclear energy renaissance is partly driven by a wave of people that are “realizing that it’s a stable, clean source of energy,” the chief investment officer said, adding that he believes that “there is a need for extra investment” in nuclear, alongside green energy sources that are variable in their electricity production.

“Renewables are good. They can be put up to speed quickly, but they require battery storage,” he said.

Why Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta are investing in nuclear power

Trump has moved quickly on his energy agenda since his return to the White House. The U.S. Senate on Monday confirmed Chris Wright, a fracking executive and a Trump ally, as energy secretary.

Wright is a known nuclear energy supporter, having previously served on the board of advanced reactor company Oklo, as well as having held the position of chief executive at Liberty Energy. The energy firm has since appointed a new CEO following Wright’s confirmation as U.S. secretary of energy.

In 2023, Wright signed a letter supporting nuclear energy.

Digital borders

Khodjamirian is also closely monitoring artificial intelligence volatility, after the emergence of China’s Open AI model DeepSeek sparked concerns over how much money big tech companies will invest in AI.

European nations have voiced security concerns over DeepSeek.

Italy was the first country to block DeepSeek on data protection concerns. France‘s privacy watchdog has expressed concerns and South Korea’s industry ministry has temporarily restricted employee access to the Chinese startup’s AI model.

Taiwan, meanwhile, banned state departments from using the Beijing-based chatbot, wary of potential security threats from Beijing.

The international pushback shows that “no one really knows exactly how to defend digital borders,” according to Khodjamirian.

Global concern will “limit the growth of this model, because it’s coming out of China, but it’s clearly showing you that the West needs to be aware that there’s a lot of technical development,” he said.

“[But] I do think it redraws some of the lines, and it’ll be interesting to see how the U.S. in particular reacts,” he added.

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Here’s our first look at Volkswagen’s cheapest EV, with prices starting at about $20,000

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Here's our first look at Volkswagen's cheapest EV, with prices starting at about ,000

We are finally getting a look at Volkswagen’s answer to BYD and other low-cost Chinese electric cars. Volkswagen previewed its cheapest EV for the first time on Wednesday. It will kick off a new series of entry-level electric vehicles, with starting prices at €20,000, or just over $20,000.

Volkswagen teases its cheapest EV for the first time

At a meeting at its Wolfsburg plant on Wednesday, Volkswagen gave employees a sneak peek at the new model. The auto giant confirmed it will be a part of a new small electric car lineup.

Volkswagen said the new entry-level EV, with a base price of €20,000 ($20,000), “will be attractive for a wide variety” of buyers.

The first model in the new series will be the production version of the ID.2all, which was unveiled in March 2022. Volkswagen said the first ID.2 models will arrive at dealerships in 2026 with a base price of less than €25,000 ($26,000).

CEO Thomas Shafer said at the meeting, “With the conclusion of negotiations in December, we set the largest future plan in Volkswagen’s history in motion.”

The ID.2 and new entry-level EV (likely the ID.1) will be key to Volkswagen’s plans to catch up with EV leaders like BYD and Tesla.

Volkswagen-cheapest-EV
Volkswagen ID.2all electric vehicle (Source: Volkswagen)

Based on the MEB Entry Platform, the ID.2 is expected to have a range of up to 279 miles (450 km). Volkswagen also teased an SUV version, which will follow in its upcoming entry-level EV lineup.

Volkswagen will introduce the show car for its new entry-level EV. The company plans to reveal the production model in 2027.

Volkswagen-cheapest-EV
Volkswagen’s ID 2all EV interior (Source: VW)

Volkswagen is preparing its Wolfsburg plant for the upcoming entry-level models. Shafer stressed that the plant would “remain the heart of the Volkswagen brand in the electric age.” It will also produce the next-gen electric Golf on Volkswagen’s new SSP platform alongside the new T-Roc EV.

For those in the US, don’t get too excited. The new entry-level EV likely won’t make the trip overseas. Shafer described the model as ” an affordable, high-quality, and profitable electric Volkswagen from Europe for Europe.”

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