Volkswagen isn’t sitting still when it comes to electric cars, even if most of its lineup in the US has struggled to gain traction this year. The ID.4, one of only two VW models whose American sales actually increased in 2025, is getting more than a light polish.

Instead, it’s heading into a major refresh that reshapes it into what some within the company are already calling the “electric Tiguan.”

Related: Every VW Model Dropped In Sales, Except The Two You’d Never Expect

Our first spy shots show a crossover that’s recognizably an ID.4, but one that’s been carefully sharpened. The front end is squarer, clearly aligned with the upcoming ID Cross look.

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As you can see in our spy shots, the doors are new with proper pull handles, and the rear end has been subtly reworked with a concave rather than convex tailgate panel, plus a re-profiled D pillar.

It’s not a ground-up redesign, because there’s only so much you can change with a facelift. The underlying structure appears mostly identical, which makes sense for a mid cycle update.

However, the surfacing and proportions have been tweaked just enough to bring the ID.4 visually into sync with the new Tiguan and VW’s upcoming electric ID.Cross, which was unveiled in concept form last September, and goes on sale in Europe later in 2026.

Buttons Are Back

Inside is where the biggest changes may be felt day to day. Physical buttons and switches will feature prominently, including a real volume knob, alongside a new dashboard, better materials, and a revised user interface. We got our first glimpse of this direction in the official photos of the new ID. Polo’s interior (pictured above) earlier this month.

The software gets an upgrade too, with an improved AI-powered voice assistant, and the currently undersized digital gauge cluster will grow in size.

Powertrains and Batteries

Under the skin sits a revised MEB plus platform that should feature LFP battery chemistry for better efficiency and potentially more range, though it’ll still be stuck with 400-volt electrics.

Powertrains are expected to receive light updates rather than dramatic changes. But VW did, after all, only relatively recently dramatically improve the output of the base single-motor ID.4, which since 2024 produces 282 hp (210 kW / 286 PS). That represents an increase of 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) over the previous version.

This facelifted ID.4 is expected to arrive near the end of 2026, helping carry the model through to 2028. That’s when a fully new version is due, this time based on a true 800-volt platform. That is nearly sure to be badged ID.Tiguan, if VW hasn’t decided that this year’s facelift is extensive enough to justify that name change for the 2027 model year.

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The Mercedes EQ lineup has been an unmitigated disaster and a lack of demand forced the company to temporarily pause production to reduce swelling inventories. While assembly of the EQE, EQE SUV, EQS, and EQS SUV recently resumed, the automaker is already looking forward to a less blob-like future.

More: Mercedes’ New E-Class EQ Is Coming To Right The EQE’s Wrongs

That’s clear today as spy photographers have snapped the upcoming E-Class with EQ Technology. Terrible name aside, the EQE successor will fix the sins of the past with an all-new design that more closely resembles the ICE-powered model. As a result, it looks more like a sedan and less like a bar of Dove soap.

Caught undergoing testing in snowy conditions, the E-Class EQ is heavily disguised but will likely feature the brand’s new ‘iconic grille.’ The chrome-clad behemoth recently debuted on the GLC EV and will also be found on the upcoming C-Class EV. If its size didn’t draw enough attention, there’s an illuminated variant with 942 lights as well as a shining star.

The headlights and taillights are temporary units, but they’ll eventually be replaced by starry production components. We can also see an upward sweeping beltline and a greenhouse that echoes the one found on the C-Class EV. However, the E-Class is notable for having traditional door handles and mirrors that are mounted at the base of the A-pillar.

GLC EQ

Spy photographers haven’t gotten a good look inside, but the C-Class EQ follows in the footsteps of the CLA and appears to adopt a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, and a 14-inch front passenger display. However, the more upscale E-Class EQ could take a page from the GLC and sport a massive 39.1-inch screen.

Read: Mercedes-AMG Forced To Kill Some Of Its Loudest Cars Under New EU Rules

The model will ride on the MB.EA platform and have a lot in common with the GLC EV. This means we can expect a two-speed transmission, a roughly 94 kWh battery pack, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive system producing a combined output of 483 hp (360 kW / 489 PS) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque.

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This setup enables the GLC 400 4MATIC to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.3 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h). The crossover also has a WLTP range of up to 444 miles (715 km).

Also: Mercedes Wants Baby G-Wagen To Win Buyers The Big One Never Could

When the battery is low, drivers will be thankful for the 800-volt electrical architecture and the 330 kW DC fast charging capability. It will enable the GLC to get up to 188 miles (303 km) of range in as little as 10 minutes.

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Western brands have been struggling in China, but GM is the rare exception as the company and its joint ventures delivered nearly 1.9 million vehicles last year. That was up 2.3 percent compared to 2024 and this was largely driven by sales of New Energy Vehicles such as the Wuling Hong Guang MINI EV, which found over 435,000 takers.

More: China’s New Cadillac XT5 Will Make You Jealous We Don’t Get It Here

GM is looking for continued success with the new Wuling Xingguang 560, which is a mid-size crossover that will be offered with gas, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains. The company said surprisingly little about the model, but it features a slender grille that is flanked by sweptback headlights with X-shaped daytime running lights.

They’re joined by a powertrain-specific front end, which is enclosed on electrified models and open on the ICE-powered variant.

Moving further back, we can see plastic body cladding and an available contrasting roof. Other highlights include stylish wheels, a liftgate-mounted spoiler, and X-like taillights. The model also has a rear pillar and window treatment that closely recalls the Subaru Forester.

How Big Is It?

In terms of size, the Xingguang 560 measures 186.8 inches (4,745 mm) long, 72.8 inches (1,850 mm) wide, and 69.1 inches (1,755 mm) tall with a wheelbase that spans 110.6 inches (2,810 mm). To put those numbers into perspective, the model is 3.6 inches (91 mm) longer than the Chevrolet Equinox and has an extra 3.1 inches (79 mm) between the wheels.

The interior has a minimalist design with a digital instrument cluster and an infotainment system that reportedly measures 12.8 inches. They’re accompanied by a two-spoke steering wheel, distinctive air vents, and a center console that appears to have a dual wireless smartphone charger.

Wuling was coy on specifics, but said the crossover offers up to 68.7 cubic feet (1,945 liters) of cargo room when the second-row is folded flat. They added the model has more than 25 storage compartments, including one hidden beneath the rear seats.

Powertrain Options

On the performance front, the Xingguang 560 will be offered with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that produces 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS) and 214 lb-ft (290 Nm) of torque. It can be paired to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission.

Customers can also opt for a plug-in hybrid, which offers a WLTC combined range of up to 684 miles (1,100 km). Wuling didn’t elaborate, but an earlier report from CarNewsChina said this variant has a 1.5-liter engine and an electric-only range of 78 miles (125 km).

Last but not least, there’s a fully electric variant that has a CLTC range of up to 311 miles (500 km). It’s said to have a 60 kWh battery pack as well as an electric motor developing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS).

How Much Does It Cost?

To help promote the model’s launch, Wuling is offering introductory pricing that ranges from $8,581 (¥59,800) to $13,746 (¥95,800). After this offer expires, pricing will apparently climb to $9,155 – $14,751 (¥63,800 – ¥102,800).

Ford may be pulling back on its EV spending, but it isn’t walking away from electrification. Instead, the company may be taking a different approach, and that path could lead through China. Specifically, Ford is reportedly in early talks with BYD, the Chinese automaker that recently overtook Tesla as the world’s top EV producer, to source batteries for its next hybrid models.

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal citing sources familiar with the discussions, nothing is finalized, and a deal may not materialize. But if it does, one idea under consideration is for Ford to begin importing BYD batteries for use in its factories outside the United States.

Read: Hold Your Horses, Ford Might Be Working On A Hybrid Pony Car

In response to the report, Ford didn’t confirm or deny the potential partnership. “We talk to lots of companies about many things,” the company told the newspaper. That kind of non-denial tends to say a lot without saying much at all.

BYD, while primarily known for its battery manufacturing in China, has been expanding its footprint globally, building production capacity in Brazil, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Why BYD Might Be the Answer

The timing of these talks aligns with a major pivot inside Ford. The company recently took a $19.5 billion write-down after scaling back several electric vehicle initiatives, including high-profile battery joint ventures with South Korean firms SK On and LG Energy Solution. Alongside a renewed emphasis on internal combustion models, Ford plans to grow its hybrid lineup, an area where BYD already excels.

The Chinese company is one of the world’s largest producers of hybrid vehicles and battery packs for cars. Instead of launching new factories or reviving shelved partnerships, Ford might simply buy batteries directly, streamlining its supply chain as it targets a goal of having hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs make up half of its global sales by 2030.

Will Washington Push Back on a BYD Deal?

Any such deal is unlikely to go over well with the Trump administration. Shortly after reports surfaced that Ford was speaking with BYD, top Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro hit out at the plan.

“So Ford wants to simultaneously prop up a Chinese competitor’s supply chain and make it more vulnerable to that same supply chain extortion?,” he wrote on X. “What could go wrong here?”

Meanwhile, Donald Trump took a different tack. Speaking to reporters in Detroit, the president said he welcomed foreign firms, including those from China and Japan, setting up shop in the States, as long as they employed American workers.

“You know, those tariffs are keeping the foreign autoworkers. Now, if they want to come in and build the plant and hire you and hire your friends and your neighbors, that’s great. I love that,” said Trump. ” Let China come in. Let Japan come in. They are. And they’ll be building plants, but they’re using our labor.

The unveiling of the EV2 in Brussels marks another step in Kia’s relentless expansion into the electric market, and it could easily become one of the brand’s biggest hits. Aimed at the new Renault 4, the EV2 draws on proven tech and echoes the design language of Kia’s larger electric SUVs. There’s also the possibility of a full-bore GT version joining the range.

Read: Kia’s EV2 Is Like A Renault 4 Without The Nostalgia

Kia has so far confirmed the EV2 will be offered as standard with a compact 42.2 kWh battery pack and a 145 hp electric motor driving the front wheels. With a claimed range of 197 miles (317 km), it’ll be best suited to urban dwellers and those who can charge at home.

Soon after, a GT-Line version will arrive, featuring a larger 61 kWh battery and a potential range of up to 278 miles (448 km). Kia hasn’t yet confirmed how much power the upgraded model will offer.

Is a Hot GT Variant in the Works?

A fully-fledged GT version would sit above these models in Kia’s line-up, and could serve as a rival to the Volkswagen ID. Polo GTI, albeit in a slightly larger package than the German hatchback. When asked by Autocar about the possibility of such a version, Kia Europe’s planning chief Alex Papapetropolous didn’t rule it out.

“At launch, we’re going to have Air and Earth trims, with GT Line following in June,” he said. “Of course, we’re looking at life-cycle animations on EV2, and it’s a segment that customers are very keen and receptive to have those life-cycle updates in, so we’re looking at adding more trims in the future.”

No AWD, No Problem?

If an EV2 GT is released, it will be quite different than Kia’s other electric GT models. Kia hasn’t engineered the car to support all-wheel drive, meaning it’d have to stick to front-wheel drive. That’s not the end of the world, but it does mean it wouldn’t be able to match the EV3 GT and EV4 GT, both rated at 282 hp, and would likely land closer to the 200 hp mark.

Kia would also have to reduce torque steer as much as possible. The front-wheel drive EV5 we drove last year was riddled with torque steer with its 215 hp and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm), and an EV2 GT would have far less weight to move.

Canada and China announced a major tariff shift today in Beijing, and while it’s sure to have some North American farmers whooping with joy, it might also result in the region’s auto workers punching walls in frustration.

In late 2024, Canada had imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles, following similar action by the United States. That effectively shut out Chinese EVs from the Canadian market and was meant to protect local industry. China retaliated with crushing tariffs on Canadian canola seed of 84 percent, which effectively bottlenecked an export industry worth billions of dollars.

Also: EU Could Scrap Chinese EV Tariffs, But Buyers Won’t Like What Comes Next

The new agreement reached by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping rewrites that script. Canada will now allow up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles a year to be imported at a reduced tariff of around 6.1 percent, a massive drop from the previous 100 percent, and ease tariffs on steel and aluminium.

By the fifth year of the agreement, the EV import cap will rise to 70,000 units. “That’s a return to levels last seen in 2023, the last full year before the Canadian tariff actions,” Carney said.

Even so, the number remains relatively modest in the context of the overall market. Canadian consumers bought nearly 1.9 million vehicles last year, meaning Chinese EVs will still account for a small fraction, albeit a larger one when looking solely at electric vehicles. That said, we still don’t have the total EV sales figure for 2025.

Canola Tariffs Cut

China, for its part, will cut its canola seed duty to about 15 percent by March 1, significantly improving market access for Canadian farmers. The move is part of a broader effort to repair strained relations between the two nations and comes as the result of the first high-level visit by a Canadian prime minister to Beijing in nearly a decade.

But not everyone is thrilled. Some Canadian auto workers and industry observers worry that lower EV tariffs and an influx of affordable cars could increase competition in an already challenging market. And ahead of the final meeting Ontario Premier Doug Ford made clear he was against the lifting of tariffs.

Jobs Created, Not Lost

Carney, however, predicts the EV pact will result in “considerable” Chinese investment into Canada’s auto sector that will create jobs, Reuters reports, while helping it meet its climate goals.

“For Canada to build its own competitive EV sector, we will need to learn from innovative partners, access their supply chains, and increase local demand,” he said.

US President Donald Trump and his administration will certainly be dismayed at this latest news from Canada. But there will also be thousands of American soy bean farmers whose livelihoods have been trashed by tariffs that will be wishing Trump would make a similar deal.

A Tampa-area school bus aide has been arrested after authorities say he struck a 9-year-old student with autism multiple times during a bus ride.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies responded Jan. 9 shortly after 3 p.m. to Cypress Creek Elementary School in Ruskin following a report of possible child abuse. Investigators said the child’s mother reported that her son, who is nonverbal and has autism, may have been abused while on the school bus.

Deputies identified the suspect as James Savage, 79, a school bus aide for Hillsborough County School District. Investigators allege that Savage on at least one occasion struck the child on the hand and slapped him in the face with a hat. Interior bus video footage shows Savage smacking the top of the student’s hand before removing his hat and using it to slap the left side of the child’s face.

The school bus aide was arrested and now faces a charge of child abuse

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister condemned the alleged actions, emphasizing the importance of protecting children in school settings.

“Any form of abuse against a child is completely unacceptable,” Chronister said in a statement. “Children deserve to feel safe at all times, especially in the care of those entrusted with their well-being. Protecting our most vulnerable is a responsibility we will never take lightly, and those who violate that trust will face the consequences.”

The investigation remains ongoing. Officials did not release additional details about the incident or whether further charges could be filed.

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Related: 3-Year Prison Sentence for School Bus Aide Convicted in Choking Death
Related: Virginia School Bus Aide Arrested for Alleged Assault
Related: Teen Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Student Waiting for School Bus in New York
Related: Colorado School District Pays $16.2M for Abuse of Student by Bus Attendant

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STN EXPO East attendees will experience “A Day at the Track” as the Charlotte Motor Speedway is transformed into an immersive student transportation event.
The Ride and Drive and Product Demo is scheduled for Sunday, March 29 during the STN EXPO East conference and trade show held at the nearby Embassy Suites Charlotte-Concord in North Carolina. The Ride and Drive and demo networking events are featured as part of the Bus Technology Summit and Green Bus Summit.

Bus Technology Summit will begin with product labs presented by individual vendors that are creating cutting-edge technology options to address student transportation industry needs. The Green Bus Summit starts the same day and features panel discussions with industry manufacturers and clean energy organizations as they provide an overview of green fuel and energy options available. Both Summits continue Monday, March 30.

At the Charlotte Motor Speedway Sunday evening, attendees will take part in a racing inspired event held in the NASCAR Cup Series Garage. The reception will feature dinner, drinks and entertainment. Attendees can then visit the sponsor stations to demo different products and ride different school bus models around the quarter-mile oval track. This iconic venue provides an unforgettable experience centered around connection, collaboration and innovation.

Ride and Drive and Technology Demo title sponsor Zonar will showcase its product line is joined by platinum sponsors Blue Bird, First Light Safety Products, IC Bus, Micro Bird, RIDE, Southeast Propane Alliance (SEPA), and Transfinder. A full list of sponsors is available online.

Register by Feb. 14 to save $100 on conference registration. Find the conference agenda, exhibitor lists, and hotel information at stnexpo.com/east.

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Related: STN EXPO East Keynote Speaker to Outline Strategies for Creating Impactful Culture
Related: STN EXPO East to Feature Timely Discussion on Managing Stress
Related: STN EXPO East Keynote Speaker to Outline Strategies for Creating Impactful Culture

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BMW M will begin offering electric vehicles in 2027, and the upcoming i3 M sedan has already been teased. But it won’t arrive alone, as spy photographers have captured the brand’s first high-performance electric SUV, possibly called the iX3 M, undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden.

More: BMW M’s iX3 Is Hiding Something Under Its Hood

Dressed in heavy camouflage, the prototype looks virtually identical to the standard model. However, we can see the crossover has been equipped with sizable wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system. The latter feature cross-drilled discs as well as blue calipers up front.

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The production model will presumably have more changes including sportier bumpers and a lightly revised grille. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find a modified diffuser and plenty of M badging.

While there isn’t much to see outside, the interior pictures show the M variant will have a sport steering wheel that eschews vertical spokes. We can also see red and blue contrast stitching as well as dedicated M buttons that are covered by tape.

The rest of the cabin is largely hidden behind disguise, but there are heavily bolstered sport seats that have taped up M logos. Besides the special touches, we can expect a pillar-to-pillar Panoramic iDrive display as well as a 17.9-inch infotainment system.

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BMW M has been coy on powertrain details, but they recently said their upcoming EVs will have four electric motors as well as a front axle that can be “completely decoupled” to deliver rear-wheel drive characteristics and efficiency. All of these models, including the i3 M sedan and the iX3 M SUV, will also have simulated gear shifts and a newly developed “soundscape.”

The motors will deliver precisely controlled power and torque to each individual wheel and they’ll be powered by a 100+ kWh battery pack, which has been “specifically adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles.” The company also noted upcoming models will have a long range, highly efficient energy recuperation, 800-volt technology, and their new Heart of Joy driving dynamics system.

The big question is how much power to expect. Only BMW knows for sure, but speculation suggests they could be packing between 700 hp (522 kW / 710 PS) and 800 hp (597 kW / 811 PS).

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The Rolls-Royce Cullinan burst onto the scene in 2018 and became a successful addition to the lineup. Now, almost ten years later, the company has begun work on a new flagship crossover.

Spied undergoing cold weather testing in Scandinavia, the redesigned model is heavily disguised but looks instantly recognizable. However, there’s a new front fascia with split lighting units and what appears to be a wider grille. We can also see a wide lower intake that echoes the one found on the Spectre.

More: Facelifted Rolls Royce Cullinan Arrives With Questionable Styling Changes

Moving further back, there’s a bulging hood and a pronounced shoulder line. They’re joined by an evolutionary greenhouse as well as new door handles that appear to be better integrated into the overall design.

The familiar styling continues out back, where there are new taillights with vertical elements. The model also has a new liftgate and a license plate recess that has been moved to the bumper. Speaking of which, there are new horizontal reflectors and no more exhaust cutouts.

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There appears to be a good reason for this as spy photographers said the model is fully electric. Little is known about the crossover at this point, but the model could follow in the footsteps of the Spectre.

As you may recall, the electric coupe rides on the Architecture of Luxury and features a 102 kWh battery pack as well as a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with 577 hp (430kW / 584 PS) and  664 lb-ft (900Nm) of torque. This enables the Spectre to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds and have a WLTP range of 329 miles (530 km).

Customers can also upgrade to the Black Badge variant, which has an upgraded powertrain producing 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS) and 793 lb-ft (1,075 Nm) of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, 60 mph (96 km/h) comes in 4.1 seconds.

The crossover could use a larger battery than the coupe, but we likely won’t find out for awhile as a launch isn’t expected until 2028. That’s a ways off and it means Bentley will beat Rolls-Royce to the punch with an electric crossover of their own.

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The wait is nearly over. After years of speculation and teasers, Mercedes-Benz’s smaller G-Class is finally edging closer to production, The compact G-Wagen sticks closely to the blocky proportions of its full-sized counterpart, aiming to carry over much of its tough, go-anywhere character.

Shrunk in scale but not in identity, it’s being positioned to take on Land Rover’s downsized Defender in the growing premium off-roader market.

Read: A Baby G-Wagon Is Coming, And Yes, It Still Looks Kind of Badass

Although this isn’t the first time the model has been spotted in testing, these new images give us the clearest view yet. Caught undergoing cold-weather trials in Europe, the compact Mercedes is visibly shorter and lower than the full-fat G-Class, but the family resemblance is obvious.

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Peek through the camouflage and you’ll spot familiar round headlights, likely paired with a sizeable grille up front. The front fascia sits tall and upright, though the overall lines are slightly more sculpted than the full-size version. It keeps that classic G-Class stance but smooths out a few edge around the corners – literally.

According to Gordon Wagener, former Mercedes design chief, the baby G was intended to look “a touch more modern than the big one.” He made that point in an interview with Car Magazine last year, and it tracks. One of the more interesting new details is the small, triangular rear side windows.

Underpinning the compact G is a brand-new platform, entirely separate from the full-size G-Class’s traditional architecture. It abandons the ladder-frame chassis, a move that might raise questions about hardcore off-road capability and towing strength. However, the payoff should come in the form of a more refined on-road experience, with smoother ride quality and improved daily comfort.

Former tech boss Markus Schäfer referred to the platform as a “miniature ladder-frame chassis” while speaking to Autocar last year. While it isn’t a true body-on-frame setup, he explained that it shares key qualities, particularly in suspension geometry and wheel sizing. So while it won’t match the full G-Class for rock-crawling antics, it won’t be soft either.

What Will Power It?

Then there’s the all-important question of powertrains. The mini G-Class will debut as an EV, which may catch some by surprise, given the current state of the market, especially here in the US. However, remember, this is a global model and there’s plenty of interest in EVs in major markets like China and Europe.

Details on the battery pack and electric motors are still scarce, but it would make sense for Mercedes to draw from the technology used in the latest CLA and GLC EVs. That would help ensure the new model delivers a reasonable driving range along with sufficient performance.

Whether combustion-powered versions will arrive after the new baby G is released remains unclear. Demand for the full-size electric G580 with EQ Technology hasn’t been particularly strong, so it would make sense for Mercedes to at least consider offering a few combustion powertrains. In that scenario, hybrid models might also be on the table, though nothing has been confirmed.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting China this week on a politically significant trip, one that could carry broad implications for America’s northern neighbor, especially for its closely watched automotive sector. Among the issues likely to come up is the contentious matter of auto tariffs

Back in 2024, the Canadian government imposed sweeping 100 percent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum. China didn’t take long to respond, slapping retaliatory tariffs on Canadian seafood, pork, and canola.

Read: Canada Could Decide The Fate Of Chinese EV Tariffs As Carney Meets Xi

While some provincial leaders have been quietly pushing for a reciprocal easing of trade restrictions, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has taken a decidedly harder line. He has made it clear that he does not support lifting the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles under any circumstances.

“I’m absolutely 100 per cent dead against this,” Ford told reporters. “I’ll reach out to him and text message and just tell them our concerns.”

“I’m very concerned and so are my friends in Michigan concerned,” the premier said after a meeting with Republican and Democratic state representatives from Michigan, according to The Star.

“When you have the Chinese government wanting to dump cheap Chinese parts and cheap vehicles here, it costs Canadian and American jobs,” said Ford. “This is nothing against the folks in the canola business or soybean — we have a thriving soybean business here, too — so it’s not about them. I fully understand why Premier Moe is concerned, but he’s protecting Saskatchewan.”

Could Local Production Change the Narrative?

Interestingly, Ford isn’t inherently opposed to Chinese brands. In fact, he recently expressed his openness for a Chinese brand to come to Canada and to set up a production facility in Ontario.

“If they’re willing to come here and invest in a plant just like GM, Stellantis, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, Toyota and come here and manufacture, create jobs, and create parts here, well, now we’re on a whole different page,” he said.

Canadian Chinese Tensions

Carney’s diplomatic stop marks the first official visit to China by a Canadian Prime Minister in eight years. Political tensions have simmered between the two countries since 2019, when Canadian authorities detained a Chinese tech executive in Vancouver. In apparent retaliation, two Canadian citizens were arrested and held in China for nearly three years, according to CBC.

Despite those strains, China could become an increasingly important economic partner for Canada in the coming decade. The Canadian government has set a target to double non-U.S. trade by 2035, a goal that would almost certainly require deeper ties with Beijing.

While Canada’s tariffs on Chinese EVs has helped to insulate the local auto market, the reciprocal tariffs from China have hurt farmers. Speaking with CBC, a canola farmer recently revealed the tariffs had cost his farm roughly $450,000.

Student transportation leaders are being asked to do more with less—manage driver shortages, control labor costs, ensure on-time arrivals, and maintain payroll accuracy across increasingly complex operations. Yet many districts still rely on disconnected systems for GPS, routing, dispatch, and payroll, leaving gaps in visibility when it matters most.

In this webinar, hear directly from Little Elm Independent School District (TX) about how they successfully transitioned from a contractor-based model to a fully in-house transportation operation—and why unifying dispatch and payroll into a single command-and-control system was non-negotiable.

Under the leadership of Transportation Director Jonquez Moore, Little Elm ISD adopted Bytecurve to gain real-time insight into driver availability, route performance, and labor costs.

Attendees will learn how management-by-exception dashboards help dispatch teams identify late or missing drivers before service is impacted, how tying clock-in times to route schedules improves payroll accuracy, and how district leaders use data to track on-time performance by route and campus.

The session will also explore measurable outcomes, including improved on-time arrivals, reduced payroll leakage, and increased confidence across dispatch and payroll teams.

Whether you’re managing an in-house fleet or evaluating how to modernize your transportation technology stack, this webinar will provide practical, peer-driven insights you can apply immediately.

Brought to you by Bytecurve

REGISTER BELOW:

 

Presenters:

Jonquez Moore
Transportation Leader
Little Elm Independent School District (TX)

Jonquez Moore is the transportation Leader at Little Elm ISD, where he oversaw the district’s transition from contractor-based service to a district-run operation. A former teacher and coach, Moore brings a unique operational perspective and is known for leveraging real-time data to improve dispatch efficiency, payroll accuracy, and on-time arrivals across a growing fleet.

Jonathan Agenten
Sales Director
Bytecurve

Jonathan Agenten manages strategy and customer engagement for Bytecurve, working closely with school districts nationwide to improve dispatch visibility, payroll accuracy, and operational performance. With deep experience in K-12 transportation technology, he helps districts modernize workflows and make data-driven decisions.

Bryan Mitchell
Marketing
Bytecurve

Bryan Mitchell focuses on helping transportation leaders understand how unified dispatch and payroll systems reduce labor inefficiencies and improve on-time performance.

 

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SAN DIEGO, Calif. -Netradyne, a leader in AI-powered fleet safety and performance solutions, today announced the launch of Video LiveSearch, an industry-first technology that leverages real-time natural language search powered by on-device edge AI intelligence. Video LiveSearch enables fleet managers to proactively search across every vehicle in real-time and instantly uncover the most meaningful video to pull.

Delivering Faster Situational Awareness
Until now, fleets have had to rely on incidents being reported by other teams, wait through cloud processing delays, manually triangulate the vehicle and timeframes of interest to download, and then sift through hours of downloaded footage—slowing investigations and limiting fleets to a reactive approach to fleet safety and performance. Video LiveSearch provides a step-change improvement by enabling fleets to shift from a reactive to a proactive operational approach:

Empowering their teams to proactively improve safety and performance with virtually instant line-of-sight into where to look, instead of waiting for reports or digging through timelines. Enabling real-time, on-device search using a simple, natural language prompt for road-facing camera views across every vehicle in the fleet. Surfacing the most relevant before-during-after video clips, instead of guessing or manually triangulating video timestamps. “Video LiveSearch is the fleet industry’s first on device, real-time search capability—giving fleets faster situational awareness to proactively understand what’s happening across their operations,” said Avneesh Agrawal, CEO and co-founder of Netradyne. “Fleet operators can instantly find the exact moments of interest across their entire fleet in real time, enabling faster action and safer, more efficient operations. Using natural language and AI-powered search, fleets can proactively identify risks and inefficiencies across their operations, such as school bus stop-arm compliance, commercial proof of service, cracked-windshield maintenance, or claims support.”

Powered by On-Device Edge AI

Video LiveSearch is possible because of Netradyne’s advanced edge intelligence that brings together:

Real-Time Reasoning at the Edge

Netradyne creates searchable video for virtually 100% of road-facing drive time directly on the vehicle—so Video LiveSearch doesn’t have to wait on cloud downloads to start finding relevant video.

Every free-text search returns the top matches in seconds, whether across a single vehicle or the entire fleet, giving teams near-instant discovery of which clips to pull. Instead of chasing details like vehicle, date, or trip and hoping a video request hits the mark, fleets can immediately see the best matches and download only the footage they need.

Context-Aware Search that Learns Real-World Patterns

Netradyne’s edge intelligence learns patterns in real-world road scenes and driving behavior, enabling LiveSearch to instantly match a simple search prompt to the most relevant video footage and return the right clips to pull for before–during–after context.

“The enabling hardware for Video LiveSearch, the D-810 device, turns every vehicle into an intelligent multi-modal sensor for your fleet operations,” said David Julian, CTO and co-founder of Netradyne. “Video LiveSearch leverages that intelligence to deliver rapid insights, giving fleets the power to quickly search for what’s happening around their vehicles, drivers, and passengers in real time. This represents a foundational step in our Physical AI platform, where our technology continuously interprets the physical world to power both rapid discovery and precision operations.”

Two-Speed AI: Discover Fast, Operationalize with Precision

Netradyne views Video LiveSearch as a core pillar of its Two-Speed AI strategy.

Exploration: Broad semantic search enables rapid discovery without waiting on product development cycles.
Operationalization: High-precision, domain-optimized models power real-time coaching and safety-critical workflows.

Video LiveSearch accelerates discovery while informing where deeper AI investment delivers the greatest operational impact.

Responsible AI by Design
Video LiveSearch embeds responsible AI governance directly into its architecture. An AI front-end screening layer evaluates natural-language prompts before they reach the edge reasoning engine, automatically rejecting requests outside approved operational intent—such as identifying individuals or tracking license plates.

This approach ensures Video LiveSearch remains focused on safety and operational use cases, preserves driver trust, and prevents misuse by design rather than policy.

Pioneering Physical AI for Fleets
Video LiveSearch represents a foundational step in Netradyne’s broader Physical AI vision, where AI continuously interprets multimodal data on the vehicle to understand the driver, vehicle, driving environment, and trip as an integrated system. By making this context instantly searchable, Video LiveSearch transforms how fleets gain situational awareness and take action across their operations.

About Netradyne:
Netradyne provides AI-powered technologies for smarter fleets and safer roads. An award-winning industry leader in fleet safety and video telematics solutions, Netradyne empowers thousands of commercial fleet customers across North America, Europe, and Asia to enhance their driver performance, reduce risk, and optimize operations. Netradyne sets the standard among fleet operating companies for enhancing and sustaining road safety. Using AI-vision technology to analyze 1.3+ trillion minutes and 27+ billion miles, Netradyne offers an industry-first driver and fleet scoring system that recognizes and rewards safe, efficient driving behaviors. Founded in 2015, Netradyne is headquartered in San Diego with offices in San Francisco, Nashville, and Bangalore.

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Iowa started the new year with new and controversial school bus driver training courses.

House File 395 revises requirements for training and certification of school bus drivers in the state. It updates the criteria for what constitutes as an approved course of instruction for school bus drivers.

Prior to the new law taking effect, school bus drivers would take a 17-hour online course followed by a three-hour, in-person class. They had six months to complete the course after being hired. Annually, all drivers were required to attend a three-house in person refresher class to maintain their school bus authorization.

Now, the three-hour refresher course is optional.

The Controversy

“The change in state requirements that made annual bus driver training optional came as a surprise,” David Johnson, executive director of the Iowa Pupil Transportation Association, said of the controversial driver training update. “Some updates were necessary and were already underway before the bill passed—specifically, updating the online portion of new driver training. Much of this content was already being covered through ELDT, and it was time for an update.

“However, the annual three-hour refresher training is, in my view, very important,” he continued. “Making it optional could make it easier for a school district to provide significantly less training for its drivers. It is my hope that all districts will continue to recognize the value of this professional development and will continue to require their drivers to participate. IPTA will continue to support the training provided by the Department of Education and encourage districts to take part in it.”

The bill was introduced on Feb. 13, 2025, passed both chambers, and was signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds on June 6, 2025, taking effect at the new year.

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Related: ‘One Type of Driver’ Training
Related: Iowa Rising Star Furthers Driver Safety and Proficiency
Related: (STN Podcast E258) Nuances & Challenges: NCST Recap, Trade Wars, Upcoming Safety Convos

The post Updated Iowa School Bus Driver Hiring Law Adds Optional Refresher Course appeared first on School Transportation News.

STN Publisher and President Tony Corpin met up with the winners of the Everdriven’s Modern Student Transportation Awards at the 2025 Transporting Students with Disabilities and Special Needs (TSD) Conference to discuss what this award means to them.

The awards were designed to recognize and highlight leaders in student transportation who are setting new standards of service to meet the evolving needs of student mobility as well as championing forward-thinking and innovative solutions.

The Equity in Education Accessibility Award was presented to Jeremy Stowe, Director of Transportation at Buncombe County Schools in North Carolina, the Humanitarian Award to Earl Kent III, Routing Planning Manager at Denver Public Schools in Colorado and the Safety and Reliability Award was given to Kayla Denaco, Assistant Director of Transportation at Lewiston Public Schools in Maine.

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Related: (STN Podcast E284) Always Something to Learn: Special Needs Takeaways from TSD 2025
Related: WATCH: Fenton Mobility Wows Attendees at 2025 TSD Conference
Related: (STN Podcast E283) Onsite at TSD 2025 (Part 2/2): Solution-Driven Partners + TD of the Year Interview

The post WATCH: Everdriven Modern Student Transportation Award Winners at TSD 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

New Jersey police arrested a man alleged to have thrown a rock that seriously injured an 8-year-old girl aboard a school bus in Bergen County, reported Jpost News.

Police took Hernando Garcia Morales, 40, into custody following an investigation into multiple rock-throwing incidents in the area. Morales is charged with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief, resisting arrest by flight, and hindering apprehension.

The most serious incident occurred Wednesday as a school bus transporting third-grade students from the Yeshivat Noam Jewish school exited the New Jersey Turnpike. Police said the thrown rock shattered a bus window and struck the young girl, which fractured her skull. The child’s condition remained unknown at this report following hospitalization.

Law enforcement and school officials said there is currently no known motive behind the attack and would not refer to it as a hate crime at this report. Authorities emphasized the bus did not have markings identifying it as a school bus or as belonging to a Jewish school. School officials urged caution against speculation and continued working closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation, which is ongoing.

The arrest followed reports of similar rock-throwing incidents in Bergen County, which investigators linked to Morales.

“Throwing stones at vehicles is not harmless mischief. It is a violent act that can maim or kill,” said Phil Rosen, chair of the World Jewish Congress American Section. “When an object is hurled at a bus full of children, the intent is to cause fear and injury. That is terror, and it must be condemned clearly and without qualification.”

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Related: South Carolina School Bus Driver Arrested, Charged with Solicitation of a Minor
Related: Teen Arrested After Allegedly Hitting Student Waiting for School Bus in New York
Related: Louisiana Child Hit by Truck, 19-Year-Old Driver Arrested
Related: Florida School Bus Attendant Arrested for Inappropriate Behavior with Young Girls

The post Man Arrested for Throwing Rock at School Bus, Fracturing 8-Year-Old Girl’s Skull appeared first on School Transportation News.

Australia may be late to the EV party, but the guest list is growing fast. Despite trailing behind many nations in electric vehicle adoption, recent sales data shows an accelerating shift among local buyers. For the first time, electrified cars have outsold (gasoline) petrol-powered vehicles in a single month.

This could very well mark a turning point, positioning 2026 to potentially become the first full year where battery-assisted cars surpass traditional combustion sales.

Read: Hyundai Slashes $7K From Its Smallest EV, But It’s Still $10K Pricier Than Its Chinese Rival

In December, a total of 35,058 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles found new homes across the country. This was slightly above the 34,559 petrol cars sold over the same four-week period.

China’s Growing Influence on the Numbers

Zooming out to the full year, total electrified sales reached 355,887 vehicles, securing a 28.6 percent share of the overall market. Pure battery-electric vehicles made up 103,270 of that figure, accounting for an 8.3 percent slice.

Much of this momentum can be traced to the growing presence of Chinese manufacturers, whose expanding lineups have proved popular with Australian buyers. Brands such as BYD, Geely, MG, Xpeng, and Zeekr have led the charge.

Demand for EVs from China will likely grow even more this year. A slew of small and affordable electric offerings will soon hit the market, including Nio’s Firefly, the Geely EX2, and the BYD Atto 1, Australia’s Drive reports.

Petrol Still Leads the Pack

Although demand for electrified cars is increasing, petrol cars still represent the largest slice of the market. Indeed, a total of 475,279 were sold in 2025, which was 38.3 percent of the total market. Diesel models also remain popular, accounting for 29.4 percent, a figure which has remained relatively steady for the past five years.

It’s a long way from the market of a decade ago. Back in 2015, petrol cars accounted for a dominant 67 percent share, a clear sign of how much the market and consumer habits have changed in just ten years.

Traditional hybrids also had a strong showing last year. Australians bought 199,133 of them, giving the segment a 16 percent share. Plug-in hybrids, while still a smaller category, made notable progress as well. With 53,484 units sold, they secured 4.3 percent of the market, suggesting growing interest in flexible, transitional technologies

As Honda doubles down on its electric dreams, tensions are rising inside its own retail network. Honda dealerships are pushing back against the company’s joint EV venture with Sony, arguing that it’s siphoning attention and resources away from the core Honda and Acura lines, especially at a time when EV demand has begun to cool. The company, however, appears unmoved.

Sony Honda Mobility unveiled its near production-ready Afeela 1 electric sedan at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, preparing it for a limited launch in California in late 2026. Alongside the sedan, the company also teased a second model, a crossover still in development.

Read: After A $90K Sedan, Sony Honda Thinks What America Needs Now Is Another Pricey Electric SUV

Honda will manage all direct sales, vehicle deliveries, and servicing for the Afeela lineup, and will also collaborate with independent repair providers to support ownership beyond the showroom.

Dealers Push Back on Direct Sales

This has rubbed many dealers the wrong way. In August last year, the California New Car Dealers Association filed a lawsuit against Honda and Sony, claiming the direct-sales strategy is illegal under the California Vehicle Code.

Sony Honda Mobility has countered, maintaining that it operates as a separate business entity, and therefore isn’t bound to use Honda’s existing dealership infrastructure.

“While we understand the intent may be to target a different, tech-savvy customer segment, we see no compelling reason to bypass the established dealer network that has supported the brand for decades,” Bill Feinstein, the chairman of the Honda Dealer Advisory Board, told Auto News.

Honda says it has been “clear and transparent” with dealers that they will not be involved in the sale or distribution of the Afeela models.

A Hard Sell?

Feinstein didn’t stop there. “It’s really hard to understand how a premium electric vehicle priced at $90,000-plus makes sense with EV demand softening, high interest rates and intense price competition,” he said.

He also voiced concerns about the broader impact on the business. “We’re deeply worried about the ongoing drain on financial and engineering resources. Every dollar spent in Afeela’s R&D, manufacturing and marketing is a dollar not spent on core Honda and Acura products, where we see greater potential for volume growth and profitability.”

Despite the resistance, Sony Honda Mobility isn’t phased. At last week’s CES in Las Vegas, the joint venture unveiled a prototype of its next model, an all-electric SUV that shares much of its design language with the sedan. The company says this new model could hit the US market as early as 2028

General Motors is finally stepping into the plug-in hybrid game, a move that’s been a long time coming. Despite shifting political winds that have made it easier to build thirsty combustion models, GM still sees full electric vehicles as the ultimate goal.

Read: Chevy Promised 255 Miles, The New Bolt Beats It Anyway

With tariffs weighing on costs, the federal $7,500 EV tax credit now off the table, and fuel economy standards loosened, automakers are being forced to rethink their timelines and adjust accordingly.

While speaking at the Automotive Press Association, Mary Barra confirmed that GM “had to make some fairly significant changes,” including cutting billions of dollars’ worth of EV investments. But she also made clear that new hybrids are in development, Autonews reports.

Plug-In Plans Materialize

“We are evaluating plug-in hybrids,” Barra said. “We have plans to do some. In the past, plug-ins were the only hybrids that actually counted toward the regulatory perspective. So we have plans to do those, and we’ll have hybrids where we think we need to. But again, we’re mainly investing and continuing to work on EVs because we think that’s the end game.”

In mid-2024, Barra revealed there were plans to start selling plug-in hybrids in the US in 2027. In her most recent remarks, she didn’t provide an updated timeline or name any specific GM models slated to receive the new powertrains.

However, she acknowledged that hybrids present their own challenges, particularly the fact that many owners don’t bother to plug them in. Nonetheless, GM is weighing both plug-in and conventional hybrid setups as part of its evolving strategy.

Read: Drivers Buy Plug-In Hybrids And Forget The ‘Plug-In’ Part

“We’re trying to be very thoughtful about what we do from a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid perspective,” she said.

Staying the Course on EVs

Even though GM will invest in PHEVs, it isn’t pulling back from BEVs quite as aggressively as some of its competition. For example, Ford recently took a $19.5 billion writedown after axing several important EV programs and partnerships. GM, by contrast, expects to take a $6 billion charge related to scaled-back EV spending, alongside a separate $1.6 billion charge posted in the third quarter.

Read: Stellantis Quietly Kills Its Plug-In Hybrids In America

During her remarks at the same event, Reuters reports that Barra emphasized GM’s desire to remain adaptable, especially given the uncertain regulatory environment ahead.

“I’m a little surprised at some [automakers] that are really pulling away very quickly, because we don’t know what will be in ‘29, ‘30, ’32.”