Dacia is preparing to broaden its electric horizons in the coming years, gradually expanding beyond its sole EV offering, the Spring. The Romanian automaker plans to introduce electric powertrain options across its lineup, including the ever-popular Duster SUV.

The fully electric version is expected to keep the rugged spirit of its combustion and hybrid counterparts, while continuing Dacia’s mission of offering affordable vehicles.

More: Which Budget Small SUV Deserves Your Money, The Dacia Duster Or The Jeep Avenger?

According to a report from Autocar, CEO Denis Le Vot confirmed that an electric Duster “will come in time,” though he didn’t provide a launch date. More specifics on the brand’s electrification roadmap are expected during a special event scheduled for November.

Electric Duster Likely to Use CMF-BEV Platform

The upcoming electric Duster is likely to be based on the CMF-BEV architecture, also known as AmpR Small. This platform already underpins the Renault 5 and 4, and will also be used for upcoming EVs from Nissan, including the new Micra and Juke. Its flexibility in supporting both front- and all-wheel-drive configurations makes it well-suited to the Duster’s mission.

Dacia intends to adopt the same platform across its full EV lineup moving forward. On paper, this seems like a straightforward transition, since the CMF-BEV is an evolution of the existing CMF-B platform already used for the brand’s ICE and hybrid models, including the Sandero, Jogger, Duster, and Bigster.

The shared components between the two platforms could make it possible for Dacia to produce future EVs alongside their combustion-engine counterparts in the same factories, helping to keep manufacturing costs down.

Design Changes Expected to Be Minimal

At the moment we don’t know whether the electric Duster will deviate from the design of the current ICE-powered model. However, judging from Dacia’s focus on reducing costs, we can assume that the styling updates won’t be radical. After all, the third-gen Duster was introduced in late 2023, so it still looks fresh.

When it arrives, the Duster EV will face competition from a growing list of compact electric SUVs. Key rivals will include the mechanically related Renault 4 E-Tech, the upcoming Fiat Grande Panda 4×4, the Jeep Avenger, and the Suzuki e-Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser electric twins.

More: Dacia Working On New Sub-€18k EV For Europe

Before the Duster gets an EV option, Dacia will introduce an electric variant of the Sandero supermini in 2027, alongside an affordable urban EV that will serve as a replacement to the smaller Spring. Furthermore, the automaker is working on two new ICE-powered compact models that will join the Bigster at the top of the lineup, initially offered with gasoline and hybrid powertrain options.

The ICE-powered Duster Is Here To Stay

It is worth noting that the Duster EV will not serve as a successor to the current model that is available with gasoline, LPG, and hybrid powertrains and is expected to survive well into the 2030s.

Recent reports suggested that the hybrid Duster will soon get a new 4×4 version featuring an electrified rear axle, similar to the rival Jeep Avenger 4Xe. After all, Europe’s ICE ban won’t be applied before 2035, so there’s plenty of time for new and updated offerings.

Thanos Pappas for CarScoops

Unless your daily commute involves chasing down a Cannonball Run record, chances are you’re not rolling around with a 70-gallon (265-liter) fuel cell in your car. Most of us don’t need to knock out 1,860 miles (3,000 km) in one uninterrupted stretch. But according to Huawei , that kind of range might soon be possible in an electric vehicle.

The Chinese tech giant claims its new battery technology could enable a future mid-size EV to cover that distance on a single charge.

Related: BYD’s New 1,000 kW EVs Fill Up As Fast As Gas Cars

Like Toyota, VW, BMW, Stellantis and other big players in the tech and automotive space, Huawei has spent the last few years working on solid state batteries, which most experts agree will bring a step-change in EV usability. And this month Huawei filed a Chinese patent for solid-state battery chemistry that comes with some bold claims.

The cells, whose sulfide electrodes are doped with nitrogen to reduce lifespan-shortening side reactions, have an energy density of 400-500 Wh/kg, the filing says, or triple the figure for current conventional cells. Huawei reckons that would allow a typical midsize sedan to cover 1,860 miles on a single charge. Oh, and that charge – to full, not 80 percent – would  take just five minutes.

The 1,860-mile figure would be based on China’s hopelessly optimistic CLTC calculations, so would probably translate to a 1,300-mile (2,090 km) EPA number. Slightly less spectacular, sure, but still around three times what the rangiest 2025 EVs can deliver on a single charge.

It all sounds incredible, but I have some reservations about it actually happening, and not because I doubt Huawei’s tech. No one buying an EV is going to need to travel that far between charges, especially if that EV can be charged in less than five minutes (being able to do that depends on having the infrastructure, but there’s no doubt that will come). And automakers won’t want to build one, anyway, since associated costs will be, at least at first, quite high.

Even in a future where we can sleep while our car does the driving, we’re still going to need bathroom breaks and to stretch our legs with a quick stroll to keep the DVT at bay. And making an EV with an unnecessarily long range means making an unnecessarily heavy and expensive EV because batteries are heavy and expensive, though Huawei expects prices and weights to fall. As TG notes, even with the clever cells, an 1,860-mile EV would still need a battery pack that weighed as much as a Mitsubishi Mirage.

What’s far more likely is that automakers will use the tech to put smaller, cheaper batteries in their cars that still deliver plenty of range – say 600 miles (1,000 km) – but make those cars lighter, and so more efficient, and also less expensive to build and buy. When automakers can deliver an EV that costs less than a gas car, goes further in one hit and refuels faster, electric cars will really take off, infrastructure willing.

Toyota has already talked of its future EVs having a 750-mile (1,200 km) range and that sounds like more than enough to us. What do you think the optimum range is for a family-sized electric car?

Source: Car News China

BMW is recalling 70,852 EVs because their electric drive motor software may shut down the high-voltage system. This can result in a loss of drive power, which increases the risk of a crash.

An assortment of models are impacted including the 2022-2025 i4, 2022-2024 iX, and 2023-2024 i7. BMW is also recalling 4,674 i5s from the 2024 model year.

More: BMW Introduces New i4 M60 With 593 HP

According to the safety recall report, the electric drive motor software may “erroneously detect a double-isolation condition.” If this occurs, the high-voltage system will shut down for approximately 15-20 seconds following a warning message. This will effectively leave drivers coasting, but the government noted the steering and braking system will continue to operate.

BMW began investigating the issue in 2021 and initially believed debris could have gotten into electric motors and affected their performance. However, there was a “very low number of claims” at the time and this made it hard to pinpoint the problem.

Despite the difficulties, the automaker spent years looking into the issue and eventually focused on the possibility of a loss of propulsion due to detection of a double-isolation condition. This analysis suggested the “vehicle software could not determine, whether a detected double-isolation condition was, in fact, a true double-isolation condition, which warranted a high-voltage system shutdown or, was, in fact, only a single-isolation condition.” This is important as a double-isolation condition triggers a shutdown of the high-voltage system as part of a fail-safe measure to prevent an electric shock or a “thermal risk.”

BMW believes they have received approximately 43 warranty claims related to the issue, which resulted in loss of propulsion at speeds greater than 20 mph (32 km/h). Thankfully, the company isn’t aware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem.

To address the issue, BMW will install new electric drive motor software as part of an over-the-air update. Customers can also have this installed at dealerships and owner notifications are slated to go out on August 5.

Things are looking pretty bright for Xiaomi these days, but even a hot streak hits a bump now and then. Fresh off an impressive Nürburgring showing by the SU7and a hefty 289,000 pre-orders for its upcoming SUV, the YU7, the company now finds itself doing a little damage control.

This time, it’s about a different kind of heat; specifically, the kind coming off the YU7 Max’s brakes during a track test for the media that raised a few eyebrows. Here’s a quick look at what happened and how Xiaomi is responding.

Read: Xiaomi SUV’s Tesla-Beating Pricing Sparks Frenzy With 289,000 Orders In An Hour

Last Friday, a video of a YU7 Max in a race track pit lane with brakes on fire surfaced. That’s not a great situation since this is the brand’s high-end super SUV that makes 682 horsepower (691 kW) and 639 lb-ft (866 Nm) of torque from a dual-motor setup. Naturally, this provides plenty of oomph, but it must be accompanied by great brakes, because inevitably you also need to slow down or come to a halt at some point, right?

In the video, we see technicians standing inches away from the open flame on a caliper as one measures the temperature. According to the device he’s using, the brake pads were sitting at 619 degrees Celsius. That’s 1,146 degrees Fahrenheit, or just 50 or so degrees shy of where aluminum begins to melt.

Notably, these flames aren’t the same type that we’ve seen in the past from supercars sporting carbon ceramic setups. Instead, Xiaomi’s statement to CarNewsChina clarifies that these brakes caught on fire due to organic materials in the low-metallic pads.

Evidently, this is totally normal when the brakes exceed 600 degrees Celsius (1,112 F) and supposedly, it’s no big deal here because they continued to function properly.

In addition, it’s worth noting that Xiaomi says the car in question wasn’t using its regenerative brakes properly. The YU7 Max has a ‘Master Mode’ with ‘Enhanced Energy Recovery.’ When using that system, the friction brakes don’t have to do as much work since the regen can provide up to 0.2G of braking force.

Instead, it seems that this YU7 was relying solely on the friction brakes. Given that it weighs some 2.3 tons, it’s no wonder the brakes were pushed to their outer limits.

Interestingly, this situation seems separate from the major brake failure seen on other Xiaomi cars. In cases from late last year, two different SU7 sedans had major crashes when their brakes failed completely. Those instances appear related to brake components not intended for track use at all. In contrast, the pads and rotors on the YU7 in this new video are up to the task.

Credit: Dongchedi

Even as the global car market continues to shift, one thing remains certain: Toyota knows how to move metal. After a brief detour in second place, the Toyota RAV4 is back on top as the world’s best-selling car, edging out the Tesla Model Y by a sliver.

And it’s not just the soon-to-be-replaced RAV4 doing the heavy lifting, as Toyota has managed to land five models in the global top ten, including the Corolla Cross, Corolla sedan, Hilux, and Camry.

More: New RAV4, See Every Angle And Hidden Detail

This ranking comes from industry analyst Felipe Munoz, who compiled a detailed snapshot of 2024’s global car sales by model. His methodology pulls from a wide mix of sources, including national statistics offices, dealership associations, customs data, specialized websites, blogs, other analysts, and informed estimates. According to Munoz, the ranking covers 153 markets, accounting for roughly 99% of all cars sold globally.

Toyota Retakes the Lead, Barely

Combined sales of the Toyota RAV4 and its China-market twin, the Wildlander, reached 1,187,000 units in 2024. That was just enough to slide past the Tesla Model Y, which landed at 1,185,000 units. It’s a narrow win, but a win nonetheless.

It’s important to note that both the RAV4 and Model Y were refreshed shortly after the period covered by this report. Toyota rolled out a full redesign for the RAV4, that hasn’t gone on sale yet while Tesla introduced its updated Model Y Juniper that’s already available.

That said, the Model Y still holds the title for best-selling EV worldwide by a comfortable margin. Its 2025 numbers, however, are already showing signs of slowing.

Compact Crossovers Keep Climbing

The Toyota Corolla Cross occupied the third place with 859,000 sales, benefiting from the fact it is offered in many different markets around the world. The compact crossover was closely followed by the Honda CR-V/Breeze SUV that sold 854,000 units.

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A post shared by Felipe Munoz | Automotive (@carindustryanalysis)

Toyota’s dominance continues with the Corolla / Levin Sedan (697,000 units) in the fifth place and the Toyota Hilux (617,000 units) in the sixth place.

World’s Best Selling Pickup

The aging Hilux is due for a new generation soon, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the world’s best-selling pickup. Despite not being sold in North America or China, two massive truck markets, it still managed to outpace all competitors. Right behind it in the global rankings is the Ford F-150, which sold 595,000 units and claimed seventh place overall. In the US, the F-150 was the second best-selling vehicle of 2024, coming in just behind the RAV4.

More: Cracks Are Beginning To Appear In China’s Largest EV Maker

Rounding out the top ten are three sedans that continue to hold their ground in a market that increasingly leans toward crossovers and SUVs. The Toyota Camry took eighth with 593,000 sales, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 560,000 and the BYD Qin at 502,000. BYD’s entry marks the only Chinese brand on the list this year, underscoring the company’s steady rise as a global competitor in both EVs and internal combustion vehicles.

VW has reportedly delayed the launch of its vitally important ID.2 electric hatch from 2025 to 2026, but we’ll still learn plenty about it this fall because Cupra is pushing ahead with the reveal of the Raval, its version of the ID.2, which is seen here during testing.

The Raval, ID.2 hatch, an ID.2 crossover and Skoda’s upcoming Epiq SUV are all built around a new, shorter version of VW’s MEB electric car platform. In addition to being resized to suit cars smaller than the Golf-sized ID.3, the tiniest of VW’s current EVs, the new architecture also places a single motor at the front driving the front wheels, the reverse of the main MEB platform where the motor is at the rear.

Related: VW’s Cheapest EV Yet Hides In Plain Sight Behind Someone Else’s Face

Both the Raval and ID.2 have been shown in concept form powered by a  single 223 hp (225 PS / 166 kW) electric motor, and VW’s ID.GTI concept teased a 429 hp (435 PS / 250 kW) dual-motor configuration. However, most versions of both cars will be packing far less firepower because the key draw of the Raval and ID.2 won’t be big power figures but a low starting price: the pair is expected to start at around €25,000 (£21k, $29k).

To hit that target, the base models will reportedly come with a small 38 kWh battery whose 186-mile (300 km) range will make it best suited to urban work, while an available 56 kWh pack will be capable of running 273 miles (440 km) between charges. A 125 kW peak charge capacity means a 10-80 percent fill should take around 20 minutes.

This Raval prototype hasn’t dropped much disguise since we last saw one, but the close-up shot of the front end reveals plenty about how the finished car will look when the covers are pulled off at the IAA auto show in Germany this fall. Poking out from behind the fake headlight stickers are the real lights, which appear to be triangular, and different in shape to the ones seen on the Raval concept car.

The close-ups also show that Cupra’s engineers have tried to obscure both the vertical air vents at each corner and much of the large black grille with white-painted plastic. Another deviation from the concept is the hood, which is more inset and has a pronounced M-shape at its leading edge, a result of the V8-style twin hood bulges.

In keeping with its more flamboyant design, the Raval should also be a little sharper to driver than the ID.2 courtesy of Cupra’s traditionally more aggressive suspension setup. So, if you were in the market for a small EV, would you go for the Raval or wait for the ID.2?

SHProshots

Under the Great Plains, there's an aquifer powering the region's agriculture system. But it's running out of water, prompting farmers in middle America to consider more environmentally friendly crops.

As schools, parents and students prep for the school year, so do school district and contractor bus fleets. Operational planning, vehicle maintenance, fleet technology implementation and driver training set the tone for the rest of the year. Clean out the cobwebs. Shake off the dust. And make sure your fleet is ready to roll.

Download Zonar’s complimentary white paper to learn more about:

• Cleaning up transportation data on the back-end
• Managing EV and ICE-powered buses side by side
• Enhancing on-time reliability and ensuring bus health
• Opening communications with parents—early
• Refreshing training for staff and drivers who use Zonar solutions

Fill out the form below and then check your email for the white paper download link.

The post (Free White Paper) Prep Your Bus Fleet for Rolling Back to School appeared first on School Transportation News.

Meet the 2025 Innovator of the Year, Gaurav Sharda! As the chief technology officer of Beacon Mobility, Sharda is approaching innovation with a people-focused and technology based mindset to create positive outcomes for the industry. Read more about Sharda’s story as well as contracting focused features on the future of AI, safety in alternative transportation, NCST resolutions, and guidance for non-yellow school bus transportation.

Read the full July 2025 issue.

Cover Story

‘Here to Serve’ People With Technology
Gaurav Sharda of Beacon Mobility, STN’s Innovator of the Year, focuses on developing AI-based and people-principled technology designed to make easier the jobs of transportation end-users.

Features

Ensuring Student Safety, No Matter the Vehicle
Alternative transportation vehicles are ingrained in student transportation operations, as the recent National Congress on School Transportation proved. Several service providers weigh in on how they are meeting recommended safety measures.

Leadership Perspectives on the Future of AI
Executives with the leading school bus contractors in North America discuss their thoughts on artificial intelligence and the impact on their operations as well as the students, parents and school districts they serve.

Special Reports

Does Safety Save Money?
With insurance costs skyrocketing, technology like video cameras and telematics combined with driver training are tools to help student transporters mitigate their liability.

Q&A: Historic Endeavor
Tyler Bryan, the National Congress on School Transportation alternative transportation committee chair, discusses the importance of the newest addition to national specifications and procedures and breaks down the process for creating the proposals from scratch.

Feedback
Online
Ad Index

Editor’s Take by Ryan Gray
Securing Industry Wins

Publisher’s Corner by Tony Corpin
Smart Buses, Smarter Outcomes

The post July 2025 appeared first on School Transportation News.

The post Does your operation regularly refer to the National School Transportation Specifications and Procedures when questions arise? appeared first on School Transportation News.

Starting this fall, approximately 1,260 students from Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) will begin commuting on public transportation instead of riding the yellow school bus, reported WLWT News.

According to the article, last month, the CPS Board approved the proposal to transition more seventh and eighth-grade students to Metro Bus service by the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. The board also approved adjusting school start times to 9 a.m. as part of the same recommendation.

A spokesperson for CPS said via the article that the move is expected to save $2.9 million annually. The yellow school bus service costs an average of $3,085 per student, while Metro costs approximately $364 per student.

According to the article, the decision is causing concerns among parents and community leaders, as many are uneasy about placing younger students on city buses along with the general public. This move comes after an 18-year-old student was shot and killed in April in Dayton, Ohio while waiting for a transit bus to take him to school.

CPS has reportedly partnered with the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), which operates Metro, to handle student transportation. A spokesperson points out Metro has safely transported students for decades.

Chief communications and marketing officer for SORTA Brandy Jones said via the article that Metro has over 50 years of experience working with CSP to transport students. According to the article, 10,545 students rode Metro buses in the 2024-2025 school year, and 2,765 of them were seventh and eighth-grade students.

The ambassadors are reportedly trained to assist students with anything from finding after-school programs to helping them access food or tutoring. They’re also tasked with de-escalating conflicts and supporting students as they navigate the transit system.

Related: Dayton, Ohio Student Shooting Highlights Need for Systemic Transportation Changes
Related: (STN Podcast E260) Beneficial and Safe: Ohio Standouts Talk Safety vs. Reactionary Legislation
Related: Ohio School Bus Drivers Attend Life-Saving Emergency Training
Related: Michael Miller Honored as 2025 Outstanding Transportation Director in Ohio

The post Ohio Public Schools Shifting Over 1,200 Students to Public Transit This Fall appeared first on School Transportation News.