BYD, McLaren, FormelE, GM, Hyundai

Electric truck by BYD: The Chinese manufacturer is setting aside 5 billion yuan (805 million dollars) for the construction of a new electric truck factory. The new facility in Changsha in Chinese Hunan province could roll out the first EVs this year already . Initially, 2,500 units are planned but production could increase to 25,000 electric trucks per year by 2025.
insideevs.com

McLaren fast tracks hybrids: McLaren wants to hybridise half of its luxury models by 2025, says CEO Mike Flewitt. This would add to the current two hybrids, the P1 and P1 GTR. The move that comes sooner than even the company itself had expected.
autoexpress.co.uk

Piquet is champion: Nelson Piquet Jr. is the first driver to ever win the Formula E. The Brazilian, who races for Chinese team NEXTEV TCR, came in seventh the season’s last race in London’s Battersea Park. He led the overall ranking by only one point, followed by Sebastien Buemi, whose team e.dams took the title as constructors. British Sam Bird came in first in the last race of the season.
bbc.co.uk, youtube.com (highlight video)

GM will follow Tesla’s lead, as it is working on a new technology that will allow new features to be downloaded wirelessly. The cloud-based ‘Global B’ architecture would thus enable GM to send software updates to cars over the internet.
autonews.com, transportevolved.com

Sonata Hybrid pricing: Hyundai has announced the price for its latest hybrid model. In the U.S., the Sonata Hybrid is to become available for 26,825 dollars (inc. destination). Sales have kicked off nationwide, and a PHEV variant is expected to be rolled out this autumn.
hybridcars.com

Electric bus on fire: In York, an electric bus had caught fire. Thanks to the quick reaction of the driver, all passengers could get out safely. The British city now removed all eleven electric buses from service for safety checks until the cause of the incident can be determined.
yorkpress.co.uk, bbc.com