Volkswagen, Scania, Tesla, BMZ.

VW to finish small diesel: There will be no more small diesel engines in Volkswagens within 3 – 5 years time, Autocar learnt from Frank Welsch, head of development at VW. He just axed a new diesel engine destined for the 2018 Polo. Instead VW will use petrol-electric mild-hybrid technology, the same goes for the upcoming Golf BlueMotion. At what point diesel will vanish from VW’s line up entirely, depends on the market. Internally, Welsch insisted on a “great future” for the 2.0l diesel.
autocar.co.uk

Scania to trial electric buses: Three pure electric buses by Scania will enter a trial by the end of this year. Testing of the Citywide LF buses will commence in Swedish Östersund, where Nettbus is to put them into real service. Another three electric Scania buses may join them by 2019.
scania.com

Tesla made in Shanghai? Lingang at the edge of Shanghai is the most likely place for a Tesla facility on Chinese soil, purports Caixin. The Chinese media group quotes a paper that links the Californian EV maker with three partners in that region. 500,000 EV annually could be build in Lingang. Tesla claims the info to be false but repeated its commitment to China at the same time. So, the bidding for the investment prized at 9bn dollars is to be continued.
caixinglobal.com

Stronger e-bike batteries: German BMZ presented the 3Tron battery for electric bicycles due by 2018. New cell technology is said to hold more power and to lead to a battery life of twelve years. Warranty is given for four years.
pedelec-elektro-fahrrad.de (in German)