Fuel Cell StreetScooter, Nissan, BMW, Honda, GM, Ford.

Deutsche Post/DHL extends its range yet again with fuel cell vans to join the ranks of its growing StreetScooter fleet, which already has 3,000 electric vans in operation. The hydrogen version of DHL’s in-house truck is scheduled for a test run with 500 FCV to take up mail service by 2018. Meanwhile, regular StreetScooter production is to be ramped up as planned. DHL just acquired a second production facility that is close to Cologne and shall help reach the target of 10,000 EVs built a year, which DHL plans to sell to third parties as well.
reuters.com, postandparcel.info

Nissan with longer range and bigger recall: Like DHL, Nissan has been making electric vans for some time and just gave its e-NV200 a range update. The new 40 kWh battery adds another 60 percent and thus enables electric driving over 280 km (NEDC). Over in Japan, the news do not look as good though as Nissan has issued a recall that affects 1.2m vehicles with the Leaf among them. Checks had uncovered a widespread mishandling of domestic safety inspection with uncertified employees overseeing testing. With the carmaker having to recheck vehicles currently held in stock and at dealerships on top, buyers of the 2018 Leaf will likely be faced with extended wait times for delivery.
electriccarsreport.com, businessgreen.com (e-NV200), japantimes.co.jp (recall)

BMW i8 with double the range? As BMW updates its super hybrid with a coupé version dubbed the i8 Roadster, a battery update is imminent as well. So far, no technical data has been confirmed but BMW Blog reports the Roadster will hold twice the battery capacity of the current i8 Coupé.
bmwblog.com

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Honda sports EV: Honda pushes for electrification and recently unveiled its Urban EV on a whole new platform so more models were to be expected. First one up is a sporty iteration of the supermini and a teaser photo is circulating. It does not reveal much but Honda said the sports car concept has “a striking silhouette, friendly face and supple body surfaces.” Debut is set for the Tokyo Motor Show.
autocar.co.uk, autonews.com, hondanews.eu

And Honda has got another concept in store for Tokyo, where it will reveal the Riding Assist-e. The concept motorcycle does away with gyroscopes for self-balancing and uses robotic technology borrowed from the little rolling chair Uni-Cub instead.
indianautosblog.com

Building up on existing EVs as well is GM, that just announced another two fully electric vehicles to be due within the next 18 months using technology from the Chevy Bolt. They are only the start however, of an electrification initiative that includes 20 EVs by 2023. At the same time, GM competitor Ford said it would quicken its stride into electric terrain and has set up Team Edison to deal with anything EV. Tasks range from investments over partnerships and cooperations with suppliers.
autoblog.com, greencarcongress.com (GM), electrek.co, economictimes.indiatimes.com (Ford)