Volvo Upgrades the XC60 & XC90 Plug-in Hybrids with Significantly More Fully Electric Range

cleantechnica.com Sep 16, 2026

Volvo Upgrades the XC60 & XC90 Plug-in Hybrids with Significantly More Fully Electric Range

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 16, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Volvo unveiled a mid‑cycle refresh of its XC60 and XC90 plug‑in hybrids, doubling their fully electric range to 124 miles (200 km). The update features a larger 41.2‑kWh battery placed in a skateboard layout, a more powerful motor, and a lower center of gravity, improving handling and safety. Exterior and interior redesigns, new safety sensors, and enhanced Pilot Assist systems accompany the range boost. Production will occur in Charleston, South Carolina, and Torslanda, Sweden.

💡 Why It Matters

· By extending electric range, Volvo eases range anxiety for hybrid owners, encouraging a shift toward electric driving without abandoning combustion engines.
· The redesign also positions Volvo as a leader in safety and battery architecture, setting a benchmark for future hybrid models.

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US automakers could soon be forced to include AM radio for free

The House passed the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, mandating that all new passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs include AM radio at no extra cost. The bill, backed by Democrats, Republicans, emergency responders, and the broadcast industry, will go to the Senate. It follows a trend of automakers dropping AM in favor of streaming services, citing interference from electric motors. The legislation aims to preserve AM’s emergency communication role and ensure nationwide access.

💡 By guaranteeing AM radio in every new vehicle, the law safeguards a critical, low‑cost emergency channel that remains reliable when digital networks fail. This move could reshape automotive audio standards and reinforce public safety infrastructure.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 17

Building Waymo’s Risk & Insurance Foundation in Europe with Allianz Partners

Waymo announced a partnership with Allianz Partners to create a risk, insurance and digital‑claims framework for its upcoming autonomous ride‑hailing launch in Europe, starting with London and Munich. The collaboration will provide insurance coverage, claims handling and safety‑research support for Waymo’s driver‑less fleet, leveraging Allianz’s regional expertise and Waymo’s U.S. safety record, which shows a 16‑fold reduction in serious‑injury crashes compared with human drivers. Both firms also intend to explore additional operational solutions, such as vehicle‑recovery services tailored to autonomous cars. Waymo’s Head of Risk & Insurance, Tilia Gode, emphasized that a robust operational backbone is as essential as the technology itself for a reliable, responsible rollout. The partnership aims to establish a trusted ecosystem that can scale across the continent.

💡 By pairing cutting‑edge autonomy with seasoned European insurance expertise, Waymo can accelerate regulatory acceptance and passenger confidence, smoothing the path for large‑scale deployment outside the United States.

newskart.com · Sep 17

Mahindra XEV 9e With Battery-as-a-Service – Premium EV Now Starts at Rs.13.90…

Mahindra has introduced a Battery‑as‑a‑Service (BaaS) option for its flagship electric SUV coupe, the XEV 9e, lowering the ex‑showroom price to Rs.13.90 lakh. The vehicle’s battery is financed separately, costing Rs.3.75 per km under specific terms. The XEV 9e, built on the INGLO platform, offers 59 kWh and 79 kWh packs, the latter delivering up to 656 km certified range and 210 kW power. It can accelerate from 0‑100 km/h in 6.8 seconds, charge 20‑80 % in 20 minutes with a 175 kW charger, and features three 12.3‑inch displays, a Harman‑Kardon audio system, and an AR head‑up display.

💡 By separating battery financing, Mahindra makes premium EV ownership more affordable, potentially accelerating adoption among price‑sensitive buyers. The BaaS model also signals a shift toward modular EV ownership structures in India’s rapidly expanding electric market.

futurism.com · Sep 17

It’s Looking Like Tesla’s Cybercab Might Actually Be Illegal to Sell

Tesla began operating its steering‑wheel‑free Cybercabs on Austin streets this month, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch an audit query within hours. The agency escalated the probe with a “Special Order” demanding Tesla prove under oath that the robotaxis comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) originally written for human‑driven cars. Failure to certify by September 30 could trigger fines up to $139 million, and falsifying data could expose a responsible officer to up to 15 years in prison. Regulators are especially skeptical about the lack of a brake pedal, which FMVSS requires to be operated by foot. Tesla’s self‑certification approach contrasts with Amazon‑owned Zoox, which secured an NHTSA exemption for its pedal‑less fleet. The dispute underscores growing tension between Tesla’s rapid autonomous‑vehicle rollout and federal safety mandates.

💡 Tesla’s push to sell driverless cabs without meeting existing safety rules could force a costly regulatory showdown that stalls its autonomous‑fleet ambitions.

teslarati.com · Sep 17

NHTSA just escalated its Tesla Cybercab investigation in a big way

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a Special Order demanding that a Tesla officer sign an affidavit confirming the completeness of the company’s responses to its Cybercab investigation, with answers due by September 30. The order expands on Audit Query AQ26002, opened on September 3—the same day Tesla launched commercial Cybercab service in Austin—to probe how Tesla certified a vehicle lacking a permanent steering wheel, pedals, or mirrors under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Among 21 requests, regulators ask whether temporary human controls were used during certification and how the vehicle meets the rule requiring foot‑activated service brakes, a requirement the Cybercab does not have. The Special Order, similar to the tool used in the 2023 Autopilot probe, makes the inquiry legally enforceable and could expose Tesla to civil penalties up to $139 million and criminal risk for false statements, though it does not halt the service.

💡 The affidavit forces Tesla to put its self‑certification logic on the record, creating a legal foothold for regulators to impose hefty penalties if the certification is deemed flawed.

cleantechnica.com · Sep 16

Most Americans Now Thinking About Electric Cars, Thanks To High Gas Prices

A recent Here Technologies and SBD Automotive EV Index shows that over 50% of U.S. drivers are now considering electric vehicles because of rising gasoline prices, driven largely by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Despite the expiration of the $7,500 federal tax credit and weakened fuel‑efficiency regulations, consumer interest in EVs is growing. The survey also notes increased confidence in charging infrastructure, with 47% believing enough chargers will be available by 2025.

💡 The shift signals a potential surge in EV demand that could reshape automaker strategies and accelerate infrastructure investment.