German car manufacturing colossus BMW has accelerated its efforts to develop autonomous driving technologies by announcing that it plans to construct a test track for self-driving cars in the Czech Republic. The estimated cost of the track is rumored to be around €100m.

The European Commission (EC) has indicated its plans to help generate funds for a number of European cities who have expressed a desire to erect 'smart' streetlamps in their respective cities across the EU. Research has uncovered that local governments in the EU spent around €7.6bn to light public street lights in 2015. However, the bills could be slashed by up to 70% if local authorities agree to pay extra to install new 'smart' lighting systems aimed at energy efficiency.

Europe's telecommunication ministers have agreed on a joint blueprint in an effort to accelerate the development of 5G networks across the continent. The GSMA have projected that 5G will account for almost 31% of all mobile connections by 2025.

US car manufacturing colossus Ford Motor has announced that it is currently weighing up the prospect of entering into a joint-venture with Chinese automotive firm Zotye. The collaboration between both parties would see them combine their expertise in order to develop and manufacture electric vehicles under a new brand - in a bid to exploit the boom for electric cars in the world's leading auto market.

German car manufacturer Daimler has announced that it plans to invest $735m in electric vehicle production in China. In a statement issued to the press, Daimler announced that alongside its Chinese joint venture partner BAIC Motor Corporation will jointly invest 5 billion yuan ($735M) in the pursuit of battery electric vehicle production in China by 2020. In addition to this, it further disclosed its commitment to provide the infrastructure that is required.

Audi aims to sell approximately 800,000 fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids in the year 2025. At last week's Annual General Meeting of AUDI AG, the Board of Management presented the updated "Audi.Vorsprung.2025." strategy.

Japanese car manufacturing colossus Honda has centered its long-term strategy on the development of autonomous vehicles and electric cars - with the carmaker announcing its intentions to deploy autonomous cars in major cities by 2025. Honda Motor Co made a series of disclosures during a press briefing in which it outlined in detail its mid-term 'Vision 2030' strategy.

Las Vegas, one of the world's most iconic and famous cities has accelerated its efforts to become a 'smart city' by entering into a partnership agreement with US technology firm Cisco Systems. Las Vegas, referred to by some as 'Sin City' - brokered an agreement with the US networking colossus as it looks to achieve its ambition which is to become a 'smart connected city'.

Some of the world's biggest cities have pledged their commitment to protect the environment and rid their cities of harmful fossil fuels by agreeing to deploy zero emissions buses from 2025. Twelve major cities will introduce the environmentally-friendly vehicles to its transportation systems from 2025, in a bid to make major areas of their cities 'fossil fuel free' by 2030.

Europe is now beginning to embrace electro-mobility - but one Nordic nation which adopted that stance years ago - and serves as a shining example to other nations as Europe's surge towards mass electric vehicle deployments builds momentum. Norway has been leading the charge and announced its intentions to phase out all fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2025! However, Norway's modern approach towards electric vehicles isn't an initiative which was launched in the millennial era - no, in fact it started in the early 1990s!

US telecommunications behemoth Verizon has pledged its commitment to helping the environment in an effort to address climate change by investing $1bn in green-friendly projects.