Electrek

On today’s solar-powered episode of Quick Charge, Aptera’s CEO shares more proof that his company’s solar car concept has legs, joining dozens of Electrek readers who are topping off their car (and home) batteries with the power of the sun!

Global EV sales are still huge, but they’re not moving in the same direction everywhere: New data from Benchmark Mineral Intelligence shows 4 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide in Q1 2026, down 3% year over year.

“We should not let them into our country,” Ford’s CEO Jim Farley warned during a recent interview, admitting it wouldn’t be a fair fight.

After unveiling the new Venus and Earth last week, we are already getting our first look at Hyundai’s new IONIQ EV in real life.

Aptera co-CEO Steve Fambro posted a data point this morning that neatly illustrates what his company has been trying to build for more than a decade: his solar electric vehicle was generating more electricity from the sun than his house was.

Just after 8 a.m., Fambro said his home rooftop was producing 136 watts of solar power while the Aptera sitting outside was putting more than 300W — more than double.

Obviously, this is a particular example highlighting different solar optimization strategies, but neat nonetheless.

IONNA, the EV charging network created by a coalition of large automakers, will install fast chargers at over 350 sites across America in partnership with convenience store chain Circle K.

Our Tuesday Green Deals are jam-packed with notable sales, starting with Lectric’s Earth Day Sale that is offering up to $694 savings on e-bike bundles starting from $799. We also have Jackery’s Earth Day Sale with up to 54% power station and accessories savings starting from $99, as well as a flash sale on Heybike’s new Villain Electric Dirt Bike with $150 in FREE gear at its $1,299 low, a 24-hour EcoFlow flash sale that is offering a new low price on the 3,072Wh DELTA 3 Ultra Plus Power Station with a 500W modular solar kit + two expansion battery deals. We also have an advanced EGO carbon fiber LINE IQ electric string trimmer bundle with 2x batteries, Beatbot’s Pool Opening Sale with all-time lows on an array of robot pool cleaners, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the other hangover deals at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s massive Anker SOLIX Earth Day power station sale with up to 65% discounts, FREE gifts, and exclusive bonus savings, among others.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

BMW is pulling the iX from its US lineup as it prepares to launch the first Neue Klasse EV later this year, the all-new iX3.

Rivian is partnering with Redwood Materials, the battery company founded by Tesla co-founder JB Straubel, to build a second-life battery energy storage system at its EV manufacturing plant in Normal, Illinois.

The initial deployment will use more than 100 used Rivian battery packs stitched together into a 10 MWh system that can feed power back into the factory during peak demand.

EV battery leader CATL will challenge BYD after securing a new partnership to develop fast-charging technology that will take less than 10 minutes.

All-electric RV developer Lightship said it is significantly expanding its production footprint to “meet surging demand” for its flagship travel trailer, which will see a streamlined configuration process.

Nissan calls it a “disruptive” new style. The all-electric Nissan Juke EV looks nothing like the gas-powered crossover and more like a concept.

Tesla’s long-awaited Full Self-Driving launch in Europe is already running into the same reckoning that blew up in Australia last year: HW3 owners are realizing they paid for something Tesla has now admitted it can’t deliver, and they’re starting to organize.

A Dutch Model 3 owner who paid €6,400 for FSD back in 2019 has launched a collective claim website to bundle HW3 + FSD owners across the EU.

Lucid Motors is peppering the public with press releases this morning, sharing a slew of exciting updates. In addition to naming its next CEO, Lucid has confirmed a new funding raise totaling over 1 billion dollars, consisting of a registered public offering of common stock, plus increased investments from existing partners like Uber.

Segway is expanding its footprint in the electric bike space with the launch of its new MUXI e-bike, a model that blends urban utility with a design that feels more akin to a light electric motorcycle than a traditional bicycle.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a heavily overhauled EQS electric sedan with a WLTP range of up to 926 km (575 miles), a 13% improvement over the outgoing model. The update represents the biggest upgrade to the flagship EV since it launched in 2021.

The new EQS gets an entirely new 800-volt electrical architecture, up to 350 kW DC charging, steer-by-wire technology — a first for any German automaker in a production car — and the new MB.OS operating system. Orders open in Germany starting at €94,403 (~$103,000).

The GV90 looks like something high-ranking government officials or celebrities ride in. Genesis set out to redefine luxury with the GV90, and the interior proves it. Here’s our first look.

Tesla is rolling out its Spring Update 2026 software, bringing over a dozen new features to its fleet. The highlights include a redesigned Self-Driving subscription app, voice-activated Grok, and a long-requested auto-install feature for software updates.

The update also adds some fun touches, like a new “Cyberhog” Pet Mode character and custom virtual wraps for Model S and X owners.

New photos of the Rivian R2 parked next to the Tesla Model Y are making the rounds on social media, and they offer a great look at how these two critical electric SUVs actually compare in size. The R2 is shorter in length but noticeably taller, with a boxier, more rugged profile.

We decided to dig into the numbers and put together a full dimension-by-dimension breakdown — and the efficiency comparison is where things get really interesting.

Kia is finally bringing the affordable electric SUV to the US later this year. The first EV3 prototypes are now rolling off the assembly line at Kia’s plant in Mexico ahead of sales.

Kicking off this week’s Green Deals, we have Anker SOLIX launching its massive Earth Day lineup of power station deals with three tiers of free gifts and our exclusive bonus savings code – all starting from $120. There’s also the one-day-only deal hitting Jackery’s 2,042Wh Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station for a $999 low, two notable Worx tool deals on the Aerocart 8-in-1 Yard Cart, and the Trivac 3-in-1 Electric Leaf Blower, Vacuum, and Mulcher, as well as a new low on the NAVEE K100 e-scooter for kids, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the other hangover deals from last week at the bottom of the page, collected together into the latest edition of our Electrified Weekly roundup.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

The bZ, Toyota’s electric SUV, leaped past the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Chevy Equinox EV, and Ford Mustang Mach-E to become the third-best-selling EV in the US in the first quarter.

Level 4 autonomous technology expert Nuro shared the latest milestone of a partnership with Uber Technologies and Lucid Motors to develop a fleet of Gravity Robotaxi SUVs. Per the company, a select group of riders has begun test rides in California.

After admitting it had lost touch with buyers, Volkswagen’s CEO promises to get it right with its new EV lineup launching this year. Volkswagen’s EV blitz kicks off next week, starting with the updated ID.3.