Electrek

Solar didn’t just show up in 2025 – it carried the grid. A new analysis from global energy think tank Ember shows that solar power accounted for 61% of the growth in US electricity demand last year, highlighting how central solar has become as power demand accelerates.

BYD is preparing to launch two new flagship EVs in early 2026, an electric SUV and sedan. With their official debut just around the corner, BYD revealed the first images, offering us a closer look at what to expect.

In a setback to Trump’s anti-offshore wind crusade, a federal judge today issued an order granting Dominion Energy’s request for a preliminary injunction allowing construction to resume on the US’s largest wind farm, the 2.6-gigawatt (GW) Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project.

Tesla abruptly announced this week that it would no longer sell its Full Self-Driving software package through an upfront, one-time fee, and instead would move to a subscription only model, starting on February 14th.

That just so happens to be the same day that a court ruling goes into effect that could stop Tesla from selling cars in California unless it changes the way it advertises autonomy. Is it just a coincidence, or is that the reason for the shift?

In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla to stop selling FSD, Canada and EU to slash Chinese EV tariffs, the battery that could change the world, and more.

A week after the EV2 made its global debut, we are already getting our first look at Kia’s smallest electric SUV in action.

Porsche’s all-electric Macan outsold its combustion-engined one in 2025, the only model where the company sells both gas and electric versions. And yet, the company still recently committed to delaying future EV models and extending availability of combustion ones, despite the weakness that combustion car sales are showing globally.

Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics has hired Milan Kovac, Tesla’s former senior vice president and head of the Optimus humanoid robot program, as a group adviser and outside director.

The move is a major blow to Tesla’s humanoid robot ambitions and a significant coup for Hyundai, which is clearly serious about dominating the nascent humanoid robot market.

We’re closing out this week’s Green Deals headlined by EcoFlow’s newly launched Disaster Winter Storm Sale, which is seeing some continued discounts of up to 65% off, alongside bonus 5% savings, a free gift, another shot at spinning the reward wheel, and even a prize quiz game. Not only that, but discounts on a bunch of units have increased, like EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station at a new $1,899 low. Following behind it is Buzz Bicycles’ Cerana 2 Commuter e-bike at a new $800 low, as well as a group of Mammotion robotic lawn mowers starting from a $649 low, EcoFlow’s current 48-hour flash sale offers, Aventon’s Pace 500.3 e-bike, a roundup of Greenworks electric tools, and more waiting below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $1,810 exclusive savings on the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus station and a bundle option – both at new lows – and more.

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 Chevy Equinox EV was America’s third-most-popular electric vehicle last year, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. GM is offering $5,000 off its best-selling EV to kick off the new year, but it’s still not as cheap as you might think.

Stellantis has pulled another vehicle from its US lineup due to the recent policy changes. After the Jeep Wagoneer 4xe and Grand Cherokee PHEVs were axed, this Dodge model is now on its way out.

Toyota is gearing up to launch the new 2026 C-HR any day now. The electric SUV will deliver nearly 300 miles of range, a built-in NACS charging port, and it’s expected to start at under $35,000. Not only is it arriving as Toyota’s cheapest electric SUV, but it will also be among the most affordable EVs on the market.

In a massive shift in North American trade policy, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced today a new “strategic partnership” with China that effectively reopens the Canadian border to Chinese electric vehicles.

The move marks a significant departure from the United States’ hardline protectionist stance and could bring affordable EV options like the BYD Seagull to Canadian roads as early as this year.

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bike launches from companies like Rad Power Bikes and Aventon, an updated e-bike conversion kit, Australian police crushing e-bikes (and other e-things), LAND Moto’s new ADV electric motorcycle heads off-road while staying street-legal, and more.

Swiss e-scooter maker VMAX came out of CES 2026 swinging, unveiling three new electric scooters that span the spectrum from ultra-light commuter to full-on high-performance “why does this go 50 mph?” territory. And unlike some CES announcements that feel more like vaporware than vehicles, these new models are built for real riders with very different needs.

Rivian (RIVN) has officially started rolling out validation units of its highly anticipated R2 electric SUV from its factory in Normal, Illinois. CEO RJ Scaringe shared the news, confirming that the company is on track for customer deliveries in the first half of the year.

A fourth offshore wind project is suing after the Trump administration abruptly ordered construction to stop on offshore wind projects that were already nearing completion, following today’s second ruling.

The GV90 will be the largest, most lavish Genesis vehicle to date. After another delay, the flagship electric SUV won’t be arriving in early 2026 as expected.

Mercedes’ EQ line of EVs are back in US dealerships, after a roughly six month pause in orders. At the same time, the new electric CLA is just starting to hit the market.

Ford buying batteries from BYD? The American automaker is reportedly in talks to purchase batteries for its hybrid vehicles.

Leading today’s Green Deals are two exclusive new low prices that we secured for our readers, starting with the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station at $1,219, or you can get the HomePower 3600 Plus with a 500W solar panel at $1,689. Right behind those, we have another spotlight on EcoFlow’s soon-to-end flash sale that is offering the DELTA 3 Max Portable Power Station at its second-best $749 rate, among others. There’s also up to $700 savings on Segway Navimow’s H series robot mowers, a $500 discount on a Greenworks riding mower, Gotrax’s budget-friendly R2 folding e-bike starting from its second-best price of the last year, and much more. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s spotlight posts on the low prices for MOD’s Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike, as well as the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 power station – both ending tonight – and even more.

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.

New York’s stalled Empire Wind offshore wind project just got a court-ordered green light to restart construction for now.

I recently had the opportunity to test drive a loaner vehicle from GM to conduct an in-depth review of the 2026 Cadillac Escalade IQ. I drove it thousands of miles to Florida and back to determine not only whether it’s a fitting BEV for families, but also whether it’s worth considering as an extended-road-trip-capable EV.

A $25,000 electric Jeep won’t happen after all. At least those in the US will likely never get to see it.