I’ve been involved in the electric vehicle transition in one way or another since 1997, and have covered the industry as a journalist since 2008. You can catch more of my work on Quick Charge and The Heavy Equipment Podcast with Mike Switzer.
NOTE: any opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Federal government, the State of Illinois, Electrek, or anyone else. Nothing here should be interpreted as a statement of official policy, legal guidance, or an endorsement unless expressly labeled as such.
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, the Trump administration has lost its first battle against state’s rights in California while Tesla faces down (what it’s calling) a union coup in Germany. Meanwhile, SoCal Edison puts 280 Chevy Silverado EV pickups to work on California’s roads and Colorado is putting up a bunch of new DC fast chargers.
Expand Expanding Close
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, it’s bad news for Tesla as the nonexistent demand for its Foundation Series Cybertruck models leads Musk to desperate tactics. Meanwhile, the company’s new AI4 computers have major safety concerns, and Trump is moving to kill EV tax credits.
Expand Expanding Close
MAN Truck & Bus reached another milestone on its path towards decarbonization by delivering its first regular production Ultra Low Liner eTGX electric semi truck to international logistics service provider Duvenbeck – who plan to add over 100 more such trucks to its fleet in total. (!)
Expand Expanding Close
New England energy company Avangrid announced plans to purchase 130 new diesel-electric hybrid bucket trucks as part of a larger procurement plan to electrify the utility service fleets of its subsidiary companies.
Expand Expanding Close
It may not have a turbocharged engine where the back seat should be, but the aesthetic – the aesthetic is there, and the performance is undeniable. Meet the all-new Renault 5 Turbo 3E, a car its makers hope becomes a new French performance icon for the electric era.
Expand Expanding Close
Labatt Breweries of Canada is adding ten new Volvo VNR Electric semi trucks to its transport fleet, marking a major sustainability milestone by hauling Labatt’s beer and ready-to-drink-beverage portfolio from distribution centers in Bois-des-Filion to customers in Montreal.
Expand Expanding Close
Just two years ago, 10% electric equipment operation seemed like an ambitious target for Sweden’s pioneering, fossil-free construction site. Last week, the site reached a 50% all-electric threshold with the addition of a new, Volvo L120H Electric Conversion wheel loader.
Expand Expanding Close
Just when you thought it was safe to count out hydrogen as a viable competitor to battery-electric power in the North American medium– and heavy-duty trucking space, the new Hyundai XCIENT HFCEV Class 8 semi truck arrives in Georgia — and immediately gets to work.
Expand Expanding Close
California utility SoCal Edison, one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, is helping reduce its own carbon footprint by adding 280 Chevrolet Silverado electric pickup trucks to its service fleet — part of a larger strategy to transition its entire vehicle fleet to electric by 2030.
Expand Expanding Close
Cash-strapped hydrogen truck maker Nikola is facing tough times — and its most recent round of layoffs has halted production of its controversial hydrogen fuel cell semi trucks as the company faces down bankruptcy (again).
Expand Expanding Close
On today’s heavy-duty episode of Quick Charge, we take a look at Nikola Motors’ troubling finances, reliability problems with their hydrogen semi trucks, and an all-new, all-different electric Toyota cute-ute makes its debut. Will it be enough to take Toyota to the front?
Expand Expanding Close
On today’s prime time episode of Quick Charge, Amazon is taking on Tesla with the launch of an online car shopping tool AND by snagging Elon’s longtime head of Autopilot hardware development. Tesla isn’t taking the news lying down, however – they’re eyeing new markets for Cybertruck expansion!
Expand Expanding Close
Tonight on Quick Charge, we wonder if the upcoming Tesla Cybercab could actually benefit from growing a few pedals. Meanwhile, Tesla Supercharger customers are getting a better deal this week, and there’s a new, $2 billion solar project coming on line in southern California.
Expand Expanding Close
France may not have a functioning government but the French keep buying EVs, anyway – more than 15% of all new cars sold last month were EVs with the new, retro-tastic Renault 5 hot hatch taking the top sales spot.
Expand Expanding Close
The new XGT 40V 9″ Power Cutter from Makita cuts through masonry and metal without gas, without oil mixing, without noxious exhaust, and without useless noise. This battery-powered machine means business!
Expand Expanding Close
Electric truck startup OX Delivers scored a $163 million multi-year deal to bring its tough, capable, and low-cost electric “trucks-as-a-service” vehicles to East Africa in a bid to bring e-mobility to the global south.
Expand Expanding Close
It’s been a week since the most politically-charged Thanksgiving week in four years, and the results are in: people are buying more EVs, and they’re not afraid to hit the road in their new, battery-powered conveyances. The automotive and EV charging industry analysts report that DC fast charging sessions were up nearly 50% compared to the same week last year.
Expand Expanding Close
Nikola stock sinks to a 52-week low, a NHTSA complaint claiming the fuel cell shuts down unpredictably, and one of hydrogen’s early adopters remains unconvinced. Is it time for Nikola to throw in the towel on hydrogen?
Expand Expanding Close
Electric school bus maker Lion Electric has suspended manufacturing at its Joliet, Illinois facility after laying off nearly four hundred workers – more than half its global employees. The company hopes Canadian real estate developers Groupe Mach can save the day.
Expand Expanding Close
On today’s exciting episode of Quick Charge, you can get steering column stalks on your Tesla, the Honda Prologue becomes the best-selling GM Ultium-based EV, a new electric Cobra surfaces, and more!
Expand Expanding Close
On today’s episode of Quick Charge, explaining EV charging to your in-laws is about to get a whole lot easier thanks to a new universal charging standard and universal plug & charge to streamline payment processing coming in 2025.
Expand Expanding Close
For the second time, a judge strikes down Elon Musk’s $55 billion Tesla CEO pay package as the company struggles to avoid seeing its sales slip year over year for the first time. Plus: an all-new look for Jaguar this Giving Tuesday on Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding Close
The Cybertruck may have come off the line strong, but it’s already burned through its million-plus reservation list and Tesla is starting to pull demand levers with discounts, leases, referrals, and more. Will it be enough to help spur sales? All this and major waves at VW and Stellantis on today’s thrilling episode of Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding Close
With its compact dimensions, outstanding performance, and quiet, emissions-free operation, the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 is changing the game when it comes to indoor construction and demolition projects. Now, it’s changing an altogether different game: art.
Expand Expanding Close