With revenue tumbling almost as fast as market share, Tesla stock is taking a pounding – exactly like CEO Elon Musk predicted! We’ve also got FSD rolling out in China, a German automation acquisition, and more on today’s red candlestick edition of Quick Charge!
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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.
Tesla exec teases new Model S, protests gain momentum, and staff exodus continues
On today’s energized episode of Quick Charge, a Tesla executive leaks news of a new Model S and X as protests at retail locations escalate and key staff continue their exodus from the troubled brand. Plus: 0% financing deals on EVs and PHEVs and Volvo brings off-grid power to bauma.
Expand Expanding CloseAutonomous warehouse robot maker Ati scores $20 million Series B
Automation and warehouse robots have been changing the way we ship and store goods for decades. In a post-Altman/OpenAI world, though, we get to call that kind of autonomous operation “AI” and slap a multimillion dollar valuation on it – which is exactly what Ati Motors did.
Expand Expanding CloseAll the EVs (and PHEVs) you can buy with 0% financing in February 2025 [Updated]
Lease deals get all the hype, but most people still want to own the car after they’re done making all those payments on it. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been waiting for the interest rates on auto loans to drop, you’re in luck: there are a bunch of great plug-in cars you can buy with 0% financing this February!
Update 23FEB25: added more fresh 0% deals.
Expand Expanding CloseHuawei Maextro set to challenge Maybach, Rolls-Royce in China with 852 hp
Packing up to 852 hp and a cutting-edge technology stack developed by Huawei, Chinese luxury brand Maextro just revealed its latest entry into the Mercedes-Maybach EQS and Rolls-Royce Spectre segment of ultra-luxe EVs. Meet the all-new Maextro S800.
Expand Expanding CloseVolvo Penta set to show off its new BESS subsystem at bauma 2025
Volvo Penta will debut its latest modular and scalable battery energy storage system (BESS) platform for the off-grid construction and mining industries at the bauma equipment show – here’s what you can expect.
Expand Expanding CloseRivian Upfit Program offers fleet managers custom solutions for its EVs
Just days after Rivian announced that it would be making its iconic electric delivery vans available to anyone willing to pay for one, the company launched the new Rivian Upfit Program, offering a “one-stop shop” to help fleet managers put its EVs to work.
Expand Expanding Close2025 Ram ProMaster EV (finally) lives up to its initial promise
For 2025, the Ram ProMaster EV commercial van gets up to 180 miles range from its 110 kWh battery pack, new 12- and 13-foot cargo configurations to meet more fleets’ needs, and a starting price of “just” $56,495. All of which sounds … kind of familiar, right?
Expand Expanding CloseElon is setting up shop in India as first Tesla Semi station gets real (6 years late)
Elon Musk’s visit to India may have been more about Tesla than any mission for the US government, if recent job listings at Tesla are to be believed. Plus, we’ve got news that construction on the first Tesla Semi truck stop is underway in California – and only six years behind schedule! All this and more on today’s (also late) episode of Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding CloseProtests erupt at Tesla dealers as China holds FSD hostage in tariff war
It was a rough weekend for TSLA as public protests of CEO Elon Musk and his actions at DOGE overwhelm Tesla showrooms as calls from shareholders to fire America’s most powerful immigrant grow louder. Plus, solid-state batteries and a brand-new, affordable EV from Kia on today’s rapidly escalating episode of Quick Charge!
Expand Expanding CloseCummins acquires hybrid heavy mining equipment experts First Mode
Cummins has its eye on hybrid powertrains to help decarbonize the transport, construction, and mining spaces the operates in. To that end, the company has acquired the hybrid equipment experts First Mode, and plans to make the first commercially available retrofit hybrid system for mining equipment a reality not just soon – but now.
Expand Expanding CloseVolvo L25 Electric compact wheel loader helps set this organic vineyard apart
Grapes are sensitive – and when you’re depending on them to have a certain flavor, a certain acidity, and even a certain smell, the last thing you want is diesel particulate matter settling on them. That’s just one of the reasons electric equipment options like Volvo’s electric wheel loader offer unique advantages to companies like Ästad Vingård.
Expand Expanding CloseAnother hydrogen fail as Renault subsidiary Hyvia struggles to survive
French hydrogen firm Hyvia has been given a stay of execution. The Commercial Court of Versaille has given Hyvia a few extra weeks to get through its insolvency proceedings and find a buyer – but, frankly, it ain’t lookin’ good.
Expand Expanding CloseE-quipment highlight: Liebherr Liduro Power Port 100 portable equipment charger
The new Liebherr Liduro Power Port 100 is the company’s newest, smallest battery energy storage system to charge electric construction equipment or power up a mobile office – and it’s coming to bauma 2025.
Expand Expanding CloseAll the best EV (and PHEV) rebate deals we could find for February 2025
Cynics will point at big rebates and claim they mean the vehicle isn’t selling, but that just exposes them as auto industry noobs. A rebate is a powerful finance tool that helps dealers overcome obstacles like negative equity, poor credit, down payment requirements, and interest rate objections – and, ultimately, get a deal done.
If you’re dealing with any of the above, pay attention: these plug-in cars could get you behind the wheel of a new ride sooner than you think!
Expand Expanding CloseNobody wants a Cybertruck – including Tesla! Plus: Nissan news, pricey solar
On today’s downright giddy episode of Quick Charge, at least one Cybertruck owner is sick of people making fun of his ride – but Tesla won’t let him trade it in. Plus, the Associated Press reports that Tesla is suing its own customers, and Nissan is adding AI to its EVs to its record time.
Expand Expanding CloseChicago EV deals, Amazon delivery vans for all, and visits from the FBI!
On today’s wheelin’ and dealin’ episode of Quick Charge, we take a look at a $9,140 deal on a 2025 Nissan LEAF*** in Chicago, things you can do with a robotic lawnmower, and talk about the tough times Tesla is experiencing while its CEO asks if you’ve seen Kyle.
Expand Expanding CloseAt just $9,140, is the 2025 Nissan LEAF the best new car deal in Chicago?
The 2025 Chicago Auto Show opened this week, and I’ve been struggling a bit with how to approach this story about the decline and fall of what was once the American auto industry’s premier commercial vehicle show – but one thing was absolutely clear: the Nissan LEAF is the best new car deal in Chicago. ***
Expand Expanding CloseE-quipment highlight: Husqvarna Automower EPOS electric robot lawnmowers
They may look like beefed up Roombas, but the new 535 and AWD 580L EPOS robotic lawn mowers from Husqvarna leverage the brand’s decades of outdoor power products expertise to deliver commercial-grade capability in an innovative package.
Expand Expanding CloseNew EU copyright spurs hope of an electrified Lancia Fulvia comeback
In a new copyright filing at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) from January 30th, Stellantis has reserved exclusive rights to apply the Fulvia name to, “powered vehicles for use on land.” And, while that’s a long way from a confirmation – there’s reason to hope.
Expand Expanding CloseIs this America’s first electric refrigerated catering truck for aviation?
Global airport ground support equipment (GSE) manufacturer Mallaghan just deployed what it says is North America’s first ever fully electric refrigerated catering truck designed specifically for the aviation industry.
Expand Expanding ClosePet Valu deploys electric semi trucks so pets can breathe a bit easier
They may not purr like a well-tuned diesel, but Pet Valu has added two brand-new, whisper-quiet Volvo VNR Electric semi trucks to its growing logistics fleet as part of the company’s ongoing effort to transform its supply chain into one that’s more efficient, and more sustainable.
Expand Expanding CloseMilestone: TRC reaches $2 billion in commercial ZEV funding
Consulting firm TRC has made a name for itself in the clean trucking space both for managing the ACT Expo and helping commercial fleets navigate the increasingly complex world of ZEV incentives. This week, the company reached a major milestone: $2 billion in funding!
Expand Expanding CloseFirst ever electric rail car mover gets to work at Port of Baltimore [video]
The Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore has announced a first for the contemporary American maritime industry: a battery-electric rail car mover that can organize the rail yard without dirtying up the air around it.
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