On today’s solar-powered episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got EnergySage director of insights Emily Walker with a look inside the company’s 22nd industry report, this time featuring home solar, EV charging, and whole home electrification.
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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.
Elon’s dirty deals, Tesla’s credit losses, and electric semi trucks save BIG money
On today’s disturbingly dirty episode of Quick Charge, Elon Musk is undoing nearly two decades of decarbonization by pumping out massive amounts of pollution to keep his xAI and Grok slop-machines rolling – and hurting some of America’s most vulnerable communities at the same time.
Expand Expanding CloseZoomlion looks set for breakout year with $1.2 BILLION in deliveries
Chinese manufacturing and equipment firm Zoomlion looks set for a breakout year – the company has shipped some 15,000 units with a combined value of approximately 8.5 billion yuan (~1.2B), and we’re barely into March (!).
Expand Expanding CloseReal-world test: electric semi trucks can save fleets nearly $160,000 per truck
After following two fleets over more than a year and 200,000 km of real-world driving, Canada’s most comprehensive real-world test of electric semi trucks showed that fleets can realize nearly $160,000 in savings. Per truck.
Expand Expanding CloseWhere do you charge your wheel loader? Try the Circle K!
As more and more job sites make moves to electrify their heavy equipment assets, there have been more and more questions from those on the outside looking in about how and where those big machines get charged up – which is why I absolutely love this picture of an electric wheel loader charging up at Circle K!
Expand Expanding CloseDonut solid-state batteries tested, Tesla engineer quits, and solar value
On today’s extraordinary episode of Quick Charge, we reflect on the fact that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and both Donut Labs AND Tesla are a long long way from turning everyone into believers.
Expand Expanding CloseE-quipment highlight: JCB A45E electric articulating boom
British equipment experts JCB have developed a fully electric articulated boom lift that delivers the reach, maneuverability, and all-day productivity contractors expect, but without the emissions, noise, or fuel bills of diesel. Meet the A45E Articulated Boom Access Platform.
Expand Expanding CloseReport: solar could increase your home value by $39,500 to $79,000
A new study of more than 5,000 home sales showed homes with solar panels installed sold for 5-10% more than comparable homes without solar. If you’re doing the math, “(that’s) an eye-popping $39,500 to $79,000 boost.”
Expand Expanding CloseFloodgates open for Tesla lawsuits, Waymo expands, and US goes nuclear
On today’s high-dollar episode of Quick Charge, Tesla is reeling from a $243 million judgement against it in a high-profile wrongful death case involving the company’s Autopilot system, and has a hard time getting the relevant data to NHTSA.
Expand Expanding CloseWorld’s first: US Air Force deploys portable nuclear power station [video]
For the first time, a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III has airlifted a complete, 5 MW nuclear reactor from March Air Reserve Base in California to Hill Air Force Base in Utah for assembly and operation, signaling a new era of deployable energy and logistical capabilities.
Expand Expanding CloseNew record: Nio performs 175,976 battery swaps — IN A SINGLE DAY [update]
While DC fast charging infrastructure and range anxiety dominate Western EV headlines, Nio’s battery-swap system in China reached a new milestone that proves battery swap tech can rival traditional refueling models at scale: Nio customers performed more than 165,000 battery swaps in single day.
UPDATE 22FEB2026: they beat last week’s record of 165,898 swaps.
Expand Expanding CloseXos new Class 6 MDEV approaches diesel price parity at just $99,000
Offering superior performance, zero emissions, and a lower total cost of operation (TCO) than the diesel-powered alternatives is a given, but Xos’ latest electric medium duty chassis has one more trick up its sleeve: a competitive price tag.
Expand Expanding CloseHitachi rolls out new 13 ton “dual mode” electric excavator that can run 24/7
Hitachci Construction Machinery NV is expanding its lineup of quiet, zero-emissions construction equipment offerings with a new, 13 ton battery electric excavator that can run 24/7 – and it’s just in time to wow the crowds at next month’s CONEXPO in Las Vegas!
Expand Expanding CloseEV driver shares surprising, real-world data after installing solar panels
Are you wondering how much it would cost to charge up your EV if you added a home solar system to your roof? One EV owner did just that. After 14,000 miles of driving, he’s sharing his results online — and the real-world data might surprise you!
Expand Expanding CloseIT BEGINS: McMurtry kicks off production of $1.36 million electric fan car
McMurtry Automotive has confirmed that production of its insane, record-setting, upside-down driving all-electric Spéirling PURE fan hypercar is underway — but if you’re worried about pulling up next to yourself at a stoplight, don’t be: this one’s a limited edition.
Expand Expanding CloseMack LR Electric garbage trucks help the Bronx breathe better
Royal Waster Services took delivery of its first Mack LR Electric garbage truck in December — and they’re happy enough with their big EV’s performance to have placed an order for three more, helping Bronx residents sleep in, and breathe easier.
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon grows van fleet, solar-powered semis, and BetterFleet stops by
On today’s smarter episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got CEO Daniel Hilson here to give us an in-depth look at how BetterFleet can help fleets and utilities manage their charging schedules to keep both energy costs and downtime to a minimum.
Expand Expanding CloseThe first country to BAN the sale of new gas cars is doing just fine, actually
Ethiopia made history in 2024 by becoming the first country to ban the sale and import of new internal combustion-powered vehicles. Despite the predictions of the anti-EV hysterics, they’re doing just fine — but the process hasn’t been without its challenges!
Expand Expanding CloseTesla’s European future in doubt, but they didn’t get banned in California!
On today’s labor-intensive episode of Quick Charge, Germany’s largest union IG Metall is squaring off with Tesla in a major dispute involving a toxic work culture, criminal charges, defamation, and more – but at least they can still sell cars in California (for now).
Expand Expanding CloseAmazon grew its Rivian electric delivery van fleet by 50% in 2025
Amazon is committed to adding 100,000 Rivian electric vans to its delivery fleet by 2030. And, if 2025 is any indication, they’re well on their way — the company grew its Rivian van fleet by more than 50% in 2025, alone.
Expand Expanding ClosePolestar goes on the offensive with FOUR new models in THREE years
Polestar just announced the largest product offensive in the company’s history, with plans to bring four new electric vehicles to market in the next three years — including a new SUV and the return of the entry-level Polestar 2!
Expand Expanding CloseRobotaxis wreck 4x more than humans, and at least one Tesla wants to swim
On today’s crash-tacular episode of Quick Charge it’s been a rough, rough week for Tesla stans as new data out of Austin shows Robotaxis crashing at rates more than 4x higher than humans, new data out of China shows sales crashing more than 45%, and a new video seems to show a Tesla trying to crash into a lake.
Expand Expanding CloseMAN Trucks shows off its megawatt charging in subzero temperatures
MAN showed off the megawatt charging capabilities of its eTruck electric semi this week in the brutal, blistering cold weather conditions at the Kempower MCS Live Winter Days 2026 event in Norrköping, Sweden.
Expand Expanding CloseMercedes-Benz’ eActros electric semi trucks arrive in Chile
Mercedes-Benz’ truck division has reached a major milestone in their South American expansion, delivering their first, eActros 600 electric semi truck in Chile earlier this week.
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