China has officially moved forward with a proposed ban on flush EV door handles, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The regulation will force a redesign of many EVs with sleek, electronically-actuated handles, a design popularized by Tesla.
For many years, safety advocates have been concerned about an automotive trend towards sleek-looking EV door handles which fold flush into the body of…
Winter Storm Fern knocked out power for millions of people across the US and reignited a familiar political and media fight over what really causes large-scale outages during extreme weather. To separate the rhetoric from the operational reality, Electrek spoke with Leah…
Tesla CEO Elon Musk lied about "refusing" Epstein island invite, newly released DOJ emails show
February 3, 2026
Elon Musk claimed he “refused” invitations to visit Jeffrey Epstein’s private island after the financier was already convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, but newly released Department of Justice documents prove that was a lie.
The emails show Musk…
Hyundai's biggest EV caught in action for the first time [Video]
February 3, 2026
Hyundai’s electric MPV is bigger than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Kia Carnival. The Staria EV is Hyundai’s largest EV to date, and it looks even bigger in real life.
The Staria EV is Hyundai’s first electric MPV
Earlier this month, Hyundai unveiled the Staria EV for the first time at the Brussels Motor Show. It’s essentially an all-electric version of the gas-powered model sold in Europe…
Fresh with funding, Aptera shares solar EV production update ahead of deliveries this year [Video]
February 2, 2026
Days after completing a $9 million equity raise, solar EV startup Aptera Motors posted its latest progress update video, detailing how it intends to use the fresh funds. While it still has a way to go, Aptera is continuing production of its solar EV validation builds with…
Kia launched this EV pickup based on the PV5 for $30,000
February 2, 2026
The PV5 is much more than just an electric van. Kia opened orders for an EV pickup truck variant in South Korea this week, starting at 43.45 million won ($30,000). With subsidies, Kia said the actual purchase price can drop to just 29.95 million won ($20,800).
Kia PV5 Open…
CATL and BYD are betting on a new type of EV battery to overcome rising lithium prices
February 2, 2026
CATL and BYD are already dominating the EV battery market, accounting for over 50% of global sales last year. With new tech rolling out in 2026, China’s battery leaders look to stay one step ahead of the competition.
CATL and BYD double down on sodium-ion EV batteries
To combat rising lithium prices, Chinese battery manufacturers are pushing for new types of battery chemistries, including…
Solar, wind, and batteries are set to supply virtually all net new US generating capacity in 2026, according to EIA data reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign, continuing their strong 2025 growth.
Solar set new records in November
EIA’s latest monthly “Electric Power…
Tesla invests $2 billion in Elon Musk's xAI cash furnace
January 30, 2026
Tesla disclosed in its Q4 2025 earnings report that it has invested $2 billion in xAI, Elon Musk’s private AI company. The investment comes while Tesla shareholders are actively suing Musk for breach of fiduciary duty over his founding of xAI in the first place.
You…
With production set to begin later this year, Lucid Motors (LCID) has built the first prototypes for its midsize EV. The new models will start at around $50,000 as Lucid expands into new segments.
Lucid builds the first midsize EV prototypes
After overcoming the production hurdles that hampered production of its first SUV, the Gravity, Lucid is preparing to introduce its long-awaited midsize EV…
