Author: Sofia

Franz von Holzhausen sent Model S Plaid chassis 001, one of 250, to Unplugged Performance for preservation rather than tuning. Unplugged wrapped the car, added a ceramic coating and window film. The Plaid retains its tri-motor setup producing 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft, with 0–60 mph in 1.99 seconds. Franz von Holzhausen has spent 18 years shaping Tesla’s lineup, and his latest project is not a concept sketch. It is chassis 001 of the Model S Plaid Signature Edition, the first of just 250 units built, and he has already sent it off for protection rather than tuning. The car,…

Tesla is recalling 2,975,910 vehicles in China after the country’s market regulator determined that its emergency door release is too hard to find and operate in a crash. It’s Tesla’s largest-ever recall in China, and it lands as the automaker’s door design faces mounting legal and regulatory pressure on two continents. Several other automakers who followed Tesla into similarly designed door releases have also issued similar recalls. What the recall covers According to a filing with China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), the recall covers 973,156 domestically built Model 3s, 1,956,713 domestically built Model Ys, 35,590 imported Model 3s,…

Geely says its next-generation solid-state EV battery will reach an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg, and it’s already running the cells through real-world validation ahead of a pilot rollout in 2027. That number is the whole story. At 500 Wh/kg, Geely’s cells would hold roughly twice the energy per kilogram of the best lithium-ion battery packs shipping in EVs today. Why 500 Wh/kg is such a big number The best high-nickel NMC cells in production EVs land around 250 to 300 Wh/kg at the cell level. Tesla’s 4680 sits near 245 Wh/kg. LFP cells, the chemistry powering most…

Hyundai and Genesis EV owners in the U.S. can now charge at discounted rates at Ionna’s Rechargeries. Two stackable discounts are available across Ionna’s network. There’s no special app or promo code needed, but drivers need to use their car brand’s smartphone app or Plug & Charge. Well-versed EV owners in the United States already know that Ionna’s charging stations are among the best out there. Recently, JD Power even put the up-and-coming network at the top of its list, and it’s no surprise, given how the stations are clean and the stalls always work. And now, Hyundai and Genesis…

Genesis unveiled its first full-size flagship SUV, the GV90, and it’s about as over-the-top as they come. The ultra-luxe electric SUV packs coach doors, a built-in refrigerator, massive digital screens, air suspension, and plenty of other high-end touches. Meet the Genesis GV90, a true flagship luxury SUV It’s been nearly two and a half years since Genesis unveiled the Neolun concept, a preview of its full-size “ultra-luxe” SUV, the GV90. We were lucky enough to be invited to the GV90’s debut on Wednesday at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, where Genesis finally took the covers off its…

Photo: SOLRITE Illinois homeowners can now get rooftop solar paired with a whopping 60-kWh home battery for no money down – but this isn’t free equipment. Texas-based Solrite Energy has launched its solar-plus-storage program for qualifying homeowners in ComEd and Ameren Illinois territories. Solrite finances, owns, and maintains the system, while the homeowner buys the solar power it generates for 12 cents per kWh under a 25-year agreement. That rate can rise by up to 2.9% each year. Customers will also continue to receive a utility bill for grid electricity and other applicable charges. The standout is the battery. At…

SpaceX’s massive investment in AI will make it a big winner, Argus Research said after the company’s successful earnings call last week. The firm also upgraded shares to a Buy from Hold and set a $160 price target. SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX) is currently recovering from its heavy AI infrastructure investments, as it spent nearly $16 billion in Q2 alone. The company did this primarily by monetizing high-demand GPU compute capacity at a much faster pace than traditional data center economics would suggest. Company CFO Bret Johnsen said that SpaceX would be able to pay back anything on new deployments within…

Aptera has unveiled its first large strategic investor. The California startup partnered with China’s Launch Design to fast-track the production of the three-wheeled solar EV. Launch Design is investing millions of dollars into Aptera and offering access to its production facilities. Aptera, the California startup that’s been working for over a decade to make a solar-powered electric vehicle, has a new partner that should help it assemble the famed three-wheeler faster, more efficiently, and more importantly—cheaper. The small California outfit has partnered with China’s Launch Design, a design-for-manufacturing company established in 2000, which specializes in developing and delivering turnkey solutions…

BYD is pushing into serious luxury-car territory with the Da Han. It’s the brand’s new flagship electric sedan that combines huge power, a lavish cabin and an impressive claimed range. Presales have now opened in China, with prices starting at 249,900 yuan, or around $37,170. The Da Han follows BYD’s latest Dragon Face design language. Slim headlights, a chrome “Dragon Whiskers” panel and semi-hidden door handles give it a distinctive appearance, while buyers can choose from five exterior colours and 20- or 21-inch wheels. It also features air suspension and rear-wheel steering. The interior is even more ambitious. Up to…

Tesla has discontinued the Solar Roof, its solar-tile roofing product, Electrek has learned. The company has told third-party installers that it will no longer supply solar roof tiles going forward, only solar panels, according to two sources close to the program. Two sources confirm the end of the Solar Roof Two sources close to the program confirmed to Electrek that Tesla has informed its network of certified third-party installers that solar roof tiles are no longer available to order, and that the company will supply only conventional solar panels moving forward. One of the sources said that internally, Tesla has…