The Mercedes CLA EV crushes real-world range test, driving 434 miles
Mercedes calls it the “one-liter” car for a reason. The new Mercedes CLA EV has an impressive EPA range of 374 miles, but in real-world driving, it can go even further.
As states push DER initiatives, $4,500 PG&E home battery rebate leads the way
Rather than straining the grid, the batteries in EVs can actually help to stabilize the energy grid under heavy loads. PG&E gets that, and to encourage participation in its growing V2G programs, the utility is offering GM Energy customers in its territory up to $4,500 toward qualifying home battery systems.
Tesla Optimus robot takes a suspicious tumble in new demo
A new video surfacing from a Tesla demonstration in Miami this weekend shows the Optimus humanoid robot taking a nasty fall. But it’s not the fall itself that is raising eyebrows, it’s the specific hand movements the robot made on its way down, which strongly suggest it was mimicking a remote operator frantically removing a VR headset.
The electric crossover that could help save Nissan: meet the all-new NX8
After images of an the new mid-sized electric crossover were leaked by the Chinese MIIT, Nissan pulled the wraps off its all-new NX8 – and it looks so good, I’m wondering if it couldn’t spearhead the brand’s American turnaround.
Chinese quality: BYD launches ‘Zero Defects’ as it crosses 113 GWh in Q3
This week, BYD crossed a major manufacturing milestone as its battery production crossed 113 GWh in the first three quarters of 2025 – but instead of celebrating, the company is doubling down with a new “Zero Defects” initiative to bring battery quality to an even higher level.
DOT opens public comment on plan to hike fuel costs during affordability crisis
This week, the US Environmental Protection Agency proposed a plan to make cars less efficient when Americans are already paying record-high energy bills during an affordability crisis fueled by tariff-driven inflation. That plan is now up for public comment.
I got a 5-ton electric tractor from China. Here’s what showed up
When a 40-foot container rolled up to my property and the doors swung open, I finally got to meet a machine I’d only last seen half-finished on a factory floor in China. Sitting up front, nose practically pressed against the container doors, was my new 10,000-plus-pound (4,700 kg) electric tractor: the NESHER L3000 wheel loader.
Kubota, Kilter to partner on next-generation autonomous farm robot
The Japanese agriculture equipment experts Kubota are partnering with Norwegian tech startup Kilter to co-develop, pilot, and promote the new Kilter AX-1 ultra high-precision weeding robot across Europe.
The future of electric farming is taking shape at John Deere [video]
Energy independence and cost control are top of mind for farmers, and more companies are rolling out electric equipment that can be charged by solar, wind, or even on-farm biogas. With the debut of its latest next-generation electric tractor at Agritechnica last month, John Deere is signaling that it intends to lead that revolution.