EVs and batteries fuel the US VPP boom, hitting 37.5 GW in 2025
The US virtual power plant (VPP) market is growing fast, with 37.5 gigawatts of behind-the-meter flexible capacity now online, according to a new Wood Mackenzie report. VPPs connect small energy systems and smart devices into a single network managed by an energy company or utility. That can include residential solar panels, battery storage, EVs, and smart thermostats. When the grid needs help during peak demand or emergencies, they can be tapped – and you get paid for participating.
Celebrate EVs and solar this weekend at Drive Electric Month and Sun Day events
Drive Electric Month continues this week, with nearly 200 online and in-person events celebrating electric vehicles. Events will be held for the next several weekends all across the US, plus a few in Canada and one in Guadalajara, Mexico.
In addition, a new celebration championed by Bill McKibben, Sun Day, occurs this Sunday, September 21, with events across the world celebrating advancements in solar power and electrification.
The 2026 Cadillac Optiq EV arrives with much more to offer at a lower price
Cadillac’s entry-level EV is bringing some serious upgrades for the 2026 model year. The 2026 Cadillac Optiq packs more power, more features, and a built-in NACS port so you can recharge at Tesla Superchargers. Even with the upgrades, it’s more affordable than the outgoing model.
Autel 3,072Wh LFP power station with AI voice assistant at new $1,659 low, Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus e-bike at second-ever $1,199 low, more
We’ve got some exciting deals closing out this week’s Green Deals, leading with the Autel Home 3000 Portable Power Station that sports an AI voice assistant at a new $1,659 low. Next, Rad Power Bikes is having a weekend flash sale on its RadRover 6 Plus e-bike that drops it to the second-ever $1,199 low, while Birdfy’s Nest Polygon Smart Solar Birdhouse with a camera is back at its $200 low, with many other houses/feeders seeing discounts too. From there, we have Navee’s autumn e-scooter sale, some tariff relief on EGO’s 56V batteries, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Bluetti power station and alternator charger bundle deals, the Heybike Golden Fall e-bike Sale, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Elon Musk has trapped Tesla shareholders: give me $1 trillion or I won’t lie for you anymore
Elon Musk has trapped Tesla shareholders in a vicious cycle that has nothing to do with he company’s performance or mission anymore. He is linking a vote for his compensation package, worth up to $1 trillion and more control over the company, to the future of Tesla and, in his delusions of grandeur, “the future of the world.”
He literally said that.
How far would you be willing to go to get $1 trillion? Would you be willing to lie?
Rivian finally really releases its powered tonneau cover (for real this time) (really)
Rivian has added a powered tonneau cover retrofit to its Gear Shop, allowing certain R1T owners to purchase install of the long-promised feature. It has been available before, but only for short periods of time, and early versions have seen reliability problems in the past – but Rivian says this version is much better now.
Tesla loses another Optimus robot leader, and upsets TSLA stock gamblers
Tesla has lost another leader of its Optimus humanoid robot program, which is upsetting those who bet on Tesla’s stock (TSLA), as CEO Elon Musk says most of Tesla’s value is tied to the robot.