On today’s highly educational episode of Quick Charge, we talk about some of the impacts that the EPA’s multi-billion dollar electric school bus programs are having on schools around the country and explore some innovative ways to help school districts pay for them.

Our guest today is Matt Curwood from Voltera Power, a company that specializes in electric vehicle charging as a service and helping fleets electrify by capitalizing their infrastructure investments. All this and more – enjoy!

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Tesla is holding its ‘We, Robot’ event today, which is expected to be the launch of its new Robotaxi, a vehicle dedicated to self-driving.

Here, you will find our news hub for the event, which will contain all the most important information about the event and our watch party.

Before being called its ‘We, Robot’ event to “unveil the future of autonomy”, Tesla called today’s 10/10 event the “unveiling of its Robotaxi”.

The Tesla Robotaxi is a vehicle that CEO Elon Musk has been talking about for the past two years.

Since 2016, Musk claimed that all Tesla vehicles built from then on would be capable of full self-driving capabilities through future software updates enabling owners to use them as “robotaxis”.

That has yet to happen and Musk made some owners worried when he started talking about Tesla building a new vehicle dedicated to self-driving: the Robotaxi, which is also sometimes referred to as the Cybercab.

This unveiling event is not only going to be interesting as our first official look at Tesla’s new vehicle, but many Tesla owners and shareholders want to know how this new dedicated vehicle fits into Tesla’s self-driving effort.

The vehicle itself is expected to be a two-seater with butterfly wing doors, no pedals or steering wheel, and have a design inspired by the Cybertruck.

Considering the event is about autonomy, we expect Tesla to also give an update about Optimus, its humanoid robot, at the event.

There could also be a surprise unveiling of Tesla’s upcoming new vehicles, like the next-gen Roadster or two cheaper vehicles based on Model 3 and Model Y.

Tesla is holding the event on Warner Brothers’ studio lot in Los Angeles, which has non-public streets. Some have speculated that Tesla is holding the event there to do some self-driving demos without getting a self-driving permit, which the automaker has avoided getting in California for years.

The event is set to start at 7 PM local time or 10 PM ET, and it will be live-streamed here:

Here’s our Tesla Robotaxi unveiling news hub, where you can find our articles about the most important news that comes out of the event (refresh the page for more stories):

We are also hosting a very informal watch party with myself, Fred Lambert, and Jamie Dow. Some other Electrek staff members might join too.

Rivian’s (RIVN) electric pickup is getting unique new accessories. Worksport (WKSP) is releasing aftermarket accessories for the Rivian’s R1T, including its solar-powered SOLIS tonneau cover.

Known for its tonneau covers for trucks, Worksport is quickly expanding its lineup. The company announced plans to develop aftermarket accessories specifically for the Rivian R1T this week.

Worksport said its existing tonneau cover lineup, fitted for the Rivian R1T, is almost complete. The covers are designed to improve efficiency, protect the vehicle against outside elements, and provide a safe space to store stuff.

Building on its existing products, Worksport claims its SOLIS is “the world’s first folding solar tonneau cover.”

According to Worksport, the solar-powered truck bed cover can provide up to 650 watts of clean energy.

Combined with its COR battery system, Worksport’s SOLIS cover can harness solar energy and store it for later use. The bundle could be used to upgrade your next camping trip, work site, or anywhere off-grid.

Rivian R1T to get a new solar-powered tonneau

Worksport claims that, with expected Level 2 charging capabilities, the solar cover will be able to act as a last-mile range extender.

Steven Rossi, Worksport’s CEO, said, “Rivian owners deserve an exceptional bed cover and power system to go further and truly do anything.”

The company said its SOLIS solar-powered tonneau cover will be made at its West Seneca, NY, production facility, where it manufactures current accessories.

Rivian’s R1T is not the only electric truck set to get Worksport’s solar-powered tonneau cover. In February, Worksport announced it was developing a solar and battery storage system for Ford’s F-150 Lightning.

After delivering another 10,018 vehicles in Q3, Rivian’s deliveries reached 37,396 through the first nine months of 2024.

Rivian aims to deliver between 50,500 and 52,000 vehicles this year, slightly higher than the 50,122 handed over last year. The EV maker will launch its smaller, more profitable R2 in early 2026 as it expands into new markets.