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Three major transportation firms are set to work with one another on the development of a European charging network for “battery electric heavy-duty long-haul trucks and coaches.” 

In a joint announcement earlier this week, Volvo, Daimler Truck and the Traton Group said they had signed a non-binding agreement related to the installation and operation of the network. The goal is to set up a joint venture that all three firms would own an equal part of, with operations slated to commence in 2022.

Together, the companies are set to invest 500 million euros (around $593 million) in the joint venture, which would be based in the Dutch city of Amsterdam.

It’s hoped that, within five years of the JV being set up, at least 1,700 “green energy charging points” will have been installed and functioning. The tech, the firms said, is set to be located “close to highways as well as at logistic and destination points.”

“The number of charging points is with time intended to be increased significantly by seeking additional partners as well as public funding,” they added.

Change on the cards, but challenges ahead

In April, the International Energy Agency said that, globally, the number of electric cars, buses, vans and heavy trucks on roads was expected to hit 145 million by 2030.

According to the Paris-based organization, if governments ramp up their efforts to meet international energy and climate goals, the global electric vehicle fleet could increase further still, hitting 230 million by the end of the decade. Both of these projections exclude two- and three-wheeled electric vehicles.

As the number of EVs on our roads increases, extensive charging networks will need to be rolled out for all types of vehicles to meet increased demand and dispel lingering concerns around “range anxiety” — the notion that EVs aren’t able to undertake long journeys without losing power and getting stranded.

The electrification of long-haul, heavy-duty trucks and coaches poses its own set of unique challenges. As the IEA’s Global EV Outlook for 2021 notes, “long-haul trucking requires advanced technologies for high power charging and/or large batteries.”

Speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Wednesday, Volvo’s chief technology officer, Lars Stenqvist, sought to explain why a charging network for heavy duty vehicles was needed.

“Right now, we are producing and distributing electric heavy duty trucks mainly for refuse applications, for city applications,” he said. “And those vehicles, normally they’re coming home to their ‘base camp’ every evening for charging.”

Stenqvist said the next step on the journey would be regional and long haul applications.

“Then, you are dependent on … [getting] the pan-European charging network in place and, right now, it’s a little bit of [a] chicken and egg discussion because there are no vehicles out there and … no infrastructure. But if there is no infrastructure, there will not be any vehicles.”

In terms of how the project would operate on the ground, Stenqvist explained it would be a “public, open network — so whatever make can charge their vehicles in this network.”

Later on in the discussion, Stenqvist stressed the importance of differentiating between vehicles. “We are talking about really high capacity chargers here and that is one of the reasons why we are not using, and cannot use, the car charging network … not from a performance perspective and of course also not from a … layout perspective.”

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Early Prime Day Sales with up to 65% savings from Jackery + Anker SOLIX, EcoFlow dual expansion batteries $2,899 off, more

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June 24, 2025

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Early Prime Day Sales with up to 65% savings from Jackery + Anker SOLIX, EcoFlow dual expansion batteries ,899 off, more

Today’s Green Deals are jam-packed with power station savings, led by Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale that is taking up to 65% off power stations with some extra ways to save too. Among the lineup, we spotted the brand’s Explorer 2000 Plus Solar Generator Bundle with two 200W panels down at $1,709. Right behind it we have the first round of Anker’s SOLIX early Prime Day flash sales, with options like the C300 AC 90,000mAh Power Station getting a 100W solar panel at a new $369 low, among larger units. Next, there’s EcoFlow’s first early Prime Day flash sale that has two DELTA Pro Smart Extra Batteries together at $2,699, as well as a WAVE 3 portable AC/heater bundle too. Among our electric lawn care solutions today is the Greenworks 40V 17-inch​ Cordless Push Lawn Mower at a new $230 low, as well as Worx’s Nitro 40V 15-inch Cordless String Trimmer with Dual-Exit Bump Feed Head, two 4.0Ah batteries, and a dual-port charger at its $190 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full EcoFlow early Prime Day Sale lineup, Lectric’s 4th of July 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.

Get up to 65% off Jackery power stations in early Prime Day Sale access with bonus + trade-in savings, more from $89

Jackery has launched its early Prime Day Sale pricing through July 7, with up to 65% being taken off power stations, alongside extra sitewide savings, trade-in savings, flash sales, and select member-only discounts. Among the lineup, one of the best and most expansive solar generator bundles is Jackery’s Explorer 2000 Plus Power Station with two 200W panels at $1,709.05 shipped, after using the promo code EXTRA5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. Normally you’d be shelling out $3,099 for this package at full price, which we mostly see brought down to $1,899 during sales these days, though it did fall lower to $1,799 in the earlier months of 2025. We have seen this bundle go as low as $1,673 with extra savings in a 3-day flash sale back in February, but it hasn’t come back around since, with the deal here landing as the second-lowest price we have tracked, saving you $1,390 and beating its Amazon pricing by $190.

As this is Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale, there are some additional savings options that are worth mentioning while the event continues. First off, the code EXTRA5 can be used at checkout to score an additional 5% savings on your order, with some models even offering larger on-page 7% off coupons. There’s also a trade-in offer that can give you up to $830 off a new model after trading in your old one, and special pricing on select units for members (sign up is free).

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One of Jackery’s most expansive backup power solutions, which only bows down to the new Explorer 5000 Plus, the Explorer 2000 Plus is a great option to cover camping needs, outdoor events, and home backup, starting at a 2,042Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity. That capacity can be boosted to 12,000Wh with five expansion batteries connected, while pairing two of these fully expanded setups together takes things to their maximum 24,000Wh levels. The station delivers up to 3,000W of steady output power through 10 port options, while the dual-expanded setups go higher at up to 6,000W of power.

The battery can be recharged to full in just two hours through a wall outlet, or it will take the same timeframe to get it back to full when connecting its maximum 1,200W solar input (not accounting for expanded setups), and a third option to connect to your car’s auxiliary port. You’ll get all the remote smart controls you’d expect through its companion app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

***Note: the additional 5% and on-page 7% discounts have not been factored into the pricing below, so be sure to use the code EXTRA5 at checkout (or EXTRA7 where applicable) for the maximum savings!

Jackery’s current early Prime Day Sale flash offers (ends June 25):

Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale appliance backup deals:

Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale home backup deals:

Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale outdoor adventure deals:

Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale add-on deals:

Jackery’s transfer switch deals:

You can browse the entirety of Jackery’s early Prime Day Sale on the landing page here. 

Anker SOLIX power stations

Anker SOLIX early Prime Day flash sales drop C300 AC 90,000mAh 100W solar bundle to a new $369 low

Anker SOLIX is beginning its early Prime Day events with two limited-stock flash sale periods – first through June 26, then through June 29. Among the first round of offers we’re seeing, things start lowest with the C300 AC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station that comes with a 100W solar panel for $369 shipped. This newer bundle normally goes for $669 in full, with it only available directly from the brand’s website here, as other marketplaces like Amazon only offer the 60W panel bundle. We’ve seen this package go as low as $399 previously, which is getting beaten out by the 45% markdown during this sale, giving you $300 in total savings at a new all-time low price. Head below to check out the other units getting discounts during these flash sales.

A great option for folks who want a more compact backup power solution that they can easily carry along while stowed inside a bag, the 9-pound Anker SOLIX C300 AC power station keeps your personal devices running with a 90,000mAh LiFePO4 capacity. Unlike its DC counterpart, which leans more in favor of USB ports, this model has three AC outlets on top of the three USB-Cs, the solo USB-A, and a car port. It provides a steady power output of up to 300W, with things surging to 600W for larger power needs.

There’s a bunch of ways to recharge its battery too, with the obvious one from this bundle being the 100W solar panel, though it can also utilize a standard wall outlet, a car port, or through the PD 3.1 USB-C port. Its design is especially tailored for campers and outdoor adventures, as there is an integrated carrying handle (alongside hooks to attach a shoulder strap), as well as the integrated light bar that sits above its front-facing display screen.

Anker’s other SOLIX early Prime Day flash offers (through June 26):

You can browse the entirety of Anker’s SOLIX early Prime Day flash sale offers on the landing page here.

DELTA Pro Smart Extra Battery

Expand your EcoFlow DELTA Pro setup with two expansion batteries at $2,699 in flash savings ($2,899 off)

As part of its ongoing early Prime Day Sale through July 7, EcoFlow has launched the first of its scheduled flash sales, with two offers to upgrade your outdoor adventures. The first of these deals gives you two DELTA Pro Smart Extra Batteries for $2,699 shipped. This add-on bundle carries a $5,598 MSRP, but for the rest of the day you’ll benefit from the 52% markdown here to upgrade your DELTA Pro setup with $2,899 in savings. Considering that the lowest we’ve seen one battery go for was $1,399 during Black Friday and Christmas sales, this deal saves you $99 off buying two separately at those lowest rates, making this the best chance we have tracked to significantly expand your backup power support. It’s beating out Amazon by much more right now, where one unit is priced at $1,599, which comes in at $249.50 above the cost of each in this bundle.

If you’ve been wanting to expand your DELTA Pro setup beyond just the station, or further bolster things for greater backup power support inside or outside of the home, this DELTA Pro expansion battery bundle is certainly the best chance we’ve seen yet. Each of the batteries adds 3,600Wh to your overall capacity, giving you 10,800Wh should you currently only have the station, and helping to push you closer to its maximum 25kWh.

The second of these flash offers comes through the brand’s official Amazon storefront, giving you the new WAVE 3 Portable AC/Heater with an add-on battery and a free bag for the unit at $1,399 shipped, down from $2,299. This setup gives you mobile AC and heating for your tent, car, camper, or any other enclosed space, with the brand claiming it to “drop temperatures by 15 degrees in 15 minutes” or “warming a space by 17 degrees in 15 minutes.” There are plenty of smart controls via the app, like the new PetCare feature that automatically starts cooling when temperatures hit 77 degrees, among others.

Be sure to check out EcoFlow’s early Prime Day Sale offers in our original coverage here, which features 60% initial discounts, bonus savings, free gear, installation subsidies on select units, member benefits, and more.

Greenworks 40V 17-inch cordless push lawn mower

Cut, collect, and/or mulch clippings with this Greenworks 40V 17-inch cordless push mower at new $230 low

Amazon is offering the new Greenworks 40V 17-inch​ Cordless Push Lawn Mower with 4.0Ah battery at $229.99 shipped, which beats the brand’s direct website pricing by $18. This model hit the scene back at the top of the year carrying a $310 price tag in full, which we’ve only seen brought down as low as $232 at Amazon. All the rates we’ve tracked before are getting beaten out now by the 26% markdown here, which cuts $80 off the tag to land at a new all-time low price.

Perfect for first-time homeowners or for anyone looking for a budget-friendly means to replace their noisy gas-guzzlers, this 40V cordless lawn mower from Greenworks comes with a durable 17-inch steel deck that still retains a lighter weight for more effortless maneuvering around your yard. It comes with six different cutting height levels ranging from 1-1/4 inches to 3-3/8 inches, as well as 2-in-1 functionality to either collect clippings in the bag or mulch it all for your flowerbeds. It comes with a push-button start, as well as foldable handles to make storage all the easier.

If you’re looking to stock up on the brand’s commercial-grade lawn care solutions, you can find the 82V 760 CFM Cordless Axial Leaf Blower bundle with two 82V Bluetooth 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger down at a new $300 low (50% off), as well as the 82V 18-inch Commercial-Grade Cordless Chainsaw that comes with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at a new $400 low.

Worx Nitro 40V 15-inch Cordless String Trimmer

Control the length of line up to a 15-inch cutting swath with this 40V Worx Nitro cordless trimmer kit at $190 low

Amazon is offering the Worx Nitro 40V 15-inch Cordless String Trimmer with Dual-Exit Bump Feed Head, two 4.0Ah batteries, and a dual-port charger for $189.99 shipped. Normally, this trimmer package would run you $270 at full price, which we’ve previously seen brought down as low as $200 before this month. Today’s deal gives folks a second shot at the best price we have tracked, saving you $80 on a more advanced trimmer while also getting double the power supply.

A more advanced trimming and weed whacking solution, this Worx Nitro 40V string trimmer features a dual-exit bump feed head that can extend the line out to a 15-inch max cutting swath with a simple tap on the ground. What’s more, loading in more lines is quick and easy to save you time, with there also being a variable speed control to dial up or dial back speeds depending on the job at hand. It only weighs 9.42 pounds in total, making it easy to use for folks of all sizes. The two included batteries also give you double the runtime while being interchangeable with 140+ other tools in the brand’s PowerShare ecosystem.

Best Spring EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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QuantumScape has integrated its ‘Cobra’ process, reducing solid-state production time tenfold

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60 mins ago

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June 24, 2025

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QuantumScape has integrated its 'Cobra' process, reducing solid-state production time tenfold

QuantumScape production

Solid-state battery developer QuantumScape shared another exciting milestone today: integrating its long-developed “Cobra” solid-state separator manufacturing process into its baseline production. This step technology significantly reduces the overall footprint and production time of QuantumScape’s proprietary solid-state cells, setting the stage for commercialized production.

Much of our QuantumScape updates the past couple of years have pertained to the progress of its QSE-5 solid-state sample cells (because, let’s face it, that’s the most exciting stuff). However, some of QuantumScape’s production techniques are just as innovative as its cell technology.

In many ways, QuantumScape’s cream of its solid-state crop is its assembly lines, especially since arguably the most challenging hurdle for bona fide solid-state battery integration is scaled production at a cost that OEMs will be willing to opt for over lithium cells, which also won’t bankrupt the company.

We’ve known of these plans since 2023, when QuantumScape shared two phases of its assembly line overhaul using a fast separator heat-treatment process – Raptor and Cobra.

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Raptor was completed two years ago and introduced a step-change process, allowing continuous flow heat treatment to process the separator films faster with less total heat energy. The next phase, “Cobra,” was expected to build off Raptor and add even faster processing, particularly in the cell’s ceramics. Per the solid-state battery developer, Cobra is a “potential game changer in scaled cell production.”

By early 2024, QuantumScape was beginning to gear up for high-volume production of its solid-state electrolyte separator using the “Cobra” equipment and process, and by last December, was ready for initial separator processing on the QS-0 assembly line for B-sample cells.

QuantumScape has confirmed that Cobra has been fully integrated into the company’s baseline production processes, achieving a 2025 goal while enabling gigawatt-level solid-state cell production.

Quantumscape solid-state
Source: QuantumScape

QuantumScape’s Cobra separator is production’s secret sauce’

“What’s so special about a solid-state separator process?” Well, a lot actually.

The QuantumScape team will be the first to tell you that its proprietary solid-state separator is the proverbial key that unlocks the startup’s leading and potentially industry-changing performance in energy density, charge times, battery life, safety, and cost.

We all know that solid-state battery technology has the potential to enable a paradigm shift in electric mobility, providing cars, planes, boats, and plenty of other vessels with cells that will enable them to travel farther than ever. This technology has often been deemed a “holy grail” for electric mobility and while some companies, including QuantumScape have developed viable solid-state cells, none have scaled to mass production yet.

As we’ve reported on many times in the past, QuantumScape remains a leader in the space as one of the companies that appears closest to achieving the feat, thanks to its aforementioned Raptor and now Cobra manufacturing processes.

Hence why today’s news is a big deal.

In addition to unlocking the potential for solid-state cell production itself, QuantumScape says Cobra is the core innovation that will allow the technology to be manufactured at a gigawatt-hour scale. This breakthrough is expected to lay the groundwork for higher-volume B1 sample production and the startup’s path to market.

Furthermore, the technology supports QuantumScape’s licensing model with Volkswagen Group, which was announced a year ago. In this model, contract manufacturing can potentially help avoid tariffs by transferring IP instead of physical goods, especially as battery demand continues to grow steadily despite geopolitical tensions.

Looking ahead, we will see how Cobra contributes to QuantumScape’s production progress in 2025, hoping to get a more concrete timeline on when its solid-state batteries could hit the EV market.

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The Volkswagen ID.4 is getting an extensive update with an all-new look and much more

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1 hour ago

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June 24, 2025

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The Volkswagen ID.4 is getting an extensive update with an all-new look and much more

Volkswagen-ID.4-new-look

Volkswagen’s electric SUV is set to receive an extensive facelift, both inside and out. The Volkswagen ID.4 will adopt the brand’s new look, similar to the upcoming entry-level ID.2. Here’s what we know so far.

Volkswagen ID.4 due for a major refresh with a new look

The ID.4 is already due for its second major refresh. It received significant upgrades for the 2024 model year, but Volkswagen is planning to overhaul the electric SUV to align it with its new electric models.

Like the ID.2all concept, first unveiled in 2023, the new ID.4 will feature Volkswagen’s new design language with an updated front end, a powerful stance, and clean character lines.

According to VW’s tech boss, Kai Grünitz, the first vehicle set to receive the updates will be the ID.3 next year, followed by the ID.4. Grünitz told Autocar that the new look will include a “lower and squatter stance,” giving it “a family resemblance to the ID.2.”

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For the first time, VW’s tech boss also confirmed that the changes will include an interior overhaul, including a new dashboard. Volkswagen also plans to bring back physical buttons.

Volkswagen-ID.4-new-look
Volkswagen ID.2all concept (Source: Volkswagen)

“We’re going to bring back a round knob for the volume control,” an insider said (via Autocar), adding that “it has worked for years, there’s no reason to replace it.”

We got a sneak peek of what the interior will look like with the ID.2all. After revealing the first interior images in 2023, Andreas Mindt, VW Passenger Cars head designer, said, “The future of Volkswagen interiors has arrived in the ID 2all concept car.”

Volkswagen-ID.2-EV-interior
Volkswagen’s ID 2all EV interior (Source: VW)

We will have to wait to learn the final specifications. However, the new ID.4 is expected to arrive with increased range and performance, as VW advances new electric motors, batteries, and other EV technologies.

The ID.3 will be the first Volkswagen to receive the new look in the second half of 2026, followed by the ID.4 later in the year.

Volkswagen-ID.1-most-affordable-EV
Volkswagen ID.EVERY1 world premier (Source: VW)

Volkswagen will introduce the production version of the ID.2, kicking off a new series of entry-level EVs. An SUV version of the ID.2 and a smaller, lower-cost ID.1 will join the lineup shortly after.

In the US, the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 starts at $45,095 with an EPA-estimated range of 291 miles. In Europe, the ID.4 starts at around €35,000 ($41,000) with a WLTP range of up to 550 km (342 miles).

Looking to test the electric SUV for yourself? You can use our link to find Volkswagen ID.4 models near you (trusted affiliate link).

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