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Tesla is inviting its Energy customers living in California to join Tesla’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and help stabilize the grid. Virtual power plants aggregate the capacities of energy resources and enhance power generation along with trading or selling power on the electricity market. Back in 2020, our own Steve Hanley shared that Tesla was expanding into both solar microgrids and virtual power plants. Steve wrote about Tesla’s virtual power plant plan in the UK at the time. Less than a year later, Tesla is now setting one up in California.

Tesla noted that its Virtual Power Plant in California is in the beta stage and pointed out that the California grid operator predicted that there will be a continued need for Californians to support it through the end of this year. Tesla’s invite encourages its customers to help create the largest distributed battery system in the world while avoiding dependence on the least efficient fossil fuel power plants.

Once customers have opted in, Tesla will dispatch their Powerwalls when the grid needs support, without risking customers’ own energy security. Tesla listed several benefits of participation in its new Virtual Power Plant.

Benefits

  • Exporting Credits During Peak Periods. Customers don’t need to make any changes to their home energy usage behavior, and if they’re part of a net energy metering program, they could earn credit for their energy that is sent to the grid during events.
  • Cleaning The Power Grid. When the grid is in critical need of additional electricity, the least efficient fossil-fueled- generators come online. With Tesla dispatching customers’ Powerwall during the critical need, this helps to reduce dependence on those generators and helps clean the grid.
  • Stabilizing California’s Grid. By opting in, Tesla Energy customers will help California reduce or even avoid blackouts during severe emergencies. Powerwall can keep the lights on for all in the community.
  • United as A Tesla Community. The Tesla community is pretty amazing, but this takes that level of community even higher. Tesla Energy customers will team up with other Powerwall owners who are helping Tesla to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. Customers will help build the largest distributed battery in the world — with over 50,000 Powerwalls.
  • Energy Security. Powerwall customers will not lose any of their energy security. Instead, Powerwall will discharge during VPP events but will not discharge below your backup reserve. Customers can adjust their backup reserve to control how much their contribution to the VPP is.

Tesla noted that eligible Powerwall owners will be able to enroll in its Virtual Power Plant starting on July 22, 2021. Details on program eligibility will be announced soon.


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QOTD: is Volvo planning a low cost, electric Robotaxi rival?

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QOTD: is Volvo planning a low cost, electric Robotaxi rival?

It’s probably nothing. Just a playful post on social media from a random Volvo account celebrating an obscure concept car from the early aughts. It couldn’t possibly mean that Volvo is actually going to build the thing … right?

The post in question went live on the Volvo Cars Heritage Facebook feed last week, and it was simple enough. You can check it out for yourself, below.



See? Just a few pictures of the 3CC, a concept that Volvo designers at the time intended to be “future proof” and developed with an eye towards sustainability. It was an early hybrid, with regenerative braking and slick aerodynamics along with gullwing doors and a 1+2 seating arrangement to ease entry and egress.

Nothing to get that excited about, right? Except – why the (wink wink, nudge nudge) at the end? Could Volvo really be dropping wild hints about new product on their museum site? Is that wild speculation, wishful thinking, or just sloppy reporting?

Well, as the newly-minted “Weekend Editor” here at Electrek (thanks, Fred!), there’s no one to rein me in until Monday morning, at the earliest – so we’re gonna run with it, whatever it is.

It sure looks like a Robotaxi

I’m not going to accuse Elon of stealing design ideas from Volvo any more than I’m going to accuse Volvo of stealing the 3CC concept’s design from the OG Honda CRX HF. That said, they really do seem to share some conceptual DNA, don’t they?

OK, so we’ve got some convergent evolution here – safe to say. But on the automation side of things? On the real, “the stock is worth basically zero if true self driving isn’t achieved” side of the equation?

There’s some convergent evolution there, too, because while Tesla’s been developing its highly publicized FSD software, Volvo’s parent company, Geely, has been working hand in hand with Alphabet (read: Google) to develop their own fully autonomous taxi for Waymo through the ZEEKR brand.

Is it really that crazy to imagine an updated 3CC concept fitted with the same Waymo sensor array they’re putting on Hyundais (read about that here) being shown off just in time to steal Tesla’s thunder from October 10th? Especially on the heels of the EX30’s growing success in Europe?

It’s not – and think that’s exactly what’s going to happen. That’s my take, anyway. What’s yours? Head on down to the comments and let us know if you think Volvo has what it takes to launch a Robotaxi rival in the comments.

ORIGINAL CONTENT FROM ELECTREK.

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E-quipment highlight: JLG E313 electric telehandler

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E-quipment highlight: JLG E313 electric telehandler

Designed for both all-terrain and off-road use, the all-electric E313 telehandler from JLG is a new, low-noise solution for moving materials around indoor construction, urban, residential, and municipal projects.

With a 3,500-pound maximum lift capacity and 13-foot maximum lift height with a five foot forward reach, the new JLG E313 is a first-of-its-kind all electric telehandler designed to silently load and unload trucks and flatbeds, moving materials around, or accessing work at-height in single-story work environments.

Oh, and it can do all those things indoors.

“As job sites evolve, machines need to evolve with them,” says John Boehme, JLG’s senior product manager for telehandlers. “Our new E313 electric-powered telehandler transforms how work is done in emission-free spaces and noise-sensitive environments by delivering a quieter, more efficient working experience.”

Based on the AUSA 4 meter/1,600 kg T164E battery powered electric telehandler, the JLG version ships with JLG’s universal skid-steer coupler system. That allows the E313 to attach to various existing JLG telehandler and skid-steer loader attachments, including carriages, forks, and buckets. The E313 also features an integrated hitch for hauling tools and trailers around the job site, increasing job efficiency by reducing the need for additional tractors on-site.

Charged up

The E313 uses six 48V lithium ion batteries sending power to an electric motor mated to a two speed transmission with two wheel drive and steer. The 18.6 kWh battery pack (6 x 3.1 kWh batteries) is good for up to four hours of continuous run time, and can be recharged in two to three hours on a L2 AC charger, or overnight on standard 100V.

JLG’s ClearSky Smart Fleet telematics management system is standard.

SOURCE | IMAGES: JLG, via Heavy Equipment Guide.

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Bollinger delivers first B4 electric work trucks to customers

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Bollinger delivers first B4 electric work trucks to customers

It’s got a long way to go, but the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step – and the first delivery of Bollinger B4 electric trucks to Nacarato Truck Centers is now in the history books!

With the delivery of the first five 2025 Bollinger B4 Chassis Cabs to Nacarato Truck Centers earlier this week, Bollinger Motors is officially generating revenue as an OEM. The MSRP of these first-ever customer B4s totaled fully $800,000.

The delivery comes just a few days after the official start of Bollinger production began at the company’s Livonia, Michigan production center.

The newly delivered B4 Chassis Cabs feature 158-kwh battery packs sending power to an energy efficient, 323 hp electric motor that produces 675 lb-ft of torque at 0 rpm, giving the big trucks surprising off-the-line performance and all the power they need to get the job done.

Nacarato Truck Centers will sell four vehicles to commercial fleet customers and use one vehicle for its own internal parts deliveries between across its 13 locations.

Dealers make the difference

Our nationwide dealership network is one of our core strengths, and with partners like Nacarato Truck Centers, our customers’ sales and service needs are in good hands,” said Jim Connelly, chief revenue officer for Bollinger Motors. “We are excited to see the B4 going to work on the streets of the Nashville area, and across the country.”

The 2025 Bollinger B4 Chassis Cab carries a $158,758 MSRP, and qualifies for federal clean vehicle tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of $40,000 per vehicle for the B4 Chassis Cab. Additional rebates may be available in your area, so reach out to your local Bollinger dealer for more information.

Connelley was good enough to join us as a guest on Quick Charge last week after the start of B4 production was announced, and we think it’s worth sharing that episode again, below, for anyone who missed it. Enjoy!

Bollinger CRO Jim Connelley on Quick Charge

SOURCE | IMAGES: Bollinger Motors; via email.

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