We The Power: How Community Energy Can Free People & Help The Planet
Originally published on The Beam.
By Emanuela Barbiroglio
Born and raised in the German city of Schönau, Sebastian Sladek learned the meaning of the word “community” quite soon. Words like “energy,” “power,” and “rebellion” immediately followed.
“Our city was small and traditionally conservative, a rural area in the middle of the Black Forest. My parents too were conservative people, always believing in what politicians say and never engaging,” he recalls. “Then Chernobyl switched something in their brains.”
“When the tragedy happened, we were deeply impacted and yet the administration didn’t have a plan. This opened my parents’ eyes.”
At his dining room table at home, Sladek witnessed endless meetings between his parents and their comrades-in-arms. They were taking over the Schönau power grid and founding their own as a civil society. In 1994, Elektrizitätswerke Schönau (EWS) was founded: finally a green-electricity supplier.
That might be the reason why Sebastian grew up with the firm belief that his studies would have brought him as far as possible from all of this. So he chose archaeology and, after, started his first excavation experiences.
Despite his efforts to find another path, a passion for the “community” drew him more intensely back to Schönau. In 2011, Sladek returned to the place that made his childhood so peculiar and became a member of EWS’ executive board. “I switched from history to the future,” he laughs.
Now EWS is different from the past, but the Schönauer Gefühl (the spirit of Schönau) remains and the basic idea never changed: together we can make a radical difference. As a cooperative company, the board communicates with members, who in turn help shape the company as partners. In addition, they involve many other stakeholders, including local municipalities, environmental protection organizations and cooperatives to promote climate protection.
By opting for EWS’ green electricity, customers direct the cash flow towards achieving a higher target. The product becomes part of the solution to climate change and, at the same time, the customer becomes part of the community working for a better world.
The true story of Sladek’s parents, the original Schönau “power rebels,” still inspires EWS’ goal of preserving the planet as a place worth living.
“There are always times when people feel depressed and powerless, until they meet a group that helps them come back to power. Being a group has always been my family’s solution, my siblings and I knew how it feels to be representative of a minority’s opinion and how to win.”
Participation is key. “You need to know that you can make a difference and you have to do it, but facing challenges is only possible through solidarity.”
Of course, Sladek’s family and friends had the privilege of not being afraid of repression “but that’s why we have the responsibility to both fight for future generations and defend others’ rights together with ours.”
Movements such as Fridays for Future send a message of hope, by allowing people to be actors in the process. “Taking part in an anti-nuclear protest with 215,000 people gives you a real strong feeling.”
Pioneers from the ‘90s had a long way in front of them, and yet after almost 70 years since the first reactor started operations in 1955, Germany is going to phase out nuclear power. By the end of 2022, it will be a memory.
“It took us years, but we made it.” While years are precisely what we are missing and, Sladek admits, his greatest fear is that we are wasting time.
That’s why even more communities have to take action. The good news is that it is already happening.
A new project by Patagonia is significantly called “We the Power” and includes a feature-length documentary shining a light on the citizen-led renewable community energy movement across Europe. Directed by David Garrett Byars, from the multi-award winning Patagonia film Public Trust, it will be screened at virtual and in-person events across Europe in combination with live presentations featuring local pioneers, from April 2021.
EWS Schönau is part of the film, alongside three other stories from the UK, Spain, and the European federation of citizens energy cooperatives (REScoop.eu).
“All these initiatives are led by very brave visionaries and very persistent people,” says Birgit Grossmann, enviro and marketing manager for Patagonia Germany.
The film will demonstrate the benefits that energy communities bring, both to locals and to the health of our home planet. It will also show people how they can get involved with the movement – or start their own – in their local area.
Indeed, the campaign dreams big: inspiring a citizen-led movement towards energy democracy across Europe, while educating on the crucial role that we can play in the transition from an economy based on fossil fuels to one based on renewable energy sources.
Grossmann is absolutely sure about this: “Citizens have to watch carefully what renewables are according to corporations.”
Meanwhile, Patagonia wants to help groups like EWS promote, legislate, or organize around renewable energy community solutions and their transcription into country-level law.
Patagonia believes that the predominant model of big energy companies and fossil fuel production must be changed, if Europe is to have any chance of getting to the net zero CO2 emissions level required by 2050 and stabilise global warming at 1.5°C.
“If we want to be serious about the Paris agreement, this is definitely necessary,” Grossmann adds. “But energy democracy has other advantages, like the possibility for local communities to make their own choices and see where their electricity is coming from, rather than blindly accepting what companies give to them. It also prepares the way for spreading renewables because acceptance is key. Finally, from an economic point of view it stimulates local employment and boosts it with money that would normally go to big external investors.
Today, one million European citizens are part of the movement. By 2050, more than 260 million people could be involved, generating 45% of the EU’s electricity demand.
So how does it work? It’s easy. All citizens have the right to join an energy community through becoming a member or co-owner. Every person who joins gets a share of the profits and is usually given the opportunity to buy energy at a fair price. As active participants in this growing movement, they are included in decisions such as where to invest and how to set prices.
In Sladek’s words, “the power of citizens is the power of mass.”
![Jeep's new Recon EV sheds its camouflage while charging ahead of its big debut [Photo]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/12/Jeep-Recon-spy-photos.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Another electric Jeep SUV is almost here. With its official debut just around the corner, Jeep’s new Recon EV was spotted charging in production form, giving us our best look at the Wrangler-inspired SUV. Will the Recon live up to its legendary predecessor?
With its first all-electric luxury SUV, the Wagoneer S, arriving at US dealerships any day, we are already getting a look at Jeep’s next EV.
The Recon is Jeep’s second global electric SUV. It was first unveiled in 2022 alongside the Wagoneer S and Avenger as part of its new EV lineup. The Avenger was launched in early 2023 in Europe, but it’s not expected to arrive in the US.
While Jeep is preparing for the first Wagoneer S deliveries in the US, many are even more excited for its next electric SUV.
Although we’ve seen the Recon several times as it inches closer to its official debut, the most recent image reveals the electric SUV in production form.
After introducing the concept, Jeep claimed the rugged EV was still built to conquer any terrain but with zero tailpipe emissions. Perhaps even better, it can do it in near silence.
Jeep says the Recon is “inspired by the legendary Wrangler.” It will feature similar options like removable doors and windows.
Jeep’s Recon EV sheds camo charging ahead of launch
Jeep’s former CEO, Christian Meunier, said the Recon EV could tackle the “mighty Rubicon Trail.” For those unfamiliar with the Rubicon, it’s considered one of the most challenging off-road trails in the world. The rocky terrain, narrow paths, and steep hills make the Rubicon tough for even the most seasoned off-road warriors.
The new image from Kindelauto finally reveals the Jeep’s Recon EV in production form while charging at an EVgo station.
As the electric SUV progresses, it looks more and more like a Ford Bronco. The Recon’s rugged, boxy exterior remains close to the concept.
Earlier this month, we got our first look at the interior. The folks at JeepReconForum spotted a prototype in Michigan with the interior almost completely uncovered. You can see a large infotainment at the center with a smaller driver display screen next to it.
The photos also showed that it included Jeep’s signature Selec-Terrain system. You can see “Rock” and “Mud” modes on the traction interface system, while other options like Snow, Sport, and Tow are expected to be included.
Interestingly, the display screen shows a 147-mile range remaining at 66% charge, suggesting a range of around 223 miles.
With the Wagoneer S expected to have a range of over 300 miles, the Recon should provide a similar range based on the same STLA Large platform.
The Wagoneer S will begin arriving at US dealerships in January 2025, starting at $71,995. Jeep launched the electric SUV’s first marketing campaign earlier this week, proving that “Beautiful Things Can Still Get Dirty.”
Jeep’s Recon EV is expected to officially debut in early 2025. Although prices have yet to be confirmed, it’s expected to start at around $60,000. More premium trims, like the Rubicon, could cost upwards of $80,000.
Source: Kindelauto
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Tesla has finished raising its main steel structure for its Tesla Semi factory, which appears to be on track for production in 2025.
The Tesla Semi program has seen some significant delays, but it feels like it’s finally happening.
It was first unveiled in 2017, and it was supposed to come to market in 2020, but it only officially entered production in late 2022.
Despite unveiling a production version and officially starting production, the program didn’t move much.
In October 2023, we learned that Tesla had only built about 70 Tesla Semi trucks and the company was using them internally and with one main customer: PepsiCo.
In January 2023, Tesla announced an expansion of Gigafactory Nevada to build the Tesla Semi in volume.
However, more than a year later, we hadn’t heard much about the effort.
Earlier this year, Tesla finally started to move some dirt and get some construction going at the site of the new factory. It sounded like plans changed and instead of expanding the existing Giga Nevada as originally planned, Tesla started building a new factory next to the existing one.
In April, Tesla said that the plan is for the factory to be finished next year and start producing Tesla Semi trucks by ‘late 2025’.
Now, right before the end of the year, Tesla released an update on the progress at the plant (via Dan Priestley, head of the Tesla Semi program, on X):
Yesterday, Semi Factory Nevada topped off the main area of the building with the last major piece of structural steel! Fantastic design and execution by this construction team and our contractor partners with focus on safety and efficiency. This factory is going to rock!
He shared a few pictures:
The structure came together rather quickly, but there’s still more work to be done until Tesla can achieve production.
Tesla aims to set up the factory throughout 2025 and bring the Tesla Semi to production on the new lines by the end of the year.
Lately, we have reported that Tesla is also slowly getting Tesla Semi into the hands of other customers.
Things are trending in the right direction.
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Vietnamese automaker VinFast is pulling a late demand lever in 2024 to entice US customers to get behind the wheel of its VF 8 SUV. Designed for SUV-loving families in the US, the VinFast VF 8 is now available to lease for well under $300 a month with $0 down.
The VF 8 is VinFast’s ($VFS) flagship EV, hitting the US market two years ago as a 2023 model. We drove the VF 8 early on, and it was fine, but there were some clear bugs that needed to be sorted out. We noted that 2024 would be a pivotal year for the Vietnamese automaker looking to raise revenues and make up for missed delivery targets in 2023.
This year, the automaker turned to its parent company, Vingroup, and its founder for additional funding while launching two new models, including the three-row VF 9.
Although it faced early software hiccups, VinFast pushed forward to get more of its VF 8 SUVs on US roads, pulling demand levers while expanding its stateside dealer network. Today, VinFast has announced an enticing new lease program for the VF 8 that requires $0 down at signing.
VinFast is offering a VF 8 lease for $279/month
VinFast published a press release today that is more of a love letter to its flagship VF 8 SUV, which includes a little tidbit about a new lease deal. Once you get through the paragraphs of the Vietnamese automaker shilling its innovation and nod to its spot on TIME’s 2024 list of influential companies, there’s a juicy little bonus for any customers interested in a super cheap EV lease from a relatively unknown and unproven automaker.
VinFast hailed its new VF 8 lease offer as one of the most competitive in the US, and that’s hard to argue. Right now, you can lease a base-level ECO trim of the SUV for $0 down and $279 a month thereafter. The VinFast VF 8 lease term is 24 months and includes 10,000 miles a year.
Note that VinFast does not have showrooms in all 50 states yet, so if interested, it’s best to see if the VF 8 and subsequent lease are even possible in your area. What do you think? Would you test out a VF 8 for two years and save some green?
Electrek’s take
The value of this lease offer for a VF 8 from VinFast can’t be denied, but it’s still a tough sell for a number of reasons. As someone who has driven the VF 8, I think it’s more than adequate and can do the job for many people, especially those new to EVs who don’t have anything to compare it to.
My first ride was far too early on in the development process, and there were too many issues for me to forget, so I’d personally pass on this offer. However, VinFast has done a lot of work to resolve those software issues for other consumers.
I still think the biggest hurdle here is brand awareness. The average US consumer has no idea VinFast exists and is not seeking out more information on it to perhaps stumble upon this VF 8 lease deal. It’s a steal for those who are aware of the brand and feel comfortable committing to two years of driving one, but that feels like a niche segment in an already small market sample.
I also think this demand lever shows evidence that VinFast is not making the impact on the US market it had hoped with the VF 8. I’ll be interested to see where their 2024 financials land and how those compare to a year ago, when deliveries were lower than expected. We will keep an eye on that and report back.
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