Zambia Has A New President Who Could Help Accelerate The World’s Transition To Sustainable Energy
Having followed the development in Zambia since I attended elementary school in the country from 1981 to 1982, there is finally some good news that resonates with me in the context of the global EV revolution and the world’s transition to sustainable energy generation and consumption.
Zambia’s new President-elect, 59-year-old Hakainde Hichilema, is determined to push Zambia forward as a key player in the new low carbon world order, the secret weapon being copper. Zambia is the second largest producer of copper in Africa, and has substantial quantities of cobalt too.
Who Is Hakainde Hichilema?
I heard about Hakainde Hichilema the first time in 2016 when he got arrested during the general elections, and I lost hope for any significant development in the country short term.
From BBC News:
It was a case of sixth time lucky for Hakainde Hichilema, who has finally become president of Zambia after five unsuccessful attempts.
Mr Hichilema defeated his main rival, the outgoing President Edgar Lungu, by more than a million votes. Mr Hichilema, 59, has described himself as an ordinary “cattle boy”, who herded his family’s livestock in his youth before going on to become one of Zambia’s richest men.
The president-elect and leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND) is widely referred to as HH. He was born into humble beginnings before managing to get a scholarship to the University of Zambia, and later graduated with an MBA degree from the University of Birmingham in the UK.
He went on to make a fortune in finance, property, ranching, healthcare and tourism.
Mr Hichilema has shown resilience in his political career. Along with his five electoral losses, he often reminds people that he has been arrested 15 times since getting into politics.
In 2016, he was charged with treason for allegedly failing to give way to the presidential motorcade. He spent four months in a maximum-security jail before the charges were dropped.
What Will Zambia Do Now?
I have a few friends in Zambia, of all ages, and they collectively just want to work and make decent living. From what I hear, the labor market has not been fair for a long time, with nepotism and corruption affecting all layers. It’s difficult to explain, but let me set the scene with an example: In 2019 I was fortunate enough to teach grade 9 at my old school for just one hour. I had brought a small solar cell, a small battery, and a small toy electric car. While explaining and demonstrating how all this worked, the 40-some students were dead silent paying attention, and when the class was over, their teacher asked them who would now like to be an engineer? In a split second all hands rose high!
So how will the election of HH change anything? From The Times UK:
In his acceptance speech on Monday, he [Hakainde Hichilema] pledged major structural and policy changes in all sectors but particularly mining.
And some more context from S&P Global:
Africa’s second-largest copper-producer — the metal accounts for more than 70% of the country’s export earnings — had witnessed a noticeable deterioration in its mining investment climate during Lungu’s second term in office, “damaging relations between miners and the government beyond repair”, the CEO of Africa-focused strategic advisory firm Africa Practice, Marcus Courage, told S&P Global Platts.
“This also resulted in lower levels of investment, lower copper production and reduced receipts for the government, in spite of a rebound in global copper prices,” Courage said.
Hichilema’s pledge to create jobs and restore Zambia’s economy now hinges on his ability to restore confidence among investors and see stalled mining investments resume once more, Courage said.
“If he can get this right, then the Zambian Copperbelt can be competitive once more, and can become a hive of global mining activity, creating jobs.”
Infrastructure Is Key
Zambia is an immensely resourceful country, both in terms of natural resources and human resources. My old school is finally getting access to electricity, but it has taken more than 4 decades to hook it up to the main lines from the road right next to the school grounds! And as is clear from my visit there the last time, all these rural schools are rife with young people ready to make a difference (on my last visit in 2019 I visited 5 rural schools, all with the same sentiment).
The Chibwe school library building ready to get connected to the grid in 2019. Photo credit: Jesper Berggreen.
Despite the former President’s questionable priorities, solar plants have been and are being deployed on a large scale in the country, but the key is infrastructure, and more specifically, last mile infrastructure. Connecting rural communities with the main grid of transportation and energy has been so slow that you would be hard pressed to notice any difference from decade to decade. In contrast, cellular communication infrastructure is very good.
Here is a concrete visual example I filmed in 2019: This truck is the main mode of transporting people and goods on a 30-mile stretch off of a main road in the southern province. On this pitiful excuse of a road are located 7 villages, each with their government elementary school. The truck has the same average speed as a goat.
Of a population of 10 million, at least 60% is struggling with the lack of effective infrastructure. Zambia has the potential to be a very strong economy in Africa based on its unique position in terms of natural resources, young and ambitious population, and last but not least, being a multi-ethnic society itself with 73 tribes and 7 main native languages, its long history of peaceful cooperation with its 8 neighboring countries!
What About China?
China has a strong presence in Africa, and Zambia is no exception. The country has contracts in mining, hydro, and solar power, and some would argue the Chinese practice ruthless business strategies. I am no expert on Chinese matters, so I can only hope Zambia’s new government will be able to strike deals with any foreign partner that is of the primary interest of the peoples of Zambia.
Myself and friends checking out a Chinese-deployed 10 kW solar hammer mill in Zambia 2019. Photo credit: Jesper Berggreen.
I have personally been waiting for this breakthrough for 40 years. Nothing would make me more proud than for Zambia to step in as an open, conscientious, and fair global business partner in the worlds transition away from the aftermath of the fossil fuel era.
The battery pack in my local Zambia-manufactured toy wire car in 1981 may only power the on board radio, but it’s a BEV nonetheless! Photo credit: Birgit Berggreen.
I can’t wait to one day drive up to my old Chibwe school in a full size solar charged electric vehicle and give another lecture on the subject.
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Honda announced that it is pausing about $15 billion in planned EV investments to build electric vehicle and battery factories in Canada amid uncertainty over trade.
It’s the latest example of Canada’s backing the US plan backfiring.
A few years ago, Canada sided with the US in its plan to save the US auto industry, which was falling behind the rest of the world in the transition to electric vehicles.
Canada agreed to heavily tariff Chinese EVs to keep them away from the North American market, which mainly helps the US auto manufacturing industry, and in return, Canada’s EV production was included in Biden’s IRA to encourage foreign automakers to invest in EV production in both US and Canada to get access to the US market.
However, when Trump came into power earlier this year, he threw a wrench into this entire plan by canceling IRA funding, planning to kill the EV tax credit, and placing tariffs on many countries, including Canada.
It has resulted in planned investments in the EV sector in Canada to cool down.
Now, one of Canada’s most significant EV investments has been paused.
Honda has announced that it is pausing for two years its plan to establish a massive new EV production base in Canada:
“Due to the recent slowdown of the EV market, Honda Motor has announced an approximate two-year postponement of the comprehensive value chain investment project in Canada. The company will continue to evaluate the timing and project progression as market conditions change.”
The investment was announced just over a year ago. It was supposed to include a new EV factory in Ontario and a battery factory, totaling more than $10 billion in investments.
It was supposed to create over 1,000 jobs in Ontario and help retain the 4,200 jobs at Honda’s current assembly plant in Ontario, which are threatened by the electric transition.
Electrek’s Take
Canada is taking a beating here and all for mostly just protecting the US auto industry.
As I have been saying for a while, at this point, you should just invite the Chinese automakers to join.
You can do a deal à la India, where you remove tariffs for Chinese automakers willing to invest in the EV supply chain in Canada.
There’s no point in protecting the US automakers if the US is purposefully destroying the Canadian auto sector.
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A new company out of Germany called ONOX is bringing sustainable technology to the agriculture industry. After garnering design awards, the ONOX electric tractor prototype is in operation overseas as its makers look to scale and bring its unique modular design, complete with swappable battery packs, to farms everywhere.
It’s been less than two years since ONOX hit the tech scene with a prototype of its flagship electric tractor, which debuted at Agritechnica 2023 in Hanover, Germany. In April of 2024, the German startup’s electric tractor was awarded an iF Design Gold Award.
That same summer, the ONOX1 finalized commissioning before entering an extensive test phase. By December, the startup had snagged another trophy – the Federal Ecodesign Award. This past February, the ONOX electric tractor received road approval in Germany and began operations while the design team continues its mission of making electric agricultural machinery a reality.
The ONOX electric tractor is unique in that it utilizes modular battery swap technology, in which farmers can choose from three different mounting areas (see below).
ONOX’s electric tractor could breathe new life into farming
Since the ONOX electric tractor remains a prototype, many of its specs are targets and estimates, but the initial design is quite impressive. The electric tractor’s motor offers peak power of 70 kW with over 2,400 Nm of torque up front and over 5,500 Nm in the rear. ONOX’s targeted top speed is 40 km/h (~25 mph).
The ONOX tractor features an integrated 20-kWh battery pack and room for additional swappable packs of 30 kWh each. The entire system operates on 48V power, so maintenance is safer and easier for users without further training since there is no risk of exposure to high-voltage components.
The ONOX design team has also integrated an Airline system with mounting rails on the tractor’s hood, enabling future owners to mount cargo, haul hay or produce, or customize the area with other parts. The front of the tractor is also front-loader-ready, adding to its modularity and versatility.
The ONOX website says the electric tractor is self-sufficient using its own solar energy, but from the specs and images we’ve seen, there is no evidence of any solar technology implemented on the current prototype. Perhaps they mean the swappable batteries can be charged using solar when not installed on the tractor.
We will monitor ONOX’s progress as electric tractor development continues en route to commercial sales.
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Toyota upgraded its electric SUV in just about every way possible. The 2026 Toyota bZ is refined from end to end with a fresh new style, more driving range, advanced new tech, and much more. It even has an NACS port, so you can charge at Tesla Superchargers. Here’s our first look at Toyota’s new EV.
Meet the 2026 Toyota bZ electric SUV
Remember the bZ4X? It’s currently the only EV Toyota sells in North America. It’s now called the “bZ,” and it’s better than ever.
The 2026 Toyota bZ has an estimated driving range of 314 miles, a 25% improvement over the outgoing bZ4X. It also has a built-in NACS charging port, unlocking access to Tesla’s vast Supercharger network across North America.
Toyota said the upgraded EV can charge from 10% to 80% “under ideal conditions” when using DC fast charging. With added Plug & Charge capabilities, charging has never been easier.
The AWD models now have up to 338 hp, a 50% improvement thanks to new SIC semiconductors. Front-wheel-drive (FWD) models deliver 221 hp, up from 201 HP in the 2025 bZ4X.
Other upgrades, including battery pre-conditioning and a thermal management system, help optimize charging speeds in cold weather.
Battery options and driving range
The 2026 Toyota bZ will have two battery options: 57.7 kWh and 74.7 kWh. Toyota estimates that the larger (74.7 kWh) battery will provide up to 314 miles of range, while the smaller (57.7 kWh) option will get up to 236 miles.
Toyota upgraded the electric SUV inside and out. The exterior features Toyota’s new “hammerhead front end,” which is shown on updated vehicles like the Camry and Crown. The new styling includes redesigned front overfenders and slim LED daytime running lights.
The interior received a few upgrades, including a redesigned center console. The setup now includes a larger 14″ Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen, two wireless phone chargers, and a slimmed-down dashboard.
Standard features include a 7″ driver display screen, heated front and rear seats, regenerative braking, Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, and more.
Upgrading to the Limited trim will gain you 20″ black alloy wheels, multi-LED headlights, SofTex®-trimmed seats, ventilated front seating, and added safety/ driver assist features. Other options include a panoramic moonroof with power sunshade (XLE) and a premium 9-speaker JBL Audio system (Limited).
.
| 2026 Toyota bZ trim | Battery | Range (Manufacturer estimated) |
| XLE FWD | 57.7 kWh | 236 miles |
| XLE FWD Plus | 74.7 kWh | 314 miles |
| XLE AWD | 74.7 kWh | 288 miles |
| Limited FWD | 74.7 kWh | 299 miles |
| Limited AWD | 74.7 kWh | 278 miles |
According to Toyota, the new name will help simplify things for buyers. We suspect it’s also designed to revamp the brand’s sole EV after a slow (to say it nicely) rollout in North America. The bZ4X was recalled shortly after launch over concerns that the wheels may fall off.
The 2026 Toyota bZ is expected to arrive at dealerships in the second half of 2025. Check back for more info as prices will be revealed soon.
With the upgraded 2026 model arriving, Toyota is offering close-out prices on the 2024 and 2025 bZ4X. The 2024 bZ4X is listed with up to $19,000 in lease cash, while 2025 models can be leased for as low as $269 per month. You can use our link to find deals on the 2024 and 2025 Toyota bZ4X in your area today.
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