European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen addresses European lawmakers on the inauguration of the new President of the United States.
FRANCISCO SECO | AFP | Getty Images
LONDON — There is a new international order, where competition is fierce and some nations “stop at nothing to gain influence,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday.
Speaking at her annual “State of the Union” parliamentary address, von der Leyen described the currrent environment of foreign relations as “a new era of hyper-competitiveness.”
“An era of regional rivalries and major powers refocusing their attention towards each other,” she said, while adding that “recent events in Afghanistan are not the cause of this change — but they are a symptom of it.”
The withdrawal of American and allied troops from Afghanistan fueled a much faster-than-expected takeover of the country by the Taliban. The whole process and subsequent evacuation efforts have raised concerns in the EU about its dependence on the United States in terms of defense and security.
As such, some EU leaders have resurfaced the concept of a strategic autonomy — the idea that the bloc needs to develop its own defense capabilities — and a topic that von der Leyen is keen to pursue.
“Witnessing events unfold in Afghanistan was profoundly painful for all the families of fallen servicemen and servicewomen,” von der Leyen said Wednesday.
“Europe can — and clearly should — be able and willing to do more on its own … What we need is the European Defense Union,” she said.
The topic is likely to be in focus in the first half of 2022, when France, a keen supporter of the idea, is in charge of leading the discussions at the EU-level.
China’s Climate Plan
During her hour-long speech, von der Leyen also asked China to be more concrete about its carbon neutrality plans.
The country has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2060, but for von der Leyen this is not enough.
“The goals that President Xi has set for China are encouraging. But we call for that same leadership on setting out how China will get there. The world would be relieved if they showed they could peak emissions by mid-decade — and move away from coal at home and abroad,” von der Leyen told lawmakers.
She said that all major economies, including the U.S. and Japan, should present detailed plans toward carbon neutrality by the upcoming COP26 conference in Glasgow in November.
The EU has been leading this space, presenting in July a concrete set of measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
This topic is becoming increasingly more important as Europeans face higher energy bills amid a natural gas shortage and structural issues. This is raising concerns across the bloc as member states look ahead to colder temperatures in the coming months, which could result in even higher costs when the economy is still just resurfacing from the coronavirus pandemic.
The governments of Spain and Greece have already announced measures to offset some of the recent spike in energy prices. While Spain introduced temporary tax cuts, Greece said it would spend 150 million euros ($177 million) to cut energy bills for consumers over the next three months.
Mateusz Morawiecki, Poland’s prime minister, claimed last week that energy prices were going up due to the EU’s climate policies, Politico reported.
Frans Timmermans, who leads the climate policy portfolio at the European Commission, said Tuesday that “only about a fifth of the price increase can be attributed to CO2 prices rising.”
“The others are simply about shortages in the market,” he told the European Parliament.
“Had we had the green deal five years earlier we would not be in this position because then we would have less dependency on fossil fuels and natural gas,” Timmermans said, arguing that the commission’s climate plan would avoid such energy price increases.
Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus 99Wh power station hits $90 in flash sale + bonus savings and free gear on other units
Jackery is having a Sustainable Power Flash Sale through March 19 with up to $2,500 in discounts on a selection of power stations and solar generators for your spring adventures, with some bonus St. Paddy’s Day savings on the brand’s Explorer 5000 series of offers. Among what we’re seeing, we spied the popular Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station down at $89.99 shipped. Usually going for $149 most of the time, since Black Friday we’ve been seeing more frequent falls to its $89 low, normally as individual Amazon deals over any inclusion in these direct sales. Today’s deal is a 39% markdown that saves you $59 off the going rate, giving you the chance to grab it here at the second-lowest price we have tracked – only $1 above the lowest rate. For once, it’s even beating out Amazon, where it’s only discounted to $109 right now.
***Note: While there are no extra sitewide savings during Jackery’s Sustainable Power Flash Sale, we are seeing Jackery offer up St. Paddy’s Day extra savings through March 19 when you purchase any of its modular Explorer 5000 series units. You’ll score 15% off either the Explorer 5000 power station or its bundle options by using the code GREEN15 at checkout, as well as getting a FREE Explorer 100 Plus that will be automatically added to your cart.
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Jackery’s palm-sized, two-pound Explorer 100 Plus power station is the brand’s compact, airline-approved backup solution that beats out most popular sizes of power banks on top of offering solar charging capabilities. It provides you with a 99Wh (31,000mAh) LiFePO4 capacity with up to 128W of output through its dual USB-C and single USB-A ports. By plugging it into a wall outlet, you’ll regain 70% of the battery in about an hour, with a full battery taking a bit longer at up to two hours. As I mentioned, there are solar charging capabilities here, with a maximum 100W solar input giving you a full charge in around two hours – plus, you could also connect it to your car’s auxiliary port to regain a full charge in three hours time.
Jackery’s Sustainable Power Sale home and outdoor deals:
Explorer 1000 Plus (1,264Wh) with two 100W solar panels: $999 (Reg. $1,699)
can be expanded to 60kWh with additional equipment
Jackery’s Sustainable Power Sale accessory deals:
You can check out the full lineup of deals for Jackery’s Sustainable Power Flash Sale on the landing page here.
Heybike’s Mars 2.0 folding fat tire e-bike with free gear returns to $899 low in limited spring savings
Following in the footsteps of its previous flash sales, Heybike is offering a Limited Spring Sale on a selection of e-bikes, with the next few days giving folks another chance to score the Mars 2.0 Folding Fat Tire e-bike at $899 shipped through March 21. Coming down off its $1,499 price tag, we see this model prominently featured in most of the brand’s sales, often dropping to either $1,099 or lower to $999, though occasionally we do see it go lower to $899, like today. You’ll be benefitting from a $600 markdown, returning it to the all-time lowest price we have tracked just in time to secure it for your upcoming spring adventures. You’ll even get a free large cargo basket with your purchase. Head below for more details and to check out the other models benefitting from the savings.
While it doesn’t sport any fancy bells and whistles like higher-end models on the market, Heybike’s Mars 2.0 gives you some solid performance and features for such a budget-friendly price – especially this low. It arrives ready to support you through your commute with a removable 600Wh battery for up to 45 miles on a single charge with its five PAS levels, providing you with top speeds of 28 MPH. That’s with the standard’s 750W motor, which you can upgrade to a 1,000W model for $200 more, bumping your maximum speed up to 32 MPH while also providing more power for inclines, increased load capacity, and more.
Its folding frame will certainly be a blessing to folks with limited storage space, and you won’t have to worry about being caught with a flat on the two 4-inch puncture-resistant fat tires (each with fenders). There’s also the Shimano 7-speed derailleur, integrated cargo rack, an LED headlight and taillight, and LED display – plus, if you upgrade to the 1,000W motor, you’ll also have the brakes upgraded to hydraulic disc brakes to ensure stopping power at those higher speeds.
Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV charger gets limited-supply discount to $455 Amazon low
Amazon is offering a Lightning Deal on the Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV Charger for $455.20 shipped while supplies last. Coming down off its usual $569 MSRP, we’ve been seeing frequent Lightning savings like today over the last year, along with some longer-lasting discounts too, often dropping costs to the same rate. Taking advantage of the limited savings here nets you $114 to go back in your pocket while you score it at the lowest price we have tracked on Amazon. At the time of writing this, 6% of the available units have been claimed. Head below for more.
Autel’s 240V MaxiCharger AC Lite arrives as an affordable alternative for non-Tesla drivers, compatible with any EV that takes a J1772 connector. It provides you up to 50A charging speeds once installed, averaging at around 37 miles for every hour your EV is hooked up (and assuming you’re setting it to the maximum output), with smart controls for monitoring and setting adjustments available through your smartphone. Built to stand against year-round elements, it sports a 25-foot cable that will continue to function in as low as -40 degrees, with Autel rating it to withstand “snow, rain, hail, and sleet.”
Get more use out of your EGO batteries with the Nexus Escape 400W 3-Port Inverter Kit at a $249 low
Amazon is offering the third-ever savings hitting the EGO Power+ Nexus Escape 400W Inverter Kit with a 4.0Ah battery and a charger for $249 shipped, after clipping the on-page $50 off coupon. Normally this model carries a $300 price tag, which we saw the previous discount bring down only by $1 back in January. At the end of February we saw this same additional $50 off discount pop up, disappearing for a short time before being brought back today. You’re looking at a $51 markdown here, which returns costs to the all-time lowest we’ve seen.
Perfect for anyone who has collected a solid arsenal of EGO tools, this Nexus Escape inverter provides you with the means to get more out of your acquired batteries – beyond simply powering the brand’s equipment. Not only can you use the included 100W charger to refill your 56V EGO brand ARC batteries by connecting it to the inverter, but you’ll also be able to power up to three devices simultaneously through the two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. It delivers up to 400W of continuous power normally, peaking at 800W for anything needing the boost. You’ll even be getting a 4.0AH battery along with this kit, in case you’re just starting your investments into one of the top electric tool brands on the market.
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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Several Tesla vehicles were set on fire at Tesla service center in Las Vegas. More Tesla vehicles were also set on fire in Kansas, arson is also suspected in this case, but it’s not confirmed.
Tesla is facing protests at stores across the US over masses trying to negatively affect Elon Musk who many believes is establishing himself as a oligarch in the US.
On top of the peaceful legal protests, more extremist groups are also attacking Tesla with vandalism.
Protests are not slowing down with over 100 planned for the next 2 weeks and unfortunately, the vandalism attacks on Tesla also don’t appear to be slowing down.
Just last night, there were two instances.
The first one was at Tesla’s service center in Las Vegas were several vehicles were reportedly set on fire (pictured above).
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said that they were told that an individual set the vehicles on fire, but they are still investigating:
“LVMPD Communications received information that an individual had set several vehicles on fire in the parking lot and caused damage to the property,”
The FBI is reportedly being involved.
President Trump said last week that he wants to classify vandalism against Tesla as “domestic terrorism.” We previously reported that the FBI has already gotten involved in several instances of vandalism at Tesla stores.
In a separate instance in Kansas City last night, two Tesla Cybertrucks burned down at the local Tesla store.
A KCPD officer spotted the fire and tried to extinguish it himself but couldn’t. Firefighters had to come and the fire spread to a second Cybertruck in the meantime.
The KCPD Bomb and Arson unit is investigating the cause – therefore, arson is also suspected but not confirmed yet.
Tesla vehicles have at times caught on fire on their own – although it’s a rare occurrence.
Electrek’s Take
As we have often mentioned in the last few weeks, we sympathize with the people peacefully protesting and boycotting Tesla, but we condemn any violence, including vandalism.
The protests and boycotts are much more efficient in affecting Tesla than any form of violence, including setting cars on fire. Tesla will just collect the insurance anyway.
Everyone getting involved in this is actually eroding the credibility of the “Tesla Takedown” movement.
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Rivian is plowing ahead with its new midsize R2 electric SUV. As it gears up for production, Rivian’s CEO, RJ Scaringe, gave us a sneak peek at the R2 body being built with production dies.
First look at the Rivian R2 body with production dies
Starting at $45,000, the R2 will be about half the cost of Rivian’s current R1S ($77,700) and R1T ($71,700). Despite a smaller size, the company promises it will still have that “Rivian essence” that has helped get the EV maker to where it is today.
Rivian’s CFO, Claire McDonough, said the team was “working around the clock” earlier this month to prepare its Normal, IL facility for R2 production.
McDonough confirmed that the sourcing for R2 was about 95% complete, and the start of production was still scheduled for the first half of 2026.
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In the meantime, Scaringe is giving us a closer look at the R2 as it goes through development. Earlier this month, he posted a picture of the R2’s highly efficient Maximum drive unit.
The new unit uses continuous winding in the stator to reduce the total welds per stator assembly from 264 to just 24. With an integrated rotor shaft and gear, Maximum uses just two bearings, down from four on its Enduro drive unit.
As Rivian moves closer to production, we’re getting an up-close look at the R2 body being built. Rivian’s CEO shared a picture on X showing the R2 body, now built with production dies.
Although Rivian will begin building R2 models in Normal, it will significantly ramp up production at its new plant in Georgia. McDonough said the GA facility is still on track to come online in 2028.
Rivian R2 midsize electric SUV (Source: Rivian)
Once fully up and running, it’s expected to have up to 400,000 annual vehicle production capacity. To put that into perspective, Rivian built just shy of 50,000 EVs last year.
After scaling production, Rivian will launch the R2 in Europe as it takes the brand overseas. The company promises that R2 is just the start. Next up, Rivian will launch the smaller R3 crossover and R3X, a tri-motor electric hot hatch.
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