Biden threatens ‘consequences’ for Saudi Arabia after OPEC cut, but his options are limited

Published

3 years ago

October 12, 2022

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US President Joe Biden and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrive for the family photo during the Jeddah Security and Development Summit (GCC+3) at a hotel in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah on July 16, 2022.

Mandel Ngan | Afp | Getty Images

President Joe Biden is angry at Saudi Arabia for its decision to slash oil production along with its OPEC allies against U.S. wishes, and he’s made no secret of it.

With the global economy on a knife-edge and energy prices high, Washington sees the kingdom’s move – which it made in coordination with Russia and other oil-producing states – as a snub and a blatant display of siding with Moscow.

The oil producer group in early October announced its largest supply cut since 2020, to the tune of 2 million barrels per day from November, which its members say is designed to spur a recovery in crude prices to counter a potential fall in demand.

For this, Biden said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday that there would be “consequences.” He did not go into further detail as to what those consequences might be.

But what are the Biden administration’s options, and could they backfire?

Weapons and anti-trust laws

The Saudi-U.S. relationship was founded, broadly speaking, on the principle of energy for security. Washington has since the 1940s provided billions of dollars in military and security aid to Saudi Arabia. But in recent years, and particularly since the Obama administration began making diplomatic inroads with Iran, Riyadh feels that the U.S. commitment to its security has waned.

“The truth is, neither side has been holding up their end of the bargain for nearly 10 years now,” Michael Stephens, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told CNBC.

“And what you’re seeing, I think, are permanent fractures in the relationship that are based on the fact that neither side really sees as much strategic benefit in the other as they did 20 years ago,” Stephens said, adding that Saudi Arabia’s OPEC oil production cut “is a reflection of that.”

The potential “consequences” Washington can put into action include cutting its military support to the Saudi kingdom, and going after OPEC with U.S. laws.

A file photo of cannisters containing Patriot missiles to intercept missiles fired at Saudi Arabia or its neighboring countries.

Greg Mathieson | Mai | The LIFE Images Collection | Getty Images

Indeed, just one day before Biden’s comments, Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, demanded that the U.S. immediately halt all cooperation with Saudi Arabia — including weapons sales.

“The United States must immediately freeze all aspects of our cooperation with Saudi Arabia, including any arms sales and security cooperation beyond what is absolutely necessary to defend U.S. personnel and interests,” Menendez said in a statement.

U.S. senator calls OPEC+ plans to cut oil production a 'mistake'

In an earlier interview with CNBC, Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn, asked, “What’s the point of looking the other way when the Saudis chop up journalists and repress political speech inside Saudi Arabia if when the chips are down, the Saudis effectively choose the Russians over the U.S.?”

Even Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., weighed in, demanding in a tweet that, “If Saudi Arabia, one of the worst violators of human rights in the world, wants to partner with Russia to jack up US gas prices, it can get Putin to defend its monarchy. We must pull all US troops out of Saudi Arabia, stop selling them weapons & end its price-fixing oil cartel.”

Beyond withholding military aid, there are legal channels the U.S. government can pursue.

One is the NOPEC bill, which stands for No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels. This would classify OPEC as a cartel and subject its members to anti-trust legislation.

Something long discussed by lawmakers, the bill is designed to protect U.S. consumers and businesses from artificial oil spikes.

It passed a Senate committee in early May and hasn’t yet been signed into law, but could expose OPEC countries and partners to lawsuits for coordinating supply cuts that raise global crude prices.

The bill would still need to be passed by the full Senate and House and signed into law by the president to go into effect. OPEC ministers have previously criticized the NOPEC bill, warning it would bring greater chaos to energy markets.

Consequences for the U.S. – and for crude prices

The decision by OPEC+ – which constitutes OPEC and its non-OPEC allies like Russia – to cut its output “underscores the extent to which the Biden administration has lost its ability to influence Saudi OPEC+ policy,” said Torbjorn Soltvedt, principal MENA analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.

“The White House has few good options despite Biden’s warning of ‘consequences’ after the cut,” he said, noting U.S. lawmakers’ threats of anti-trust legislation and removal of U.S. military assets from Saudi Arabia.

While both courses of action would send a clear message, this could backfire for both the U.S. and for crude prices.

“Both of these options would threaten to break already fraught relations, which in turn would put even greater upward pressure on oil and fuel prices,” Soltvedt said.

Democrats rally against Saudi Arabia after OPEC+ slashes oil production

“In short, a breakdown in U.S.-Saudi relations would mean a higher Middle East risk premium for the global oil market and higher oil and fuel prices,” he explained. “This is the opposite of what the White House is trying to achieve ahead of midterm elections in November.”

It’s also key to note that the 2 million barrel per day cut will not in fact be as big as that headline figure; several member states have already been far short of their individual production ceilings, and Iraq for instance has indicated it will be producing more than its assigned quota.

Still, many American politicians have long been out of patience with the nature of the U.S.-Saudi relationship, especially as U.S. imports of Saudi oil have shrunk over the years and more than 80% of the Middle East’s crude exports now go to Asia.

This has made a growing number of U.S. lawmakers question, Soltvedt said, “why the American navy should underwrite the security of Middle Eastern oil exports when those barrels are increasingly going East rather than West.”

— CNBC’s Sam Meredith contributed to this report.

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Wheel-E Podcast: Tenways cargo e-bike, Lime mopeds, EUCs, more

Published

2 hours ago

April 25, 2025

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Wheel-E Podcast: Tenways cargo e-bike, Lime mopeds, EUCs, more

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes a new cargo e-bike launch from Tenways, Lime bringing its new e-bike and e-moped to its larger fleets, testing a 100 mile e-bike, California’s e-bike vouchers are set to open again in another lottery round, a new electric unicycle from InMotion, and more.

Today’s episode is brought to you by retrospec—makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Electrek listeners can get 10% off their next ride until May 8th with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

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After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):

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Redditor: my Polestar 2 window stopped a bullet from hitting me [pictures]

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2025

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Redditor: my Polestar 2 window stopped a bullet from hitting me [pictures]

This one’s pretty simple, kids – it’s exactly what it says on the tin: a Polestar 2 owner took to the Polestar subreddit this week claiming that the window glass in his new EV actually stopped a bullet from hitting him. Plus, he says he’s got the pictures to prove it. (!)

The brand may be evolving into its own, but the OG Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 were little more than hot electric versions of Volvo cars – and Volvo cars are known throughout the world for their secure, planted feel on the road and absolutely bananas high-tensile steel safety cages. As such, it should come as no surprise that the Polestar 2 is one of the safest sedans on the road today … but is the car really bulletproof?

That’s what one redditor is claiming after his window was hit by what they believed to be a stray bullet just five days after taking delivery.

Polestar stopped a bullet.
byu/CptMerica29 inPolestar

Now, as the growing brand rivalry between Polestar fans and their Tesla-driving counterparts might lead you to expect, some of the comments are pretty pointedly referencing Tesla – and pretty funny. Here are a few of my favorites:

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Comment
byu/CptMerica29 from discussion
in Polestar

Now, that was fun, sure – but it’s worth noting that a number of commenters claiming alternately that there’s no way this was a .22 caliber bullet (certainly not a .22 WMR) or that it was a stray shot from very far away. The consensus seems to be that a .177 caliber air gun pellet is most likely to blame, but my money is on a small piece of stone or gravel kicked up at a weird angle from a nearby vehicle.

Regardless, it seems like CptMerica29 is A-OK, and their Polestar 2 hardly seems worse for wear, either. Here’s hoping it’s the last time we have to have a debate about what kind of bullet was being fired at an EV driver for a long time.

If you’d like to try your hand at driving a Polestar 2 through a volley of flying debris and other assorted projectiles and letting us know how you do, click the link below to score a great deal on one near you (while you still can):

Disclaimer

I would like to believe this is obvious, but there’s a “do not use batteries as toothpaste” sticker on this pack of Duracell batteries for a reason, so I’m going to err on the side of caution here and tell any of you reading the above and taking it seriously that: I am kidding. That was a joke.

To be clear, it is my position that NO VEHICLE this side of a Mercedes-Benz EQS GUARD or Inkas Armored S Class is actually bulletproof – and that, yes, a .22 is a real gun with plenty of lethal stopping power and, also yes, a pellet gun can and has killed a lot of people. DO NOT SHOOT AT CARS, and do not sit in your cars and let others shoot at you if you can at all avoid it.

As getsome75 so eloquently puts it:

Comment
byu/CptMerica29 from discussion
in Polestar

Stay safe out there, kids.

SOURCE | IMAGES: CptMerica29; featured image via Polestar.

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Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

Published

11 hours ago

April 25, 2025

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Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

After about a month of speculation and subtle hints from industry insiders, American EV startup Slate has emerged from stealth to share its flagship model with the world. This simplified all-electric pickup arrives with over 100 accessories, a five-seat SUV configuration kit, and get this… crank windows. Even better, this no-nonsense pedigree of EV is priced refreshingly low, starting below $20,000 after US tax incentives.

As we pointed out last month, there was much more we didn’t know than we could confirm about a new EV brand called Slate. The American automaker was verified as an official business on LinkedIn as of March 5, giving us a sparse trail of breadcrumbs to follow to learn more.

According to the page, Slate had already established a team of 200 to 500 employees, and 46 additional open roles were listed. Some open jobs, such as plant manager and suspension engineer, hinted that Slate has been working on at least one EV.

Aside from promising “the next generation of innovation in the industry” (despite not confirming what industry), Slate’s website stated that we would learn more on April 24. We had heard rumblings that the Troy, Michigan-based startup was on the cusp of debuting a simple, all-electric pickup.

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However, that wasn’t confirmed until two days ago, when the first real-world images of the EV emerged ahead of Tesla’s earnings call. Our readers pointed out that “Slate” is an anagram of “Tesla,” which offers interesting fodder to the conspiracy theory scene at best.

While Slate’s name may be a tongue-in-cheek nod to reimagining an EV industry Tesla championed early on, the name seems more rooted in the fellow American company’s clean slate approach to EV design. From what we’ve now seen, Slate is breaking from the trend of other startups kicking off market entry with top-tier, luxe models starting in the $80-$100k range.

Instead, it has created a no-nonsense EV pickup that starts at a super low price, leaving the upgrades and customizations to the customer. Better still, if you US customers prefer a five-seat option, Slate also offers that. See below:

Slate debuts EV that can be 2-seat pickup or 5-seat SUV

Slate has officially arrived and, in my opinion, is a welcome breath of fresh air (because of no emissions, of course) to an American EV industry that is growing by the day, but has yet to reach critical mass in adoption.

Much of that struggle relates to pricing (not to mention lackluster local charging infrastructure). Most EVs are not affordable enough for the average consumer yet, and to get an electric pickup like Slate is now offering, for example, you have to opt for a model from Ford, GM, or Rivian that will cost at least $63,000 and will easily go up from there with added features like range.

Instead of coming out swinging against the big boys, Slate has dug itself a nice little niche in simplified affordable EVs that are modular and customizable. Slate’s first CEO, Chris Barman, elaborated:

The definition of what’s affordable is broken. Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. It is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.

Steel wheels, HVAC knobs, and crank windows – Slate is most certainly taking a clever approach to affordable US EVs for all. Designed to be “approachable and timeless,” the startup flagship model is truly a black slate canvas that puts the brush in the hands of its customers.

The company shared it will offer over 100 accessories, available a la carte or in a bundle, available from your initial order or years down the road. The dash also includes a universal phone mount with USB power, enabling you to use whatever smart device and OS you’d like. Have it custom wrapped by the Slate team or do it yourself, Slate is not only offering variety to customization, but also the process by which it is achieved.

Another example is Slate’s flat pack SUV Kit, which turns the EV pickup into a 5-seat SUV, complete with a roll cage, airbags, and rear seat. Again, you’ll have the choice to have Slate integrate it in Michigan or do it yourself, adding a bit of a DIY “gearhead” philosophy the EV segment has lacked since day one.

“But Scooter, what about specs?” Don’t worry my friends, we got you:

Dimensions:
- Length: 174.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 108.9 inches
- Width: (w/o mirrors): 70.6 inches
- Height: 69.3 inches
- Pickup Interior Volume: 55.0 ft³
- SUV Interior Volume: 80.5 ft³
- Frunk Cargo Volume: 7 ft³
- Bed Cargo Volume: 37 ft³
- SUV Cargo Volume (behind seats): 34 ft³
Weights:
- Curb Weight: 3602 lbs.
- Max Payload: 1433 lbs.
- Max towing: 1,000 lbs.
Power and Battery:
- Powertrain: Single motor, RWD
- Battery: 52.7 kWh (standard) or 84.3 kWh (add-on)
- Power: 150 kW (201 hp)
- Torque: 264 Nm (195 lb-ft)
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8 seconds (est.)
- Top speed: 90 mph
Charging and Range:
- Onboard charger: 11 kW
- Level 1 AC: 3.6kW / 20-100% in 11 hrs.
- Level 2 AC: 11kW / 20-100% in under 5 hrs.
  Level 3 DC: 120kW / 20-80% in under 30 mins.
- Charging Configuration: NACS
- Standard Range (52.7 kWh) (est.): 150 miles
- Large Pack Range ((84.3 kWh) (est.): 240 mi.
- Combined city/highway (est.): 96 MPGe
Bed Dimensions (Pickup):
- Bed width (between wheel wells): 42.9 inches
- Bed Width Min./Max.: 50.0 inches /54.9 inches
- Bed Length: 60.0 inches
- Bed Length (Tailgate Down): 81.6 inches

According to Slate, its flagship EV will be sold directly to consumers and is available to reserve now with a $50 deposit. The trucks will be built in the US and start at an MSRP below $20,000 (after federal tax incentives). No timeline on when production may begin, but a representative for Slate told Electrek that initial customer deliveries are… slated to begin in Q4 2026. Not too shabby.

While we await more details regarding this new American brand, here’s a better look at Slate’s first EV from a video it provided below:

Source: Slate

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