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Polestar is defying the odds in the new era of electric vehicles. The company’s first electric SUV, the Polestar 3, is, indeed, a vehicle for the modern era, proving EVs don’t need a front grille with what it calls the “SmartZone.”

Polestar 3 shows we don’t need grilles in the EV era

The Polestar 3 was officially unveiled a few months ago with a range of up to 300 miles and a starting price of $83,900. The electric SUV incorporates a unique Scandinavian minimalist design featuring a new aerodynamic profile and a powerful, wide stance.

The design team was tasked with creating something visually familiar to buyers by incorporating the hallmarks of an SUV and bringing it into the modern, electric era. That means the front grille as well.

The front grille served a purpose in gas-powered vehicles, acting as an airway to keep the engine from overheating. Now that the auto industry is undergoing a massive transformation from combustion to fully electric, everything is changing.

Most automakers have tried to redesign ICE vehicles to align with (what they assume) buyers are interested in.

Polestar is taking a different approach by replacing the front grille with what it calls the “SmartZone.” Thomas Ingelath explained how the Polestar 3 is built for the modern era, saying:

This car has been designed as a Polestar from the start and features new defining characteristics for us – like the dual blade headlights, SmartZone and front aero wing.

As standard, the Polestar 3 features five radar modules, five external cameras, and twelve external ultrasonic sensors to support user safety.

Polestar-3-grille-1
Polestar 3 (Source: Polestar)

However, the SmartZone, located below the front aero wing, features several forward-facing sensors, a front-facing radar, heating wires, accelerometers, and ultrasonic sensors. The SmartZone essentially operates as a third “smart eye,” bringing advanced awareness, prevention, and protection with ready-to-react technology.

As the Exterior Designer Subum Lee puts it, the Polestar 3 goes from:

Breathing to seeing

Polestar wanted to showcase the technology rather than trying to hide it behind a fake grille, which the company says “shows the paradigm shift going from combustion to electrification.” Check out the full video below as Lee explains the Polestar 3’s SmartZone.

Polestar 3 YouTube

Electrek’s Take

The Polestar 3 is a beautiful EV inside and out. There’s no denying that. Perhaps, more importantly, the automaker is proving people want sustainable, zero-emission vehicles, even if they are “built for the modern era” with unique designs.

I, for one, am a big fan of the Polestar 3’s design, especially the front. The sleek, aerodynamic look does not need a front grille. Polestar is challenging itself and the auto industry to improve by accelerating the change to a fully electric, zero-emission future.

The EV maker continues expanding and is now sold in 27 countries across the globe. Watch out for Polestar in 2023. The company is making big moves.

How do you guys feel about the Polestar 3 design? Let us know in the comments.

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This 2026 luxury Genesis electric SUV already has a massive $14,000 discount

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This 2026 luxury Genesis electric SUV already has a massive ,000 discount

The redesigned 2026 Genesis GV70 EV is arriving with significant discounts of up to $14,000. Genesis upgraded the luxury electric SUV with a longer driving range and a refined design, both inside and out. Here’s how you can score some savings.

Genesis introduces 2026 GV70 EV discounts

After launching the updated model in Korea earlier this year, the new GV70 EV is now arriving in the US. The new 2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 is an improvement in nearly every way compared to the outgoing model.

Like the gas-powered model, the EV version features a revamped design with a new Crest grille, a revised bumper, and MLA technology added to the Two-Tone headlights.

Inside, the GV70 EV has been “reborn” with more space and luxury. A new 27″ screen combines the infotainment and driver display, while the climate control now has a separate screen. Other premium features like the crystal electronic shift dial remain.

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Powered by a larger 84 kWh battery, the new GV70 EV offers a driving range of up to 423 km (263 miles) in Korea, an increase from 400 km (249 miles) in the outgoing model with a 77.4 kWh battery.

Although US specs have yet to be announced, the 2026 model is expected to feature slightly more driving range than the current 236-mile EPA rating for the 2025 GV70. It’s expected to provide closer to 250 miles of range. It will also include an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

According to a recent note sent to dealers viewed by CarsDirect, the 2026 Genesis GV70 EV is already available with discounts of up to $14,000 for a 24-month lease.

The savings vary by trim, with up to $3,500 in lease cash available on the Standard trim and up to $ 5,250 on the Advanced trim. Meanwhile, the range-topping Prestige trim features up to $14,000 in lease cash discounts.

Although the discount is significantly higher, the Prestige model also has a higher lease rate of 5.4% compared to 0.1% for the Advanced trim.

If you choose the 36-month loan, lease cash drops to just $500 for the Advanced and $3,250 for the Prestige. The base Standard trim offers no lease cash, but has a lease rate close to 0%. Other special finance rates include 5.99% APR for 60 months and 6.49% for 72-month loans.

20265-Genesis-EV-discounts
Genesis Electrified GV70 updated model (Source: Hyundai Motor)

The national lease offer is $679 for 36 months based on the Standard trim with an MSRP of $65,830. With $5,999 due at signing, the effective monthly cost is $845. The offer ends on April 30.

If you’re looking for a cheaper lease option, the upgraded 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is one of the most affordable EV lease deals right now. It starts at just $199 for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing.

Ready to score some savings while they are still here? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on the Genesis GV70 EV and Hyundai IONIQ 5 in your area.

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Windrose electric semi truck isn’t coming to America – it’s already here

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Windrose electric semi truck isn't coming to America – it's already here

The 2025 edition of the ACT Expo hasn’t even started yet, but there’s already at least one big takeaway wort talking about: the Tesla-fighting Windrose electric semi truck from China Belgium is not coming to America … it’s already here. And it’s already in customers’ hands.

The Chinese Belgian heavy truck manufacturer announced plans to build its R700 Class 8 electric truck in the US in a bid to sidestep the heavy tariffs and trade restrictions on imported HDEVs last year – and last week, the company delivered the first-ever all electric, long-haul sleeper truck to a US fleet customer.

The trucks are deployed by JoyRide Logistics, a Phoenix-based carrier and the first US regional trucking company to operate fully electric sleeper trucks on long (-ish) distance routes that include overnight drives. The initial rollout is happening in Arizona, California, and Nevada, with nationwide expansion already “in sight,” according to both companies.

“This isn’t just a prototype or promise-this is a fully operational, long-range electric truck that’s ready to haul freight today,” says Wen Han, founder and CEO of Windrose. “We’ve validated our technology globally and are proud to bring it to the US – one of the most important logistics markets in the world.”

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Meeting the needs

Windrose Launches First All-Electric Long-Haul Sleeper Truck in U.S., Partnering With JoyRide Logistics & EO Charging to Deliver TCO Parity for Shippers
JoyRide Logistics deploys their first Windrose sleepers; via Windrose.

JoyRide Logistics LLC partners with a number of its Fortune 500 customers, many of whom have public ESG goals and are actively working to reduce Scope 3 emissions. The integration of the Windrose R700 electric semis into their fleets is a targeted effort to help achieve their stated sustainability goals.

“Partnering with Windrose allows us to stay ahead-not just on sustainability, but on total operational performance,” said Adis Danan, President at JoyRide Logistics. “We’re talking fuel savings, reduced maintenance, and a future-ready fleet that our customers can get behind. We want to make electric logistics efficient, scalable-and cool.”

Windrose brought one of its all-electric R700 Class 8 trucks to this year’s ACT Expo, giving journalists and fleet buyers a chance to see the truck first hand. At last year’s show, Windrose impressed with a preproduction truck featuring what appeared to be a slick UI, well-finished interior, and solid construction.

The R700 packs a 729 kWh battery is reportedly good for about 420 miles of range on a single charge with a full, 49 ton GVW. The company has shown concepts (some renderings, some mules) in long-haul, severe duty, and dump body configurations.

Windrose is backed by HSBC, Citi, Fountainvest, GSR Ventures, HITE Hedge, Goodman Group, and other world-renowned investors, and has now worked with Decathlon, Remy Cointreau, Nestle Wyeth Nutrition, and many other top brands. Watch this space for more.

Electrek’s Take

In a bid to shake the “Chinese truck” stigmas in the west, Windrose has moved its corporate offices and is now based in Antwerp, Belgium – but it doesn’t matter if they say they’re based on Venus. The fact remains they have a capable, competent battery electric sleeper truck in the US and in customers’ hands right now … and they are absolutely full speed ahead.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Windrose; via Access Newswire, CleanTrucking.

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Toyota unveils two sleek new EVs launching in China soon: Meet the bZ7 and Lexus ES

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Toyota unveils two sleek new EVs launching in China soon: Meet the bZ7 and Lexus ES

Toyota is preparing to launch two new electric vehicles in China by mid-2026. The flagship Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES are part of Toyota’s effort to regain market share from domestic electric vehicle (EV) leaders like BYD. Here’s our first look at the sleek new electric cars.

Meet the new Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES EVs

At Auto Shanghai 2025 last week, Toyota announced plans to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup in China. According to Toyota, China is a “highly advanced market that leads the way in electrification.”

To keep pace, Toyota unveiled its new flagship electric sedan, the bZ7. The new bZ7 was developed locally with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC), Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co, and Intelligent ElectroMobility R&D Center by TOYOTA.

The bZ7 is over 5 meters long and will compete with the BYD Han L, Tesla Model S, BMW i5, and other premium EV models in China.

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Toyota said the electric sedan will feature its “safe, reliable, and high-quality manufacturing” while infusing “China’s advanced tech.”

Although no other details were offered, Toyota said its new flagship EV will be equipped with the latest intelligent tech and is expected to launch within a year. The bZ7 will join the bZ4X, bZ3, bZ3X, and bZ5 in Toyota’s expanding EV lineup for China.

Toyota also unveiled the new Lexus ES at the event. The new model will be the first next-gen Lexus with EV and HEV powertrain options.

The eighth-gen ES is based on the LF-ZC concept, marking the beginning of the next generation of Lexus. The EV version will be available with FWD and AWD powertrain options, offering driving ranges of up to 685 km (425 miles) and 610 km (379 miles) on the CLTC cycle, respectively.

Inside, Lexus said the ES will debut with the world’s first Responsive Hidden Switches, which “seamlessly blends physical controls into the interior” for added convenience. It will also include a Lexus-first, Sensory Concierge, for a personalized in-car experience.

Lexus’ new electric sedan is 5,140 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, approximately the same size as BYD’s Han L model (5,050 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,505 mm tall).

The ES is the second of three new Lexus electric vehicles set to debut by March 2026. It will follow the RZ and UX in the luxury brand’s EV lineup for China.

What are your thoughts on the new Toyota bZ7 and Lexus ES? Can they compete in China’s intensifying EV market? Let us know in the comments below.

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