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Bill Gates photographed in New York City on June 8, 2022. During a recent interview with the BBC, the billionaire said rich countries needed “to get their emissions down to zero as fast as they can.”

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Bill Gates does not agree that using a private jet and campaigning on the issue of climate change represents a contradiction open to allegations of hypocrisy.

During a wide-ranging interview with the BBC aired at the end of last week, Gates was asked for his view on the charge that a climate change campaigner using a private jet to travel around the world was a hypocrite.

“Well, I buy the gold standard of, funding Climeworks, to do direct air capture that far exceeds my family’s carbon footprint,” the Microsoft co-founder, who was being interviewed in Kenya, replied.

“And I spend billions of dollars on … climate innovation. So, you know, should I stay at home and not come to Kenya and learn about farming and malaria?”

The billionaire added that he was “comfortable with the idea that, not only am I not part of the problem by paying for the offsets, but also through the billions that my Breakthrough Energy Group is spending, that I’m part of the solution.”

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The environmental footprint of aviation is significant, with the World Wildlife Fund describing it as “one of the fastest-growing sources of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global climate change.”

The WWF also says air travel is “currently the most carbon intensive activity an individual can make.”

Within aviation, the use of private jets by the wealthy is a contentious issue that creates a significant amount of debate and discussion.

Climeworks, which has offices in Switzerland and Germany, has clients such as Stripe and Microsoft and the Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund has invested in the company. It says it “uses a technology called ‘direct air capture’ to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air.”

The firm adds that combining the CO2 that’s been removed with underground storage enables “the permanent removal of excess and legacy CO2 emissions, which can no longer contribute to climate change.”

Gates has previously spoken about using Climeworks to “pay for direct air capture.” While the sector has high-profile backers, it faces challenges.

The International Energy Agency, for instance, notes that capturing carbon dioxide from the air “is more energy intensive and therefore expensive than capturing it from a point source.”

“Carbon removal technologies such as DAC are not an alternative to cutting emissions or an excuse for delayed action, but they can be an important part of the suite of technology options used to achieve climate goals,” the Paris-based organization adds.

During his interview with the BBC, Gates also spoke about the role developed nations needed to play when it came to reducing emissions.

“What the rich countries owe to the entire world is that they need to get their emissions down to zero as fast as they can,” he said. “But that’s not enough because they, you know, they have so … much in the way of resources.”

“They also need to invent new approaches so that the cost of being green, the cost of not having emissions in all areas, gets down to be zero.”

“So a new way of making cement or steel, you know, electric passenger cars, that’s all in the rich countries.”

“And they’ve got to solve it so they can turn to the middle-income countries and say, ‘OK, you know — India being a good example — here’s how you make steel, here’s how you make cement’.”

“For the low-income countries, as you get rich, you’re much more resilient against climate disasters and so improving … those economies through health, education, agriculture is … what we owe to the low income countries.”

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Mercedes-Benz offers an exclusive first look at the new electric GLC

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July 10, 2025

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Mercedes-Benz offers an exclusive first look at the new electric GLC

Mercedes-electric-GLC

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC, later this year. With its official debut just around the corner, Mercedes revealed a few new details, offering an exclusive first look at the new EV.

Mercedes offers an exclusive look at the new electric GLC

Although we got a sneak peek of the electric SUV in March during winter testing in Northern Sweden, Mercedes is giving us a better idea of what to expect.

“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said on Thursday.

Mercedes promises the electric GLC “sets new standards” with a sleek new design, advanced tech, and its new MB.OS operating system.

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The new GLC EV is an upgrade over the current model, offering significantly more space and improved ride quality. Since the wheelbase is 3.1″ longer than the current gas-powered SUV, the electric version has more legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers.

With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space. The gas-powered model features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, you get an extra 4.5 cu ft of space in the trunk (front trunk).

Mercedes-electric-GLC
Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius with the new GLC EV (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Källenius said that with Mercedes’ new 800V electric architecture and latest batteries, the electric GLC can regain around 260 km (161 miles) WLTP range in just ten minutes. He added that DC fast charging at over 320 kW is possible.

The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology will arrive with impressive towing capability of up to 5,291 lbs. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.

Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius tests a prototype of the new electric GLC (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Added features, such as ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assistant, make it even easier to tow with optimized stability and control.

Källenius also teased the new electric GLC design, calling it the start of a “new era” and “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles.”

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Mercedes GLC EV prototype with EQ Technology testing in Sweden (Source: Mercedes-Benz

The inside is just as impressive, providing a holistic experience. A “majestically floating next generation MBUX Hyperscreen” is optional, providing a spatial experience powered by the new MB.OS supercomputer.

Mercedes will unveil the new electric GLC at the 2025 International Motor Show in Munich on September 7, 2025.

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The new electric Mercedes CLA interior (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Although official range figures will be revealed at the event, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, Mercedes said it expects the new GLC to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles, or slightly more than 300 miles on the EPA scale, from a 94.5 kWh battery.

Prices will also be announced in due time, but given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the electric model to be priced slightly higher, at around $65,000.

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Tesla (TSLA) pushes its shareholders annual meeting all the way to November, but why?

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July 10, 2025

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Tesla (TSLA) pushes its shareholders annual meeting all the way to November, but why?

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Tesla (TSLA) announced its 2025 annual shareholders meeting at the very last minute, and it pushed it all the way to November, the latest it has ever held the meeting.

Tesla generally holds its annual meeting in the summer and announces it way ahead of time.

Today, the automaker announced that the meeting will be held on November 6:

The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).

This is highly unusual for Tesla. Here are the dates of Tesla’s last 5 annual meetings:

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  • 2020: September 22, 2020
  • 2021: October 7, 2021
  • 2022: August 4, 2022
  • 2023: May 16, 2023
  • 2024: June 13, 2024

At those meetings, shareholders vote on several matters, including the reelection of directors and shareholders’ proposals.

Tesla has not released any yet, but they are expected to be in the upcoming proxy statement, which Tesla should release in the coming weeks.

Why does Tesla need more time?

Electrek’s Take

I think Tesla is working on some proposals that are going to take time to put together and then to sell to shareholders – hence why the meeting is set for November.

There are two suspects: a new CEO compensation package for Musk or a merger/acquisition of xAI.

It could also be both, but I think that would be harder to swallow for some shareholders as both initiatives have a clear aim of giving Musk a bigger stake in Tesla.

I think sane investors should not want that, but Tesla shareholders don’t fit in that category. Much of Tesla’s value is attached to Musk’s lies and ridiculous predictions. The value will have to come down to reality at some point, but they are a bunch of gamblers who are enjoying the ride in the meantime.

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NIO (NIO) opens orders for the new three-row Onvo L90, starting at under $30,000

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July 10, 2025

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NIO (NIO) opens orders for the new three-row Onvo L90, starting at under ,000

NIO-Onvo-L90-EV

A three-row electric SUV for less than $30,000? Sign me up. NIO (NYSE: NIO) opened pre-orders for the new Onvo L90 on Thursday, starting from 193,900 yuan, or about $27,000.

NIO kicks off Onvo L90 pre-orders in China

NIO claims the Onvo L90 is the lightest full-size three-row SUV in its class, with a curb weight just under 5,000 lbs (2,250 kg). In comparison, the Lucid Gravity has a curb weight of 5,966 lbs (2,712 kg).

The new flagship model is designed as a family-friendly SUV, offering ample interior space and advanced technology.

At 5,145 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, and 1,766 mm tall, the Onvo L90 is slightly bigger than the Lucid Gravity. In China, it will go head-to-head with higher-end electric SUVs like Li Auto’s L9.

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However, the L9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and starts at around 409,800 yuan ($57,000), more than double the price of the Onvo L90.

The low price of 193,900 yuan ($27,000) applies only to those who rent the battery. Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) costs 899 yuan ($125) a month. With the battery included, the Onvo L90 still starts at just 279,900 yuan ($39,000).

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NIO-Onvo-L90-orders

Nio’s new electric SUV is offered in six and seven-seat configurations. The interior features a massive 17.2″ floating infotainment screen at the center.

Other interior highlights include a three-zone climate control system, massage, heating, and ventilation for every seat, as well as an additional entertainment screen for rear passengers. And like many new vehicles in China nowadays, it even comes with a built-in refrigerator.

Powered by an 85 kWh battery, the Onvo L90 offers a CLTC range of 605 km (367 miles). It’s also based on NIO’s next-gen 900V platform, unlocking class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 100 km.

Buyers can choose from single and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The AWD version boasts up to 590 hp (440 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 4.7 seconds.

NIO is offering an incentive for early pre-order holders. Those who place an order with a 2,000 yuan deposit will receive a 5,000 yuan credit off the vehicle and an extra 5,000 yuan for optional features and more. Nio plans to begin delivering Onvo L90 to customers, starting on August 1.

The L90 is the second Onvo-branded EV to arrive in China, following the smaller L60, launched last September.

Source: CarNewsChina, NIO Onvo

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