Porsche Consulting will design lithium-metal and solid-state battery maker Sakuu’s first 3D-printing gigafactory for commercial production – and Sakuu has now printed its 3D batteries for the first time.
February 16 update: Sakuu today announced that it’s now successfully and consistently 3D-printed fully functional batteries in custom shapes and sizes at its Silicon Valley battery pilot line facility.
It says it’s the first company of record to 3D print fully functional batteries in custom shapes and sizes with patterned openings for thermal management in a completely dry process:
Sakuu, which says it’s the “developer of the world’s first 3D printed solid-state battery,” has paired up with Porsche Consulting because it wants to tap into the automaker subsidiary’s large-scale factory design expertise.
With respect for its deep expertise in automotive plant ideation and execution, we ultimately selected Porsche Consulting due to our belief that its team exhibits mastery in designing large-scale manufacturing plants – start to finish.
Sakuu, which opened a 79,000-square-foot energy-producing pilot line facility in San Jose, California, in August 2022, says it will build gigafactories to meet its 2030 annual energy output goal of 200 GWh across its product line. It plans to break ground on two gigafactories in 2024.
The 3D-printed battery maker says sustainable design is a priority, and it also wants to figure out a way to maximize manufacturing efficiency so it can be rolled out and replicated internationally.
Sakuu’s first plant design will accommodate roll-to-roll manufacturing for its line of high-energy-density lithium-metal batteries. Roll-to-roll manufacturing is when a flexible base material known as a “substrate” is unrolled on an assembly line, and then modifying materials are layered onto that substrate one at a time with re-rolls – and that’s why it’s called “roll-to-roll.”
The battery maker also plans to build “first-of-their-kind plants” that feature Sakuu’s “Kavian” 3D printing method in order to make its Swift Print solid-state battery line.
Sakuu’s Kavian platform “can enable high-volume, automated, and cost-effective production of Swift Print battery cells – in any size or shape.” Its website states that its Swift Print lithium-metal sample cells, which have higher capacity and longer life and “can charge to 80%,” will ship this year.
Because the batteries are customizable, Sakuu can make batteries for everything from EVs to electric bikes to grid energy storage.
Gregor Harman, CEO of Porsche Consulting, North America, said of Sakuu:
Their seminal and scalable additive manufacturing approach can bring incredible innovation to major industries transitioning to new energy solutions – automotive and beyond.
Electrek’s Take
Sakuu falls into the “one to watch” category. Since they hired Porsche Consulting, it’s apparent that it’s going to prioritize the 3D printing of EV batteries.
In an August news post, Sakuu said it was aiming for “60 GWh by 2028.” It’s upped its production goal considerably since today it said that it’s now aiming for 200 GWh by 2030.
We look forward to seeing what happens next and which EV and clean energy companies it works with. My money’s on Porsche.
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Elon Musk is now hyping Tesla’s 8th-gen AI chip, but he still hasn’t delivered the promised self-driving for millions of Tesla owners with the 3rd-gen chip, nor with the current 4th-gen chip in production.
Musk, whose compensation package at Tesla is up for a shareholder’s vote this week, has coincidentally been sharing more of what he does at Tesla lately to justify his upt to $1 trillion compensation package.
This weekend, he posted on X an update about Tesla’s AI chip roadmap:
Just finished a long AI5 design review with the Tesla California and Texas chip engineers. It’s going to be great. And AI6 and AI7 will follow in fast succession. AI8 will be out of this world.
Those chips power Tesla’s inference computing in its vehicles, enabling its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and self-driving capabilities.
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Currently, Tesla is producing AI4, its fourth-generation chip.
However, the automaker has been selling to customers the capability to achieve “Full Self-Driving” unsupervised capacity since its second-generation chip.
When it failed, it retrofitted second-gen cars with a new “HW3” third-generation chip.
During Tesla’s earnings call last month, Tesla partially walked back Musk’s previous admission that HW3 won’t support unsupervised self-driving.
CFO Vaibhav Taneja said:
“We’ve not completely given up on hardware 3.”
He didn’t really elaborate on what it means, but Tesla’s VP of self-driving, Ashok Elluswamy, added:
“Once the v14 release series is fully done, we are planning on working on a v 14 Lite version for hardware 3. Probably expected in Q2 next year.”
V14 is currently available on Tesla vehicles with HW4, but it is still not capable of unsupervised self-driving as Tesla sold and promised to customers.
Electrek’s Take
It’s pretty wild that instead of delivering what it promised and sold to HW3 customers, Tesla now says that you might get a watered-down version of something else that is already available. And that’s going to be 6 months from now.
There’s moving the goal post, and then there’s throwing it away altogether.
Now, the fascinating thing is that Musk is talking about AI5, coming in 2026, then AI6. Now, he is even talking about AI7 and AI8.
We know what happens when Tesla launches a new self-driving computer. It gradually shifts its efforts into bigger models that fit on the new computer, but they don’t on the old one.
At this point, everything points to AI4 going the same way as HW3.
Tesla would have avoided itself a lot of headaches if it would have simply waited to have solved autonomy before selling it to customers.
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Lexus upgraded the RZ in about way you could imagine. It can now drive over 300 miles on a single charge, recharge at Tesla Superchargers, and even has a sporty new F-Sport trim. Is it enough?
New 2026 Lexus RZ prices and range by trim
The new and improved Lexus RZ is now on sale in the US. Lexus revealed the refreshed electric SUV earlier this year, featuring more range, faster charging, additional features, and more trim options.
With a new battery system, the 2026 RZ now provides up to 301 miles of driving range, or 35 miles more than the outgoing model.
The new Lexus RZ can also recharge at Tesla Superchargers via its built-in NACS port. It can now charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
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RZ drivers can use one of the more than 25,000 Tesla Superchargers, as well as other DC fast-charging networks such as IONNA, ChargePoint, and EVgo.
Other new features, such as Plug & Charge and Apple Maps EV Routing via Apple CarPlay, make it much easier to find and use public chargers.
Lexus introduced a new F Sport trim to the 2026 RZ lineup. Packing 402 horsepower from a dual motor powertrain, the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e is the most powerful RZ model yet. It also gains exclusive black F Sport badges on the rear spoiler, front and rear bumpers, and front grille.
The RZ 450e offers an optional performance upgrade that boosts output to 375 hp, good for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in 4.3 seconds. The upgrade costs an extra $1,750 and is available for installation at the dealer.
The interior of the 2026 Lexus RZ (Source: Lexus)
Lexus revamped the electric SUV’s interior with a new Dynamic Sky Panorama Glass Roof. The F-Sport trim features a Black Ultrasuede trim with blue stitching and added emblems on the pedals and footrests.
Starting at $47,295, the 2026 Lexus RZ is already $5,000 more than the outgoing model. It’s also over $7,300 more expensive than the Tesla Model Y.
2026 Lexus RZ trim
Starting Price (MSRP*)
RZ 350e
$47,295
RZ 350e Premium
$49,495
RZ 450e AWD
$50,795
RZ 450e Premium AWD
$52,995
RZ 450 e Luxury AWD
$58,295
RZ 55e F Sport AWD
$58,295
2026 Lexus RZ price by trim (*includes $1,295 delivery fee)
The 2026 Tesla Model Y Standard RWD is priced from $39,990 with an EPA-estimated driving range of 321 miles. Even the Premium trim, starting at $44,990, is less expensive.
Which electric SUV are you choosing, the new 2026 Lexus RZ or the Tesla Model Y? Let us know in the comments.
Want to test drive the Lexus RZ or Tesla Model Y to see for yourself? You can use our links below to see what’s available in your area.
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The bundles we’re seeing are mostly focused on passenger comfort and safety, with parents and nannies in NYC often using them to shepherd kids around to their daily appointments. The base 13Ah single-battery model is getting a pair of running boards, cushions, a suspension seat post, and an Elite headlight upgrade. The 26Ah dual-battery model is getting those with an orbiter, extra cushion, and two XL pannier bags, while the 35Ah dual-battery model is adding a fast charger that refills the battery in up to 3.5 hours.
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The Lectric XPedition 2.0 e-bikes are popular haulers that have regularly sold out of stock over 2025, as they carry a total 450-pound payload with an extended cargo rack and can carry precious cargo for up to 170 miles. Regardless of your battery configuration, they come with 750W M24 rear hub motors (peaking at 1,310W) that reach up to 20/28 MPH top speeds, depending on your state-specific laws. The 13Ah battery model provides pedal assistance for up to 60 miles, the 26Ah battery model extends that up to 120 miles, and the 35Ah battery model goes the distance for up to 170 miles.
Along with all the free gear you’re getting, these e-bikes also come stocked with dual spring front suspension forks, hydraulic mineral oil disc brakes, headlights and taillights that provide turn signaling and brake activation, a color display, and more.
Lectric early Black Friday XPedition 2.0 e-bike bundles:
Lectric early Black Friday XP Lite 2.0 LR e-bike bundles:
XP Lite 2.0 Arctic White e-bike with $449 bundle, 80-mile range: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
XP Lite 2.0 Sandstorm e-bike with $449 bundle, 80-mile range: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
XP Lite 2.0 Lectric Blue e-bike with $449 bundle, 80-mile range: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
XP Lite 2.0 Lavender Haze e-bike with $449 bundle, 80-mile range: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
XP Lite 2.0 JW Black e-bike with $449 bundle, 80-mile range: $1,099 (Reg. $1,548)
Lectric early Black Friday XPress 750 e-bikes bundle:
You can save up to $2,498 on EcoFlow’s PowerPulse level 2 40A EV charger and bundles starting from a $699 low
EcoFlow is currently offering its PowerPulse Level 2 40A EV Charger at $699 shipped, while bundles are also seeing up to $2,498 discounts. This new charging solution was released back in June with a full $899 price tag, which we’ve been seeing drop down to $699 over the last four months. The deal here is giving you another chance at $200 starting savings on the charging station alone, which can connect to power stations and the brand’s home backup units at the best price we have tracked.
Add EGO’s 56V 12-inch cordless snow shovel to your winter arsenal with a 2.5Ah battery at $270
Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 12-inch Cordless Snow Shovel with 2.5Ah battery at $269.99 shipped. Since late July it’s been keeping at its $359 full price, which we’ve seen taken as low as $264 back in May and June. You’re looking at a 25% markdown here while this deal remains, giving you $89 cut from the tag and landing it amongst the lowest prices we have tracked – just $6 above its low.
Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $326 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,325)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $449 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,448)
Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,413)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
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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