If you’re familiar with Energica, then you probably know all about the company’s high-performance electric motorcycles. They’re some of the fastest, most powerful, and longest-range electric motorcycles in the world. But after developing such an impressive electric powertrain, Energica isn’t stopping with two-wheelers. The company’s tech could soon be taking to the sky inside light electric aircraft.
Energica’s parent company Ideanomics just announced that Energica has signed partnerships with two aviation companies, Czech aviation company Pure Flight and French tech consulting firm Phenix Air Corp.
It’s part of the company’s “Energica Inside” program that helps other light electric vehicle makers jumpstart their R&D by leveraging Energica’s existing powertrain solutions.
As Energica’s CEO Livia Cevolini explained:
With this collaboration, Energica’s technology is literally taking to the skies. Aviation is one of the most challenging industries to decarbonize and I am very proud to be supporting the industry-leading Phenix Air Corp on their journey to develop and bring to market zero-emission ultralight aircraft.
Phenix Air Corp is already in the process of integrating Energica’s electric powertrain into an airplane propeller for performance testing. After initial ground testing, the powertrain will be installed in an ultralight seaplane for air trials.
The company is simultaneously working on a California-based project that will see Energica’s powertrain installed into a purpose-built Sonex airframe. The project will evaluate the drivetrain for uses ranging from flight training, intrastate travel, and aerobatics.
Meanwhile, engineers from the Energica Inside department are collaborating with airplane manufacturer Pure Flight. The teams are currently assessing the integration of Energica’s powertrain into the upcoming Pure Flight ΦNIX airplane. The high-efficiency airframe could potentially make use of the motorcycle company’s energy-dense technology to achieve one of the highest ranges for electric intra-European air travel.
As Energica Inside general manager Carlo Iacovini expanded:
Aviation has been at the forefront of innovation in the transport sector and EV technologies are entering into the equation of product development. We have started different programs with partners around the globe to learn together and accelerate the time to market of our solutions.
It’s been a big week for Energica, which has grabbed headlines not just for its progress on the skies, but also at the track.
An Energica Eva Ribelle electric motorcycle was ridden by Stefano Mesa in MotoAmerica’s 2023 Super Hooligan Series, making it the first all-electric motorcycle in MotoAmerica history.
Not only did the bike break barriers as it lined up against a completely combustion engine-powered pack, but the Energica and Mesa held their own among the field of competitors. The Eva Ribelle motorcycle crossed the line in seventh and fifth place in the first two races at the Daytona International Speedway.
Energica is expected to participate in three more races as part of the Super Hooligan Series, so this certainly isn’t the last of Energica’s racing to come in the near future.
The company is obviously looking forward to those races, describing Mesa’s experience on the bike as he “mastered the full power of Energica’s streetfighter machine while getting in the mix with ICE-powered competitors as well as making the most of the instant torque available to his right wrist at the start of the encounter. The Energica EVA Ribelle proved to be a solid package in more than capable hands, and the results achieved have injected further confidence for the upcoming race events.”
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Now, we have the delivery numbers for Tesla in all European countries, and the automaker is down 37% on the old continent compared to 2024, which was already a down year for Tesla.
On top of it, Tesla is down in every single country except the UK.
Here are Tesla’s Q1 2025 deliveries in each European country compared to Q1 2024:
Country
Q1 2024
Q1 2025
Change
Germany
13,068
4,935
-62.2%
UK
11,768
12,474
6.0%
France
11,360
6,696
-41.1%
Belgium
7,219
3,019
-58.2%
Netherlands
6,854
3,445
-49.7%
Norway
5,121
3,817
-25.5%
Other
4,420
3,301
-25.3%
Sweden
4,312
1,929
-55.3%
Italy
3,721
3,469
-6.8%
Spain
3,601
3,169
-12.0%
Denmark
3,558
1,549
-56.5%
Switzerland
3,264
1,238
-62.1%
Portugal
2,888
2,145
-25.7%
Austria
2,506
1,304
-48.0%
Poland
1,264
899
-28.9%
Finland
894
475
-46.9%
The drop in sales in Germany was the most devastating for Tesla. It went from being Tesla’s biggest European market to being a distant third.
France also saw a significant 41% decline in sales.
This is also happening while electric vehicle sales are surging, regardless of Tesla’s performance.
Tesla is feeling the pain virtually everywhere in Europe except in the UK, but that’s because Tesla is selling its vehicles for much cheaper there.
In the UK, the Model Y PCP leasing starts at £399, which is the equivalent of €462, when the same vehicle starts €570 in Germany:
Interestingly, that’s not the case for the Model 3, which starts higher in the UK than in Germany.
Electrek’s Take
The reason for that is unclear to me. I’d love to hear theories in the comment section.
Could it be that Tesla planned to produce too many right-hand-drive vehicles and had to lower prices to ensure that it could deliver them?
It’s unclear, but I think the theory has some traction since I just learned that Tesla is also already discounting the new Model Y in Hong Kong – another right-hand-drive market.
Either way, I think it’s clear at this point that Tesla is having significant brand issues in Europe, in addition to increased competition.
Yes, Model Y had some supply issues due to the design changeover, but Model 3 sales are also down 11% compared to Q1 2024, when Tesla was still ramping up production of the Model 3 design refresh.
Tesla shareholders need to wake up. This is a self-inflicted wound that can be remedied by removing Elon Musk.
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That Kia EV sedan we’ve been waiting for is almost here. Kia also confirmed it will launch a midsize pickup in North America. Next week, three new Kia vehicles, including the EV4, its first electric sedan, will debut at the New York International Auto Show. Here’s what to expect.
Kia’s first electric sedan will debut at the NY Auto Show
Back in 2023, the EV4 stole the show as a concept during Kia’s first EV Day. Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the production model, debuting as the brand’s first electric sedan and hatchback.
The electric sedan is among the most highly anticipated EV launches of 2025. Kia’s EV4 will arrive this year as part of its low-cost EV lineup, and it could be a true challenger to the Tesla Model 3.
After opening orders in Korea last month, Kia said the EV4 will “set a new standard for electric sedans,” starting at just 41.92 million won, or about $28,000. It has two battery options, 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, providing a range of 237 miles (382 km) and 331 miles (533 km) in Korea.
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With its North American debut now officially set for next week, Kia teased the new EV, claiming it will be one of three new vehicles.
The new vehicles include a sedan, an SUV, and “something in between.” Two will be fully electric, while the other offers a “sporty and versatile approach in the compact car segment.”
Kia EV4 electric sedan teaser for North America (Source: Kia)
More EVs are on the way, including an electric pickup
During its CEO Investor Day on Wednesday, Kia confirmed plans to launch a new midsize EV pickup for North America. In the long-term, the company aims to eventually sell 90,000 units for about 7% of the market share.
Kia’s electric pickup will be based on a new EV platform built for city and outdoor use. According to Kia, it will offer “best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities, and advanced infotainment and safety features.”
Kia Tasman pickup truck (Source: Kia)
Following the EV6 and EV9, Kia is expanding its electric car lineup with the new EV3, EV4, and EV5, which will roll out this year. Kia is also launching its first electric van, the PV5, to kick off its new PBV business.
By 2030, the company plans to sell 2.33 million electrified vehicles, accounting for 56% of global sales. This includes 1.26 million EVs and 1.07 million hybrids.
Kia unveils EV4 sedan and hatchback, PV5 electric van, and EV2 Concept at 2025 Kia EV Day (Source: Kia)
As it expands its lineup, Kia expects electrified models to account for 70% of sales in North America, 85% in Europe, and 73% in Korea by the end of the decade.
Kia boasted that it will “lead the mass adoption of EVs by expanding its EV lineup with the addition of another volume model, the EV2,” which is expected to launch in early 2026.
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An oil pumpjack is seen in a field on April 08, 2025 in Nolan, Texas.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images
U.S. crude oil futures fell about 3% on Wednesday, as China announced retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. after President Donald Trump’s sweeping levies took effect.
The U.S. benchmark dropped $1.83, or 3.07%, to $57.75 per barrel by 9:41 a.m. ET. Global benchmark Brent tumbled $1.93, or 3.07%, to $60.89.
The oil sell-off took a leg lower earlier in the session after Beijing announced tariffs of 84% on U.S. goods in response to Trump’s levies. U.S. crude fell more than 7% to an intraday low of $55.12, while Brent tumbled to $58.40 at its lowest point during the session.
China’s tariffs take effect on April 10.
Traders are worried the world is descending into a full-blown trade war that will trigger a recession, hitting crude oil demand. OPEC+, meanwhile, has agreed to accelerate output in May, which will bring more oil to a market that was already facing a surplus.
The collision of recession fears and growing oil supply is a “toxic cocktail,” Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets, told CNBC on Tuesday.
The U.S. and Iran are scheduled to hold talks in Oman on Saturday to discuss the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. Successful negotiations could result in more Iranian oil entering the global market.