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Burritos, electric vehicles, and renewable energy are the future, and nobody knows this better than Chipotle. Chipotle Mexican Grill unveiled a new all-electric restaurant design that utilizes 100% renewable energy from wind and solar sources. Oh, and did I mention there will be EV chargers?

Best known for its deliciously satisfying burritos and bowls made with the finest quality ingredients, Chipotle’s mission goes beyond food.

The culinary pioneer specializes in “real” Mexican cuisine and believes in doing things the right way and never taking shortcuts, including using ethically sourced ingredients and not using artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added hormones.

A major part of Chipotle’s initiative includes not only making food better but doing it in a way that protects the environment and those living in it.

Last year, 100% of Chipotle restaurants participated in the company’s “Harvest Program,” donating over 282,000 pounds of leftover food to community organizations. Meanwhile, 40% of Chipotle’s electricity was purchased from renewable sources in 2022, and despite opening over 200 new stores, the company reduced direct greenhouse emissions by 13%.

Perhaps, more importantly, Chipotle has worked to reduce packaging waste. Last year 100% of Chipotle’s burrito bowls, bags, napkins, kids tray meals, and quesadilla trays were made entirely from compostable natural fiber materials.

Tuesday, Chipotle revealed it would kick its environmental commitments up a notch with a new all-electric restaurant design, complete with energy-saving systems and EV charging stations at select locations.

Chipotle-electric-restaurants
Chipotle’s new all-electric restaurant design (Source: Chipotle)

Chipotle goes electric with rooftop solar panels, EV chargers

Chipotle Mexican Grill unveiled its latest all-electric restaurant design that maximizes energy efficiency while utilizing 100% renewable energy from solar and wind power sources.

A few of the key features of the new “Responsible Restaurants,” as Chipotle calls them, include:

  • Rooftop solar panels
  • Cactus leather seats
  • Heat pump water heaters
  • Biodegradable service ware
  • Art made from recycled rice husks
  • EV charging stations at select locations
  • Smaller electric cookline and improved exhaust hoods
  • All-electric equipment and systems that replace gas power
  • Energy management systems (to manage heating and cooling, refrigeration temperatures, and other equipment) which many stores already have

Chipotle says its energy management systems have already reduced around 65,000 MWh of energy.

The first two locations are already open in Gloucester, Virginia, at 7115 George Washington Memorial Hwy, Gloucester, VA 23061, and Jacksonville, Florida, at 5801 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207, with the third in Castle Rock, Colorado, at 5954 Promenade Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO 80108, opening later this summer.

The company says it’s aiming to expand to 7,000 locations in North America with plans to add over 100 new all-electric locations in 2024.

The new all-electric restaurants will play a key role in Chipotle’s mission to reduce direct and indirect GHG across the company by 50% compared to 2019. Chipotle is exploring other initiatives to accelerate the progress, such as adopting renewable energy in logistics, investing in projects to drive down emissions from beef and dairy production, and developing plans to add additional vegetarian and vegan menu items.

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US average new car price tops $50k for the first time – here’s why

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US average new car price tops k for the first time – here's why

The average US new car price crossed the $50,000 mark for the first time in September, according to new estimates from Kelley Blue Book (KBB). Prices have been climbing steadily for over a year, and the pace picked up this summer – but that hasn’t stopped Americans from buying.

KBB says September’s record average transaction price (ATP) was partly driven by luxury models and EVs, which pushed the market into record territory. EVs made up an estimated 11.6% of all new vehicles sold last month, which is also a record high. The average EV sold for $58,124 – up 3.5% from August’s adjusted figure.

In Q3, EV sales hit another milestone: 437,487 EVs were sold in the US, giving them a 10.5% market share. That’s nearly a 30% jump from the same period last year. With government-backed EV incentives expiring at the end of September, many buyers hurried to lock in their purchases.

Year-over-year, the average EV transaction price is basically flat, down just 0.4%. Incentives averaged 15.3% of ATP in September, or about $8,900 per vehicle – slightly lower than August but higher than a year ago, when incentives averaged 13%.

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Tesla, which continues to dominate the EV market, saw an average ATP of $54,138 in September. That’s a slight dip from August and down 6.8% from a year earlier. With Tesla recently introducing the new Standard versions of the Model 3 and Model Y, KBB expects average prices across the segment to fall in the coming months. Erin Keating, executive analyst at Cox Automotive, thinks the market is “ripe for disruption.”

“It is important to remember that the new-vehicle market is inflationary. Prices go up over time, and today’s market is certainly reminding us of that,” said Keating. “The $20,000 vehicle is now mostly extinct, and many price-conscious buyers are sidelined or cruising in the used-vehicle market. Tariffs have introduced new cost pressure to the business, but the pricing story in September was mostly driven by the healthy mix of EVs and higher-end vehicles pushing the new-vehicle ATP into uncharted territory.”

Read more: US EV sales smash records in August as Tesla loses ground


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Genesis is about to launch two new ‘electrified’ SUVs based on the GV70

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Genesis is about to launch two new 'electrified' SUVs based on the GV70

It’s official. The Genesis GV70 is about to get two new electrified options, including its first hybrid and extended-range (EREV) versions.

Two new Genesis GV70 electrified SUVs are coming soon

Genesis is turning 10, and it’s planning to go all out. Hyundai gave us a look at what’s coming last month during its CEO Investor Day.

The plans include Genesis expanding with new electrified powertrain offerings, including its first hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles.

Up until now, the luxury automaker has focused on fully electric (EV) or internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. By expanding into different electrified powertrains, Genesis hopes to attract new buyers to the brand while grabbing a bigger share of the luxury market.

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Genesis will launch its first hybrid in 2026, the GV80. We knew the GV70 EREV would follow shortly after, but now it’s been confirmed that a hybrid model is also set to join the lineup.

We got our first look at the Genesis GV70 EREV last week. The vehicle was parked in South Korea and appeared to be nearly identical to the current model. Aside from a tag labeling it an EREV and a massive muffler at the back, it looks about the same as the Electrified GV70.

Now, we are finally getting a glimpse of the Hybrid version. The Genesis GV70 Hybrid was also caught by HealerTV in South Korea, this time with an HEV tag.

Like the EREV, the GV70 Hybrid is still covered in camouflage, but this time, you can see the vehicle has the brand’s sport package. The optional package adds sporty exterior and interior elements, including chrome around the Crest Grille and window trim.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
The Genesis Electrified GV70 (Source: Genesis)

The vehicle is still a prototype, so it could change by the time it reaches production form. However, as the reporter points out, the GV70 Hybrid could bring a unique new look to the GV70 series.

On the side of the tire, the letters “FL” are printed, which is typically shown on Hyundai vehicles set to receive a facelift.

Genesis-GV70-hybrid
Genesis plans to launch new luxury EVs, hybrids, and EREVs (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis is expected to launch the GV70 EREV in late 2026, followed by the Hybrid version sometime in early 2027.

According to Hyundai, the EREV will have a combined driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles). Although it still runs on an electric motor, it will feature a small gas motor that acts as a generator to charge the battery and extend the driving range.

Genesis is betting on new electrified vehicles, including EVs, hybrids, and EREVs, to drive growth. The luxury brand aims to expand into up to 20 new European markets while gaining a bigger share of the US market. By 2030, Genesis aims to sell 350,000 vehicles.

Although it had planned to only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030, Genesis backed off on its commitment. Instead, it will use hybrids and EREVs as a bridge to an all-electric future.

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Duracell’s first-ever EV fast charger network will be in the UK

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Duracell's first-ever EV fast charger network will be in the UK

Duracell, the iconic US battery brand that started in the 1920s, is crossing the Atlantic to launch its first-ever EV fast charging network, Duracell E-Charge, in the UK.

Sales of gas and diesel cars will end by 2030 in the UK, which is driving EV sales and charging infrastructure growth. With more than £200 million ($266 million) in planned investment over the next decade, Duracell E-Charge is getting on the bandwagon with an aim to improve the fast charging experience.

Duracell has licensed its new network to Elektra Charge, a charge point operator set up to run the Duracell E-Charge network. The EV Network (EVN), one of the UK’s top charging infrastructure developers, will fund and build the charging hubs.

“The need for faster, more reliable charging to keep pace with EV adoption is clear,” said Reza Shaybani, CEO of The EV Network. “Duracell E-Charge is a direct response to that challenge.”

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Duracell’s EV fast charging network will feature 400 kW ultra-fast chargers where drivers can pay via app, contactless, or plug-and-go. Each site will have intuitive interfaces, clear signage, and 24/7 support.

The first six Duracell E-Charge sites will come online in 2025. The Sunday Times reported that Duracell plans to grow its charging network to at least 100 charging stations with at least 500 charging points by 2030. The hubs will be strategically located along major motorways, near retail and hospitality venues, and at key city gateways.

“Charging your car should be as simple as changing the batteries in your remote,” said Mark Bloxham, managing director of Duracell E-Charge. “Plug. Play. Go.”

Electrek’s Take

I asked Duracell whether it had plans to launch Duracell E-Charge in the US, and I’ll update this story if I hear back. But if you want to know why this American legacy company launched its first DC fast charging network in the UK instead of the US, it’s a simple answer. Business-friendly, stable government policy.

Read more: InstaVolt is using GPS tracking to catch thieves stealing its EV charging cables


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