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Tesla announces a successful step in a pilot project to deploy Powerwalls with German electric company Transnet BW to stabilize the grid and take better advantage of the country’s strong solar power.

Over the last few years, we have seen virtual power plant projects become increasingly popular thanks to the advent of distributed energy assets like rooftop solar and home battery packs.

Tesla has been leading on that front with its Powerwall, which is becoming one of the most popular home energy solutions.

Tesla, electric companies, or other energy management companies, can band together Powerwalls located in different homes to provide grid services – creating what we call a virtual power plant.

There are now dozens of virtual power plants using Powerwall in operation around the world, including in Australia, California, and Texas.

Last year, Tesla started to work with Transnet BW, one of the largest electric companies in Germany, to put together a pilot virtual power plant using Powerwalls.

The companies never confirmed how many batteries would be involved in the project, but Tesla now announced that it was successful:

As part of a pilot project with TransnetBW in Germany – the first in continental Europe – Powerwall owners successfully contributed renewable energy to help support key sections of the grid.

Transnet BW previously said that it would expand the program if the pilot proved successful.

Germany is currently trying to adapt its electric grid in order to stabilize it and make better use of its growing solar capacity.

Batteries are a great solution for that since they enable the storage of solar energy to be distributed when needed rather than only when the sun is shining.

Tesla is working to make Powerwall the easiest solution for that through hardware and software integration, making it simple for both homeowners and electric utilities looking to use those distributed energy assets to create virtual power plants.

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The electric Jeep Compass may be a pipe dream after all

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The electric Jeep Compass may be a pipe dream after all

Jeep is reconsidering plans to launch an electric Compass in North America. The next-gen Jeep Compass is officially on pause after Stellantis temporarily halted operations at its Brampton Assembly Plant, where the current SUV is built, to take a closer look at its strategy in North America.

Is Jeep canceling the electric Compass in the US?

Stellantis froze all activities at the Brampton plant on Thursday, including work on the next-gen Jeep Compass. The company said the sudden halt was over “today’s dynamic environment.”

In an email to Ontario newspaper Windsor Star, Stellantis’s head of communications for Canada, Lou Ann Gosselin, said, “As we navigate today’s dynamic environment, Stellantis continues to reassess its product strategy in North America.”

Gosselin added that Stellantis’s decision is “to ensure it is offering customers a range of vehicles with flexible powertrain options to best meet their needs.”

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The pause is temporary, and the decision will not impact operations at the Windsor facility. The Brampton plant has been down since December 2023 for retooling as part of Stellantis plans to build EVs, including an electric Jeep Compass.

Stellantis confirmed in October that the next-gen Jeep Compass will be available with electric, hybrid, and gas-powered powertrains as part of its “Freedom of Choice” strategy.

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Jeep teases the electric Compass for the first time (Source: Stellantis)

The Compass is Jeep’s “most globally available model,” according to Gosselin. Later this year, the next-gen model will still debut in Europe, with production slated to begin in Melfi, Italy. Stellantis previously said production would expand to North America and around the world.

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Jeep Wagoneer S (Source: Stellantis)

Stellantis initially planned to begin building the next-gen Jeep Compass, including an electric version for North America, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Mass production was slated for 2026.

Lana Payne, Unfor national president, the union behind workers at the plant, said the “timing of this announcement raises very serious concerns.” Payne added:

The chaos and uncertainty plaguing the North American auto industry, which is under the constant threat of tariffs and a dismantling of EV regulations from the United States, are having real-time impacts on workers and corporate decisions.

Although Stellantis didn’t mention US President Trump or tariffs as a factor, Unifor Local 444 president James Stewart told the Windsor Star, “There’s no doubt the Trump administration’s EV policies are having an effect.”

Stewart explained the pause comes as Stellantis reassesses what powertrain options to offer for the next-gen Compass.

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Jeep Recon EV (Source: Stellantis)

Stellantis still plans to return to a three-shift operation, aiming to start operations early next year. The plant was once home to iconic models, like the Dodge Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300, all of which are now discontinued. The electric Dodge Charger Daytona is made at its Windsor plant.

Jeep launched its first electric SUV in North America, the Wagoneer S, last year and will introduce the more rugged, Wrangler-like Recon EV later this year. As for an electric Jeep Compass, those of us in the US and Canada will have to wait to hear more.

Electrek’s Take

Stellantis is already struggling in North America. Sales fell another 15% last year to just over 1.3 million, with every brand, except for Fiat, selling significantly fewer vehicles.

Jeep brand sales fell 9% in the US, Ram sales fell 19%, Dodge sales fell 29%, Alfa Romeo sales fell 19%, and Chrysler sales were down 7% in 2024.

Although Trump’s tariffs threats are likely one of the biggest reasons behind Stellantis’s decision, it will likely only put it back further in the long run. The industry will still progress toward electric vehicles, while automakers stalling now will get left behind with more advanced, software-driven models from China, South Korea, etc.

Behind the Cherokee and Wrangler, the Compass was Jeep’s third best-selling vehicle in the US last year. Sales were up 16% to nearly 111,700, but Jeep will need an answer soon with new electric options hitting the market over the next few years.

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Tesla deliveries expected to go down to levels not seen in more than 2 years

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Tesla deliveries expected to go down to levels not seen in more than 2 years

Tesla deliveries are expected to decrease this quarter to levels not seen in more than two years. We have to go back to 2022 to see the delivery volume the automaker is expected to deliver.

Time to worry for Tesla shareholders?

Prediction markets are entering the game of setting expectations for Tesla’s quarterly deliveries.

These markets use financial incentives, similar to betting, to predict specific outcomes. They became extremely popular during the latest US elections and have since expanded to predict a lot more outcomes ranging from sports to business to virtually anything.

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Kalshi, one of the biggest prediction markets, has been running markets to predict Tesla’s quarterly deliveries that already gathered half a million in volumes.

It currently predicts that Tesla will deliver 359,000 vehicles in Q1 2025:

This would be down 7% year-over-year and a massive 27% down quarter-over-quarter.

In fact, you have to go back more than two years, Q3 2022, to get a quarter when Tesla delivered fewer vehicles than what is expected this quarter:

As we previously reported, Tesla’s sales are crashing in Europe this quarter – down by as much as 50%.

In China, Tesla’s most important market, sales are down slightly year-over-year.

The US is the most opaque market, and it will be the difference maker this quarter.

Electrek’s Take

This quarter would finally be the time to prove to Tesla shareholders that Elon is bad for Tesla. Unfortunately, they will blame the poor performance on the Model Y changeover, which will definitely impact Tesla negatively, but nowhere near that level.

I think it’s clear that the Elon effect is also working its magic here.

We know it since it’s not the first time Tesla has done a changeover. Now, it’s true that it’s the first time for a Model Y, which is Tesla’s best-selling vehicle, but the impact is more significant than when Tesla had factory shutdowns and supply chain issues last year.

The earnings are going to be even worse, but they will blame that on the new Model Y too.

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Rivian is recalling over 17,000 R1S and R1T vehicles due to faulty headlights

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Rivian is recalling over 17,000 R1S and R1T vehicles due to faulty headlights

Rivian issued a recall for over 17,000 vehicles on Friday due to a headlight issue that only occurs in cold weather. The recall impacts certain 2025 R1S SUV and R1T electric pickup models. Luckily, it should be an easy fix.

Rivian issues a recall for 2025 R1S and R1T vehicles

In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Rivian said it planned to recall 17,260 R1S and R1T vehicles.

The safety notice comes after the company found the headlights on certain 2025 models did not meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”

In cold weather, the headlight low beams might not illuminate once the vehicle is started. A message on the driver display will pop up, saying, “Low beam lights not working.” The issue only occurred in colder climates.

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Rivian said it’s unaware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to the recall. The 2025 R1S and R1T models were built with incorrectly figured parts from its supplier between April 29, 2024, and February 03, 2025.

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Rivian R1T (left) and R1S (right) electric vehicles (Source: Rivian)

For those impacted, Rivian will replace the headlight control module free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on March 28, 2025.

If you have questions, you can contact Rivian’s customer service at 1-888-748-4261. Rivian’s recall number is FSAM-1612. You can also contact the NHTSA hotline at 888-327-4236 or visit NHTSA.gov for more information.

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Production at Rivian’s Normal, IL plant (Source: Rivian)

The recall comes after Rivian posted its first positive gross profit in the fourth quarter, a big milestone as the EV maker aims to hit its next growth stage.

Rivian delivered 51,579 vehicles in 2024, but as it prepares to introduce its mass-market R2 electric SUV, the company expects a slight dip in 2025, forecasting between 46,000 and 51,000. A big part of this is due to plans to retool its Normal, IL manufacturing plant to prepare for the R2, which will launch in the first half of 2026. The midsize electric SUV will start at around $45,000, or almost half the R1S ($77,700) and R1T ($71,700).

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