Terafab is an automated digital system featuring robots that build utility-scale solar farms, and its creators claim it’s able to double installation productivity yet reduce cost.
Berkeley, California-based Terabase Energy‘s Terafab system features solar panel installation robots that can operate “24/7” on an automated assembly line on the solar farm’s site. The system uses robotic arms that lift and connect solar panels to trackers.
The system also features a digital twin (i.e., a virtual model of the solar farm’s site), logistics management systems, and an onsite wireless digital command center.
Terabase also announced the opening of a “factory to make factories” in Woodland, California, where it will manufacture Terafab systems. The Woodland facility is currently making the first gigawatt (GW) of Terafab assembly lines and has the capacity to build more than 10 GW of Terafabs per year.
The company says that using Terafab to install utility-scale solar farms results in faster construction, improved health and safety for workers, and will alleviate labor shortages in the renewables industry (yes, this is a problem). It’s also modular, so it’s scalable.
And it’s almost ready: The Terafab system is going to be commercially deployed in the third quarter of this year.
Matt Campbell, CEO and cofounder of Terabase Energy, said yesterday, “We successfully field-tested Terafab last year, building 10 megawatts of a 400 MW site in Texas. Today’s launch is the next step forward to rapid commercial scale-up.”
Terabase Energy is partnered with Tempe, Arizona-headquartered First Solar, and it’s funded by Bill Gates’ climate-focused VC firm Breakthrough Energy Ventures.
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Two Bay Area families are suing Tesla over the death of their 19-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son after a crash which left them and one other teenager dead, trapped inside the vehicle due to what the lawsuit alleges is poor door handle design.
The lawsuit traces back to a 2024 crash on Thanksgiving Eve in Piedmont, California, where a Cybertruck carrying four college students crashed into a tree and a wall, causing a fire. As a result of the crash, the Cybertruck’s electronic door handles no longer worked, and the passengers were trapped inside.
A surveillance video released by the California Highway Patrol showed the Cybertruck’s final moments, rounding a curve at high speed and seeming to lose control of the rear of the vehicle as it crested a hill, with a large flash seen in the video after the Cybertruck leaves the frame.
A friend in another vehicle that had been following the Cybertruck stopped and managed to break the front passenger window after “ten to fifteen hits” with a fallen tree branch and pull one passenger out of the vehicle, but the other three passengers died inside of asphyxia from smoke inhalation and had burns on their body.
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Tesla vehicles typically do receive high scores for passenger safety in crash tests, and Tesla has touted its “armor glass” as being hard to break (despite a famously failed demo at the Cybertruck’s introduction). And it appears that the occupants did not die from the crash impact itself, but rather from being trapped inside and the resulting smoke and burns.
Krystal Tsukahara, 19Jack Nelson, 20Soren Dixon, 19Photos: City of Piedmont
The three college students who died were 19 year old Krysta Tsukarahara and Soren Dixon, and 20 year old Jack Nelson. Dixon had been driving the vehicle, and post-crash investigations discovered that all three had been under the influence at the time of the crash. All were high school friends home from college for Thanksgiving and had spent the night out together on what is known to be one of the worst drunk driving nights of the year.
The Tsukaharas have now amended their case to include Tesla as a defendant after post-crash investigations suggested the car’s design contributed to the deaths, blaming door handles that are difficult to operate and doors and windows that are hard for rescuers to access for their child’s death. Nelson’s family filed a separate lawsuit, with the same allegation.
Tesla’s door handles in focus
Tesla vehicles have electronic door handles, with outer door handles that are flush against the vehicle. This enhances the sleek look of the exterior, and also leads to small aerodynamic gains.
However, it also leads to confusing operation, as each car the company has released so far has had a different door handle in a different place on the vehicle with a different method of operation than the last.
This also means that the outer door handles can be hard to operate in an emergency situation. In the crash described above, the rescuer had to bash at the Cybertruck’s window “ten to fifteen” times, after having failed to punch it out with his fist. An externally operable door handle would have perhaps resulted in a different outcome.
Further, the interior door release can be confusing in an emergency situation. Normally one just presses the interior door release button, which operates electronically. However, when there’s a problem with the vehicle, that system can become disconnected and require a manual release.
Every Tesla has a manual release, but it’s often hidden in a place that passengers may not know to look, or may have difficulty finding in an emergency scenario, especially for rear seat passengers.
On the Cybertruck, the front manual door release is relatively easy to access, just in front of the window switches. Indeed, sometimes passengers will accidentally pull this lever rather than the electronic door release (which is not recommended, as it can damage the window trim). In the event of this crash, at least one passenger was described as “barely conscious,” and thus operation of the door handle may not have been an option.
Front manual door releaseRear manual door release, step 1Rear manual door release, step 2Cybertruck’s manual door releases. From Tesla’s Cybertruck owners manual
But the rear release is much harder to find. To access it, one must remove a rubber mat from the map pocket, revealing a mechanical release cable with a loop on the end, then pull it forward.
Tsukahara’s parents say that she “was alive after the crash. She called out for help. And she couldn’t get out.” It is conceivable that simpler door handles may have resulted in a different outcome, though three of the vehicle’s doors were obstructed by the wall and tree that it had crashed into. The right rear door, the seat occupied by Nelson, was unobstructed, according to the Nelsons’ lawsuit.
Elsewhere in the world, Chinese auto regulators are mulling a ban on retractable door handles, as many sleek new EVs have taken on the trend that Tesla started with its flush door handles.
There have been several lawsuits against Tesla for deaths in its vehicles, often associated with the company’s Autopilot or Full Self-Driving systems. The company typically chooses to settle these lawsuits out of court, despite CEO Elon Musk stating “we will never surrender/settle an unjust case against us, even if we will probably lose,” though it did refuse to settle a recent case and ended up with a $243 million judgment against it, in the first Tesla ADAS case that reached trial.
While this crash had nothing to do with the company’s driver assist systems, it will be interesting to see how Tesla responds to this lawsuit.
The two cases are Nelson v Tesla Inc. and Tsukahara v Dixon, both filed in the California Superior Court in Alameda County. Tsukahara’s case has been set for trial in February 2027.
Electrek’s Take
When I was in high school, a very similar accident happened. A large SUV was speeding around a curve, lost control, and rolled. The teenagers inside were under the influence, though the driver wasn’t in this case. It was national news, and significantly affected our community.
Many other communities have felt the same. It’s a common story. And yet, we still keep building these giant, lumbering land yachts, thinking that it enhances safety when it does not.
But that’s somewhat of an aside here. If the Cybertruck were more nimble or less “impenetrable,” maybe the crash results would have been different. But the focus on door handles is one simple, clear change that would have saved lives in this instance.
Tesla has always had weird door handles, and the door handles have always ended up causing some sort of problem. Whether it be overly complicated latches which make repair costly as in the Model S, overly complicated door which delay release like the Model X, oddly-placed manual door releases that can cause abnormal wear on the Model 3 and Y, or even the svelte door handles on my original Roadster which are currently giving me a weird problem I can’t even explain here, this is a pattern.
And the pattern doesn’t just apply to door handles, but to much of how Tesla works as a company, with the “move fast and break things” approach common in technology. While Tesla has been innovative, those innovations sometimes have come with less consideration for safety than they perhaps should have.
Now, with these Cybertruck deaths, maybe we can finally get a little reason and have Tesla be more normal with its door handles, at least.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Tested: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station brings ample support in a smaller and lighter unit
Anker is hands-down one of the most well-known tech accessory brands with an extensive lineup of consumer electronics, and its SOLIX sub-brand has making waves in the portable backup power solution space. Its C1000 power station made big waves when it first hit the market in 2023, quickly becoming a popular charging solution for camping and other outdoor activities, in particular. Now, two years later, the Anker has introduced its SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I was lucky enough to snag and test out, and which I believe will outshine its predecessor in the long run. Head below to get my hands-on impressions of this all-new solar generator.
To get our full hands-on impression of this new portable backup power solution, be sure to check out our review here.
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Rad Power’s Haul-o-ween Sale offers up to $210 in FREE cargo or starter gear with new and legacy e-bikes starting from $1,399
Rad Power Bikes has launched its Haul-o-ween Sale, with a $200 discount on its RadRover 6 Plus e-bike, as well as several other models (new and legacy) getting up to $210 in FREE bundle kits and accessories. Amongst the models seeing bundles attached, you’ll find the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike getting a free $199 cargo kit at $1,999 shipped, with its Radster Road Commuter e-bike sibling getting the same kit for $1,999 shipped too. Just be sure to add the e-bikes and the cargo kits (all from the same landing pages) to your cart for the discount to automatically be applied. Originally going for $2,199 at full price since their release in March, we saw the brand officially drop prices to these rates mid-August, with the deals here giving you the continued lowest tracked prices alongside the free gear. Head below to learn more and browse the full lineup of deals while the sale lasts.
The stylish new Radster Trail and Radster Road e-bikes are very similar in their overall designs, with slight differences based on where you plan to spend most of your time riding – down streets or through trails and other off-road areas. They both come boasting 100Nm torque-producing 750W rear hub motors with 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated batteries powering them. This combination provides you with up to 65+ miles of pedal-assisted travel (supported by a torque sensor) at up to 20/28 MPH top speeds, depending on state-specific laws. Among the other shared features, you’ll be gaining hydraulic disc brakes, hydraulic suspension forks, auto-on headlights, brake-activated taillights, turn signaling functionality, rear cargo racks, a color display with a Type-C port, and more.
There are also the shared smart features here, which include passcode locking, an included security fob, and more. Where these models differ, as you may already be able to guess, is mainly in their tires. The Trail model bringing along 27.5-inch by 3-inch Kenda Havoc puncture-resistant tires for your off-roading fun, while the Road model has been equipped with 29-inch by 2.2-inch Kenda Kwik puncture-resistant tires, as well as some differing fender/handlebar designs too.
Rad Power Bikes Haul-o-ween discounts:
Rad Power Bikes Haul-o-ween bundle/accessory deals:
Upgrade your security with up to $280 in exclusive savings on Anker eufy cameras and smart locks at new lows from $70
We’ve secured quite the lineup of exclusive deals for our readers from Wellbots on Anker eufy security devices, with most at new low prices, like the SoloCam S340 Solar Security Camera at $109.99 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5EUF90 at checkout. Normally, this model runs for $200 at full price, which we’ve seen drop as low as $123 this year, while last year saw things fall lower to $120 during Cyber Monday sales. While these exclusive savings last, you’ll be getting $90 taken off the tag, landing it at a new all-time low price. Head below to learn more about this device and the others benefiting from exclusive discounts.
Heybike’s premium Hero carbon fiber mid-drive and rear hub all-terrain e-bikes at new lows from $2,099
As part of its ongoing Prime Fall e-bike Sale, which has given us new low prices on the ALPHA all-terrain and Hauler cargo e-bikes, Heybike has also dropped the price lower-than-ever on its Hero Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bikes too. You can find the 1,000W rear hub model down at $2,099 shipped, while its upgraded 750W mid-drive model is sitting at $2,299 shipped. These are some of the brand’s higher-end EVs, which normally go for $2,599 and $3,099 at full price, and which have mostly received $100 to $300 discounts over the year, save for select events, like its anniversary sale, where we saw things go lower to $2,199 and $2,499. Now the savings are bigger and better than ever, as the $500 and $800 markdowns here land the costs at new all-time low prices.
Bring home Autel’s 40A MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV charging station with an AI voice assistant for $379
Through its official Amazon storefront, Autel is dropping costs on its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 40A Smart AI Level 2 EV Charger to $379 shipped in both colorway options. This is an at-home charging solution that normally runs for $470 at full price, with regular discounts to $399 over the year, and only one-time falls to $376 and the $352 low, which appeared back during Memorial Day sales. You can pick it up here at only $3 more than July’s Prime Day rate, saving you $91 off the going rate for the third-lowest price we have tracked.
Review: Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike is a rugged off-roader with plenty of suspension and hidden punch
When it comes to e-bikes, most people’s immediate thought is a commuter model designed to get you through streets to your various destinations, but with Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike, the fun is extended (and primarily focused) to off-road adventures, and boy, does this baby have some go in it. It’s been over two years since we reviewed the Revv1 FS counterpart, which we came away quite impressed with its SUPER73-like design. Now we’re heading off the beaten path with this newer off-road variant, which boasts improved specs that outshine its predecessors in the series.
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.
It’s a good thing the new 2026 LEAF should be here any day. The recall affects over 19,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles, model years 2021-2022, because the battery may overheat during fast charging. Here’s the fix.
Nissan LEAF recall impacts 19,000+ vehicles
Nissan’s OG, the LEAF, has been hit with yet another recall. In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 2, Nissan announced a recall of 19,077 LEAF models from 2021 to 2022.
The recall only affects models that are equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. Nissan said the battery may overheat during fast charging.
After an investigation, Nissan found that LEAF models built between November 3, 2020, and May 23, 2022, at its Smyrna Assembly plant, may have an issue with excessive lithium deposits within the battery cells. If that happens, the increased electrical resistance can cause the battery to overheat or catch fire during Level 3 charging.
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Nissan is preparing a software update to fix the issue. Once it’s ready, Nissan said owners of affected vehicles will be notified with an “Invitation to Repair Owner” letter, which will include further instructions.
2025 Nissan LEAF (Source Nissan)
The letters are expected to be mailed out, starting on October 24, 2025. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Until it’s ready, Nissan is urging owners not to use Level 3 quick charging.
For those with LEAF models that are no longer under warranty, Nissan will include instructions in the owner notification letters concerning reimbursement.
2025 Nissan LEAF (Source Nissan)
Owners can contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan’s recall number is R25C8. You can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the nhtsa.gov website for more information.
2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan
The outgoing LEAF has had several major recalls now, but the third-generation model, set to hit dealerships any day now, promises to fix some of its biggest issues.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF has “the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. It also has a fresh, new crossover SUV-like design, over 300 miles of driving range, and an NACS port (finally) to access Tesla Superchargers.
While Nissan focuses on the new LEAF, its electric SUV, the Ariya, will not be offered in the US for the 2026 model year.
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