On Wednesday, Volvo Cars revealed a new investment in bidirectional EV charging startup dcbel. The company’s “r16” Home Energy Station is a full-fledged renewable energy ecosystem featuring solar power, bidirectional charging capabilities for backup power, and a smart home energy management system.
After being the first major premium car brand to commit to a full hybrid or EV lineup for all its models, Volvo aims to sell one million electrified cars by 2025.
Volvo’s first fully electric car, the XC40 Recharge, was launched in 2019, followed by the C40 Recharge, a smaller and lighter crossover version, in March 2021. Between the two models, Volvo saw fully electric sales rise 157% in the first three months of 2023, reaching 18% of total car sales.
The Swedish EV maker plans to launch at least one new electric vehicle each year until mid-decade, including the upcoming EX90 and its smallest SUV yet, the EX30, set for its global debut on June 7 to continue expanding into new segments.
With at least half of Volvo’s sales expected to be fully electric by 2025, the company aims to enhance the ownership experience. Its latest investment in bidirectional EV charging startup dcbel will give buyers a complete home energy management solution.
dcbel r16 Home Energy System (Source: CNW Group/dcbel Inc)
Bidirectional EV charging coming to Volvo models
Through its venture capital firm Volvo Cars Tech Fund, Volvo announced it would support dcbel’s research and development (R&D) and go-to-market endeavors for its home energy system.
The system automates home energy management by converting solar power from rooftop photovoltaics and storing it in stationary battery storage.
Owners can also leverage the bidirectional charging to send energy from a Volvo EV back to their homes to save on utility costs during peak hours (vehicle-to-home) or be compensated for selling it back to the grid (vehicle-to-grid). It also supports charging two EVs simultaneously.
The dcbel r16 Home Energy Station is a complete solution, replacing the following equipment:
Fast DC bidirectional EV charger
Level 2 EV charger
Solar Inverter
Stationary battery charger
Smart home energy manager
Alexander Petrofski, CEO of Volvo Cars Tech Fund, explains how “Home Energy Management Systems will play a vital role as we move towards bi-directionality of electric vehicles,” saying:
Rising energy prices coupled with frequent blackouts are challenges faced by consumers today and our investment in dcbel and their technology can help alleviate those challenges for our customers.
Customers who purchase dcbel’s home energy system will have the option to customize and buy their vehicle and renewable energy in one bundle online. Once active, homeowners can view and control their energy through the smartphone app, with it updating every five minutes to calculate the best ways to use, store, or sell their home energy.
Volvo already said its upcoming EX90 would be the brand’s first electric car with bidirectional EV charging capabilities.
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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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Tesla has officially launched the Cybertruck in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as the automaker seeks to expand the electric pickup truck’s availability in new markets following disappointing demand in the US.
For its first year of production, Cybertruck was limited to the North American market, and it has been a commercial flop.
Tesla had accumulated over 1 million reservations for the vehicle and planned for a production capacity of 250,000 units per year, with CEO Elon Musk saying that it could be increased to 500,000 units.
After Tesla unveiled the production version with a much higher price than initially announced and a significantly shorter range, demand plummeted, and now Tesla is struggling to sell the truck at a rate of 25,000 units per year – a tenth of the production capacity.
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Over the past few months, the automaker has been expanding Cybertruck availability to select overseas markets in an effort to utilize a portion of its unused production capacity.