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Environment
Podcast: Xiaomi shocks with YU7, Tesla Robotaxi launch, Rivian brings back tank mode, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Xiaomi shocking the industry with YU7, Tesla’s Robotaxi launch, Rivian bringing back tank mode, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
Today, the episode is live at 12:15 a.m instead due to Fred’s travels in China and Seth’s in.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 12:15 a.m. ET (or the video after 1 a.m. ET):
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Solar provided over 10% of total US electrical generation in April, wind and solar produced almost one-quarter, and the mix of all renewable energy generated nearly a third, according to data just released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Solar set new records in April and the first third of 2025
EIA’s latest monthly “Electric Power Monthly” report (with data through April 30, 2025), which was reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign, confirms that solar continues to be the fastest-growing source of US electricity.
In April alone, electrical generation by utility-scale solar (>1 MW) increased by 39.3% while “estimated” small-scale (e.g., rooftop) solar PV increased by 11.8%. Combined, they grew by 31.3% and provided 10.7% of US electrical output.
Utility-scale solar thermal and PV expanded by 42.4% while that from small-scale systems rose by 11.4% during the first third of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The combination of utility-scale and small-scale solar increased by 32.9% and was almost 7.7% of total US electrical generation for January-April, up from 6.1% a year earlier.
As a result, solar-generated electricity easily surpassed hydropower output, at 6.0%. In fact, solar is now producing more electricity than hydropower, biomass, and geothermal combined.
Wind is still the renewable energy leader
Wind turbines produced 12.6% of US electricity in the first four months of 2025. Their output was 5.9% greater than the year before.
In April alone, wind provided 13.9% of US electricity supply, essentially equal to the share provided by coal.
Wind and solar now outproduce coal and nuclear
During the first third of 2025, electrical generation by wind plus utility-scale and small-scale solar provided 20.3% of the US total, up from 18.5% during the first four months of 2024. In just the month of April, solar plus wind accounted for 24.6% of US electrical output.
During the first four months of this year, the combination of wind and solar provided 20.2% more electricity than did coal, and 13.8% more than US nuclear power plants. In April alone, the disparity increased significantly when solar + wind outproduced coal and nuclear power by 77.1% and 40.2%, respectively.
Renewables are closing in on natural gas
The mix of all renewables (wind and solar plus hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) produced 10.3% more electricity in January-April than they did a year ago (9.7% more in April alone) and provided 27.7% of total US electricity production compared to 26.3% 12 months earlier.
Electrical generation by the combination of all renewables in April alone reached a new record and provided 32.8% of total US electrical generation. Moreover, renewables are now approaching the share provided by natural gas (35.1%), whose electrical output actually dropped by 4.4% during the month.
For perspective, five years ago, in April 2020, the mix of renewables provided 24.4% of total electrical generation while natural gas accounted for 38.8%.
Consequently, the mix of renewables has further strengthened its position as the second largest source of electrical generation, behind only natural gas, with the gap closing rapidly.
Ken Bossong, the SUN DAY Campaign’s executive director, noted:
Solar is now the fastest-growing major source of electricity and is generating more than hydropower, biomass, and geothermal combined, while wind plus solar provides more electricity than either coal or nuclear power, and the mix of all renewables is nearly matching the output of natural gas.
Yet, the Trump administration and the Republican Congress are seeking to pull the rug out from underneath renewables in favor of dirtier and more expensive fossil fuel and nuclear technologies. What are they thinking?
Read more: $15.5B in EV, renewable projects vanish as Senate eyes rollbacks
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![Here's a look at the Kia EV4 GT before you're supposed to see it [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/Kia-EV4-GT-US.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Kia’s upcoming EV4 GT is gunning for the Tesla Model 3 Performance, but it’s expected to undercut the price. Could this be the affordable electric sports car we’ve been waiting for? A new video shows the Kia EV4 GT driving on US streets ahead of its debut.
Kia EV4 GT is testing in the US ahead of its debut
After launching it in Korea in April, some are already calling Kia’s first electric sedan “a box office hit.” The EV4 was the best-selling domestic electric sedan in Korea in May, its second month on the market.
Kia’s electric sedan starts at just 41.92 million won, or around $30,000 in Korea. When it arrives in the US and Europe, the entry-level EV is expected to start at about $35,000 to $40,000 (€35,000).
With its sleek, fastback silhouette, the EV4 already looks like a sports car, making it an ideal candidate for a high-performance upgrade. All the EV4 needs is a little added power. Don’t worry, Kia plans to turn up the heat very soon.
We caught our first glimpse of the interior earlier this month after a prototype was spotted outside of a Kia facility in Korea.
A new video is giving us a closer look at the Kia EV4 GT being tested in the US for the first time. The video from the folks at KindelAuto reveals a few design elements you can expect to see, like Kia’s vertical LED headlights with its signature Star Map lighting.
Although it’s still covered, you can expect to see Kia’s new Tiger Face grille design, which aligns with its latest electric models, including the EV9 and EV3.
We will have to wait until closer to launch for final prices and specs, but like Kia’s other GT vehicles, the EV4 GT is expected to feature an AWD dual-motor powertrain.
It will sit under the EV6 GT, which boasts 576 hp, enabling a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 3.4 seconds. Will the smaller EV4 GT top it? With recent advancements in battery and powertrain technology, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Kia will launch the EV4 in the US later this year with an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 330 miles. Additionally, it will feature a built-in NACS port, allowing it to recharge at Tesla Superchargers. With the base model expected to start at around $35,000, the high-performance GT variant could cost around $50,000 to $55,000.
In comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Performance starts at $54,990 with an EPA-est range of 298 miles. It can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds.
Would you pick the Kia EV4 GT for around $50,000, or are you sticking with the Tesla Model 3 Performance? Got a better option in mind? Drop us a comment below.
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