At a recent general meeting, Toyota’s shareholders raised concerns over Tesla and the lead it has established as the industry moves to electric vehicles.
Toyota shareholders concerned over Tesla’s EV lead
On two oppositive sides of the EV spectrum, you have Tesla, which sells 100% electric vehicles, and Toyota, which has been one of the biggest laggards (if not the biggest) regarding pure EVs.
Tesla delivered a record 466,140 electric models in the second quarter of 2023, crushing expectations again. The EV pioneer has delivered 888,000 units through the first half of the year and needs less than one million deliveries to hit its 1.8 million 2023 goal by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, of the over 4.15 million vehicles Toyota sold globally in 1H 2023, only a fraction (roughly 0.19%) were purely electric.
After shareholders raised concerns over Tesla and its dominant lead with EVs, several leaders were quick to point to Toyota’s hybrid approach, including hybrid and fuel cell vehicles (FCEV), a strategy that has already set them behind industry competitors.
Despite its resistance to going all-electric, the Japanese automaker has introduced several new ideas to accelerate its BEV strategy recently, several of them directly from Tesla’s playbook.
Source: Toyota
In May, Toyota’s newly elected CEO, Koji Sato, revealed the automaker was developing a “completely new platform designed exculsivly for BEVs” expected to launch in 2026.
And then last month, Toyota shared a few new technologies and processes it was working on to transform the company in the electric era including incorporating a simple body structure through Giga casting, a process used by Tesla to reduce the number of pieces needed to make the car.
Gigacast (Source: Toyota)
Toyota plans to integrate advanced areodynamics with next-gen EV batteries that the company claims will drastically improve driving range compared to its first electric model, the bZ4X electric SUV, while slashing production costs by 2027.
President of Toyota’s BEV factory, Takero Kato, explained to shareholders “I love BEVs. Through BEVs, I want to change the future of cars, monozukuri, and work.”
2023 Toyota bZ4X (Source: Toyota)
First, he says, Toyota aims to produce EVs with the same cruising range as its hybrid vehicles. Then, the automaker will improve the vehicle structure and production process to optimize efficiency.
Longtime Toyota leader who stepped down from his position as CEO (remaining on the board) earlier this year, said:
I don’t know if love can beat Tesla. However, cars made by engineers who love them will move people’s hearts.
Toyota aims to sell 1.5 million EVs by 2026 with 10 new electric models including luxury, small cars, and commercial. The automaker plans to produce its first US-assembled EV, a three-row electric SUV, at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.
Toyota three-row electric SUV concept (Source: Toyota)
Electrek’s Take
I think Toyota’s shareholders know the answer and that’s why they are raising concerns over Tesla.
Tesla is on track to hit 1.8 million deliveries by the end of the year while Toyota is aiming for 1.6 million in another three years. By that time, Tesla will have widened its lead by far.
Toyota continues wasting precious time and resources on inferior technology like fuel cell and hybrids, which will only slow the automakers transition even more.
The Japanese automaker seems to be recognizing the urgency after falling behind early. Its “multi-pathway” strategy is distracting it from what’s really important – developing and producing EVs.
While Tesla is laser focused on ramping production and optimizing efficiency along the way, Toyota seems to be taking several pages from the EV makers playbook while it continues investing in other technology. Not only will the strategy be costly in the end, but Toyota is far less likely to remain competitive with Tesla with its finger in every pie.
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Rad Power Bikes celebrates 4th of July with its new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes back at $1,999 lows
Rad Power has launched its 4th of July Sale through July 9 that is continuing its $999 low on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike, while also offering $200 off on two of its newest models, with the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike for $1,999 shipped alongside the Radster Road Commuter e-bike also at $1,999 shipped. These two new models normally fetch $2,199 since they were released in March, with only one previous discount on the books to this same low price back during the brand’s Memorial Day Sale. Now the low pricing has returned, giving you $200 savings and the best rates yet on some of the latest e-mobility options. Below, you’ll also find several of the brand’s add-on accessories with up to 50% discounts during this sale too.
Rad Power’s Radster Road commuter e-bike and Radster Trail off-road e-bike differ based on where you plan to trek, with both boasting improved speed and mileage over the brand’s legacy models. They both come equipped with 750W rear hub motors producing 100Nm of torque alongside a 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated battery. You’ll be able to activate five pedal assistance levels (supported by a torque sensor) in order to travel up to 65+ miles on a single charge at up to 28 MPH top speeds.
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As I stated before, there’s a few key differences based on the model, with the Radster Road tailored for street riding with 29-inch by 2.2-inch Kenda Kwik puncture-resistant tires with a reflective strip while the Radster Trail has 27.5-inch by 3-inch Kenda Havoc puncture-resistant tires. Aside from those, there are some slight fender and handlebar grip variances, with both offering the same smart features like passcode locking, an included security fob, and more. From there, they share hydraulic suspension forks, hydraulic disc brakes, auto-on headlights, taillights with brake and turn signal lighting, rear cargo racks, 8-speed Shimano derailleurs, and a color display with a USB-C port to charge your phone.
Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale offers (through June 9):
Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale add-on accessory deals:
EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off two expandable power stations and extra battery offers starting from $429
EcoFlow has launched the next of its early Prime Day flash sales, offering up to 54% off three units and running for 48 hours. Two of these units even have different ways to save money, which we detail for each. The first of these deals gives you the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station with a free protective bag at $1,799 shipped (extra savings are not valid here), or you can add the station from this page to your cart and use the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout to get a price cut to $1,709.05 shipped along with a free RAPID 5,000mAh power bank. Down from the $3,699 MSRP, this is the first time since March that we’ve seen sales bring the costs down to $1,799, with it being the next-best price behind the $1,709 low from the extra savings option. You’ll find it priced at $1,799 from Amazon right now too, though this doesn’t include any free gear or extra savings options.
EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station is one of the most popular and most expansive units under the brand’s flag, starting with a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be boosted as high as 25kWh with additional equipment. It provides a steady 3,600W output, can surge up to 7,200W when needed, and comes with 14 ports to cover your devices and appliances. For recharging, you’ll have the option to plug it into a wall outlet, your car’s auxiliary port, or utilize up to its max 1,600W solar input to take advantage of sunny days.
While the next of the flash offers gives you the DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station at $4,399 shipped, down from its full $6,098 price tag, you can’t stack the extra savings, but you can add the station to your cart from this page and use the code EFPDAFF7 at checkout to score it at $4,370.07 shipped – plus, you’ll be getting a free 250W solar panel along with it. This is the largest and most expansive of the brand’s stations, starting at a 6.1kWh LiFePO4 capacity and 7,200W output that can be built upon to reach as high as a 90kWh capacity and 21.6kW output. It even comes as the best whole-home backup system when paired alongside the Smart Home Panel 2, which lets it cover your home’s breaker but also connect to roof panels, among much more.
The last of these flash offers gives you the DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery at $429 shipped, bringing it down from $799 with no way to score more savings like the other two – though this is a returning low price. With this add-on device, you’ll be able to expand your DELTA 2 power station setup with an additional 1,024Wh capacity, up to the unit’s 3,072Wh max capacity.
Score Greenworks’ 82V commercial 25-inch cordless self-propelled mower with three 4.0Ah batteries at $700
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 82V Commercial-Grade 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower bundled with three 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger for $699.99 shipped. You’d normally shell out $700 at full price for the mower with two batteries, but this first-time bundle offer gives you the additional 4.0Ah battery ($250 value) for free. All-in-all, this is a 26% markdown on a bundle that would otherwise cost you $950 to buy separately, with the mower being one of the brand’s newest models at only a year old.
This 82V Greenworks mower comes with a 1.8kW brushless motor that “outperforms 160cc gas engine machines,” tackling up to 1/2 an acre with just two of the 4.0Ah batteries, which fit into the dual ports on the mower to prolong runtimes. It’s all housed inside a 25-inch steel deck, with self-propulsion tech supported by a variable speed rear wheel drive for effortless mobility. Alongside foldable handles for vertical storage and a 2-in-1 functionality for rear-bagging and mulching, it comes with SmartCut tech that auto-adapts cutting speeds based on the thickness of sensed grass as it moves. Like the other solutions under the Greenworks flag, this model starts at the push of a button and releases no fumes, no emissions, and far less noise.
Clean outdoor spaces with Greenworks’ 1,800 PSI electric pressure washer with an onboard soap tank for $120
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 1,800 PSI Open-Frame Electric Pressure Washer at $119.99 shipped. You’d normally have to shell out $170 for this model at full price, which we’ve only seen taken down to $127 twice in 2025. Today’s deal is going even lower thanks to the 29% markdown here that cuts $50 off the tag and lands it at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $1 above the low we last saw during October’s Prime Day event.
Summer is in full swing and outdoor cleaning is well under way, and you can keep your driveway, walkways, patio furniture, and more in pristine condition with this open-frame electric pressure washer from Greenworks that has an onboard soap tank. It provides up to a max 1,800 PSI at up to a 1.2 GPM flow rate, and comes with four varying nozzles and a 25-foot high-pressure hose – with everything having an onboard place to keep them. You won’t be dealing with any gas, oil, or emissions here, with the system starting up at the press of a button.
Greenworks’ other electric pressure washer deals:
There’s also the Greenworks 40V bundle that gives you a 13-inch cordless string trimmer/edger, a 350 CFM leaf blower, and three replacement spools of line at a new $150 low.
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.
Are the Korean auto giants facing slowing sales? Hyundai and Kia are offering generous incentives globally, resulting in price cuts worldwide. In some markets, discounts can reach nearly $17,000.
Hyundai Motor, including Kia, has launched aggressive sales promotions this month in six of its biggest global markets: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Central and South America.
The discounts apply to some of its top-selling EVs, including the IONIQ 5 and SUVs like the Tucson and Santa Fe.
According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, Hyundai and Kia cut prices by up to 23 million won, or nearly $17,000 in some regions.
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The promotions vary depending on the market. For example, in Serbia, Hyundai is offering up to 15,000 euros ($17,500) off the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models. In Thailand and Chile, discounts reach as high as 12 million won ($8,900) and 17.8 million won ($13,100), respectively.
Why is Hyundai offering such significant discounts? The report suggests that it could be all due to the new 25% US auto tariffs on imported vehicles, Hyundai’s largest market.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)
After the tariffs were introduced, Hyundai and Kia reportedly told regional leaders to “increase sales by 10% in other regions.” A local report this week claimed Hyundai was temporarily pausing production of the IONIQ 5 and Kona EV at one of its plants in Korea due to slowing sales.
2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)
What about the US?
In April, Hyundai launched its “Customer Assurance” program, promising not to raise vehicle prices in the US until June 2. The program has since been extended until July 7.
Although Hyundai is expected to hike prices following the window, the company denied the rumors, saying no decision has been made yet.
Several automakers have already announced plans to raise vehicle prices in the US, including Toyota, Ford, and Jeep maker Stellantis.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)
About 24% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold last year were in the US, making it a priority to protect prices. Although 60% of them were exported from Korea in 2024, Hyundai is ramping up local production to mitigate the blow.
After celebrating the grand opening of its new EV plant in Georgia, Hyundai kicked off production of its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)
The larger electric SUV joins the updated 2025 IONIQ 5, which Hyundai has been building at the facility since last year.
Once up and running, the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is expected to have an annual production capacity of 300,000 units. If necessary, the output can be expanded to approximately 500,000.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim
EV Powertrain
Driving Range (miles)
Starting Price*
Monthly lease price June 2025
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range
168-horsepower rear motor
245
$42,500
$179
IONIQ 5 SE RWD
225-horsepower rear motor
318
$46,550
$199
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD
225-horsepower rear motor
318
$49,500
$209
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD
225-horsepower rear motor
318
$54,200
$309
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD
320-horsepower dual motor
290
$50,050
$249
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD
320-horsepower dual motor
290
$53,000
$259
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD
320 horsepower dual motor
259
$55,400
$359
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD
320-horsepower dual motor
269
$58,100
$299
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim (*includes $1,475 destination fee)
After Hyundai cut lease prices again in June, the 2025 IONIQ 5 is now listed starting at just $179 per month. The three-row 2026 IONIQ 9 is available to lease starting at just $419 per month with up to $13,000 in discounts. Kia is currently offering up to $12,500 off its three-row EV9.
Hyundai is even throwing in a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger with the purchase of any new 2026 IONIQ 9 or 2025 IONIQ 5 until the end of the year.
Looking to take advantage of the savings? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find Hyundai and Kia’s electric vehicles in your area.
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I know, it sounds like clickbait math, but it’s real: you can cover 6,000 miles for just $160 in fuel. There’s a catch, though. It’s not gasoline. Oh, and it’s not even in a car. You’ll need to trade in your four wheels for two. Specifically, you’ll need something like the Ryvid Anthem, a lightweight, street-legal electric motorcycle that was purpose-built for efficient urban commuting.
I’ve been in the market for a light electric motorcycle for my sister for a while now. And as I was perusing Ryvid’s site, I noticed a catchy graphic claiming that the bike could cover 6,000 miles (9,600 km) for just $160 in electricity.
It sounded too good to be true, so the engineer in me made me instantly bust out a pencil and start scribbling away on some scrap paper on my desk. And I’ll be damned – the math holds up. In fact, they were being extremely conservative with their numbers.
There are a few short paragraphs of math to follow here, but stick with me. It’s pretty simple, and the result is actually really impressive.
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The graphic that caught my eye
The Anthem’s 4.3 kWh battery offers up to 75 miles of city range, depending on riding style (whiskey throttling at every green light may ding your range, of course).
That works out to around 57 Wh/mile (35 Wh/km), which is impressively efficient, even compared to an electric car. (Electric cars usually consume around 220-270 Wh/mile at city speeds, or nearly 5x as much energy to go the same distance as the Ryvid Anthem).
Multiply the Ryvid’s consumption over 6,000 miles, and you’re looking at about 344 kWh of electricity consumed. At the national average residential electricity rate (roughly $0.16/kWh), that’s just $55 of electricity to travel 6,000 miles. That’s less than one cent per mile. Of course, electricity rates are vastly different around the country. In California, that much electricity would cost you double at $110. In North Dakota, it would be nearly half, costing you $35 to travel 6,000 miles at city speeds.
All of these are well below the $160 originally quoted by Ryvid for 6,000 miles of travel, likely because the company is being realistic and not trying to sneak by on “optimal conditions” figures to tout even lower charging costs. So let’s handicap ourselves and use worse efficiency numbers. Let’s say we don’t stick to city speeds. Let’s have some fun. If we instead use Ryvid’s constant 55 mph (88 km/h) range of 46 miles (74 km), that would rework the math to bring the cost up to $89 at the national average electricity prices. In California, it’d be $180. Back in Bismarck? $57 flat. Still under one penny per mile… if you’re cool with the Bismarck, North Dakota scene.
Anyway you slice it, and even with the most expensive electricity in the US, these are insanely affordable commuting figures. To put the numbers in perspective, even the most efficient electric cars, like the Tesla Model 3, average closer to 220 Wh/mi at city speeds (135 Wh/km). That same 6,000-mile journey would cost you about 1,320 kWh, or $211 at the national average. And that’s before factoring in significantly higher purchase prices for electric cars, costlier maintenance, registration fees, and all the other higher financial costs and headaches of owning a full-size vehicle.
The Ryvid Anthem isn’t only efficient – it’s also eye-catching!
The Ryvid Anthem, by comparison, is a techy-yet-minimalist commuter bike that’s packed with some really clever features. It’s got an easily removable battery that you can roll inside like carry-on luggage to charge at a standard wall outlet, or you can plug the bike in directly for Level 2 charging, which gets you to 80% in just over an hour thanks to its large 3.3 kW built-in charger. The seat height is electronically adjustable (even while riding!), a huge benefit for riders closer to the ends of the height bell curve or those who share a bike with someone else. When I reviewed the motorcycle, I even found it nice for keeping the seat higher while riding and then dropping it down with the push of a button at red lights to more easily flat-foot it. And at just 313 lbs (142 kg), it’s lightweight and approachable, far less intimidating than many full-size motorcycles.
Performance-wise, the Anthem isn’t a long-distance highway cruiser, but with a top speed of over 75 mph (121 km/h), it’s more than capable of commuting on any highway or interstate, as long as you don’t need to go too far. Remember, this isn’t a sport bike and it’s not designed for long touring trips – it’s a super fun commuter.
The 4.3 kWh battery may sound small compared to an electric car, but it’s designed for efficiency. While 75 miles (121 km) is doable at city speeds, you’ll still be north of 40 miles (64 km) even when cruising at a constant 50+ mph (80+ km/h). Again, it’s for getting to work, not for getting to Sturgis. And since the battery can be rolled inside with you, riders could even bring it right into the office and charge it from a wall outlet during the day at work. Why not let your boss pay for your riding?!
For new riders who don’t want to deal with the maintenance associated with combustion engine motorcycles, regenerative braking and a simple belt drive system keep things quiet, simple, and low-maintenance. The bike even comes with a full-color LCD dash and an optional integrated mount for your smartphone. It even has reverse – an important feature missing on most electric motorcycles, including my fancy-shmancy LiveWire S2 Del Mar (a bike that also costs twice as much as the Ryvid and makes me feel like I skipped every leg day of my life when I need to back it up a 0.01% grade into my parking spot).
Commuter motorcycles like the Ryvid Anthem offer highway speeds at pennies per mile
Sure, making the switch from a car to an electric motorcycle isn’t just a financial decision, it can be a lifestyle change. You’ll need to get comfortable with no longer commuting from inside a box, occasionally using rain gear (you know, like you also do when walking on a rainy day), and the rhythm of two-wheeled commuting.
But for many riders, the benefits quickly outweigh the trade-offs. An $8,000 electric motorcycle sure sounds easier to swing than a $35,000 electric car, not to mention the considerably lower monthly cost of ownership. And beyond just the financial benefits, other advantages like easier parking, more enjoyable ride, and yes, massively lower energy consumption, make bikes like the Ryvid Anthem a compelling alternative to car ownership for urban and suburban commuters alike. And if you happen to live in a state that allows lane splitting or filtering, then the ability to cut your commute time down to a fraction of its former self and never wait in long lines of traffic again is something that feels too good to describe in words.
Yes, there are a few small barriers to entry. You’ll still have to get your motorcycle license and a good helmet. I’d also recommend some quality riding gear like a breathable mesh jacket. But after that? You’re looking at one of the cheapest and smartest ways to travel 6,000 miles without burning a drop of gas, and barely touching your wallet.
Oh, and if you want to push things to the limit and instead go 60,000 miles for $160, can I introduce you to an electric bicycle?
I love riding fast, efficient electric motorcycles… but electric bicycles are even MORE cost-effective for city travel!
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