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VW has shown an electric version of its classic GTI hot hatch. It’s just a concept so far, but VW says the all-electric ID. GTI is planned for eventual production.

The electric VW ID. GTI concept was unveiled today in advance of the IAA auto show in Munich, Germany.

The original Golf GTI, released in 1976, was the first VW to use fuel injection, thus the model name which stands for Grand Touring Injection. VW expanded the GTI designation to other performance-oriented models, and the VW Golf GTI has been popular as an affordable but quick hot hatch, defining the segment.

So lending this designation to a future electric model is a big deal, showing that VW thinks the coming electric ID. GTI will be worthy of that heritage (especially since it said it wouldn’t use the GTI designation for the ID.3 hot hatch version).

VW said that the new ID. GTI will use this classic naming convention, despite the lack of a fuel injection system, replacing “injection” with “intelligence.” The “I’ now stands for “intelligent thinking in the sports-car world,” says VW.

The ID. GTI concept is based on the ID. 2all, a small and inexpensive electric hatchback. The 2all is expected to start under 25,000 Euros (~$27k USD), but VW doesn’t have a price yet for the ID. GTI. We’re sure it will be more, but if it’s starting from an inexpensive platform to begin with, that’s a good sign.

Other than that, we don’t have a lot of specs. It’s an inch taller than the Golf GTI, two inches wider, and seven inches shorter in length (though with just 1 inch shorter wheelbase). Due to this shorter length, it has slightly less rear cargo space than the Golf GTI, but more cargo space with the seats folded down, and it sits on slightly larger tires and wheels. And those are about all the specs that VW shared – nothing powertrain-related, yet.

We do know that the ID. GTI concept is planned to be front-wheel drive, like the 2all is. And it will have what VW is calling “GTI Experience Control,” a new system that VW says will allow drivers to adjust various aspects of vehicle dynamics. This includes adding sounds and simulated shift points – allowing you to pretend that your car is running on a noisy gas engine with a narrow power band instead of a superior electric one, if that takes your fancy for some weird reason.

The exterior has various sport-oriented touches, like a spoiler and big rear diffuser, front tow hooks, and black side skirts.

While it’s only a concept, everything about the exterior looks pretty realistic. We can imagine the final version will look somewhat like this.

On the interior, however, things get a little different. VW says it wants to incorporate an extensive augmented-reality heads-up display.

VW hasn’t released photos of this interior, but has released concept renderings of it. It looks quite futuristic – perhaps excessively so.

But then, these are renders, so who knows what the real thing will look like. We can imagine the sport seats and 12.9-inch touchscreen display will make it to production, and perhaps some sort of HUD, but maybe a little less extreme than these concept drawings suggest.

VW has said that “the decision has been taken that [the ID. GTI] will go into production,” but so far we have no date for when this will happen. The concept looks fairly far along, in terms of external design, but the interior is obviously not finished, nor can the powertrain be finished since we have no details on it (other than that the battery with be low-slung in the vehicle, helping lower the center of gravity, as has become the standard in EVs). So we don’t know when to expect it, but it will happen, eventually, says VW.

Electrek’s Take

We were all pretty excited when we saw this hit the newsroom, especially with this year’s proliferation of gigantic 3-row electric land yachts which seem to be taking the place of anything reasonably-sized. It’s nice to see a company offering something in the opposite direction, and especially in a segment, hot hatches, that is renowned by enthusiasts for offering little compromise between fun and practicality.

A few years ago Mercedes announced an electric EQA hot hatch, but later stole the EQA name and gave it to yet another bland crossover SUV that looks like literally every other car on the road, and we’ve heard nothing more about the awesome electric hot hatch concept. As you can tell, we’re still miffed about that.

So here’s a chance to get a real electric hot hatch, from the brand that defines the segment, at what seems like it might be a reasonable price, and with a production commitment – but with an unspecified date, and few details otherwise.

It’s good news on balance, and we can’t wait to hear more. As long as this one doesn’t go the way of the EQA.

Though I will say that one odd thing about this is the front-wheel drive layout. Many hot hatches use front-wheel drive, but this is because a gas engine can go under the hood and drive the front wheels, meaning no need for a driveshaft to transfer torque to the rear wheels, saving space and complexity in a small vehicle.

With an electric car, smaller electric motors can be put anywhere, and a driveshaft isn’t necessary. So a rear- or all-wheel drive version would be quite easy to do, and would give performance benefits as well (driving the rear wheels makes a car quicker, because weight transfers to the rear under acceleration).

Front-wheel drive has benefits for less-experienced drivers and in low-traction scenarios, but for a performance-oriented enthusiast vehicle like the GTI, we’d love to see rear- or all-wheel drive options at some point.

But there’s still time to go before this car hits the road, and we don’t really know any specs yet, so maybe this is in the plans. We’re certainly looking forward to hearing more about this, because we need some more fun, affordable hatchback EVs, especially with the Bolt EV going out of production this year (though Chevy says it will come back eventually).

What do you think of the GTI concept? Let us know in the comments.

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China powers up the world’s largest open-sea offshore solar farm

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November 14, 2024

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China powers up the world's largest open-sea offshore solar farm

China offshore solar
Image: China Energy

China’s CHN Energy has connected the first solar units from its 1-gigawatt (GW) offshore solar farm – the world’s first and largest of its kind – to the grid.

The massive project is located off the coast of Dongying City in Shandong Province, eastern China.

Developed by CHN Energy’s Guohua Energy Investment Co., it aims to serve as a benchmark for future large-scale offshore solar farms.

The project sits 8 km (5 miles) off the coast and spans an impressive 1,223 hectares (3,023 acres). It uses 2,934 solar platforms that rest on large-scale offshore steel truss foundations, each platform measuring 60m (197 feet) by 35m (115 feet).

It’s the first time in China that a 66-kilovolt offshore cable paired with an onshore cable has been used for high-capacity, long-distance electricity transmission in the solar sector.

Once completed, this offshore solar farm is expected to generate 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough to power around 2.67 million urban homes. It could also help save about 503,800 tons of standard coal and cut down carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.34 million tons annually.

The project also includes fish farming, making better use of the marine space by integrating renewable energy with aquaculture.

Read more: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens

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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here’s what to expect

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November 14, 2024

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here's what to expect

Kia-new-EV-US

At least one new Kia EV model will be revealed at next week’s LA Auto Show. Kia is teasing the new EV ahead of the event, claiming it wants to make “it very clear” that the company is charging ahead in the US.

After shattering its October US sales record last month, Kia said new models are “generating significant foot traffic” into showrooms.

The company expects the momentum to continue with a slate of new models debuting next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show. Kia will unveil five new vehicles across ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV powertrains.

Kia’s new models will feature its latest design theme, shown in its next-gen EV models like the three-row EV9 and compact EV3 electric SUVs.

“With five vehicles to unveil at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, we want it to be made very clear that Kia is driving forward on all fronts,” Kia America’s EVP and COO, Steven Center, said Thursday.

Center said Kia will pull the sheets of some of its most important models yet and believes “our customers will be delighted at what’s coming to our showrooms in the very near future.”

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia teases new vehicles that will debut at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Kia)

Which EV model is Kia teasing for its big US debut?

So, what EV will Kia debut for the US market? It will likely be the smaller EV3 electric SUV. Kia launched the EV3 in Korea this summer, starting at around $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million). Earlier this week, Kia said the compact electric SUV is now available in Europe with a “segment-leading” range of up to 375 miles.

In Europe, the EV3 starts at around 36,000 euros ($38,000), while UK prices (where it’s been on sale since August) start at £32,995 ($42,000).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s vice president, Jeong Won-Jeong, is already calling the smaller electric SUV a “game changer” in Korea, with strong demand for the low-cost EV model.

Will it have the same impact in the US? At 4,300 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, the EV3 is about the size of the Chevy Bolt EUV (4,306 mm length x 1,770 mm width x 1,616 mm x height).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

The Bolt was GM’s top-selling EV over the past few years until the company ended production at the end of 2023.

GM announced it sold its 300,000th EV in the US last month since 2016. Over 212,000 of them were Bolt EV models. According to GM’s president, Mark Reuss, a new model is due out next year as part of the “family of Bolts.”

Kia-EV3-interior
Kia EV3 interior (Source: Kia)

The 2024 Chevy Bolt EUV started at $27,800. Can Kia match (or undercut) the price? Kia is expected to build the EV3 in Mexico to take advantage of the US EV tax credit. With prices expected to start between $30,000 and $40,000, the tax credit could lower the price tag to around $22,500 and $32,500.

A US-spec Kia EV3 was spotted in California earlier this year testing on public streets, and its debut is expected soon.

Next year, Kia will launch the EV4, its version of an entry-level electric sedan. The company promises it will be an “entirely new type of EV sedan.”

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Save $700 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

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November 14, 2024

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Save 0 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

We’ve got some great Green Deals for you today, led by Rad Power’s official 2024 Black Friday sale that is running through the rest of the month and offering up to $500 discounts on veteran e-bikes, free extra battery promotions on the newest models, and plenty of accessory discounts up to 30% – all starting from $1,099. Right behind it is Segway’s latest ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter that has two differing offers – the first being a $200 discount while the second gives you a free Lumina power station, starting from $1,100. We have the return of the all-time lowest price on GoTrax’s Everest Electric Dirt Bike at $4,000 for today only, as well as new low prices on Worx’s M 20V and L 20V Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers that start from $540. Lastly, Walmart’s early Black Friday sale has discounted a selection of Greenworks equipment, with the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw hitting a new $139 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $600 off Black Friday deal on Heybike’s Cityrun e-bike, or the other low prices from ENGWE, Segway Ninebot, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Rad Power has launched its official 2024 Black Friday sale through December 4, offering up to $500 in discounts on e-bikes, as well as free extra battery promotions on its newest models (worth $599), 30% off accessory deals, 25% off vehicle racks, and more. The biggest cash discount during this event is on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike that is down at $1,099 shipped – plus, you’ll also be getting a free accessory under $200. Normally priced at $1,599, we’ve seen it as the focus of a few different sales so far in 2024, with most of them cutting the price down to $1,299, though some took things lower to $1,249. With this sale, though, you’re looking at a bigger-than-ever $500 in savings that beats out the former low price by $150 and marks a new all-time low going forward – even beating out last year’s Black Friday sale too.

Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 e-bike makes the perfect addition to homes that need a well-rounded utility model that can also save you on storage space when you’re not on the saddle thanks to its folding frame. The 750W brushless geared rear-hub motor arrives powered by a 672Wh battery, providing a 20 MPH top speed with four pedal assistance levels (yes, there’s a throttle too) and supporting you through your commute, errands, and more with 45+ miles of travel range on a full charge.

Along with its performance, there’s a solid collection of stock features like the LED headlight and the integrated taillight with brake lighting – plus, they both sport automatic functioning, turning on when surrounding light levels drop low enough. There’s also the integrated cargo rack (which has a 55-pound weight limit), fenders to go over both 20-inch by 4-inch fat tires, a water-resistant wiring harness, a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, and an LED display.

More of Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday e-bike deals:

  • RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
  • RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free Ballard Cargo Bag
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount
  • RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount

Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday free battery deals:

  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday accessory discounts:

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday vehicle rack discounts:

Rad Power Black Friday

Score $200 off Segway’s new ZT3 Pro all-terrain e-scooter or get it with a free power station starting from $1,100

We’re still waiting for Segway to officially drop its Black Friday savings, though we are seeing one early access opportunity in the S2 Smart Self-Balancing Scooter at its all-time lowest rate and matching at Amazon. In the meantime, the brand is offering two separate deals on its new ZT3 Pro All-Terrain eKickScooter, with the first being a discount to $1,099.99 shipped. Down for the first time since officially launching last month, it comes in as the second-lowest price overall considering the pre-order special that had costs down at $950. You’ll still be saving a solid $200 on this all-new model though, or you can buy it at full price to take advantage of the alternative deal (more on that below).

Segway’s new ZT3 Pro electric scooter cruises across any terrain your journeys take you at top speeds of 24.9 MPH thanks to the 1,600W brushless motor that provides enough torque to conquer inclines up to 25% with ease. The 597Wh battery here is supported by RideyLong tech with an advanced controller algorithm that extends its travel capacity “by up to 20%,” lending to the 43.5 miles it carries you on a single 4-hour charge while in Eco Mode (18.6 miles when kicked into its high-powered Sport mode). Segway has even taken sudden needs to travel into consideration, giving it the ability the provide 6.2 miles off just 30 minutes of charging if you really need to get going.

Rider safety, stability, and comfort have been one of the main focuses of this model too, as it has been given plenty of features to support smoother and more controlled riding, like the full suspension frame, 6 inches of clearance from the ground, a pair of 11-inch all-terrain tubeless tires, as well as a Segride stability enhancement system that works alongside its Traction Control System. It boasts an IPX5 waterproof designation (with the battery rated IPX7) and even eco-friendly ASA thermoplastic that is easy to replace if damaged – plus, tons of smart features, like Apple Find My, and lighting too, which you can check out in full by reading our in-depth launch coverage.

Segway is also offering an alternative deal on this new model if you choose to buy it at full price – which, along with the scooter, gives you a free Lumina 500 Portable Power Station (valued at $400). This model has a more compact form factor than the brand’s other power stations, offering a 512Wh capacity (peaking at 1,200W) and being able to dish out power at 600W speeds – with a full battery only taking one hour to get when plugged into a wall outlet. All-in-all, there are eight ports to charge your devices and power small appliances – two ACs, two USB-Cs, and four USB-As.

GoTrax Everest electric dirt bike

Second chance at landing GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike with massive $2,000 discount at $4,000 low (Today only)

Coming to us through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the GoTrax Everest Electric Dirt Bike down at $3,999.99 shipped through the rest of the day. It normally keeps to its recent $6,000 price tag most of the time after falling from the original $6,500 rate months ago, with very few discounts dropping costs further since it released last year. In 2024, we’ve mainly seen three previous one-day sales like this one, the first two only taking the price down to $5,500, while September saw the first fall to the $4,000 low. It’s returning again here today, giving you the chance to score it at $2,000 off and the lowest price we have seen to date.

GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike races onto the tracks and trails with a monstrous 4,000W rear-drive motor that conquers terrain effortlessly, peaking up to 8,000W. It tops out at speeds of 53 MPH, and the removable 72V battery provides a 50-mile travel distance on a single four-hour charge. There are a bunch of features here that only enhance your electric motocross adventures, with multiple riding modes, dual-shock suspension paired with hydraulic disc brakes, and deep-tooth off-road tires. You’ll also be getting dual headlights, a taillight with braking and turn signal functionality, mudguards, and an LED digital display to control its settings. It also weighs in on the lighter side of dirt bikes, even for an electric model – coming in at just 172 pounds.

Worx robotic lawn mower

Get the lowest prices yet on Worx’s Landroid robotic lawn mowers for 1/4 and 1/2-acre yards from $540

Amazon is giving us two of the best rates yet on the Worx Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers ahead of official Black Friday sales, with the M 20V model down at $539.99 shipped, while the L 20V model is hitting $631.13 shipped. These two models would normally run you $900 and $1,150 more recently since they fell from higher $1,200 and $1,500 MSRPs earlier in the year. We’ve only been seeing the M 20V version keeping above $719 throughout the year, with the S 20V often getting the bulk of the savings, but today, we’re seeing a 40% markdown that takes things lower than ever before, saving you $360 and landing it at a new all-time low price – right alongside the new all-time low on its L 20V counterpart.

You can now get autonomous support outdoors in your yards with these Worx Landroid robotic lawn mower models, with the M 20V covering up to 1/4 acres while the L 20V handles lawns up to 1/2 acres in size. The advanced AI here keeps it on the most efficient path, raising and lowering its floating blade whenever it needs added clearance through more uneven sections of the terrain. You’ll be getting the full detail of smart controls through its companion app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and as a bonus, the batteries that run them are also part of Worx’s PowerShare ecosystem, meaning you can switch them out with other tools from the brand that you may already have.

greenworks 60V 16-inch chainsaw

Walmart drops the Greenworks 60V 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw to new $139 low

As part of its ongoing early Black Friday sale, Walmart is offering some significant discounts on Greenworks lawn care and outdoor equipment, like the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw that comes with a 2.5Ah battery, charger, and a bonus chain for $139 shipped. Down from its usual $268 pricing, the closest model you can find to this one over at Amazon is sitting $80 higher in price, at the moment. While we’ve been seeing this model bounce around in price all year, costs never fell below $200 before today’s deal, which is giving folks the opportunity at a 48% markdown that saves you $129 for the new all-time lowest price we have tracked. On top of the cash savings, you’ll also be getting a little bonus savings in the form of the included extra chain that comes with the battery and charger.

Those of you stocking up on firewood or are in need of a reliable method to cut up damaged limbs and trees from possible heavy snowfalls and winter storming will get just what you need with this 60V cordless electric chainsaw from Greenworks. The included 2.5Ah battery ensures 90 consecutive cuts on a single 50-minute charge, while the bonus 16-inch chain gives you a backup should anything happen to damage the stocked chain. It makes a conveniently lightweight and quieter addition to home arsenals, replacing gas-guzzlers with the same power to rival a 38cc model.

More Walmart early Black Friday Greenworks deals:

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

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.

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