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2024 Polestar 2

As Polestar will begin deliveries of the 2024 model year version of its flagship 2 sedan, we got the invite to Denver, Colorado, to not only test the sporty dual-motor but to also test the automaker’s new single-motor version, which includes rear-wheel drive.

Each day, Polestar ($PSNY) becomes a relatively young EV brand that garners more interest from the general public. Following last year’s Super Bowl commercial featuring the Polestar 2, I personally have had several friends and family inquire about the brand.

Despite realistically only offering one model right now, Polestar has continued to bolster sales and make top brand popularity lists in countries like Germany. As for the Polestar 2, well, I personally am well versed in this flagship BEV, dating back to 2021.

To date, I’ve driven the 2022 Long Range Single Motor Polestar 2, the 2023 Dual Motor, and even the limited edition, high-performance BST 270. In between drives, I’ve covered many details of the Geely- and Volvo-owned automaker, including the four additional EVs in the pipeline that will follow the Polestar 2.

Since January, Polestar has been teasing a RWD version of the Single Motor 2, a first-ever for the company and a real marvel in engineering when you learn more about it. By June, we had learned the pricing of the 2024 Polestar 2 models, in addition to some bolstered specs on both powertrain configurations.

Last week, I got the invite out to Denver to experience the 2024 models myself while taking in the beautiful vistas up in the mountains. Here are my thoughts.

2024 Polestar 2 sees major upgrades where it counts

Right out of the gate, I want to let you know there have been relatively no updates to the interior of the 2024 Polestar 2 compared to a year prior, so today’s focus will be entirely on the exterior, the drivetrains, and of course, the driving itself.

Let’s start with the biggest changes to the model year 2024 sedan: powertrain upgrades. This includes new motors and inverters, in addition to a new configuration in the single motor that improves dynamics. These combine for 16 miles of additional range on the dual-motor Polestar 2, all while using the same 78 kWh pack as the 2023 version.

Other additions you can see above include new performance wheels we were told will carry over as design language in future Polestar models (i.e., the 3 and 4 SUVs). Another feature is the “Smartzone,” which integrates radars, cameras, and other sensors into the front of the EV. This design element was first introduced in the Polestar 3, but the 2024 Polestar 2 models will be the first on the road with it.

Dual motors NEVER get old

For the first half of my drive, I started out in the Long Range Dual Motor Polestar 2, complete with the Pilot, Plus, and Performance packages equipped, meaning I had 20-inch Continental performance tires and the aforementioned forged performance wheels.

While leaving Denver, I immediately tested out Polestar’s Pilot Assist ADAS and found it more than adequate. Polestar’s software, in general, is quite good – just minimalist rather than showy or overly complicated. The company is about style and sustainability, not bells and whistles.

Anyway, once we got out of the proper city and onto some winding roads, it was clear I was once again in a Polestar 2. The 0-60mph in 4.1 seconds may seem a little slow on paper, but it is more than adequate for the average driver, and the acceleration never gets old.

When I was weaving through cars on the highway, I found my acceleration and movement instantaneous, and when I passed anyone up in the mountains, I was extremely confident I could do so quickly and safely.

I really want to point out the dynamics of Polestar’s tuning for a second, especially since it’s so apparent on the 2024 Dual Motor Polestar 2. As I mentioned, I’ve driven performance EVs like the BST 270, but for a mass-produced passenger BEV like the new 2, the Polestar engineers still put a lot of expertise into the handling of the vehicle.

Only a drive for yourself can truly describe it, but it’s so sticky and can hug any turn with ease, making it a joy to drive up the mountains of Colorado. For the 2024 version, Polestar replaced the identical motors front and back and put a larger motor in the rear. This supports a dynamic disconnect that will run a single motor to optimize range, which is listed as 247 miles with the Performance Pack (up to 276 miles without).

Overall, I found the vehicle more playful and sporty compared to my previous drives in other model year Polestar 2s. This one had my heart from the get-go, but you know I had to experience the new RWD in the single-motor to see how it compared.

The new RWD Polestar 2 wins in range and charging

While the Dual Motor version of the 2024 Polestar 2 was quite fun to drive, the single-motor RWD version offered the most dramatic refresh compared to last year’s model. As we’ve pointed out several times since Polestar 2 announced the change earlier this year, this is one of the rare instances we’ve seen an automaker move a motor from FWD to RWD on the same platform.

The weight of the car has changed this year because of its larger battery (82 kWh), and the single-motor trim has been tuned differently, but the suspension is the same, and it is now rear-wheel heavy, making it much more of a joy to drive in my opinion. Polestar’s product launch manager, John Quinn, also pointed out that there is virtually no compromise for consumers in choosing the 2024 single-motor Polestar 2 – unless, of course, they require AWD for their local terrain.

Other upgrades include an increase of 69 horsepower (299 total) and 118 extra lb-ft of torque (361 lb-ft in all). Additionally, the 440V platform can charge as high as 220 kW, charging 10-80% in 25-28 mins – a 20% speed increase, according to Polestar.

The biggest perk, however, is the single motor’s 320-mile range. Adding 60 miles of EPA range in a refresh is a huge jump, plus getting over the 300-mile hump goes a long way with prospective consumers who still think they need more range than they actually do.

The second half of the drive was all downhill, going back the exact way I had come up, just with one less motor beneath me. The single-motor version of the 2024 Polestar 2 was more than adequate, but it was a tougher transition to go from the dual-motor, in my opinion. The acceleration was still good, but it lacked the oomph of the dual-motor for obvious reasons.

Still, the dynamics were top-notch, as they always are with Polestar, and I still had no trouble passing Toyotas and other slow vehicles on straightaways. There were some hairpin turns on the way back down, and the single rear motor made for a fun configuration to get the tires squealing and whip that back end around a bit. That’s much harder to do with two motors, so I’d say that was another perk.

Pricing and availability of the 2024 Polestar 2

Compared to previous model years, pricing of the Polestar 2 has gone up, but you’re getting more bang for your buck this year, especially when you consider that the 2023 refresh was mostly aesthetic.

The new RWD, single-motor version of the Polestar 2 starts at $49,900, while the dual-motor version starts at $55,300. Note this includes the Pilot Pack standard but will cost an additional $5,500 for the Performance Pack (also includes Plus Pack valued at $2,200).

Also, note prices do not include $1,400 destination fees.

Orders are open now on Polestar’s website, with deliveries expected in November 2023 if you order today.

Electrek’s Take

Overall, I’m a much bigger fan of the Dual-Motor Polestar 2 because it’s simply more fun to drive. That being said, logic tells me the single motor is the smart play because of its lower price and it’s still fun to drive. That range too. I think that will go a long way with buyers and has the making to further expand Polestar’s brand recognition to the masses.

Price remains a hurdle for this automaker, in my opinion. I’d describe it as a premium brand but not a luxury brand. The performance you get is absolutely competitive but not industry-leading in any category.

What Polestar is selling, however, are beautifully designed BEVs that are built with sustainability in mind. Creating beautiful interiors that are still sustainable is tough, but this automaker has it down to an art form.

Tuning is also a huge selling point for Polestar as I believe the 2 always offers some of the smoothest feels when driving, but how do you relay that to consumers aside from test drives? Overall, this is a big refresh for Polestar, which is nice to see, considering it has its hands full with four (or more) additional EVs coming each year. It’s nice to see they’re just letting the Polestar 2 drift away like we’ve seen with other flagship EVs like the Nissan LEAF.

Go give this one a drive, preferably on some winding roads if you have any near you. I’m interested to hear what you think.

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Amid affordability crisis, White House unveils its plan to raise your fuel costs

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2 hours ago

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December 3, 2025

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Amid affordability crisis, White House unveils its plan to raise your fuel costs

Former reality TV contestant Sean Duffy. Photo by Gage Skidmore

The White House formally announced its plan to hike US fuel costs by $23 billion today, in the form of a new proposed rule cutting fuel efficiency requirements.

Update 12/3: This article has been updated to reflect the formal announcement of the proposed rule.

Since the beginning of this year, the occupants of the White House have been on a mission to raise costs for Americans.

This mission has encompassed many different moves, most notably through unwise tariffs.

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But another effort has focused on changing policy in a way that will raise fuel costs for Americans, adding to already-high energy prices.

The specific rollback today focuses on a rule passed under President Biden which would save Americans $23 billion in fuel costs by requiring higher fuel economy from auto manufacturers. By making cars use less fuel on average, Americans would not only save money on fuel, but reduce fuel demand which means that prices would go down overall.

The effort to roll back this rule was initially announced on the first day that Sean Duffy started squatting in the head office of the Department of Transportation. Duffy notably earned his transportation expertise by being a contestant on Road Rules: All Stars, a reality TV travel game show.

Then in June, Duffy formally reinterpreted the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard, claiming falsely that his department does not have authority to regulate fuel economy.

Republicans in Congress even got into effort to raise your fuel costs, as part of their ~$4 trillion giveaway to wealthy elites included a measure to make CAFE rules irrelevant by setting penalties for violating them to $0. In addition, it eliminated a number of other energy efficiency and domestic advanced manufacturing incentives.

Duffy’s department then told automakers that they would not face any fines retroactively to 2022, which saved the automakers (mostly Stellantis) a few hundred million dollars and cost American consumers billions in fuel costs.

Today, Duffy formally announced the proposed changes to the CAFE rules, lowering the required fuel economy for 2022-2031 model year vehicles, even despite all of the other changes in trying to make the rules unenforceable. The theory behind this would be to make it harder to later enforce the rules, and to allow automakers to get off with more pollution, and to increase fuel demand and fuel prices for longer until a real government returns to power and starts doing its job to regulate pollution.

Specifically, the announcement changes the planned 2031 50.5 mpg target to 34.5 mpg, cutting vehicle efficiency by nearly a third, which will lead to a commensurate increase in your fuel costs.

CAFE targets have been in place since the 1970s. In the last two decades, they helped drive a 30% improvement in average fuel economy, saving an average of $7,000 over the lifetime of an average vehicle – and they did this without increasing vehicle prices.

Rollback supported by auto CEOs who want to increase your costs

Today’s announcement was praised by the CEOs of the Big Three American automakers – GM, Ford, and Stellantis (formerly Chrysler). Ford CEO Jim Farley and Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa attended the announcement at the White House, along with a manager from GM, though Barra signaled her support while speaking at another event.

Despite both Barra and Farley recently making statements claiming their support for electric vehicles, both cravenly supported the rollback in fuel economy standards that will cost you more money at the pump.

Barra said today that “I’m always going to advocate for one national standard and making sure regulatory requirements don’t get in front of the consumer,” despite the fact that GM lobbied against the single national standard that had been agreed to between Obama and California, and that today’s move only increases the gulf between the federal government and California on auto standards.

And Farley, despite acknowledging that the Chinese are trouncing us on EVs, said today that “we can make real progress on carbon emissions and energy efficiency while still giving customers choice and affordability,” which is detached from reality given that today’s moves will reduce affordability and efficiency and increase carbon emissions.

Their support suggests that their prior commitments to energy efficiency and electrification were not serious, as they are now joining in an effort to increase your fuel costs, just to save themselves a few engineering dollars on having to provide something other than the disgusting, deadly land yachts that are a blight on the nation’s roads and are murdering pedestrians at a 50-year high.

This isn’t the only way the White House is trying to raise your costs

Today’s announcement is just one many efforts currently being undertaken by executive departments to try to raise your fuel costs.

One of the largest is the EPA’s attempt to delete the “Endangerment Finding,” the government’s recognition of the scientific fact that climate change is dangerous to humans. The EPA is undertaking this effort so that it can then eliminate other rules intended to reduce pollution, with the goal of making you more beholden to fossil fuels.

Even the Energy Department’s own numbers, signed off on by oil shill Chris Wright, say that changes sought by the White House will increase gas prices by $.76/gal.

Like most other governmental changes, today’s change will likely go up for public comment, as required by the Administrative Procedures Act. We’ll let you know when it does.

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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Hyundai keeps IONIQ 5 EV leases affordable at just $189 a month

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3 hours ago

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December 3, 2025

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Hyundai keeps IONIQ 5 EV leases affordable at just 9 a month

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-EV-lease-deal

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai is keeping one of the most affordable EV lease deals alive with the IONIQ 5 still available for just $189 a month through December.

What EV deals does Hyundai offer in December?

It’s hard to find any vehicle available to lease for under $200 a month nowadays. The IONIQ 5 is not only one of the most affordable electric vehicles in the US, but also one of the most efficient, fastest-charging, and overall practical options if you’re looking to go electric.

After a major refresh for the 2025 model year, Hyundai’s electric SUV now features a driving range of up to 318 miles, a sharp new look inside and out, and a built-in NACS port so you can recharge at Tesla Superchargers.

Hyundai slashed prices on the 2026 model year by up to $9,800 to compensate for the loss of the federal tax credit, which expired at the end of September. It’s now one of the few EVs with a starting price under $35,000.

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Hyundai-IONIQ-5-EV-lease-deal
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

Although many were worried the savings would disappear, Hyundai is keeping the deals alive with discounts across its entire EV lineup this December.

Hyundai is extending the $189-per-month IONIQ 5 lease offer through January 2, 2026. The deal is for the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE Standard Range model with a driving range of 245 miles.

Hyundai-IONIQ-5-interior
Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited interior (Source: Hyundai)

You can still upgrade to the long-range SE RWD trim, with up to 318 miles of driving range, for just $199 per month. Or, if you’re really looking to get crazy, the souped-up XRT model is on sale for only $289 per month.

Hyundai’s lease offer is for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. If you’re looking to finance, Hyundai is offering 0% APR financing for up to 60 months on all 2025 IONIQ 5 trims.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim Driving Range (miles) 2025 Starting Price 2026 Starting Price* Price Reduction
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range 245 $42,600 $35,000 ($7,600)
IONIQ 5 SE RWD 318 $46,650 $37,500 ($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD 318 $49,600 $39,800 ($9,800)
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD 318 $54,300 $45,075 ($9,225)
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD 290 $50,150 $41,000 ($9,150)
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD 290 $53,100 $43,300 ($9,800)
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD 259 $55,500 $46,275 ($9,225)
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD 269 $58,200 $48,975 ($9,225)
2025 vs 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim

The 2026 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is listed for lease starting at $289 a month, or $299 for the longer-ranger SE RWD model.

Looking for something a little bigger? The IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV, is available to lease from $419 per month. The offer is also a 36-month lease, but with $4,999 due at signing.

If you’re thinking about going electric, Hyundai’s EV lineup is a great place to start, offering 300+ miles of driving range, sharp designs, and plenty of new tech. Ready to test drive one for yourself? Use the links below to find IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and IONIQ 9 models near you.


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Jackery Black Friday Encore sale with up to 65% power station savings + four exclusive lows, Anker robot mowers, more

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4 hours ago

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December 3, 2025

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Jackery Black Friday Encore sale with up to 65% power station savings + four exclusive lows, Anker robot mowers, more


We’ve got more ongoing holiday savings in today’s Green Deals, headlined by Jackery’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Encore Sale with up to 65% discounts and bonus savings on power stations – all starting from $79. And for folks looking to score the brand’s Explorer 1000 v2, 2000 v2, 3000 v2, or 5000 Plus – you can find new low and exclusive prices on those standalone units starting from $327. We also have Anker’s eufy E15 and E18 Robot Lawn Mowers retaining their lowest prices starting from $1,300, as well as other deals from Birdfy, Ninja, Camplux, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals from the holiday event and this week that are collected together in our Black Friday/Cyber Monday Green Deals hub, which we will continue to update through the rest of the week, like yesterday’s EcoFlow Cyber Week Sale event, the exclusive $1,620 savings to a new low on the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra power station, 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.

Jackery’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Encore sale continues up to 65% power station discounts + bonus savings from $79

Following the recent holiday shopping rush, Jackery is giving folks more time to save up to 65% on its power stations with its Black Friday/Cyber Monday Encore Sale, complete with 5% (on orders over $1,500) and 7% (on orders over $2,500) extra savings. One notable deal amongst the bunch is the latest HomePower 3600 Plus Portable Power Station bundled with two 200W solar panels for $1,794.55 shipped, after using the code OFFER5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $200. This package would run you $3,699 without any discounts, which we first saw drop to this rate (with the extra savings) during the early and full Black Friday sale events, and otherwise kept above $1,994 the rest of the time since its release in September. You’re getting a combined $1,904 savings back to the best price we have tracked. You’ll also find the standalone HomePower 3600 Plus down at its second-lowest $1,614 pricing with the extra savings code. Head below to get the full lineup of deals while they last through the week.

The Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus power station fits neatly in the gap between the HomePower 3000 station (which released shortly before it) and the most expansive Explorer 5000 Plus station. It boasts a capable starting 3,584Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be bolstered to 21kWh for greater home backup support, with 10 output ports to deliver up to 3,600W of steady power, maxing out a 7,200W.

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Like its HomePower 3000 counterpart, the new HomePower 3600 Plus brings along an expanded list of recharging methods over older legacy models, starting with the standard AC charging that puts it back to full in 2.5 hours. From there, you have the options to use both AC and DC together, plug it up to a gas generator for bypass charging, charge on the go with a car port, or utilize up to its 1,000W maximum solar input.

***Note: None of the prices below have had the extra savings factored in, so be sure to use the code OFFER5 on orders of $1,500 to $2,499 for an additional 5% savings, while orders over $2,500 can use the code OFFER7 to score 7% extra savings.

Jackery’s HomePower 3600 Plus deals:

Jackery’s Black Friday Encore outdoor adventure deals:

Jackery’s Black Friday Encore appliance backup deals:

Jackery’s Black Friday Encore critical load deals:

Jackery solar panel/expansion battery deals:

Jackery’s transfer switch and other deals:

As I pointed out amongst the bracket, folks looking to score Jackery’s Explorer 1000 v2, 2000 v2, HomePower 3000, or Explorer 5000 Plus power stations on their own can do so at the lowest tracked prices with our exclusive deals here – all starting from $327 for an unknown amount of time longer.

Anker eufy E15 robot lawn mower detecting child and dog

Anker’s RTK eufy E15 & E18 robot lawn mowers with pure vision FSD cameras retain holiday lows starting from $1,300

Over at Amazon, Anker’s official eufy storefront is offering continued Black Friday/Cyber Monday savings on its E15 Robot Lawn Mower at $1,299.99 shipped (beating its direct pricing by $500) and its E18 Robot Lawn Mower at $1,499.99 shipped, which matches its direct pricing. These two advanced robots go for $1,800 and $2,000 directly from the brand, but can more often be found at Amazon down around $1,400 on average (for the E15) and between $1,700 and $1,600 (for the E18). These deals are retaining their recent holiday savings, giving you $100 and $200 markdowns from the going rates ($500 off both MSRPs) for the best continuing prices we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about these two robots, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Birdfy smart wooden bird house with camera

Enjoy nesting feathered friends with Birdfy’s camera & iron guard-equipped smart wooden bird house at new $100 low

Through its official Amazon storefront, Birdfy is offering its Wooden Smart Bird House with iron guard and inside camera at $99.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $50 off coupon, which beats out the brand’s direct pricing by $30. Fetching $150 at full price, this model has seen much fewer discounts than other models we’ve featured at 9to5Toys, with discounts having gone as low as $120 before today. Now, you can pick one up for your yard or as a gift for the birder in your life with $50 savings to a new all-time low price.

If you want to learn more about this smart bird house, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Ninja FrostVault cooler with food in lower drawer
two men and woman camping with Camplux portable water heater and shower
Four Jackery power stations side by side

Best Fall EV 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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