Connect with us

Published

2 years ago

on

Tesla’s Cybertruck is just about ready to enter production, but a test vehicle was caught on video causing a potentially dangerous situation as its aerodynamic wheel cover came off in traffic, striking another vehicle and flying into the sky.

Ever since it was originally unveiled, the Cybertruck has had some pretty cool-looking aerodynamic wheel covers. While we’ve seen the wheels without the covers on lately – as Tesla’s “production candidate” vehicles have been spotted in testing – as far as we can tell, the aero wheel covers are still planned for production.

The most efficient vehicles are the ones that slip through the air, causing the least disturbance. Wheels work against that because they are like large side-mounted turbines that actively disturb the air as they roll along.

Aerodynamic wheel covers are an important benefit because they can increase efficiency by 5-10%. This is particularly good for an electric vehicle because more efficiency means you need less battery onboard, making the car less costly and less heavy. Another reason you see these less frequently on gas vehicles is because brakes need lots of airflow to stay cool. By contrast, with EVs, brakes don’t get as hot since EVs can use regenerative braking instead of physical friction braking.

So, these wheel covers make a lot of sense, especially on a car that’s already shaped kind of like a brick.

However, as seen on Tesla’s previous cars, the aero wheel caps on the Cybertruck seem to be removable. We’ve just seen an unplanned example of this in a highway dashcam video in which the wheel cover flies up into the air, nearly hitting another vehicle, and then later being run over by multiple vehicles:

The video was taken by another Tesla owner through the dashcam function, which uses the car’s Autopilot cameras (and a driver-provided SD card) to constantly save footage around the vehicle. It happened in San Francisco, on the 101 freeway, relatively close to Tesla’s Fremont factory location and an area where Teslas are very popular. The Cybertruck in question didn’t have the “Release Candidate” badging that we’ve seen recently.

The wheel cover is just a plastic piece that is latched onto the spokes of the underlying wheel. It’s relatively lightweight, so it’s unlikely to cause significant damage to other cars. But an object flying off on the highway is still not ideal. It can damage other cars, cause drivers to react unpredictably, or worse, harm pedestrians if it happens in an area near them.

Currently, Tesla vehicles drive hundreds of millions of miles per day, and we have not heard of any significant incidence of aero wheel covers falling off like this. Tesla has several wheel designs, and additionally, there are many third-party aerodynamic wheel covers available with unique designs, and we haven’t noticed this being a problem with any of them.

However, the Cybertruck’s wheel covers differ from these in that they seem to project out from the wheel slightly:

The gap that allows air in probably helps to keep the brakes cool, as some air needs to get in to cool them off when they do get used, and the cover is otherwise completely sealed off, unlike the Model 3, which has open spoke areas.

We don’t know for certain what caused this failure. It could be that the wheel cover caught a little bit of air, combined with a loose connection – either because the attachment point isn’t designed right or because of human error if the cap is difficult to attach, which is still a design issue.

But the fact that it’s happening so close to production – and with limited mileage on Cybertrucks – suggests that if there is indeed a flaw in the design, this might happen more often as more Cybertrucks get more miles on the road. Whatever the problem is, we hope Tesla fixes it quickly, as production seems to be only weeks or months away.

Electrek’s Take

Alright, at the end of the day, this is just one piece falling off of one car, something that happens every day to all kinds of vehicles. It’s not that exceptional.

But the story here is that the Cybertruck isn’t out yet and hasn’t driven a lot of miles, yet this issue has already happened once on video. This suggests that if whatever flaw caused this remains (a loose connection between the cover and wheel, a difficult attachment process leading to human error in attaching the cap, or what have you), we might see a lot more of this as the vehicle comes out – which is happening soon. We hope that Tesla’s engineers get their heads wrapped around whatever caused this failure and can fix it posthaste.

But also, I always like an excuse to talk about aerodynamic wheel covers and their benefits.

For some reason, people seem to think the Model 3 looks better without the caps on. I disagree wholeheartedly and think that a large percentage of that opinion’s popularity is due to familiarity – people are used to wheels with spokes, so they prefer looking at wheels with spokes.

Not only do I think the caps look cool, but realistically, if we added aerodynamic wheel covers to every vehicle on the road, we could cut total US energy use by something like 1% overall, which is a pretty enormous cut for such a simple change.

The new Tesla Model 3 Highland refresh includes two new wheel designs that are a nice compromise between aerodynamic performance and a traditional, spoked look, but I still like the even more covered look of the Model 3 base 18″ aero wheels and of the Cybertruck wheels as well. Not only do they look sleek, but they also perform better aerodynamically – assuming this problem gets examined and, if necessary, fixed.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Environment

Tesla lawsuits pile up as EVs enjoy their 2nd best US month EVER!

Published

3 hours ago

on

August 12, 2025

By

Tesla lawsuits pile up as EVs enjoy their 2nd best US month EVER!

The floodgates are open following a landmark $243 million ruling against Tesla in a wrongful death suit in Florida, and now that same lawyer is thirsty for more. He’s not alone, either, and America’s leading EV brand seems to be dodging court issues in California and even from its own shareholders! We’ve got all this and more on today’s ruinous episode of Quick Charge!

We’ve also got some killer deals on J.D Power award-winning 2026 BMW electric and plug-in hybrid models and a massive, 82 MW community solar project happening right here in Chicago.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec—makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Check out Retrospec’s viral city ebike, the Beaumont Rev 2, made with a vintage-inspired frame design and modern electric features, all for just $999! Electrek listeners can get 10% off their next ride until August 14 with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Anker SOLIX F2600 expanded bundle at new exclusive $1,799 low + PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station $80, Segway ZT3 Pro $900, more

Published

4 hours ago

on

August 12, 2025

By

Anker SOLIX F2600 expanded bundle at new exclusive ,799 low + PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station , Segway ZT3 Pro 0, more

Today’s Green Deals are almost exclusively about solar power, except for our lone EV deal. Headlining this edition is the exclusive $1,700 savings we’ve secured for our readers on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low. There’s also Segway’s special promotion taking its ZT3 Pro Smart All-Terrain Electric Scooter down to its second-best price of $900, as well as Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station down at $80. From there, we also have Anker’s SOLIX C300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station returning to its lowest price and a special EcoFlow promotion dropping 220W and 400W solar panels (as well as multi-bundles) to their best prices to date. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s first cash discount on Velotric’s new Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike alongside bundled gear, Navee’s Back to School e-scooter sale, 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.

Save an exclusive $1,700 on Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station with an expansion battery at a new $1,799 low

We’ve secured an exclusive deal from Wellbots on the Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station with a BP2600 expansion battery for $1,798.56 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5F2600 at checkout. You’d normally have to shell out $3,499 for this bundle at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $2,399 in the past. You’re looking at a combined 49% markdown that cuts $1,700 off the tag in all, giving you the best price we have tracked on this expanded backup power solution.

A successor to the F2000 model, Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station starts at an increased 2,560Wh LiFePO4 capacity that is then doubled thanks to the expansion battery inclusion to 5,120Wh. There are twelve output ports (including a TT-30 port for RV support) to connect devices and appliances, with the unit delivering up to 2,400W of continuous power that can surge as high as 2,800W – all within a convenient suitcase-like design complete with wheels for easier transport.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The two main ways to recharge Anker’s SOLIX F2600 power station are either by utilizing its max 1,000W solar input that can have it back to 80% in around two hours, or you can activate its HyperFlash mode to charge to 80% via an AC outlet in one hour and 40 minutes. It comes rated for a 10-year lifespan of continuous use, so using it less often just means extended support for your backup needs, and offers the full array of remote smart controls through its companion app that you would expect.

man riding Segway ZT3 Pro electric scooter through mud puddle on dirt trail

Segway’s ZT3 Pro e-scooter brings Apple Find My and proximity locking to all-terrain adventures for $900

Following right alongside a similar deal we saw on Segway’s new F3 Electric KickScooter that is still going strong through August 17, the brand is offering a promotional discount on its ZT3 Pro Electric Scooter at $899.99 shipped through August 31, after using the code ZT3AUG100OFF at checkout, beating out Amazon pricing by $100. This model carries a $1,300 MSRP directly from the brand, but keeps down at $1,000 normally over at Amazon. We saw it hit a new $850 low last month during Prime Day, with the deal here being the next-best rate that matches its preorder launch deal from September for the first time. You’ll be saving $100 off the going rate ($400 off the MSRP), landing it just $50 above the one-time low.

If you want to learn more about this newer and smarter model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

woman carrying Anker's PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power station by handle towards car in front of lake

Tote Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh station through the rest of summer and beyond for $80

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station at $79.99 shipped in both colorways, which comes in $1 under the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d normally have to spend $150 for this model at full price, though discounts have been regularly keeping the costs down between $110 and $90 on average, with some falls lower to $80, like today, and one previous drop to the $75 low during Prime Day. Aside from that one-time appearance, you’re otherwise looking at the best price we have tracked, which gives you $70 off the going rate and lands it $8 under our previous mention from three weeks ago.

If you want to learn more about this popular portable charging solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and woman inside tent lit by Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station pop-up light

Anker’s SOLIX C300 power stations are portable 90,000mAh backup companions that start from $150

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its SOLIX C300 DC Portable Power Station at $149.99 shipped, matching the brand’s direct website pricing. You’d have to pay $250 for this unit at full price regularly, though discounts in 2025 have seen it go as low as $150, which was last seen in July’s Prime Day Sale event, with things otherwise seen repeating to $170 since June. You’re looking at another shot at the second best price we have tracked, giving you $100 off the going rate that is only beaten by the $140 low we last saw during Black Friday and Christmas sales.

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

man setting up EcoFlow 220W solar panel next to power station in field in front of tent

Score up to 61% total savings on EcoFlow 220W and 400W solar panels and bundles at lowest prices starting from $254

As part of its current Home Backup Sale running through August 17, EcoFlow is offering an additional 15% off promotion on 220W and 400W solar panels (plus dual panel bundles). Things start at their lowest with the NextGen 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel at $254.15 shipped, after using the code ASOLAR15OFF at checkout for the extra savings, beating out Amazon’s pricing by $75. It’s already down from its full $649 price tag thanks to the sale, with the price having stayed above $300 with discounts until today. Not only has the brand dropped the initial pricing from $329 to $299, but the extra savings make the deal all the sweeter, cutting a total $395 off the going rate for a new all-time low price, alongside the other lows we’re seeing on the 220W bundle and 400W offers.

To learn more about these solar panels or to view the full lineup of solar panel deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this promotion here.

Best Summer 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.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Genesis may drop its most affordable model to trade up for SUVs and EVs

Published

4 hours ago

on

August 12, 2025

By

Genesis may drop its most affordable model to trade up for SUVs and EVs

Genesis-most-affordable-model

It’s only a matter of time before the Genesis G70 sedan will no longer be offered. Genesis is reportedly planning to kill off its most affordable model as it shifts its focus to SUVs and electric vehicles.

The most affordable Genesis model is on the way out

Starting at $42,500, the G70 is the most affordable Genesis vehicle offered. But that might not be the case for long.

According to a new Automotive News report, the Genesis G70 sedan will be retired after the 2027 model year. Although it was the luxury brand’s third-best-selling vehicle last year, Genesis is moving away from sedans, with more buyers opting for SUVs and EVs.

The report said that industry analysts don’t believe the G70 is on track for a second generation. And that’s not just the US, Genesis expected to kill off its most affordable model globally.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Genesis has yet to confirm the news, but a company spokesperson said, “We have no plans to discontinue the G70 at this time.”

The keyword is “at this time.” The G70 underwent a major refresh for the 2022MY. Much like its newest models, Genesis fine-tuned the exterior design and added more luxury to the interior, featuring a larger infotainment system and new features.

Genesis-most-affordable-model
2025 Genesis G70 (Source: Genesis)

Genesis already dropped one model this year. Earlier this month, Genesis confirmed to Car and Driver that it will no longer sell the Electrified G80 in the US, its luxury electric sedan.

The electric G80 has already been pulled from its US website, leaving only the GV60 and Electrified GV70 as purely electric options.

Genesis-G80-EV
Genesis Electrified G80 updated model (Source: Hyundai)

Genesis said that “the customer is at the core of every decision we make, and we remain flexible as we adapt to ever-changing consumer needs and market conditions.”

If Genesis kills off the G70 sedan, it will leave the GV70 SUV as its most affordable model, with starting prices from $47,985.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

While Genesis is trimming sedans from its lineup, it’s planning to trade up for a new flagship electric SUV. The GV90 will be the production version of the Neolun concept (shown above) revealed last March.

Genesis is expected to introduce the GV90 next year as its new ultra-luxury SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Last month, we caught a sneak peek of it for the first time with Rolls-Royce-like coach doors.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending