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Weeks after officially unveiling its all-electric Countryman in Germany, MINI has brought the EV overseas for its North American debut. In correlation with Climate Week in New York City, MINI has debuted the new Countryman alongside parent company BMW Group ahead of initial US deliveries set for next year.

The MINI Countryman is a subcompact SUV that currently sits as the automaker’s largest model, although it’s easily the smallest SUV in its respective segment. Initially debuting in 2010, the Countryman has seen a facelift as well as a second-generation refresh in 2017.

Until recently, the subcompact SUV was only offered as in gasoline and diesel models, despite MINI vowing to become an entirely electric brand with new EV models like the Cooper SE and the upcoming Aceman.

However, the BMW sub-brand took a major step toward an all-electric lineup, with the 2024 Countryman Electric debuting on September 1, 2023, at IAA Mobility in Germany. Advertised as being longer and higher than any other MINI before it, the third-generation Countryman now comes all-electric and will be available in the US next year.

Before then, however, MINI brought its new subcompact SUV across the pond to showcase it during Climate Week NYC. Check it out.

MINI’s new Countryman Electric makes its way to the US

Following the world premiere to kick off the month, MINI is providing an encore with the US debut of the Countryman Electric at Newlab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The event featured panels led by URBAN-X – a platform created by MINI in 2016 that partners with startups to develop technology solutions that help enable a more sustainable planet.

MINI describes the third-generation Countryman as an “evolution” of its largest vehicle and a clear step toward its goal of becoming an all-electric brand by the end of the decade. As we learned at IAA Mobility, the 2024 Countryman Electric is now 4,433 mm long, 1,843 mm wide, and 1,656 mm high and features a wheelbase that has been increased to 2,692 mm.

When it arrives, the all-electric subcompact SUV will come available in two trims:

  • MINI Countryman E
    • Output: 150 kW/204 hp
    • Torque: 250 Nm
    • Range: 462 km (287 miles) (provisional estimate)
    • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 8.6 seconds
    • Top speed: 170 km/h (106 mph)
  • MINI Countryman SE ALL4
    • Output: 230 kW/313 hp
    • Torque: 494 Nm
    • Range: 433 km (269 miles) (provisional estimate)
    • 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 5.6 seconds
    • Top speed: 180 km/h (111 mph)

There’s no word yet on pricing in any market, let alone in the US, but BMW Group did share that the 2024 Countryman Electric will be the first MINI built in Germany, a distance from EV production being set up in the UK, where the aforementioned Cooper SE and Aceman will be manufactured.

We are sure to learn more later next year as the new Countryman is expected to reach US consumers in the fall of 2024.

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GM takes over as the ‘#1 EV seller’ in Canada

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GM takes over as the '#1 EV seller' in Canada

After its electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first quarter, GM claims it’s now the “#1 EV seller” in Canada. With a full lineup of 13 all-electric vehicles, GM sold more EVs than Tesla in Canada.

GM tops Tesla to become the #1 EV seller in Canada in Q1

GM’s electric vehicle sales in Canada surged by 252% in the first three months of 2025, with new Chevy and Cadillac models driving growth.

The Chevy Equinox EV led the way with 1,892 units sold, followed by the Silverado EV with 894 units. Cadillac’s new entry-level OPTIQ had a strong showing, with 615 models sold, nearly matching the 720 units sold of its first EV, the LYRIQ.

Even the GMC Hummer EV Pickup and SUV saw more demand, with sales up 232% (186) and 88% (252), respectively.

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Combined, the automaker sold a total of 5,750 EVs in Q1. According to GM, this was enough to top Tesla to become “the #1 EV seller in Canada.”

GM Canada recently posted on social media, saying, “We claimed the top spot as Canada’s #1 EV seller!” The news comes as registration data show that Tesla registered just 524 vehicles in Quebec in Q1, down 87% from the same period last year.

The steep decline in sales comes after the Quebec government paused federal EV incentives from February to April 1st. Canada also paused its iZEV rebate program in January, which offered up to $5,000 on the purchase or lease of an EV. Like the US federal EV Tax credit, it was designed to be used at the point of sale to help lower prices.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

GM also registered significantly fewer Equinox and Blazer EVs in Quebec during the quarter. Despite higher year-over-year (YOY) sales, GM’s electric vehicle (EV) sales were down considerably from the over 15,000 in Q4 2024.

GM-#1-EV-seller-Canada
Cadillac OPTIQ EV (Source: GM)

The American automaker will continue to expand its lineup with the launch of the new Cadillac Escalade IQL, Lyriq-V, and Visiq.

By the end of the year, we also expect to get our first look at the next-gen Chevy Bolt EV with deliveries starting in 2026.

Electrek’s Take

GM is building momentum with new models rolling out, which now cover nearly every segment. In the US, GM surpassed Ford and Hyundai Motor, including Kia, to become the second-largest seller of EVs last year.

Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. The new electric Equinox, or “America’s most affordable 315+ miles range EV,” as GM calls it, is quickly becoming a top seller. The Blazer and Silverado EVs are also gaining traction.

Cadillac reported its best first quarter since 2008, with retail sales increasing by 21%. After delivering the first models in Q1, the entry-level OPTIQ is off to an impressive start with 1,716 units sold.

GM will top off its US electric vehicle lineup with the next-gen 2026 Chevy Bolt EV due out later this year or in early 2026.

Source: GM Authority, GM Canada

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ComEd extends electrification plan in Illinois, committing a fresh $168M toward EV charger and purchase incentives

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ComEd extends electrification plan in Illinois, committing a fresh 8M toward EV charger and purchase incentives

ComEd confirmed that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second Beneficial Electrification Plan. This plan builds upon an existing investment and will commit an additional $168 million over three years to support its Illinois ComEd customers who purchase or lease an EV or install a charger.

Commonwealth Edison, known more commonly as “ComEd,” is a 118-year-old company that currently operates as a subsidiary of Exelon. ComEd is hands-down the largest energy provider in Illinois and has made considerable contributions to EV adoption in the Land of Lincoln.

In 2023, ComEd proposed its first Beneficial Electrification (BE) Plan, which was approved under the guidance of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) signed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker in 2021. ComEd’s first BE Plan comprised a $231 million investment between 2023 and 2025.

Since February 2024, the energy company has used those funds to help Illinois residents purchase and install nearly 5,000 public and private EV charging ports (Level 2 and DCFC) and incentivize the purchases or leases of almost 1,000 new and pre-owned electric fleet vehicles. During this period, Illinois said it saw EV registrations grow nearly four times faster than the US as a whole.

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ComEd has committed another $168 million with BE Plan 2 to keep the momentum in Illinois EV adoption going, offering incentives through 2028.

ComEd Illinois EV
Source: ComEd/YouTube

ComEd commits to EV incentives in Illinois through 2028

According to a release from ComEd, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has approved its second BE Plan, enabling the energy company to invest approximately $168 million more in EV incentives in Illinois from 2026 to 2028.

As mentioned above, BE Plan 2 builds upon ComEd’s original $268 million investment, which expires at the end of the year. It will help residential and commercial customers transition to EVs. Per ComEd president and CEO, Gil C. Quiniones:

The shift to EVs is a major milestone on the road to Illinois’ clean energy future, and it is part of a broader effort to electrify more of our region’s energy system. Through the expansion of our Beneficial Electrification programs, ComEd is helping to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and enable all communities to enjoy the benefits and opportunities that flow from the global energy transformation.

Per ComEd, here’s how the $168 million in fresh funding will be broken down across EV incentive programs for Illinois customers:

  • $11 million toward the Residential EV Charger and Installation Program: Offers rebates of up to $2,500 per household to support the purchase and installation of residential Level 2 electric vehicle chargers.   
  • $82 million toward the Business and Public Sector EV Purchase Program:  Offers rebates for the purchase or lease of new or pre-owned fleet EVs of all weight classes.  
  • $44 million toward the Business and Public Sector Make-Ready Program: Rebates for costs associated with making sites ready for public or private Level 2 of DC Fast Charging equipment. 
  • $11 million toward a Customer Education and Awareness Program: Fund multiple efforts to empower customers to make informed decisions about vehicle electrification and charging infrastructure deployment. Includes free access to ComEd support tools including Fleet Electrification Assessments, EV Toolkits, and training programs for municipalities interested in achieving “EV Ready” status, plus free Fleet Electrification Assessments.
  • $11 million toward ComEd’s Research and Development Program: Will evaluate and demonstrate the impact of new transportation and electrification technologies.  
  • $9 million toward a Portfolio Program: Funds a variety of initiatives spanning across multiple programs, to support a successful deployment of BE Plan 2 as a whole. 

ComEd also stated that future EV-centric projects from 2026 onward located in, or primarily serving, low-income or Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIECs) in Illinois, will be eligible for higher rebate amounts and receive more than 50% of the BE Plan 2 budget. So far in its BE Plan, over 70% of its awarded rebates have gone to low-income customers, businesses, and public sector organizations in low-income and EIECs.

As an Illinois native, this investment news makes me happy and proud. You can learn more about ComEd’s EV program here, or see if you qualify for any EV tax incentives at the state level (in any state) by checking out this detailed breakdown.

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This new Vermont plant turns Ben & Jerry’s waste into clean energy

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This new Vermont plant turns Ben & Jerry's waste into clean energy

Ben & Jerry’s organic waste is now creating clean energy for the Vermont grid, thanks to a new PurposeEnergy plant in St. Albans.

PurposeEnergy, which specializes in converting organic food waste into energy, has officially opened a high-tech anaerobic digestion facility that began exporting power to the Vermont grid in December 2024. The project broke ground in May 2023 and marks PurposeEnergy’s first big move since being acquired by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners in April 2023. Quinbrook fully funded the St. Albans facility.

A key player in this project is Ben & Jerry’s. The Vermont ice cream giant signed a long-term feedstock deal with PurposeEnergy in 2021. Now, all of Ben & Jerry’s high-strength organic waste and out-of-spec food products are sent straight from its factory to the new facility through a dedicated pipeline. The waste is then transformed into clean electricity and clean water.

Other regional food producers are also contributing their waste to PurposeEnergy’s new site. Casella, Wind River Environmental, Evergreen Services, and Carmichael Trucking haul additional feedstocks to help centralize food waste disposal across the region.

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“This project strengthens Ben & Jerry’s commitment to environmental sustainability by providing a long-term solution for organic waste,” said Jenna Evans, the company’s global sustainability manager. “It will reduce Vermont’s road traffic, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease phosphorus pollution.”

The plant sits on land purchased from the Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation and is expected to produce 8.75 million kWh of renewable electricity annually. That clean power is sent to the Vermont grid through the state’s Standard Offer program, which supports the deployment of small-scale renewable energy projects.

The plant also recovers up to 45,000 million Btu of renewable thermal energy annually, which helps heat the digester and run operations.

“It’s a model of industrial symbiosis – turning food production waste into clean energy, reducing emissions, and supporting local economies,” said Erik Lallum, PurposeEnergy’s chief development officer.

PurposeEnergy says the new facility could help attract more food manufacturing businesses to the St. Albans Industrial Park by offering a sustainable, onsite waste management solution that doubles as a clean energy source.

Read more: Vermont sees an explosive 41% rise in EV adoption in just a year


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