ZEEKR mulls bringing its quad-motor Tesla Model S Plaid competitor over to Europe
Exactly two months after calling out Tesla directly while announcing a speedy performance version of its flagship 001, Chinese automaker ZEEKR is hinting at possible sales of the EV in Europe. The company already has two models making their way overseas and could soon add the third, according to an executive at the company.
ZEEKR remains a truly young EV brand but has quickly gained some major ground in the industry with the backing of its parent company, Geely. Having been founded as early as 2021, ZEEKR produced 100,000 EVs in its first 18 months, led by its flagship sedan, the 001.
Since then, we’ve seen the automaker introduce two additional models, including the X SUV, which is currently making its way over to Europe alongside the aforementioned 001. Earlier this month, ZEEKR announced additional expansions beyond China and Europe with partnerships in four new countries in the Middle East.
On top of that, ZEEKR came out swinging with a quad-motor performance version of its first sedan called the 001 FR, short for “future road” – described as a new type of beast. Clearly not one to pull any punches, ZEEKR posted the first images of the 001 FR alongside a caption that read, “Plaid is dull,” throwing shade at Tesla by calling out its top-tier S sedan – one of the fastest production EVs in the world.
ZEEKR has the specs (on paper, at least) to back up its clout, touting the 001 FR’s 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time at 2.07 seconds, slightly edging out the 2.1-second acceleration posted by Tesla. With models starting pre-orders in Europe, ZEEKR may just be bringing another EV overseas, further competing with Tesla amongst countless others.
ZEEKR hints at bringing 001 FR to EU to compete with Tesla
During a recent press event, ZEEKR Europe’s head of product and connectivity, Alessandro Massimino, told Automotive News Europe that entry overseas with the 001 FR was definitely on the table:
We are considering whether to import the 001 FR to Europe to make it our halo model.
Massimino added that ZEEKR is currently evaluating the cost to homologate the “future road” EV for the European market as it is vastly different from its 001 predecessor currently being sold. A potential MSRP and production volumes are two vital factors also weighing into the equation as to whether to expand the shooting brake EVs availability outside of its native China.
Local deliveries of the 001 FR haven’t even begun yet but are scheduled for late October, and ZEEKR’s current production volume is currently limited to a mere 99 units per month. Regardless of where it is inevitably sold, the ZEEKR 001 FR has the makings to be a true Tesla competitor in both luxury, performance, and EV technology.
It is the automaker’s first model atop an 800V platform, which is powered by a 100 kWh battery featuring CATL’s next-generation Qilin cells. The result is 1,265 horsepower, besting the Tesla Model S Plaid’s 1,020 hp, although the latter has ZEEKR beat with a top speed of 322 km/h (200 mph) compared to the 001 FR’s 280 km/h (174 mph).
As we previously reported, a source shared that ZEEKR is asking over RMB 1 million ($138,700) for the 001 FR, which is about 129,000 euros. For comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid is currently sold for 109,900 euros in Europe.
For now, ZEEKR is focused on delivering the standard 001 and X EVs to its new markets overseas, and Massimino said the automaker is also considering bringing a 100 kWh, longer-range version of the 001 to the EU first.
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Zevtron, ParkMobile, and Athena Partners Strategy Group are together supporting charging site owners and EV drivers affected by Shell Recharge’s shutdown of its EV charger software.
Shell Recharge is discontinuing its Shell Sky software in third-party commercial EV chargers in the US and Canada. It will service third-party commercial fleet EV chargers until April 30; after that, it’s lights out, leaving hundreds of EV charging stations across the US inoperable.
Zevtron, ParkMobile, and Athena Partners Strategy Group is deploying Zevtron’s white-label EV charging software across the former Shell Recharge network to restore full operational capacity to these chargers.
“Shell’s exit has left hundreds of chargers effectively stranded,” said Chris Mckenty, SVP of sales & marketing at Zevtron. “Our goal is to rapidly restore these stations to full functionality while enhancing their capabilities with flexible branding, seamless payment options, and improved management tools.”
ParkMobile will extend its capabilities to process EV charging sessions so users can both park and charge. “Integrating EV charging parking sessions into ParkMobile simplifies access for millions of drivers who already rely on our platform,” said Andy Harman, vice president of sales at ParkMobile.
Athena Partners Strategy Group will work closely with cities, businesses, and property owners to deploy the new solution efficiently. “We see this as a major opportunity to not only restore EV charging infrastructure but also improve it for the long term,” said Nick Stanton, managing partner of Athena Partners Strategy Group.
The partnership says it’s a “turnkey solution to ensure uninterrupted service, enhanced user experience, and improved revenue potential.”
For more information on transitioning Shell Recharge EV chargers to the Zevtron-powered network,
contact Chris Mckenty at cmckenty@zevtron.com
Read more: Shell Recharge exits the US EV charger software market
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Environment
Volkswagen ID.4 breaks into the top 5 best-selling EVs in the US after sales surged in January
The Volkswagen ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in the US last month, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Volkswagen’s electric SUV made a comeback after sales surged over 650% in January.
Volkswagen ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in January
Although ID.4 sales fell by 55% last year after Volkswagen halted production and deliveries in September due to a recall over faulty door handles, the EV made a triumphant return in 2025.
Volkswagen sold 4,979 ID.4’s in the US last month, up 653% from January 2024. To put it in perspective, VW only sold 646 ID.4 models in the fourth quarter and just over 17,000 in 2024. At this rate, ID.4 sales are on pace to reach nearly 60,000 by the end of 2025.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, the ID.4 was the third best-selling EV in the US last month, behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
The Honda Prologue and Tesla Cybertruck rounded out the top five. Combined, the top five selling EV models accounted for 54% of total sales in the US last month.
| Rank | Model |
| 1. | Tesla Model Y |
| 2. | Tesla Model 3 |
| 3. | Volkswagen ID.4 |
| 4. | Tesla Cybertruck |
| 5. | Honda Prologue |
Over 102,200 electric vehicles were sold in the US in January, up nearly 30% from January 2024. Although sales were down from the record 132,392 sold in December 2024, a drop was expected over typical seasonal trends.
Tesla doesn’t provide a breakdown of US sales, so we will not know exact sales numbers until registration data is released.
Honda’s electric SUV continues to take the market by storm, with 3,744 Prologues sold in January. After delivering the first models last March, the Honda Prologue became the seventh best-selling EV in the US last year, with over 33,000 models sold.
Volkswagen announced the ID.4 was back on sale last month, with the “aim of re-instating the ID.4 to its prior position as one of the best-selling electric vehicles in the US and Canada.” It looks like it’s happening quicker than expected.
The new entry-level 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 RWD Pro model starts at $45,095, while the AWD Pro costs $48,995. Both are powered by an 82 kWh battery. Volkswagen said the 62 kWh battery will be available later this year. The larger battery provides an EPA-estimated range of up to 291 miles.
VW’s base models feature a gloss black grille, black roof rails, and a 12.9″ infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support. The AWD version has 20″ wheels, a heated windshield, and a tow hitch.
The ID.4 Pro S RWD starts at $50,195, and the AWD model has a sticker price of $54,095. It gets an added illuminated VW logo at the front and rear, premium LED projector headlights, a panoramic fixed glass roof, power tailgate, and more.
Volkswagen’s range-topping 2025 ID.4 Pro S Plus is only available in AWD and starts at $57,295. The Plus trim features 21-inch wheels, added exterior design elements, heated rear seats, a premium Harman Kardon audio system, and an Area View (an overhead view camera).
Both electric SUVs feature some of the biggest discounts on the market right now. To make room for 2025 models, VW is offering close-out prices on the 2024 ID.4, with leases starting as low as $189 per month. However, the Honda Prologue is hard to pass up, starting at just $209 per month. Ready to check them out for yourself? You can use our links below to find deals on the Volkswagen ID.4 and Honda Prologue in your area today.
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