ZEEKR ‘over delivers’ 001 FR EV that is faster, more powerful, and less expensive than anticipated
Days after rolling its very first models off its assembly lines, ZEEKR has officially launched its high-performance 001 FR shooting brake EV, stating it has “over delivered” on specs. With the official launch, we’ve learned this new quad-motor EV will offer more power, faster acceleration, and a starting price about $30,000 less than originally rumored.
Our story leading up to ZEEKR’s recent launch of the 001 FR began this past August, when the Chinese automaker teased the performance sedan and called out Tesla’s Plaid variant by name, calling it, “dull.”
Since then, ZEEKR has shared initial specs of the shooting brake model, including 1,265 bhp, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.07 seconds, and other features like tank turns. At the time, we were following rumors than the new shooting brake EV would start at a price around RMB 1 million ($136,700).
Most recently, ZEEKR has officially launched sales of the 001 FR, priced well below that number. Better yet, the quad-motor vehicle arrives with even better specs than originally advertised.
ZEEKR 001 FR launches in China, will join new markets too
Following the official launch, ZEEKR is touting even better EV specs than originally promised, thanks to support from former Finnish Formula One driver Kimi “Iceman” Räikkönen, who recently came onboard as ZEEKR’s chief performance advisor on the 001 FR. ZEEKR previously described Räikkönen as “the ‘best driver’ person on earth.” Per ZEEKR:
Racing champion Kimi Räikkönen worked with ZEEKR engineers to give the car top-notch tuning allowing it to perform to perfection both on race tracks and on the road condition. ZEEKR’s hardware and infotainment engineers launched Räikkönen Mode with which the car can offer immersive and comprehensive features for drivers who would like to push it to the limit. The ZEEKR 001 FR is also the world’s first production car to be equipped with 8295 intelligent cockpit platform, adding increased intelligence to interior functions.
The results are impressive compared to a mere month ago. The 001 FR now offers 1,300 bhp and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.02 seconds – 0.05 seconds faster than before. Other specs include ZEEKR’s first globally used 800V architecture, housing a 100kWh Qilin battery pack from CATL that enables fast charging from 10-80% in 15 minutes.
The pack powers four silicon carbide-powered motors developed in-house by ZEEKR, utilizing torque vectoring technologies that can adjust power to each wheel in milliseconds and perform tank turns.
Lastly, ZEEKR shared that the 001 FR starts at an MSRP of RMB 769,000 ($105,100), over $30,000 less than originally rumored. As we’ve reported in the past, production in China will be limited to 99 units per month, at least to begin.
Earlier this month, we covered news that ZEEKR was mulling bringing its 001 FR EV over to Europe to compete with Tesla, but hadn’t heard any updates since. During the launch ZEEKR did not confirm entry into Europe directly, but we should see the 001 FR in some new markets outside of China in the future. Per ZEEKR:
Global markets will receive the 001 FR in due course, in limited volumes.
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First Solar just cut the ribbon on a huge new factory in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, and it dwarfs the New Orleans Superdome. The company’s $1.1 billion, fully vertically integrated facility spans 2.4 million square feet, or about 11 times the size of the stadium’s main arena.
The factory began production quietly in July, a few months ahead of schedule, and employs more than 700 people. First Solar expects that number to hit 826 by the end of the year. Once it’s fully online, the site will add 3.5 GW of annual manufacturing capacity. That brings the company’s total US footprint to 14 GW in 2026 and 17.7 GW in 2027, when its newly announced South Carolina plant is anticipated to come online.
The Louisiana plant produces First Solar’s Series 7 modules using US-made materials — glass from Illinois and Ohio, and steel from Mississippi, which is fabricated into backrails in Louisiana.
The new factory leans heavily on AI, from computer vision that spots defects on the line to deep learning tools that help technicians make real‑time adjustments.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says the investment is already a win for the region, bringing in “hundreds of good-paying jobs and new opportunities for Louisiana workers and businesses.” A new economic impact analysis from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette projects that the factory will boost Iberia Parish’s GDP by 4.4% in its first full year at capacity. The average manufacturing compensation package comes in at around $90,000, more than triple the parish’s per capita income.
First Solar CEO Mark Widmar framed the new facility as a major step for US clean energy manufacturing: “By competitively producing energy technology in America with American materials, while creating American jobs, we’re demonstrating that US reindustrialization isn’t just a thesis, it’s an operating reality.”
This site joins what’s already the largest solar manufacturing and R&D footprint in the Western Hemisphere: three factories in Ohio, one in Alabama, and R&D centers in Ohio and California. Just last week, First Solar announced a new production line in Gaffney, South Carolina, to onshore more Series 6 module work. By the end of 2026, the company expects to directly employ more than 5,500 people across the US.
Read more: First Solar pours $330M into a new South Carolina solar factory
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No, it’s not the new Bolt. GM’s design team previewed a new high-riding “sporty Chevrolet EV” that should be brought to life.
Is Chevy launching a new sporty EV?
This is the all-electric vehicle Chevy should sell in the US. General Motors’ design team released a series of sketches previewing a sporty new Chevy EV.
Although it kinda looks like the new 2027 Chevy Bolt EV as a higher-sitting compact crossover SUV, the design offers a fresh take on what it should have looked like.
The new Bolt is essentially a modernized version of the outgoing EUV model with a similar compact crossover silhouette. Nissan adopted a similar style with the new 2026 LEAF as buyers continue shifting from smaller sedans and hatchbacks to crossovers and SUVs.
Will we see the sporty Chevy EV in real life? It’s not likely. For one, the “exploration sketch” is by GM China Advanced designer Charles Huang.
GM Design posted the sketches on its global social media page, but the caption read “Sporty Chevrolet EV for the China Market.”
It’s too bad. The Bolt could use a sporty sibling like an SS variant. Chevy introduced the Blazer EV SS (check out our review) for the 2026 model year, its fastest “SS” model yet. Packing up to 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, the Chevy Blazer SS can race from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds when using Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode.
Will the Bolt be next? I wouldn’t get my hopes up. And if GM does bring the sporty Chevy EV to life, it will likely only be sold in China. Like all the fun cars these days.
What do you think of the design? Would you buy one of these in the US? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While deliveries of the 2027 Bolt are set to begin in early 2026, Chevy is offering some sweet deals on its current EV lineup, including up to $4,000 off in Customer Cash and 0% APR financing for 60 months.
Ready to test drive one? You can use our links below to find Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs at a dealership near you.
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Environment
Podcast: Electricity is the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more
In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss electricity becoming the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, the new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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