Solar-powered Japanese tiny van ‘PUZZLE’ unveiled ahead of North American sales
You may have heard of the Japanese phenomenon of “kei cars”, which are pint-sized vehicles designed to fit into a local regulatory window that allows for much smaller, lighter cars and trucks to operate legally on roads. For decades, the result of those regulations has helped spawn some of the most interesting and often cutest miniature vehicles in the world. Now, one Japanese automaker plans to bring its own kei car to the US. Meet the PUZZLE from HW ELECTRO.
Less of a kei car and more of a kei van, the PUZZLE builds on much of Japan’s tiny car legacy.
The small electric van just celebrated its US unveiling at an event last week signifying the brand’s plans to enter the US market. According to HW ELECTRO, commercial sales of the PUZZLE are expected to begin in 2025. In other words, we’ve got some time to wait.
As President of HW ELECTRO Hsiao Weicheng explained at the unveiling:
“The PUZZLE launch marks HW ELECTRO’s dedication to addressing environmental challenges and creating innovative eco-friendly solutions to the commercial vehicle market. We are excited to officially showcase PUZZLE today and we look forward to making it available in the U.S. market in 2025.”
This isn’t the Japanese company’s first rodeo, even if it marks their initial targeting of the US market. HW ELECTRO first entered its domestic market with the ELEMO series, a line of next-generation multi-purpose commercial EVs. The ELEMO series, including ELEMO, ELEMO-K, and the LEMO-L mid-size van, was launched to reduce environmental burdens and enhance disaster resilience in the country.
That focus on disaster resilience is front and center in the PUZZLE electric van as well, which features onboard AC outlets, USB ports, wi-fi internet connectivity, and emergency tools. Roof-mounted solar panels are included to ensure functionality even during prolonged power outages. There’s even a first-aid kit and a crowbar, just in case whatever disaster you’ve encountered can be helped by extra leverage.
Several vehicles in the US already come with AC outlets and first-aid kits, but the PUZZLE’s design makes these types of features outward-facing, meaning they can be accessed from outside of the vehicle to help others.
That flat, angular design of the vehicle helps to cut down on design and tooling costs, as well as “makes optimal use of the maximum dimensions within the KEI car vehicle segment, making for an exceptionally large and efficient cargo area. The passenger seat folds down to accommodate especially large items and can double as a side table for the driver,” according to the company.
As a two-seater, the PUZZLE is primarily focused on commercial applications, though it’d make a pretty awesome van-life platform with a mattress in back. That might have to be a short mattress though. At just under 3.4 meters long, it’s about one salad plate shorter than an already small Fiat 500e.
Compared to the measly 180 liters of storage space in a Fiat 500e though, the PUZZLE looks to win that cargo competition handily. They haven’t actually announced quite how much storage room there is in the rear, but it looks like it could fit a disassembled Fiat back there, so it’s likely significantly larger than 180 liters.
The rest of the tech specs haven’t been hammered out, or at least aren’t public yet. Nor is the figure you’re all really wondering about: the price.
While we don’t know how fast it will go or for how long, we can at least revel in its angular beauty. And perhaps in a couple more years we can finally cruise down an American street in a Japanese kei car, or take one on an electric van life camping trip! Just note that if you go the camping route then you may have to sleep in the fetal position.
Electrek’s Take
The vehicle has me already won over. It’s great, do it. Press the ‘Go’ button or whatever. A tiny electric van with huge cargo space, an adorable face, and AC outlets. I love it. I even like the onboard crowbar, for some reason. In addition to the occasional road rage incident, who knows when it could come in handy. I literally used a crowbar to save my neighbor from a stuck elevator in our building yesterday. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times. Crowbars. Save. Lives. (I don’t think I’ve said that even once. But my handiwork is still visible in the slight new canting of our building’s elevator door!)
The bigger issue to me is the regulatory framework to make this happen in the US. It’s possible they could try to do this under existing Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) regulations, but that would be a shame since it would limit the PUZZLE to a top speed of just 25 mph (40 km/h).
Hopefully, they can make it meet the minimum requirements for a full-size car, though that will do a number on the eventual price tag.
I guess that brings us right back to the same conclusion as always… the US needs EU-style quadricyle laws so that we can have fun mini-cars that still reach mid-level speeds of 40-50 mph (65-80 km/h).
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EV and battery supply chain research specialists Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reports that 2.0 million electric vehicles were sold globally in November 2025, bringing global EV sales to 18.5 million units year-to-date. That’s a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Europe was the clear growth leader in November, while North America continued to lag following the expiration of US EV tax credits. China, meanwhile, remains the world’s largest EV market by a wide margin.
Europe leads global growth
Europe’s EV market jumped 36% year-over-year in November 2025, with BEV sales up 35% and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rising 39%. That brings Europe’s total EV sales to 3.8 million units for the year so far, up 33% compared to January–November 2024.
France finally returned to year-to-date growth in November, edging up 1% after spending most of 2025 in the red following earlier subsidy cuts. The rebound was led by OEMs such as the Volkswagen Group and Renault, a wider selection of EV models, and France’s “leasing social” program, aimed at helping lower-income households switch to EVs.
Italy also posted a standout month, logging record EV sales of just under 25,000 units in November. The surge followed the launch of a new incentive program designed to replace older ICE vehicles. The program earmarks €597.3 million (about $700 million) in funding for the replacement of around 39,000 gas cars.
The UK expanded access to its full £3,750 ($4,400) EV subsidy by adding five more eligible models: the Nissan Leaf (built in Sunderland, with deliveries starting in early 2026), the MINI Countryman, Renault 4, Renault 5, and Alpine A290.
US market slows after federal tax credit’s premature death
In North America, EV sales in the US did tick up month-over-month in November, following a sharp October drop after federal tax credits expired on September 30, 2025. Brands including Kia (up 30%), Hyundai (up 20%), Honda (up 11%), and Subaru (232 Solterra sales versus just 13 the month before) all saw gains, but overall volumes remain below levels when the federal tax credit was still available.
Policy changes aren’t helping. In early December, Trump formally “reset” US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, lowering the required fleetwide average to about 34.5 mpg by 2031. That’s a steep drop from the roughly 50.4 mpg target under the previous rule. Automakers can now meet the standard largely through gas vehicles, reducing pressure to scale BEVs and PHEVs.
Those loosened rules are already reflected in investment decisions, such as Stellantis’ $13 billion plan to expand US production by 50%, with a heavy focus on ICE vehicles. Earlier this year, Trump’s big bill set fines for missing CAFE targets to $0, further weakening the incentive for OEMs to electrify.
That’s some foolish policymaking, considering the world reached peak gas car sales in 2017. The US under Trump will be left behind, just as it will be with its attempts to revive the coal industry.
China still dominates, exports surge
China remains the backbone of global EV sales, even as growth slows. The Chinese market grew 3% year-over-year and 4% month-over-month in November. Year-to-date, EV sales in China are up 19%, with 11.6 million units sold.
One of the biggest headlines out of China is exports. BYD reported a record 131,935 EV exports in November, blowing past its previous high of around 90,000 units set in June. BYD sales in Europe have jumped more than fourfold this year to around 200,000 vehicles, doubled in Southeast Asia, and climbed by more than 50% in South America.
Global snapshot
Global EV sales from January to November 2025 vs January to November 2024, YTD %:
- Global: 18.5 million, +21%
- China: 11.6 million, +19%
- Europe: 3.8 million, +33%
- North America: 1.7 million, -1%
- Rest of World: 1.5 million, +48%
The takeaway: EV demand continues to grow worldwide, but policy support – or the lack thereof – is increasingly shaping where this growth shows up.
“Overall, EV demand remains resilient, supported by expanding model ranges and sustained policy incentives worldwide,” said Rho Motion data manager Charles Lester.
Read more: EV sales *still* have not fallen, cooled, slowed or slumped. Media is lying to you.
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The Elexio is Hyundai’s first electric SUV custom-tailored for the Chinese market, but now it’s headed overseas.
Hyundai is bringing the Elexio electric SUV overseas
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV was spotted on a carrier truck in Melbourne, Australia, alongside a few of its other vehicles.
Although the Elexio is built by Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC Motor, Beijing-Hyundai, “tailor-made for Chinese consumers,” we had a feeling it would be sold overseas.
A few months ago, Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Australia, hinted that the midsize electric SUV could arrive in The Land Down Under. Romano told journalists during an IONIQ 9 launch event that the Elexio’s launch in Australia was “under evaluation,” calling it “a promising vehicle.”
Hyundai confirmed the rumors shortly after, saying the new midsize electric SUV would launch in Australia in early 2026.
According to CarsGuide, the Elexio was caught on a car carrier in Melbourne on Wednesday morning ahead of its official launch.
Powered by an 88.1 kWh battery, the Elexio delivers up to nearly 450 miles (722 km) CLTC range. It’s based on the E-GMP platform, which underpins all IONIQ models and Kia’s EV lineup, with single and dual-motor (AWD) powertrain options. The electric SUV can also recharge from 30% to 80% in about 27 minutes.
The interior is packed with advanced Chinese tech, including Huawei’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip that powers the massive 27″ 4K widescreen display.
The Elexio is 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,698 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, which is a bit shorter than the Tesla Model Y. It’s closer in size to the BYD Yuan Plus, sold overseas as the Atto 3.
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV is expected to compete with some of Australia’s top-selling EVs, including the Tesla Model Y and Geely EX5.
Prices have yet to be announced, but given the IONIQ 5 starts at $76,200 (AUD), before on-road costs, the Elexio should be slightly cheaper.
In China, the Elexio is available in three trims: Fun, Smart, or Tech, with pre-sale prices starting at RMB 119,800 ($16,900).
Although the electric SUV is launching in Australia and possibly other overseas markets like New Zealand, it’s not expected to be a true global vehicle. Hyundai designed it specifically for Chinese buyers, leveraging local tech and design elements.
For those in the US, if you’re looking for a midsize electric SUV, the IONIQ 5 is worth a look with 300+ miles of range, fast charging, and a spacious, tech-filled interior. With leases starting at just $189 a month, the IONIQ 5 is cheaper than most gas-powered cars in its class. You can use our link to find the Hyundai IONIQ 5 models closest to you.
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Iron-sodium battery makers Inlyte Energy just crossed an important line from lab to grid reality. The company has completed a factory acceptance test of its first field-ready iron-sodium battery energy storage system with reps from a major US utility in attendance.
Iron-sodium battery storage
The test took place at Inlyte’s facility near Derby in the UK, and was witnessed by representatives from Southern Company, one of the largest electric utilities in the US. The goal was to prove the performance and integration readiness of the whole system, which combines sodium metal chloride battery cells with inverters and control electronics. By Inlyte’s account, the system performed as expected and is ready for field deployment.
The energy storage market is growing fast, and utilities are looking beyond lithium‑ion. Iron-sodium battery storage systems are emerging as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale use, as they rely on abundant, low-cost materials and offer strong safety and long-duration performance.
While lithium-ion batteries excel at fast response and short-to-medium-duration storage, iron-sodium systems are better suited for multi-hour to multi-day grid applications where cost, thermal stability, and long service life matter more than energy density.
The global energy storage market is projected to grow from approximately $70 billion in 2025 to over $150 billion by 2030. The US Department of Energy estimates the grid will need more than 225 gigawatts of long‑duration energy storage by 2050.
Inlyte is betting that iron‑sodium batteries can help fill that gap. The system tested in the UK utilizes what the company claims are the world’s largest sodium metal chloride battery cells and modules ever built, each capable of storing more than 300 kilowatt-hours of energy. The chemistry is designed to be lower-cost, safer, and longer-lasting than lithium-ion – key traits for grid-scale storage.
During the factory test, Inlyte’s battery system hit 83% round‑trip efficiency, including auxiliary loads. That puts it in the same range as high-performance lithium-ion systems and well above the roughly 40% to 70% efficiency typical of many other long-duration energy storage technologies. Southern Company’s R&D team observed the test in person, a step that helps clear the way for real‑world deployment.
The commercial plan
Next up: the field. Inlyte says its first energy storage systems will be installed at Southern Company’s Energy Storage Test Site in Wilsonville, Alabama, in early 2026. Those deployments will allow the utility to study how the iron‑sodium batteries perform under real grid conditions.
With technical readiness now demonstrated, Inlyte is turning its focus to US manufacturing. The company plans to finalize a site for its first domestic factory in 2026. To help speed that process, Inlyte has partnered with HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions, the world’s largest producer of sodium metal chloride batteries. HORIEN brings over 25 years of commercial experience across applications like critical power, remote industrial sites, and battery energy storage.
The plan is to combine HORIEN’s manufacturing know‑how with Inlyte’s system integration work to bring sodium‑based grid batteries to the US market. If all goes according to plan, Inlyte expects commercial deliveries of domestically produced systems to begin in 2027.
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