The Gila River Indian Community signed a project partnership agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers to put solar panels over its canals.
This means the US Army Corps of Engineers will kick off construction on Phase I of the Pima-Maricopa Irrigation Project Renewable Energy Pilot south of Phoenix, Arizona.
The pilot is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration and the Bureau of Reclamation to implement solutions for the drought crisis that’s threatening the Colorado River Basin.
The objective is to create clean energy and conserve water in the Tribe’s canal. The Gila River Indian Community is the home of the Akimel O’otham (Pima) and the Pee-Posh (Maricopa) tribes.
The $6.744 million pilot is expected to produce approximately 1 megawatt (MW) of renewable energy to offset energy needs and costs for tribal farmers. Completion is scheduled for 2025.
The first phase will cover around 1,000 feet of the Interstate 10 Level Top canal, and the Community has already begun feasibility and design efforts for Phase II. It hopes to launch Phase II as soon as next month. The Gila River Indian Community has over 150 miles of canal that solar panels could cover.
This is the second US pilot for installing solar panels over canals – Project Nexus is a $20 million pilot in California’s Turlock Irrigation District that launched in October 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2024.
Solar panels over canals, which have already been installed in India, reduce evaporation and minimize water use for power generation.
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Tesla’s (TSLA) sales crash continues in Europe, with more countries reporting February numbers, including Germany, down 70%.
Global sales of the automaker were down year-over-year for the first time in a decade last year, and if things continue, it will be even worse in 2025.
Now, numbers are coming from more markets, including Germany, where Tesla is having a very tough time.
According to local registration data, Tesla delivered only 1,429 new cars in February in Germany – down 76% compared to the more than 6,000 vehicles it delivered in February 2024.
Tesla is now down 70% in deliveries this year in Germany, which used to be its biggest European market:
Countries
Feb-25
Feb-24
Jan-25
Jan-24
YoY change
Germany
1,429
6,038
1,277
3,150
-70.6%
UK
3,851
3,192
1,293
1,581
+7.7%
France
2,395
3,244
1,141
3,118
-44.4%
Netherlands
983
1,287
926
1,610
-34.1%
Norway
917
1,777
663
1,109
-45.3%
Spain
909
1,020
269
1,094
-44.4%
Sweden
613
1,064
394
730
-43.9%
Denmark
509
1,086
451
763
-48.1%
Portugal
547
1,155
380
551
-45.0%
Total
12,153
19,863
6,794
13,706
-43.5%
The Netherlands and Portugal have also now reported their numbers for February. The former is down again, but less so than in January, while Tesla deliveries have slowed even further in Portugal – down to just 547 deliveries in February.
Tesla has also regained some ground in Spain compared to the first month of the year, but it is still down 44% year-to-date versus 2024.
The only silver lining for Tesla in Europe is the UK, where after being down 18% in January, it recovered in February and is now up 7% year over year.
Tesla fans and investors are holding on to the idea that sales are mostly down because of the Model Y changeover that is happening this quarter. However, the data suggest otherwise.
For example, in Germany, Model 3 sales are down 40% so far this year, despite Tesla’s being in the middle of a Model 3 changeover around this time last year.
The situation is even worse in France, where Model 3 sales are down 60%.
Therefore, it’s clear that Tesla’s problem in Europe is way more important than people waiting for the new Model Y.
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Lease deals get all the hype, but most people still want to own the car after they’re done making all those payments on it. If that sounds like you, and you’ve been waiting for the interest rates on auto loans to drop, you’re in luck: there are a bunch of great plug-in cars you can buy with 0% financing this March … and that includes a zero percent Tesla deal!
I’ve done a couple of these now, so you probably already know that there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best EVs ..?” Too opinion based. “Cheapest EVs ..?” Too much research. In the end, I went with alphabetical order, by make. And, as for which deals are new this month? You’re just gonna have to read the article. Enjoy!
Acura ZDX
2024 Acura ZDX; via Acura.
The 2024 Acura ZDX uses a GM Ultium battery and drive motors, but the styling, interior, and infotainment software are all Honda. That means you’ll get a solidly-built EV with GM levels of parts support and Honda levels of fit, finish, and quality control. All that plus Apple CarPlay and 0% financing for up to 72 months makes the ZDX one the best sporty crossover deals in the business.
All the electric Chevy EVs (again)
Silverado EV, Equinox EV, and Blazer EV at a Tesla Supercharger; via GM.
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze edition; via Ford.
This month, you can get a killer deal on a new 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E (shown, above). Through March 31st, you can get $2,500 in bonus cash, a free L2 home charger installed, plus 0% financing for up to 72 months. Tesla owners can also get an additional $1,000 in conquest cash, bringing the hood money total to $3,500.
GMC Hummer and Sierra Denali EV
2024 GMC Sierra Denali EV; via GM.
The biggest Ultium-based EVs from GM’s commercial truck brand are seriously impressive machines, with shockingly quick acceleration and on-road handling that seems to defy the laws of physics once you understand that these are, essentially, medium-duty trucks. This month, GMC is doing its best to move out its existing inventory of 2024s, so if you’re a fan of heavy metal you’ll definitely want to stop by your local GMC dealer and give the Hummer EV and Sierra Denali EV a test drive.
Honda Prologue
2024 Honda Prologue; via Honda.
Despite the Honda Prologue was one of the top-selling electric crossovers last year by combining GM’s excellent Ultium platform with Honda sensibilities and Apple CarPlay, Honda upgraded the 2025 model with slightly more EPA range. Even so, there’s still some remaining 2024 inventory out there and dealers are ready to deal (that’s what they do, after all). To make room for the 2025 models, Honda is offering 0% APR for up to 72 months on the remaining 2024s.
The Niro’s bigger siblings are getting the 0% treatment, too, for a longer 72 month term.
Nissan Ariya
2024 Nissan Ariya; via Nissan.
I’ve already said that the Nissan Ariya didn’t get a fair shake. If you click that link, you’ll read about a car that offers solid driving dynamics, innovative interior design, and all the practicality that makes five-passenger crossovers the must-haves they’ve become for most families. With great discounts available at participating dealers, Supercharger access, and 0% interest from Nissan for up to 72 months, Nissan dealers should have no trouble finding homes for their remaining 2024 Ariya crossovers.
Subaru Soltera
2023 Subaru Soltera; via Subaru.
Despite being something of a slow seller, this mechanical twin of the Toyota bZ4X EV seems like a solid mid-size electric crossover with some outdoorsy vibes and granola style that offers more than enough utility to carry your mountain bikes to the trail or your kayaks to the river. The company is hoping to help clear out its remaining 2024 models with big discounts and 0% financing for up to 72 months.
Tesla Model 3
Model 3 Highland; via Tesla.
Say what you will about Elon Musk – and I say plenty over on the Quick Charge podcast – the fact remains that we wouldn’t be here talking about EVs at all if it wasn’t for his marketing brilliance, bravado, and sheer force of will. Beyond that, Tesla simply offers as superior ownership experience through total software integration, unfettered access to the Supercharger network, and the best EV route-planning software this side of Chargeway.
If you can stomach being associated with Elon (or have an inside line on some spare Honda badges), you can get a new Model 3 for 0% interest or 0.99% with $0 down if you apply the $7,500 Federal tax incentive at the point of purchase.
Volkswagen ID.4
VW ID.4; via Volkswagen.
One of the most popular legacy EVs, the ID.4 offers Volkswagen build quality and (for 2024) a Chat-GPT enabled interface. To keep ID.4 sales rolling, VW dealers are getting aggressive with discounts, making this fast-charging, 291 mile EPA-rated range, 5-star safety rated EV a value proposition that’s tough to beat.
This month, get a Volkswagen ID.4 with 0% financing for up to 72 months plus a $5,000 customer cash bonus to stack with it.
Disclaimer: the vehicle models and financing deals above were sourced from CarsDirect, CarEdge, and (where mentioned) the OEM websites – and were current as of 04MAR2025. These deals may not be available in every market, with every discount, or for every buyer (the standard “with approved credit” fine print should be considered implied). Check with your local dealer(s) for more information.
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In a new high watermark for Canadian electric scooter company Apollo, the brand’s new flagship electric scooter has begun shipping in North America. With speeds topping 50 MPH (80 km/h) in the highest power version, the Phantom 2.0 is set to push Apollo into even more premium scooter territory.
First announced late last year, the Apollo Phantom 2.0 has been eagerly awaited by high-performance scooter enthusiasts. Apollo developed the design from the ground up, following a brand strategy that has long sought to distance itself from cookie-cutter, catalog-sourced e-scooters common to many scooter companies in the industry.
The Phantom 2.0 comes in two variants: The lower performance (yet still fairly extreme) version is the Phantom 2.0 52V, which is equipped with dual 1,750W motors. This model achieves a top speed of up to 44 mph (70 km/h).
The even higher performance model is the Phantom 2.0 Stellar 60V, which features dual 3,350W motors. This model reaches speeds of up to 53 mph (85 km/h).
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Both scooters use premium-grade 21700 battery cells, with the former sporting a 27 Ah (1.4 kWh) battery and the latter with a larger 30 Ah (1.8 kWh) battery. That gives maximum range estimates of 50 miles (80 km) and 56 miles (90 km), respectively.
For suspension, the 52V scooter uses dual spring suspension while the 60V model has upgraded DNM dual hydraulic suspension. Both models use 11×4-inch puncture-resistant tubeless tires for durability, helping to resist flat tires that could cut a ride painfully short.
Both models also come with the Apollo DOT 2 display, a simplistic dot matrix display that is easily readable at high speeds, as well as a QuadLock mount compatible with QuadLock phone cases that allows riders to use the Apollo phone app as a more detailed display.
Additional features include NFC connectivity and compatibility with the Apollo App and Apple Find My, offering enhanced security and customization options.
For safety, the 52V model is equipped with dual mechanical disc brakes while the 60V version features dual hydraulic disc brakes. Both are certified for UL2271 and UL2272 covering the battery and system electronics, and are IP66-rated, meaning they can survive everything from pummeling rain to sand storms.
The scooters also feature 360-degree lighting for ultimate visibility from any angle, including a fully-wrapped LED deck strip and turn signals mounted in the bar ends.
The Apollo Phantom 2.0 52V scooter is priced at US $2,399 as part of a promotion marking it down from its MSRP of US $2,999, and has been set to start deliveries early this month.
The more powerful Apollo Phantom Stellar 60V is a bit pricier at US $3,499, marked down from an MSRP of US $3,999. That model won’t start shipping until this summer, likely in either June or July.
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