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Tesla is accusing Reuters of “manufacturing” a story about the automaker lying to customers to make repairs off warranty.

Last week, Reuters posted a story titled ‘Tesla blamed drivers for failures of parts it long knew were defective’.

In short, the report claims that Tesla gaslighted customers into thinking they were responsible for issues needing repair when the automaker knew that they were common defect.

The report used anecdotal evidence from customers and claims to have seen service communications to prove it.

As we reported last week, we have been skeptical of Reuters reporting on Tesla lately, especially after we caught them back editing an article to correct it and then lying about the edit:

On our podcast last week, we briefly discussed the new report from Reuters with skepticism because it appeared that they were basing their claims of Tesla knowing about the “defect” on service notices that Tesla propagated amongst its service network.

Those notices are standard and help spread knowledge amongst Tesla’s service centers and get ahead of potential issues.

A service notice doesn’t necessarily mean that there’s a widespread defect.

Tesla has now responded to the story in a lengthy X post:

It is rare for Tesla to answer news articles since the automaker dissolved its PR department back in 2020.

But the automaker decided to answer this time. However, Tesla was contacted by Reuters prior to the article being published and only decided to answer after the affect.

Tesla called the story “manufactured” and says in it is “demonstrably incorrect”:

Reuters published an article that leads with a wildly misleading headline and is riddled with incomplete and demonstrably incorrect information. This latest piece vaguely and nonsensically suggests there are thousands upon thousands of disgruntled Tesla customers. It’s nonsensical because it’s nonfactual—the reality is Tesla’s customer retention is among the best and highest in the industry.

The automaker claims to have “telemetry” that shows there was a collision in the main incident publicized in the article rather than simply a defect as alleged by the owner.

Tesla argued:

The author has conflated a noise-related (non-safety) issue with a range of unrelated and disconnected service actions. Contrary to the article’s statements based on erroneous data, Tesla is truthful and transparent with our safety regulators around the globe and any insinuation otherwise is plain wrong.

Electrek contacted the owner involved in the Reuters article to get their reaction to Tesla’s response.

Electrek’s Take

I think that scrutiny is important and Tesla’s service is certainly far from perfect. However, this article didn’t feel right to me because it seemed to put way too much weight on service notices.

That said, I am curious to see what the customer says about Tesla’s claim of having telemetry on an alleged crash because that was the main story Reuters used to make its point.

On a different point, Tesla could have likely avoided that article altogether or at the very least made it a lot more accurate by having a PR department to talk to those reporters before publishing the story.

At the very least, they would have included Tesla’s response in the original article, but they might even had decided to drop the story altogether if Tesla was able to show them that their anecdotal evidence was flawed.

I really think that Tesla needs a PR department again.

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Lectric March Madness e-bike bundles and price cuts from $999, Segway Spring Sale takes 50% off e-scooters, Aventon clearance, more

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March 19, 2025

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Lectric March Madness e-bike bundles and price cuts from 9, Segway Spring Sale takes 50% off e-scooters, Aventon clearance, more

Today’s Green Deals has plenty of EV options to upgrade your commute and keep things running, starting with Lectric’s Nothin’ But Net Sale with up to $762 in free gear accompanying e-bikes, a new price cut on the XPeak 2.0 models, and exclusive March Madness-inspired cargo packages of up to $643 in free gear on the XP 3.0 e-bikes starting from $999. Next, Segway’s Spring Sale has launched with up to 50% being taken off e-scooters and power stations, like the Ninebot Max G2 KickScooter with Apple Find My that is down at $800. Aventon is having a clearance sale on its legacy models to make room for even more of its latest releases, including the popular Abound Cargo e-bike for $1,799, among others. Lastly, we have the next of EcoFlow’s one-day-only flash sale offers, with the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station coming with a free Power Hat for $2,899, as well as an add-on battery for the brand’s WAVE 2 at $399. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Jackery flash sale offers (ending tonight), the returning low on Heybike’s Mars 2.0, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Lectric celebrates March Madness with free $643 tailgate-ready bundles on its XP 3.0 e-bikes from $999

With it officially being the start of March Madness, Lectric is launching its Nothin’ But Net Sale with continued offers from its spring savings events on top of increasing bundles once again and offering some new price cuts (XPeak 2.0). Following the trend we’ve been seeing throughout its previous sales, the XP 3.0 e-bikes are now getting up to $643 in free cargo-hauling gear, with the standard models going for $999 shipped with $519 bundles and the long-range models going for $1,139 shipped with $643 bundles. You’d normally have to shell out $1,518 and $1,782 for these packages, respectively, which are geared toward your cargo-hauling wants alongside your commuting needs. The standard models are receiving a wide saddle, a suspension seat post, an Elite headlight, an accordion-style folding bike lock, water-resistant pannier bags, a cargo net, and steel encased front and rear cargo baskets. The long-range models get the same, as well as a phone mount and a top tube bag – on top of the obvious $60 price cut. Head below for more details and offers.

On its own, the popular, best-selling XP 3.0 e-bikes cover commuting needs, but with these fully loaded cargo packages you’ll also get the added benefit of being better equipped for cargo-hauling needs – especially if you tend to enjoy tailgating and similar events. They sport 500W hub motors (peaking at 1,000W) that provide 20 MPH speeds, going higher to 28 MPH speeds for states where local laws permit.

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The difference between which model is best for you depends on your intended travels, with the PAS support delivering up to 45 miles of travel for the standards and up to 65 miles for the long-range models. There’s also a throttle for electric riding too, though it does run down the battery at faster rates. Along with the free add-on gear, you’ll also enjoy some quality stock features, like the integrated rear cargo rack, puncture-resistant tires, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, a foldable body, an LCD display, and more.

Lectric XP 3.0 with “Nothin’ But Net” exclusive bundles:

Lectric XPedition 2.0 offers with up to $762 bundles:

Lectric XPeak 2.0 offers with up to $336 bundles and price cuts:

Lectric XP Lite 2.0 offers with up to $557 bundles:

Lectric ONE LR e-bike with $467 bundle

Lectric XP Trike with $420 bundle

Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $206 bundle

Segway Ninebot Max G2 e-scooter

Segway’s Spring Sale cuts $600 off its Ninebot Max G2 e-scooter with Apple Find My for $800

Segway has launched its Spring Sale with up to 50% being taken off a selection of e-scooters and power stations, some of which are even dropping back to lows we haven’t seen since Black Friday and/or Christmas sales. One such offer is the Ninebot Max G2 KickScooter for $799.99 shipped, likely due to the current $500 pre-sale deal on the new Ninebot Max G3 eKickScooter running through March 24. The Max G2 however, is coming far down from its $1,400 MSRP directly from Segway. While it has been down at $1,000 or less on Amazon for some time now, you are looking at one of the best prices to date with as much as $600 in savings. You can also find it matching the price over at Amazon right now.

Despite it not having as advanced tech as the new Max G3, Segway’s Ninebot Max G2 still offers advancements that exceed most standard commuters we see – for instance, the Apple Find My capabilities so you always know where it is and can find your way back to it. The weather-resistant steel build houses a 450W motor (peaking at 1,000W) paired with a 551Wh battery for up to 43 miles of travel on a single charge, with speeds topping out at 22 MPH.

There are four different riding modes, some at lower speeds to extend travel times while others sacrifice mileage in favor of speed, as well as the folding body you’d expect from an e-scooter. There are features to add more comfort – the larger footboard and front suspension – as well as others for improved performance, like its self-healing tubeless tires or the traction control system to combat slippage on slippery roads. You’ll also find integrated turn signals at the edge of the handles, a high-decibel electronic horn, and an LED display.

Segway’s mid-distance commuter deals:

Segway’s long-distance commuter deals:

  • Max G2 KickScooter: $800 (Reg. $1,400) | matching at Amazon
    • 22 MPH for up to 43 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, more
  • ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter: $950 (Reg. $1,300) | $26 more at Amazon
    • 24.9 MPH for up to 43.5 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • GT3 SuperScooter (first discount since release): $1,500 (Reg. $1,700) | $100 more at Amazon
    • 31 MPH for up to 45 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more

Segway’s joyriding deals:

Segway’s power station deals:

Aventon Abound cargo e-bike

Aventon is making space for the latest releases with $300 off e-bikes and bonus savings starting from $999

With the arrival of Aventon’s new Abound LR e-bike, along with the already released, and slightly shorter Abound SR e-bike, the brand is once again making space for it and other new models by launching a clearance sale across predecessors, like the original Abound Cargo e-bike that is down at $1,799 shipped. This model normally carries a $1,999 price tag, which has consistently been kept to $1,799 for sales since May 2024, when we last saw it go lower to $1,599. Today’s deal still gives you a solid $200 off the going rate though, or you can upgrade to the Abound SR smart e-bike for $100 more or the Abound LR smart e-bike for $200 more – the difference between these being the latter’s seven-inch longer cargo space with a lockable onboard storage bag and 8-pound heavier chassis.

Aventon’s Abound e-bike has been a popular model since releasing back in early 2023, with a 750W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,200W for inclines and improved cargo-hauling) that is paired with a 678.2Wh integrated battery to provide up to 50 miles of travel when utilizing its four PAS levels (supported by a torque sensor) and top speeds of 20 MPH. There is a throttle for getting around in pure electric style, though this will lessen its travel range depending on how much you rely on it.

There are plenty of solid features coming on this model, including a front suspension fork, hydraulic brakes, integrated front and rear lights with turn signal functionality, fenders over both tires, the integrated rear cargo rack with a 143-pound payload, a Shimano 7-speed derailleur, a kickstand, a storage bag, and an LCD Smart “Easy Read” display.

Aventon’s other legacy e-bike clearance deals:

Aventon’s other legacy e-bike deals:

  • Pace 500.3 Cruiser e-bike with FREE extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles (120 miles with extra battery)
  • Pace 500.3 Step-Through Cruiser e-bike with FREE extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles (120 miles with extra battery)
  • Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles
  • Aventure 2 Step-Throughe-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles

Aventon’s newest e-bike models (no price cuts):

  • Soltera 2.5 Lightweight e-bike: $1,199
    • 20 MPH for up to 46 miles
  • Sinch 2.5 Compact Folding e-bike: $1,799
    • 20 MPH for up to 55 miles
  • Abound SR Cargo e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60 miles
    • GPS tracking, remote locking, geofencing, passcode, keyless battery, alarm system, more
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Over Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Through Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
  • Abound LR Cargo e-bike: $1,999
    • 20 MPH for up to 60 miles
    • 6 inches longer and 8 pounds heavier than SR model
    • GPS tracking, remote locking, geofencing, passcode, keyless battery, alarm system, more
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 power station

EcoFlow flash sale drops newer DELTA Pro 3 LiFePO4 power station to $2,899 through the rest of the day

As part of its ongoing second phase of Spring Sale savings, EcoFlow has launched the next of its one-day-only flash sales with two different offers running through the rest of the day. The first, and biggest, of these deals is on the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station which comes with a free Power Hat for $2,899 shipped. Coming down from its usual $3,699 price tag, we saw this newer unit go as low as $2,789 during Black Friday in the time since releasing in June. While this sale has brought the costs down to $2,909 normally with the extra savings, this limited-time markdown gives you some extra savings – $800 in total – dropping it down amongst its lowest tracked rates. You’ll even find it matching at Amazon for the time being, marking a new low there, as far as we’ve seen.

One of the newer models under EcoFlow’s flag, the DELTA Pro 3 power station offers up an impressive 4,096Wh LiFePO4 capacity (expandable to 48,000Wh) alongside 4,000W of output (surging to 6,000W). When three of these units are connected, that output power expands up to 12,000W for major home backup needs. It also sports the brand’s widest variety of recharging options – seven solo-source methods and 18 combination methods. A standard wall outlet will have it back at an 80% battery in 50 minutes, while also offering other options like solar charging (with a max 2,600W input), EV, automotive auxiliary outlets, dual PV charging, and much more.

There are 14 port options for its outgoing power (seven ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and three DCs) with smart controls available through its companion app for monitoring and adjusting settings. The first of the brand’s stations given the latest X-Core 3.0 tech, it expands surging output power for larger appliance needs, ramps up recharging speeds, runs at quieter levels and cooler temperatures, improves the battery management and lifespan, provides “explosion-proof” battery packs, improves parallel capacity expansion, as well as smart home energy management.

The second offer during this flash sale is for folks who already own the WAVE 2 portable AC/heater, giving you an add-on battery and a free carrying bag for the main unit at $399 shipped, down from $899. The battery provides the AC/heater with the means for up to 8 hours of runtime before needing to be plugged into an outlet, solar panels, a power station, or plugged into your car.

Be sure to check out the massive lineup of other deals in EcoFlow’s second phase of Spring Sale deals while they’re still around through March 26.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Tesla (TSLA) accounting raises red flags as report shows $1.4 billion missing

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March 19, 2025

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Tesla (TSLA) accounting raises red flags as report shows .4 billion missing

Tesla’s (TSLA) accounting practices are raising red flags as a new report from the Financial Times shows that $1.4 billion is missing.

Many Tesla shorts and detractors have questioned Tesla’s accounting for years, but they have never gained much traction – until now.

Today, the Financial Times has released a new report

Compare Tesla’s capital expenditure in the last six months of 2024 to its valuation of the assets that money was spent on, and $1.4bn appears to have gone astray.

The article points out that Tesla reports having spent $6.3 billion on “purchases of property and equipment excluding finance leases, net of sales” in the second half of 2024, while property, plant, and equipment rose by only $4.9 billion in that period.

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Accounting experts agree that, in most cases, the capex number matches closely to the increase in gross PP&E, but some factors can make a difference: sales or impairments of assets, foreign exchange, etc.

However, Tesla didn’t report any significant enough change in the usual suspects to justify the difference.

The report also points to other red flags, like Tesla claiming to sit on $37 billion in cash and yet it raised $6 billion in new debt last year.

While it’s not unusual for companies with significant cash piles to raise debts, it’s less than ideal in this current environment.

Finally, the FT report also points to Tesla not offering share buyback or dividend despite claiming a $15 billion operating cash flow last year, higher than its CAPEX. This is rare for large companies and puts Tesla in a very small club that includes other companies like Temu.

Jacek Welc, professor of corporate finance at the SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, compares these red flags to recent financial scandals, like Wirecard, Longtop Financial Technologies, and NMC Health.

Electrek’s Take

I have some experience in financial accounting, having learned the basics from the excellent Brian Bushee at Wharton, but I never felt that I was knowledgeable enough to make such an accusation against Tesla.

Shady accounting at Tesla is something people have been pointing out for years, but it’s the first time I’ve seen it getting traction from a major financial outlet like the Financial Times.

This is likely going to put pressure on Tesla and its auditors.

However, for those hoping for Tesla to get in hot water for cooking the books, I would remain careful. Not only could there be explanations for this, but with Trump and Musk kneecapping the SEC, repercussions are unlikely.

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Rivian’s first EV police cruiser is here: Meet the patrol-ready R1S

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March 19, 2025

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Rivian's first EV police cruiser is here: Meet the patrol-ready R1S

Rivian's-first-EV-police-cruiser

With a 0 to 60 mph sprint in as quick as 2.6 seconds, you might have a hard time outrunning Rivian’s electric SUV. Soon, it will be hitting the streets after the Palo Alto police department debuted the patrol-ready R1S, Rivian’s first police cruiser.

Rivian’s first EV police cruiser debuts in Palo Alto

The R1S is already an impressive SUV inside and out. The electric SUV has up to 410 miles range, 850 horsepower, and enough room to fit seven comfortably.

However, it’s much more than just your average vehicle (EV or gas-powered). Rivian calls the electric SUV an “adventure vehicle” for a reason. It can plow through 43″ (3.5 feet) of water with more ground clearance (up to 14.9″) than the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon and outrun a sports car. The R1S even has more interior space than a Ford Explorer.

Soon, it will be patrolling the streets of Palo Alto. During his “State of the City” speech this week, Palo Alto Mayor Ed Lauing debuted Rivian’s first EV police cruiser.

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Although the R1S still needs some adjustments, including a light bar, push bar, and other upgrades, you can see the Palo Alto police badge on the side of the black-and-white model.

Rivian's-first-EV-police-cruiser
Palo Alto Police Capt. James Reifschneider, Mayor Ed Lauing, and Police Chief Andrew Binder next to the Rivian R1S Police Cruiser (Source: Palo Alto Online/ Gennady Sheyer)

Lauing applauded Rivian for its “relentless technical innovation,” comparing it to that of Palo Alto. He told the over 150 attendees (via Palo Alto Online), “The electric car was created years before Rivian first shipped their EV, but Rivian wanted to be the best EV in the future, not the first EV of the past,” adding “That sounds a lot like Palo Alto to me.”

Despite concerns over the changes under the Trump administration, Lauing said that choosing Rivian was not in response to the event held at the White House last week, which was basically an infomercial for Tesla.

Rivian's-first-EV-police-cruiser
Rivian R1S (Source: Rivian)

The decision to go with Rivian was planned weeks before Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s ad at the White House.

Rivian’s engineers are working with the city to obtain the additional equipment. Since the company that makes it is smaller, Capt. James Reifschneider expects it could be a few months before it hits the streets.

Rivian-R1S-interior
Rivian R1S interior (Source: Rivian)

He said the R1S police cruiser can reach a maximum speed of around 130 mph and has more interior space than the department’s current Ford Explorer and Jeep Durango.

What do you think of the patrol-ready R1S? Let us know in the comments. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rivian’s EV police cruisers reach other departments across the US soon.

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