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EV-centric brand Polestar just announced it will cut hundreds of jobs in its global workforce in order to lean down and reduce spending, as it looks to bolster sales of its upcoming Polestar 3 and 4 models without relying on additional funding from parents Geely and Volvo Cars.

It’s hard out here for startups, and yes, Polestar should still be considered a startup despite its backing from co-owner Volvo Cars and Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely. In seven years, Polestar has brought a limited-run PHEV called the 1 and the popular Polestar 2 PHEV, which saw a mid-life refresh entering its 2024 model year phase.

While the Polestar 2 and its variants have brought some excitement over the years, it’s the EV brand’s pipeline that has most EV enthusiasts high on it. The upcoming Polestar 3 has much riding on it as the automaker’s first US-built model and its first-ever SUV. It will be followed by the Polestar 4 crossover, a 5 sports sedan, and a Polestar 6 based on an original roadster concept.

2023 was a challenging year for the brand as it lowered its delivery targets but still ended up missing the mark by over 5,000 units, landing at 54,600 deliveries for the year. A critical factor in this miss was delays in the Polestar 3’s launch to market following software issues, so the automaker essentially had to rely on sales of the Polestar.

As a result, the Polestar name has not garnered the clout with consumers its executives would have hoped for at this point. So, to push forward beyond deliveries of the 3 and 4, Polestar has decided to lean down with some job cuts.

Polestar job cuts
Source: Polestar

Polestar to cut 450 jobs around the globe

Per Reuters, Polestar’s job cuts should affect approximately 450 employees, citing “challenging market conditions” as the reasoning behind the decision to send about 15% of its global workforce to the unemployment lines.

Low demand for Polestar cars, and EVs in general, has been a thorn in the side of many OEMs entering 2024. Add inflation, supply chain hiccups, and a price war initiated by Tesla, and it’s a tough time to promote electrification – especially when a younger brand like Polestar is trying to stake its claim in the global market with one single model driving around on roads.

Polestar has already prefaced today’s job cuts by warning the public that it would need to cut costs and optimize to merely break even on cash flow by 2025. A spokesperson for Polestar echoed that sentiment and confirmed the layoffs in a statement on Friday:

As part of this business plan, we need to adjust the size of our business and operations. This involves reducing external spend and, regrettably, also our number of employees.

Looking ahead beyond today’s job cuts, Polestar 3 production is expected to begin production in China and South Carolina later this year, followed by the Polestar 4 in South Korea via contract manufacturing. Could this be another indication that Polestar once again goes private?

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The new Nissan LEAF gets a price cut thanks to the UK EV grant

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The new Nissan LEAF gets a price cut thanks to the UK EV grant

Nissan announced the new LEAF will start at just £32,249 in the UK after it became eligible for the maximum discount under the government’s Electric Car Grant.

The new Nissan LEAF gets a price cut with UK EV grant

After the UK government expanded the Electric Car Grant program on Friday, drivers will be able to save £3,750 ($4,900) on the new Nissan LEAF.

Nissan announced that the new 2026 LEAF will start at £32,249 ($42,200), including the grant. The government said in a press release that the discount will help boost Nissan’s sales, while also supporting jobs and UK manufacturing.

The new LEAF is on sale, and Nissan plans to begin production at its Sunderland plant in December. The first customer deliveries are scheduled for February.

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Nissan’s new LEAF will be available in four trims: Engage, Engage +, Advance, and Evolve. Initially, all versions will be equipped with a 75 kWh battery, providing a range of up to 386 miles (WLTP). Nissan said a cheaper 52 kWh battery pack will be available, delivering a range of up to 271 miles, which could bring prices under £30,000 ($39,300).

Nissan-new-LEAF-price
The new Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)

With 150 kW DC fast charging, the new LEAF can add 273 miles in about 30 minutes. It’s also the first vehicle to feature Nissan’s new 3-in-1 electric powertrain, boasting 160 kW (215 HP) and 355 Nm of torque.

The interior is revamped with new dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens with Google built in. Upgrading to the Engage+ or higher trim gets a bigger 14.3″ multimedia screen.

Nissan-new-LEAF-UK-price
The interior of the new Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)

Including the new grant, the LEAF Engage+ trim is priced from £33,149, the Advance starts at £34,249, and the Evolve trim from £36,249.

For those in the US, the 2026 Nissan LEAF has the “lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale,” starting at just $29,990. It’s available in three trims: S+, SV+, and Platinum+, offering up to 303 miles of range. That’s a 25% improvement from the outgoing model.

Interested in checking it out for yourself? You can use our link to find available 2026 Nissan LEAF models near you.

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NAVEE ST3 Pro, loaded with power and comfort, 20% off for Black Friday

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NAVEE ST3 Pro, loaded with power and comfort, 20% off for Black Friday

Looking for a smarter, cooler, and genuinely more comfortable way to commute this winter? The NAVEE ST3 Pro Damping Arm™ Suspension City E-scooter has officially entered the chat — and for Black Friday, it’s dropping to an unmissable low price. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to commit to electric travel, this is it.

From November 17 to December 2 (PDT), the NAVEE ST3 Pro Damping Arm™ Suspension City E-scooter is 20% off, reducing the price from USD $949.99 to $759.99. Canadian pricing drops from CAD $1,299.99 to $971.09. (On Amazon, the discount window is November 20 to December 1 (PDT).)

And if that wasn’t already awesome, NAVEE has tacked on an extra 5% off for Electrek readers when you use one of these codes:

  • Official Website: Use code ST3PRO5 — valid in the US & Canada through February 28, 2026
  • Amazon: Use code NAVEEST3PRO — valid in the US & Canada through February 28, 2026

Why the NAVEE ST3 Pro is a standout

The NAVEE ST3 Pro pushes the boundaries of what an electric scooter can be. It’s built for real-world riders who want power, range, comfort, and safety with their convenience.

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Auto‑grade ride comfort

The automotive‑grade Damping Arm™ suspension system uses four swinging polymer arms on both front and rear wheels, absorbing impact in ways traditional scooters simply can’t. Whether you’re rolling over brick roads, patched‑up potholes, or gravel, the ST3 Pro smooths out the chaos.

Power that actually counts

The 48-volt platform delivers up to 1350W of peak power, allowing you to power through 28% inclines without any power loss. Switch into Sport Mode when you want max speed of up to 25 mph, confidence, and faster reaction ability.

Safety is priority

With the triple braking system, NAVEE didn’t hold back:

  • Disc brake
  • Drum brake
  • Automotive‑grade eABS + traction control

This blend gives you enhanced stopping precision and a shorter braking distance, even during high‑speed or downhill commutes.

Long ranges that end anxiety

The ST3 Pro features a 596.7Wh battery system offering up to 46.6 miles of TÜV‑certified range at maximum speed. That’s nearly two days of commuting for many riders. For comparison, the ST3 model, with its 477.36Wh battery, achieves a range of up to 37.5 miles.

Regenerative braking adds even more efficiency, reclaiming up to 12% of total range.

Style + smart features

Want a scooter that looks as good as it rides? The ST3 Pro goes full futuristic with ambient lighting built right into the footboard – and not just a basic glow, but 15 fully selectable lighting modes to match your mood. Control it all with a tap in the NAVEE app.

Both the ST3 and ST3 Pro also come fully kitted with commuter‑ready lighting and connectivity:

  • Bright headlight for late‑night rides
  • Clean, visible taillight + turn indicators for safer signaling
  • Full companion app support for smart control, monitoring, and customization

Final thoughts

The NAVEE ST3 Pro isn’t just another Black Friday discount — it’s a chance to level up your urban commute with comfort, precision, and premium technology that feels years ahead.

The 20% off sale runs from November 17 to December 2 (PDT) (on Amazon, it runs November 20 to December 1 (PDT)) — don’t miss out. And don’t forget to use the extra 5% off codes for Electrek readers of ST3PRO5 on the official website and NAVEEST3PRO on Amazon.

You can buy the NAVEE ST3 Pro Damping Arm™ Suspension City E-scooter at the following links:

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Yamaha launches new electric scooter with Honda’s swappable batteries

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Yamaha launches new electric scooter with Honda's swappable batteries

Yamaha is doubling down on urban electrification in Japan with the launch of its new Jog E electric scooter – and in a twist that we’ve been waiting years to see, it runs on Honda’s Mobile Power Pack e: swappable batteries.

Yamaha shared on its social media that the Jog E is set to begin a region-limited pre-sale on December 22, 2025, exclusively through Yamaha EV shops in Tokyo and Osaka. This rollout makes it the first Yamaha two-wheeler built around the Mobile Power Pack e system, which is becoming Japan’s de facto standard thanks to the joint battery-swap venture Gachaco.

It’s the result of an initiative that began way back in 2019, when many of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers built a consortium to develop a single swappable battery standard. At the time, it was seen largely as a way to compete against Gogoro, which had already developed a single swappable battery standard. Ultimately, instead of developing a battery standard, the consortium simply chose to elect Honda’s relatively little-used battery design as its standard. Now we’re finally seeing that battery employed in another major motorcycle maker’s vehicles.

A Yamaha built for battery swapping

Unlike typical electric scooters sold with a fixed battery, the Jog E is offered as a body-only purchase. Riders must separately subscribe to Gachaco’s paid battery-sharing service, which gives access to swap stations located throughout major cities.

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As of now, Gachaco operates 42 battery swapping stations in Tokyo, 7 stations in Osaka, and 2 stations in Saitama. It’s a far cry from the thousands of stations operated by Taiwanese competitors like Gogoro and Kymco, but it’s a start.

It also means Yamaha is restricting initial sales to Tokyo and Osaka EV stores, ensuring that buyers actually have infrastructure available. Yamaha says standalone batteries and chargers will arrive in the second half of 2026 for riders who prefer to own rather than swap.

Built for stop-and-go city life

Yamaha says the Jog E is tuned specifically for dense urban commuting, with smooth acceleration for constant stop-and-go traffic, plus familiar Yamaha scooter ergonomics and universal EV-forward design touches. We don’t get performance specs yet, but the urban focus means we’re likely looking at limited power and speed figures.

Riders will get two color options at launch: dark gray and light gray. Not exactly going nuts with the color wheel, there.

Pricing lands at 159,500 yen (about US$1,050), though that excludes battery service fees, registration, insurance, and other common costs.

Part of Yamaha’s bigger climate strategy

Yamaha says the Jog E plays a key role in the company’s path toward carbon neutrality by 2050. Specifically, it helps reduce emissions under “Scope 3, Category 11” – basically emissions generated from customers using Yamaha products.

The scooter also symbolizes a closer collaboration among Japan’s Big Four motorcycle makers, all of whom co-founded Gachaco along with energy giant ENEOS. Battery swapping is shaping up to be Japan’s most aggressive approach to mainstreaming electric two-wheelers, and the Jog E is a big step in that direction.

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