Elon Musk is in a full propaganda campaign to gain Tesla shareholder support against the court’s decision to rescind his CEO compensation plan and now announced that he is going to move for a shareholder vote on moving Tesla’s state of incorporation to Texas.
Earlier this week, a judge in Delaware, where Tesla is incorporated, sided with a Tesla shareholder who filed a lawsuit that claimed Tesla’s board misled investors when presenting its 2018 CEO compensation plan.
The judge found irregularities in the way that the plan came about, with board members on the compensation committee having close personal relationships and financial dealings outside of Tesla with Musk and also due to the involvement of Musk and his attorney, who also happened to be Tesla’s General Counsel, in the process.
Therefore, the judge ruled that Tesla misled shareholders when presenting the package for a vote. In short, the judge highlighted some clear governance issues at Tesla in her decision.
Tesla would have to recraft the compensation package while following the rules of a public company and present it in a more transparent way to shareholders for a vote.
Instead of addressing any of the governance issues highlighted in the decision, Musk went into propaganda mode and decided to go on a tweetstorm about how Delaware and the judge are politically motivated, without any serious evidence other than the judge once working for a law firm that gave some money to Joe Biden’s campaign, and that she “took away the shareholder’s right to decide for themselves”.
Musk decided to hold a Twitter poll to ask if Tesla should move its state of incorporation to Texas:
The poll came after Musk made several tweets trashing Delaware and boosting Texas as a pro-corporate state. It’s unsurprising that the poll, which can be voted on by anyone, not just Tesla shareholders, was overwhelmingly in favor of moving the incorporation.
Musk announced that Tesla will quickly hold a shareholder vote on it:
“The public vote is unequivocally in favor of Texas! Tesla will move immediately to hold a shareholder vote to transfer state of incorporation to Texas.”
Why was Tesla in Delaware in the first place? Tesla has nothing to do with Delaware. It was founded in California and now has its headquarters in Texas, but like many other companies, it has incorporated in Delaware.
Many companies decide to do that because of its tax law and unique court system, which is ironically favorable to companies in corporate legal cases.
Electrek’s Take
I think we can let go of our little hope that this court decision would have forced Tesla and Elon to address the governance issues at Tesla.
Elon decided not to address those concerns whatsoever, and instead, he frames this entire conflict as being politically motivated and about removing shareholders’ right to decide for themselves.
First of all, this is completely wrong. The judge’s decision only forces shareholders to vote again on a comp package but one that is crafted following the rules of a public company and not presented to shareholders in a misleading way.
That’s all it does. Who would be against that? Shareholders guiding a public company through voting their shares only works if the company is transparent and doesn’t mislead them. It’s as simple as that. I haven’t seen Elon address any of the clear concerns highlighted in the decision. Instead, he is in full propaganda mode, rallying his troops.
Now, I know it’s frustrating for Musk. He had an incredible performance-based package and delivered on the performance. I’ll be the first to admit that. It has to be frustrating. However, his reaction to the judge’s decision is proving her point.
He completely ignores the governance issue and misleads Tesla shareholders about the nature of the decision ahead of a shareholder vote that stems from her decision. Most of his fans are simply listening to everything he says without even reading the judge’s decision. It’s sad.
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Heybike has launched its Labor Day Sale that is taking up to $600 off its e-bike lineup in what looks to be segmented periods with fresh deals every handful of days. With the brand having just released its new Ranger Pro 3.0 and Mars 3.0 e-bikes two weeks ago, we’re seeing the predecessor models getting some significant savings, with the Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike seeing a first-time bundle that gives it an extra battery at $1,199 shipped. This bundle would normally run you $1,848 with everything at full price, giving you a first-ever $649 savings bundle that doubles your commuting range, though if you don’t care about the battery, you can pick up the usual package at $999 shipped. Don’t dawdle on decisions, though, as there is a timer counting down until this deal ends in a few days.
This is quite an affordable long-distance bundle to score on Heybike’s Mars 2.0 e-bike, which, alongside the Ranger S e-bike, has become a popular budget-friendly option – especially with deals like this one. Each of these 600Wh batteries provides you with a 45-mile pedal-assisted range, with a throttle available that gives you pure electric mobility at a reduced mileage (although with two batteries, it’s not as much of a concern how much you rely on it). There is no option to upgrade the motor with this bundle, so you’ll be getting the standard 750W motor (1,400W peak) that carries you at up to 20 MPH speeds unless your state’s local laws allow for the unlocked 28 MPH top speed.
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Over the years I’ve come to love folding commuters more and more, especially as a New Yorker who lives in tighter apartment spaces, and you just can’t beat the compacting design in my case. There’s plenty of solid stock features on Heybike’s Mars 2.0 e-bike coming along too, like the puncture-resistant fat tires (with fenders over each) that prevent premature endings to your journey, as well as an integrated cargo rack that’s great for carrying bags, groceries, and other cargo in your day-to-day schedule. You’ll also enjoy the LED headlight and taillight combo, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, and an LED screen for all your setting adjustment needs.
And be sure to check out our launch coverage of Heybike’s two newest models, the Ranger Pro 3.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike and the Mars 3.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike, which come with the brand’s new Galaxy Perform eDrive System, as well as extended travel ranges, and tons of new features, like the NFC start-up.
Mango’s monstrous Power E 3,500Wh CATL station gets an exclusive $2,900 price cut to returning $899 low
Our readers can now take advantage of an exclusive Wellbots deal on the Mango Power E 3,500Wh Portable Power Station at $899 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5MANGOP700 at checkout. The website has already dropped it from its $3,799 price tag to $1,599, and using our exclusive code you’ll be scoring an additional $700 discount for a massive $2,900 combined savings. We’ve had this same deal to offer once before back in March, with folks getting a second chance at these massive savings today at the best price we have tracked.
Water up to 4,800 square feet with Aiper’s latest IrriSense smart irrigation system at a new $500 low (Save $200)
Through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering a lower-than-ever price on its new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System at $499.99 shipped, which matches in price directly from the brand’s website. This new release only hit the market in May with a $700 price tag that we’ve only seen drop to $600 a few times in the months since, most recently during last month’s Prime Day event. Things are dropping even lower here now, though, with a larger-than-ever $200 markdown that lands it at a new all-time low price.
Aventon’s new security-packed Pace 4 smart step-through cruiser e-bike gets second-ever discount to $1,699 low
As part of its Final Summer Sale running through September 3, Aventon is offering a second chance at cash savings on its new Pace 4 Smart Step-Through Cruiser e-bike for $1,699 shipped. This newer model hit the scene back in April with a full $1,799 price tag, which only saw occasional bundle packages tacked on until the brand’s July 4th sale offered the first discount to this same rate. Now the $100 markdown is coming back around for the second time, officially solidifying this price as the lowest tracked.
Get 768Wh or 864Wh personal backup power with Bluetti’s AC70 or AC70P LiFePO4 stations starting from $329
By way of its official Amazon storefront, Bluetti is offering its AC70P Portable Power Station at $479 shipped, which beats out the direct pricing from the brand’s website by $170. While this model carries a $699 MSRP direct from the brand, we see it typically selling for $649 at Amazon, with discounts having kept the costs between $499 and $479 recently. The deal here gives you a 26% markdown off the going rate for $170 in savings ($220 off the MSRP) at the third-best price we have tracked, which has only been beaten by the $469 low we saw pop up during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and a one-time exclusive deal to $357 in December. Head below for more on this model and its cheaper counterpart that comes with bundle options.
Get Greenworks’ newest pro-grade 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer at $330 for today only
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the newer Greenworks Pro 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $329.99 shipped, which beats out both Amazon and the brand’s direct website pricing, where both are sitting at their full $450 MSRP. Over at Best Buy, though, we see it starting at $400, with discounts over the year having gone as low as $285 in a previous one-day sale, dropping under the $292 Amazon low. The one-day-only deal here comes as a $70 markdown ($130 off the MSRP) that lands it at the third-lowest price we have tracked.
Navee GT3 Max Smart Electric Scooter (code SCHOOL15): $561 (Reg. $750)
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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The EV4 is here. Kia’s first European-made EV rolled off the line in Slovakia on Tuesday, kicking off a bigger push that includes new electric SUVs, cars, vans, and more.
The EV4 is the first Kia EV to be built in Europe
Kia is bringing back the hatch. The EV4 is Kia’s first attempt at an electric hatchback, and now, it’s the brand’s first EV built in Europe.
“The start of production is a huge milestone for us,” Kia Europe’s CEO, Marc Hedrich, said on Tuesday. He added, “From 20 August, Slovakia will build fully electric cars alongside models with hybrid and internal combustion powertrains.”
The Slovakia plant is Kia’s sole manufacturing facility in Europe and will serve as a cornerstone as the company looks to gain market share in the region. It already accounts for about 1% of Kia’s total global output.
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Kia invested 108 million euros ($125 million) to upgrade the facility for EV production, including a new battery conveyor.
The EV4 hatchback is available with two battery packs: 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, offering a WLTP range of up to 391 miles. It’s also equipped with new features, such as V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid).
Kia starts EV4 hatchback production in Europe, its first EV built in Europe (Source: Kia UK)
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the EV4 hatchback measures 4,430 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,485 mm in height, roughly the same size as the Kia XCreed.
In the UK, the base EV4 Air Standard Range starts at £34,695 ($47,700), while the longer range model is priced from £37,695 ($51,700).
Kia EV4 hatchback trim
Starting Price
Driving Range (WLTP)
Air Standard Range
£34,695 ($47,700)
273 miles
Air Long Range
£37,695 ($51,700)
388 miles
GT-Line
£39,395 ($54,000)
362 miles
GT-Line S
£43,895 ($60,200)
362 miles
Kia EV4 hatchback prices and range in the UK
Kia also launched the EV4 Fastback, or sedan version, last month, starting at £40,895 ($55,000) with a WLTP driving range of up to 380 miles.
Unlike the hatchback, the Fastback variant will be made at Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong EVO plant in South Korea.
Kia EV4 models during safety testing in Europe (Source: Kia UK)
The EV3 is already the UK’s top-selling EV through the first half of the year. Following the EV4 hatch and Fastback, Kia will introduce the EV5 in Europe later this year, followed by the entry-level EV2 in 2026.
Kia is also launching its first electric van, the PV5, which is quickly rolling out to new European markets this year. The PV5 will initially be launched in Passenger and Cargo variants, but Kia plans to introduce seven different body styles, including a light camper and an open bed model.
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Volkswagen was awarded 30 million euros ($35 million) to build the ID.1 in Portugal on Tuesday. The ID.1 will start at about 20,000 euros ($22,000) as the smallest, most affordable EV in the Volkswagen lineup.
Volkswagen moves closer toward affordable EVs
The ID.1 is “the last piece of the puzzle,” according to Volkswagen brand CEO Thomas Schäfer. We got a sneak peek of the new entry-level EV in September after VW unveiled the ID.EVERY1 concept.
Although it was just a concept, unlike many, Volkswagen is bringing this one to life. The ID.EVERY1 concept previews “an electric 20,000 euro Volkswagen,” the company said earlier this year.
After signing a deal with the Portuguese government on Tuesday to produce the new entry-level EV, Volkswagen is one step closer to bringing it to market. Thomas Hegel Gunther, president of Volkswagen’s Autoeuropa plant in Portugal, confirmed the ID.1 is scheduled for production in mid-2027.
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Gunther also confirmed it will be the new VW entry-level EV with starting prices at 20,000 euros ($22,000). “The coming years will be marked by making the future a reality, Gunther said at the event.
The government will contribute up to 30 million euros ($35 million) in state aid to help get it started. “For more than three decades, Autoeuropa has been more than a pillar of the national economy,” Manuel Castro Almeida, Portugal’s Minister of Economy, said, adding, “Today, it reinforces that legacy.”
Measuring just 3,880 mm long, the ID.1 will sit between the former Up! (3,600 mm) and ID.2 (4,050 mm). It’s slightly smaller than the Polo (4,074 mm).
Following the ID.2 and an SUV version, due out next year, Volkswagen will launch the ID.1 in 2027. Thanks to its partnership with Rivian, it will not only be the most affordable Volkswagen EV but also the first software-defined vehicle (SDV) model. All three vehicles are part of VW’s Electric Urban Car Family, its new entry-level series.
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