ZEEKR builds 10k 007 EVs in under 60 days, announces 001 refresh coming February 27
Right after touting its 10,000th build of its new 007 EV, Chinese automaker ZEEKR announced a 2024 refresh of its flagship model, the 001. The revamp shooting brake EV has gotten several improvements we’ve learned about ahead of its full reveal next week.
Geely-owned EV sub-brand ZEEKR is off and running in 2024, making strides toward its targets to expand its global footprint and all-electric lineup in a big way. In addition to designing initial EV deliveries in Europe, ZEEKR inked a deal to bring its cars to Mexico alongside hints at expansion plans for South American markets to follow.
On the production side of things, ZEEKR is still riding the wings of its flagship 001, which has since seen a quad-motor performance variant called the 001 FR, joining the automaker’s 009 MPV and X SUV.
In late December, ZEEKR officially launched its fourth bespoke model, the 007 while simultaneously tallying 50,000 pre-orders in China. Less than two months later, ZEEKR has already built 10,000 units of its latest EV and not to be outdone, is teasing a refresh of the 001 shooting brake as well.
ZEEKR continues momentum in 2024 with 007, 001 refresh
According to a Weibo post earlier today, ZEEKR announced had hit thr 10,000 EV milestone for the new 007 in a mere 56 days, breaking its previous production record set with the launch of the 001. Three hours later, ZEEKR took to Weibo again, touting a video of several sheet pulls of a new 001 refresh on the way.
The video shows several exterior colors of a revamped 001 shooting brake being unveiled, teasing a full reveal on February 27. Additionally, Zhou Guanyu, China’s first Formula 1 driver was announced as the Chief Handling Officer for the ZEEKR 001 refresh.
There’s no word yet if the new 001s will launch at a lower price point that their predecessor, but its certainly possible given how highly competitive the Chinese EV market currently is. According to a recently filing by ZEEKR with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the refreshed 001 will be slightly longer and taller, but only by a matter of millimeters.
The refresh will also give customers the choice between lithium ternary and LFP batteries, as well as the option for LiDAR sensors which were not previously available on the 001. We should learn more on February 27, when the ZEEKR 001 refresh is officially launched.
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Electricity demand is surging in Texas, and solar, wind, and battery storage are meeting it.
According to new data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), electricity demand across the Texas grid managed by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) hit record highs in the first nine months of 2025. ERCOT, which supplies power to about 90% of the state, saw demand jump 5% year-over-year to 372 terawatt hours (TWh) – a 23% increase since 2021. No other major US grid has grown faster over the past year.
Solar and wind keep ERCOT’s grid steady
The biggest growth story in Texas power generation is solar. Utility-scale solar plants produced 45 TWh from January through September, up 50% from 2024 and nearly four times what they generated in 2021 (11 TWh). Wind power also continued to climb, producing 87 TWh through September – a 4% increase from last year and 36% more than in 2021.
Together, wind and solar supplied 36% of ERCOT’s total electricity over those nine months. Solar, in particular, has transformed Texas’s daytime energy mix. From June to September, ERCOT solar farms generated an average of 24 gigawatts (GW) between noon and 1 pm – double the midday output from 2023. That growth has pushed down natural gas use at midday from 50% of the mix in 2023 to 37% this year.
Battery storage is filling in the gaps
Batteries charge during the day when wind and solar generation are the highest, and they produce electricity when generation from wind and solar slows down. ERCOT began reporting battery output separately in October 2024 in its hourly grid data, and it’s clear that batteries are now helping to smooth out evening peaks. This past summer, batteries supplied an average of 4 GW of power around 8 pm, right as solar production dropped off.
Natural gas is flatlining
Natural gas is still Texas’s dominant power source, but it isn’t growing like it used to. Between January and September, gas-fired plants generated 158 TWh of electricity, compared to 161 TWh in 2023. Gas comprised 43% of ERCOT’s generation mix during the first nine months of 2025, down from 47% in the first nine months of 2023 and 2024.
More demand growth ahead
The EIA expects Texas electricity demand to keep rising faster than any other grid in the US. In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the EIA projects ERCOT’s demand will climb another 14% in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 425 TWh. That means Texas will need even more solar, wind, and battery storage to keep up with its breakneck growth.
Read more: This $900 million solar farm in Texas is going 100% to data centers
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GM is recalling nearly 23,000 Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models due to a defect where the tire tread could fall off.
GM is recalling more Chevy Equinox EV models
In a letter sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), GM said it has decided to issue a safety recall for certain Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models from model years 2025 to 2026.
This time, it isn’t necessarily GM’s fault. The vehicles may be equipped with 21″ all-season tires that Continental Tire is recalling.
According to Continental, the tires were produced during the week of October 6, 2024, and may have a defect where the tire tread could partially or fully detach. The records show the defect is due to a nonconforming tread base rubber compound.
Owners of affected vehicles may notice unusual tread wear or bulging, vibration while driving, or tire noises. GM is unaware of any incidents related to the defect, but is issuing the recall out of an abundance of caution.
On September 18, 2025, GM inspected the assembly plant and confirmed there were no suspect tires in stock. The 21″ tires come standard on RS trims and are optional on LT1 and LT2 grades.
Although GM is recalling 22,914 Chevy Equinox EVs and Cadillac Optiqs, it estimates that only about 1% of them have the defect.
The recall includes:
- 2026 Cadillac Optiq: 214
- 2026 Chevy Equinox EV: 1,832
- 2025 Cadillac Optiq: 3,468
- 2025 Chevy Equinox EV: 17,400
GM dealers will check all four tires and replace them if needed, free of charge. Dealers were notified on October 16. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed out on December 1, 2025.
You can contact Chevrolet’s customer service number at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac’s at 1-800-333-4223. GM’s recall number is N252525030. Owners can also call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the nhtsa.gov website for more information.
The Chevy Equinox EV is now the third best-selling EV in the US, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Meanwhile, Cadillac’s entry-level Optiq SUV is the fifth-most-popular luxury EV. The recall is minor and only affects a small percentage of models, so it’s not expected to have a major impact.
If you want to test one of them for yourself, we can help you get started. Check out our links below to find available Chevy Equinox EV and Cadillac Optiq models near you.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla’s earnings madness, Rivian layoffs, Ford pausing F-150 Lightning, and more.
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