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Fisker announced that its talks with a “large automaker” for a potential investment have fallen through. Trading has been halted on Fisker stock (FSR), and NYSE is moving to delist the stock.

Things have been rough for Fisker in the last few weeks. After a Q4 wherein the company had big delivery growth but nevertheless said there was “substantial doubt” it could continue as a going concern without significant outside investment, the stock has fallen significantly from already-low levels.

And last week, the company missed an interest payment and paused EV production while it sought to sell down some of its ~$530 million in inventory (it’s trying to use existing dealerships to do so). Fisker vehicles are produced through contract manufacturing, by veteran manufacturer Magna Steyr.

There was potential that Fisker might find the outside investment it sought, though, as rumors were that Nissan was looking to partner with the company.

In August, Fisker showed off the Alaska concept, a mid-size pickup truck which seems to fit a similar niche as the Nissan Frontier. If Nissan were looking for a relatively cheap company to acquire or invest in, in order to electrify its Frontier segment, this could be a way to jump-start that vehicle program.

Fisker had never named the “large automaker” in question, though Nissan was the main target of rumors. Nissan separately introduced a new EV business plan Monday, with no mention of Fisker.

The “large automaker” talks had buoyed Fisker stock after large falls in recent days. Earlier this month it was reported that Fisker had hired outside consultants to discuss options for the company, including potential bankruptcy. That sent the stock tumbling by over 50%, but it recovered significantly the next day when Fisker reiterated that it had still been in talks with a large automaker.

But today, Fisker said that its talks with a large automaker for a potential deal have collapsed. Shares fell 30% before trading was halted, and at the time it was noted that “an announcement is pending.” We now know that that announcement is from the NYSE, which is moving to delist the stock – a move which NYSE warned was possible last month.

The stock delisting means that Fisker stock (FSR) will no longer be available on the NYSE, though might be available through OTC markets. It also has ramifications for Fisker’s upcoming 2025 and 2026 convertible notes – it will be required to repurchase the 2026 notes and will default on the 2025 notes, according to Reuters.

Electrek’s Take

Some have blamed Fisker’s recent troubles on a negatively-titled review from tech reviewer MKBHD which was widely viewed, but the concerns shared by MKBHD were not unique. I shared many of the same concerns when I got the car for a 24-hour review back in November (though with a less-negative title), and the other journalists who I spoke with after that review shared similar concerns.

The general opinion I’ve heard from each auto journalist I’ve talked to about the car, save one or two, is that it’s quite unfinished. There might be something there after lots of work on the software, but the flaws are significant, with most of us having large bullet point lists of necessary improvements before the car can meet a good baseline.

Fisker’s upcoming concepts, particularly the Fisker PEAR, look quite promising, and the company’s focus on sustainability is much more serious than many others in the automotive industry. Its contract manufacturing business plan is interesting, especially for a startup that’s trying to run “asset light,” not requiring billions or tens of billions in order to get production up to speed.

But these recent troubles put Fisker’s chances to pull through and bring those future vehicles to market significantly lower.

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Peak Energy’s $500M deal will deploy the world’s largest sodium-ion battery system

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Peak Energy’s 0M deal will deploy the world’s largest sodium-ion battery system

Burlingame, California-based Peak Energy just scored a huge win for sodium-ion batteries. The company announced a multi-year deal with utility-scale battery storage developer Jupiter Power to supply up to 4.75 GWh of sodium-ion battery systems between 2027 and 2030.

Under the agreement, Peak will deliver 720 MWh of storage in 2027 – the largest single sodium-ion battery deployment announced so far. The deal also includes an option for an additional 4 GWh of capacity through 2030, bringing the total contract value to more than $500 million.

Sodium-ion vs. lithium-ion

Peak Energy says its sodium-ion batteries degrade less over time and have lower operations and maintenance costs than lithium-ion systems. Because the batteries don’t degrade as quickly, operators don’t need to add more capacity later in a project’s life to maintain performance. They also use a fully passive cooling system that eliminates pumps, fans, and other components used in lithium-ion setups, reducing maintenance and safety risks.

The company claims its grid-scale sodium-ion system uses up to 97% less auxiliary power, offers about 30% better cell degradation performance over 20 years, and comes with a lower total cost of ownership.

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Why this deal matters

The agreement marks a significant step forward for the emerging sodium-ion sector, which has been gaining momentum as a safer and lower-cost alternative to lithium-ion for long-duration and grid-scale energy storage. It also underscores the growing effort to build a domestic sodium-ion battery supply chain in the US.

“From day one, we’ve believed sodium-ion will be the winning technology for grid-scale storage, which is essential to meet rising demand from hyperscalers and AI,” said Landon Mossburg, Peak Energy’s CEO and cofounder. “Deploying the world’s largest sodium-ion energy storage system with one of the nation’s top independent power producers proves that sodium is ready for today and will dominate the future.”

Mike Geier, CTO at Jupiter Power, said the company is “excited to support domestic battery energy storage manufacturing as we continue to increase the deployment of firm, dispatchable energy when and where it’s most needed,” and called Peak’s approach to sodium-ion “a potential game changer for the industry.”

Read more: The US’s first grid-scale sodium-ion battery is now online


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The new 2026 Lexus ES is an upgrade in just about every way [Video]

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The new 2026 Lexus ES is an upgrade in just about every way [Video]

Lexus claims the new ES “takes sedan styling, luxury, and refinement to a higher level” with a complete redesign. With the 2026 ES arriving soon, Lexus offered a closer look at the upgrades inside and out.

The new 2026 Lexus ES debuts in EV and hybrid forms

The eighth-gen ES is bringing more than a sharp new style. Lexus overhauled its flagship sedan from the ground up for the 2026 model year, which will include battery electric (BEV) and hybrid (HEV) powertrain options.

Inspired by the radical LF-ZC show car, the 2026 ES has been fully redesigned with what Lexus calls the “Experience Elegance and Electrified Sedan” concept, aimed at further refining the driving experience.

The new design centers on a redesigned “spindle body” that extends from the hood to the bumper. It also features a redesigned grille, replacing the signature Lexus spindle grille as the brand looks for a new identity in the electric era.

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Inside, the new 2026 ES features the latest version of the Lexus Interface multimedia system. The setup includes a 14″ touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12.3″ driver display cluster.

new-2026-Lexus-ES-EV
The 2026 Lexus ES 350e (Source: Lexus)

Based on the redesigned TNGA GA-K platform, the new ES will be available in battery electric (BEV) and hybrid (HEV) powertrains for the first time.

The 2026 Lexus ES lineup consists of two models: the ES 350e, a front-wheel-drive (FWD) model, and the ES 500e, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) model.

2026-Lexus-ES-EV-interior
The 2026 Lexus ES 350e interior (Source: Lexus)

Lexus expects the ES 350e to have a driving range of 300 miles when fitted with 19″ wheels, while the ES 500e has an estimated driving range of 250 miles.

Both the ES 350e and 500e feature a built-in NACS port to recharge at Tesla Superchargers. Using DC fast charging, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes under “ideal conditions,” according to Lexus.

With its debut just around the corner, Lexus offered a closer look at the new 2026 ES inside and out in a new video.

Lexus has yet to announce prices, but the redesigned ES is expected to start at about $45,000 to $50,000, or slightly more than the outgoing model.

After launching the upgraded RZ earlier this month, Lexus said the ES would be next. It’s expected to go on sale in Spring 2026.

What do you think of the redesigned 2026 ES? Do you like the new Lexus design? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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Tesla launches new Model Y+ with 510 miles (821 km) of range

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Tesla launches new Model Y+ with 510 miles (821 km) of range

Tesla has launched a new version of the Model Y in China, and it’s achieving an impressive new range rating – thanks to a new battery cell from South Korea’s LG.

The new variant, a five-seat, rear-wheel drive long-range model, has been released with an 821-km range based on China’s CLTC standard.

While the CLTC rating is known to be optimistic, 821 km (about 510 miles) is an impressive number and the longest range Tesla has offered in its Model Y lineup to date, which is going to help it be more competitive in the Chinese market.

This new extended range Model Y version is made possible by using the 78.4-kWh ternary lithium-ion battery pack from LG Energy Solution, the same pack found in the also recently launched 830-km range Model 3 variant.

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The new long-range RWD Model Y starts at RMB 288,500, which translates to just over $40,500 USD.

The launch comes at a critical time for Tesla in China, which has seen its sales slump in recent months. The automaker recorded its lowest monthly sales in October since November 2022, falling out of the top 10 list for new energy vehicle (NEV) sales.

That’s despite a continued surge in electric vehicle sales in China. Tesla is not benefiting from it amid strong competition.

According to local Chinese media reports, the new 821-km Model Y is already gaining traction with some anecdotal reports of enthusiasm at Tesla stores.

The reports are partly supported by Tesla quickly extending delivery timelines from 2-4 weeks to 4-6 weeks just hours after launch.

Electrek’s Take

I think this is going to be suitable for a decent short-term bump in demand, but it’s still on the expensive side for the Chinese market.

For example, now the Model Y beats the Xpeng G6’s max range of 755 km, but the G6 with this range costs 234,900 RMB (approximately $32,900 USD), which is significantly cheaper.

Every 10,000 RMB tranche lower means a lot more demand in China.

Tesla needs to launch its new “standard” versions to start making a difference with demand long term in China.

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