EV technology startup REE Automotive announced its latest milestone today, having been awarded two separate CARB certifications for its P7-C chassis cab. Now sales eligible in California, “Powered by REE” EVs are eligible for huge incentives, with other CARB-friendly states expected to follow suit.
Today’s news confirms expected results from REE Automotive ($REE) as its “x by wire” P7-C EV continues its journey toward scaled commercial deployment.
A mere two years ago at CES, the EV startup first introduced its modular P7 platform, designed with fleets in mind – particularly delivery operators in the US. Since then, we’ve seen REE unveil two all-electric variants – a novel Class 3 box truck called the P7-B and an additional chassis cab called the P7-C (seen above).
Ahead of production, REE has reported tens of millions in binding orders from commercial customers. It recently wooed more potential suitors when it showcased a demo EV during Work Truck Week earlier this month.
In January, we reported that REE’s P7-C had achieved certification from both the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA ahead of initial deliveries, the first full steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire, and drive-by-wire vehicle in the US to do so.
At the time, REE shared that the electric chassis cab is eligible for the IRS’ Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit in the US, enabling a tax credit of up to $40,000 per vehicle. Furthermore, REE said it was in the process of obtaining eligibility for various state incentives, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB), offering the potential to bolster those incentives upwards of $100,000 per vehicle.
Today, REE has confirmed that the P7-C has been awarded eligibility for two separate CARB certifications, further incentivizing commercial fleets to purchase.
Source: REE Automotive
REE now qualifies for CARB credits in CA, more to come
Per REE, its Class 4 P7-C EV has officially been made eligible for two certifications from CARB – a Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) certification covering the complete vehicle and the Zero Emission Powertrain (ZEP) certification.
CARB certification is a vital factor in enabling state incentives to commercial customers. Although the certificates originate and are awarded in California, several other states follow The Golden State’s lead in policy and honor the same incentives to promote electrification and sustainability. REE co-founder and CEO Daniel Barel spoke about the P7-C’s latest milestone:
Being CARB certified unlocks many doors for us and for our customers as we can now sell in California, and I am excited for our California dealers as they start to receive their Powered by REE trucks. This is an important milestone since now Powered by REE vehicles can receive more than $100,000 incentive funding which makes it even easier for fleets to electrify. We believe that this cost savings, combined with our REEcorner and x-by-wire technology’s ability to lower total cost of ownership, will boost even further the strong demand we see for our P7 lineup.
Combined with incentives in place at the federal level, CARB certification now gives REE EVs the potential to over $100,000 per vehicle – a huge selling point for fleets who are looking to purchase several commercial EVs at a time as they transition to zero emissions.
Looking ahead, REE says several other states have indicated plans to follow California’s lead in adopting CARB’s Advanced Clean Truck Regulation, a sales requirement, alongside ZEP certification to sell the EVs locally and offer such large incentives.
REE says it will continue to deliver initial EV builds to early customers through its growing dealer network while continuing to take its all-electric show on the road with its demo trucks.
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First Solar just cut the ribbon on a huge new factory in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, and it dwarfs the New Orleans Superdome. The company’s $1.1 billion, fully vertically integrated facility spans 2.4 million square feet, or about 11 times the size of the stadium’s main arena.
The factory began production quietly in July, a few months ahead of schedule, and employs more than 700 people. First Solar expects that number to hit 826 by the end of the year. Once it’s fully online, the site will add 3.5 GW of annual manufacturing capacity. That brings the company’s total US footprint to 14 GW in 2026 and 17.7 GW in 2027, when its newly announced South Carolina plant is anticipated to come online.
The Louisiana plant produces First Solar’s Series 7 modules using US-made materials — glass from Illinois and Ohio, and steel from Mississippi, which is fabricated into backrails in Louisiana.
The new factory leans heavily on AI, from computer vision that spots defects on the line to deep learning tools that help technicians make real‑time adjustments.
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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry says the investment is already a win for the region, bringing in “hundreds of good-paying jobs and new opportunities for Louisiana workers and businesses.” A new economic impact analysis from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette projects that the factory will boost Iberia Parish’s GDP by 4.4% in its first full year at capacity. The average manufacturing compensation package comes in at around $90,000, more than triple the parish’s per capita income.
First Solar CEO Mark Widmar framed the new facility as a major step for US clean energy manufacturing: “By competitively producing energy technology in America with American materials, while creating American jobs, we’re demonstrating that US reindustrialization isn’t just a thesis, it’s an operating reality.”
This site joins what’s already the largest solar manufacturing and R&D footprint in the Western Hemisphere: three factories in Ohio, one in Alabama, and R&D centers in Ohio and California. Just last week, First Solar announced a new production line in Gaffney, South Carolina, to onshore more Series 6 module work. By the end of 2026, the company expects to directly employ more than 5,500 people across the US.
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No, it’s not the new Bolt. GM’s design team previewed a new high-riding “sporty Chevrolet EV” that should be brought to life.
Is Chevy launching a new sporty EV?
This is the all-electric vehicle Chevy should sell in the US. General Motors’ design team released a series of sketches previewing a sporty new Chevy EV.
Although it kinda looks like the new 2027 Chevy Bolt EV as a higher-sitting compact crossover SUV, the design offers a fresh take on what it should have looked like.
The new Bolt is essentially a modernized version of the outgoing EUV model with a similar compact crossover silhouette. Nissan adopted a similar style with the new 2026 LEAF as buyers continue shifting from smaller sedans and hatchbacks to crossovers and SUVs.
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Will we see the sporty Chevy EV in real life? It’s not likely. For one, the “exploration sketch” is by GM China Advanced designer Charles Huang.
GM Design posted the sketches on its global social media page, but the caption read “Sporty Chevrolet EV for the China Market.”
It’s too bad. The Bolt could use a sporty sibling like an SS variant. Chevy introduced the Blazer EV SS (check out our review) for the 2026 model year, its fastest “SS” model yet. Packing up to 615 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, the Chevy Blazer SS can race from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds when using Wide Open Watts (WOW) mode.
Will the Bolt be next? I wouldn’t get my hopes up. And if GM does bring the sporty Chevy EV to life, it will likely only be sold in China. Like all the fun cars these days.
The 2027 Chevy Bolt EV RS (Source: Chevrolet)
What do you think of the design? Would you buy one of these in the US? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
While deliveries of the 2027 Bolt are set to begin in early 2026, Chevy is offering some sweet deals on its current EV lineup, including up to $4,000 off in Customer Cash and 0% APR financing for 60 months.
Ready to test drive one? You can use our links below to find Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs at a dealership 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 electricity becoming the base currency, Tesla Robotaxi crashes, the new Porsche Cayenne EV, and more.
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