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Chinese EV automaker XPeng Motors is making good on its vow to enter new European markets this year, beginning with Germany. Beginning today, two all-electric XPeng models are available to German customers as the automaker targets an ambitious market share in a land home to several huge names in legacy OEMs and shows no signs of slowing down in its expansion through Europe.

Following a relatively quick rise to fame in its native China in a few short years, XPeng Motors ($XPEV) set its sights on global expansion in hopes of becoming a global EV brand. Part of that globalization process began in Europe, particularly in Norway with its P7 sedan, commencing deliveries in the summer of 2021.

As an encore, XPeng also shared plans to send its G9 SUV overseas. We got to drive the P7 and the G9 during two separate trips to the Netherlands, another EU territory XPeng has entered.

That 2022 market entry was part of multiple retail agreements in new markets in addition to Norway and the NL, including Sweden and Denmark. During IAA Mobility held in Germany last fall, XPeng vice chairman and president Brian Gu shared some insight about where the Chinese automaker will go next, citing three additional European markets.

One of those new markets included Germany, and beginning today, the two XPeng EVs mentioned above are available to those local consumers.

XPeng Germany
The G9 SUV, now available in Germany / Source: XPeng Motors / Weibo

XPeng G9 and P7 EVs now available in Germany

Per its Weibo page, XPeng Motors has officially launched its first two BEVs in Germany – acknowledged by the Chinese automaker as “the world’s most competitive automotive market.” By entering Germany to compete against the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Volkswagen, XPeng hopes to make an impact in the market.

Per the post, it is targeting a 3% market share in Germany by the end of 2024. The G9 SUV launches in three trims: A rear-wheel drive standard range model for 57,600 euros ($62,300), a rear-wheel drive long-range version for 61,600 euros ($66,600), and an AWD drive long-range trim starting at 69,600 euros ($75,275).

The XPeng P7 sedan, which recently saw a 2023 refresh, also launches in Germany in three separate trims: A rear-wheel drive long-range EV for 49,600 euros ($53,650), an AWD drive performance version for 58,600 euros ($63,350), and the AWD Wing Edition, starting at 69,600 euros ($75,275).

In addition to a beautiful launch video showcasing the G9 around the Alps, XPeng’s recent Weibo post reiterated its following plans for Europe. Beyond Germany, XPeng said it will soon begin selling its EVs in France, Italy, and the UK. Per previous comments from Brian Gu, XPeng’s G6 SUV will specifically debut in the UK as the automaker’s first right-side driving EV to compete with the Tesla Model Y.

XPeng’s continued expansions through Europe are part of a larger strategy to launch approximately 30 new and refreshed EV models by 2027. That’s a tall order.

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Another hydrogen fail as Renault subsidiary Hyvia struggles to survive

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Another hydrogen fail as Renault subsidiary Hyvia struggles to survive

French hydrogen firm Hyvia has been given a stay of execution. The Commercial Court of Versaille has given Hyvia a few extra weeks to get through its insolvency proceedings and find a buyer – but, frankly, it ain’t lookin’ good.

Hyvia began life as a joint venture between French carmaker Renault and American company Plug Power in 2021, but as anyone with more than a social media headline-deep knowledge of hydrogen’s shortcomings as a transportation already know: it’s impossible for hydrogen to compete with BEVs.

The facts surrounding hydrogen fuel cells remain the kind of lessons that people insist on learning the expensive way, however – and companies like Hyzon, Nikola, and even GM seem intent on spending more millions to learn them, even as genuine engineering experts like Mahle insist that the costs (and carbon emissions) of hydrogen remain impractically high for all but the most specialized use cases.

To its credit, Renault seems to have learned those rather expensive lessons about hydrogen well – and has learned so much about hydrogen that it’s committed to a full range of battery electric delivery vans. The French carmaker’s new vans range in size from something like an MPV/minivan on up to a box van and something like one of the Amazon delivery vans built by Rivian called the Estafette E-Tech (below, center).

Renault commercial electric vans

Electric commercial vans, via Renault.

But this article isn’t about Renault’s EVs, it’s about the hydrogen-powered Hyvia brand – and Hyvia doesn’t seem to be long for this world. That hard truth becomes even more obvious when you read the company’s own statement on the matter, which is almost wholly devoid of self-awareness and full of external blame:

For three years, HYVIA, one of the first companies to invest and innovate in hydrogen mobility, has developed an offer, in a market which unfortunately still remains absent.

The too slow evolution of hydrogen mobility ecosystems in Europe and the very significant development costs required for H2 innovation led to this decision.

HYVIA

When I first wrote about Hyzon retreating from Australia’s shores, I noted something interesting: Australia’s commercial BEV sales were booming. The same is true in the US, as well, with Cox Automotive expecting fully 1 in 4 new cars sold this year to be fully electric.

It seems like the market has spoken, then – and hydrogen has lost.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Hyvia, H2.

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E-quipment highlight: Liebherr Liduro Power Port 100 portable equipment charger

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E-quipment highlight: Liebherr Liduro Power Port 100 portable equipment charger

The new Liebherr Liduro Power Port 100 is the company’s newest, smallest battery energy storage system to charge electric construction equipment or power up a mobile office – and it’s coming to bauma 2025.

Access to power on construction sites can be limited or non-existent – even if you’re working for the power company! Liebherr understands this better than most, and they’re developing a series of portable energy storage solutions like the Liduro Power Port (LPO) to make sure electrified job sites can keep the lights on.

Liebherr put the LPO 100 to work by French construction firm CJ Bois, in France, to power a 65 K.1 bottom-slewing crane on a construction site. With access to a standard 2 kW household outlet, the LPO 100 was able to deliver up to 26 kW power up to on-site equipment the next day.

“Available for sale and very soon for rental, Liduro completes our commercial offering,” comments Cyrille Prudhomme, business development manager at Liebherr Distribution and Services France. “(The LPO) enables us to expand our service offering to our customers by providing a concrete response to the electrification of the construction sites and many other applications.”

For their part, CJ Bois seems happy with the Liduro. “We were very pleasantly surprised by how quiet it was throughout the worksite,” says the site manager at CJ Bois. “Compared to an internal combustion engine generator, Liduro significantly improves our working conditions, and we feel less tired at the end of the day. It also facilitates communication on site, which contributes to staff safety.”

Liebherr will bring the LPO 100 to bauma for the first time this year, with customer deliveries set to begin soon after. The company says it can be used with maximum efficiency to supply electricity to fast-erecting tower cranes and small- to medium-sized machines like Liebherr’s own L 507 E compact electric wheel loader.

Electrek’s Take

CJ Bois deploys the Liebherr LPO 100; via Liebherr.

If this concept seems familiar, it’s because we’ve covered something very similar before – the Volvo CE PU (Power Unit) 750 and 130 portable power stations.

As fleets are forced to electrify through a combination of customers’ ESG goals, noise regulations, and environmental regulations (though, probably not American regulations), the need to get usable power to where work is being done becomes a critical variable for fleets to solve for. Solutions like this will help some fleets electrify sooner than later, and that’s why we’re all here.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Liebherr, via Heavy Equipment Guide.

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Two weeks left to win your dream EV in Climate XChange’s raffle. Enter before tickets sell out!

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Two weeks left to win your dream EV in Climate XChange's raffle. Enter before tickets sell out!

Climate XChange’s 9th Annual EV Raffle is your chance to win the electric car of your dreams – but with just two weeks left and fewer than a third of tickets remaining, now’s the time to grab yours!

Imagine designing your dream EV precisely how you want it – every detail customized, up to $120,000, with all taxes covered. That’s the reality for the Grand Prize winner – and it could be you.

Table of contents

Climate XChange

How it works

Climate XChange, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is driving the transition to a zero-emissions economy nationwide – and you can support its mission by purchasing a raffle ticket.

Enter at CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek. Every ticket you buy is one entry to win. Climate XChange is only selling 5,000 tickets, which means your odds are better here than most internet sweepstakes. And with fewer than a third of the available tickets remaining, ensure you don’t miss out on your dream EV!

Plus, you can feel good knowing your ticket supports an amazing cause: pushing for state-level climate action and advancing the transition to a zero-emissions economy.

The last day to purchase a raffle ticket is February 26, or when they sell out.

The prizes

  • Grand Prize: Custom-built EV of your choice, valued up to $120,000, with all taxes covered.
  • 2nd Place: $12,500 cash.
  • 3rd Place: $7,500 cash.

That’s three chances of winning, and no matter how many tickets Climate XChange sells, it will still give away the grand prize EV.

Why enter?

Climate XChange

For nearly a decade, Climate XChange has been turning dreams into reality. Last year’s winner drove away in a custom red Tesla Model X Plaid – and now it’s your turn.

Climate XChange runs a tight ship to ensure a fair and transparent raffle. It prints every ticket stub and live-streams the entire drawing process – including loading the raffle drum – so you can be confident the winners are chosen fairly. It also hires independent auditors to oversee the raffle to ensure that every ticket purchased is correct and entered into the drawing.

BUY YOUR TICKET TODAY at CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek and start daydreaming about what your perfect car will look like!

Who is Climate XChange?

Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonprofit working to help states transition to a zero-emissions economy. It advances state climate policy through its State Climate Policy Network, connecting over 15,000 advocates and policymakers, and through its State Climate Policy Dashboard, a leading data platform for up-to-date state climate policy information across all US states and major climate sectors.

Climate XChange EV Raffle rules summary

  • Must be 18 or older to enter.
  • Tickets are available at CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek.
  • Only 5,000 tickets will be sold.
  • Grand Prize Drawing on February 28, 2025.

All proceeds support Climate XChange’s work to push for ambitious climate policy – so even if you don’t win, you’re still making a difference.

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