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Booming investment in solar and battery manufacturing is rapidly becoming a powerful global economic driver, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In a first-of-its-kind analysis from the IEA, “Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing” finds that global investment in the manufacturing of five key clean energy technologies – solar, wind, batteries, electrolyzers, and heat pumps – rose to $200 billion in 2023, an increase of more than 70% from 2022 that accounted for around 4% of global GDP growth and nearly 10% of global investment growth. 

Spending on solar PV manufacturing more than doubled last year, while investment in battery  manufacturing rose by around 60%.

As a result, solar PV module manufacturing capacity today is  already in line with what is needed in 2030 based on the IEA’s net zero emissions scenario. For battery cells, if announced projects are included, manufacturing capacity is 90% of the way toward meeting net zero demand at the end of this decade. 

The report finds that many projects in the pipeline will be operational soon. Around 40% of investments in clean energy manufacturing in 2023 were in facilities that are due to come online in 2024. For batteries, this share rises to 70%.

Clean energy manufacturing is still dominated by China, which is currently home to more than 80% of global solar PV module manufacturing capacity, followed by the US and India with 5%, and Europe with just 1%. That’s not expected to change this decade.

However, the report finds that the manufacturing of battery cells could become less geographically concentrated in China by 2030. If all announced projects are realized, Europe and the US could each reach around 15% of global installed capacity by 2030. 

New data and analysis based on plant-level assessments of more than 750 factories indicate that  China remains the lowest-cost producer of all clean energy technologies. Battery, wind, and solar PV manufacturing facilities are typically 70-130% more expensive to build in the US and Europe than in China.

However, the vast majority of total production costs for these technologies (70-98%) is estimated to come from operational costs that include energy, labor, and materials. The IEA says the implication is that current production cost gaps can be influenced by policy.

“While greater investment is still needed for some technologies – and clean energy manufacturing could be spread more widely around the globe – the direction of travel is clear. Policy makers have a huge opportunity to design industrial strategies with clean energy transitions at their core,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol.  

The report, produced in response to a request from G7 Leaders in 2023, is designed to provide guidance for policy makers as they prepare industrial strategies with a strong focus on clean energy manufacturing.

Read more: The US just proposed 18 GW of new offshore wind sales


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Kia’s electric van spotted in two surprising new versions [Video]

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Kia's electric van spotted in two surprising new versions [Video]

Is it an electric van? Pickup truck? The PV5 can do it all. Kia’s electric van was caught with two new body types for the first time.

What PV5 version is Kia planning to launch?

The PV5 is more than just a futuristic-looking electric van. It’s what Kia calls “the world’s most useful electric mobility vehicle.”

It’s the first from its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, which will offer a wide range of customizable EVs, advanced software, and much more.

During its PV5 Tech Day event in July, Kia revealed plans to introduce seven PV5 body types, ranging from a light camper to an open-bed truck.

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The PV5 Passenger and Cargo, built for personal and business use, are already rolling out in Europe and South Korea. The Cargo Compact (available in 3- and 4-door configurations) and the Cargo High Roof are also available.

New variants will include an open bed, a light camper, a luxury “Prime” passenger, a built-in truck, and a refrigerated truck.

The refrigerated truck was captured driving in public for the first time in South Korea, offering a closer look at what’s coming soon. Kia will launch three PV5 refrigerated truck models: low, standard, and high.

The video from HealerTV reveals the standard and high versions. In person, the reporter noted that the high version definitely appeared taller than the standard version.

Although the front looks like the PV5 Passenger and Cargo, the back is redesigned for the refrigerated unit. Kia has yet to reveal a launch date, but it’s expected to be by the end of 2025.

Another PV5 variant, the open-bed version, was recently spotted in public in South Korea. Although we’ve seen it a few times before, the new video, also from the folks at HealerTV, offers our best look at the truck-like variant from all angles.

Meanwhile, the PV5 Cargo just set a new Guinness World Record after driving 430.84 miles (693.38 km) on a single charge, while carrying a full load.

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The new Nissan LEAF delivers more driving range than expected

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The new Nissan LEAF delivers more driving range than expected

The new 2026 Nissan LEAF has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 303 miles, but real-world tests suggest it can go even further.

New 2026 Nissan LEAF beats range estimates

Nissan upgraded its iconic electric hatch for its third generation, bringing a new style, faster charging, and over 300 miles of driving range.

The 2026 LEAF boasts 25% more driving range than the outgoing model with an official EPA rating of up to 303 miles. That’s a pretty big difference from the up to 212-mile rating on the 2025 LEAF SV Plus.

In the real world, it will likely drive even further. According to Edmunds, the new LEAF “far exceeded its official EPA estimate” in early tests.

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The 2026 Nissan LEAF Platinum+ was just put through the Edmunds EV Range Test, traveling 310 miles on a single charge. That’s for the Platinum+ trim, which has an official EPA-estimated driving range of just 259 miles. The SV+ is rated with 288 miles, while the base S+ has 303 miles.

New-Nissan-LEAF-range
The new 2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)

Based on early tests, Edmunds expects all new LEAF trims to offer significantly more driving range than their ratings indicate.

Nissan’s new LEAF also topped the EPA’s efficiency expectations. The 2026 LEAF achieved an energy consumption of 27.8 kWh per 100 miles during the test, compared to the EPA estimated 33 kWh per 100 miles. That’s a nearly 16% improvement.

New-Nissan-LEAF-range
The new 2026 Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)

The Edmunds EV range test offers a more accurate estimate of a vehicle’s real-world range. It’s made up of 60% city and 40% highway with an average speed of 40 mph. The car stays within 5 miles of the posted speed limit, is set at its most efficient setting, and the climate control is set on auto at 72 degrees.

2026 Nissan LEAF trim Starting Price Driving Range
(EPA-estimated)
LEAF S+ $29,990 303 miles
LEAF SV+ $34,230 288 miles
LEAF Platinum+ $38,990 259 miles
2026 Nissan LEAF EV prices and range by trim

Starting at $29,990, the 2026 Nissan LEAF is poised to challenge the Chevy Equinox EV on price and driving range.

The Chevy Equinox EV LT delivered 356 miles of range and an energy consumption of 28.9 kWh per 100 miles during the Edmunds EV Range Test.

The electric Equinox is currently the third-most-popular EV in the US, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3. Will the upgrades be enough for the LEAF to make a comeback?

Ready to test drive one to see for yourself? You can use our links below to find Nissan LEAF and Chevy Equinox EVs closest to you.

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Tesla (TSLA) keeps getting battered in Europe’s EV market

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Tesla (TSLA) keeps getting battered in Europe's EV market

We’re getting the first batch of Tesla registration data out of Europe for October 2025, and it confirms the worrying trend we’ve been tracking: Tesla’s demand is in a steep decline.

Based on data from 9 key markets that have reported so far, Tesla’s registrations fell 36.3% year over year (YoY).

Just 4,170 units were registered in these countries (including Norway, France, Sweden, and the Netherlands) compared to 6,549 in those same exact markets in October 2024.

Here are the markets that reported October 2025 data so far:

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  • 🇫🇷 France: 83.7% Growth (1,784 vs 971) 📈
  • 🇪🇸 Spain: 30.6% Decline (393 vs 566) 📉
  • 🇮🇹 Italy: 47.1% Decline (256 vs 484) 📉
  • 🇳🇱 Netherlands: 47.9% Decline (645 vs 1,238) 📉
  • 🇳🇴 Norway: 50.2% Decline (671 vs 1,348) 📉
  • 🇵🇹 Portugal: 58.7% Decline (144 vs 349) 📉
  • 🇦🇹 Austria: 64.5% Decline (97 vs 273) 📉
  • 🇫🇮 Finland: 67.6% Decline (47 vs 145) 📉
  • 🇸🇪 Sweden: 88.7% Decline (133 vs 1,175) 📉

The only positive in October for Tesla was the French market, which saw significant growth due to a new EV incentive program for low- to middle-income people.

The rest was disastrous.

While some analysts are trying to push the idea that Tesla’s European sales have now bottomed after two years of decline, most reporting markets in October are showing the worst month of Tesla registrations this year. That includes even months before the availability of the Model Y refresh.

It also includes Norway, which has been one of Tesla’s healthiest markets amid its decline in Europe.

Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) figures for all of Europe, Tesla’s total registrations are down over 30% through the first ten months, falling from over 255,000 units by this time in 2024 to just 177,000 this year.

Electrek’s Take

I truly wonder when Elon or the board is going to do something about this. I know that their idea is that FSD is coming to save the day at some point, but that sounds ridiculous. At a 12% take rate, even once it becomes available in Europe, I doubt it will have a significant impact.

Tesla’s issues in Europe come from two main things: brand damage due to Elon Musk and competition.

Unlike in the US where Tesla has limited competition, the EV market is significantly more competitive in Europe, where some Chinese automakers are already esthablishing a presence and where European, Korean, and Japanese legacy automakers are making more EV models avialable.

Tesla needs a fresh EV lineup in Europe. And eslewhere for that matter.

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