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Australian equipment specialists Semco recently took delivery of their first Takeuchi TB20e, making it one of the first battery-powered compact excavators on the continent … but that’s not what makes it awesome.

Similar in size and performance to Takeuchi’s diesel-powered TB216 compact excavator, the TB20e is powered by lithium-ion battery that offers up to eight hours of continuous runtime. But the real innovation is this: when operators require additional runtime, they can plug the TB20e’s onboard charger into a power source and remain operational.

If you’re on a job site with grid power, that means the TB20e could (in theory) be kept working around the clock.

When grid power isn’t available or plugging in isn’t practical, an optional, off-board fast charger can charge the TB20e’s 24.7 kWh li-ion battery in less than four hours using 408v to 552v three-phase power. Two electric motors – one for drive and one for hydraulics – power the Takeuchi excavator as it gets things done.

Stuart Marriott, national product manager for Takeuchi Australia, says the Japanese manufacturer is committed to environmental stewardship, and sees the TB20e as a great place to help fleets start to decarbonize. “The new battery power excavator is designed to help our customers meet their own sustainability goals without sacrificing the performance and reliability they deserve and expect from Semco and Takeuchi.”

Electrek’s Take

Ever-increasing noise regulations, highly publicized corporate ESG goals, no-drip job sites, and strict emissions regulations are effectively forcing even the most hesitant manufacturers to start producing electric construction equipment. And, while Takeuchi isn’t a major player in the US, its clever use of grid power and a combination of on- and off-board chargers are features even the biggest manufacturers should take note of.

Now that I mention it, I think at least one major international construction company has had the same idea. Check out Volvo’s grid-connected material handler here.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Takeuchi Japan, via Earthmoving Equipment Magazine.

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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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