Connect with us

Published

on

Honda has announced lease pricing for its upcoming CR-V e:FCEV fuel cell plug in hybrid, which operates either on electricity or hydrogen.

Honda first announced the CR-V e:FCEV earlier this year, and we got a chance to drive it at Honda’s California R&D center.

It’s an interesting idea that nobody’s done before. To help make up for the lack of hydrogen stations, you can fill the car’s 17.7kWh battery up with electricity at home for up to 29 miles of range of day to day use, and then fill up the 241-mile hydrogen tank, which is quicker to fill and has higher energy density than batteries, from time to time for longer trips.

When we drove it (and you can read our far too-detailed thoughts on it here), we got a lot of the technical stuff out of the way, but Honda hadn’t yet announced the specifics of its offering – just that it would be lease-only and would come with some amount of free hydrogen. Today, we’re finally getting the details.

Honda CR-V e:FCEV will lease for $389-$489/mo

Honda is offering three different lease deals on the CR-V e:FCEV, with two of them at a relatively standard 12k miles per year, and one high-mileage lease with a 2 year, 60,000 mile term.

2025 Honda CR-V e:FCEV Touring Lease Options
Monthly payment $459 $389 $489
Due at signing  $2,959 $2,889 $2,989
Lease term  3 years 6 years 2 years
Allowable mileage 36,000 72,000 60,000
Hydrogen fuel credit   $15,000 $30,000 $25,000

The monthly pricing is a little high compared to the great EV lease deals we’ve been seeing lately (e.g. Model 3 for less than a Camry, Hyundais for around $200/mo, or the Toyota bZ4X for next to nothing), but still fairly reasonable. And it comes with a free hydrogen fuel credit, which will help to make up for some of that difference in lease cost (and good thing, since hydrogen is currently ~$32/kg which means it’s $130+ to fill up its 4.3kg tank).

The lease also includes 21 days of free Avis rentals, but only in California – which is incidentally the only state that Honda will lease the car in.

The CR-V e:FCEV will be available starting July 9. Honda plans to offer about 300 vehicles for lease.

Electrek’s Take

While I do think it’s interesting what Honda is doing with the CR-V e:FCEV, it’s sort of a solution in search of a problem. But it’s also not much of a solution, since Honda plans to offer 300 of these vehicles in a state which has 30 million vehicles.

Honda says that working on fuel cell technology will help them hedge their bets, instead of focusing fully on BEV as most of the industry is doing. Honda is right that fuel cells could have a niche – but that niche is probably in heavy transport, not in light-duty consumer vehicles. Honda did recently show a Class 8 hydrogen truck concept, but it’s looking for partners to bring it to reality as it doesn’t currently make semi trucks itself.

And giving out free energy is fun, but it eliminates the whole point of the hybrid. Drivers can either pay for their own electricity, which is more efficient and ought to be cheaper than either gas or hydrogen, or they can go to the hydrogen station for free fuel.

This removes the EV convenience filling up at home, and just makes the vehicle a comparatively inconvenient hydrogen car, which will mostly end up being fueled at one of very few California hydrogen stations instead of in the comfort of the parking spot it returns to every single night. Because why would you fill up at home when hydrogen is free?

Conversely, with a BEV, you could have that convenience, and have more availability of DC chargers on the road, including out-of-state, with little additional charging time (assuming you use one of the fastest charging EVs) – and the EV is more efficient than the hydrogen car to boot.

Which brings up the actual solution to the problem that Honda is trying to solve here: why not just get a battery-electric car instead?

Read More – First drive: Honda says its CR-V e:FCEV plug-in fuel cell hybrid is the future. Is it?

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Lotus Cars quietly updates its 900+ hp Eletre and Emeya EVs for 2026

Published

on

By

Lotus Cars quietly updates its 900+ hp Eletre and Emeya EVs for 2026

Lotus Cars’ compelling, high-performance electric sports sedan and SUV received a number of fresh updates earlier this week, but packs superior infotainment tech, styling tweaks, and (of course) a mind-bending 905 electric horsepower. (!)

I haven’t checked the numbers, but I’d bet a dollar or three that Tesla moves more cars in a good week than Lotus sells in a year. Still, Lotus has managed to preserve its reputation as a maker of truly engaging drivers’ cars. Its latest EVs, the Emeya sedan and Eletre SUV, are generally regarded as dynamic, exhilarating machines that credibly carry Colin Chapman’s yellow badge.

For 2026, though, the Chinese versions of the updated Lotus EVs have black badges (the UK versions were announced back in April), but the new doesn’t stop there.

The next update on the list is the addition of 22″, 10-spoke ultralight alloy wheels across the entire Eletre lineup. Both the 600 and 600 SE variants retain last year’s 6-piston fixed front and floating rear brake calipers, while the top-tier 900 model gets a high-performance, 10-piston, carbon-ceramic braking system that’s more than capable of hauling the Eletre SUV down from speed, lap after lap.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

They’ll need those brakes, too – because these things are fast, and getting faster with seemingly every new software update. “Things can always go faster,” reads the official Lotus copy. “The new Eletre and Emeya ‘900’ provide unmistakable evidence, representing superlatives in terms of performance. Both rely on a 675 kW (~915 hp) strong dual-motor powertrain.”

Both Lotus 900s can put that power to the ground effectively enough to rocket from 0-62 mph (100 km) in a well under 3.0 seconds on their way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (256 km/h) in the Eletre, and 160 mph (265 km/h) in the Emeya. The 600s aren’t exactly slow, either, packing 405 kW electric motors (~600 hp) good for 0-60 times in the mid 4s.

Inside, the Eletre and Emeya designs carries over without major changes. Lotus enhanced the features list on various trims. The 600 models now include 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, as well as 15-speaker audio systems from KEF. The 600 SE further adds a PDLC smart panoramic sunroof, 20-way power-adjustable front seats, front seat massage function, and active rear-wheel steering.

CarNewsChina reports that the updated 900 model builds upon the 600 SE’s new offerings with an intelligent, active anti-roll control suspension system.

Pricing for the 2026 Lotus EVs starts at 538,000 yuan (74,800 USD) in China, and climbs to over 838,000 yuan (116,500 USD) for the top-shelf Lotus Eletre 900 SUV. All models carry the same two-speed transmission and 112 kWh battery (102 kWh in the UK), good for up to 610 km (~375 miles) of driving between charges.

No word yet on if or when these updates will make it to America.

Electrek’s Take


It wasn’t that long ago that a 900+ hp car was a cammy, rough-riding mess of a machine that you could barely take through a drive thru, but could probably land on the cover of a car magazine. Today, that same 900 hp in a quiet, smooth, reliable EV hardly generates a headline. And, almost in defiance of the “everything just keeps getting more expensive” truism, these mind-bending supercars can be had for less than what cars like this used to cost with gas engines and a third of the power.

How far we’ve come!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Lotus Cars, via CarNewsChina.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

E-quipment highlight: 50 kW portable DC fast charger from Lincoln Electric

Published

on

By

E-quipment highlight: 50 kW portable DC fast charger from Lincoln Electric

The welding equipment experts at Lincoln Electric know a thing or two about high-voltage equipment. Now, they’re bringing that electrical expertise to a whole new market with a portable, self-contained, 50 kW DC fast charger designed to deliver a quick shot of range and get stranded drivers back on the road.

Lincoln Electric’s Velion 50 kW DC fast charger is pitched as a durable, compact mobile charging unit that’s perfect for tow truck operators and construction fleets dealing with vehicles and fleet assets that couldn’t quite make their way back to a charger. So, you’re looking at this and thinking of one of those red, 5-gallon gas tanks that helps get drivers off the highway and to the next exit, congratulations: you get it!

“[Velion is] Designed for flexible, mobile use,” said Bruce Chantry, Vice President, Electric Vehicle Solutions at Lincoln Electric, during a buzzword-packed introduction of the new machine. “Designed in collaboration with the market and leveraging decades of expertise in power electronics, our solution is engineered to provide the flexibility customers need today, with a future-ready design to meet the demands of tomorrow.”

Designed, engineered, and assembled in the United States with over 70% domestic content, the Velion charger meets all National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC

Lincoln Electric plans to sell the Velion DCFC to municipal fleets and state highway agencies, first, and envisions it being deployed in tough environments like construction sites, emergency response arenas, and complex fixed fleet depots. Car dealerships, museums, and probably ambulances too, could benefit – but I’m sure that’s just scratching the surface.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Watch the Lincoln Electric launch video for the Velion from earlier this summer, below, then let us know how you’d like to see a mobile fast charger get deployed in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Lincoln Electric Velion DCFC


Velion 50 kW mobile charger; via Lincoln Electric.

The company hasn’t announced pricing or battery energy capacity (in kWh) for the new Velion, but I’d guess it’s something higher than 15 kWh, but less than 20. If you guys have a better guess, I’d love to hear it!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Lincoln Electric.


If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

Published

on

By

How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

Electric vehicles have come a long way, but let’s be real—they still have their hangups: “range anxiety,” long charging times, and questions about safety and sustainability. But what if all those worries could be put to rest?

At IAA Mobility in Munich, CATL, one of the world’s biggest battery makers, unveiled a new technology that could revolutionize EVs.

Shenxing Pro: Go Far, Last Long

CATL debuted two versions of its next-gen Shenxing Pro battery. One is all about distance and durability. Picture this: a single charge gets you up to 758 km (or about 470 miles). That’s enough to drive from Houston to Memphis without a single stop. And it’s not just about the distance; this thing is built to last. It promises a lifespan of 12 years or 1,000,000 km, with only around 9% degradation after 200,000 km. That’s a huge leap from today’s EV batteries, which often lose up to 30% of their capacity over the same period.

Fast Charging, Even When It’s Freezing

Tired of waiting around for your car to charge? The second version of the Shenxing Pro is for you. It’s the Super Fast Charging model, designed to get you back on the road in minutes. CATL says it can add a whopping 478 km of range in just 10 minutes under perfect conditions. And here’s the best part: it holds its own in the cold. We all know how much cold weather messes with most EV batteries, but the Shenxing Pro still delivers up to 410 km of range in just 20 minutes at a chilling -20°C. That’s better than many EVs perform in normal temperatures!

Advertisement – scroll for more content

No Propagation 3.0: Safety First

Safety is a top concern with EV batteries, especially the risk of thermal runaway—that’s when one cell overheats and triggers a dangerous chain reaction. CATL’s new No Propagation 3.0 platform is engineered to stop that domino effect cold. It uses special fireproof coatings and a cell structure that quickly cools down and relieves pressure. In the rare event of a problem, the battery can still provide stable power for over an hour. That extra time is a lifeline, giving drivers the chance to get to safety and ensuring critical systems like advanced driver-assistance features stay online when you need them most.

Getting Greener, At Scale

CATL is also tackling the sustainability issue head-on. Through a new initiative called the Global Energy Circular Commitment (GECC), they aim to cut the use of new raw materials by half over the next two decades. They’re already a leader in this space, operating the world’s largest battery recycling network. Since 2024, they’ve recycled over 130,000 tons of used batteries, recovering 99.6% of crucial metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese.

The Whole Package

What’s so impressive about the Shenxing Pro isn’t just one feature—it’s everything working together. By improving range, charging speed, safety, and sustainability all at once, CATL isn’t just fixing a single problem; they’re taking on the biggest obstacles to widespread EV adoption. If these batteries live up to the hype, the next wave of EVs could be more efficient, more reliable, and a whole lot greener.

The bottom line? CATL’s latest battery tech in tandem with other commitments could prove to be the building blocks for the next wave of EVs in Europe and beyond.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending