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EV battery charges 15 minutes
Photo: University of Waterloo

Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo have developed a new lithium-ion EV battery design that can charge from zero to 80% in just 15 minutes and has a longer lifespan.

The new design also allows batteries to handle up to 800 charging cycles, significantly increasing their lifespan.

Yverick Rangom, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said, “If we can make batteries smaller, charge faster, and last longer, we reduce the overall cost of the vehicle. That makes EVs a viable option for more people, including those who don’t have home charging stations or who live in apartments. It would also increase the value of second-hand EVs, making electric transportation more accessible.”

The secret sauce here is in the anode, which traditionally relies on graphite. The researchers designed a method to fuse graphite particles together to improve conductivity. This tweak enables lithium ions to move fast without causing typical degradation or safety hazards associated with fast charging.

What’s cool is that they didn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of materials; the team worked with the same lithium-ion components already used in EV batteries today.

“We’re just finding a better way to arrange the particles and providing new functions to the binders that hold them together such as state-of the-art electron, ion, and heat transfer properties,” explained Michael Pope, co-lead of the research and professor at Waterloo’s Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre. “This approach ensures that the technology can be scalable and implemented using current production lines, offering a low-cost solution to battery manufacturers.”

The next step? The research team is optimizing the manufacturing process and putting prototypes to the test to gauge industry interest. The goal is to make sure this new battery design isn’t just effective – it has to be scalable and ready for widespread industry adoption.

“It’s crucial that it can be implemented within the existing infrastructure for both battery production and charging stations,” added Rangom, lead researcher for the Battery Workforce Challenge.

The University of Waterloo researchers’ findings are published in the journal Advanced Science.

Read more: North Dakota is ramping up its EV charger installations

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BYD has a new ultra-luxury EV brand headed for Europe

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4 hours ago

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July 21, 2025

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BYD has a new ultra-luxury EV brand headed for Europe

BYD-ultra-luxury-EV-Europe

Ferrari and Porsche will soon have company. BYD just confirmed plans to launch Yangwang, its ultra-luxury EV brand, in Europe. It will be the first Chinese brand to enter Europe’s most elite segment.

BYD preps new ultra-luxury EV brand for Europe

After launching Denza earlier this year, BYD is set to introduce another luxury brand to Europe. Yangwang is BYD’s most exclusive lineup of new energy vehicles, featuring its advanced technology and performance.

The brand has been on sale in China for about two and a half years, and now, it’s preparing to launch in Europe. BYD’s vice president Stella Li told Autocar that “our plan is that we will bring Yangwang into Europe,” after Denza earlier next year.

BYD launched its ultra-luxury EV brand in January 2023, with the first vehicle, the Yangwang U8, going on sale in September of the same year.

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The Yangwang U8 is a Range Rover-like extended range electric SUV (EREV), packing over 1,100 hp (880 kW). It also comes loaded with features like float mode, which allows it to literally float on water, tank turns, and the U8 can even plow through more water than a Defender.

BYD-ultra-luxury-EV-Europe
BYD Yangwang U8L (Source: Yangwang)

A few months later, BYD launched the second vehicle, the Yangwang U9, in February 2024. The Yangwang U9 is an electric supercar that can jump and dance thanks to BYD’s DiSus-X body control system.

It’s faster than a Ferrari, with four electric motors delivering nearly 1,300 hp, enabling a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) sprint in just 2.36 seconds.

BYD-ultra-luxury-EV-Europe
BYD Yangwang U9 electric supercar (Source: BYD)

The Yangwang U8 and U9 start at 1,098,000 RMB ($150,000) and 1,680,000 RMB ($230,000) in China, respectively. Both will be sold in Europe.

Li said that “more cars are coming,” including the Yangwang U7, an electric ultra-luxury sedan. BYD delivered the first U7 models in China last month, starting at 628,000 RMB ($87,000).

BYD-ultra-luxury-EV-Europe
BYD Yangwang U8 SUV (left) and U7 luxury EV sedan (right) Source: Yangwang

The four-seater variant costs 708,000 RMB, or about $98,500, which is still about half the cost of the most affordable Ferrari.

With Yangwang set to arrive in Europe, BYD will be the first Chinese automaker to enter Europe’s top luxury auto segment.

With an additional 17% tariff, export costs, and other factors, prices in Europe are expected to be notably higher. We will learn more as we get closer to launch.

Source: Autocar

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Block’s stock pops on addition to S&P 500

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4 hours ago

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July 21, 2025

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Block's stock pops on addition to S&P 500

The logo for the U.S. tech firm Block is displayed and reflected in numerous digital screens in London, England, on March 3, 2023.

Leon Neal | Getty Images

Block shares jumped 7% on Monday after S&P Global said the company will join the S&P 500, replacing Hess, which was acquired by Chevron’s for $54 billion.

The stock rose following the announcement late Friday as investors sought to get in ahead of index fund managers, who will need to buy shares to mimic the changes. Square’s $48 billion market cap at Monday’s close places it well above the median S&P 500 constituent, though shares are still down 8% this year.

Passive funds are expected to purchase roughly 101 million shares of Block due its inclusion, equivalent to about 11 days of average trading volume, according to a note from Stephens.

Block is working to reestablish investor confidence after uneven performance from its Cash App business. Gimme Credit’s Stu Novick noted that while gross profit growth missed estimates last quarter, the company still delivered strong adjusted earnings and improving cash flow.

While Block is joining the benchmark index, a major player in the fintech industry remains on the sidelines.

Robinhood has delivered one of the strongest recent runs in the U.S. stock market, soaring 345% in the past year. Yet despite nearing a nearly $100 billion, the company has been repeatedly passed over for S&P 500 inclusion.

Robinhood shares fell almost 5% on Monday.

WATCH: Block shares plunge on revenue miss

Block shares plunge on revenue miss, slashed guidance

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Anker PowerCore Reserve station $88, Schumacher’s new portable level 1 EV charger $130, Aiper IrriSense system $100 off, more

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6 hours ago

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July 21, 2025

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Anker PowerCore Reserve station , Schumacher's new portable level 1 EV charger 0, Aiper IrriSense system 0 off, more

This week’s Green Deals are starting with Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station down at $88 for all your device-charging needs. Next, we have Schumacher’s new SEV1670 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger at its second-best rate of $130, as well as Aiper’s new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System getting second-ever savings to $600, which is where it was priced during Prime Day. We also have Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch Folding e-bikes getting add-on accessory bundles and a new one-day-only low price on Greenworks’ pro-grade 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer waiting for you below. Plus, there’s all the hangover savings from last week at the bottom of the page, collected together within our Electrified Weekly roundup.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Carry Anker’s 60,000mAh PowerCore Reserve station and keep devices running for $88

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station at $87.99 shipped, with it also coming in a few dollars under the brand’s current direct pricing. Normally costing $150 at full price, we’ve mostly seen discounts over the last year dropping costs between $110 and $90, though there have been a few select falls to $80, and recently we saw Prime Day take things to $75. While it may not be the new lowest price, you’re still looking at the third-best rate we have tracked, saving you $62 off the going rate while equipping you with a sizably reliable means to keep your personal devices juiced up and running.

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve power station, which you’ll also find sold under the name 548 Power Bank, is a five-pound backup power solution to top off personal devices with while you’re camping, cruising the roadways, hanging out on the beach, and much more. You’ll have a totable 60,000mAh/192Wh battery capacity here that beats out most power banks on the market while also delivering up to 60W speeds through either its two USB-A ports or two USB-C ports.

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Aside from its easy-to-carry design, it also comes sporting a convenient pop-up light for when you’re out in the dark of the wilderness or even without power at home, coming with two brightness levels alongside an S.O.S. mode to signal for help in emergencies. You can completely recharge its battery by plugging it into a wall outlet or by utilizing up to its 60W solar input to charge via the sun.

schumacher SEV1670 level 1 portable EV charger lying in back of car

Schumacher’s 2025 level 1 portable EV charger plugs into any 120V outlet for on-the-go power at $130

Amazon is now offering the new Schumacher SEV1670 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger at $129.59 shipped. This model hit the scene at the tail-end of May with a $160 price tag, which has only recently started seeing discounts, with the biggest of them being from the Prime Day sale event two weeks ago that saw the costs taken down to $128. Today’s deal comes in just $2 above that rate for the second-best pricing we have tracked, all while giving you $30 in savings.

If you want to learn more about this new model and its capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Aiper IrriSense smart irrigation system watering lawn in front of house

Aiper’s new IrriSense smart irrigation system covers up to 4,800 square feet at $600 (second-ever discount)

Coming to us through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering the second-ever discount on its new IrriSense Smart Irrigation System back to $599.99 shipped, matching directly from the brand’s website. This new smart irrigation device has only been on the market since May, with it usually going for $700 outside of the two price cuts we’ve seen. It first dropped to this same rate the day before Prime Day began, and hung on to the savings through the four-day event. Now, it’s coming back for a post-Prime second chance, saving you $100 while upgrading your lawn care routine with a smarter alternative.

If you want to learn more about this new smart device, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and woman riding side by side on Hoverfly H3 folding e-bikes

Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch folding e-bikes make great first-time rides with four add-on accessories starting from $406

Amazon is offering quite the affordable bundle on Hoverfly’s H3 16-inch Folding e-bike in its orange colorway, and coming with four add-on accessories at $406.09 shipped, while its other colorways are seeing smaller discounts at higher rates. It’s dropping down from the $580 price tag today, with this being the first time we’ve spotted this particular bundle dropping so low. Before the fall to $425 during Prime Day, we only ever saw costs fall as low as $450, with all those rates beaten by the 30% markdown here that gives you $174 in savings and a new all-time low price. Along with the bike, you’ll be getting a front carrier bag, a rear cargo basket, a phone holder, and a rearview mirror to upgrade and elevate your experience.

If you want to learn more about this budget-friendly e-bike, be sure to check out our original coverage of this bundle deal here.

greenworks pro 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ Pro-grade 3,000 PSI vertical electric pressure washer falls to lowest price tracked at $285 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the best pricing yet on the newer Greenworks Pro 3,000 PSI Vertical Electric Pressure Washer for $284.99 shipped, with it beating out the brand’s direct website pricing while the closest match at Amazon is the newest counterpart that normally goes for $450. This model would normally run you $400 at full price, which we’ve seen discounts so far take as low as $300. For the rest of the day, you can take advantage of the 29% markdown here to pick it up at the best new price we have tracked, saving you $115 in the process.

If you want to learn more about this newer pro-grade outdoor cleaning solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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