Connect with us

Published

on

Three months after ZEEKR launched its new 7X SUX in China, the EV automaker has opened up sales in select markets in Europe, its third model in the region. The ZEEKR 7X will start below 53,000 Euros, and early European customers can take advantage of free upgrade packages.

Chinese EV brand ZEEKR continues to expand quickly after hitting a production stride early in China. Its new model, the 7X SUV, provides no better evidence of ZEEKR’s rhythm as it is already going on sale in Europe.

We first caught wind of a new all-electric SUV model this past July when we saw some camouflaged images of what was initially called “the CX1e.” Two days later, ZEEKR confirmed the new model is called the 7X and will join the X SUV as another all-electric model to be sold globally. Shortly after, ZEEKR shared full-fledged images and news that the 7X will be its first model to feature its new LFP batteries that can recharge from 10-80% in 10.5 minutes.

At that time, ZEEKR shared that the dual-motor version of the 7X can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in four seconds. However, we soon learned that the 7X is faster than initially stated (0-62 mph in 3.8 seconds) and would begin rolling out to customers in China by the end of September.

At the time of its official launch in China, ZEEKR said deliveries of the 7X would hit global markets, such as Europe, within a year. Today, ZEEKR has opened up 7X reservations in three initial markets overseas, ahead of deliveries in Europe next year.

ZEEKR 7X Europe
Source: ZEEKR

ZEEKR 7X is now on sale in three markets in Europe

According to news from ZEEKR today, the 7X SUV is on sale in Europe now, beginning in The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden. The new 7X joins the ZEEKR X SUV and 001 shooting brake in Europe and offers a family-friendly five-seat BEV with off-road capabilities and two powertrain configurations, all on a cutting-edge 800V platform.

The SUV was designed and developed by ZEEKR’s Design and Technology center in Gothenburg and supported by its European Marketing, Sales & Service HQ in Amsterdam. It is built atop the same SEA modular  vehicle architecture as its 001 and X siblings but offers the same amount of interior volume as a full-size SUV.

The SUV’s state-of-the-art digital cockpit features a 5G infotainment system and smart technologies. On the performance side, customers in Europe who opt for the dual-motor AWD Performance version of the ZEEKR 7X will be able to accelerate 0-100km/h in 3.8  seconds.

The single-motor RWD Long Range trim offers a range of around 615 km (subject to WLTP homologation). That’s about 382 miles. Premium models use ZEEKR’s cost-efficient “Golden battery,” which features a 75 kWh pack of its in-house LFP cells. Other 7X trims will utilize 100 kWh packs with NMC cells, chosen for greater energy density. ZEEKR Europe’s chief commercial officer, Lothar Schupet, spoke about the launch of the 7X:

Following the success of the  Zeekr 001 and Zeekr X, we are very proud to introduce our third electric vehicle to the European market. The Zeekr 7X will redefine expectations in the midsize family SUV segment, and with its exceptional range and ultra-fast charging capabilities, will make the transition to electric driving seamless and stress-free for our customers. This launch  represents another significant milestone in our commitment to customer-focused  technology and innovation and reinforces our strategic expansion: the Zeekr 7X will play a  key role in our mission to accelerate the shift to sustainable mobility in Europe.

Here’s how initial pricing will break down for the single motor premium trim of the ZEEKR 7X in Europe:

  • The Netherlands: €52,990 (incl. VAT) (~$55,600)
  • Norway: 539,900 NOK (incl. VAT)
  • Sweden: 579,000 SEK (incl. VAT)

ZEEKR also shared that at launch only, early 7X customers in Europe can benefit from Long Range RWD models with the Cockpit Package as a standard feature with a free upgrade to 20-inch wheels. Performance AWD models will receive ZEEKR’s Comfort and Cockpit Packages as standard.

The 7X is on sale in those European markets now, with initial deliveries expected to begin in the summer of 2025.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

EcoFlow members can save up to 65% on power stations while supporting disaster relief during the 2025 Member’s Festival

Published

on

By

EcoFlow members can save up to 65% on power stations while supporting disaster relief during the 2025 Member's Festival

Portable power station specialist EcoFlow is kicking off its third annual Member’s Festival this month and is offering a unique new rewards program to those who become EcoFlow members. The 2025 EcoFlow Member’s Festival will offer savings of up to 65% for its participating customers, and a portion of those funds will be allocated toward rescue power solutions for communities around the globe through the company’s “Power for All” fund.

EcoFlow remains one of the industry leaders in portable power solutions and continues to trek forward in its vision to power a new tech-driven, eco-conscious future. Per its website:

Our mission from day one is to provide smart and eco-friendly energy solutions for individuals, families, and society at large. We are, were, and will continue to be a reliable and trusted energy companion for users around the world.

To achieve such goals, EcoFlow has continued to expand its portfolio of sustainable energy solutions to its community members, including portable power stations, solar generators, and mountable solar panels. While EcoFlow is doing plenty to support its growing customer base, it has expanded its reach by giving back to disaster-affected communities by helping bolster global disaster response efforts the best way it knows how– with portable power solutions.

EcoFlow Member
Source: EcoFlow

EcoFlow and its members look to provide “Power for All”

Since 2023, EcoFlow has collaborated with organizations worldwide as part of its “Power for All” mission. This initiative aims to ensure access to reliable and timely power to disaster-affected communities across the globe, including rescue agencies, affected hospitals, and shelters, to support rescue and recovery efforts.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

This fund most recently provided aid for communities affected by the recent Los Angeles wildfires, assistance to the Special Forces Charitable Trust (SFCT) in North Carolina following severe hurricanes, and support for non-profits engaged in hurricane preparedness in Florida and the Gulf Coast. Per Jodi Burns, CEO of the Special Forces Charitable Trust:

In the wake of devastating storms in Western North Carolina, reliable power was a critical need for the families we serve. Thanks to EcoFlow’s generous donation of generators, we were able to provide immediate relief, ensuring these families and their communities had access to power when they needed it most. We are so impressed with EcoFlow’s commitment to disaster response through their ‘Power for All’ program. It has made a tangible impact, and we are deeply grateful for their support and partnership in helping these families recover and rebuild.

In 2024, the US experienced 27 weather and climate events, each causing losses exceeding $1 billion, marking the second-highest annual total on record, according to National Centers for Environmental Information. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters underscore the critical need for reliable and timely power solutions during emergencies, much like EcoFlow and its members are helping provide through the “Power For All” initiative.

To support new and existing EcoFlow members, the company is celebrating its third annual Member’s Festival throughout April to offer a do-not-miss discount on its products and donate a portion of all sales to the “Power for All” fund to provide rescue power to those in need in the future. Learn how it all works below.

Source: EcoFlow

Save big and give back during the 2025 Member’s Festival

As of April 1st, you can now sign up to become an EcoFlow member to participate in the company’s exclusive 2025 Member Festival.

As a member, you can earn “EcoFlow Power Points” by completing tasks like registration, referrals, and product purchases and tracking your individual efforts toward disaster preparedness and recovery.

Beginning April 4, EcoFlow members will also be able to take advantage of exclusive discounts of up to 65% off select portable power stations, including the DELTA Pro Ultra, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, DELTA 3 Plus, RIVER 3 Plus, and more. However, these sale prices only last through April 25, so you’ll want to move quickly!

Click here to learn more about EcoFlow’s “Power for All” campaign. To register for EcoFlow’s 2025 Member Festival in the US, visit the EcoFlow website. To register as a member in Canada, visit here.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

Tesla loses another top talent: its long-time head of software

Published

on

By

Tesla loses another top talent: its long-time head of software

Tesla is losing another top talent: its long-time head of software, David Lau, has reportedly told co-workers that he is exiting the automaker.

Tesla changed how the entire auto industry looks at software.

Before Tesla, it was an afterthought; user interfaces were rudimentary, and you had to go to a dealership to get a software update on your systems.

When Tesla launched the Model S in 2012, it all changed. Your car would get better through software updates like your phone, the large center display was responsive with a UI that actually made sense and was closer to an iPad experience than a car.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Tesla also integrated its software into its retail experience, service, and manufacturing.

David Lau deserves a lot of the credit for that.

He joined Tesla in 2012 as a senior manager of firmware engineering and quickly rose through the ranks. By 2014, he was promoted to director of firmware engineering and system integration, and in 2017, he became Vice President of software.

Lau listed the responsibilities of his team on his LinkedIn:

  • Vehicle Software:
    • Firmware for the powertrain, traction/stability control, HV electronics, battery management, and body control systems
    • UI software and underlying Embedded Linux platforms
    • Navigation and routing
    • iOS and Android Mobile apps
  • Distributed Systems:
    • Server-side software and infrastructure that provides telemetry, diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and configuration/lifecycle management
    • Data engineering and analytics platforms that power technical and business insights for an increasingly diverse set of customers across the company
    • Diagnostic tools and fleet management, Manufacturing and Automation:
  • Automation controls (PLC, robot)
    • Server-side manufacturing execution systems that power all of Tesla’s production operations
  • Product Security and Red Team for software, services, and systems across Tesla

Bloomberg reported today that Lau told his team he is leaving Tesla. The report didn’t include reasons for his stepping down.

Electrek’s Take

Twelve years at any company is a great run. At Tesla, it’s heroic. Congrats, David, on a great run. You undoubtedly had a significant impact on Tesla and software advancements in the broader auto industry.

He is another significant loss for Tesla, which has been losing a lot of top talent following a big wave of layoffs around this time last year.

I wonder who will take over. Michael Rizkalla, senior director of software engineering and vehicle firmware, is one of the most senior software engineers after Lau. He has been at Tesla for 7 years, and Tesla likes to promote within rather than hire outsiders.

There are also a lot of senior software execs working on AI at Tesla. Musk has been favoring them lately and he could fold Lau’s responsibilities under them.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

Kia’s EV3 is the best-selling retail EV in the UK right now

Published

on

By

Kia's EV3 is the best-selling retail EV in the UK right now

Kia’s electric SUVs are taking over. The EV3 is the best-selling retail EV in the UK this year, giving Kia its strongest sales start since it arrived 34 years ago. And it’s not just in the UK. Kia just had its best first quarter globally since it started selling cars in 1962.

Kia EV3 is the best-selling EV in the UK through March

In March, Kia sold a record nearly 20,000 vehicles in the UK, making it the fourth best-selling brand. It was also the second top-seller of electrified vehicles (EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs), accounting for over 55% of sales.

The EV3 remained the best-selling retail EV in the UK last month. Including the EV6, three-row EV9, and Niro EV, electric vehicles represented 21% of Kia’s UK sales in March.

Kia said the EV3 “started with a bang” in January, darting out as the UK’s most popular EV in retail sales. Through March, Kia’s electric SUV has held on to the crown. With the EV3 rolling out, Kia sold over 7,000 electric cars through March, nearly 50% more than in Q1 2024.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The EV3 was the best-selling retail EV in the UK in the first quarter and the fourth best-selling EV overall, including commercial vehicles.

Kia-EV3-best-selling-EV
Kia EV3 Air 91.48 kWh in Frost Blue (Source: Kia UK)

Starting at £33,005 ($42,500), Kia said it’s the “brand’s most affordable EV yet.” It’s available with two battery packs, 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh, good for 430 km (270 miles) and 599 km (375 miles) of WLTP range, respectively.

Kia-EV3-best-selling-EV
From left to right: Kia EV6, EV3, and EV9 (Source: Kia UK)

With new EVs on the way, this could be just the start. Kia is launching several new EVs in the UK this year, including the EV4 sedan (and hatchback) and EV5 SUV. It also confirmed that the first PV5 electric vans will be delivered to customers by the end of the year.

Electrek’s Take

Globally, Kia sold a record 772,351 vehicles in the first quarter, its best since it started selling cars in 1962. With the new EV4, the brand’s first electric sedan and hatchback, launching this year, Kia looks to build on its momentum in 2025.

Kia has also made it very clear that it wants to be a global leader in the electric van market with its new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) business, starting with the PV5 later this year.

Earlier today, we learned Kia’s midsize electric SUV, the EV5, is the fourth best-selling EV in Australia through March, outselling every BYD vehicle (at least for now). The EV5 is rolling out to new markets this year, including Canada, the UK, South Korea, and Mexico. However, it will not arrive in the US.

For those in the US, there are still a few Kia EVs to look forward to. Kia is launching the EV4 globally, including in the US, later this year. Although no date has been set, Kia confirmed the EV3 is also coming. It’s expected to arrive in mid-2026.

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

Continue Reading

Trending