China’s CATL launched its new Bedrock Chassis on Monday, calling it “the world’s first ultra-safe skateboard chassis.” The global EV battery leader said its newest tech “activates a trillion yuan market” as the new standard for intelligent vehicle design. According to CATL, it will also end the belief that gas-powered cars are safer than EVs.
CATL launches the world’s first ultra-safe EV chassis
On December 24, CATL officially launched the new Bedrock Chassis with “outstanding” safety performance. The company proved it in a video presented during the launch event.
The video showed a prototype model’s front impact at 120 km/h (about 75 mph) without exploding or catching fire. CATL claims its newest tech “sets a new standard for intelligent chassis safety” with comprehensive protection across all scenarios and speed ranges.
According to CATL, the Bedrock Chassis passed the world’s first “highest speed +strongest impact” dual extreme safety test.
In China, the commonly used speed for frontal impact safety tests in the C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Program) is 56 km/h (35 mph).
At that speed, the collision generates energy equivalent to falling from a 12-meter-high (39-foot) building. At 120 km/h, it’s like dropping 56 meters (183 feet). According to CATL, the collision energy is 4.6 times greater.
Ni Jun, Chief Manufacturing Officer of CATL, during the Bedrock Chassis launch event (Source: CATL)
During the launch, Ni Jun, CATL’s chief manufacturing officer, said, “Safety is the core of CATL—it’s part of our DNA.”
A trillion yuan market
There has been no previous instance of a new energy vehicle (NEV) “daring to challenge a 120 km/h frontal pole impact test,” the company said during the event.
With a battery-centered design, CATL’s new Bedrock Chassis directly integrates the battery cells into the unit. The design enables it to absorb 85% of the vehicle’s collision energy compared to about 60% by a traditional chassis.
CATL launches the world’s first ultra-safe Bedrock Chassis (Source: CATL)
The unit features an “ultra-safe battery cell design,” disconnecting the high-voltage circuit instantly within 0.01 seconds. It will then complete the vehicle’s residual high-voltage energy discharge within 0.2 seconds, a new industry record.
CATL boasted that its new chassis design “paves the way for the industry,” but more importantly, “it also overturns the conventional belief that gasoline vehicles are safer than NEVs.”
CATL launches Bedrock Chassis, the world’s first ultra-safe skateboard chassis (Source: CATL)
The global EV battery leader claims its new Bedrock Chassis “activates a trillion yuan market” and will accelerate the shift toward modular, personalized, intelligent vehicle design. At the launch event, CATL revealed that AVATR will be the first automaker to use the new tech.
CATL is on a “never-ending journey” to create safer batteries and vehicles to accelerate the industry’s shift to EVs.
The news comes after CATL revealed ambitious plans to expand its EV battery swap network last week with its new “Chocolate” SEB batteries. CATL aims to phase out gas stations over the next few years as it rapidly expands battery swap stations across China.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
US EV sales are surging as prices dip and automakers pile on record incentives to clear out inventory before the $7,500 EV tax credit vanishes, according to Kelley Blue Book’s latest numbers.
The average price for a new EV in July was $55,689, down 2.2% from June and 4.2% lower than a year ago. Leading the price drop was Tesla, which averaged $52,949 last month, down 2.4% from June and a hefty 9.1% year-over-year.
Tesla sweetened the deal with bigger incentives in July, which helped boost sales compared to June, though they still trailed last year’s numbers. A higher share of the more affordable Model 3 and Model Y also helped push Tesla’s average price down.
Across the industry, EV incentives hit their highest level ever, averaging 17.5% of the vehicle’s price – a more than 40% jump from last year. Automakers and dealers have been racing to move EVs before federal incentives expire on October 1.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
The strategy is working. Cox Automotive says July EV sales topped 130,000 – up 20% year-over-year – making it the second-strongest month for US EV sales on record.
Stephanie Valdez Streaty, senior analyst at Cox Automotive, said, “The urgency created by the [Trump] administration’s decision to sunset government-backed, IRA-era EV incentives was expected to create serious demand for EVs in the short term. If last month is any measure, Mission Accomplished. July sales were near an all-time monthly record. At this pace, Q3 will be the best ever and then some, as buyers jump in before the big incentives dry up.”
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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.
Lucid is teasing what it calls a “bold new concept of electric exploration” ahead of its debut on Thursday. What exactly does that mean?
What bold new EV is Lucid revealing?
After launching the Gravity in late 2024, Lucid now offers two of the most efficient and luxurious electric vehicles on the market.
The Lucid Air was the best-selling electric luxury sedan in the US in the first half of the year. After overcoming a few hiccups, production is expected to “significantly increase” in the second half of the year.
Meanwhile, Lucid is hinting at another new EV model after teasing what it calls “a bold new concept of electric exploration” on social media.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Although the details are still pretty slim, you can see a few interesting features in the teaser. One of the biggest giveaways is what appears to be a roof-mounted light. As an exploration EV, this will likely be one of the few added upgrades. It will also feature rugged, blacked-out wheels and other off-road elements.
Given what we know so far, all signs point to an off-road Gravity variant. Lucid could be preparing its version of the souped-up Rivian “California Dune Edition” trims for the R1S and R1T.
The special edition Dune models feature Rivian’s Tri-Motor powertrain and added off-road upgrades like a unique sand-color paint, 20″ All-Terrain wheels, and reinforced underbody shields. The R1T electric pickup also gets an added powered tonneau cover.
Lucid Gravity Grand Touring in Aurora Green (Source: Lucid)
The only other Lucid Gravity model due out is the lower-priced Touring. It’s set to arrive later this year, starting at $79,900. However, with the upgrades, it’s unlikely to be the new EV concept Lucid will unveil later this week.
For now, the Lucid Gravity Grand Touring is available starting at $94,900 with an impressive range of up to 450 miles. Lucid also sells a limited number of Dream Edition models, boasting over 1,000 horsepower.
Lucid Gravity (Source: Lucid)
Could it be the midsize EV that’s scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026? Again, it’s not likely. We will have to wait until Thursday to learn more, when Lucid reveals the bold new EV concept at Monterey Car Week on August 14. Check back later this week for the unveiling.
What do you think it will be? An off-road Gravity? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
We’re kicking off this week’s Green Deals with the first-ever cash discount on Velotric’s new Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike in a red colorway with $150 in free gear at $1,699. Right behind it is Navee’s Back to School Sale that is offering a bunch of e-scooters at up to $600 off with bonus 15%, 20%, and 30% savings, like on the new flagship ST3 Pro Electric Scooter starting from $684. We also have another EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale that is offering the DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station with a protective bag at its best rate, as well as expansion battery and solar panel bundles too – all starting from $319. We also have Worx’s Nitro 20V 5-inch Cordless Chainsaw sitting $1 above its all-time low, as well as a new one-day-only low price on the Greenworks 80V 17-inch Cordless String Trimmer. Plus, all the hangover savings from last week are at the bottom of the page, rounded together in our Electrified Weekly coverage.
Velotric’s 70-mile cruising Breeze 1 e-bike with SensorSwap tech, Apple Find My, more gets first savings and free gear from $1,699
Velotric is offering a collection of seasonal promotion bundles with many of its newest e-bikes, while also providing some select price cuts. Of the models seeing discounts, we spotted the very first cash savings on Velotric’s new Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike in its red colorway that is coming with $150 in free gear at $1,699 shipped, while the others are just getting the bundle for free. It was released back in March but has been keeping up at its full $1,799 price tag in the time since, with only some bundle packages ever being offered towards savings. Now, not only are you continuing to get the rear cargo rack and fenders from before, but you’ll also get $100 off the price tag for the best deal we have yet seen.
The new Velotric Breeze 1 e-bike is a 48-pound commuter that is perfect to get through daily appointments as much as it’s ready to cruise the boardwalk. The streamlined and light-weight frame houses a 750W rear hub motor paired with a 627Wh battery in order to max out at 20 MPH speeds (or 28 MPH if your local laws allow it) for up to 70 miles of travel when its PAS is activated (with three modes and five levels each). One innovation that we’re seeing included more in the newest models from this brand is the SensorSwap technology, which lets you switch between a cadence or torque sensor, depending on your preferences and the terrains you’ll be travelling across.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
It’s also nice to see Apple Find My integrations for added security and peace of mind, which comes alongside the usual array of remote companion app smart controls. From there, the experience is only further heightened as you’ll enjoy Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, KENDA puncture-resistant tires, integrated headlighting and taillight with both braking and turn signals, as well as an 8-speed Shimano derailleur, a removable trigger-control throttle, a 3.5-inch full color display sporting a USB-C port, an IPX6 waterproof construction, and more.
Head to classes on Navee’s ST3 Pro e-scooter with free carbon fiber bag starting from $684 in latest sale
Navee is having a Back to School Sale running through August 25 with up to $600 in discounts across a solid lineup of electric scooters – plus, there’s bonus 15%, 20%, and 30% savings you can take advantage of too. Among the offers, my personal favorite is the new Navee flagship ST3 Pro Electric Scooter that is coming with a free carbon fiber riser bag and is initially falling to $726.75 shipped, after using the code SCHOOL15 at checkout for an extra 15% off your order, beating out Amazon by $128. While this is a solid drop from its usual $950 pricing, the costs can go even lower if you’re a student or teacher with exclusive 20% discounts to $683.99 shipped, after verifying on the landing page here and receiving the appropriate code to use at checkout. We’ve mostly been seeing discounts drop the price to $760, though we have seen it go as low as $660. Depending on which of these extra savings you can pick up, you’re looking at scoring a highly advanced ride with $223 to $266 in savings at some of the lowest prices we have tracked. Head below for more on this scooter and the others in this sale.
Save up to 60% on EcoFlow bundles for solar panels, extra batteries, and a DELTA 2 Max station from $319 for 48 hours
As part of its ongoing Home Backup Sale through August 17, EcoFlow has launched the next of its scheduled 48-hour flash sales that are taking up to 60% off a power station bundle, an expansion battery bundle, and a solar panel bundle. The only of these offers to include a station comes with a DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station and a protective bag for $999 shipped. This bundle would normally cost you $1,978 at full price, with discounts seen on the bundles that usually include some solar paneling over the lone bag. While you won’t find this package at Amazon, you can currently find the station on its own for $1,099, making this deal with the included bag (valued at $79) all the better, saving you $979 in total off the tag for the best rate we have tracked.
Make up to 160 cuts, even in tight spaces, using Worx’s Nitro 20V 5-inch cordless chainsaw kit at $100
Running parallel to Best Buy’s Deals of the Day offer, Amazon is bringing the price down on the Worx Nitro 20V 5-inch Cordless Chainsaw to $99.99 shipped, with it matching in price at Best Buy for only the rest of the day. This model usually fetches $150 at full price these days, which fell to $104 during last month’s Prime Day event and then dropped lower to this same rate the following week. You’re looking at another shot at the second-lowest price we have tracked, giving you $50 off the going rate and landing just $1 above the all-time low that last appeared in February.
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.