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What would you get if you created the illegitimate love child of a Mercedes G-Wagon and a Brinks armored truck (and perhaps if the Mercedes chain-smoked through the pregnancy)? I think you’d wind up with something like the wacky-looking electric cart that has earned the dubious honor of being named this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week!

I’m not sure this is exactly an armored golf cart, so I wouldn’t invite any unnecessary potshots while cruising your hood, but I’m at a loss of how else to describe it.

It’s definitely not a “real” car, as evidenced by its US $6,999 price tag and the 30 km/h (18 mph) top speed. If you ask me though, that speed goes in the ‘advantages’ column. When you drive something that looks this good, you want to be going slow enough to give people a good, long look.

A vehicle like this is designed to send a statement. Unfortunately, I think that statement might be, “I wanted a Jeep but my spouse wanted to remodel the kitchen.”

So if it’s not a real car, then what is it?

Measuring a stubby 306 cm long (an entire half inch over 10 feet), this four-seater mini-SUV is less G-Wagon and more “Oh, gee” wagon. It can supposedly carry up to 370 kg (815 lb) in passengers or cargo, but there’s no telling how much of a dent that puts in the already challenged top speed.

Safety might also be a passing concern. It doesn’t have any seatbelts, but the tires look like they just about extend out past the front and rear, so at least you’ve got some nice shock-absorbent bumpers built into the design.

The advertisement claims a maximum range of up to 80 km (50 miles) per charge, which seems like several more miles than anyone needs from something like this.

There’s no word on battery technology, which means I’m assuming either features older lead acid tech or there’s a frunk full of lemons and a bunch of loose wires running through the firewall.

I’m glad to see that the roof rack is at least equipped with enough LED lights to make an airport runway jealous, just in case I find myself stuck in the wilds of my backyard after dark. And that roof rack even looks pretty heavy-duty, though since the cart is considerably taller than it is wide, tight turns with a heavily-loaded roof rack should probably be avoided.

As much as I love this thing, I don’t think I’ll be whipping out my credit card any time soon.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve bought plenty of bad ideas on Alibaba before. But since my $2,000 electric truck ending up costing me nearly 4x that much by the time it landed in the US, I’m a bit worried what the final price tag on a $6,999 Mini-MegaOverlander would become.

I don’t recommend anyone actually try buying this cute little TinyTrailblazer either, and I’m certainly not vouching for the vendor, who I discovered by chance while scrolling through Alibaba to procrastinate real work. Keep in mind that this is all part of a tongue-in-cheek column I write, diving into the depths of Alibaba’s weird and funny collection of awesome electric vehicles.

But hey, if someone does go that route, it wouldn’t be the first time my advice has been ignored and some awesome photos have landed in inbox several months later. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you if it turns out some Nigerian prince has your last paycheck and you’re up a creek with no MicroMudder to come bail you out!

When your local HOA finally gets its own tactical response unit

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The era of cheap Chinese solar + storage is ending – here’s why

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The era of cheap Chinese solar + storage is ending – here’s why

Solar and storage prices are about to rise after a year and a half of record lows, according to new data from Wood Mackenzie. Equipment procurement costs for solar and energy storage will jump around 9% starting in Q4 2025, marking the end of the bargain pricing developers have enjoyed for the last 18 months. That’s because China is changing the rules.

Why solar +storage prices are going up

Wood Mackenzie points to three major drivers behind the coming spike:

  • Polysilicon consolidation. China’s polysilicon production exploded between 2022 and 2024, creating a glut and pushing prices to unsustainable lows. But new government guidelines are now forcing producers to slow down, cutting utilization rates to 55-70%. As a result, polysilicon prices surged 48% in September 2025 alone.
  • Production cuts across the value chain. Solar module makers are also reducing operating rates, with major producers running at just 55-60% capacity by mid-2025. Outdated PERC cell lines are being phased out, further shrinking available capacity.
  • The end of China’s export tax rebate. Starting in Q4 2025, China will scrap its 13% VAT export rebate on solar modules and storage systems. This fiscal change will ripple through global pricing since China supplies over 80% of the world’s solar modules and 90% of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs.

That policy shift means developers worldwide will face higher costs. In the US, storage and solar projects relying on Chinese equipment will likely see about a 9% cost increase in Q4. Analysts expect inverters to lose their export rebate soon, too, adding more upward pressure.

From price war to market correction

For the past year and a half, Chinese manufacturers have been selling solar modules and storage systems at rock-bottom prices, trying to move oversupply even while posting losses. Modules hit record lows of $0.07-$0.09 per watt in 2024 and early 2025. But with government intervention, that price war is ending.

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“This is about to change,” said Yana Hryshko, senior research analyst and head of Global Solar Supply Chain at Wood Mackenzie. “The Chinese government has intervened to stabilize the market, and developers globally will have to adjust their procurement expectations accordingly.”

Wood Mac says the shift represents a “structural correction” toward sustainable margins, not just a temporary market adjustment. “This shift will ultimately benefit the industry’s long-term health,” said Hryshko. Manufacturers will finally have room to reinvest and innovate, but developers will need to revisit budgets and renegotiate supply deals for production scheduled after November 2025.

Bottom line is, ultra-cheap solar and storage gear is on its way out. The next phase of the energy transition will likely come with higher but more sustainable prices.

Read more: H1 2025: China installs more solar than rest of the world combined


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.

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Jeep vehicles still qualify for the $7,500 EV credit past the deadline, for now

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Jeep vehicles still qualify for the ,500 EV credit past the deadline, for now

Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Fiat vehicles will remain eligible for the credit after the deadline expires. Stellantis confirmed it will replicate the offer for EV and PHEV models.

Stellantis extends credit for Jeep EV and PHEV models

Stellantis is looking for a comeback in the US. The company sold 324,825 vehicles under the Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, and Fiat brands in the US in the third quarter, notching its highest monthly market share in 15 months.

Although it currently offers only a few all-electric vehicles, including the Jeep Wagoneer S and Dodge Charger Daytona EV, Stellantis also provides a range of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

Through July, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe remained the best-selling PHEV in the US. Stellantis doesn’t provide a breakdown of Wrangler sales by model, but total sales rose 18% in the third quarter to nearly 45,000 units.

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Through September, Stellantis has sold over 128,000 Wranglers. Jeep also offers the Grand Cherokee 4xe, another PHEV. The Wagoneer S, Jeep’s first all-electric SUV, racked up 4,163 in sales in the third quarter, bringing its yearly total to 10,426.

Jeep-EV-credit
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited (Source: Stellantis)

To compensate for the loss of the federal tax credit, Stellantis will honor it for EVs and PHEVs. The offer is good on the lease or purchase of a new EV or PHEV, but there’s a catch.

The deal is only for vehicles currently in the dealer’s inventory, meaning it could run out at any point, if it hasn’t already.

Jeep-EV-credit
2025 Jeep Wagoneer S Limited interior (Source: Stellantis)

Jeep isn’t the only brand, Stellantis is extending the credit to all PHEV and EV models. Dodge offers the electric Charger Daytona BEV and Hornet R/T PHEV. Chrysler only sells one vehicle, the Pacifica minivan, but it is available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And don’t forget the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the luxury brand’s first PHEV.

All will still be eligible for the credit while inventory lasts. Stellantis follows other automakers, including Ford, GM, and Hyundai, which will continue to offer the EV tax credit beyond the deadline.

Interested in checking one out for yourself? You can use our links below to see what’s available in your area.

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96 DC fast chargers are coming to Western Canada’s highways

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96 DC fast chargers are coming to Western Canada’s highways

Wallbox’s Supernova DC fast chargers will power a major new EV charging network across Western Canada.

Public charging network operator SureCharge Corp is rolling out up to 24 high-speed public charging sites with 96 Wallbox Supernova 180 kW DC fast chargers across Alberta and British Columbia. The new network will fill critical charging gaps along key travel corridors, linking northern, central, and southern Alberta with British Columbia.

The initiative is backed by over $4.7 million from the Government of Canada through Natural Resources Canada’s Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program and $400,000 from the Government of British Columbia. SureCharge is leading the project, with SureTek Electric & Technologies, a certified Wallbox partner, handling installation, commissioning, and maintenance.

Each site will feature Wallbox’s 180 kW Supernova fast chargers. The Supernova line aims to keep costs low for operators while ensuring drivers have consistent access to high-speed charging.

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SureCharge says the project will connect communities in Western Canada that have never had access to fast chargers. “From the northern stretches of British Columbia to the southern reaches of Alberta, we’re enabling a fast-charging corridor that connects communities across the region,” said Michael Palarchio, SureCharge’s vice-president. “By building a network that’s owned, installed, and maintained by Western Canadians, we’re creating a locally powered solution that works for the people who live, work, and travel here.”

Canadian officials say the project will help ease range anxiety and encourage more people to drive EVs. “With this funding, Canadians traveling on Alberta and British Columbia highways will have access to more EV chargers where they need them most,” said Tim Hodgson, Canada’s minister of energy and natural resources. “These chargers give peace of mind to current EV drivers and help address charging anxiety for those considering an EV purchase.”

The first sites will go live by late 2025 in Red Deer, Lacombe, and Enoch Cree Nation, followed by rapid expansion into Whitecourt, Grande Prairie, Jasper, Fort St. John, Fernie, Edson, and other towns, including Grand Cache, Hinton, Rocky Mountain House, Valleyview, and Diamond Valley.

The project is part of a larger plan to create a long-term, regionwide charging network in partnership with retail, hospitality, and convenience brands committed to sustainable transportation.

Read more: Wallbox launches new Supernova 180 DC fast charger designed specifically for North America


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.

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