Chinese air taxi company EHang has established a new joint venture with JAC Motors to fund construction of a production facility for its eVTOL aircraft following the company’s first unmanned urban eVTOL flight test in Spain – the first such milestone in Europe.
The new joint venture (JV) between EHang, JAC Motors, and Guoxian Holdings will see the construction of a new construction compound in Hefei, the capital of Anhui, China. The JV hopes to integrate the city’s existing production supply chains new aircraft/eVTOL manufacturing technology, promote the standardization of key aircraft components, and establish unified industry standards in the growing air taxi space.
“As a comprehensive automotive enterprise group integrating the R&D, production, sales, and service of full series commercial and passenger vehicles, and covering a wide range of fields including automotive mobility and financial services, JAC Motors is strategically partnering with EHang and Guoxian Holdings to develop the low-altitude economy,” said Xingchu Xiang, Chairman, and General Manager of JAC Motors. “By leveraging Hefei’s high-quality resources, this collaboration aims to drive the high-quality growth of emerging industries.”
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The company signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Hefei’ municipal government back in October of 2023, which led to the establishment of two eVTOL “vertiports” at Luogang Central Park in Hefei. Those facilities followed the construction of a similar, 5G-connected vertiport in Guangzhou, China in 2022, which, themselves, followed a $150 million funding round.
EHang received a flight license for commercial operation of its unmanned passenger air taxis the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) the following year.
eVTOL completes Spanish test
EHang concept art; via EHang.
Over in Europe, EHang reached another major milestone on its path to mainstream success with the completion of the first-ever unmanned eVTOL flight in an urban environment in Benidorm, Spain.
EHang completed the test using one of its EH216-S unmanned eVTOL aircraft. The company also flew 12 additional drones alongside the EH216-S, in a second test designed to highlight the effectiveness of EHang’s coordinated multi-drone operations.
The tests were conducted by Spain’s air navigation provider, Enaire, in accordance European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations.
EcoFlow’s latest RIVER 3 Plus 286Wh LiFePO4 power station gets first Amazon discount to new $189 low
Running alongside the ongoing Big Spring Sale, the official EcoFlow Amazon storefront is now offering the first savings at the online marketplace for its all-new River 3 Plus Portable Power Station at $189 shipped, after clipping the on-page $100 off coupon. Having only released directly from EcoFlow a month ago and just hitting Amazon’s market last week carrying a $289 price tag, this is the very first chance at savings we’re seeing here – with it even starting $10 under its MSRP from the brand’s direct website, which it has also only discounted it as low as $229 so far. Today’s deal saves you $40 from EcoFlow’s lowest rate and a full $110 off its MSRP, signaling a new all-time low price in the process.
Weighing in at just 10 pounds, EcoFlow’s all-new RIVER 3 Plus provides you with backup power support on your camping trips, road trips, or even at home when you need to keep your devices running during emergencies. It starts at a 286Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can expand up to 840Wh with the addition of either the EB300 or EB600 expansion batteries (bundle options below). With seven port options – three ACs, two USB-As, and a high-speed USB-C – it outputs up to 600W of steady power, surging to 1,200W thanks to the X-Boost tech.
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The battery can recharge in just an hour via a wall outlet with its X-Stream charging, or you can hook up a maximum of 220W of solar input to charge via the sun’s rays, which will top it off in 1.5 hours. Not only does it provide extra protections from surges while plugged into an outlet, but it also provides LED and app-based notifications when it happens on top of offering immediate update alerts – all alongside the usual array of smart controls you’ll be getting.
EcoFlow RIVER 3 Plus expansion bundles:
And be sure to check out the many backup power sales we’re seeing through the rest of the month while the savings last, with EcoFlow’s newly launched March Monthly Madness sale taking up to 57% off power stations, while also offering bonus savings, 2x and 3x EcoCredit rewards, and more – all from $169.
Rad Power’s multi-functional, space-saving RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike hits new $1,099 low
Checking back in on Rad Power’s Gear Up for Spring sale, which has continued the RadRunner series lows and brought back the RadCity 5 Plus extra battery bundle, there’s a particular deal amongst the bunch that we want to highlight – namely the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike that has dropped to $1,099 shipped. Coming off its regular $1,599 price tag, this model is often featured in sales at $1,299, with it only falling lower to $1,199 back in October. The $500 markdown we’re seeing during this new sales period is taking things lower than ever, and drops the costs down to a new all-time low price – just in time to grab yours for spring and summer adventures.
The Rad Power RadExpand 5 e-bike is an ideal model for riders with limited space as its folding design makes it far more manageable when it’s not in use – stowing away in closets, car trunks, RVs, and plenty more. The combination of its 750W brushless geared hub motor and the 672Wh battery provide some solid commuting support at up to 45+ miles on a single charge with its four-level PAS activated and top speeds of 20 MPH. Of course, for shorter commutes where you don’t want to do any manual pedaling, there is a throttle for electric riding that cuts down the travel distance.
The stock features only add to its functionality, especially if you plan to take this on the road with you for camping or other purposes, like the integrated rear cargo rack that has a 55-pound payload for grocery hauling or the paired LED headlight and integrated taillight with brake lighting – as both lights also automatically activate when sunlight drops low enough. Alongside those you’ll also find a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, fenders over both fat tires, a water-resistant wiring harness, and an LED display.
You can check out the full lineup of offers in Rad Power’s latest round of spring savings running through April 9 by checking out our original coverage here, which includes the ongoing low RadRunner prices, the RadCity 5 Plus e-bike getting an extra battery for 100+ miles of travel, and free gear accompanying other models.
Save $179 on EGO’s 56V 16-inch cordless POWERLOAD trimmer with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries at $330
As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is now offering the EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch Cordless Electric String Trimmer with 4.0Ah and extra 2.5Ah batteries for $329.99 shipped. Today’s deal is coming in as a 35% markdown from its usual $509 rate, with it only beaten out by a fall to its new $300 low back in the first days of March. While you could save an extra $31 going with the single 4.0Ah battery package, the extra 2.5Ah battery would cost you $180 at full price, with discounts only bringing things down by $36 right now, making this a far better opportunity to save $113 and have that spare battery for longer trimming jobs or to use with other tools in the ecosystem.
Equipped with a high-efficiency brushless motor and just the 4.0Ah battery alone, there’s enough power for this EGO trimmer to tackle jobs for up to 60 minutes, with the additional 2.5Ah battery adding on another 45 minutes to that count. It provides a 16-inch cutting swath that has variable speed control and two different settings. The actual makeup of the trimmer has been given a telescopic shaft for comfortable handling depending on varying sizes of users, while also featuring the brand’s POWERLOAD tech, making reloading the dual line easier with a simple press of its button.
We’ve covered a lot of amazing deals from EGO this month, many of which are still going. Be sure to check them out before the savings end:
Electrify your outdoor adventures with DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station at $419
As part of the ongoing Big Spring Sale event, DJI’s official Amazon storefront is offering its Power 1000 Portable Power Station for $419 shipped. Coming down from its usual $999 price tag, this is the lowest price we have tracked outside of Black Friday and Christmas sales when it dropped further to $399 and then $379, though we haven’t seen those rates reappear in the time since. You can score yours today with this 58% markdown that puts $580 back into your pocket – with it beating out DJI’s direct site by $280 too.
If you’re planning to head out into nature more in these warmer months, especially to get in some photography, drone-flying, and more, DJI’s Power 1000 will support you through your adventures with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity and eight output ports. Among those port options, you’ll be getting 2,200W output through the two ACs (surging to 2,600W), as well as 140W fast-charging speeds from each of its dual USB-C ports.
To take advantage of its solar charging capabilities, you’ll need to pair the station with either a MPPT module or the brand’s Power Car Power Outlet to SDC Power Cable – which will allow for up to 1,600W of solar input to recharge the battery to full in 80 minutes (bundles below). When it’s plugged into a wall outlet, you can regain an 80% battery in 50 minutes or wait 70 minutes to have it back at full capacity.
Now, if you want to skip the headache of tracking down all the appropriate parts for solar charging, there are two bundles that will give you all you need to start. There’s the power station with a 100W panel and the compatible cables down at $669 from $1,247, or you can grab it with three 100W panels for $1,475over its usual $1,955 rate. There are other options on the same page for the cables, if you already have compatible solar panels, though they’re currently sitting at their full prices.
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.
A new poll shows that 67% of Americans would not consider buying or leasing a Tesla vehicle – with most of them citing Elon Musk as the reason why.
YouGov and Yahoo News have released a new survey of 1,677 US adults between March 20 and 24th.
The survey revolved around Tesla and Elon Musk.
The most interesting, and actionable, question was: Would you consider owning or leasing a Tesla in the future?
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The answers were impressive:
Yes: 18%
No: 67%
Not Sure: 13%
Not asked – currently own or lease a Tesla: 2%
Based on the survey, more than two-thirds of Americans would not even consider buying a Tesla.
Most people who would not consider buying or leasing a Tesla said that Musk was part of the reason or the whole reason for them not considering a Tesla:
He is the whole reason: 20%
Part of the reason: 17%
Total whole/part of reason: 37%
Not part of the reason: 27%
Not sure: 3%
Not asked (own/lease or open to it): 33% (2% + 31%)
The survey is also tracking the general opinion of Americans on Musk and confirmed that it has turned negative compared to last year:
Very favorable: 21%
Somewhat favorable: 18%
Favorable (total): 39%
Somewhat unfavorable: 10%
Very unfavorable: 45%
Unfavorable (total): 55%
Don’t know: 6%
Americans’ views on Tesla are tracking very closely to their opinions on Musk, though with more undecided:
Very favorable: 13%
Somewhat favorable: 24%
Favorable (total): 37%
Somewhat unfavorable: 13%
Very unfavorable: 36%
Unfavorable (total): 49%
Don’t know: 14%
Before people blame political bias for those results, the survey also looked into political leanings and associations, and most respondents lean moderate to conservative:
Generally speaking, do you think of yourself as a …?
Democrat – 30%
Republican – 32%
Independent – 27%
Other – 2%
Not sure – 8%
In general, how would you describe your own political viewpoint?
Very liberal – 10%
Liberal – 16%
Moderate – 33%
Conservative – 20%
Very conservative – 9%
Not sure – 12%
Here’s the survey in full:
Electrek’s Take
The results from this survey clearly point toward Tesla having an Elon Musk problem.
If he were removed from the equation, Tesla would have much better chances in the US market.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy from there. Musk did a lot of damage at the brand level and Tesla will need to rebuild its brand without him, but he also did quite a bit of damage at the managerial level.
It is quite ridiculous that Tesla launched a single new vehicle in five years, the Cybertruck, and it’s a flop. Tesla also lost a lot of talent in the last 2 years – in part because of Musk.
At least, Tesla wouldn’t have a large part of the population in its home market not even considering buying its products because of its CEO.
That would be a good start to rebuilding Tesla, even though I’m fully aware that many Tesla fans and shareholders don’t believe It needs rebuilding.
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Nissan is set to unleash several new electric vehicles over the next few years. After we finally got our first look at the new LEAF, Nissan previewed a boxy-looking electric SUV that will be built in the US. What will it look like when it arrives? We might have a clue.
Nissan is launching another electric SUV in the US
Earlier this week, Nissan gave us a sneak peek at the upcoming models we can expect to see over the next few years.
Although the new LEAF, which is now a crossover (and improved in nearly every way), stole the show, Nissan said another EV would join it in the US and Canada.
Nissan calls it an “adventure-focused” electric SUV. It will be built at Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi plant. No other details were offered, but a preview of the rugged electric SUV hints at a few possibilities.
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Right off the bat, you can see this is no Tesla Model Y. The off-road-focused electric SUV features a more boxy, rugged design reminiscent of the Xterra, which Nissan discontinued in the US after the 2015 model year. Will it live on as an EV?
Nissan’s upcoming lineup for the US, including the new LEAF EV and “Adventure Focused” SUV (Source: Nissan)
It’s hard to tell, but from what’s shown, the SUV looks slightly smaller than the fourth-gen Rogue and Pathfinder sitting next to it.
Nissan hasn’t had a true off-roader since. With EV powertrains offering more power and instant torque, an electric Nissan Xterra would make sense.
2014 Nissan Xterra (Source: Nissan)
Not to mention that Nissan filed a new trademark for the Xterra name in the US on December 23, 2024. The electric SUV was previewed alongside the new LEAF, Sentra, Pathfinder, and fourth-gen Rogue.
Will Nissan’s electric SUV rival the Hyundai Santa Fe? Or more importantly, can it compete with the upcoming Volkswagen Scout brand and Rivian’s R3X (shown below)? As for pricing and specs, we’ll have to wait until closer to launch.
Rivian R3X (Source: Rivian)
Nissan will begin building the new model in Canton in late 2027. In 2028, it will be joined by a luxury Infiniti electric SUV inspired by the Vision QXe concept.
This year, Nissan is launching the new LEAF, joining the Ariya SUV in its EV lineup. It will also introduce the Rogue PHEV, its first plug-in hybrid in North America.
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