Two weeks after BYD unveiled a new EV charger capable of 1,000 kW (1 MW) rates, fellow Chinese automaker ZEEKR has unveiled a new EV fast charger of its own, offering rates as high as 1.2 MW. ZEEKR’s vice president recently shared details of the latest charging technology before it makes its public debut in a few weeks.
On its Weibo page earlier this month, BYD teased the capabilities of a new EV architecture it calls the “Super E-Platform,” sharing that it will enable charging parity with gas station visits.
To achieve that, BYD promised 1,000 kW charge speeds—double the current industry leaders, including Tesla. In reality, it’s tripling the standard as most fast chargers on the market can only reach about 350 kW, and many of them (in the US, at least) are usually more in the 200s.
While some ultra-luxe EV models are powered by higher-voltage platforms, 800V has been the ceiling for a while, and to be honest, most models today cannot even hit 350 kW when charging. BYD, however, hopes to support its new 1,000V EV platform with 1 Megawatt EV chargers, hitting the market as early as this week.
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BYD’s 1MW EV charger was easily the most powerful on the market but held that reign for a mere two weeks before ZEEKR said, “Hold my Baijiu.” During a recent EV conference in China, a ZEEKR executive unveiled a new EV fast charger capable of 1.2 Megawatt rates, setting the stage for what could be the fastest charging speeds in the world once it officially debuts next month.
ZEEKR Vice President Zhao Yuhui speaking during a speech at the China EV100 Forum / Source: ZEEKR/Weibo
ZEEKR 1.2 MW EV charger to debut at Shanghai Auto Show
ZEEKR shared some teasers of the new EV fast charger on Weibo following a speech by its vice president, Zhao Yuhui, during the recent China EV100 Forum. He spoke publicly, as seen in the video here.
Zhao said ZEEKR has developed a new fully liquid-cooled EV fast charger with a peak power of 1.2 MW per charging gun that will be released in Q2 2025 and offer the highest charging power in the world, besting BYD’s new charger by 200 kW.
As seen in the image above, Zhao pointed out the progress ZEEKR has made over the past four years, bolstering its charging rates from 260 kW in 2021 to 600 kW a year later and achieving 800 kW rates in 2023. According to Zhao, ZEEKR intends to lead the charging industry into an era of ultra-fast speeds at the 1 MW level with its new EV fast charger.
While we know ZEEKR’s new fast charger will be more powerful than BYD, it has yet to unveil a vehicle that can support such rates, unlike BYD, which is launching two new models on its Super E-Platform in early April. We also don’t know the exact speeds ZEEKR’s new EV charger will deliver.
When BYD unveiled its 1 Megawatt charger, it said it could deliver 2 km of range per second and 400 km (249 miles) during a five-minute charge. At 1.2 MW, we expect ZEEKR to surpass those charge rates, but it will depend on the architecture of the EV to accept such massive power.
ZEEKR promised to share more during the Shanghai Auto Show in late April, where it will officially debut the EV fast charger to the public. We will be there this year and will report back with all the exciting details.
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Tested: Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 portable power station brings ample support in a smaller and lighter unit
Anker is hands-down one of the most well-known tech accessory brands with an extensive lineup of consumer electronics, and its SOLIX sub-brand has making waves in the portable backup power solution space. Its C1000 power station made big waves when it first hit the market in 2023, quickly becoming a popular charging solution for camping and other outdoor activities, in particular. Now, two years later, the Anker has introduced its SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station, which I was lucky enough to snag and test out, and which I believe will outshine its predecessor in the long run. Head below to get my hands-on impressions of this all-new solar generator.
To get our full hands-on impression of this new portable backup power solution, be sure to check out our review here.
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Letric ONE belt-drive e-bike hits $1,899 low during Better-Than-Prime Sale with up to $694 in FREE gear on models from $999
Lectric has launched its Better-Than-Prime Sale with increased savings on its e-bikes reaching up to $720 in total. One notable return is the price cut on the brand’s Premium ONE Long-Range Belt-Drive Commuter e-bike to $1,899 shipped, while it also gets $220 in FREE add-on gear too. This is the biggest deal of the bunch as we’re seeing a $500 price cut from it’s usual $2,399 rate for the second time since the brand’s Labor Day sale, with the additional $220 savings you’re getting from the free included bundle, which contains a rear cargo rack and fenders to go over both wheels. All-in-all, you’re getting a second chance at the best deal to date, with $720 in savings at its all-time lowest tracked price.
Riders looking for the most premium model under Lectric’s flag will certainly enjoy the ONE Long-Range e-bike, which is a higher-end (and much higher-priced) solution that brings a plethora of top features to your commute. This model boasts a Sutto 750W rear hub motor (1,310W peak) alongside a Gates CDC 113-tooth Carbon Drive Belt System, delivering top speeds of 20 to 28 MPH, depending on your state-specific laws. The whole thing is powered by the 14Ah battery that provides up to 60 miles of pedal-assisted travel (bolstered by the brand’s PWR programming) on one full charge. There is also the throttle for pure electric riding, which does decrease its overall mileage.
Joining the motor and belt-drive, another set of premium features you’ll find here is the Pinion auto-shifting gearbox and a 24A potted motor controller that allows more effortless surges to its peak output. There are also the hydraulic mineral oil disc brakes, 20-inch puncture-resistant city tires, an integrated headlight, a brake-activated taillight, hidden cable routing, a color LCD screen, and more.
Lectric Prime Day ONE e-bike offer with $500 cut & $220 bundle
Lectric Prime Day XPedition 2.0 offers with up to $674 bundles:
XPedition 2.0 standard cargo e-bike with $346 bundle, Stratus White: $1,399 (Reg. $1,745)
XPedition 2.0 standard cargo e-bike with $346 bundle, Raindrop Blue: $1,399 (Reg. $1,745)
XPedition 2.0 DB cargo e-bike with $545 bundle, Stratus White: $1,799 (Reg. $2,244)
XPedition 2.0 DB cargo e-bike with $545 bundle, Raindrop Blue: $1,799 (Reg. $2,244)
XPedition 2.0 DB cargo e-bike with $694 bundle, Stratus White: $1,999 (Reg. $2,693)
XPedition 2.0 DB cargo e-bike with $694 bundle, Raindrop Blue: $1,999 (Reg. $2,693)
Lectric Prime Day Trike2 offers with up to $455 bundles:
Power camps, jobsites, tailgates, and more with $870 in exclusive savings on Jackery’s Explorer 2000 v2 station at new $629 low
We’ve secured exclusive savings from Wellbots on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station for $629.10 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5PD10 at checkout for an additional 10% off. It may carry a $1,499 MSRP, but we usually see it keeping down lower between $1,099 and $899, with falls going as low as $799 since first hitting the market back in February. This deal is already starting lower than ever at $699, with the exclusive code for our readers taking the savings even further, as a total $870 is cut from the MSRP for the best and lowest price we have tracked.
Get a charge anywhere with Schumacher’s latest 12A level 1 portable EV charger at $128 (Reg. $160)
As part of its early Prime Big Deals Day event, Amazon is now offering the Schumacher SEV1670 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger for $127.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page coupon. Since its release in May, carrying a $160 full price, we saw this rate first appear during July’s Prime Day, with it only beaten out by one-time falls to $115 and the $112 low a month ago. You can pick it up here today with $32 cut from the tag for the third-lowest price we have tracked.
Review: Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike is a rugged off-roader with plenty of suspension and hidden punch
When it comes to e-bikes, most people’s immediate thought is a commuter model designed to get you through streets to your various destinations, but with Ride1Up’s Revv1 DRT e-bike, the fun is extended (and primarily focused) to off-road adventures, and boy, does this baby have some go in it. It’s been over two years since we reviewed the Revv1 FS counterpart, which we came away quite impressed with its SUPER73-like design. Now we’re heading off the beaten path with this newer off-road variant, which boasts improved specs that outshine its predecessors in the series.
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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It’s almost here. Kia is about to introduce its smallest, most affordable electric vehicle yet. Although the EV2 is tiny, Kia promises it will look and feel much larger both inside and out.
Kia will unveil the EV2, its smallest EV, in early 2026
We knew it was coming sometime in 2026, but now we have a better idea of when we can expect to see it for the first time.
Kia’s President and CEO Song Ho-Sung told Auto Express that the company is preparing to unveil the EV2 in early 2026. Although he didn’t reveal a specific date, Song offered a few new details we can expect to see when it arrives in production form.
The EV2 Concept was showcased during Kia’s EV Day earlier this year, a preview of the upcoming entry-level EV.
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Like Kia’s previous concepts, such as the EV3 and EV4, you can expect the EV2 to look pretty close to the one shown earlier this year.
“It is still a concept car, but a lot of it you will see,” Karim Habib, Kia’s design boss, told Auto Express, adding, “You can take the example of the EV3 or EV4, which we showed two years ago as concepts.” The EV2 will be no different. According to Habib, “the delta between production car and show car is exactly the same.”
Kia Concept EV2 (Source: Kia)
It will debut with Kia’s new “Opposites United” design, showcased on its latest electric vehicles like the EV3, EV4, and EV5.
The new design features Kia’s signature Star Map daytime running lights (DRLs), smooth lines, and revamped front and back ends.
Like the EV9 and EV5, the EV2 has a more upright SUV-like stance, which will be carried over to the production model as recent spy shots have confirmed.
Kia Concept EV2 (Source: Kia)
Although it’s Kia’s smallest EV to date, Song said the “interior roominess” will surprise buyers. The concept features a unique folding rear bench that Habib hinted could make its way into the production car.
The minimalist layout will remain essentially unchanged, but the rear-hinged doors won’t be offered. Well, at least, at first.
Kia Concept EV2 interior (Source: Kia)
Habib said that is something Hyundai Motor Group is still “working towards,” confirming plans to apply it to future vehicles.
Kia said the EV2 will start at around 30,000 euros ($35,000) when it goes on sale in 2026, or slightly less than the EV3. We could see the production model as soon as the Brussels Motor Show in January.
The EV2 will be built at Kia’s manufacturing plant in Slovakia, specifically for the European market. After the EV2, Kia plans to launch an even smaller, more affordable EV1 as the new base model for its electric car lineup (EV1 to EV9).
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After an announcement last week, eVTOL developer Archer Aviation completed display flights to the public at the 2025 California International Air Show. This public display was Archer’s latest aerial achievement in the public eye as it moves closer to certification and commercial eVTOL operations.
While Archer Aviation ($ACHR) has been a mainstay on Electrek‘s eVTOL news beat for the past few years, the past few months have been fascinating. In May, Archer signed on as the exclusive air taxi provider of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
By June, it became the latest sustainable aviation developer to begin bona fide piloted test flights in its flagship Midnight aircraft (pictured below). Archer’s success continued through the summer, as it reported milestones that marked its longest piloted eVTOL flight (55 miles in 31 minutes), as well as its two highest altitude flights, reaching heights of 7,000 and 10,000 feet.
Last week, Archer announced that it would be demonstrating the capabilities of its Midnight eVTOL to the public with multiple flights over the weekend during the California International Air Show. One day later, we have footage of one of the flights that we want you to see (and try to hear).
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Archer shows of eVTOL tech during display flights in CA
As promised, Archer Aviation completed display flights with its Midnight eVTOL during both days of the 2025 California International Air Show in Salinas, CA, this past weekend. The Salinas Municipal Airport is actually home to Archer’s test flight facility, and the startup was a sponsor of the event.
The annual air show was expected to welcome over 65,000 attendees, not including the 1,000 expected to visit from Archer’s engineering, operations, and flight test departments. According to Archer, its Midnight eVTOL was scheduled for initial test flights, followed by notable flybys from other prominent groups, such as the Blue Angels and the USAF F-16 Viper Demo team.
While those other aerial teams are indeed more death-defying entertainment, their conventional technology is significantly more polluting, from an air and noise perspective. That’s a huge selling point for eVTOL developers like Archer, as they offer more and more public flight demonstrations to inform people of the benefits of this segment.
You have to see Archer’s flight footage of the Midnight to understand what we’re talking about. The aircraft is zooming by over the crowd, and you can not only clearly hear the emcee tallying off the eVTOL’s specs, but you can actually hear murmurs and conversations of people in the crowd—no chance you’re hearing any of that when the Blue Angels soar by.
Obviously, there’s a huge design gap between an all-electric air taxi and an F/A-18 Super Hornet, but the test flights still showcase how much quieter certain aerial travel can be. A better comparison would be a helicopter, which could easily be replaced by eVTOL vessels in the near future.
Until then, you can enjoy the demo eVTOL flight video from Archer below.
Source: Archer Aviation
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