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HAWESVILLE, KY – May 10

Plant workers drive along an aluminum potline at Century Aluminum Company’s Hawesville plant in Hawesville, Ky. on Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo by Luke Sharrett /For The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Aluminum

The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images

Sweeping tariffs on imported aluminum imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump are succeeding in reshaping global trade flows and inflating costs for American consumers, but are falling short of their primary goal: to revive domestic aluminum production.

Instead, rising costs, particularly skyrocketing electricity prices in the U.S. relative to global competitors, are leading to smelter closures rather than restarts.

The impact of aluminum tariffs at 25% is starkly visible in the physical aluminum market. While benchmark aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange provide a global reference, the actual cost of acquiring the metal involves regional delivery premiums.

This premium now largely reflects the tariff cost itself.

In stark contrast, European premiums were noted by JPMorgan analysts as being over 30% lower year-to-date, creating a significant divergence driven directly by U.S. trade policy.

This cost will ultimately be borne by downstream users, according to Trond Olaf Christophersen, the chief financial officer of Norway-based Hydro, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers. The company was formerly known as Norsk Hydro.

“It’s very likely that this will end up as higher prices for U.S. consumers,” Christophersen told CNBC, noting the tariff cost is a “pass-through.” Shares of Hydro have collapsed by around 17% since tariffs were imposed.

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The downstream impact of the tariffs is already being felt by Thule Group, a Hydro customer that makes cargo boxes fitted atop cars. The company said it’ll raise prices by about 10% even though it manufactures the majority of the goods sold in the U.S locally, as prices of raw materials, such as steel and aluminum, have shot up.

But while tariffs are effectively leading to prices rise in the U.S., they haven’t spurred a revival in domestic smelting, the energy-intensive process of producing primary aluminum.

The primary barrier remains the lack of access to competitively priced, long-term power, according to the industry.

“Energy costs are a significant factor in the overall production cost of a smelter,” said Ami Shivkar, principal analyst of aluminum markets at analytics firm Wood Mackenzie.  “High energy costs plague the US aluminium industry, forcing cutbacks and closures.”

“Canadian, Norwegian, and Middle Eastern aluminium smelters typically secure long-term energy contracts or operate captive power generation facilities. US smelter capacity, however, largely relies on short-term power contracts, placing it at a disadvantage,” Shivkar added, noting that energy costs for U.S. aluminum smelters were about $550 per tonne compared to $290 per tonne for Canadian smelters.

Recent events involving major U.S. producers underscore this power vulnerability.

In March 2023, Alcoa Corp announced the permanent closure of its 279,000 metric ton Intalco smelter, which had been idle since 2020. Alcoa said that the facility “cannot be competitive for the long-term,” partly because it “lacks access to competitively priced power.”

Similarly, in June 2022, Century Aluminum, the largest U.S. primary aluminum producer, was forced to temporarily idle its massive Hawesville, Kentucky smelter – North America’s largest producer of military-grade aluminum – citing a “direct result of skyrocketing energy costs.”

Century stated the power cost required to run the facility had “more than tripled the historical average in a very short period,” necessitating a curtailment expected to last nine to twelve months until prices normalized.

The industry has also not had a respite as demand for electricity from non-industrial sources has risen in recent years.

Hydro’s Christophersen pointed to the artificial intelligence boom and the proliferation of data centers as new competitors for power. He suggested that new energy production capacity in the U.S., from nuclear, wind or solar, is being rapidly consumed by the tech sector.

“The tech sector, they have a much higher ability to pay than the aluminium industry,” he said, noting the high double-digit margins of the tech sector compared to the often low single-digit margins at aluminum producers. Hydro reported an 8.3% profit margin in the first quarter of 2025, an increase from the 3.5% it reported for the previous quarter, according to Factset data.

“Our view, and for us to build a smelter [in the U.S.], we would need cheap power. We don’t see the possibility in the current market to get that,” the CFO added. “The lack of competitive power is the reason why we don’t think that would be interesting for us.”

How the massive power draw of generative AI is overtaxing our grid

While failing to ignite domestic primary production, the tariffs are undeniably causing what Christophersen termed a “reshuffling of trade flows.”

When U.S. market access becomes more costly or restricted, metal flows to other destinations.

Christophersen described a brief period when exceptionally high U.S. tariffs on Canadian aluminum — 25% additional tariffs on top of the aluminum-specific tariffs — made exporting to Europe temporarily more attractive for Canadian producers. Consequently, more European metals would have made their way into the U.S. market to make up for the demand gap vacated by Canadian aluminum.

The price impact has even extended to domestic scrap metal prices, which have adjusted upwards in line with the tariff-inflated Midwest premium.

Hydro, also the world’s largest aluminum extruder, utilizes both domestic scrap and imported Canadian primary metal in its U.S. operations. The company makes products such as window frames and facades in the country through extrusion, which is the process of pushing aluminum through a die to create a specific shape.

“We are buying U.S. scrap [aluminium]. A local raw material. But still, the scrap prices now include, indirectly, the tariff cost,” Christophersen explained. “We pay the tariff cost in reality, because the scrap price adjusts to the Midwest premium.”

“We are paying the tariff cost, but we quickly pass it on, so it’s exactly the same [for us],” he added.

RBC Capital Markets analysts confirmed this pass-through mechanism for Hydro’s extrusions business, saying “typically higher LME prices and premiums will be passed onto the customer.”

This pass-through has occurred amid broader market headwinds, particularly downstream among Hydro’s customers.

RBC highlighted the “weak spot remains the extrusion divisions” in Hydro’s recent results and noted a guidance downgrade, reflecting sluggish demand in sectors like building and construction.

— CNBC’s Greg Kennedy contributed reporting.

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Environment

Lectric offers up to $720 in Prime Day e-bike savings from $999, Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 station at exclusive new $629 low, more

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October 6, 2025

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Lectric offers up to 0 in Prime Day e-bike savings from 9, Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 station at exclusive new 9 low, more

lectric one e-bike

We’re less than 24 hours away from the kick-off of Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event, but that doesn’t mean savings aren’t already well underway. Leading today’s Green Deals is Lectric’s Better-Than-Prime Sale that is offering up to $720 in savings on e-bike bundles, with the second-ever price cut on the premium ONE Long-Range Belt-Drive Commuter e-bike to its $1,899 low, while also getting $220 in FREE gear, among other increased offers. We also secured $870 in exclusive savings on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station at a new $629 low, and you can pick up the latest Schumacher 12A Level 1 Portable EV Charger at $128 – plus, even more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals from last week collected at the bottom of the page, rounded together in our latest edition of Electrified Weekly.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

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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man riding lectric ONE e-bike down road

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:

Lectric Prime Day Trike2 offers with up to $455 bundles:

Lectric Prime Day XP Lite 2.0 LR e-bike offers with $439 bundles:

Lectric Prime Day XPress 750 e-bike offers with $415 bundle

Lectric Prime Day XPeak 2.0 offers with up to $415 bundles:

Lectric Prime Day XP4 e-bike offers with up to $394 bundles:

You can view the entire Lectric Better-Than-Prime Sale lineup of deals on the sale’s main landing page here.

jackery explorer 2000 v2 portable power station being used by man to power tools

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.

If you want to learn more about this power station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this exclusive deal here.

Schumacher 12A level 1 portable EV charger in trunk of SUV

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.

If you want to learn more about this newer EV charging solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

woman clearing leaves in yard with worx trivac

Blow, vacuum, or mulch your way through yard debris with the 3-in-1 12A Worx Trivac at $70

As part of its early Prime Big Deal Days event, Amazon is offering the Worx 12A Trivac 3-in-1 Cordless Blower, Vacuum, and Mulcher for $69.99 shipped, which matches the Best Buy pricing we’re seeing while it is included in its Deals of the Day. This handy 3-in-1 device normally runs for $100 at full price these days, with discounts having gone as low as $67 over the year, while past years have seen it fall to $60 at best. Today’s deal cuts $30 off the tag to land things down among some of its lowest prices – just $10 above the low that hasn’t reappeared for quite some time.

If you want to learn more about this handy 3-in-1 tool, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

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.

To get our full hands-on impression of this e-bike, be sure to check out our review here.

anker solix early prime day power station sale
ecoflow early prime day power station sale
jackery Early Prime Day Power Station Sale

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

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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Kia’s smallest EV is full of big surprises

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October 6, 2025

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Kia's smallest EV is full of big surprises

Kia's-smallest-EV

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-EV2
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's-smallest-EV
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-EV2-interior
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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Archer Aviation demonstrated public eVTOL flights in California and they were so quiet! [Video]

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4 hours ago

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October 6, 2025

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Archer Aviation demonstrated public eVTOL flights in California and they were so quiet! [Video]

Archer eVTOL flights

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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longest eVTOL flight

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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