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File: The wind farm in the Baltic Sea 35 kilometres northeast of Rügen is a joint venture of the Essen-based energy group Eon and the Norwegian shareholder Equinor.

Bernd Wüstneck | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

Norwegian energy company Equinor will resume construction on its offshore wind farm in New York, after the Trump administration lifted its order to halt work on the project.

Empire Wind 1 will be the first offshore wind project to deliver electricity directly to New York City. The Interior Department under the Biden administration approved the project last year after Equinor signed a lease issued by the department in 2017.

But Interior Secretary Doug Burgum ordered construction on Empire Wind to stop on April 16, alleging the Biden administration rushed the project’s approval “without sufficient analysis or consultation among the relevant agencies as relates to the potential effects.”

The stop-work order had raised fears among investors that the White House might target other wind projects that had already been permitted and approved.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday evening that Burgum and President Donald Trump agreed to lift the stop-work order and allow the project to move forward “after countless conversations with Equinor and White House officials.” Empire Wind supports 1,500 union jobs, Hochul said.

Equinor said it aims to execute planned installation activities this year and minimize the impact of the stop-work order in order to reach its goal of starting commercial operations in 2027.

Apparent natural gas compromise

Burgum said he was encouraged by Hochul’s “willingness to move forward on critical pipeline capacity.”

“Americans who live in New York and New England would see significant economic benefits and lower utility costs from increased access to reliable, affordable, clean American natural gas,” the Interior secretary said in a post on social media platform X.

Hochul did not mention natural gas in her statement, though she “reaffirmed that New York will work with the Administration and private entities on new energy projects that meet the legal requirements” under state law. New York has a history of opposing new natural gas pipelines.

Trump has targeted the wind industry, despite his agenda calling for the U.S. to achieve energy dominance. The president issued an executive order on his first day in office that barred new leases for offshore wind in U.S. waters and ordered a review of leasing and permitting practices.

Trump has a long history of attacking wind turbines, arguing that they kill birds and cost more than they generate in revenue. He posted more than 150 times about wind across Twitter, X and Truth Social since 2012, according to a CNBC review of his posts.

Empire Wind 1 started construction in the spring of 2024 and is more than 30% complete. Equinor has invested $2.5 billion in the project so far. The company is planning to build 54 turbines that are up to 910 feet tall. Empire Wind 1 will generate 810 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power half a million homes, according to Equinor.

Equinor Chief Financial Officer Torgrim Reitan called the Trump administration’s order to stop work unlawful, extraordinary and unprecedented during the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 30.

“We have complied with this order. However, the order did not include any information about the alleged deficiencies in the approval,” Reitan said.

Three other offshore wind projects are under construction in the U.S. all located on the Eastern Seaboard. They are Revolution and Sunrise Wind in New England and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind.

Dominion Energy is confident Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind will continue to move forward, CEO Robert Blue said on the company’s May 1 earnings call. It is 55% complete and will deliver electricity in early 2026, Blue said.

Orsted remains fully committed to Revolution and Sunrise Wind, CEO Rasmus Errboe said on the company’s May 7 earnings call. Revolution and Sunrise are about 75% and 35% complete respectively, Errboe said.

CNBC’s Gabriel Cortés contributed to this report.

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Mazda’s new electric SUV is already a hit in China and it’s about to go global

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Mazda's new electric SUV is already a hit in China and it's about to go global

Mazda’s new electric SUV, the EZ-60, set a record in China after securing over 20,000 orders. It is about the size of a Tesla Model Y and will soon launch in overseas markets like Europe.

Meet Mazda’s new EZ-60 electric SUV

Mazda calls it a “dream car” with a sleek new design, class-leading features, and advanced smart driving technology.

The EZ60 is Changan Mazda’s, the company’s joint venture in China, first electric SUV and second EV following the EZ-6 sedan.

After securing over 20,000 orders, Changan Mazda announced the EZ-60 set a new record as the fastest joint venture new energy SUV to reach the milestone.

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Mazda’s new electric SUV received 10,060 orders in 24 hours after it opened following its global debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 23. On May 9, Changan Mazda said EZ-60 orders exceeded 18,000, also setting a record for joint venture electric SUVs.

Like the EZ-6 sedan, Mazda’s electric SUV features its new “Soul of Motion” design, including a redesigned logo, slim LED headlights, and an LED lightbar that stretches across the front.

It comes loaded with “a number of world-first technologies,” including a 100″ naked-eye 3D head-up display (HUD) and a 26.45″ floating infotainment, which the company claims is “the largest size, thinnest body, and narrowest frame in its class.”

The unique D-pillar air duct gives it “the million-level supercar design” while improving airflow and efficiency. With nine air ducts and sixteen vents, the company said overall wind resistance is improved by 60.8 counts.

Mazda-EZ-60-electric-SUV-interior
Mazda EZ-60 electric SUV interior (Source: Changan Mazda)

Launching globally

The EZ-60 is available in purely battery electric (EV) and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain options.

Mazda’s new electric SUV will officially launch by the end of August. Following the EZ-6, which will go by “6e” overseas, the EZ-60 will be Changan Mazda’s second EV to launch globally.

Mazda-6e-EV
Mazda 6e (Source: Mazda)

Based on Changan’s EPA1 platform, which underpins the Deepal SO7, the electric SUV is expected to have a driving range of around 600 km. Prices and full specs will be revealed closer to launch. Check back soon for more info. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.

Mazda’s electric SUV is 4,850 mm long, 1,935 mm wide, and 1,620 mm tall, or about the same size as the new Tesla Model Y (4,797 mm long, 1,920 mm wide, and 1,624 mm tall).

Mazda-EZ-60-electric-SUV
Deng Zhitao, Executive Vice President of Changan Mazda, in front of the EZ-60 electric SUV (Source: Changan Mazda)

The EZ-6 starts at 139,800 yuan in China, or about $20,000, and has a CLTC driving range of up to 600 km (372 miles). Changan Mazda introduced a new Sport Edition earlier this month, with black side skirts and wheels, red brake callipers, and a few other upgrades.

In Europe, the electric sedan will arrive as the Mazda 6e. It will be available with two battery packs:  68.8 kWh or 80 kWh, good for WLTP driving range of 479 km (300 miles) and 552 km (343 miles), respectively.

What do you think of Mazda’s new electric SUV? Would you buy one in the US, Europe, or other global markets? Let us know your thoughts below.

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Lexus RZ upgraded with 300 miles driving range, an NACS port, and fun new features

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Lexus RZ upgraded with 300 miles driving range, an NACS port, and fun new features

Lexus may have just given you a reason to check out its electric SUV. The Lexus RZ is getting some notable upgrades for the 2026 model year, including up to 300 miles of driving range, an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers, and plenty more.

2026 Lexus RZ makes North American debut

After introducing the upgraded electric SUV in Europe earlier this year, we are finally getting a look at the new electric SUV coming to the US.

The 2026 Lexus RZ made its North American debut this week with more power, added range, and several new features.

For one, a new F Sport variant arrives with a sporty new style inside and out. The 2026 RZ 550e F Sport is the most powerful RZ model yet. With a 402 hp AWD powertrain, the sporty new variant can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.

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It also gains a new “M Mode” that features virtual manual gear shifting to make it feel like a manual transmission.

The new F-Sport model gets exclusive elements like F Sport branding on the rear spoiler, front and rear bumpers, and front grille. It will be available in a new “Wind” color, a solid gray with “subtle metallic highlight.”

All 2026 Lexus RZ models get a redesigned interior with an improved panorama glass roof, which provides more shade and a clearer view. The F Sport interior has black Ultrasuede material with blue stitching available. Other upgrades include F Sport scuff plates, steering wheel, and pedals.

The 2026 model will be available in three different trims: RZ 350e FWD (221 hp), RZ 450e AWD (308 hp), and RZ 55e F-Sport AWD (402 hp).

Lexus also added an NACS charging port on the passenger side, enabling access to Tesla Superchargers across North America.

2026 Lexus RZ model Output 0 to 60 mph Acceleration Battery Range
RZ 350e FWD 221 hp 7.2 sec 74.69 kWh 300 miles
RZ 450e AWD 308 hp 4.9 sec 74.69 kWh 260 miles (18″ tires)
RZ 550e F Sport AWD 402 hp 4.1 sec 76.96 kWh 225 miles (20″ tires)
2026 Lexus RZ specs and range by trim

The 2026 Lexus RZ 350e now features an EPA-estimated driving range of around 300 miles, a big improvement from the 266 miles for the outgoing model. Other models, including the RZ 450e and RZ 550e, deliver up to 260 miles and 225 miles of driving range, respectively.

All 2026 Lexus RZ models will be assembled in Japan. Lexus will reveal full details, including specs and pricing, closer to when it goes on sale later this year. Check back soon for the latest.

With the 2026 model year arriving, Lexus is offering generous discounts on the 2025 RZ with up to $10,000 in bonus cash and leases starting as low as $379 per month. You can use our link to find deals on 2025 Lexus RZ models at a dealer near you today.

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Zoox expands testing fleet to seventh US city, hopes to bring robotaxis to ‘Silicon Valley of the South’

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Zoox expands testing fleet to seventh US city, hopes to bring robotaxis to 'Silicon Valley of the South'

Veteran robotaxi developer Zoox has announced an expansion of its testing fleet to a seventh US market. This latest addition marks Zoox’s (potential) entry into the southeastern United States as its team begins to map out the area ahead of bona fide autonomous robotaxi rides.

Rather than converting existing EVs into robotaxis like its competitors, Zoox has designed and delivered an entirely purpose-built EV without pedals or a steering wheel. However, that rollout has been relatively small compared to Zoox’s entire US operation, much of which remains in the testing phase.

Those testing vehicles are retrofitted SUVs equipped with LiDAR and other sensors, plus a human driver operating inside.

In June 2023, the company began driving on public roads in Las Vegas before expanding its Las Vegas geofence to a five-mile route in 2024. Since then, Zoox has not offered public rides in its bespoke robotaxis. However, Zoox has significantly expanded its North American testing fleet into additional cities, hoping to eventually reach that milestone.

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Those cities include the San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas, Seattle, Miami, Austin, and most recently, Los Angeles. Today, Zoox announced testing has expanded to a seventh city – Atlanta.

Zoox Los Angeles
A Zoox test vehicle / Source: Zoox

Zoox begins testing roadmaps around Atlanta, Georgia

Zoox issued a press release today detailing its latest market and reiterating that it is merely laying the groundwork for purpose-built robotaxi rides in the future. Per Zoox:

Known as the ‘Silicon Valley of the South,’ Atlanta is one of the largest ride-hailing markets in the United States. As one of the fastest-growing technology hubs, the city welcomes autonomous vehicle testing and innovation in many fields. 

Atlanta also has a growing population, diverse road conditions, traffic patterns, and unique weather conditions, including frequent thunderstorms. The city is located in a dense, urban landscape, which creates a strong demand for efficient transportation solutions like on-demand autonomous ride-hailing.

As it has already in the six other markets mentioned above, Zoox said it will begin with a small deployment of testing vehicles, driven around manually by its employees to gather mapping data, including road geometry and traffic lights.

Once Atlanta is entirely mapped out manually, Zoox plans to begin testing its autonomous driving technology before expanding to public rides. Per Zoox:

We see promise in bringing our robotaxi service to Atlanta in the future, and we look forward to offering Atlantans this unique and private space to socialize, rock out, or relax while being transported to their destination. Give us a wave when you spot us on the road, and keep your eyes out for when we roll out the robotaxi in the not-too-distant future. 

Before we see commercial operations in Atlanta, Zoox plans to begin welcoming public riders into its proprietary robotaxi vehicles in Las Vegas and San Francisco later this year.

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