Canadian oil and gas pipeline giant Enbridge just launched its first solar farm in Texas, adding more clean energy to its “all-of-the-above” energy mix, mainly fossil fuels.

Enbridge’s Orange Grove Solar project in Jim Wells County now sends up to 130 megawatts (MW) of clean electricity to the Texas ERCOT grid. That’s enough to power around 24,000 homes. Roughly 300,000 solar panels stretch across 920 acres.

AT&T has signed a long-term virtual power purchase agreement for all the output from Orange Grove. That deal helps AT&T reduce its carbon footprint and stabilize long-term energy costs.

“We are pleased to be able to deliver additional zero-emission electricity into the grid in support of local and Texas state-wide economic growth and energy demand,” said Matthew Akman, Enbridge’s EVP of corporate strategy and president of its power business.

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This isn’t Enbridge’s first dip into renewables: it bought its first wind farm in 2002, and it says its renewable assets are part of its plan to achieve net zero by 2050.

But Enbridge is still ultimately best known for its oil and gas pipelines – and its troubled environmental history. In 1991, the company was responsible for the largest inland oil spill in the US, in Minnesota. It’s faced criticism for other spills and environmental risks tied to its pipeline network, which is the longest across North America and the largest oil export pipeline network in the world.

Enbridge is building a second, much larger solar farm southeast of Abilene in Callahan County. Called the Sequoia Solar project, it’s expected to generate 815 MW of power – more than six times the size of Orange Grove – making it one of the biggest solar farms in North America once it’s complete.

Both projects are part of Enbridge’s growing push into clean power, especially in Texas, where demand for electricity in the ERCOT market keeps climbing. It’s a notable shift for a company still deeply rooted in fossil fuels without plans to abandon them. But it’s now tapping into the sun as part of its evolving energy portfolio.

Akman continued, “Enbridge is proud to operate a wide range of critical energy infrastructure across the Gulf Coast area, including liquids pipelines and export facilities, natural gas pipelines and storage, as well as wind and now solar power.”

Read more: Texas just shot its wind + solar boom in the foot on purpose [Update]

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Kia’s new entry-level EV was spotted driving in the US with its official launch just around the corner. The EV4 is Kia’s first electric sedan, and in real life, it looks even better.

Kia EV4 spotted in real life on US streets

We’ve been waiting since Kia’s first annual EV day in 2023, when we first saw the concept for the electric sedan, to finally arrive. The EV4 is part of the brand’s new lineup of entry-level electric vehicles, alongside the EV2, EV3, and EV5.

After opening EV4 pre-orders in Korea earlier this year, Kia is preparing to launch it globally. The electric car starts at about $30,000 (41.92 million won) in its home market.

Similar to Korea, the EV4 will be offered in the US with two battery options: 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh. The entry-level “Light” trim will come with a standard 58.3 kWh battery, which Kia estimates will provide a range of 235 miles.

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The Wind and GT-Line trims will be available with the long-range 81.4 kWh battery, providing up to 330 miles of range.

Kia says the EV4’s sports car-like design contributed to its impressive driving range. With a drag coefficient of just 0.23, the EV4 is Kia’s most aerodynamic vehicle yet.

It will also come with a built-in NACS port on the front passenger side for charging at Tesla Superchargers. With DC fast charging, the EV4 can recharge from 10% to 80% in about 29 minutes (Light battery). The long-range (81.4 kWh) battery will take around 31 minutes.

The EV4 was recently spotted driving in the US ahead of its official launch, giving us a better idea of what Kia’s electric sedan looks like in real life.

The video, courtesy of KindelAuto, shows the EV4 with Michigan plates on public roads. You can see it’s not your average four-door sedan. Kia calls it an “entirely new type of EV sedan” with a wide, low stance.

Kia’s new “EV Tiger Face” design is showcased up front, featuring vertical headlights and its signature Star Map lighting.

The interior will feature nearly 30″ of screen space as part of Kia’s new connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system.

The setup includes dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens, plus a 5″ climate screen. It also offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

Kia will launch the EV4 in Europe later this year and in the US in early 2026. We will learn prices closer to when it arrives, but Kia’s electric sedan is expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.

We also got a look at the upcoming EV4 GT this week, after it was spotted outside Kia and Hyundai’s facility in Korea.

What do you think about Kia’s first electric sedan? Would you buy one for around $35,000? Let us know in the comments.

Wait, Mazda has an EV? Well, not yet. The company confirmed that the upcoming electric vehicle will be built in Japan. Although it will be made in Japan, Mazda is betting its first EV can beat the Trump administration’s ‘outrageous’ 25% auto tariffs.

Mazda preps for its first dedicated EV amid US auto tariffs

Earlier this year, Mazda revealed plans to build a new module pack plant in Japan for cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells.

Mazda will use Panasonic Energy’s battery cells to manufacture modules and battery packs for its first dedicated EV, which will also be made in Japan.

Officials confirmed for the first time this week that the new electric vehicle will be built at its Hofu H2 assembly plant using its most advanced technology.

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According to Mazda’s head of production engineering, Taketo Hironaka, the “cutting edge” tech may even help the company overcome the new US auto tariffs. Hironaka said (via Automotive News), “The 25 percent figure is outrageous,” adding, “We will control what we can.”

Rather than setting up a dedicated production line for EVs, the plant will remain flexible to adjust output as needed.

Mazda said that building gas, diesel, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the same line can reduce investment by 85% and lead time by 80%.

By 2030, the Japanese automaker plans for all vehicles to be “electrified,” while pure EVs will account for between 25% and 40% of global sales. Currently, it’s closer to 25% according to Hironaka.

“We may see a BEV ratio of 100 percent, or it could be 0 percent,” Hironaka said, adding, “Doing mixed production means our BEV ratio will change according to customer demand at a given time.”

Mazda will begin production on the new EV model starting in 2027. The company has yet to reveal prices, driving range, and other specs. It looks like we will have to wait until closer to its launch to learn more.

Electrek’s Take

After launching its first EV in China, the EZ-6, Mazda unveiled the global model, the 6e, which will arrive in Europe and other markets later this year. It will be followed by the CX-6e, the global version of Mazda’s EZ-60 electric SUV sold in China.

However, both models are built in China by the company’s joint venture, Changan Mazda. The US is Mazda’s largest, most important market. To stay competitive, it will need to adjust like most of the auto industry.

Mazda is already in a vulnerable spot with a slew of new, lower-cost, more advanced EVs set to arrive in the US over the next few years. Can its first dedicated EV help turn things around? We all recall what happened with the MX-30 EV, which was killed off in the US in 2023.