Quick acceleration is often used as a selling point for high-performance cars, but can it actually be safer? The instant acceleration of an EV not only offers a more nimble driving experience but it should be a safety feature argues Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
Is quick EV acceleration a safety feature?
“The acceleration power is first a matter of safety,” Tavares recently told journalists (via Top Gear). It’s not all about speeding, “It is first a matter of overtaking in safe conditions.”
Tavares explained that “making sure you can change lanes” or pass a truck when needed can be a key safety feature. The instant acceleration of an EV is about having the “power to overtake in safe conditions,” Stellantis’ CEO said.
Stellantis revealed its second global EV platform, STLA Large, earlier this month. The first Jeep and Dodge EVs launching in the US this year will be powered by the new platform.
The company claims its new platform features “segment-leading capabilities.” This includes up to 500 miles range and power “that will outperform any of the existing Hellcat V-8s.” Stellantis brands, including Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, and Maserati, will also use the underpinnings.
Stellantis aims for 50% of US sales to be electric by 2030, with 100% in Europe. Tavares believes STLA Large will be a “driving force” as the first Jeep and Dodge EVs roll out.
Electrek’s Take
How many times have you been behind a semi-truck that won’t stop swerving? It seems to happen almost every time I’m on the highway.
It’s reassuring knowing you can get around without lagging or having to panic that it will bump you while passing.
As Tavares put it, “There is nothing more difficult than starting to overtake a truck and then having to jump on the brakes because you just discovered that the acceleration of the car you’re driving is not good enough to overtake in safe conditions.”
“From that perspective the BEV technology is great.” I agree. For those of us who have been driving EVs for years, the comments may seem obvious.
However, Tavares has a point here. Quick EV acceleration could be considered a safety feature. It doesn’t give people to drive like race car drivers but to pass a truck in safe conditions or change lanes when needed, it’s helpful.
What do you guys think? Do you agree with Tavares? Let us know in the comments.
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DHL Express has more than 10,000 eSprinter vans in its global delivery fleet, but none of those have been deployed in North America – until now, that is! The company recently added 45 new Mercedes eSprinter panel vans, and they’ve got plans for plenty more!
While Mercedes offers its eSprinters with a promised 206 mile estimated range, DHL says it’s consistently seen them exceed 240 miles in stop-and-go delivery duty, making them the longest-range battery electric vehicles in DHL’s US fleet.
And, of course, the eSprinter will do all of that without the noise, vibration, and harmful carbon emissions of diesel.
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“Electrifying our fleet is one of the most visible and impactful ways we are moving toward a more sustainable future,” explains Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express, US. “The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter brings an extended range and proven cargo capabilities that allow us to serve our customers with zero emissions, while also advancing our global goal of more sustainable logistics. These vehicles not only strengthen our operations in major US cities but also set the stage for future electric fleet growth across the Americas.”
The 45 eSprinters will see deployment in Chicago, Indiana, and Pittsburg, and will act as a first step DHL’s global Sustainability Roadmap, which will see the company electrify 66% of its last-mile US delivery fleet (and some of its long-haul fleet operations) by 2030.
In short, they’re doing the right thing – or seem to be, anyway. Whether or not that commitment to decarbonization will win them more American customers remains to be seen.
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Enphase Energy just launched a new off-grid system that lets homeowners power their homes without a utility connection – even for extended periods. The California-based Enphase says the off-grid setup delivers a seamless way to live independently from the grid while still using solar, batteries, and a standby AC generator.
A full off-grid setup
The new system combines Enphase’s IQ Battery 5P with embedded grid-forming microinverters, IQ8 Series Microinverters with Sunlight JumpStart, and a third-party standby AC generator. The components work together to supply power to a home and automatically manage energy sources to maximize efficiency and reliability.
If the batteries are drained and the generator runs out of fuel, the Sunlight JumpStart feature can automatically recharge the batteries the next morning once the sun comes up.
The IQ Battery 5P delivers 3.84 kVA of power per 5 kWh of capacity, and systems can be scaled up to 40 kWh and 15.4 kVA. That’s enough power to start big household appliances like HVAC systems or water pumps. The IQ System Controller 3G provides the backbone, managing solar, batteries, and generator inputs to deliver up to 46 kVA of off-grid power.
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Smarter control and connectivity
Each system connects to the cloud through Enphase’s IQ Combiner 5C HDK, which bundles solar interconnection, communications, and metering into one box. For homes without reliable broadband, the built-in 4G LTE Cat 4 modem keeps the system online for monitoring, firmware updates, and remote support.
Homeowners can manage everything from the Enphase App – from solar generation and battery status to generator integration and load control.
Why it matters
As grid outages become more common and homeowners look for ways to gain energy independence, off-grid systems like this are becoming more appealing.
“With the launch of our off-grid solution, we are giving homeowners a reliable path to complete energy independence,” said Nitish Mathur, Enphase’s SVP of customer experience. Enphase says over 100 homes are already operating entirely off-grid using its technology. The company plans to expand availability beyond the US in 2026.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Global offshore wind targets are still strong enough to triple global capacity by 2030, despite the US’s offshore wind stagnation under Trump. A new analysis from energy think tank Ember and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) shows that the rest of the world is charging forward, underscoring confidence in offshore wind as a cornerstone of future clean energy systems.