Coast, the future-focused sub-brand of trailer manufacturer Aero Build, has begun deliveries of the Model 1 – a solar electric travel trailer that Founder and CEO Brian Fuente put his heart and soul into to not only modernize a stale recreation segment but do so in a manner that is optimized and affordable without any compromise on quality. Fuente walked us through the Coast Model 1 and shared his insight on the trailer, the company’s design approach, and its future in electric campers.
Aero Build is a young trailer manufacturer that has been developing and crafting a variety of ground-up business-centric vessels in Nashville, Tennessee, for the last eight years. Pride in the work and commitment to the utmost quality in every build has helped the young company find early success, providing the financial runway to explore new ventures like electric travel trailers for recreational use.
The result is Coast – a passenger-focused sub-brand that not only looks to modernize the travel trailer industry further but also gives owners the freedom of travel and exploration, complimented by comfort, space utilization, and some of the best technology available today.
Those ideas culminated in Coast’s first trailer – the Model 1. Initially unveiled in early 2023, the Model 1 has since become open for pre-orders and begun production in Nashville. This past weekend, the first customer builds of the solar electric travel trailer were delivered to customers, kicking off a new chapter for Coast, which it hopes will help propel it from a niche bespoke builder to a renowned name in recreational vehicles.
Before deliveries began, Electrek got the chance to do a virtual walkthrough in the Model 1 with Coast Founder and CEO Brian Fuente, who offered some excellent insight on what sets these trailers apart.
Coast’s Model 1 trailer is a winner at first glance
Earlier this month, I hopped on a video call with Coast CEO Brian Fuente, who walked me through a near-production version of the Model 1. This slightly dated model has seen several improvements before the first travel trailers went out to customers.
My first impression of Fuente was that he knows his stuff. Not only from the perspective of recreational trailers, e.g., comfort, space utilization, etc., but from a tech standpoint, ensuring Coast’s first entry into the segment delivers quality materials and design as well as all the electronic components required to live comfortably off the grid for days or even weeks at a time.
The quality and sustainability of the materials chosen are apparent. Albeit a compact travel trailer, it’s clear that every square inch was optimized, and the Coast team reworked the layout repeatedly until it was perfect in their minds. I complimented Fuente on this achievement, and he shared some valuable insight:
We’ve been a trailer manufacturer for what, seven years now? So I think what sets us apart is we have a commercial division where we’ve built hundreds and hundreds of trailers and sent them all over the world, so we know a thing or two about trailer manufacturing. With all that knowledge we’ve been able to soak all that into this unit.
So, we can proudly say that this is one of the best built trailers you’ll ever find. It’s the price point too. We don’t have the drivetrain system… yet, we’re working on that, but from a quality standpoint, this thing is just built to last.
Fuente then pointed out that the Model 1 trailer we were viewing looked brand new (I’d agree), but it had already had several people staying in it and had traveled all over the country. More evidence of the quality of the fit and finishes chosen to ensure this trailer can handle a lifetime of travel exploring the world.
It was interesting that Fuente brought up the electric powertrain before I could even ask (I was going to, don’t worry), considering Coast’s main competitors in the space, who are already providing additional electrification to maximize towing efficiency.
I asked the CEO how he feels about the company’s trailer competitors like Pebble and Lightship, for instance, and how he thinks Coast compares:
Well, I think from a design perspective, I think it’s more palatable. It’s kind of a blend that feels like a smart home on wheels, like a home. I think from an interior design perspective, it’s just comfortable. I think this is a very comfortable unit with a lot of space and room to move around in this unit too. We are not those companies. We don’t have the big VC money. We’re the bootstrap operation and we have been trailer manufacturing for a long time.
I think that’s what sets us apart too because we’re in production and we have an incredibly talent team. This is a comfort focused electric vehicle that’s built to last a long time and I think there’s a buyer for everyone and I’m just so excited to see innovation in the space.
When we first started designing this (Model 1), the reason I was so motivated to do it was because I was just so tired of seeing junk, and I experienced the manufacturing plants in Indiana and said, ‘Guys, we gotta do better.’ From a culture standpoint, our company has really built a lifestyle brand and people have really bought into it because we provide a really great customer experience.
Bootstraps, for sure. Fuente told me he goes out to customers and shows them firsthand how to use the Coast electric trailers and even gives his personal cell number in case they have any questions or issues, saying, “That’s just who we are. We build one hell of a trailer, and we rarely have a warranty issue, and when we do, it’s usually minor. When we do, we usually take care of it within 24-48 hours.”
As sales of Coast’s electric travel trailers grow, it will be impossible for its CEO to stay on speed dial for everyone, but right now, that customer service method exemplifies how vital the buyer is to this operation. From there, Fuente spoke about Coast’s potential and the future.
All our trailers are hand-built, so we’re just focused on quality right now. Yes, we have people knocking on our door to invest, but we want to protect what we have and we want to be close to our customers. We’ve got some new partnerships that I can’t tell you about yet, but we’ve got some really big news coming soon.
Fuente told me a second trailer model is already in the works. As confirmed above, Coast is also working to add an electric drivetrain option to help drivers maximize range and efficiency while towing.
I highly recommend booking a live tour and exploring the Coast 1 trailer yourself to truly understand its design and opportunity for those who want to travel while still living comfortably with the freedom to work. Each trailer comes with Starlink’s highest level of WiFi – expensive for Coast to install, but worth every penny according to Fuente to ensure its customers get the best.
The exterior roof features eight monocrystalline solar panels that deliver 1,600 total watts of green energy to owners when out on the road or wherever their journeys take them.
The Coast Model 1 trailer is available to order now and starts at $129,900. I plan to visit Coast in Nashville soon, spend the night in a Model 1, and see if the real-life experience in the trailer matches the quality I saw from my virtual tour. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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After years of development and months of teasers, Nissan has officially launched a reimagined version of the LEAF as a 2026 model year crossover, set to hit dealerships later this year. We will always love the original LEAF, but this new model is sharp and includes some well overdue upgrades, including a NACS port and Plug & Charge capabilities.
It’s been over fifteen years since the original Nissan LEAF debuted as one of the world’s first viable, mass-market EVs. For nearly a decade, the LEAF was the best-selling plug-in EV in the world, before Tesla took over.
While the original hatchback LEAF will go down in history as one of the earliest successful BEV models, its market status in recent years has been repetitive, laughably archaic (CHAdeMO), albeit nostalgic. The last five or six model years of the Nissan LEAF have essentially been the same car, and the public has been petitioning for something new.
How could an automaker so ahead of the BEV curve in 2009 fall so far behind over the course of a decade? Nissan asked itself that same question and has since bounced back with the ARIYA, which has been in production since 2022, but what about a new LEAF?
Since January 2025, we have been following several camouflaged images of the reimagined LEAF in the wild before Nissan gave us a first official look in March. Earlier this month, Nissan shared even more details, including a timeline for the new BEV’s global debut.
Today, the third-generation Nissan LEAF has officially launched as a 2026 model, and it’s about as nice of an upgrade as we could have asked for.
Nissan’s new LEAF is set to hit dealers this fall
This morning, Nissan shared all the specifications for the four planned trims of the new 2026 LEAF (except pricing, sorry). There’s much to unpack here, so let’s dig right in.
For starters, the first thing you’ll notice, which we’ve already noted in the past, is that the 2026 LEAF has evolved from a compact hatchback to a (slightly) larger, family-friendly crossover SUV.
The new LEAF is marginally shorter in length than the second-generation model (173.4 inches vs. 176.4 inches), but it is about an inch wider and a similar height to its predecessor. So, arriving as a radically looking version of the LEAF without the hatchback, it will fill a similar footprint to the older models.
While the 2026 Nissan LEAF may be similar in size, most of the rest of the BEV has been significantly overhauled in the best ways. For example, the battery packs and electric motors have been bolstered to provide significantly better horsepower, charge rates, and range.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the standard configurations of the four initial LEAF trims in the new generation:
Nissan LEAF Trim
Motor
Battery
Power
Onboard Charger
S
130 kW
52 kWh
174 hp, 254 lb-ft torque
7.2 kW
S+ SV, PLATINUM+
160 kW
75 kWh
214 hp, 261 lb-ft torque
7.2 kW
Nissan also shared initial range estimates for the new LEAF trims, except for the base-level S version. Note that the two versions of the 2025 LEAF offered ranges of 149 and 212 miles, respectively:
2026 Nissan LEAF Trim
Est. Range
S
TBD
S+
303 miles
SV+
288 miles
PLATINUM+
259 miles
Even at its lowest range, the 2026 LEAF can go significantly farther than the previous generation. Better yet, it will be A LOT easier when future owners need to recharge. Yes, Nissan has finally abandoned the long-defunct CHAdeMO port and has replaced it with not one, but two more modern options.
A J1772 port is present on the driver’s side fender for Level 1 and 2 charging, while a North American Charging Standard (NACS) is on the passenger’s side fender, giving drivers access to Tesla’s massive Supercharger network. Per Nissan, the new LEAF models can recharge from 10 to 80% in 35 minutes on a DCFC. 240V charge times remain “TBD.”
The new models also have “Plug & Charge” capabilities.
Moving inward, the 2026 LEAF looks like an entirely new vehicle designed for the modern driver. The two higher-end trims come with dual 14.3-inch dash displays with Google built-in. The two lower trims have dual 12.3 inch displays and all support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Nissan also shared that the cabin has an upgradable dimming panoramic roof—a first for its segment, according to the automaker. The crossover’s cargo area is 55.5 cubic feet behind the second-row seats when they’re folded (20 cubic feet when they’re upright).
Additionally, the new LEAF’s PLATINUM+ trim has 64-color ambient lighting that can be customized to set any mood in the cabin.
One key element we are missing from Nissan is the pricing of these new LEAF models. Those details should come sometime toward the end of summer, as the automaker has said the 2026 LEAF models should hit Nissan dealerships this fall.
While we await more details, be sure to check out Nissan’s b-roll footage of the new 2026 LEAF inside and out below:
Source: Nissan
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Suzuki revealed prices for its first EV, a twin to the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser. The e Vitarra will go on sale next month in an increasingly crowded market. Can it keep up with the Kia EV3 and other popular electric SUVs?
Suzuki announces prices for its first EV, built with Toyota
Ahead of sales, which are set to begin next month, Suzuki announced e Vitara prices this week, its first EV that will also serve as a twin to Toyota’s upcoming electric SUV.
The e Vitara will start at £29,999 ($40,500) with prices ranging up to £37,799 ($51,000) for the flagship “Ultra ALLGRIP-e 4WD” trim.
Sukuki’s first EV is available with two battery options: 49 kWh or 61 kWh, providing WLTP range of 346 km (215 miles) and 428 km (266 miles), respectively.
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Buyers can choose from “Motion” or “Ultra” grades, with single (2WD) and dual-motor (4WD) options. Suzuki developed the new four-wheel drive (4WD) ALLGRIP-e system specifically for the e Vitarra and is one of the few auto brands to offer an electric SUV with 4×4.
Suzuki’s first EV, the e Vitara electric SUV (Source: Suzuki)
The e Vitara sits on a new dedicated “HEARTECT-e” EV platform, which houses the eAxle and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.
As part of a deepening alliance, Toyota will use Suzuki’s EV powertrain for its upcoming electric SUV, the Urban Cruiser (shown below in white). Toyota will launch the Urban Cruiser in the next few months, which will essentially be a rebadged e-Vitara.
The e Vitara measures 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,635 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. That’s about the size of Kia’s new EV3 at 4,300 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,560 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,680 mm.
In the first quarter, the Kia EV3 was the best-selling retail EV and the fourth best-selling electric vehicle (including commercial EVs) in the UK.
The interior of Suzuki’s first EV, the e Vitara (Source: Suzuki)
The EV3 starts at £33,005 ($42,500) in the UK. IT’s also available with two battery options: 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh. The former is good for a WLTP range of 430 km (270 miles), while the latter provides a range of 599 km (375 miles), respectively
Suzuki e Vitara trim
OTR Pricing
49kWh Motion 2WD
£29,999
61kWh Motion 2WD
£32,999
61kWh Ultra 2WD
£35,799
61kWh Motion ALLGRIP-e 4WD
£34,999
61kWh Ultra ALLGRIP-e 4WD
£37,799
Suzuki announces prices for its first EV, the e Vitara
Suzuki is offering a few discounts for early buyers, including 0% PCP for two years with a 20% deposit. With a deposit of £8,436 ($11,500), monthly payments for the 61 kWh Motion 2WD model would be £379 ($513).
If you order before September 30, Suzuki will give you a free Ohme home charger, plus 10,000 miles in home charging credit.
Can Suzuki’s new e Vitara keep pace with the Kia EV3 and other popular electric SUVs like the Hyundai Inster? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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Tesla (TSLA) is currently sitting on so much inventory in the US that it has to take over parking lots outside of its exciting delivery centers to act as “overflow lots.”
Over the last few weeks, there have been increased reports of Tesla vehicles spotted in parking lots not directly linked to Tesla retail, delivery, or service locations.
In Chesterfield near St. Louis, Missouri, Tesla has rented the parking lot of a partly demolished mall where it is parking hundreds of unsold cars, which its delivery location three miles away can’t hold.
This is what is known as an “overflow” lot to handle rising inventory levels. Tesla has been using a lot more of these this year amid demand problems.
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There was another Tesla overflow lot spotted in Farmington Hills, Michigan earlier this month that has been controversial. The lot was reportedly not coded for vehicle storage, and the city notified Tesla:
About 100 Cybertrucks were spotted in the Farmington Hills lot.
Similar Tesla overflow lots were also spotted in Nevada, Florida, and Ohio in recent months.
Tesla’s inventory in the United States can be difficult to track. Some sites track Tesla listings, but the automaker can sometimes post a single listing for multiple vehicles with the same configuration.
Nonetheless, the latest data points to Tesla inventory increasing over the last week, with a surge of Model 3 listings:
Tesla’s overall inventory is higher than it was at the same time last quarter.
Cybertruck inventory has decreased slightly as Tesla has reduced production, but the automaker is still holding over 3,000 unsold Cybertrucks.
Electrek’s Take
Tesla is now offering record-low lease prices and subsidized financing to move its vehicles in the US, and yet, it still has higher inventory this quarter than it did the last, with only two weeks left in the quarter.
This is a problem for Tesla because the US is its last market where things are not completely terrible.
Sales in Canada are now gone. Almost completely. Europe is down roughly 40% even with the new Model Y.
In China, Tesla is currently down approximately 3,000 units compared to Q1, despite having ramped up Model Y production, made all variants available, and offered 0% financing.
At this point, it looks like Tesla is going to deliver between 350,000 and 360,000 vehicles in Q2, despite the Wall Street analyst consensus still being at 410,000 vehicles.
That would be down a whopping 80,000 units compared to the same period last year, and this time, Tesla has no Model Y changeover to blame things on. All that amid surging EV sales globally.
Maybe Tesla shareholders start to wake up and realize that there’s a problem that needs fixing, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
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