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Ford has opened the order banks for its 2025 E-Transit, which now costs the same upfront whether you order the electric or gas model – and the electric one is even cheaper when you take into account savings on fuel, maintenance, and possible incentives.

The E-Transit got a pretty big update this year (after significant delay), increasing battery capacity from 67 to 89kWh, and gaining faster AC and DC charging performance as well. This came along with just a $1,100 price bump, quite small compared to the increased battery capacity.

2025’s model isn’t getting nearly as big of changes, but does gain a few extra options. The most interesting of these is the addition of “trade packages” straight from the factory.

There is a significant ecosystem of commercial vehicle “upfitters” who will take in a factory-configured van and rebuild it with interior and/or exterior changes for whatever specific niche the van needs to fit into. Businesses will buy a plain van and take it to someone to build the specific cabinets they need for their job.

This is still possible with the 2025 E-Transit – which is indeed still available in chassis cab and cutaway configurations – but now Ford will sell you a van straight from the factory built for four specific common industries, with components from Ranger Design, a commercial van upfitter.

The new trade packages include:

  • Electrician trade package, which includes drawers and bins to store parts and reels to hang bundles of wiring – MSRP starting at $4,370
  • HVAC trade package, featuring large shelves and storage bins, but also specialized refrigerant storage racks and restraints – MSRP starting at $4,440
  • General Contractor package, mix of multipurpose shelves, bins, drawers, and hooks – MSRP starting at $2,900
  • Foldable Shelving Package, with deep, large-capacity folding shelves intended for delivery services – MSRP starting at $3,300

While established fleets might already have relationships with their upfitters and have solutions that work for them, this should simplify the process for smaller or new businesses that just want the easiest solution.

2025 Ford E-Transit is much cheaper than gas after incentives

In addition to these options, the 2025 E-Transit now starts at an even $51,000. At least it’s a more attractive number. The chassis cab version starts at $46,200, and cutaway starts at $45,700.

Importantly, Ford says that “comparable gas Transit models” start at the same price as the E-Transit in all three configurations, so not only do you get the fuel and maintenance savings of using electric drive instead of gas, but you don’t even have to pay a premium for it upfront.

But even better than that, the E-Transit should qualify for various green vehicle incentives. You’ll have to check what’s available in your area, but it qualifies for the $7,500 commercial clean vehicle tax credit (which doesn’t have the same sourcing requirements as the personal credit) and likely for other incentives, so once that’s taken into account, it’s even cheaper upfront than going gas, alongside the TCO benefits.

Better yet, Ford is offering a “$2,000 commercial charging cash incentive.” Since many businesses will have to install some method to charge their electric vans, this can be combined with various government or utility incentives to help with charging installation and bring the price down quite a bit.

However, we’ve heard no mention yet of native NACS connectors on trucks, which would help reduce the price of commercial charger installations significantly. But if you order the optional Mobile Power Cord, it will come with a NACS adapter.

The order banks for the 2025 Ford E-Transit are open today, so reach out to Ford Pro to go electric with your business.

Electrek’s Take

I’ve argued before that the EV cost parity conversation doesn’t make any sense, and I still hold that position. Especially for commercial customers who are often more spreadsheet-driven, where the benefits of longer-term fuel and maintenance savings are more clear than they are to the mercurial consumer.

But commercial EV prices can still be quite eye-watering. There are a ton of incentives available (though the really big ones are for heavier-duty vehicles than the E-Transit), but navigating one’s way through all of these can still be complicated for a business that just wants a truck.

And it’s still important to offer a choice with a little friction as possible. If buyers can call up Ford Pro and just as easily pick gas or electric, with no difference in base price, and with factory upfitting options, and get help installing a commercial charger (perhaps one of the ones that Ford Pro itself sells), that gets rid of a lot of the confusion and calculation with going electric.

So moves like this are a great way to ensure more businesses can convert to electric as easily as possible. No wonder the E-Transit is the best-selling electric van in America, Ford seems to be doing it right over there.


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Mercedes-Benz unveils the new CLA Shooting Brake — its first electric estate car

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Mercedes-Benz unveils the new CLA Shooting Brake — its first electric estate car

The new CLA Shooting Brake is the first electric Mercedes vehicle available as an estate. It’s more spacious, more capable, and more high-tech than ever.

Meet the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake EV

Mercedes introduced the new CLA Shooting Brake on Tuesday, its first electric estate car. The Shooting Brake arrives as the second EV from the luxury brand’s new entry-level family of vehicles.

The electric wagon takes the best of the new CLA, which was revealed just a few weeks ago, and adds more space and capability.

It’s also bigger than the current CLA Shooting Brake, offering a more spacious interior. The new EV measures 4,723 mm in length, or 35 mm longer than the outgoing model.

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With an extended wheelbase of 2,790 mm (+61 mm), the electric version offers 14 mm more headroom and 11 mm more legroom in the front. Rear passengers gain 7 mm of headroom but lose 6 mm of legroom compared to the current model.

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake models (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Boot space is 455 L, which is 50 L more than the CLA sedan, but 30 L less than the outgoing Shooting Brake. However, it does include an added Frunk (front trunk) for an extra 101 L of storage space.

With all seats folded, overall storage space is 1,290 L. It also comes with standard roof rails, which Mercedes claims can easily fit surfboards or bicycles with a 75 kg (165 lbs) load capacity.

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Inside, the new Shooting Brake is nearly identical to the CLA Sedan. It features the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) with its fourth-gen infotainment.

The setup includes a 14″ infotainment and 10.25″ driver display screens. An extra 14″ passenger screen is available. A trim piece with star-pattern graphics replaces it if not. All three screens are powered by the latest-gen chips and graphics from Unity Game Engine.

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake EV interior (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Powered by the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture and an 85 kWh battery, the new Shooting Brake EV offers up to 473 miles (761 km) WLTP range.

It will be available in single and dual-motor powertrains. The base CLA 250+ Shooting Brake has 268 hp (200 kW) output and a WLTP range of up to 473 miles (761 km). Meanwhile, the dual-motor CLA 350 4MATIC Shooting Brake has combined 349 hp (260 kW) and a range of up to 454 miles (730 km).

Mercedes-Benz-CLA-Shooting-Brake-EV
Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake EV interior (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Based on its 800V architecture, the new electric estate can add 193 miles (310 km) WLTP driving range within 10 minutes. Mercedes said that should be plenty to get from Geneva to Milan or Berlin to Hamburg.

Mercedes will introduce new EV variants in early 2026, followed by a 1.5 L hybrid model. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but it’s expected to start slightly higher than the current model. The current CLA Shooting Brake starts at around €40,000 ($46,500) in Europe.

Following the new CLA and CLA Shooting Brake, Mercedes-Benz plans to launch two SUVs. Check back soon for more info on the upcoming lineup.

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Rivian rolling out new navigation system powered by Google Maps

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Rivian rolling out new navigation system powered by Google Maps

Rivian today announced a partnership with Google Maps on a new navigation system for its electric vehicles.

Rivian will continue to offer its own customized navigation interface on the 15.6-inch center touchscreen, but the underlying data is now powered by (the Automotive SDK from) Google Maps instead of third-party alternatives. Rivian cites customer feedback in making this change:

Instead of doing some small incremental improvements, we wanted to profoundly change our solution so that we make it the best navigation solution in the industry by combining strengths from both teams.

End users will benefit from fresh Google Maps traffic and “much better” routing (with improved ETAs and rerouting) information that includes crowd-sourced reports about construction, accidents, and other road disruptions. Rivian will also now show Google Maps satellite imagery in a sizable upgrade.

Rivian has already been using Google Maps for place information (hours, photos, ratings, etc.) and will now let you “tap on places of interest right on the map and learn more about hours, reviews, and contact information with just a tap.” More broadly, Rivian builds on top of Android Automotive OS and offers YouTube, as well as Google Cast.

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Whether you’re about to embark on a long road trip or just trying to find the quickest way to run errands around town, navigation should be seamless, accurate and helpful.

Rivian owners will continue to have vehicle and condition-specific range EV estimates, as well as detailed information about charging stops.

Meanwhile, this Google Maps upgrade comes with a new design language that Rivian says “celebrates natural spaces in its topography and colors —from green parks to deep blue lakes and oceans.” There are also enhancements to “glanceability and easier access to information.”

These updates are also coming to the Rivian mobile app. Specifically, users can see traffic and traffic incidents, place photos/descriptions and satellite view (with a Connect+ subscription). Destination and trip sharing remains available.

Rivian Navigation with Google Maps is beginning to roll out today.

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MP Materials stock rips 23% higher after $500 million Apple deal for rare earth magnets

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MP Materials stock rips 23% higher after 0 million Apple deal for rare earth magnets

People look at iPhones at the Apple Fifth Avenue store in New York City on May 23, 2025.

Adam Gray | Reuters

Apple and miner MP Materials announced a $500 million deal Tuesday for rare earth magnets and the development of a recycling facility that will reinforce the iPhone maker’s U.S. supply chain.

MP Materials stock climbed 23%. Shares of Apple were marginally higher.

As part of the agreement, Apple will buy rare earth magnets created at the company’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Both companies will combine on a new rare earth recycling line in Mountain Pass, California. MP Materials plans to start shipping magnets in 2027.

“American innovation drives everything we do at Apple, and we’re proud to deepen our investment in the U.S. economy,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a press release. “Rare earth materials are essential for making advanced technology, and this partnership will help strengthen the supply of these vital materials here in the United States.”.

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Apple said the deal will create dozens of new manufacturing and research and development roles.

Rare earth magnets are key components that make up everything from consumer electronics such as smartphones and computers to cars and renewable energy systems.

For years, the U.S. has worked on curbing its reliance on China, which dominates the global rare earth elements supply chain. MP Materials operates the only rare earth mine in the U.S.

Earlier this month, the Department of Defense became the largest shareholder in the rare earth miner, buying $400 million in preferred stock to improve rare earth magnet supply on American soil.

Apple announced a plan to invest more than $500 billion to beef up U.S. manufacturing capabilities earlier this year. The plan included a new factory for artificial intelligence servers in Texas.

Shares of MP Materials have nearly quadrupled since the start of the year, pushing the miner’s market capitalization to nearly $10 billion. The stock has nearly doubled over the last month.

WATCH: Pentagon invests in MP Materials, guarantees floor price for rare earth minerals

Pentagon invests in MP Materials, guarantees floor price for rare earth minerals

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