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Despite several new EV models facing delays, Volkswagen’s cheapest model yet, the ID.2, is still on track to launch. The company confirmed the entry-level EV will launch as early as late 2025, marking a new “starting point” for the German auto giant.

Volkswagen unveiled the ID.2all concept last March, a new entry-level EV that will start under $27,000 (€25,000).

Thomas Shafer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, claimed the ID.2 “shows where we want to take the brand” with advanced tech and “fantastic design.” He wasn’t kidding.

At the LA Auto Show this week, VW’s tech development boss, Kai Grünitz, confirmed to Autocar that the brand’s “ID” electric car lineup is due for a drastic overhaul. Grünitz hinted that “huge improvements” are coming, starting in 2026, with a new style.

The company’s R&D boss said VW is “going back to where we came from” with designs inspired by past icons like the Golf.

Volkswagen’s refreshed look will be based on the ID.2 concept, which head designer Andreas Mindt promises is even better than the concept.

Volkswagen's-ID.2-EV
Volkswagen ID 2all electric vehicle concept (Source: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen’s affordable ID.2 EV is launching soon

Mindt, who was brought back to lead VW’s design, told Autocar earlier this year, “It’s matching 100% to our brand values: it will be stable and likeable with our secret sauce—but in a different way.”

The interior will also feature a new design theme with elements from Volkswagen’s past. One feature we know of is the “Classic” and “Vintage” drive modes, which include a driver display based on the Beetle or Golf era.

Volkswagen's-ID.2-EV-interior
Volkswagen ID 2all “Vintage” mode from the Golf era (Source: Andreas Mindt)

Grünitz confirmed Volkswagen’s ID.2 EV is still on track to launch in late 2025 or early 2026. It will spearhead a new “starting point” for VW. He added, “Customers will see there has been a change, and a much bigger change than expected.”

An SUV version will be unveiled at the Munich Motor Show in September 2025 and a GTI model is also in the works.

Volkswagen's-ID.2-EV-SUV
Volkswagen ID 2all electric SUV (Source: Volkswagen)

Volkswagen’s ID.2 will be the first EV based on its new MEB Entry Platform, while the SUV will follow. The ID.2all concept features up to 279 miles range (450 km).

The company describes the entry-level EV as “as spacious as a Golf” yet “as inexpensive as a Polo.” Although smaller than the Polo, it includes more interior space thanks to an extended wheelbase.

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DHL picks Mercedes eSprinter as it expands its electric van fleet

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DHL picks Mercedes eSprinter as it expands its electric van fleet

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.

This extended capacity makes them ideally suited for urban logistics while expanding their potential use in longer delivery routes. The eSprinter vans also offer the same massive cargo capacity as their diesel-powered brothers, making them efficient last-mile delivery solutions that don’t compromise on payload or operational reliability.

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.

Electrek’s Take


DHL reaches 50 electric truck milestone with Orange EV, plans to double down
Orange EV; via DHL.

In addition to these 45 vans, DHL is electrifying its European and Asian delivery fleets, ramping up its sustainable aviation fuel use, and even exploring electric semis, eVTOL and hybrid aircraft deliveries, and more.

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.

SOURCE | IMAGES: DHL, via PR Newswire.


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Enphase debuts a new US off-grid solar and battery system

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Enphase debuts a new US off-grid solar and battery system

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.

Read more: Battery boom: 5.6 GW of US energy storage added in Q2


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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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Environment

Global offshore wind surges ahead as Trump sinks US progress

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Global offshore wind surges ahead as Trump sinks US progress

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.

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