A group of Tesla fans and investors has inadvertently exposed Tesla’s shadiness regarding crashes involving Autopilot by attempting to claim that the advanced driver-assist system was not active in a crash test.
It was not only active, but it also disengaged itself less than a second before the crash—a known shady behavior of Tesla’s Autopilot.
Yesterday, we reported on a crash test video that demonstrates the difference between camera-based and lidar-based advanced driver assist (ADAS) systems by famous engineering Youtuber Mark Rober.
The video included a series of tests in which a Tesla Model Y on Autopilot went against a vehicle equipped with an ADAS system powered by a lidar sensor.
The last test was the headline-grabbing one as it tested to see if the vehicles would stop for a Wile E. Coyote-style fake road wall in the middle of the road, but it was simply to illustrate the clear advantage of lidar in this case.
The other tests involving fog and rain where lidar outperformed Tesla’s vision-based system were obviously the more relevant and newsworthy tests.
I thought it was simply a well-made video that illustrated the difference between vision-based systems, like Tesla’s, and lidar-based systems, which are more commonly used by companies delivering self-driving technology and now even regular ADAS systems.
But I was surprised to see my X feed inundated with Tesla fans calling me “fake news” for posting it.
The accusations started with an account named “AI Drivr” who is part of a group called “Rebellionaires”, which help “Tesla all-ins investors”. They claimed that “Autopilot wasn’t even turned on during the test”:
They also claimed that I ignored this fact because I wanted “a good anti-Elon article”.
They even got my article on the video “community noted” (since removed, but I have a screenshot here):
The only problem for them is that Autopilot was turned on during the test as clearly shown in the video below.
Rober accelerates to the test’s set speed of ~40 mph. You can see he tried to double-tap the stalk but sort of misses the second, though he quickly does it again, and you can see Autopilot turns on.
It’s true that Autopilot disengages a fraction of a second before the crash when it is impossible to stop it:
From the video, it is clear that Autopilot is engaged, and neither the ADAS system nor the automatic emergency braking system activated to avoid the accident.
However, Autopilot appears to automatically disengage a fraction of a second before the impact as the crash becomes inevitable.
It would still count as an “Autopilot crash” as crashes that happen within 5 seconds of Autopilot being engaged count as Autopilot crashes. The community note was eventually removed from my article this morning, but AI Drivr and his “Tesla all-ins” never issued a retraction to their defamatory comments.
The funny thing is that I missed that Autopilot disengaged at the last second, but the attacks from Tesla investors pointed it out and actually exposed video evidence of a shady practice from Tesla that has been reported in the past.
In NHTSA’s investigation of Tesla vehicles on Autopilot crashing into emergency vehicles on the highway, the safety agency found that Autopilot would disengage within less than one second prior to impact on average in the crashes that it was investigating:
“On average in these crashes, Autopilot aborted vehicle control less than one second prior to the
first impact.”
This would suggest that the ADAS system detected the collision but too late and disengaged the system instead of applying the brakes.
Now, it looks like the Rober video has caught this behavior on camera.
There are many issues with the way Tesla reports or doesn’t report ADAS data. As we previously reported, Tesla went out of its way to avoid reporting data to the California DMV about its autonomous driving tests.
Furthermore, Tesla has been abusing NHTSA’s self-driving crash redaction policies. The automaker is required to report all crashes where Autopilot or its “Full Self-Driving” systems are involved, but it has consistently had all important details redacted from the reports.
You can download the report here, where you can see that all the important data from Tesla crashes and almost all instances are fully redacted, which is not the case for most other automakers.
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China’s clean energy surge is starting to transform the world’s energy systems, according to Ember’s “China Energy Transition Review 2025.” The report shows that China’s massive investments in solar, wind, storage, and electrification are cutting fossil fuel use at home while sending clean tech around the globe.
Between 2015 and 2023, fossil fuel use in China’s final energy consumption fell by 1.7% across buildings, industry, and transport, while electricity use rose by 65%. In power generation, fossil output dropped 2% in the first half of 2025 year-over-year, while wind and solar generation soared 16% and 43%, respectively. In the 12 months to June 2025, wind and solar generated more electricity than hydro, nuclear, and bioenergy for the first time. Just four years earlier, they produced only half as much.
This momentum is being fueled by record investment. In 2024 alone, China invested $625 billion in clean energy – 31% of the global total – with major expansions in storage and grids. That money doubled wind and solar capacity in China between 2021 and 2024 to 1,400 GW and tripled battery storage to nearly 95 GW. Grid spending also hit $85 billion last year, making integrating renewables and cutting curtailment easier.
As of 2023, electricity made up 32.4% of China’s final energy consumption, and it rises by about one percentage point per year. It’s the biggest source in buildings (39%) and industry (31%), overtaking coal in the latter sector for the first time in 2023.
Ember’s analysts say the transformation is deeply baked into China’s economy. Clean energy isn’t just about climate goals – it’s cheaper, more secure, and a foundation for future competitiveness. In 2024, clean energy investment and production contributed $1.9 trillion to the national economy – about a tenth of China’s GDP, equal to Australia’s entire economy.
Globally, China’s clean energy boom is reshaping markets: the country makes 80% of the world’s solar panels and 60% of its wind turbines, while leading exports of EVs, batteries, and heat pumps. It’s also filing three out of every four clean energy patents worldwide. That flood of tech has pushed costs down, letting emerging economies leapfrog straight into clean power systems. In fact, in 2024, a quarter of emerging economies sourced more of their final energy from electricity than the US, and nearly two-thirds generated a higher share from solar.
This shift spells trouble for fossil fuel exporters. China’s energy-related fossil fuel consumption will likely keep falling as electrification accelerates and exports of cheap clean tech grow. For decades, China was the main driver of global fossil demand. “Now, as its own consumption peaks and begins to decline, and as its clean energy exports scale globally, it is set to tip the balance, turning a long era of rising global demand into the start of structural decline,” said Sam Butler-Sloss, manager at Ember.
Still, Ember warns, the future of global fossil fuel demand isn’t set in stone. Rapidly growing economies outside the OECD could still offset China’s declines unless clean technologies scale just as quickly there.
But China’s case is proof of concept. “It shows what’s possible when long-term vision meets coordinated action,” said His Excellency Dr Suwit Khunkitti, Thailand’s former deputy prime minister. “It proves that decarbonization can go hand in hand with industrial upgrading, job creation, and improved quality of life.”
Read more: H1 2025: China installs more solar than rest of the world combined
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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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, the Germans are rolling out a raft of great-looking new EVs with great range, fast charging, and competitive price tags. Meanwhile, Tesla’s US market share has sunk to near record lows. As punishment, Elon’s getting a trillion-dollar raise.
Mercedes and BMW each have a fresh take on the electric crossover with more than 400 miles of range and VW has a new affordable EV on tap, too. Plus, I talk you through the ins and outs of some of my favorite toys: the 10×10 Siesta Dock XL from Retrospec and the all-electric, go-anywhere John Deere TE 4×2 Gator UTV.
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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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Environment
Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 station launches from $429, Rad Power RadWagon 4 extra battery bundle $649 off, EcoFlow flash sale, more
We’re kicking off this week’s Green Deals with the official launch of Anker’s new SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station starting from $429. Right behind it we have a spotlight on Rad Power’s RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike extra battery bundle for $1,599 that is part of the brand’s ongoing Fall Savings Sale, as well as EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale on four units, with the DELTA Pro 440W solar bundle hitting a new $1,899 low. There’s also new and returning low prices hitting EGO’s 56V 15-inch trimmer and 670 CFM blower bundle, Greenworks’ commercial-grade earth auger, and more waiting for you below. Plus, there are all the hangover deals from last week collected at the bottom of the page in our latest Electrified Weekly roundup coverage.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Anker’s new SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 LiFePO4 power station arrives with launch discounts starting from $429
Anker SOLIX is starting the week off with the official launch of its newest SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station at $449 shipped for those who didn’t jump on the pre-sale savings discount that takes things down to $429 shipped – which you should have received via email. Outside of these launch prices, this new unit will fetch $799 at full price, with it not yet available on Amazon. It was first unveiled and opened to its preorder promotion three weeks ago, which entailed simply signing up directly on the brand’s website to receive the emailed promo code. For those who missed the chance, you’re still looking at a solid 44% markdown that cuts $350 off the tag straight out of the gate. There’s also an option to bundle the station with a water-resistant protective bag at $529 shipped, down from $899, as well as some solar panels and discounted accessories available on the same listing page.
The second generation of one of Anker’s popular camping-focused models, which gives folks an ample LiFePO4 battery to cover devices/appliances during short-term power failures and off-grid trips, Anker’s SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 station comes with a more compact 1,024Wh capacity over the predecessor’s 1,056Wh capacity. On the flip side, its output potential has increased up to 2,000W (surging up to 3,000W), and comes with 10 varying ports to cover your bases: five AC ports, two 140W USB-C ports, one 15W USB-C port, one 12W USB-A port, and one 120W car port.
Recharging the SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 station’s own battery is done via the usual methods you’d expect, but with some notable improvements, like the faster 49-minute charging time to a full battery when plugged into a standard AC outlet. There are also the options to utilize a gas generator, connect panels up to its max 600W solar input, use an AC outlet and solar input simultaneously, or plug into your car’s auxiliary port. There’s plenty more in-depth information you can get by checking out our thorough launch coverage of this new model here.
As part of Rad Power’s ongoing Fall Savings Sale, which we saw pop up last week to offer multiple extra battery e-bike bundles, including on the new RadRunner series, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the brand’s popular RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike that is also getting an extra battery at $1,599 shipped. The e-bike alone would cost you $1,799 at full price, which we’ve seen dropping down to $1,599 and $1,499 in 2025. While this is the second-best price of the year, you are also getting the 10Ah Safe Shield Battery ($449 value) for free, making it one of the best savings opportunities we’ve tracked this year – just be sure to add both the e-bike and the battery to your cart for the discount to be applied automatically.
If you want to learn more about this model’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here, while the full lineup of Rad Power’s Fall Savings Sale can be browsed here.
EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale drops DELTA Pro 440W solar bundle to new $1,899 low, more from $709
As part of its ongoing September Home Backup Sale running through to next week, EcoFlow has launched a 48-hour flash sale that is taking up to 62% off four units, though sadly, these are not benefitting from any extra savings codes. Among the four offers, we spotted the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station bundled with two 220W solar panels for $1,899 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $300. This package usually goes for $4,997 at full price without any discounts, though it’s more often kept down around a $3,999 starting price at Amazon, with discounts having dropped costs as low as $2,199 there, while we’ve seen it dip lower to $2,089 with bonus savings in past sales directly from the brand’s website. You’re looking at a lower-than-ever price for the next two days, cutting $2,100 off the going rate ($3,098 off the MSRP) for the lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more on this model and the other 48-hour flash offers, and if you want the above station on its own, check out the new promotional low price you can score here through the coming weeks.
If you want to learn more about this solar bundle’s capabilities, as well as the other flash offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of this 48-hour flash sale here.
Shape and clear weeds with EGO’s 56V cordless 15-inch trimmer and 670 CFM blower combo at $320 low
Amazon is offering a second chance at the best price on the newer EGO Power+ bundle that gives you a 56V Cordless 15-inch String Trimmer and Cordless 670 CFM Leaf Blower with a 4.0Ah battery at $319.99 shipped. This combo kit first hit Amazon back at the top of March and has since been seen ranging from $370 to $410 when at full price. We’ve seen discounts take things down to this $320 low in April, while June saw the price stay at a raised rate, which only dropped to $330 for July’s Prime Day event and the following week. Now, the low price is coming back around, with the 22% markdown here cutting up to $90 off the going rate.
If you want to learn more about this combo kit’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Building decks, fences, and more can start with Greenworks’ 82V cordless earth auger at a new $326 low
Amazon is now offering the Greenworks 82V Cordless Earth Auger with 4.0Ah battery and dual-port charger at $326.49 shipped, which beats out the pricing direct from the brand’s website by $174. While it carries an $800 MSRP direct from the brand, it starts off at $600 at Amazon, which we’ve seen keeping between $466 and $546 with most discounts, though there was a fall to $350 back in July. Today’s deal comes in as a larger-than-ever 46% markdown that cuts $274 off the tag for the best and lowest price we have tracked to date.
If you want to learn more about this earth auger’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Best Summer EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Segway Xafari Red e-bike: $2,000 (Reg. $2,400)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,653)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $1,995 (Reg. $2,495)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,799 (No price cut)
- Aventon Abound SR Smart Cargo e-bike (new, first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $493 preorder bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,292)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new, second-ever discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,204)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $434 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,133)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike (first discount): $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $242 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,741)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Electric Bike Co. Model J e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,849)
- Electric Bike Co. Model C e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $336 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,665)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $404 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,703)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,415)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Aventon Soltera 2.5 Lightweight Commuter e-bike (first discount): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $316 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,315)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,599)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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