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We got a rare opportunity to drive on public roads in China and tested out a bunch of ZEEKR EVs [Video]
Seth and I recently traveled to China to attend the Shanghai Auto Show and used the opportunity to travel to Hangzhou with ZEEKR and test drive most of the automaker’s EVs. Even better, ZEEKR helped us acquire temporary driver’s permits in China, enabling us to test EVs like the new 007 GT on public roads. Read on and check out my full video below
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We finally made it to China with the help of ZEEKR
ZEEKR is a Chinese automaker that is no stranger to Electrek’s homepage on a near-weekly basis. The Geely-owned BEV subsidiary was founded just over four years ago, and it has made huge strides in EV development across its native China as well as expanding availability of ZEEKR EVs to customers in Europe.
Since I personally cover much of the Chinese BEV scene, I finally got my chance to fly overseas and attend the Shanghai Auto Show—one of the more prominent events in China each year. I brought Electrek’s founder, Seth Weintraub, along with me to Shanghai, where we saw a slew of exciting new EV models in China, including an up-close look at all of ZEEKR’s models on the showroom floor.
After the show, ZEEKR took us a couple of hours southwest to its home in Hangzhou. There, we got to tour ZEEKR’s massive headquarters and see a robotic charging demonstration. Better still, Geely and ZEEKR arranged a test drive day for us. They also helped facilitate temporary driver’s permits in China so we could experience all its technology on public roads.
ZEEKR showcased its growing lineup of impressive EVs
To start our test drive day, ZEEKR set up a showcase in a large parking lot in Hangzhou, outside the city center where it is headquartered. The automaker, alongside fellow Geely sibling Lynk & Co., had a slew of BEVs on display, including the new ZEEKR MIX, which should make its way to the US in the form of a LiDAR equipped variant for Waymo, as well as the ultra-plush 009 MPV (see images above).
To begin, we took off on a test drive on public roads in China that included four vehicles – two from ZEEKR and two from Lynk & Co. We started in the brand new 007 GT, which was launched in China in mid-April, so we were one of the first media outlets to test it out.
Of all the vehicles I tested that day, the 007 GT was my favorite. It’s a sleek sedan complemented by a sporty interior (red leather in the version we drove) and has some impressive specs to boot. As reported last month, ZEEKR describes its 007 GT as “the EV that does everything.” It’s 800V SEA platform (from Geely) enables DC fast charging in a blistering 10.5 minutes when housing a standard 75 kWh pack with LFP cells. That variant delivers up to 650 km (404 miles) CLTC range, but there’s also a 100 kWh NMC pack that can offer up to 825 km CLTC range. That’s 513 miles.
My first impression was how smooth and quiet the ride was, especially for a BEV that can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/hr (0 to 62 mph) in 2.95 seconds. It’s not the loudest design from an exterior standpoint, but this ZEEKR model is sneaky fast while offering a premium feel inside.
When driving around China, Seth and I were both thoroughly impressed by the overall handling and response of the ZEEKR EVs, including the 007 GT and the 7X seen below.
Driving ZEEKR EVs around public roads in China
After the 007 GT, we moved over to the ZEEKR 7X, which hit the market in China last year. This sporty crossover is surprisingly roomy inside and handles nimbly like a smaller BEV. Seth and I were blown away by the technology in both models, especially the head-up display.
Not only does the HUD show your current speed and navigation, but it also projects other vehicles and objects around you in real time. We are used to this feature in Teslas and Rivians, but has never seen it on a HUD before. Well done ZEEKR, that’s an excellent touch.
ZEEKR has a voice command system that can perform hands-free tasks like rolling the windows up or down, which we tested out in the video below. While my heart is with the 007 GT, the ZEEKR 7X was a close second, and I’m throughly jealous that drivers in China have access to these models and I don’t.
, in my opinion, but the 900 was a work of art. Seth was especially enthralled by that model and wrote a full review of his own, whichWe also drove the Lynk & Co. V20 and 900 BEVs. The V20 was pretty basic inside and out in my opinio, but the 900 was a work of art. Seth was especially enthralled by that model and did a full review of his own you can check out here.
Overall, after visiting the Shanghai Auto Show and driving a bunch of ZEEKR EVs on the road and track in China, our consensus was that native automakers over there are leaps ahead of the US and Europe. The tech is better, the charging is better, and companies like ZEEKR are able to deliver premium BEVs with outstanding range at prices US consumers have yet to see—at least not from a “bang for your buck” standpoint.
It was an excellent opportunity to get behind the wheel of some of the models from China that we cover regularly. Whether ZEEKR or other foreign automakers make their way to the US, the advancements they have made overseas offer an exciting glimpse of the future of electric mobility.
As promised, here’s some of our drive footage from China. Let us know what you think!
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If you’ve been eyeing the all-electric G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz just sweetened the deal – but only for a limited time.
According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology – AKA the electric G-Wagon – now comes with $9,500 in lease cash, up from last month’s $7,500. That’s a 27% jump in savings. The move comes just weeks before the $7,500 EV lease tax credit loophole closes on September 30.
Like most EVs leased in the US, the G-Class has been able to qualify for the credit even though it’s excluded from purchase incentives. That benefit is about to disappear, which likely explains why Mercedes is boosting the offers now.
The electric G-Wagon doesn’t come cheap. With a base price of $162,650, the $9,500 incentive amounts to only a 5.8% discount. The SUV also carries a steep advertised lease: $1,869 per month for 36 months with $14,613 due at signing. Factor it all in, and you’re really paying about $2,275 a month for 10,000 miles a year. Current Mercedes deals run through September 2.
For context, the 2025 G 580’s lease money factor now sits at 0.00180, which works out to around 4.3% APR – lower than the standard rates previously on offer.
Performance-wise, the electric G-Wagon earns an EPA rating of 62 MPGe and an electric range of 239 miles. Not groundbreaking numbers, but for buyers who want the iconic G-Wagon experience with zero tailpipe emissions, this is it.
With federal lease credits ending soon, Mercedes appears to be betting that drivers looking for a last chance at big EV savings will jump now rather than later.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology in stock. –trusted affiliate
Thanks to CarsDirect for digging up this dealer offer.
Read more: From $129 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in August
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The Honda Prologue is a surprise hit. It was the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y in the second half of 2024. Now, used models are in high demand.
Honda Prologue leads used EV sales growth in July
After it delivered the first customer models last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the most popular EVs in the US.
Throughout the second half of the year, Honda sold an average of over 5,000 Prologues every month. In November, it was the third best-selling EV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Honda’s electric SUV continues to be a top seller this year. Last month, it outsold the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5. Since delivering the first Prologue model last March, Honda has now sold 52,500 units in the US.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, used Honda Prologue EVs are selling faster than expected.
Used EV sales rose sharply in July to 36,670, up 23.2% from June and 40% compared to last year. Honda had the biggest increase in used EV sales, more than doubling (+103%) month-over-month. Hyundai (+61.3%) and Rivian (60.5%) ranked second and third.
Tesla led used EV sales last month, selling 15,903 vehicles, up 18% year-over-year. GM’s Chevy (3,499 units, +28.6%), Ford (1,967 units, +25.7%), Mercedes-Benz (1,724 units, -12.3%), and Nissan (1,659 units, +19.9%) rounded out the top five.
Although its market share slipped to 43.4% from 45.2%, Tesla remained the leader by a wide margin. Other luxury brands, including BMW and Audi, reported higher used EV sales in July, with increases of 43.87% and 38%, respectively.
According to the report, used EV listing prices reached $35,263 last month, a 1.9% decrease from June. With a price gap of just $1,266, a record low, used electric vehicle prices are closing in on ICE vehicles.
New EV sales also picked up in July. With over 130,000 EVs sold, up 26% from June, the electric vehicle market share reached 9.1%, the second-highest to date.
Ahead of the $7,500 federal tax credit deadline, set to expire at the end of September, 11 brands posted their best EV sales of the year. The top five included Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. Volkswagen surged to sixth after electric vehicle sales surged 454% last month.
The Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the credit, you can snag one for under $40,000 right now. Honda is also offering monthly leases as low as $159 in California and other ZEV states. In other regions, it’s still listed for as low as $229 per month.
| 2025 Honda Prologue trim | Starting Price* | Starting Price After Tax Credit* |
EPA Range (miles) |
| EX (FWD) | $47,400 | $39,900 | 308 |
| EX (AWD) | $50,400 | $42,900 | 294 |
| Touring (FWD) | $51.700 | $44,200 | 308 |
| Touring (AWD) | $54,700 | $47,200 | 294 |
| Elite (AWD) | $57,900 | $50,400 | 283 |
Even Honda’s luxury brand, Acura, is selling more electric vehicles than expected. Through the first half of the year, the Acura ZDX outsold the Cadillac Lyriq, and it’s based on the same GM Ultium platform.
Sales are expected to continue picking up ahead of the deadline. As Cox Automotive highlighted, “July’s performance sets a strong precedent, and as policy support winds down, the market’s ability to respond to real-time demand and brand-level dynamics will be critical in shaping the next phase of growth.”
Ready to take advantage of the savings while they are still here? We’re here to help. You can use our link to find deals on the Honda Prologue in your area (trusted affiliate link).
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The waste management experts at Republic Services are committed to cleaning up the Chicagoland area — and now, that includes the air Chicagoans breathe, thanks to the deployment of new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks in the heart of America’s Second City.
Republic Services executives and partners from local utility ComEd gathered yesterday, 14AUG, to celebrate the deployment of Chicago’s first electric refuse fleet, featuring two new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks paid for, in part, by ComEd’s commercial EV rebate program.
“The Mack LR Electric is purpose-built for refuse applications, delivering zero local emissions while maintaining the durability and performance Mack trucks are known for,” reads the official Mack press release. “The electric powertrain provides quieter operation for early morning routes and helps fleet operators meet sustainability goals while supporting cleaner air quality in urban communities. With its low cab-forward design and tight turning radius, the LR Electric maintains the maneuverability essential for residential and commercial waste collection routes.”
The big Class 8 Mack Trucks are powered by a pair of electric motors putting 400 combined kW (about 536 hp) through a 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission that offers a whopping 4,051 lb-ft of peak torque output. That’s over 40% more power than the first generation Mack LR Electric released in 2019, and this iteration can charge the 376 kWh Samsung-sourced batteries fully in under two hours at 150 kW.
Real money, real results
While Washington continues to threaten America’s economic security and position as a global technology leader by toying with the idea of killing the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, the ENERGY STAR program, and other energy efficiency incentives, the private energy sector is stepping up with massive investments in battery storage, charging infrastructure, and commercial EV rebates – and Chicago is leading that charge (pun very much intended), with EV adoption outpacing the rest of the nation by 4:1 in Q1.
“ComEd is proud to support Republic Services in advancing zero emissions transportation for Chicago’s neighborhoods,” explains Melissa Washington, our senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives. “As more customers take advantage of our EV rebate programs, we are helping empower customers to realize the air quality and energy savings benefits of EVs, and moving our communities closer to their goals for a more sustainable future.”
The new HD electric vehicles will be powered up nightly by equally new 150 kW DC fast charging stations from BP pulse, which are installed at Republic’s vehicle yard in the Little Village neighborhood. Part of the ComEd rebate money awarded to the company helped fund the make-ready infrastructure portion (effectively from the transformer to the stub) of that project, as well as at least one Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
And, if these trucks look familiar, it might be because Republic Services also handles refuse collection for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, and added two Class 8 electric trucks to their garbage fleet last year in the form of a pair of similar Mack Electric LR HDEVs.
Electrek’s Take
Look, you know me. There is absolutely ZERO chance that I’ll be able to remain objective about anything that’s putting down more than four thousand lb-ft of torque. Make that thing quieter, cleaner, and generally better for me and my community, and there’s even less of a chance of me saying anything critical about it.
Here’s hoping more cities go electric rather sooner than later.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Mack Trucks, Republic Services, via LinkedIn.
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