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GM CEO and chairman Mary Barra speaks during an “EV Day” on March 4, 2020 at the company’s tech and design campus in Warren, Mich., a suburb of Detroit
GM

DETROIT – General Motors said on Wednesday it will increase spending on electric and autonomous vehicles to $35 billion through 2025, a 30% increase from plans announced late last year. It also said it is raising its earnings guidance for the first half of the year.

The additional money will be used to expand its rollout of EVs and accelerate production of its battery and fuel cell technologies, including two new U.S. battery plants in addition to two that are currently under construction.

America’s largest automaker is racing to catch up to EV leader Tesla and compete for a leadership position against other well-established automakers such as Volkswagen. GM plans to sell more than 1 million EVs annually by 2025.

“We are investing aggressively in a comprehensive and highly-integrated plan to make sure that GM leads in all aspects of the transformation to a more sustainable future,” GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.

GM’s plans to expand its electric and autonomous vehicle lineup and technology have been praised by Wall Street. Its stock has almost tripled since reaching a 12-month low of $23.33 last July. Shares were trading up slightly before the markets opened Wednesday at about $61 a share.

GM said the new investments are enabled by its strong underlying business, including record pretax earnings over the last three quarters.

CFO Paul Jacobson on Wednesday said GM expects to deliver better-than-expected results in the second quarter despite a global semiconductor chip shortage that’s impacting the industry. He said GM expects adjusted pretax earnings of between $8.5 billion and $9.5 billion during the first half of the year, up from an estimated $5.5 billion.

For the year, GM previously said it expected pretax profits “at the higher end” of a $10 billion to $11 billion range. It didn’t provide an update on its full-year earnings.

GM’s increased spending plans come less than a month after crosstown rival Ford Motor increased its EV spending to more than $30 billion by 2025. But Ford’s investments date back to 2016, while GM’s are form 2020 through 2025.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down auto factories in March, GM initially said it would invest $20 billion in autonomous and electric vehicles through 2025. It increased that spending to $27 billion in November as it pulled ahead vehicle programs and accelerated battery cell production.

GM’s new investments were announced ahead of Barra’s meeting Wednesday with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats to discuss EVs and vehicle emissions, according to Reuters, which first reported on the automaker’s plans late Tuesday.

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Environment

Save extra $100 on Juiced e-bikes, Jackery flash sale, 1-day Greenworks pressure washer sale, and more

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Save extra 0 on Juiced e-bikes, Jackery flash sale, 1-day Greenworks pressure washer sale, and more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is Juiced Bikes’ Mother’s Day sale that is taking $100 off purchases over $500, including most e-bikes, like the RipRacer Fun-Sized Fat-Tire e-bike for $1,049. It is joined by a limited-time Jackery flash sale that is taking up to 42% off power stations, bundles, and accessories starting from $100, as well as a 1-day sale on the Greenworks 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit at $429. Plus, more hangover Green Deals still alive and well.

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.

Juiced Bikes Mother’s Day sale takes $100 off e-bikes

Juiced Bikes has launched a Mother’s Day sale that is taking $100 off all purchases of $500 or more – including most of the brand’s e-bike models, with all discounts being automatically applied at checkout. The most affordable amongst the bunch is the RipRacer Fun-Sized Fat-Tire e-bike for $1,049 shipped. Already down from its usual $1,499 price tag, this e-bike was featured in many holiday and flash sales throughout 2023, often landing between $1,099 and $999. Since the new year began we’ve seen a few discounts, with February seeing the biggest drops, first to the $899 low and then later to $949. Today’s deal comes in as a combined 27% markdown off the going rate, giving you a solid $400 in savings and landing at the third-lowest price we have tracked. Currently the blue and black models are sold out, with only the green colorway available.

Juiced’s RipRacer e-bike comes equipped with a 750W motor and an upgraded G2 52V lithium-ion battery allowing it to reach top speeds of 20 to 28 MPH depending on your throttle and pedal assist usage, while also offering a range of 35 to 55+ miles. It features five levels of pedal assistance alongside a standard cadence sensor. You’ll also receive a more humble collection of accessories than some of the brand’s other models like hydaulic disc brakes, a 1,050-lumen headlight paired with a 2-mode taillight, knobby fat-tires for smoother off-road joyrides, and a back-lit LCD display that keeps you informed of real-time metrics as well as allowing you to adjust riding settings.

Juiced Mother’s Day discounts:

Jackery flash sale takes up to 42% off power stations, bundles, and accessories

Jackery has a short-term flash sale currently going through tomorrow, May 8, that is taking up to 42% off a selection of power stations and bundles. One of the notable standouts among the offers is the Explorer 2000 Pro with two 200W Solar Panels for $1,899 shippedafter using the on-page coupon/promo code MAY1400 at checkout for $1,400 off. Down from $3,299, this particular combo usually only sees discounts on occasion during big sales and holiday events, with 2023 never seeing it fall below $2,000. In the new year we’ve seen prices fall lower, first to $1,999 in January and February and then to $1,899 since March. Today’s deal comes in as a repeat 42% markdown off the going rate and lands as a return to the all-time lowest price we have tracked.

The Explorer 2000 Pro offers a 2,160Wh capacity that can provide a 2,200W max power output. It is able to fully charge from 0 to 100% in just two hours via a wall outlet or in less than three hours via six Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels. It offers eight ports to cover all your device’s charging needs: three ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and one car port. You’ll also be able to sync your smartphone with the power station in order to monitor and adjust settings in real-time via the app, allowing you to see remaining battery levels, customize settings and manage power consumption wherever you roam.

Jackery power station discounts:

Jackery bundle discounts:

Jackery accessory discounts:

Greenworks 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit returns to $429 for today only

For today only, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer Combo Kit for $429 shipped. Normally fetching $679, this particular combo kit has spent most of this year regularly bouncing between its all-time low of $310 and its MSRP – at less frequent rates than you’ll find on the other more simplified kits for the same model. It only matched its lowest markdown twice, during July’s Prime Deal days and September’s Labor Day sales. Today’s deal comes in as a repeat 37% markdown off the going rate and lands among some of the lowest prices we’ve seen. While it’s not necessarily at some of the lowest rates that is has been in the past, this is still a solid $250 discount that gives you excellent equipment for your tool arsenal at an affordable price.

This pressure washer comes equipped with a 14A TruBrushless motor that generates 3,000 PSI at a 2.0 GPM flow rate. It sports an onboard one-gallon detergent tank and features a wide array of accessories: 25 feet of non-marring, high-pressure hose, a surface cleaner attachment, one turbo nozzle, one soap nozzle, one 15-degree nozzle, one 25-degree nozzle, and one 45-degree nozzle – it even has on-board space for all these attachments for easy storage, convenient transportation, and quicker applications. You’ll also be getting the additional accessories of a short gun kit, microfiber mitts, and a 15-inch surface cleaner. Like most Greenworks pressure washers, it also features a Total Stop System, which automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged, saving you energy, money, and extending your pump’s life.

Spring e-bike deals!

Lectric XPedition cargo e-bike riding through dirt trail within post for Juiced e-bikes

Other 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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Environment

America’s first hydrogen garbage truck arrives in Las Vegas

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America's first hydrogen garbage truck arrives in Las Vegas

New Way Trucks and the hydrogen fuel cell experts at Hyzon just revealed North America’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse truck at Waste Expo in Las Vegas.

The first fruits of the Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between New Way Trucks and Chicago-based HFC manufacturer Hyzon were revealed earlier today at the Las Vegas Convention Center with the kickoff of this year’s Waste Expo. Once the show is over, the HFCEV will be part of pilot programs throughout California, beginning with Recology, an employee-owned solid waste and recycling hauler based in San Francisco.

“As a leader in fleet sustainability, we’re proud to partner with New Way and Hyzon to bring the first hydrogen fuel cell electric collection vehicle to test in our communities in California,” said Recology CEO Sal Coniglio. “Recology has been preparing to transition our fleet to zero emission vehicles for nearly six years … this development is a major milestone, and we’re thrilled to be the first to demo this technology to help move our business and the industry forward.”

The truck itself is powered by one of Hyzon’s 200kW fuel cell systems, which the company says is 30% smaller, 25% more cost-effective to produce, and 20% more efficient at getting usable energy out of a kilogram of hydrogen than its competitors’ fuel cells.

Hyzon’s high-performance hydrogen fuel cells are tough enough to provide consistent power over 125 miles, including up to 1,200 cart lifts and trips to the transfer station. Combine that with the strength and durability of New Way’s most-requested automated side loader — the Sidewinder XTR™ — with smooth arm operation, up to a 12-foot reach and large 6-cubic-yard hopper for an unstoppable, sustainable refuse collection powerhouse.

new way trucks press release; via pr newswire.

What’s more, the Hyzon system has already proven itself in a similar pilot project in Australia — all of which is good news for operators.

“Building on Hyzon’s fuel cell electric refuse vehicle experience in Australia, Hyzon and New Way’s strategic partnership assembled a historic vehicle to eliminate emissions within a hard-to-abate industry,” said Hyzon Chief Executive Officer Parker Meeks. “This is evidence of our shared mission to provide North American refuse collection fleets with an alternative power solution that both meets zero emissions requirements and performs the hard work a refuse truck needs to deliver day in and day out.”

Electrek’s Take

Hyzon compact hydrogen fuel cell; image by Hyzon.

Waste collection routes seem ideal for battery electric vehicles, but nearly two decades of negative press and fake news about EV fires have muddied the waters to the point that a number of fleet operators have already decided, regardless of the data, that EVs aren’t for them. The future of fuel, to many of these fleet managers, is hydrogen — and a vehicle like this certainly gives them an option (however flawed) that will immediately reduce air pollution and improve the quality of life of the people that live and work on these garbage routes.

Is hydrogen ideal? No. Does it make sense as an alternative fuel? Also no. Is it cleaner than diesel? Maybe, and I want to celebrate the wins I can.

SOURCE | IMAGES: New Way Trucks, via PR Newswire.

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Tesla announces 4-day shutdown of Gigafactory Berlin due to protests

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Tesla announces 4-day shutdown of Gigafactory Berlin due to protests

Tesla announced that it will be shutting down Gigafactory Berlin for four days, but it is unclear if it has to or if it wants to.

Last quarter, Tesla had to shut down and reduce production at Gigafactory Berlin for very serious reasons.

The former was due to an arson attack from so-called environmentalists, and the latter was due to supply chain issues related to the Red Sea conflict.

While Tesla couldn’t do much to avoid those issues, some analysts suggested that it was convenient for the automaker as it was reducing production capacity due to lower sales anyway.

Now, Tesla is again announcing a shutdown of Gigafactory Berlin.

Environmentalist groups who have been protesting Tesla’s expansion of Gigafactory Berlin have announced planned protests this week at the plant.

In response, Tesla told employees not to come to the factory after the Wednesday night shift (via Handelsblatt – translated from German):

Because of the announced multi-day protests against the Tesla expansion in Grünheide, the electric car manufacturer is sending all employees to work from home on Friday. Tesla shared thisthe workforce in an email from Monday, which was available to the Handelsblatt. For employees in vehicle production, Friday is considered a bridge day.

Tesla says that it has been working with the local authorities over the situation, but it’s unclear if it has to shut down the plant because of concerns from the authorities or if decided to shut down manufacturing by itself.

The email mentions that employees will work from home, but obviously, many workers at Gigafactory Berlin can’t do much from home.

Tesla plans to restart production with the night shift on Sunday.

Electrek’s Take

This is a bit dubious to me. Tesla does say that it is complying with the local authorities, but it doesn’t go as far as saying that the authorities requested Tesla close the factory to manage the protest.

You could say that Tesla is being very cautious or that it is using this as a reason to reduce production because it doesn’t think it can match its capacity with orders.

I lean toward the latter.

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