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A mechanic working on an electric car at a garage in Carquefou, France, in November 2022. The EU is looking to increase the number of EVs on its roads in the coming years.

Loic Venance | AFP | Getty Images

From seatbelts to airbags and radios to parking sensors, today’s cars are packed with innovations that have transformed the vehicles we drive.

Thanks to growing concerns about emissions from road-based transportation, several big economies are gearing up for another huge change: the mass rollout of electric vehicles.

The U.K., for instance, wants to stop the sale of new diesel and gasoline cars and vans by 2030 and will require, from 2035, all new cars and vans to have zero tailpipe emissions.

The European Union, which the U.K. left on Jan. 31, 2020, is pursuing similar targets. And over in the U.S., California — America’s most populous state — is banning the sale of new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035.

The above goals above are years away but, bit by bit, changes are already being seen on the ground. 

Take the U.K., for example. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 2022 saw factories there produce 234,066 battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles, a record number that accounted for 30.2% of total car production.

“Total BEV production rose 4.8%, with hybrid volumes up 4.3%, and boosting output of these vehicles will be critical in the attainment of net zero, for both the UK and major overseas markets,” the industry body said.

Read more about electric vehicles from CNBC Pro

As the number of EVs on our roads increases, a workforce with the knowledge to fix and properly maintain them will be needed.

There are concerns, however, that a skills gap may emerge in the near future, creating a big headache for both the automotive sector and drivers.

In January, the Institute of the Motor Industry — a professional association for those employed in the sector — said roughly 16% of technicians in the U.K. had the relevant qualifications to work on electrified vehicles.

“The IMI predicts that the number of IMI TechSafe qualified technicians required to work with electric vehicles by 2030 is 77,000, increasing to 89,000 by 2032,” it said.

“Aligned to Auto Trader Insight predictions, this suggests the skills gap — when there won’t be enough technicians to service the electrified vehicle parc — will appear in 2029,” it added. “Parc” is a term the SMMT says represents the “total stock of cars on the roads.”

The size of this skills gap, according to the IMI’s January 2023 forecast, will leap from 700 in 2029 to 13,100 in 2032.

The electric vehicle boom is real — but the road won't be easy

But what would such a scenario actually look like? Steve Nash, the IMI’s CEO, told CNBC there were “a couple of potential issues.”

“One is just the convenience issue of people having to go a lot further than they would want to go to find somebody who’s appropriately qualified to do the work,” he said.

“The other one is potentially cost because, of course, the more demand and the less people there are around [to work on the vehicles] … that could affect the cost of servicing as well.”

Safety is another worry. “That’s always the concern … that if the work is there, and there aren’t the people to do it, then certain people will take a risk — and it genuinely is a risk,” Nash said.

“Some of these vehicles are operating on anything up to sort of 800 volts of direct current … I mean, you don’t need anything like that to be lethal, of course,” he added.

Breaking things down

Nash acknowledged the importance of viewing the new generation of vehicles as being “electrified” and made up of pure electrics, hybrids and plug-in hybrids.

“But fundamentally, electric vehicles are totally different to internal combustion engine vehicles,” he said.

“So somebody who has spent their life working on internal combustion engines can’t simply make the switch from one to the other.”

“And there are inherent risks involved in that because … electrified vehicles operate at very high voltages.”

During his interview, Nash stressed the importance of having a skilled workforce. He argued that while those working on cars face the biggest risk, “it isn’t a risk if you know what you’re doing, it isn’t a risk at all.”

“There are risks associated with working on internal combustion engines, but … we’ve had 100 years to get used to that.”

The IMI is not alone in keeping a close eye on how the increasing numbers of electric vehicles on our roads will play out.

In a statement sent to CNBC, AVERE, The European Association for Electromobility, touched upon the changes taking place in the automotive workforce.

“There is a shift in the market, with jobs moving from vehicle production, as EVs require less intensive work than fossil fuel vehicles, to the production of batteries,” it said. “We see more EVs on the roads and more charging infrastructure installed.”

This transition, it added, is creating “a significant demand for skilled labourers to fill the many upcoming open positions.”

“As e-mobility growth becomes more important by the year, there is a pressing need to fill this gap,” it said.

‘Chipping away at the skills gap’  

In January, the IMI expressed concern that “the pace of training” was “waning” despite over 11,500 technicians carrying out the training and qualifications needed to get its IMI TechSafe professional recognition in the first nine months of 2022.

At the time, Nash said it was “crucial the sector continues to train and skill its workforce at significant rates.”

“But with current economic pressures there is concern that training budgets will be the first to be cut,” he added.

Nash went on to describe government support for training as being “vital,” a message he reinforced during his interview with CNBC.

“As far as the technician population is concerned … the people who are working on the cars, I think we just need to see the continuation of the efforts that are going [on] … at the moment.”

“We are chipping away at the skills gap, but that … just needs to be sustained.”

In a statement sent to CNBC, a government spokesperson said that the “number of qualified mechanics for electric vehicles in the UK is currently well ahead of demand.”

“Government is working closely with industry to maintain the UK’s momentum, and we’re confident manufacturers will help ensure they have the trained staff they need to keep up with growing demand,” they added.

“We are making sure that the UK has the skills to remain at the forefront of the EV industry with Skills Bootcamps, as well as through the Electrification Skills Boost and investment in apprenticeships, which will increase to £2.7 billion by 2024-25.”

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China powers up the world’s largest open-sea offshore solar farm

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November 14, 2024

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China powers up the world's largest open-sea offshore solar farm

China offshore solar
Image: China Energy

China’s CHN Energy has connected the first solar units from its 1-gigawatt (GW) offshore solar farm – the world’s first and largest of its kind – to the grid.

The massive project is located off the coast of Dongying City in Shandong Province, eastern China.

Developed by CHN Energy’s Guohua Energy Investment Co., it aims to serve as a benchmark for future large-scale offshore solar farms.

The project sits 8 km (5 miles) off the coast and spans an impressive 1,223 hectares (3,023 acres). It uses 2,934 solar platforms that rest on large-scale offshore steel truss foundations, each platform measuring 60m (197 feet) by 35m (115 feet).

It’s the first time in China that a 66-kilovolt offshore cable paired with an onshore cable has been used for high-capacity, long-distance electricity transmission in the solar sector.

Once completed, this offshore solar farm is expected to generate 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough to power around 2.67 million urban homes. It could also help save about 503,800 tons of standard coal and cut down carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.34 million tons annually.

The project also includes fish farming, making better use of the marine space by integrating renewable energy with aquaculture.

Read more: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to 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. They have 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 you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here’s what to expect

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November 14, 2024

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here's what to expect

Kia-new-EV-US

At least one new Kia EV model will be revealed at next week’s LA Auto Show. Kia is teasing the new EV ahead of the event, claiming it wants to make “it very clear” that the company is charging ahead in the US.

After shattering its October US sales record last month, Kia said new models are “generating significant foot traffic” into showrooms.

The company expects the momentum to continue with a slate of new models debuting next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show. Kia will unveil five new vehicles across ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV powertrains.

Kia’s new models will feature its latest design theme, shown in its next-gen EV models like the three-row EV9 and compact EV3 electric SUVs.

“With five vehicles to unveil at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, we want it to be made very clear that Kia is driving forward on all fronts,” Kia America’s EVP and COO, Steven Center, said Thursday.

Center said Kia will pull the sheets of some of its most important models yet and believes “our customers will be delighted at what’s coming to our showrooms in the very near future.”

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia teases new vehicles that will debut at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Kia)

Which EV model is Kia teasing for its big US debut?

So, what EV will Kia debut for the US market? It will likely be the smaller EV3 electric SUV. Kia launched the EV3 in Korea this summer, starting at around $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million). Earlier this week, Kia said the compact electric SUV is now available in Europe with a “segment-leading” range of up to 375 miles.

In Europe, the EV3 starts at around 36,000 euros ($38,000), while UK prices (where it’s been on sale since August) start at £32,995 ($42,000).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s vice president, Jeong Won-Jeong, is already calling the smaller electric SUV a “game changer” in Korea, with strong demand for the low-cost EV model.

Will it have the same impact in the US? At 4,300 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, the EV3 is about the size of the Chevy Bolt EUV (4,306 mm length x 1,770 mm width x 1,616 mm x height).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

The Bolt was GM’s top-selling EV over the past few years until the company ended production at the end of 2023.

GM announced it sold its 300,000th EV in the US last month since 2016. Over 212,000 of them were Bolt EV models. According to GM’s president, Mark Reuss, a new model is due out next year as part of the “family of Bolts.”

Kia-EV3-interior
Kia EV3 interior (Source: Kia)

The 2024 Chevy Bolt EUV started at $27,800. Can Kia match (or undercut) the price? Kia is expected to build the EV3 in Mexico to take advantage of the US EV tax credit. With prices expected to start between $30,000 and $40,000, the tax credit could lower the price tag to around $22,500 and $32,500.

A US-spec Kia EV3 was spotted in California earlier this year testing on public streets, and its debut is expected soon.

Next year, Kia will launch the EV4, its version of an entry-level electric sedan. The company promises it will be an “entirely new type of EV sedan.”

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Environment

Save $700 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

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November 14, 2024

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Save 0 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

We’ve got some great Green Deals for you today, led by Rad Power’s official 2024 Black Friday sale that is running through the rest of the month and offering up to $500 discounts on veteran e-bikes, free extra battery promotions on the newest models, and plenty of accessory discounts up to 30% – all starting from $1,099. Right behind it is Segway’s latest ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter that has two differing offers – the first being a $200 discount while the second gives you a free Lumina power station, starting from $1,100. We have the return of the all-time lowest price on GoTrax’s Everest Electric Dirt Bike at $4,000 for today only, as well as new low prices on Worx’s M 20V and L 20V Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers that start from $540. Lastly, Walmart’s early Black Friday sale has discounted a selection of Greenworks equipment, with the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw hitting a new $139 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $600 off Black Friday deal on Heybike’s Cityrun e-bike, or the other low prices from ENGWE, Segway Ninebot, and more.

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.

Rad Power has launched its official 2024 Black Friday sale through December 4, offering up to $500 in discounts on e-bikes, as well as free extra battery promotions on its newest models (worth $599), 30% off accessory deals, 25% off vehicle racks, and more. The biggest cash discount during this event is on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike that is down at $1,099 shipped – plus, you’ll also be getting a free accessory under $200. Normally priced at $1,599, we’ve seen it as the focus of a few different sales so far in 2024, with most of them cutting the price down to $1,299, though some took things lower to $1,249. With this sale, though, you’re looking at a bigger-than-ever $500 in savings that beats out the former low price by $150 and marks a new all-time low going forward – even beating out last year’s Black Friday sale too.

Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 e-bike makes the perfect addition to homes that need a well-rounded utility model that can also save you on storage space when you’re not on the saddle thanks to its folding frame. The 750W brushless geared rear-hub motor arrives powered by a 672Wh battery, providing a 20 MPH top speed with four pedal assistance levels (yes, there’s a throttle too) and supporting you through your commute, errands, and more with 45+ miles of travel range on a full charge.

Along with its performance, there’s a solid collection of stock features like the LED headlight and the integrated taillight with brake lighting – plus, they both sport automatic functioning, turning on when surrounding light levels drop low enough. There’s also the integrated cargo rack (which has a 55-pound weight limit), fenders to go over both 20-inch by 4-inch fat tires, a water-resistant wiring harness, a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, and an LED display.

More of Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday e-bike deals:

  • RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
  • RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free Ballard Cargo Bag
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount
  • RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount

Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday free battery deals:

  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday accessory discounts:

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday vehicle rack discounts:

Rad Power Black Friday

Score $200 off Segway’s new ZT3 Pro all-terrain e-scooter or get it with a free power station starting from $1,100

We’re still waiting for Segway to officially drop its Black Friday savings, though we are seeing one early access opportunity in the S2 Smart Self-Balancing Scooter at its all-time lowest rate and matching at Amazon. In the meantime, the brand is offering two separate deals on its new ZT3 Pro All-Terrain eKickScooter, with the first being a discount to $1,099.99 shipped. Down for the first time since officially launching last month, it comes in as the second-lowest price overall considering the pre-order special that had costs down at $950. You’ll still be saving a solid $200 on this all-new model though, or you can buy it at full price to take advantage of the alternative deal (more on that below).

Segway’s new ZT3 Pro electric scooter cruises across any terrain your journeys take you at top speeds of 24.9 MPH thanks to the 1,600W brushless motor that provides enough torque to conquer inclines up to 25% with ease. The 597Wh battery here is supported by RideyLong tech with an advanced controller algorithm that extends its travel capacity “by up to 20%,” lending to the 43.5 miles it carries you on a single 4-hour charge while in Eco Mode (18.6 miles when kicked into its high-powered Sport mode). Segway has even taken sudden needs to travel into consideration, giving it the ability the provide 6.2 miles off just 30 minutes of charging if you really need to get going.

Rider safety, stability, and comfort have been one of the main focuses of this model too, as it has been given plenty of features to support smoother and more controlled riding, like the full suspension frame, 6 inches of clearance from the ground, a pair of 11-inch all-terrain tubeless tires, as well as a Segride stability enhancement system that works alongside its Traction Control System. It boasts an IPX5 waterproof designation (with the battery rated IPX7) and even eco-friendly ASA thermoplastic that is easy to replace if damaged – plus, tons of smart features, like Apple Find My, and lighting too, which you can check out in full by reading our in-depth launch coverage.

Segway is also offering an alternative deal on this new model if you choose to buy it at full price – which, along with the scooter, gives you a free Lumina 500 Portable Power Station (valued at $400). This model has a more compact form factor than the brand’s other power stations, offering a 512Wh capacity (peaking at 1,200W) and being able to dish out power at 600W speeds – with a full battery only taking one hour to get when plugged into a wall outlet. All-in-all, there are eight ports to charge your devices and power small appliances – two ACs, two USB-Cs, and four USB-As.

GoTrax Everest electric dirt bike

Second chance at landing GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike with massive $2,000 discount at $4,000 low (Today only)

Coming to us through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the GoTrax Everest Electric Dirt Bike down at $3,999.99 shipped through the rest of the day. It normally keeps to its recent $6,000 price tag most of the time after falling from the original $6,500 rate months ago, with very few discounts dropping costs further since it released last year. In 2024, we’ve mainly seen three previous one-day sales like this one, the first two only taking the price down to $5,500, while September saw the first fall to the $4,000 low. It’s returning again here today, giving you the chance to score it at $2,000 off and the lowest price we have seen to date.

GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike races onto the tracks and trails with a monstrous 4,000W rear-drive motor that conquers terrain effortlessly, peaking up to 8,000W. It tops out at speeds of 53 MPH, and the removable 72V battery provides a 50-mile travel distance on a single four-hour charge. There are a bunch of features here that only enhance your electric motocross adventures, with multiple riding modes, dual-shock suspension paired with hydraulic disc brakes, and deep-tooth off-road tires. You’ll also be getting dual headlights, a taillight with braking and turn signal functionality, mudguards, and an LED digital display to control its settings. It also weighs in on the lighter side of dirt bikes, even for an electric model – coming in at just 172 pounds.

Worx robotic lawn mower

Get the lowest prices yet on Worx’s Landroid robotic lawn mowers for 1/4 and 1/2-acre yards from $540

Amazon is giving us two of the best rates yet on the Worx Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers ahead of official Black Friday sales, with the M 20V model down at $539.99 shipped, while the L 20V model is hitting $631.13 shipped. These two models would normally run you $900 and $1,150 more recently since they fell from higher $1,200 and $1,500 MSRPs earlier in the year. We’ve only been seeing the M 20V version keeping above $719 throughout the year, with the S 20V often getting the bulk of the savings, but today, we’re seeing a 40% markdown that takes things lower than ever before, saving you $360 and landing it at a new all-time low price – right alongside the new all-time low on its L 20V counterpart.

You can now get autonomous support outdoors in your yards with these Worx Landroid robotic lawn mower models, with the M 20V covering up to 1/4 acres while the L 20V handles lawns up to 1/2 acres in size. The advanced AI here keeps it on the most efficient path, raising and lowering its floating blade whenever it needs added clearance through more uneven sections of the terrain. You’ll be getting the full detail of smart controls through its companion app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and as a bonus, the batteries that run them are also part of Worx’s PowerShare ecosystem, meaning you can switch them out with other tools from the brand that you may already have.

greenworks 60V 16-inch chainsaw

Walmart drops the Greenworks 60V 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw to new $139 low

As part of its ongoing early Black Friday sale, Walmart is offering some significant discounts on Greenworks lawn care and outdoor equipment, like the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw that comes with a 2.5Ah battery, charger, and a bonus chain for $139 shipped. Down from its usual $268 pricing, the closest model you can find to this one over at Amazon is sitting $80 higher in price, at the moment. While we’ve been seeing this model bounce around in price all year, costs never fell below $200 before today’s deal, which is giving folks the opportunity at a 48% markdown that saves you $129 for the new all-time lowest price we have tracked. On top of the cash savings, you’ll also be getting a little bonus savings in the form of the included extra chain that comes with the battery and charger.

Those of you stocking up on firewood or are in need of a reliable method to cut up damaged limbs and trees from possible heavy snowfalls and winter storming will get just what you need with this 60V cordless electric chainsaw from Greenworks. The included 2.5Ah battery ensures 90 consecutive cuts on a single 50-minute charge, while the bonus 16-inch chain gives you a backup should anything happen to damage the stocked chain. It makes a conveniently lightweight and quieter addition to home arsenals, replacing gas-guzzlers with the same power to rival a 38cc model.

More Walmart early Black Friday Greenworks deals:

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

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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