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Swedish power giant Vattenfall did a two-year, €3 million study of seabirds at an offshore wind farm off Scotland – here’s what it found.

The aim of the 115-page study, which took place at Vattenfall’s 11-turbine Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, aka the European Offshore Wind Deployment Center, was:

…to improve our understanding of seabird flight behavior inside an offshore wind farm. This should be achieved through collection of as detailed seabird flight data as possible rather than through estimation of avoidance rates for collision risk modeling per se.

Vattenfall, which is owned by the Swedish state, combined radar data with cameras to identify the species of seabird and create a three-dimensional image of birds’ flight patterns and how they avoid offshore wind turbines’ rotor blades.

The movements of herring gulls, gannets, kittiwakes, and great black-backed gulls were studied in detail from April to October, when bird activity is at its height. (This study only looked at four bird species, but Vattenfall says the model can and should be applied to more types of seabirds and to onshore wind farms as well.) 

The study’s findings: Not a single collision between a bird and a rotor blade was recorded.

Vattenfall says that the herring gulls and kittiwakes showed horizontal avoidance further away from rotor blades, 90-110 meters (295-361 feet) and 140-160 meters (459-525 feet), respectively, while the gannets and great black-backed gulls only exhibited avoidance behavior at 40 and 50 meters (131 and 164 feet) from the tips of rotor blades.

And if you just muttered under your breath, “Well, they would say that, wouldn’t they?” Vattenfall says it’s got video evidence to back up its study’s findings – ten thousand videos of birds flying around Aberdeen Offshore Wind Farm, in fact.

Henrik Skov, who led the project, said:

This is the first time that any kind of bird species has been studied this closely and in detail at an offshore wind farm. And these birds are really good at avoiding the turbines. Now we need studies on more varieties.

He added that surveys on bird behavior are part of an overall effort to avoid building wind farms in flight corridors.

Read more: A Danish wind turbine giant just discovered how to recycle all blades

Photo: “First Year Herring Gull In Mid Air” by Jeffsphotoart is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.


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New off-road concept that ditches screens proves it: Genesis GETS luxury

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New off-road concept that ditches screens proves it: Genesis GETS luxury

Luxury is a tough concept to pin down, but being constantly connected to work, kids, and telemarketers ain’t it. Genesis gets it, and its latest ultra-luxe off-road concept ditches screens in favor of the view out the windshield – and it’s got enough off-road chops to promise two things about those views: they’re real, and they’re spectacular!

Genesis calls its new X Gran Equator concept an elegant overlander for the modern explorer that marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience. Whatever they call it, the 4×4’s dashboard is delightfully free from sweeping touchscreens, mood lighting, and any hint of telephonic integration.

Indeed, the interior looked so much like something from the 90s that I double and triple-checked the date on the press release. But don’t take my word for it, check it for yourself.

It’s fantastic

If you zoom in, you can see screens in the instruments. High-definition roll and pitch displays, altimeters, and probably other outdoorsy, overland-y things that the sort of people who want to do that in what would surely be a very well-appointed six-figure SUV for a similarly very well-heeled buyer.

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And that buyer? They wouldn’t miss the screen, because the screen doesn’t matter. The real show is out the front windshield – and if someone from the office calls to interrupt the vibe, you won’t even know. I know I’d pay extra for that … and I can’t imagine I’m alone.

This is how Genesis explains it:

Inside, the X Gran Equator Concept orchestrates contrast between analog architecture and digital technologies, crafting a space that feels both functional and evocative. At the center of the cabin is a four-circle display cluster on the center stack, inspired by the vintage camera dials. The interior design features contrasting colors and shapes, with a preference for geometric over organic elements. The dashboard’s linear architecture and absence of decorations focus the driver’s attention on the journey, while swiveling front seats and modular storage solutions enhance practicality.

GENESIS

Genesis didn’t provide pictures of those swiveling seats or modular storage compartments on this concept, but the X Gran Equator Concept will make its in-person debut April 18th at the Genesis booth during the 2025 New York International Auto Show.

After the show, the company will move the concept to a display at Genesis House New York in the Meatpacking District, where it will stay “in residence” until the end of July. If you’re out that way for either event, take a picture of it and tag Electrek on Instagram!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Genesis.

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New electric Honda SUV with 469 hp and 403 mile range (in China)

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New electric Honda SUV with 469 hp and 403 mile range (in China)

The new-for-2025 Honda P7 electric SUV officially went on sale earlier today with 469 hp and more than 650 km (403 miles) of range from its 89.8-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery … and you won’t believe the price!

First shown as a concept at the launch of Honda’s Ye brand a year ago, today. Ye is a joint venture between Honda and local automakers Dongfeng, who build the brand’s S7 model, and GAC, which helped develop the mechanically similar P7 that just went on sale.

And, by “similar,” I mean really, really similar. The AWD version of the new Honda P7 offers up to 620 km (385 miles) of CLTC-rated range, while the RWD can go 650 km (403 miles), which are identical figures to the S7. Even the crossover’s dimensions, at 4,750 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall with a 2,930 mm wheelbase, are identical.

Even the interiors – which are fantastic, by the way, with an innovative mix of screens, buttons, and super-slick sideview monitors – are tough to tell apart.

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Honda Ye EV interior(s)

So, how can you tell the P7 apart from its S7 sibling? The P7 has C-shaped lighting elements that are distinctive from the S7’s X-shaped lights. The end result is a face that reads a bit more “Honda” to me, but that may or may not be a good thing in the Chinese market.

Pricing for the new Honda P7 starts at 199,900 yuan (about $27,200) for the two wheel drive variant, and is also offered with all-wheel drive for 249,900 yuan (about $34,000, as I type this), complete with the sort of advanced ADAS features you have to pay good money to supervise here in the US. That pricing makes both P7 models significantly less expensive that the what the company thought would be the vehicle’s main competitor, the Tesla Model Y.

The world has changed a lot since then however – and whether or not the Model Y is still considered a serious rival remains to be seen.

If you’re in the mood to check out an all-electric Honda in the US, click here to set up a test drive and explore local deals on a new Prologue. In the meantime, I invite you to take a look at some of the press photos of the new P7, below, then let us know what you think in the comments.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda; via Paul Tan.

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Kia unveils the 2026 EV4, its first all-electric global sedan

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Kia unveils the 2026 EV4, its first all-electric global sedan

Kia just pulled the cover off its all-new 2026 EV4 today at the New York International Auto Show, marking the automaker’s first global all-electric sedan.

With a sleek design and practical features, Kia is clearly aiming to offer a compelling, affordable alternative to the flood of electric SUVs on the market.

The Kia EV4, set to hit US roads in early 2026, will be available in three trims – Light, Wind, and the sportier GT-Line.

Exterior and interior

Built on Kia’s 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 sedan sports a distinctive low, aerodynamic profile with a sporty fastback roofline. The front showcases vertical LED headlights paired with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting and a modernized version of Kia’s Tiger Face grille.

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Around back, vertical taillights and a two-piece spoiler emphasize the sedan’s sporty stance. Buyers can choose between standard 17-inch aero wheels or the 19-inch wheels exclusive to the GT-Line trim.

Inside, Kia’s EV4 emphasizes comfort, convenience, and spaciousness. A modern, open cockpit features high-quality materials, a two-spoke steering wheel, and an available 64-color ambient lighting system. With ample passenger room and cargo space, the EV4 balances practicality with a sleek, contemporary feel.

Powertrain and performance

2026 EV4

The EV4 comes with two battery options: a 58.3 kWh pack delivering about 235 miles of range (standard on the Light trim), or a larger 81.4 kWh pack good for around 330 miles (Wind and GT-Line trims). Both models feature a 150 kW front-mounted electric motor.

Charging won’t slow you down: Kia estimates a 10-to-80% DC fast charge takes just 29 minutes for the smaller battery and 31 minutes for the larger. The EV4 comes with a standard NACS charging port and is on the front passenger side.

This Kia sedan has a drag coefficient as low as 0.23 Cd. Its updated i-Pedal 3.0 system offers smooth one-pedal driving, even in reverse and adaptive regenerative braking. Additionally, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability means your EV4 can power everyday devices like laptops or camping gear.

A tech-loaded interior

2026 EV4

The EV4 features nearly 30 inches of combined widescreen displays. Personalization is easy, including themed interfaces and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 lets drivers manage locks, start the climate control remotely, and access other vehicle functions via smartphone. And Kia’s built-in AI Assistant ensures natural, responsive interactions, adding another convenience layer.

Comfort isn’t an afterthought, either. Dual-zone automatic climate control, available heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and acoustic windshield glass round out the premium feel.

Advanced driver-assist technology

2026 EV4

The EV4 is equipped with Highway Driving Assist as standard, which automatically adjusts the vehicle’s set speed to match the posted speed limit (if initially set to the speed limit) and maintains distance from the vehicle in front.

Standard Hands-On Detection helps ensure drivers stay engaged by monitoring steering-wheel grip, enhancing safety on longer trips.

Other available features include Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, and Lane Following Assist. Optional Remote Smart Parking Assist simplifies parking in tight spots.

Look for the Kia EV4 sedan to reach US dealers in early 2026.

Read more: Kia EV Day 2025 recap: EV4 is coming to US, plus an up-close look at the EV2 and PV5 [Video]


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