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The current German coalition government is seeking to accelerate the country’s transition away from fossil fuels and nuclear to renewable and sustainable production energy means.

Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The global energy transition is off track to prevent the worst impact of the climate emergency, according to the head of the International Renewable Energy Agency, and a fundamental course correction is required to successfully pivot away from fossil fuels.

A report published by IRENA on Tuesday said an additional $35 trillion of investments in transitional technologies would be needed by 2030 to curb global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

This temperature threshold refers to the aspirational goal of the landmark Paris Agreement.

It is widely regarded as a crucial global target because so-called tipping points become more likely beyond this level of global heating. Tipping points are thresholds at which small changes can lead to dramatic shifts in Earth’s entire life support system.

“We are off track,” Francesco La Camera, director general of IRENA, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Tuesday.

La Camera said that IRENA’s findings show energy transition progress has been made, particularly in the power sector where renewables account for 40% of installed power generation worldwide — but the scale and extent of the change to date fall far short of the 1.5 degrees Celsius pathway.

IRENA said deployment levels must grow from some 3,000 gigawatts today to more than 10,000 GW in 2030.

The agency also noted that deployment is limited to certain parts of the world, with China, the EU and the U.S. accounting for two thirds of all additions in 2022, leaving low-income nations further behind.

‘Survival guide for humanity’

The IRENA report comes shortly after the world’s leading climate scientists published a “survival guide for humanity.”

The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said earlier this month that the unprecedented challenge of keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius had become even greater in recent years because of the relentless increase in global greenhouse gas emissions.

The IPCC said deep, rapid and sustained greenhouse gas emission reductions across all sectors would be necessary to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The IRENA report meanwhile said that a successful global energy transition must see bold and transformative measures reflecting the urgency of the climate crisis.

A vehicle drives past a dry, cracked lake bed on its way to Boulder Harbour in drought-stricken Lake Mead on September 15, 2022 in Boulder City, Nevada.

Frederic J. Brown | Afp | Getty Images

Investment, comprehensive policies across the world and all sectors must take steps to grow renewables, the report adds, and implement the structural changes required for a predominantly renewables-based energy transition.

“The process we are assisting on is unstoppable. So, we are moving to a new energy system that will be largely dominated by renewables, complimented by hydrogen — mainly green hydrogen — and the sustainable use of biomass,” La Camera told CNBC.

“In the medium to long term, this will happen, so the question is not where we are going,” he added. “It is important to understand that the most important variable is time.”

Stranded assets warning

To be sure, the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas, is the chief driver of the climate crisis.

Big Oil raked in record profits last year, as fossil fuel prices soared following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The firm’s executives have sought to defend bumper revenues amid a barrage of criticism in recent months, typically highlighting the importance of energy security in the transition to renewables.

Saudi Arabia’s state-controlled oil giant Aramco on Sunday announced plans to build a $10 billion refining and petrochemical complex in northeast China over the next three years, saying the company is seeking to support Beijing’s growing demand across fuel and chemical products.

Asked about companies choosing to invest in the traditional oil and gas sector, and whether this equates to a lost investment in renewables, La Camera replied, “There is no doubt that from our point of view, this is not the right direction. It will produce stranded assets.”

“That’s the reason why we are insisting … to work on focusing on infrastructure but also on changing our attention from the supply side of the problem to the demand side,” he added.

“We strongly hope that the Dubai UNFCCC conference will lead the way to build a new narrative that can better orient the investment in the years to come and accelerate the energy transition too,” La Camera said.

The UAE will host the COP28 climate summit from Nov. 30 through to Dec. 12.

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BYD launches new discounts, offering +50% off smart driving tech

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BYD launches new discounts, offering +50% off smart driving tech

Despite the warnings, BYD continues introducing new discounts. On Wednesday, BYD’s luxury off-road brand began offering over 50% Huawei’s smart driving tech.

BYD introduces new discounts on smart driving tech

After BYD cut prices again in May, the China Automobile Manufacturers Association (CAMA) warned that the ultra-low prices are “triggering a new round of price war panic.”

Although they didn’t single out BYD, it was pretty obvious. BYD slashed prices across 22 of its vehicles by up to 34%, triggering several automakers to follow suit in China.

BYD’s cheapest EV, the Seagull, typically starts at about $10,000 (66,800 yuan). After the price cuts, the Seagull is listed at under $8,000 (55,800 yuan).

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It doesn’t look like China’s EV leader plans to slow down anytime soon. Fang Cheng Bao, BYD’s luxury off-road brand, introduced new discounts on Huawei’s smart driving tech on Wednesday.

The limited-time offer cuts the price of Huawei’s Qiankun Intelligent Driving High-end Function Package to just 12,000 yuan ($1,700).

BYD-new-discounts
BYD Fang Cheng Bao 5 SUV testing (Source: Fang Cheng Bao)

Buyers who order the smart driving tech in July will save over 50% compared to its typical price of 32,000 yuan ($4,500).

Earlier this year, Fang Chang Bao launched the Tai 3, its most affordable vehicle, starting at 139,800 yuan ($19,300). The Tai 3 is about the size of the Tesla Model Y, but costs about half as much.

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BYD Fang Cheng Bao Tai 3 electric SUV (Source: Fang Cheng Bao)

The Tai 3 will spearhead a new sub-brand of electric SUVs following the more premium Bao 8 and Bao 5 hybrid SUVs.

BYD’s luxury off-road brand sold 18,903 vehicles last month, up 50% from May and 605% compared to last year. Fang Cheng Bao has now sold over 10,000 vehicles for three consecutive months.

The Chinese EV giant sold 382,585 vehicles in total in June, an increase of 12% from last year. In the first half of the year, BYD’s cumulative sales reached over 2.1 million, a YOY increase of 33%.

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Dahon launches first super-lightweight e-bike that is actually affordable

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Dahon launches first super-lightweight e-bike that is actually affordable

Every year, it seems like there’s a new headline about the world’s lightest electric bike. Each year, engineers manage to shave a few more grams off of an exotically designed frame built with even more exotic materials. And each year, the continuously lower weight is balanced by continuously higher prices – often exorbitantly high. But now Dahon has bucked that trend, offering us an incredibly lightweight electric bike at a price that normal e-bike riders can afford. Meet the Dahon K-Feather.

To put things in perspective, some of the previous lightest electric bicycles have included the 11.8 kg (26 lb) LeMond Prolog at US $4,500, the 11.75 kg (12.59 lb) Trek Domane+ SLR at US $8,999, and the 10 kg (22 lb) Hummingbird Flax folding e-bike at US $6,050.

So with that in mind, please allow me to introduce you to the new Dahon K-Feather. This is a 12 kg (26.5 kg) folding electric bike priced at an incredibly reasonable US $1,199 in North America or €1,499 in Europe.

Sure, it’s not the absolute lightest folding e-bike we’ve ever seen, but it’s 90% of the way there and at a quarter of the price. Plus, it comes from Dahon, which is one of the most respected names in the folding bike world and is largely credited with paving the way for the booming folding bike industry we see today. Since the 1980s, Dahon’s innovative designs have been imitated around the world, yet the folding bike maker has continued to innovate and stay several steps ahead of competing brands.

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The K-feather achieves its extra low weight through the combination of a novel frame design employing Dahon’s patented frame designs, including the company’s DELTECH technology and “super down tube,” which help improve rigidity and robustness while reducing weight.

The electrical system on the K-Feather is also a featherweight, keeping the e-bike largely in the last-mile category. While the battery claims a maximum range of up to 24.8 miles (40 km), real-world riding and hilly terrain could reduce that range. Still, clever designs like a system that automatically shuts off the extra motor power when detecting a downhill segment help to eke out more range from the small 24V and 5Ah battery.

The ultra-lightweight 250W hub motor also offers just 32 Nm of torque, meaning the assist is more of a helpful push than a powerful shove. But with the inclusion of a torque sensor for the pedal assist, that push comes on quickly and reliably, making the bike feel more like a traditional analog bike being pedaled by someone with extra strong legs.

With 16″ dual-wall rims and 14g spokes, this isn’t the heavy fat tire folding e-bikes we’re used to in North America, and the capacity reflects that. The K-Feather is rated to support riders weighing up to 105 kg (231 lb), though the highly adjustable seating position can support a range of rider heights from 145 to 190.5 cm (4’9″ to 6’3″).

Coming in six colorways, the Dahon K-feather folding e-bike is now available in the US and has launched for pre-order in Europe, with shipments there expected in September.

I had a bit of a preview of the K-feather on my last trip to China when I was able to visit Dahon’s headquarters and test ride the bike.

I still can’t believe how light it felt, both underneath me and while folding it up and carrying it around. Be on the lookout for that full experience from my trip, coming soon.

Electrek’s Take

The K-Feather represents a compelling milestone not just for Dahon, but for the entire folding e-bike market. By delivering a truly lightweight, compact, and fully electric folder at an impressively affordable price point, Dahon has made minimalist e-mobility more accessible than ever.

It’s not just a bike for die-hard lightweight e-bike connoisseurs; it’s a real-world solution for commuters, travelers, and apartment dwellers who want the freedom of electric assist without the bulk or the sticker shock. If the goal is to get more people on two wheels, the K-Feather might just be one of the most important steps forward yet.

Coming in at less than half the weight of most folding e-bikes, and still a fraction of most lighter-duty folders, the K-Feather’s modest performance makes it a great urban ride for those who favor compact size and light weight. In fact, I think it might be perfect for my mother-in-law, who needs an e-bike to get to and from the train she takes to work, but also needs it to be light enough to carry up to her second-story apartment. Hmmm, perhaps I should have her do a review for us…

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The Honda Prologue is a hit, but Acura’s luxury EV is the real surprise

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The Honda Prologue is a hit, but Acura's luxury EV is the real surprise

The Honda Prologue remains a top-selling EV in the US, but it’s Acura’s luxury electric SUV that’s been the surprise hit this year.

Honda Prologue sales rise while Acura’s EV surprises

After delivering the first Prologue models last year, Honda’s electric SUV quickly became a hit. In the second half of 2024, it was the second-best-selling electric SUV in the US, trailing only the Tesla Model Y.

Despite limited inventory due to the new 2025 model year change, Honda sold 2,799 Prologues last month. In the first half of the year, Honda has now sold 16,317 Prologue models in the US. In comparison, Toyota sold just over 9,200 units of its electric SUV, the bZ4X, during the same period.

Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, sold only 763 RZ models, its sole electric SUV, for a total of 3,779 units in the first half of the year.

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Honda Prologue sales have now held steady, averaging over 2,700 units per month, but it’s Acura’s electric SUV that has been quietly gaining ground in the luxury EV space.

Honda-Prologue-Acura-EV
2025 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

With another 1,318 models sold last month, Acura ZDX sales reached 10,355 in the first half of 2025. Acura’s electric SUV is even outpacing the Cadillac Lyriq, which is based on the same Ultium platform.

Sales are significantly higher than the company expected. Earlier this year, Mike Langel, vice president of national sales for Acura, told Automotive News that the company expected to sell around 1,000 ZDX models a month this year.

Honda-Prologue-Acura-EV
2024 Acura ZDX (Source: Acura

A significant reason behind the strong demand is the availability of massive discounts, which can reach nearly $30,000 in some states. The luxury electric SUV is more affordable than a Honda CR-V, with monthly leases starting at just $299.

The Honda Prologue is available to lease for as little as $259 per month. The offer is for 36 months with $2,399 due at signing in California and other ZEV states.

With the Trump administration planning to end the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, many of these savings will soon disappear.

If you’re looking to take advantage of the savings while they’re still available, we can help you get started. You can use our links below to find deals on the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX in your area.

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