Electrek

Tesla patent reveals dual-battery system for trailer-mounted range extender

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 4:21am on Electrek

A newly published Tesla patent application describes a sophisticated dual-battery management system designed to integrate an auxiliary battery pack with a vehicle’s primary pack — including a configuration where the auxiliary battery lives inside a towed trailer.

The patent was filed in August 2024, months before Tesla officially cancelled the Cybertruck’s bed-mounted range extender, suggesting the automaker’s engineering team continued developing the underlying technology even as the original product was being abandoned.

Another major brand joins the race for the affordable luxury EV

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 3:58am on Electrek

Mercedes-Benz becomes the latest luxury brand planning to launch a new entry-level EV. Here’s what we know so far.

Donut Lab solid-state battery: 5 independent tests in, still no energy density or cycle life data

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 2:01am on Electrek

Donut Lab has now released five independent test reports from Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre on its solid-state battery — and not a single one addresses the two claims that actually matter: the 400 Wh/kg energy density and the 100,000-cycle life.

The Q1 2026 deadline that Donut Lab set for delivering production batteries inside Verge Motorcycles is eight days away. The latest report, a cycling test dated March 13, adds another data point — but the overall picture remains unchanged.

Cheap e-bike maker refuses recall as CPSC tells riders to stop using it immediately

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 7:49am on Electrek

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a stark warning to riders of the Ridstar Q20 and Q20 Pro electric bikes, urging owners to stop using them immediately due to a serious fire risk. But in a troubling twist, the manufacturer has refused to cooperate with a recall.

Honda’s new full-size electric motorcycle snags awards on way to production

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 7:26am on Electrek

Honda’s upcoming WN7 electric motorcycle may have just picked up a prestigious Gold iF Design Award, but the real story here is more than the accolades it’s what the bike represents for the future of mainstream electric motorcycles from legacy manufacturers.

EVQ: I drive my EV for work, but charge at home – how do I track charging costs?

Published: Mar 23nd 2026 2:06am on Electrek

EV enthusiasts and evangelists are always ready to answer their friends’ questions about going electric. Sometimes, they even get it right! In this series, we’re taking a look at some next-level EV questions that don’t always have easy answers, starting with: I drive my EV for work, but charge at home — how do I track charging costs?

Tesla and SpaceX announce $25B ‘Terafab’ chip factory — here’s why it reeks of desperation

Published: Mar 22nd 2026 2:46am on Electrek

Tesla and SpaceX have unveiled “Terafab,” a joint $25 billion chip fabrication facility in Austin, Texas, that Elon Musk claims will produce 1 terawatt of computing power annually. It would be the largest semiconductor fab ever built — by an absurd margin.

Musk took the stage at the defunct Seaholm Power Plant in Austin on March 21 to officially launch the project, calling it “the most epic chip building exercise in history by far.”

Fast flop: stupid fast Audi RS e-tron GT gets over $50,000 in discounts

Published: Mar 22nd 2026 12:52am on Electrek

With almost 1,000 hp and a blistering 60 mph coming in just 2.4 seconds, Audi’s electric flagship super sedan made headlines and set performance records when it was launched back in 2024. Unfortunately for Audi, it didn’t set many sales records, and you can now buy the ridiculously rapid RS e-tron GT with more than $50,000 in discounts. (!)

Simon Loos grows its electric semi truck fleet to over 200 units

Published: Mar 22nd 2026 12:09am on Electrek

Dutch logistics specialist Simon Loos announced a major order with Daimler Trucks’ Mercedes brand, purchasing 75 Mercedes‑Benz eActros 600 electric semi trucks and growing its BEV fleet to more than 200 units.

Zenobē acquires Revolv’s 100 unit electric delivery van fleet

Published: Mar 21nd 2026 11:20am on Electrek

UK-based Zenobē backed up its ambitions of fleet electrification leadership by closing on its acquisition of California-based Revolv, signaling the company’s continued confidence in North America’s commercial EV market.