Electrek

Tesla hit with class action in Quebec over up to $400m in heat pump failures

Published: Jun 4nd 2026 11:26am on Electrek

A Quebec Tesla owner has filed a class action request against Tesla over heat pump failures, seeking damages for all Tesla owners in the province after being stuck with a $4,477 repair bill when her Model 3’s heat pump died after just six years.

The lawsuit covers every Tesla model equipped with a heat pump — Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y, and Cybertruck — and alleges the automaker has been hiding a known defect from buyers.

Waymo’s retired robotaxi batteries are heading back to work

Published: Jun 4nd 2026 11:00am on Electrek

Waymo’s retired EV batteries won’t be heading straight to recycling anymore. Instead, they’re going to help support the power grid in California and Texas.

ELM MicroGrid installs battery storage in its hometown [video]

Published: Jun 4nd 2026 12:42am on Electrek

Battery energy storage specialist ELM MicroGrid has spent more than two decades building a nationwide energy storage and utility infrastructure businesses. Now, the company is bringing that expertise home with the installation of a new battery energy storage system at a solar microgrid project in Peoria, IL.

REALLY Quick Charge: the Hammer Down crossover episode, with Mike Bush

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 11:49am on Electrek

On today’s really quick episode of Quick Charge, we’re doing a crossover episode with Mike Bush from Marketscale’s Hammer Down podcast and explore the business of freight and logistics, how to get involved, and what the future might hold for more efficient, fossil-free trucking.

Another giant solar factory is coming to Texas

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 10:55am on Electrek

SEG Solar is doubling down on US manufacturing with plans for a third solar module factory in the Houston, Texas, area.

Hyundai IONIQ 5 crowned the best family EV

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 9:13am on Electrek

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 pretty much offers it all with up to 318 miles of driving range, fast charging, a surprisingly spacious interior, and an affordable starting price of just $35,000. It’s also a perfect fit for families looking to go electric.

Poll: when voters learn the EPA is poisoning them, they hate it

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 6:33am on Electrek

A new poll of US voters shows that the vast majority of Americans want the Environmental Protection Agency to do its job and keep toxic chemicals out of the air and water. But the EPA’s current mission, under Lee Zeldin, is to poison Americans and raise their health and energy costs. When voters learn about this, they show significant concern.

Volkswagen is launching more affordable EVs, starting with these two models

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 6:17am on Electrek

The first Volkswagen ID. Polo and Cupra Raval models rolled off the production line at the Group’s Martorell plant in Spain, the first of several new affordable, mass-market EVs.

Bluetti sale offers 3,014Wh Elite 300 power station with 350W solar panel + FREE 128Wh Elite 10 Mini for $1,567, Worx robot mowers, more

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 6:00am on Electrek

Our midweek Green Deals are being led by the latest Bluetti RV Season Sale that benefits from two of our bonus exclusive savings for even better deals, with offers like the 3,014Wh Elite 300 Portable Power Station getting a 350W solar panel and a FREE 128Wh Elite 10 Mini station for $1,567, among many others starting from $284. Right behind it, we spotted up to $700 discounts on the three Worx Landroid Vision Cloud Robot Lawn Mowers starting from a new $850 low, as well as Anker’s eufy E30 Wireless Outdoor Solar Security Camera at its $100 low, the Gotrax XR Elite Max Electric Scooter hitting a new $303 low – plus, deals on a multi-battery Greenworks bundle and an EGO electric hedge trimmer kit. We also have all the hangover deals collected down at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive Anker SOLIX S2000 Power Station launch deals, the new low hitting EGO’s comprehensive Z6 Zero Turn Riding Mower bundle, 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.

Tesla expands ‘Robotaxi’ to entire Austin metro — but still has only ~20 vehicles

Published: Jun 3nd 2026 5:14am on Electrek

Tesla announced today that its unsupervised “Robotaxi” service now covers the entire Austin metro area, a significant expansion of its geofenced operating zone.

It’s a notable milestone on paper, but the actual fleet serving this massive area remains tiny — just ~20 active unsupervised vehicles, according to the latest data, a number that has actually been shrinking.