Electrek

Waymo raises massive $16 billion round at $126 billion valuation, plans expansion to 20+ cities

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 11:18am on Electrek

Waymo just closed a $16 billion funding round at a $126 billion valuation, the largest investment ever in an autonomous vehicle company. The Alphabet-backed robotaxi leader plans to use the capital to expand to over 20 new cities this year, including its first international markets.

FERC: Renewables made up 88% of new US power generating capacity to Nov 2025

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 10:45am on Electrek

New solar and wind capacity additions in November were the second highest in 2025 and accounted for 93% of that month’s total. Solar continues to dominate new capacity additions and has held the lead among all energy sources for 27 consecutive months, according to data released by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign.

SpaceX bails out xAI in mega-deal — here’s what it means for Tesla

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 10:36am on Electrek

SpaceX announced today that it has acquired xAI, Elon Musk’s AI company, in a deal that creates a combined entity reportedly valued at $1.25 trillion ahead of a planned IPO. The acquisition notably does not include Tesla, which just invested $2 billion in xAI last month.

The Toyota C-HR is not the $30,000 EV we had hoped for, but this one might be

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 10:18am on Electrek

The 2026 C-HR was expected to be the $30,000 EV everyone was waiting for from Toyota. Although it’s a bit more expensive than anticipated, Toyota does offer an EV starting around that price.

2 days left to comment on DOT’s plan to hike US fuel costs by $23B

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 10:10am on Electrek

In December, the US Department of Transportation proposed a plan to make cars less efficient when Americans are already paying record-high energy bills during an affordability crisis fueled by tariff-driven inflation. That plan is still up for public comment, with comments ending in two days.

Owners of broken Colo. coal plant forced to reopen ask DoE to reconsider order

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 7:51am on Electrek

The two main utilities that own a Colorado coal plant which was ordered to reopen by fossil shill Chris Wright have pushed back on the order, stating plainly that it would raise costs and would not benefit reliability for Colorado electric ratepayers.

Chinese EV leaders MG and BYD bring the price war overseas

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 7:37am on Electrek

MG launched the new MG4 EV Urban in the UK, priced at just £23,495 ($32,000), undercutting BYD’s popular Dolphin hatch as more affordable electric cars hit the market.

EcoFlow Super Bowl sale drops DELTA 3 Max Plus + Trail station bundle to $1,033, Velotric Breeze 1 e-bike bundle at new $1,649 low, more

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 7:00am on Electrek

With there only being six days until Super Bowl LX, we’ve got EcoFlow kickstarting this week’s Green Deals with its Big Game Day Sale that is seeing up to 64% discounts on units + a bonus 6% savings code. A notable inclusion there is the EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max Plus Portable Power Station and a FREE Trail 200 DC 60,000mAh Power Station at its second-best $1,033 rate, with several others rounded up together. We also spotted Velotric’s Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike in its Ocean Mist colorway getting $150 in FREE gear at a new $1,649 low, as well as some EcoFlow 24-hour flash sale offers, DEWALT’s 10-inch table saw at the best price since October, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget the hangover deals from last week at the bottom of the page, rounded together within our latest Electrified Weekly edition.

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.

Kia launches three new electric GT vehicles in Korea, starting at $37,000

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 6:15am on Electrek

Kia introduced a series of new electric GT vehicles in Korea. The EV3 GT, EV4 GT, and EV5 GT are the latest to join Kia’s growing performance EV lineup.

China finalizes proposed ban on Tesla-style hidden door handles for safety

Published: Feb 2nd 2026 6:08am on Electrek

China has officially moved forward with a proposed ban on flush EV door handles, with an effective date of January 1, 2027. The regulation will force a redesign of many EVs with sleek, electronically-actuated handles, a design popularized by Tesla.