Electrek

Mercedes CLA EV delivers an impressive nearly 400 miles of driving range in real-world test

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 2:28am on Electrek

The Mercedes-Benz CLA EV 350 has an EPA-estimated driving range of 312 miles, but in the real world, it drove close to 400 miles on a single charge.

Tesla Semi tackles the Grapevine with a loaded trailer, leaves fleet operator ‘amazed’

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 2:20am on Electrek

Covenant Logistics, one of the largest trucking companies in the US with a fleet of over 2,600 tractors, completed a two-week evaluation of the Tesla Semi in California — including a loaded run over the notorious Grapevine pass on I-5.

The company’s VP of Sustainability and Innovation, Matt McLelland, said the driver “was amazed at the performance of the Tesla Semi and felt a level of confidence that was hard to match in a diesel truck.”

Tesla patents camera wiper for self-driving — resulting in more doubts for FSD owners

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 1:51am on Electrek

Tesla has been granted a new patent for a miniature camera cleaning system with a built-in wiper designed to keep vehicle cameras clear for autonomous driving.

The patent addresses one of the most frustrating and well-known issues with Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” system — dirty cameras that constantly trigger alerts telling drivers to clean them. But Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet in Austin already has its own camera washer hardware that consumer vehicles don’t get.

More police turn to simple drones in clever effort to catch illegal e-bike riders

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 1:05am on Electrek

Police departments are increasingly turning to drones as a tool for tracking and apprehending riders of non-street legal e-bikes, off-road electric motorcycles, and other non-compliant vehicles being used on public streets and trails.

Rolls-Royce Spectre Series II gets NACS, 16% more range at 308 miles

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 12:18am on Electrek

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Spectre Series II, bringing a 16% range increase to 308 EPA-estimated miles, a switch to the NACS charging standard in the US, and a 670 hp Black Badge variant that becomes the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever built.

The update addresses two of the biggest criticisms of the $398,000 electric super coupe: limited range and reliance on CCS charging infrastructure. But it comes as Spectre sales dropped 47% in 2025, falling to just 1,002 units globally.

Otherwise, the electric vehicle has been quite a success for the brand.

Brokk brings Ecovolve EL500 electric mini loader to the US

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 12:11am on Electrek

Designed to work in tight, noise-sensitive environments while carrying up to 500 kg (~1,100 lbs.) for a full shift, the Ecovolve EL500 is a uniquely competent and capable electric equipment option that can make it through a conventional man door – and Brokk is bringing it to America.

These polite Canadian lawbreakers may soon be going legal under new e-bike law

Published: Jun 2nd 2026 6:31am on Electrek

The issue of e-bike scofflaws has grown considerably over the last few years, normally taking the form of teenagers on fast e-bikes illegally cruising down sidewalks or recklessly riding through intersections. But as it turns out, Canada’s largest province is full of e-bike scofflaws of a different variety: parents simply wanting to bring their kids to school without using a car.

Volvo CE, Hitachi Energy set to partner on zero emission job sites

Published: Jun 1nd 2026 10:41am on Electrek

Volvo CE and Hitachi Energy have signed an MOU to support and accelerate the deployment of battery electric construction equipment powered by a clean, renewable energy supply that’s backed by intelligent energy storage and management.

Texas adds another huge solar farm as ERCOT grid demand soars

Published: Jun 1nd 2026 10:22am on Electrek

Texas keeps piling on solar projects as electricity demand surges on the ERCOT grid – and now another massive one is moving ahead.

BYD plans to bring all-solid-state batteries to EVs by 2027, but it’s not alone

Published: Jun 1nd 2026 9:05am on Electrek

The next generation of EV batteries may be closer than expected. BYD and several others plan to begin deploying EVs with all-solid-state batteries in just a few months.