Electrek

How fake UL-certifications lead to Amazon’s major Chinese e-bike lawsuit

Published: Jan 29nd 2026 9:29am on Electrek

Years ago, UL certification was a niche detail in the e-bike industry, often buried deep in spec sheets if it was there at all. But today, it’s one of the most important labels in the entire e-bike industry – and now, it’s at the center of a major lawsuit involving counterfeit safety marks, Chinese manufacturers, and the world’s largest online retailer.

Musk admits no Optimus robots are doing ‘useful work’ at Tesla — after claiming otherwise

Published: Jan 29nd 2026 1:37am on Electrek

Elon Musk admitted on Tesla’s Q4 2025 earnings call today that the company doesn’t have any Optimus robots doing useful work in its factories right now.

This is a striking admission, given that Musk has spent the past two years claiming the opposite.

Musk says unsold Cybertrucks could be used for cargo: here’s why it won’t work

Published: Jan 29nd 2026 12:33am on Electrek

On today’s Tesla Q4 earnings call, Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to a question about Cybertruck’s failed design by stating that Cybertrucks could be used for intra-city autonomous deliveries.

But that betrays a simple misunderstanding of how shapes work – and why the Cybertruck has not become accepted as the hyper-utility vehicle that it was originally marketed as.

US DC fast charger deployment saw astounding growth in 2025

Published: Jan 29nd 2026 12:11am on Electrek

The US DC fast charging industry slowdown never showed up in 2025. In fact, according to Paren’s new “US EV Fast Charging” state of the industry report, fast charging networks set records last year, with infrastructure buildout and charging demand both jumping about 30% year-over-year.

Elon Musk kills Tesla Model S and Model X because of ‘autonomy’

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 10:52am on Electrek

Tesla will discontinue the Model S and Model X by the end of Q2 2026, CEO Elon Musk announced during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call today.

The decision marks the end of an era for Tesla’s flagship vehicles, the Model S launched in 2012 and the Model X in 2015.

Musk’s reason: “Autonomy.”

Tesla is (still) trying to deceive investors into thinking it has SF Robotaxis

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 10:43am on Electrek

Tesla has once again suggested that it has Robotaxis operating in the San Francisco Bay Area, despite the company cannot legally operate autonomous vehicles in the state of California.

Tesla puts 4680 battery cells back in Model Y; Here’s why

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 10:09am on Electrek

Tesla has started building Model Y battery packs with its in-house 4680 cells again, more than two years after pulling the plug on the original 4680-equipped Model Y to prioritize Cybertruck production.

But this time, the motivation isn’t revolutionary battery tech. It’s tariffs. And also, Cybertruck’s poor sales mean the program doesn’t consume many batteries.

The new Kia Niro popped up in public and there’s a look inside [Images]

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 9:54am on Electrek

Kia revealed the first images of the new Niro last week, but now we are getting a closer look at the updates in person.

Tesla discloses ‘FSD subscriber’ count for the first time: 1.1 million

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 9:48am on Electrek

For the first time ever, Tesla has revealed how many people are actually paying for Full Self-Driving. The answer: 1.1 million, roughly 12% of its cumulative vehicle sales.

The disclosure came in Tesla’s Q4 2025 earnings report, where the company revealed “Active FSD Subscriptions” as a new metric. The number includes both upfront purchases and monthly subscribers, but excludes free trials.

EIA: 99%+ of new US capacity in 2026 will be solar, wind + storage

Published: Jan 28nd 2026 9:33am on Electrek

Solar, wind, and batteries are set to supply virtually all net new US generating capacity in 2026, according to EIA data reviewed by the SUN DAY Campaign, continuing their strong 2025 growth.