Michelle Lewis

White River Junction

Writer at Electrek

Clean energy, electric vehicle news writer @Electrekco | curator @mozilla

Articles

One of the world’s largest wind farms just got axed - here’s why

6 days ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Danish energy giant Ørsted has canceled plans for the Hornsea 4 offshore wind farm, dealing a major blow to the UK’s renewable energy ambitions. Hornsea 4, at a massive 2.4 gigawatts (GW), would have become one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world, generating enough clean electricity to power over 1 million UK homes.
Surprise: 4 of the top 5 clean energy states are red states

6 days ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

In 2024, the US produced more than three times as much solar, wind, and geothermal power as it did in 2015. That’s according to a new interactive dashboard just released by Environment America Research & Policy Center and Frontier Group. The tool, called The State of Renewable Energy 2025, tracks the growth of clean energy and EVs in all 50 states — and it shows that progress has happened everywhere.
This Port of LA terminal just ditched all propane forklifts for electric

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

SSA Marine just pulled off a major clean energy win at the Port of Los Angeles. The global terminal operator has officially transitioned its entire fleet of forklifts at Berth 55 from propane to electric, making it the company’s first terminal to run 100% zero-emissions cargo handling equipment. Berth 55 handles imported fruit from South America, and SSA Marine has operated there since the 1980s. Now, its 44 Hyster forklifts – 12 heavy-duty 10,000 lb. models and 32 3,000 lb.
SolarEdge’s new EV charger cuts fleet charging costs by 70% with solar smarts

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

SolarEdge just dropped a new 22kW charger at Intersolar Europe 2025, and it’s aiming to make electric fleet charging a whole lot cleaner and cheaper. The smart energy tech company’s solar-powered EV charger plugs into its commercial solar and battery storage system. The Level 2 SolarEdge ONE EV Charger is part of an integrated system controlled by SolarEdge’s energy management software, which came out of its acquisition of Wevo Energy last year.
Thousands of Texas homes are about to form a huge virtual power plant

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Abundance Energy, sonnen, and Energywell are teaming up to bring smarter, more resilient energy to Texas homes through a huge new virtual power plant (VPP) initiative. By combining behind-the-meter home batteries, solar power, and advanced energy software, the trio is building a network of connected homes that can work together to support the grid.
Audi may build EVs in the US to dodge Trump’s new tariffs

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Audi is looking to dodge new US tariffs by manufacturing its electric vehicles on American soil. After the Trump administration slapped a 25% tariff on EVs imported from outside North America starting May 3, Audi is eyeing three possible production sites in the US to avoid the hefty fees. Right now, the automaker imports most of its US-sold vehicles from Europe and Mexico, but that’s now a lot more expensive.
Trump blocked wind projects, and now 17 states and DC are suing

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Seventeen state attorneys general and DC are fighting a Trump executive order that froze permits and funding for all onshore and offshore wind projects on January 20. The coalition is asking a federal judge to declare the executive order illegal and prevent the Trump administration from obstructing wind energy development. It was filed in federal court in Massachusetts. New York attorney general Letitia James is leading the coalition.
Looking for an affordable EV? These 4 May lease deals deliver

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

If you’re considering going electric, May will be a great time to score a deal on an EV lease. Automakers are slashing lease prices on some of the most popular EVs to move inventory – here are four standouts. The Nissan Ariya SUV has an MSRP of $41,805. Its lease term is 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing and a mileage allowance of 10,000 a year. Monthly payment?
ID. Buzz recall: VW’s third-row bench is too big for its own good

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Volkswagen of America is recalling nearly 5,700 2025 VW ID. Buzz vans because the NHTSA says the third-row bench seat is too spacious. (For real.)According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the third-row bench is physically wide enough for three people, but it’s only designed to hold two, so it’s only equipped with two seat belts. That mismatch violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, which covers occupant crash protection.
The biggest solar farm east of the Mississippi is now powering Chicago

1 week ago | electrek.co | Michelle Lewis

Swift Current Energy’s 800-megawatt (MW) Double Black Diamond Solar is up and running about 30 miles west of Springfield. It’s now the largest operating solar farm east of the Mississippi, and it’s set to make a serious dent in emissions while delivering clean energy to major customers, including the City of Chicago. Chicago is sourcing around 70% of the power for its municipal operations from Double Black Diamond. That includes big energy users like O’Hare and Midway airports.