About Zachary Shahan
Zachary Shahan is tryin' to help society help itself (and other species) with the power of the typed word. He spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as its director and chief editor, but he's also the president of Important Media and the director/founder of EV Obsession, Solar Love, and Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and energy storage expert.
Zach has long-term investments in TSLA, FSLR, SPWR, SEDG, & ABB — after years of covering solar and EVs, he simply has a lot of faith in these particular companies and feels like they are good cleantech companies to invest in.
July 26th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
With Tesla Model 3 now in production, we're having a lot of fun. The naysayers have not exactly quieted down (they actually seem louder than ever), but yet another major milestone they said was impossible is already in the rearview camera. New details on the Model 3 are coming out on Friday along with the final unveiling of the production version of the car. There will surely be some fun surprises. However, more or less, we know what the Model 3 is offering
July 25th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
It's a common argument — whether worded so directly or not. It's a reason used to not start a business, to not advocate for better government policies, to not launch a new product. This simple argument stifles many an effort to make the world better
July 24th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
On vacation this past week? Check out the top 20 articles of the past week (in terms of their views by humans around the world) to catch up
July 23rd, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
If you've followed CleanTechnica for long, you've surely run across the "100% renewable energy" work of Mark Jacobson. Basically, he has been uncovering how the world could go 100% renewable (on a country-by-country basis, and on a state-by-state basis in the US). You've probably also heard of a man who goes by the name Elon Musk — a South African dude now living in California who has a cleantech startup named after an old-timey dude from Croatia
July 23rd, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
In a couple of hours, we're launching into another #Electrifying webinar, this time focused on the BMW i3, its under-acknowledged benefits, and how it might compare to the Tesla Model 3. As mentioned a few days ago, here are the key details
July 22nd, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
First of all, let me say that if anyone else creates a superfast charging network anything close to Tesla's, I'll be one of the first people to cheer it on and I may cheer it more loudly and broadly than anyone else. My goal is to stimulate the transition to zero-emissions transport as quickly as possibly, not to loyally attach my dreams to one company over every other one because I like the logo. Companies that do good stuff deserve to get praised and rewarded
July 22nd, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
Now that I've been driving an electric car (a Tesla Model S) around on a regular basis for a few weeks, I'm getting bored with the most common questions. Over and over again
July 20th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
The BMW i3 is one of those electric cars that doesn't get enough love (in my personal opinion). It's a stunning vehicle, "the most advanced vehicle on the planet," according to respected engineering outfit Munro & Associates. It offers a totally awesome driving experience, premium interior that's on another level, the best visibility in town, an insane turning radius, a superb parking package, adaptive cruise control, super strong regen braking (strongest in the industry last I heard), high-quality batteries, and the choice of a range extender
July 20th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
Driving an electric car for a bit, I've learned what many an EV driver knows well: You should always have 3 — or at least 2 — charging options in mind. Also: Choose wisely. And get lucky
July 17th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
What's been hot on CleanTechnica this month? You know the model, but check out the stories for details
July 16th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
I recently used Tesla’s smart navigation system to drive from Wrocław (Poland) to Berlin (Germany) and back, and then I used it again a few days later on a long trip to the Polish boonies. Tesla doesn't call it "smart navigation" — just sticking to the boring basic term "navigation" instead — but this beast is brilliant and performed much better than I expected. However, I learned something from these drives that I think anyone using this navigation option should know ahead of time. I'll get to that in a minute
July 15th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
It's sweet when you buy a car and it immediately needs service — awesome experience. Seemingly out of pure luck, that's what happened with the first Tesla Model S we bought for our new Tesla Shuttle service. Days after picking the Model S up from Germany (used, and not through Tesla), "Acceleration Reduced" appeared on the small screen behind the steering wheel, and underneath that in a bit smaller text, "Contact Tesla Service When Convenient."
July 15th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
EV realists get called "Tesla haters." EV realists get called "Tesla fanboys." These unwarranted and misinformed attacks should really stop
July 14th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
This Tesla Model 3 infographic features a handful of stunning charts on auto company production, market capitalization, revenue ... and of course the Tesla Model
July 12th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
Our tractor has started shaking violently ... and seems to have a sore throat. I didn't really notice it initially, but now this strikes me as a disastrous concern
July 12th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
One of the biggest concerns I've noticed from many Tesla Model 3 reservation holders is the 3's trunk. Will it be big enough? Will it fit a stroller or bike? Will it safely house my full-sized LEGO Batman
July 8th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
I’m a fan of autonomous cars, but every once in a while, it strikes me how much hype they get, especially compared to “old-school autopilot” that I think is actually still a better option
July 7th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
Nissan is like a fast runner with a gold medal in hand but Usain Bolt on its tail. It has been able to say for a long time that it offers the world's top-selling electric car (in history), but 400,000 or so reservations for the Tesla Model 3 put that title into threat. That said, recent comments from Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn are poignant, positive, and bring to light a point that I think we should all be considering more frequently.
July 6th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
Tesla Model 3 production starts tomorrow, unless there was some kind of dramatic surprise since Monday. It seems that tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of people who have never before had an electric car have a reservation for a Model 3. They have a bit of planning to do
July 6th, 2017 | by Zachary Shahan
As you've probably read, a handful of guys and I recently got a Tesla Model S 85D for an intercity European Tesla Shuttle service we're launching based out of Wroclaw, Poland. This last weekend, I rented the Tesla myself (but with no personal driver, unfortunately) to pick my family up from my in-laws' "summer house" (lake house in the middle of nowhere). This place is really off the beaten track, in what I think we'd call "the boonies" in the United States
