BMW’s all-new iX3 has claimed top honors in one of the world’s largest real-world EV range tests, traveling an impressive 485 miles (781 km) on a single charge. Yet the biggest surprise of the event may have come from a Chinese electric minivan that dramatically exceeded its official range rating.

The results come from the latest summer edition of the “El Prix” range test, conducted by the Norwegian Automobile Federation (NAF) and Motor magazine. Held twice annually, the test is widely regarded as one of the most rigorous real-world EV range evaluations because vehicles are driven until their batteries are fully depleted under identical road and weather conditions.

BMW’s Neue Klasse EV takes the crown

The BMW iX3 50 xDrive, built on BMW’s new Neue Klasse platform, delivered the longest range of any vehicle in the 2026 summer test, reaching 781 km (485 miles) before stopping. The result slightly exceeded the SUV’s official WLTP range rating, outperforming the manufacturer’s claim by approximately 1.5%.

The performance reinforces BMW’s ambitious claims about the Neue Klasse architecture, which combines an 800-volt electrical system, sixth-generation battery technology, and improved efficiency. The iX3 carries a usable battery capacity of 108.7 kWh and supports charging speeds up to 400 kW, allowing rapid long-distance travel.

While the BMW topped this year’s rankings, it did not surpass the all-time El Prix record set by the Lucid Air during the 2025 summer test, when the luxury sedan traveled 517 miles (832 km).

The real winner may be Xpeng

However, range alone does not make the El Prix test valuable. EV Evolution notes that one of the event’s most closely watched metrics is how closely real-world results match official WLTP ratings. By that measure, the standout performer was the Xpeng X9.

The Chinese electric MPV traveled 646 km (401 miles) despite carrying an official WLTP rating of 580 km (360 miles). That translates to an 11.4% improvement over its stated range, the largest positive deviation recorded in this year’s test.

For consumers, that figure may be even more meaningful than absolute distance. It suggests the vehicle consistently delivers better real-world efficiency than its official certification suggests.

The result is not entirely unprecedented for Xpeng. The company’s G9 SUV also posted one of the strongest performances relative to its official rating during earlier editions of the Norwegian test.

Why these tests matter

Real-world range testing has become increasingly important as electric vehicles enter the mainstream. While standardized WLTP testing provides useful comparisons between models, actual range can vary significantly depending on weather, speed, terrain, and driving style.

Norway’s El Prix tests have gained global attention because they expose how different EVs perform under identical conditions outside laboratory environments. For buyers concerned about range anxiety, the results offer a practical benchmark that often proves more useful than manufacturer specifications alone.

Beyond the BMW and Xpeng, strong performances also came from the Lucid Gravity, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, all of which exceeded 400 miles (644 km) during the test.

As battery technology improves and range figures continue to rise, the latest El Prix results suggest the industry is entering a new phase in which efficiency and accuracy may matter just as much as headline mileage numbers.

Volcanoes are often judged by the size of their eruptions, but volcanologists measure danger differently. A volcano becomes truly hazardous when explosive potential intersects with large populations, critical infrastructure, or a history of destructive activity. 

Some of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes have not erupted in decades, while others erupt regularly and remain under constant surveillance. From Italy’s crowded volcanic fields to Indonesia’s restless peaks and Africa’s fast-moving lava giants, these are seven volcanoes that experts consider among the greatest threats on Earth today.

1. Mount Vesuvius

Still considered one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes because of its proximity to Naples, where millions of people live. Vesuvius famously destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD 79, but its greatest danger today comes from the sheer number of people living within reach of future pyroclastic flows and ashfall. Experts routinely place it among the highest-risk volcanoes on Earth.

2. Mount Merapi

One of the most active volcanoes on Earth, Merapi erupts frequently and produces deadly pyroclastic flows that can race down its slopes at high speeds. Millions of people live in the surrounding region, including near the city of Yogyakarta. Its history of repeated destructive eruptions makes it one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in Southeast Asia.

3. Nyiragongo

Nyiragongo is one of the least-known volcanoes on this list, but also one of the most dangerous. It is famous for exceptionally fluid lava that moves far faster than typical volcanic flows. The volcano looms over the city of Goma, home to roughly two million people. Past eruptions have sent lava directly through urban neighborhoods, forcing mass evacuations.

4. Campi Flegrei

Often overshadowed by Vesuvius, Campi Flegrei may actually pose the greater long-term threat. The enormous volcanic caldera lies beneath parts of the Naples metropolitan area and has shown signs of unrest in recent years. Scientists consider it one of the most hazardous volcanic systems on Earth because millions live nearby, and its eruption potential far exceeds that of a typical volcano.

5. Taal Volcano

Despite its relatively modest size, Taal ranks among the world’s most dangerous volcanoes because of its explosive history and location near densely populated areas. The volcano sits within a lake-filled caldera, a setup that can intensify eruptions. Major ash-producing eruptions have repeatedly disrupted life across the region and can affect areas far beyond the immediate danger zone.

6. Mount Rainier

Rainier’s greatest threat is not lava but lahars. Massive volcanic mudflows generated when eruptions melt the volcano’s extensive glaciers. The USGS considers Rainier one of America’s most dangerous volcanoes because these fast-moving flows could travel through heavily populated valleys in the Seattle-Tacoma region, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of residents.

7. Sakurajima

Sakurajima is among the most active volcanoes on the planet, producing frequent eruptions and ash emissions. Located near the city of Kagoshima, it is under constant monitoring and serves as a reminder that even relatively small eruptions can create significant hazards when large populations live nearby. Its persistent activity and explosive potential earn it a place among the world’s most dangerous volcanoes.

While solar panels rely on sunshine and wind turbines depend on changing weather conditions, tidal energy offers something few renewable technologies can match: predictability.

The Orbital O2, a floating tidal turbine operating off Scotland’s Orkney Islands, is at the forefront of that effort. Developed by Orbital Marine Power, the 2-megawatt (MW) system is widely regarded as the world’s most powerful operational tidal turbine and has become one of the most closely watched projects in the marine energy industry.

The O2 began exporting electricity to the grid in 2021 and continues to serve as a large-scale demonstration of how tidal power could contribute to future clean-energy systems. According to Orbital Marine Power, the turbine can generate enough electricity to power roughly 2,000 homes while avoiding around 2,200 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

How does the Orbital O2 work?

Unlike conventional offshore wind turbines that rise above the ocean surface, the Orbital O2 extracts energy from fast-moving tidal currents beneath the water. The system consists of a floating steel structure approximately 74 meters (243 feet) long, anchored to the seabed using a four-point mooring system. Attached to either side of the platform are retractable legs carrying two massive turbine nacelles.

Each nacelle houses a 1 MW generator connected to a rotor measuring 20 meters in diameter. Together, the twin turbines provide a total rated output of 2 MW.

As tides flow through the narrow channels around Orkney, water passes through the rotors, causing them to spin and generate electricity. Unlike wind, tidal currents are driven by the gravitational interaction between Earth, the Moon, and the Sun, making them highly predictable years in advance.

One of the turbine’s most distinctive features is its floating design. Instead of requiring expensive underwater maintenance operations, the nacelles and rotors can be raised above the surface for inspection and servicing. This approach significantly reduces maintenance costs, one of the major barriers facing marine energy technologies.

Why is tidal power attracting attention?

Tidal energy has long been viewed as one of the most promising but challenging renewable energy sources. Unlike solar and wind generation, which fluctuate according to weather conditions, tidal cycles are known with remarkable accuracy. Grid operators can therefore predict power production far more reliably.

The O2 is installed at the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) in Orkney, one of the world’s leading marine energy testing sites. The location experiences tidal speeds exceeding 3 meters per second, providing ideal conditions for commercial-scale demonstrations.

Researchers and energy companies see tidal power as a potential complement to wind and solar generation. During periods when sunlight is limited or wind speeds are low, predictable tidal energy could help stabilize renewable electricity supplies.

What comes next?

Although tidal energy remains a relatively small sector compared with solar and wind power, interest is growing. Orbital Marine Power is already developing larger next-generation systems and has outlined plans for multi-turbine tidal arrays capable of delivering significantly more electricity. The company recently reported progress on future projects and certification efforts aimed at scaling deployment beyond demonstration sites.

For now, the Orbital O2 remains a milestone for the industry. A floating renewable-energy machine demonstrating that the immense power of ocean tides can be harnessed at utility scale. If tidal technology continues to improve and costs decline, the predictable currents flowing through the world’s coastlines could become an increasingly important part of the global clean-energy mix.

As wind turbines continue to grow taller and more powerful, the challenge of installing them has become an engineering problem in its own right. Chinese construction equipment manufacturer Zoomlion announced that it has developed a solution in the form of what it describes as the world’s tallest and largest wind turbine tower crane.

Earlier this year, the company unveiled the LW3600-240NB, a massive tower crane designed specifically for the next generation of ultra-tall wind turbines. According to the company, the machine can lift up to 240 tons and reach heights exceeding 791 feet (241 meters), making it capable of installing some of the largest onshore wind turbines currently under development.

To put that scale into perspective, the crane’s lifting capacity is roughly equivalent to hoisting 200 compact cars to the height of an 80-story building.

Why wind turbines need bigger cranes

The wind industry has been steadily increasing turbine size to capture more energy and improve project economics. Onshore turbines now commonly exceed 150 meters in hub height, while some next-generation designs are approaching or surpassing 656 feet (200 meters).

Larger turbines generate more electricity but also pose significant logistical challenges. Transporting and assembling blades, nacelles, and tower sections weighing hundreds of tons requires increasingly specialized lifting equipment. Traditional crawler cranes can perform many of these tasks, but they often require large assembly areas, substantial ground preparation, and lengthy setup times.

Zoomlion said the LW3600-240NB was developed specifically to address these challenges in the ultra-high-tower and large-megawatt wind power market.

Designed for giant wind turbines

According to the company, the crane offers a lifting height exceeding 791 feet and a maximum lifting capacity of 240 tons.

One of its key advantages is a relatively compact installation footprint. Zoomlion says the system requires a working area measuring just 35 by 55 meters and a ground bearing capacity of only 0.18 MPa, potentially reducing site preparation requirements compared with some conventional heavy-lift solutions.

The crane is intended to support the installation of wind turbines with capacities exceeding 10 megawatts and hub heights above 656 feet, a segment expected to expand as developers seek higher energy yields from fewer turbines.

Beyond wind farms, the company revealed that the crane could also be used in large-scale infrastructure projects, including bridge construction, power generation facilities, chemical plants, and industrial installations.

Engineering for extreme heights

Operating at elevations above 656 feet introduces a unique engineering challenges.

Strong winds can create significant loads on both the crane structure and the components being lifted. To improve stability, Zoomlion said the crane employs a low-load-ratio design and high-strength forged clamping-ring connections intended to enhance wind resistance and structural integrity.

The company also claimed the system can withstand wind conditions up to Level 10 on the Beaufort scale. Additional features include dual-cylinder synchronous jacking technology designed to improve climbing and tower-extension safety, along with an intelligent digital control system that monitors operations throughout the crane’s lifecycle.

Beyond a single crane

Perhaps the more significant announcement is Zoomlion’s broader strategy for wind farm construction. Rather than marketing the LW3600-240NB as a standalone machine, the company is positioning it as part of a comprehensive lifting solution for large wind projects. The concept involves using multiple compatible systems and shared infrastructure to create an assembly-line approach to turbine installation.

As wind farms increasingly deploy taller towers and larger rotor diameters, reducing installation time could become just as important as increasing lifting capacity.