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It seems like only yesterday that a mysterious new program called Energy Earthshots was in the works for the US Department of Energy, and everybody was wondering what that could possibly be. The curtain has now lifted and the answer is clean hydrogen. If you’re thinking why clean hydrogen and not green hydrogen, that’s a good question. The answer could make fossil energy stakeholders very happy or very, very sad.

Green Hydrogen Vs. Clean Hydrogen

For those of you new to the topic, hydrogen is the cornerstone of the modern industrial economy. The booming market for hydrogen fuel cells is just one slice of a huge chemical pie that includes agriculture, food processing, and refining, among other areas.

The problem is that almost the entire global supply of hydrogen comes from natural gas and coal.

However, not for long. Low-cost renewable energy has fostered a rosier economic outlook for new and more sustainable hydrogen sources, aka green hydrogen. Most of the activity is concentrated in the field of electrolysis, which refers to systems that deploy electricity to tease bubbles of hydrogen gas out of water.

This is what is known as green hydrogen. Other renewable hydrogen sources include biomass, biogas, municipal wastewater, and municipal solid waste.

The idea of producing hydrogen from reclaimed industrial gasses and plastic waste is also catching on. That’s more sustainable than using virgin natural gas or coal to produce hydrogen, though much of the foundational feedstock is still fossil-based and not renewable.

Then there’s a public relations gimmick cooked up by fossil energy stakeholders, in which you still produce hydrogen from natural gas or coal, but you hook it up to a carbon capture system and call it “blue” hydrogen, which supposedly translates into “clean” hydrogen.

I know, right? We think so, too.

So What Is It, Green Hydrogen Or Clean Hydrogen?

All else being equal, the “clean hydrogen” referred to in the new Energy Earthshots initiative could include support for fossil-sourced hydrogen with carbon capture, as well as reclaimed hydrogen from wastes.

However, last week CleanTechnica eyeballed the Biden administration’s FY 2022 budget proposal, and we took a quick look back the Energy Department’s green hydrogen initiatives during the administration of former President and accused insurrectionist Donald Trump, and then we connected the dots to current Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm’s pronouncements about renewable hydrogen earlier this year, and our conclusion is that when Energy Earthshots says clean hydrogen, they may be leaving a bit of wiggle room for fossil sources, but probably not all that much.

Get Ready For The Hydrogen Shot

The name “Earthshots Initiative” is a play on the successful 20th century Moonshot venture that shot US astronauts into space before anybody else got there, and the Energy Department’s early 21st century Sunshot Initiative, which launched during the Obama administration with the goal of bringing down the cost of solar power.

Energy Earthshots aims to replicate that all-hands-on-deck frenzy of collaborative innovation to tackle the energy challenges of the early mid-century period, which will make or break the ability of humankind to save itself from catastrophic climate change.

The Energy Earthshots Initiative aims to “accelerate breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade,” the Energy Department explained in a press release on Monday.

Skeptics were and still are laughing off the idea of the hydrogen economy of the future, but the Energy Department is a big fan and they just clapped back bigly when they picked hydrogen as the very first focus of the new Energy Earthshots initiative.

“The first Energy Earthshot — Hydrogen Shot — seeks to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% to $1 per kilogram in one decade,” the Energy Department said. “Achieving these targets will help America tackle the climate crisis, and more quickly reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 while creating good-paying, union jobs and growing the economy.”

“Clean hydrogen is a game changer. It will help decarbonize high-polluting heavy-duty and industrial sectors, while delivering good-paying clean energy jobs and realizing a net-zero economy by 2050,” Secretary Granholm added.

Here’s the money quote from the press release:

“By achieving Hydrogen Shot’s 80% cost reduction goal, we can unlock a five-fold increase in demand by increasing clean hydrogen production from pathways such as renewables, nuclear, and thermal conversion. This would create more clean energy jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and position America to compete in the clean energy market on a global scale.”

Fossil-Sourced Hydrogen With Carbon Capture, Or Maybe Not

If you caught that thing about renewables and nuclear, that’s a reference to electrolysis, meaning green hydrogen. There is also something called thermochemical conversion, which deploys high heat from nuclear or concentrating solar plants to split hydrogen from water, but that seems a bit too early-stagey to fit into the Hydrogen Shot timeline. The other option is thermal conversion, which generally refers to steam reformation and other processes that apply to natural gas and coal, meaning not green hydrogen.

The Hydrogen Shot Request for Information emphasizes diverse energy sources in the US, and it specifically mentions fossil energy plus carbon capture for ramping up hydrogen production, so it looks like fossil energy stakeholders have something to cheer about after all.

Or, maybe not. Climate action has become a mainstream business model. It’s a good bet that the market for fossil-sourced hydrogen will shrink as the supply of sustainable hydrogen grows, carbon capture or not.

The Energy Department’s RFI appears to recognize that the private sector is already leaning towards green hydrogen. Despite the nod to fossil-sourced hydrogen, the agency highlights green hydrogen in a shortlist of major projects currently under way:

“… hydrogen production, storage, and end use in turbines through the $1 billion Advanced Clean Energy Storage project in Utah; a 5 MW electrolyzer project planned in Washington State; first-of-a -kind nuclear-to-hydrogen projects in multiple states; a 20 MW electrolyzer plant to produce hydrogen from solar power in Florida; and the first GW-scale factory for electrolyzers announced in New York, with a 120 MW electrolyzer soon to be installed.”

If you can spot the thermal conversion project in that list, drop us a note in the comment thread (hint: there is none).

But What About Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles?

Yes, what about them? Hydrogen Shot is not taking aim at the hydrogen fuel cell passenger car and SUV markets, though Toyota and a small but growing list of automakers have been pitching the idea (for the record, the growing list includes Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, and most recently, BMW).

Instead, Hydrogen Shot is focusing on long haul trucks and other heavy applications. That could include locomotives as well as hydrogen aircraft and hydrogen watercraft.

Green hydrogen has already been incorporated into much of the planning for transportation applications, so it’s no surprise that green hydrogen producers are already jockeying to compete for business.

In the latest development on that score, the firm SGH2 Energy is pitching a “greener than green” hydrogen product that draws from biomass and other bio-based waste. The company claims that its green H2 displaces more carbon than both electrolysis-based process as well as thermal conversion, so hold on to your hats.

Follow me on Twitter @TinaMCasey.

Image: Hydrogen production from various sources courtesy of US Department of Energy.

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Tenways launches Wayfarer e-bike with $577 savings at $1,899, Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 solar bundle at exclusive new $1,249 low, more

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October 31, 2025

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Tenways launches Wayfarer e-bike with 7 savings at ,899, Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 solar bundle at exclusive new ,249 low, more


Happy Halloween, everyone! The holiday is closing out this week’s Green Deals led by the brand new launch of Tenways’ Wayfarer e-bike that is getting $277 in FREE gear and a $300 price cut to $1,899. We also have an exclusive $1,750 savings on Jackery’s Explorer 3000 V2 (HomePower 3000) Portable Power Station bundled with two 200W solar panels at a new $1,249 low, as well as two one-day only deals on a heavy-duty Greenworks snow blower and Anker’s SOLIX C1000X Gen 2 variant, and much more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals from last week that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s combined EcoFlow Halloween Sale and Monthly Madness promotions that end tonight, Rad Power’s extended sale offers, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Tenways launches new Wayfarer e-bike with 85-mile range, Apple Find My, and $577 savings at $1,899

Running alongside its ongoing Early Black Friday Sale, Tenways has launched its Wayfarer e-bike that comes with $277 in FREE gear at $1,899 shipped, after using the on-page code EARLYBIRD300 at checkout. This new model will go for $2,199 at full price once these launch savings end, which is getting a significant $300 markdown that sets the bar for future discounts, while also getting $277 in FREE add-on gear. That gear includes mudguards, a kickstand, and a rear cargo rack to bring some extra versatility. As always with this brand, folks who are medical providers, military, first responders, students, or teachers can receive an extra $100 discounts upon verification.

Whereas Tenways is known for its throttle-less commuters that have smaller motor and battery combos that add to their lightweight designs, the brand’s Wayfarer e-bike is flipping the script as it not only comes with a throttle, but also a larger Bafang 500W rear hub motor (peaking at 750W) powered by a 720Wh battery. This pairing gives you up to 85 miles of pedal-assisted support (with a torque sensor) and up to 35 miles of throttle-led full electric power, maxing out at either 20 or 28 MPH (depending on your local laws).

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Among its features, you’ll find hydraulic disc brakes with power cut-off, Kenda EPS all-terrain puncture-resistant tires, an 8-speed Shimano derailleur, an LED headlight, a brake-activated taillight with turn signaling, a TFT LCD screen for setting adjustments, and more. We’re even seeing some app-based support come in the form of a live dashboard for settings and performance, navigation services, and even Apple Find My integration so you always know where it is. You can learn even more in our original launch coverage.

You can also check out Tenways’ full Early Black Friday Sale with up to $1,116 savings here.

jackery's explorer 3000 v2 (homepower 3000) power station in yard with two solar panels

Score an exclusive $1,750 savings on Jackery’s Explorer 3000 V2 solar bundle with 2x 200W panels at a new $1,249 low

We’ve secured an exclusive deal on the Jackery Explorer 3000 V2 (HomePower 3000) Portable Power Station bundled with two 200W solar panels at $1,249 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5BFJACK at checkout. This solar-expanded package usually goes for $2,999 in full, which we’ve seen regularly keeping down at $1,599 since mid-September, and has only gone as low as $1,499 up until today. It’s starting off with an initial price cut to that $1,499 rate that we only saw once before during Prime Day, with the exclusive bonus savings taking things lower than ever with a combined $1,750 markdown to a new all-time low price.

If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this exclusive deal here.

man clears snow with Greenworks 80V 24-inch cordless two-stage snow blower

Greenworks’ heavy-duty 80V 24-inch cordless two-stage snow blower kit hits $1,400 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 24-inch Cordless Two-Stage Snow Blower with two 4.0Ah batteries and dual-port rapid charger at $1,399.99 shipped, with it being unavailable at Amazon currently. While it goes for $2,000 in full here, you’ll find it carrying a lower $1,850 MSRP direct from the brand, which is where it’s currently priced. This is the first time in 2025 we’ve seen this particular model with this package being offered at a discounted rate, and for the rest of the day, you can save $600 off Best Buy’s pricing for the second-lowest rate we have tracked, coming in $100 above the low that we last saw in 2024.

If you want to learn more about this two-stage snow blower, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

man and woman charging phone and drone outdoors with anker solix c1000x gen 2 power station

For the rest of the day, save $325 on Anker’s black SOLIX C1000X Gen 2 power station at $475

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the very first discount we’ve spotted on the Anker SOLIX C1000X Gen 2 Portable Power Station to $474.99 shipped. Normally going for $800 at full price, this is the first time we’ve seen discounts on this black colorway, as opposed to the standard grey colorway that is sold direct from the brand (currently $449), Amazon (currently $450), and other retailers. For the rest of the day only, you can pick it up with a $325 markdown off the going rate. Keep in mind that this is identical to the standard grey model we’ve seen go as low as $379, and is only notable for folks who would prefer the darker color. You can also browse the newer SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 power station launch deals here.

If you want to learn more about this or the standard C1000 Gen 2 station, you can check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here, or get a more in-depth rundown in our hands-on tested review here.

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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Podcast: Tesla’s ‘flying’ Roadster, Elon’s pay, new EVs from Japan, and more

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3 hours ago

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October 31, 2025

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Podcast: Tesla's 'flying' Roadster, Elon's pay, new EVs from Japan, and more

electrek podcast

In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss Tesla’s ‘flying’ Roadster, Elon’s pay package, new EVs unveiled at Japan’s mobility show, and more.

The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

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We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:


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Hyundai IONIQ 5 gets a superhero costume from Brian Kim Designs

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3 hours ago

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October 31, 2025

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 gets a superhero costume from Brian Kim Designs

IONIQ EVO - IONIQ 5 N Wide Bodykit CONCEPT

Just in time for next week’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, Brian Kim Designs has dressed up the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5 in a wild concept body with wings, flared fenders, wild colors, and a whole lot more – perfect for Halloween!

Based on the ultra-high performance Hyundai IONIQ 5 N, Brian Kim Designs’ IONIQ EVO concept considers one of the directions high-performance electric vehicles could take as the tuner cars of the future, and explores (what Kim calls) the, “untapped potential of EVs” in the broader aftermarket and customization space.

The IONIQ EVO features aggressively flared fenders that barely cover the high-performance VOLK wheels and sticky summer tire combination. The suspension is lowered slightly, too, to give the concept a bullish, broad shouldered stance that announces to the world that this Hyundai means business.

The colors, too – in a high-energy matte finish, were carefully chose to set help the IONIQ EVO apart from its more pedestrian cousins. You can take a look, below:

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The Kim-designed aerodynamics-enhancing concept also incorporates fin-type side skirt trims, a deep chin splitter, and outlet designs that extract dirty air generated by the wheels. A massive, roof-mounted spoiler with full-length aero fin for enhanced stability at triple digit speeds is, of course, also included.

Of course, all the spoilers in the world won’t make a car faster. For that, you need power – but it’s not quite as easy to get “more” power out of an electric motors as it can be from an ICE. Luckily, the IONIQ 5 N has power and torque to spare. That means that the best way to improve performance isn’t necessarily having more horsepower, but having fewer lbs. for each of the car’s horses to pull aruond.

The VOLK wheels help significantly, as do the lightweight Brembo brakes. To further reduce mass, the bodywork is made of lightweight composites – an approach we’ve seen before in the Lancia Delta-inspired Vanwall, which shed 500 lbs. from the IONIQ 5.

Kim’s website calls the IONIQ EVO exterior design, “an in-house customization concept by Hyundai Motor Company.” Here’s hoping the two get to collaborate again, soon.

Brian Kim Designs | IONIQ EVO

SOURCE | IMAGES: Brian Kim Designs.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.


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