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Well, whaddaya know. No sooner does New Jersey let slip that it has a new green hydrogen pilot project in the works, when here comes archrival New York right across the river with a whole truckload of green hydrogen news. And they do mean green hydrogen from renewable resources, not that other stuff the natural gas lobby is trying to pass off as “clean.”

Big Apple Goes Gaga Over Green Hydrogen

New York’s big hydrogen announcement is no coincidence. It piles onto the US Department of Energy, which dropped another $52.2 million on hydrogen R&D earlier this week. Most of the Energy Department greenbacks are aimed directly at teasing green hydrogen out of water. The rest apply to projects that extract hydrogen from natural gas, but the technology could also be applied to various forms of sustainable hydrogen, such as biogas.

New York is skipping over the natural gas part, which is no surprise given the state’s prickly relationship with gas, and going straight for the green hydrogen gold.

They have pulled some heavy hitters into the green hydrogen arena. The new announcement enlists the mighty New York Power Authority and the Electric Power Research Institute, which is based in California and has been pivoting from fossil fuels into renewable energy. The last time we checked in, EPRI was hooking into a huge EV and power grid consortium in Texas. Just yesterday they announced a new competitively selected cohort for their latest R&D incubator. The 20 winning startups will work on “demonstration technology projects intended to accelerate decarbonization, electrification, grid modernization, and other electric power industry innovation imperatives.”

NYPA and EPRI have been tapped with General Electric and the specialty gas firm Airgas in a green hydrogen pilot project to be located at a natural gas plant on Long Island, which almost sounds like it could be a natural gas-to-hydrogen project except not, because the project is aimed at measuring different blends of hydrogen in a natural gas turbine.

GE is one of several legacy engineering firms that have become active in the area of blending hydrogen and natural gas in gas turbines. One approach is to design new turbines that are specially made to handle an increasing proportion of hydrogen. The Long Island project is especially interesting because it deploys a 20-year-old GE gas turbine.

If it pans out, then gas power plants all over the country could begin transitioning to green hydrogen without having to invest in new turbines. That’s an important consideration for the US, which became splattered with new gas turbines after the cost of gas dropped in the early 2000s.

The good news is that low-cost gas provided the initial kick for driving coal out of the US power generation market. The bad news is that gas power generation stakeholders are stuck with relatively new gas turbines, but a growing number of leading electricity buyers and other ratepayers are demanding carbon-free electricity. The hydrogen blend idea could help get them off the hook until something better comes around.

Green Hydrogen For Deep Decarbonization

If you’re thinking fuel cell electric vehicles are part of the New York announcement, nope. Once they hit the road, automobiles fall into the category of decarbonization lite. Everybody knows how to decarbonize cars, at least from the tailpipe on out.

The motor vehicle supply chain is a whole ‘nother can of decarbonization worms. Whether you have a fuel cell electric vehicle, a battery electric vehicle, or a plain old gasmobile in your driveway, they all spew invisible bubbles of greenhouse gas from factories all along the supply chain, from tires and body to all the innards.

The solution is deep decarbonization, which refers to detaching heavy industries and other carbon intensive sectors from fossil energy. That’s a tough row to hoe. Hydropower fits some of the bill, including the all-important energy storage angle. Wind and solar can also lend a hand in combination with battery-type energy storage. Green hydrogen comes into the picture as a flexible, transportable energy carrier that can provide storage, generate electricity, or provide the juice for gas turbines and other thermal uses.

To tackle that end of things, The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will be building up its ongoing deep decarbonization work. Last December the agency co-hosted a “Deep Decarbonization Workshop” with the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation. The new announcement sets up a more intensive look-and-listen session this fall. Here, let’s have NYSERDA explain:

“The session will be used to help NYSERDA understand how to expand stakeholder engagement to ensure that additional assessment of the pathways, opportunities, and challenges of generating and utilizing green hydrogen across all sectors includes consideration of all stakeholder perspectives, including environmental justice organizations and communities.”

The Hydrogen Economy Goes Green

Because hydrogen is an abundant, zero emission fuel, there has been talk of a global “hydrogen economy” or “hydrogen society” for ages. The problem is that hydrogen has to be extracted from something.

Right now, almost all of that something is natural gas, and part of it is coal, so fossil energy stakeholders have been riding high on the idea of the hydrogen economy. However, the cost of non-fossil hydrogen sources is dropping quickly, and fossil energy stakeholders  will have to think fast.

Naturally enough, natural gas stakeholders have an interest in promoting the hydrogen economy as a decarbonization thing to which they can contribute. Their idea is to add carbon capture to the process of steam reformation, which is the primary method for extracting hydrogen from natural gas. Some stakeholders are also experimenting with an emerging technology called autothermal reforming.

That still leaves a steaming pile of local and global impacts related to fugitive methane emissions throughout the natural gas extraction and distribution chain, as well as stress on water resources from drilling operations, including the disposal of drilling wastewater.

In a cold dose of reality for natural gas stakeholders, researchers are already studying how steam and autothermal reforming can be applied to extract hydrogen from biogas. So, have at it, you natural gas stakeholders. See what you can do to improve the technology, and then watch as somebody else applies it to more sustainable, non-fossil resources.

Anyways, much of the green hydrogen R&D activity taking place nowadays is aimed at driving down the cost of electrolysis, which refers to deploying an electrical current to pop hydrogen gas out of water, so it’s possible that New York can build its sparkling green hydrogen economy on water and electricity.

Natural gas stakeholders may be hoping that “electricity” means more room for gas power plants. Dream on, Klingon.

NYSERDA is hooking up with the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory to “compile the foundational, base-line information and data that will enable New York to have robust discussions and dialogue around the role green hydrogen could play in New York’s decarbonization plans,” and that discussion will be aimed at aligning the hydrogen strategy with “existing mandates for 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and 100 percent zero-emission electricity by 2040.”

Whither Natural Gas In The Hydrogen Economy Of The Future?

That thing about “zero-emission electricity by 2040” leaves some wiggle room for carbon capture, but not much. Part of New York’s hydrogen announcement involves new funding for long duration energy storage technology, which could eliminate or at least sharply reduce the need for gas power plants altogether.

The idea is that the current state of battery-type energy storage only permits a few hours of peak use. To fill in for gas power plants, a storage facility needs to provide for at least a full day, and preferably more than that.

In any case, New York is not interested in anything on the market today.

“Project submissions should advance, develop, or field-test hydrogen, electric, chemical, mechanical, or thermal-electric storage technologies that will address cost, performance, and renewable integration challenges in New York State,” they specify, adding that “Submissions must only include innovative long duration energy storage technologies which are yet to be commercialized.”

Right back at you, New Jersey. Last week the state’s Board of Public Utilities greenlighted the proposed Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm, which includes a pilot green hydrogen facility in its winning bid, but it appears that New York has vaulted ahead.

Stay tuned for Round 2, whatever that may be.

Follow me on Twitter @TinaMCasey.

Image: Renewable hydrogen is encroaching on natural gas territory (via National Renewable Energy Laboratory).

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NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike at new $999 low, Segway’s latest Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter $400 off, EV charger adaptor, Greenworks, more

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March 31, 2025

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NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike at new 9 low, Segway's latest Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter 0 off, EV charger adaptor, Greenworks, more

We’re kicking off this week’s Green Deals with a mix between one new release along with several budget-friendly options for your commutes and lawn mowing duties. To start, we have NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike that not only offers up to 90 miles of travel (and a bunch of solid features), but is also dropping down to a new $999 low. Behind it is Segway’s latest flagship release, the Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter, which is getting a $400 post-launch discount to $1,000. There’s also Leviton’s NACS to J1772 EV Charger Adaptor dropping to $32, as well as the popular Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower that comes with a 4.0Ah battery for $210. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly roundup – but don’t miss out on the many sales that are ending tonight!

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.

Get a long-traveling budget-friendly commuter in NIU’s BQi3-C3 Pro e-bike at a new $999 low

Best Buy is offering the best rate yet on the NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike for $999 shipped. Normally posted up at a $2,200 price tag, this e-bike has been more frequently seen discounted between $1,300 and $1,500 on average, with the $1,299 low appearing more often too since first appearing in June. Today’s deal though takes costs lower than we’ve ever seen them with a 55% markdown that puts $1,201 back into your pocket for a new all-time low and the best price we have currently find.

With three colorways to choose from – black, white, or grey – NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike offers up some solid commuting power at a far more affordable rate than many other models with similar capabilities. The streamlined frame houses dual integrated 10.0Ah batteries that work alongside the 750W rear hub motor and Gates carbon belt to provide top speeds of 28 MPH for up to 90 miles on a single five-hour charge when its three PAS levels are being utilized.

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Your ride is further enhanced by the extra features you’ll find here, like the integrated rear cargo rack, front suspension, puncture-resistant tires, and a 3.5-inch TFT color display. Along with these, you’ll also find fenders over both those tires, an LED headlight and taillight, a kickstand, and mechanical disc brakes – plus, all its wiring is internally routed for a cleaner look on top of the motor’s IP65 waterproof rating and the batteries’ IP67 rating.

Segway Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter

Segway’s new Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter with Apple Find My and autonomous locking falls to $1,000

Amazon is now offering the new Segway Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter for $999.99 shipped. Coming down from its $1,400 price tag, this all-new flagship e-scooter just officially hit the market a week ago after having a pre-launch sale that saw it drop to $900. If you missed out on those pre-sale savings this is the next-best price we have seen, cutting $400 off the going rate to give you the second-lowest price we have tracked and even coming in $100 under Segway’s direct site.

Picking up the mantle from the Max G2, Segway’s all-new Ninebot Max G3 brings some impressive upgrades to your commute, starting with an 800W motor that can peak all the way to 2,000W, tackling up to 30% inclines at top speeds up to 28 MPH. By activating its Boost Mode, acceleration is pushed to its max, getting you up to 15.5 MPH in 2.4 seconds before increasing further up to its top speed. With the 597Wh battery that it’s been given, travel distance has been bumped up to 50 miles on only 3.5 hours of charging, which is due to the built-in fast-charger – plus, by connecting a DC charger cable for simultaneous charging, you can hop back on to ride in a shorter 2.5-hour timeframe.

Among its upgraded features you’ll find improved handling, disturbance resistance, and slip resistance at any speed thanks to the Stability Enhancement System here. Two notable standout features though, are the Apple Find My inclusion alongside the autonomous locking/unlocking functionality, which you can adjust in terms of its activation via your distance from it. There’s also the dual suspension, 11-inch self-sealing tires, the automatic 6W headlight, underglow deck lighting, and a 2,4-inch smart TFT display which provides navigation, caller IC, and smart charge management through your phone.

Leviton NACS to J1772 EV charger adaptor

Add Leviton’s NACS to J1772 EV adapter to your glove box for wider charging access at $32

As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is having a Lightning deal on the Leviton NACS to J1772 EV Charger Adapter for $31.60 Prime shipped, with non-members needing a cart total of over $35 to score the free shipping. This handy little adapter normally keeps up at its $39 MSRP, which is getting a solid 19% markdown here today for as long as supplies last. What few discounts we’ve seen have mostly kept prices above $35, though December did see a drop to the $31.20 low that repeated once at the top of the month. You’re looking at the second-lowest price we have tracked here today, which comes in just $0.40 above the lowest ever.

If you’re sticking with your Tesla or any NACS-centered EV and want to expand your charging options, this might be a good adapter to have tucked away in your glove box. You’ll gain access to any charging station that sports J1772 connectors – so trips visiting friends and family with such setups no longer need planning around should you need to top of your EV’s battery. Not only is it designed to have no problems in indoor and outdoor environments, regardless of the season, but it also allows for up to 60A charging speeds when in use.

Greenworks 40V 16-inch cordless electric push lawn mower

Get lawn care support on a budget with Greenworks’ 40V 16-inch cordless push mower at $210

As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower with a 4.0Ah battery for $209.99 shipped. This model has been keeping down at $300 lately, a drop-off from its usual $330 price tag, with the discounts in 2025 mostly dropping costs between $250 and $225, though there have been occasional returns to this same rate, which we last spotted in February. While we have seen it go lower in the past, you’re still looking at the best price on Amazon for the last year, saving you $90 ($120 off its previous price tag) while also getting you prepped for mowing duties throughout the warmer months ahead. It’s even beating out Greenwrok’s direct site by $90.

This 40V Greenworks push lawn mower is a budget-friendly model that is perfect for smaller yards, as the included 4.0Ah battery provides it with enough juice for 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge, though you can certainly switch it out with others to extend performance. There are five cutting height positions that you can choose from here, ranging from 1 1/4 inches to 3 3/8 inches, with the push button start eliminating the need to wrestle with pull-strings and the foldable frame saving you storage space. It even provides two different collection options, mulching or rear-bagging, giving you more versatility over single-function counterparts.

Best New Year 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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Home solar buyers are asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives

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March 31, 2025

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Home solar buyers are asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives

Tesla Powerwall and Eaton smart breaker

New data from EnergySage shows that home solar buyers are increasingly asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives as the brand damage extends to Tesla’s energy business.

Tesla has long been the brand leader in home battery packs with Powerwall.

The automaker launched its energy division in 2015 with the release of the first Powerwall, which help greatly expand the home battery pack market.

With Powerwall 2, Tesla Energy became the market leader and with Powerwall 3 last year, the company achieveied a truly impressive production ramp – albeit not without some questions.

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It remains the most popular option for people looking for home backup power or to make better use of their home solar system, but there’s competition and Tesla’s brand issues are turning people to those competitors.

EnergySage is a service that enables homeowners to easily source and compare solar quotes for free without any sales call.

It gives them a lot of data about the home solar and battery industry.

The company says that homeowners have consistently chosen the Powerwall when adding a battery to their quote, but it has gone down since Trump’s inauguration and Musk’s salutes:

From January 1 through January 19, about 73% of homeowners selected a battery quote that included the Tesla Powerwall. That number dropped to 64% between January 20 and March 10.

Futhermore, EnergySage says that it has seen a surge in people mentioning Tesla in the quote process and 68% specifically asked for a Tesla Powerwall alternative:

Homeowners receiving quotes mentioned Tesla more than twice as often in emails in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same time last year; 13.5% expressed unfavorable views towards Tesla or Musk, while 68% specifically requested a Tesla alternative.

EnergySage shared an example of one such message from one of its clients:

“Do you offer a battery from a supplier other than Tesla? Though we have a Tesla Powerwall and love it, and we love our Tesla Model 3 and Y, we are outraged at Musk’s politics, so we don’t wish to send him more money,”

North Carolina-based Renu Energy Solutions says that 78% of the home batteries it installed last year were Tesla’s Powerwalls.

Nicholas Boles, Solar Energy Advisor Manager at Renu, confirmed that they are now seeing a surge in requests for alternative this year.

Boles said that they are now pushing Franklin batteries as a Tesla alternative:

“The last 14 deals I’ve sold as a manager have all been Franklin batteries.”

The Franklin aPower 2 has very similar specs as the Powerwall 3 with a bit more energy capacity and a bit less power capacity, but it also has a better warranty:

Specification Tesla Powerwall 3 Franklin aPower 2
Energy Capacity 13.5 kWh 15 kWh
Continuous Power Output Up to 11.5 kW 10 kW
Peak Power Output Up to 30 kW (for 10 seconds) up to 15 kW
Load Start Capability 185 A Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) Supports up to a 5-ton A/C unit
Scalability Up to 4 units Up to 15 units per system (225 kWh total)
Battery Chemistry Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Round-Trip Efficiency 89% (solar to battery to home/grid) Not specified
Operating Temperature Range -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C) -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 43.25 in x 24 in x 7.6 in (1099 mm x 609 mm x 193 mm) 45.2 in x 29.5 in x 11.8 in (1149 mm x 750 mm x 300 mm)
Weight 287 lbs (130 kg) 357 lbs (162 kg)
Enclosure Rating Not specified IP67 (battery pack & inverter); IP56 (wiring)
Warranty 10 years 15 years or 60 MWh throughput

While there’s evidence that Tesla’s brand issues are pushing more people to alternative, it is still clear that Powerwall remains popular.

Kowalczyk of Solartime USA told EnergySage that the Texas-based solar installers still gets more requests for Powerwalls than any other battery system.

Electrek’s Take

It makes sense that Tesla’s brand issues would also affect its energy business. Megapack being a business-to-business product isolates from the brand issues, but the Powerwall is still a consumer product.

However, the Powerwall was already so dominant that even significant brand issues would still result in significant market share for Tesla.

There’s also a lack of competition, but they are coming. Franklin aPower 2 is a good example as it fairly close in price and specs as Powerwall 3.

That said, with the still growing home solar business as people are trying to avoid increasing electricity rates. Tesla isn’t likely to have a demand issue with the Powerwall anytime soon.

If you are interested in getting solar and/or batteries for your home, we recommend using EnergySage. You will be able to get quotes without any hassle and only talk to someone when you are ready to move forward.

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Genesis will launch the GV80 EV we’ve been waiting for, but first a hybrid is coming soon

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March 31, 2025

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Genesis will launch the GV80 EV we've been waiting for, but first a hybrid is coming soon

Genesis-GV80-EV

The luxury Genesis GV80 SUV is finally getting an EV variant. Genesis is launching the next-gen model as soon as next year. For the first time, it will be available as a hybrid. An all-new, fully electric GV80 is set to follow.

When is Genesis launching the GV80 EV?

Genesis has emerged as a dark horse in the luxury segment as the auto industry continues shifting toward electrification.

Although Genesis initially planned to launch all new vehicles exclusively as EVs, starting this year, that will no longer be the case.

Hyundai’s luxury brand will introduce a series of hybrids after it “overachieved” in the EV department. Genesis now plans to launch hybrids for as many models as possible, including the GV80. After sales of the midsize luxury SUV hit a new global record in the first half of 2024, Genesis is preparing to launch an updated model.

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According to South Korean blogger MotorsJason, the next-gen Genesis GV80 will debut in 2026 or 2027 with a new 2.5L hybrid variant.

Currently, the SUV is only available in 2.5-liter four-cylinder or twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 options. A hybrid variant will likely help boost the midsize SUV’s appeal even more.

Genesis-GV80-EV
Genesis-GV80-EV

Genesis will follow up with an all-new GV80 EV, which is expected to launch in 2028. The electric SUV will reportedly be built on Hyundai’s new eM platform, set to replace its current E-GMP.

Although details are slim at this point, Hyundai’s new EV platform is expected to boost range and charging speeds while cutting costs. It’s designed for vehicles of all sizes, from sedans to pickups. The platform will also underpin the upcoming ultra-luxury Genesis GV90.

Genesis-GV80-EV
Genesis GV80 Coupe concept (Source: Genesis)

At 4,940 mm long, 1,975 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall, the Genesis GV80 is about the size of a BMW iX (4,952 mm long, 1,967 mm wide, and 1,695 mm tall) or slightly bigger than the Tesla Model Y and Porsche Macan EV.

Genesis is also reportedly working on an electric G70 sports sedan. Like the GV80 EV, it likely won’t arrive until 2027 or 2028.

Can the Genesis GV80 EV compete with the BMW iX or upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, MotorsJason

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