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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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Audi unleashes the 2025 RS e-tron GT: a record-breaking electric beast

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Audi unleashes the 2025 RS e-tron GT: a record-breaking electric beast

Audi has launched the new 2025 RS e-tron GT and S e-tron GT to update its top-performance EV lineup with what is now the most powerful and fastest accelerating production vehicle in the brand’s history.

With almost 1,000 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of just 2.4 seconds, Audi’s electric flagship joins the electric supercar ranks, where efficiency meets performance.

Two Models, One Bold Vision

The 2025 e-tron GT family now includes two models: the S e-tron GT as an impressive entry point and the headline-grabbing RS e-tron GT Performance. Both models benefit from significant upgrades, including improved battery capacity, range, and faster charging.

  • S e-tron GT: With 670 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds, the S model brings thrilling performance to a broader audience. Its range now stretches to an impressive EPA-estimated 300 miles, making it as practical as it is powerful.
  • RS e-tron GT Performance: This model doesn’t just push boundaries—it obliterates them. Alongside its record-breaking acceleration, it features advanced thermal management, a new 105 kWh battery, and cutting-edge chassis technologies.

The new 105 kWh battery pack enables up to 300 miles of range on the S e-tron GT. No range figures are not available for the RS yet.

Audi has packed the 2025 e-tron GT models with a suite of performance-enhancing upgrades:

  • Push-to-Pass Boost: Unique to the RS Performance model, this feature delivers an extra 94 horsepower at speeds above 19 mph for ten seconds, transforming straightaways into launch pads.
  • Advanced Recuperation: Both models now recover up to 400 kW during braking, which is absolutely insane
  • Faster Charging: DC fast charging power has increased to 320 kW, enabling a 10-80% charge in just 18 minutes.

The four-ring brand has refined the e-tron GT’s already impressive handling with new active suspension technology, offering better cornering dynamics and enhanced ride comfort. The RS Performance mode, exclusive to the top model, optimizes torque distribution and suspension settings for maximum grip and precision on challenging roads or track conditions.

While staying true to its sleek grand tourer DNA, the 2025 e-tron GT lineup introduces new exterior colors, a reworked front fascia, and unique forged carbon design elements. The RS model, in particular, showcases Audi’s first use of forged carbon fiber for interior and exterior accents, delivering a high-tech, lightweight look.

Audi RS e-tron GT Pictures

Audi S e-tron GT Pictures

Inside, Audi debuts a glass roof with adjustable transparency, allowing drivers to customize the ambiance with a liquid crystal film that transitions from clear to frosted.

Pricing and Availability

Both models are now available for order through U.S. Audi dealerships:

  • S e-tron GT: Starting at $125,500
  • RS e-tron GT Performance: Starting at $167,000

Hopefully, we will get a chance to get behind the wheels of this new e-tron GT lineup soon because these look like significant improvements over the previous model years.

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Honda is now offering its ultra-low $229/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states

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Honda is now offering its ultra-low 9/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states

For a nearly $50,000 SUV, Honda’s Prologue is hard to pass up right now, with lease prices starting at just $229 per month. Honda is now offering its $229/mo Prologue EV lease deal in more US states. Here’s how you can take advantage of the savings.

Despite just kicking off deliveries in March, Honda’s electric SUV is already among the top-selling EVs in the US.

According to Kelley Blue Book, the Honda Prologue was the fifth best-selling EV in the US in the third quarter. With 12,644 models sold in Q3, Honda’s electric SUV outpaced rival SUVs, including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 (11,590), Chevy Equinox EV (9,772), Volkswagen ID.4 (4,518), and Toyota bZ4X (4,109).

Only the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, Cybertruck, and Ford Mustang Mach-E outsold the Prologue last quarter. However, with over 4,100 Prologue’s sold in October, Honda’s electric SUV topped the Mach-E (3,313).

Honda’s electric SUV is taking the US by storm, and now massive incentives are making it more affordable than ever.

The 2024 Honda Prologue went on sale last month in California, with leases starting as low as $229 for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). Now, Honda is expanding the offer to at least 17 states.

Honda-Prologue-EV-lease-deal
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

Honda expands $229 per month Prologue EV lease deal

According to online auto data firm CarsDirect, Honda is now offering the Prologue EV lease deal in Colorado, Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.

Honda-Prologue-EV-interior
2024 Honda Prologue Elite interior (Source: Honda)

The $229 per month lease deal includes $1,000 bonus cash for current Honda lessees and those leasing from rival brands. With $1,299 due at signing, the effective cost is just $259 per month.

The lease offer is a steal for a nearly $50,000 electric SUV. The 2024 Honda Prologue EX FWD has a range of up to 296 miles, while AWD models have a range of up to 281 miles.

2024 Honda Prologue trim Starting Price
(w/o $1,395
destination fee)
Starting price after
tax credit

(w/o $1,395
destination fee)
Starting price after
tax credit

(with $1,395
destination fee)
EPA Range
(miles)
EX (FWD) $47,400 $39,900 $41,295 296
EX (AWD) $50,400 $42,900 $44,295 281
Touring (FWD) $51.700 $44,200 $45,595 296
Touring (AWD) $54,700 $47,200 $48,595 281
Elite (AWD) $57,900 $50,400 $51,795 273
2024 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim

In other parts of the US, Honda’s Prologue is still listed at just $259 per month. With $1,299 due at signing, the monthly rate is $289, still under $300. However, you may want to act fast. The deals end on January 2, 2025.

Ready to check out Honda’s electric SUV for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find the best offers on the 2024 Honda Prologue at a dealer near you.

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Exclusive $2,299 savings on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station, full Jackery Black Friday sale, Husqvarna tools, GE smoker, more

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Exclusive ,299 savings on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station, full Jackery Black Friday sale, Husqvarna tools, GE smoker, more

We’ve got a bunch of fresh Black Friday Green Deals for you today as many brands and outlets have all launched their full savings through Cyber Monday. We have exclusive new dual low prices on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station, as well as the bundle option, that gives you up to $2,299 in savings and starts from $2,099. Next, we have Jackery’s full Black Friday sale spread with up to $3,200 in savings, split across its direct site and Amazon, starting as low as $89. From there we have a large lineup of Husqvarna lawncare equipment that have had prices cut by up to $751, starting from $95, as well as GE’s Smart Indoor Smoker that is down at $599. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full Black Friday savings on ALLPOWERS power stations and GE’s 2-in-1 electric washer/ventless dryer, 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.

Exclusive deals on Anker SOLIX F3800 power station and bundle saves you up to $2,299 at new lows from $2,099

Wellbots is giving 9to5Toys readers two amazing exclusive discounts on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station and a subsequent bundle. The first of these deals is on the lone F3800 unit for $2,099 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5ANKER300 at checkout for an additional $300 off. Normally going for $3,999 at full price, discounts coming direct from Anker have taken costs down as low as $2,999, with Wellbots having previously delivered the former lowest price of $2,499 back in June. Today though, this title-holding low has been swiftly knocked from its place as we’re getting an even bigger 48% markdown that slashes a full $1,900 off the going rate, landing it at a new all-time low that falls $400 under its former low.

Some people want a backup power solution tailored for a specific use, while others look for the best model that offers the most widespread versatility of uses – Anker’s SOLIX F3800 prominently positions itself in the latter of these two needs with a 3,840Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that you can invest in over time to expand upwards to 26.9kWh with additional equipment like expansion batteries. It pumps out the juice your devices and appliances need at up to 6,000W with an array of 15+ output ports to cover connection types – with dedicated hook-ups for your RV, electric car, and even your home’s circuit breaker (but you will require either a Home Backup Kit for sectional support or the Home Power Panel for whole-home coverage on top of connection capabilities with your roof panels.

The second exclusive offer here is on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station that comes along with an expansion battery for $3,299 shippedafter using the promo code 500ANKER9TO5 at checkout for an additional $500 off. This deal beats out the former low price (also from Wellbots) that we saw in August by $100 for a new all-time low rate that ultimately saves you $2,299 off its full price tag. With this bundle, you’re getting the full versatility we discussed above while also getting a doubled 7,680Wh LiFePO4 capacity, giving you plenty of power to keep devices and appliances running for days.

Jackery's full black friday sale

Massive Jackery Black Friday sale now live with up to $3,200 in savings on power stations & solar generators from $89

Jackery’s Black Friday sale is officially in full swing, taking up to 50% off a wide array of its power stations, bundles, and accessories spread out between its direct site and through its official Amazon storefront. One of the many notable standouts this time around is the brand’s new Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station that has dropped to $799 shippedafter clipping the on-page $100 off coupon. Since releasing in September at $1,499, we’ve already seen frequent discounts on this unit, with the biggest of them having come through last month’s Prime Day savings event, which saw costs lowered to $999. Now with these Black Friday savings, you’re looking at an even greater $700 markdown that beats out its Prime Day pricing by $200 and drops things down to a new and surprising all-time low. You can also grab the station direct from Jackery with two 200W solar panels for $1,599, down from $2,499.

Built with exclusive CBT tech and a honeycomb design, which Jackery describes as contributing to “the smallest, lightest home backup power,” the new Explorer 2000 v2 model provides a well-rounded 2,042Wh LiFePO4 capacity with a 2,200W power output that peaks at 4,400W – giving you more than enough to cover campsites, travel routes, and even home backup needs for multiple days. It delivers power to your devices and appliances via the seven dedicated ports and is one of the three new models sporting the next-gen ChargeShield 2.0 for 62 forms of protection while charging – especially during storms, outages, and so on.

There are four ways to recharge the battery with this unit, with the quickest way being plugged into a wall outlet to regain 80% of the battery in about 66+ minutes, though if you need a full battery for last-minute plans and unexpected needs (say, an incoming storm), you can reach that with its supercharge features in 102+ minutes. There’s also the option to plug it directly into your car’s auxiliary port for a full battery in 24 hours, or you can utilize its maximum 400W of solar input to recharge the battery in 5.5 hours. One more thing to note here is its silent charging mode for when you’ve plugged it in for nighttime use or recharging, as it keeps under 30dB so you or anyone else trying to rest won’t be disturbed.

Direct Jackery Black Friday power station deals:

Direct Jackery Black Friday solar generator deals:

Direct Jackery Black Friday accessory deals:

Jackery Amazon Black Friday power station deals:

Jackery Amazon Black Friday solar generator deals:

husqvarna tool discounts

Amazon has taken up to $751 off a huge lineup of Husqvarna lawncare equipment from $95

Amazon is offering some early Black Friday savings on the Husqvarna Hedge Master 320iHD60 Cordless Electric Hedge Trimmer for $249 shipped, as well as several other tools and equipment from the brand. You’re looking at a 22% markdown here off its usual $320 price tag, discounts over 2024 having been spaced out – the biggest of which came from October’s Prime Day event where it hit a $212 low. Today’s deal cuts a solid $71 off the going rate, giving you a great opportunity to score this higher-end tool among some of its lowest prices – just $37 above the all-time lowest we’ve seen.

Husqvarna’s Hedge Master 320iHD60 comes powered by a 40V battery that can be interchanged with the brand’s other handheld tools that you already have, with a high-torque brushless motor that provides “increased efficiency, increased reliability, reduced noise and longer product life.” It gives you a 24-inch reach that supports your own comfort with tri-handle grips for heavy-duty jobs and/or longer periods of use. Don’t worry about the blades jamming up here either, as its conveniently been given an un-jam button that opens the blades up for easy clearing.

More Husqvarna cordless tool discounts:

Husqvarna Combi Switch/attachment discounts:

Husqvarna robot mower discounts:

Husqvarna gas-powered tool discounts:

GE smart indoor smoker

Save $400 while enjoying smoky BBQ goodness with GE’s smart indoor smoker at $599

Over at Amazon we just spotted the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker for $599 shippedafter clipping the on-page $98.99 off coupon. Normally fetching $999 at full price since releasing at the start of 2024, most of the discounts we’ve seen have cut the price down between $719 and $799, after the very first discount lowered costs to $699. We did see a short-lived fall to the $550 low back during July’s Prime Day event, but it’s kept above $700 in the time since (even being skipped over during October’s Prime Day sales) – until today. Now, you can score this “first-of-its-kind” kitchen upgrade with a $400 markdown, which puts it down at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $49 above the all-time low from July.

Ideal for BBQ lovers everywhere, especially those who may not have the yard space for a larger or “more proper” smoking setup, GE has provided an innovative kitchen countertop alternative here that you don’t have to worry about setting off smoke detectors. This is due to the Active Smoke Filtration system that turns wood smoke into warm air that gets channeled through the unit and into your favorite meats or veggies. There are two separate heat sources contained within, one for burning pellets and the other for cooking your food – and it comes with six preset options for brisket, pork ribs, pork butt, chicken wings, chicken breast, and salmon, as well as a warming function to keep things from going too cold too early, as well as other customizable settings.

Speaking just on its smoking capabilities, it has five adjustable controls ranging from infusing mild hints of flavor all the way to full-on rich and robust smoky satisfaction that can be tasted through your sense of smell alone. With the SmartHQ app, you’ll have total remote smart controls so you can manage loner-timed cooking periods, even when you’re away from home, with it even allowing for hands-free voice controls via Alexa or Google Assistant.

Best Black Friday e-bike 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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