China needs to bolster its coal supply to avoid an economic slowdown this quarter, but Beijing’s icy relations with Australia could make that difficult, according to investment bank Mizhuo.
The world’s second-largest economy is facing a power shortage owing to a combination of factors. They include: extreme weather, surging demand for Chinese exports and a national push to reduce carbon emissions, as set out by President Xi Jinping.
China is an industrial powerhouse and the planet’s biggest emitter of carbon dioxide. The country generates most of its electricity by burning coal but the inventory of major power plants reached a 10-year low in August.
“While China unambiguously needs as much coal as it can get its hands on to avert a [fourth-quarter] slowdown due to the tyranny of rolling power shortages, geo-political tensions with Australia have waylaid the most convenient source of high-calorific coal from Down Under,” said Vishnu Varathan, head of economics and strategy for Asia and Oceania treasury department at Mizuho, in a note on Monday.
Late last year, China stopped buying coal from Australia — which used to be the biggest exporter of the commodity to the country. It came as trade tensions between the two countries soared, after Australia backed a call for an international inquiry into China’s handling of the coronavirus.
As a result, China turned to Indonesia, Mongolia, Russia and other countries to try and make up for the shortfall. Last year, reports said that Indonesian coal miners signed a $1.5 billion supply deal with China.
Indonesia is well positioned to benefit from the demand spill-over, but its ability to fulfil shipments may be a bottleneck, Varathan said.
China faces risks in procuring coal quickly due to a variety of constraints including logistics and regulations. That implies a “stutter in economic activity and attendant kinks in regional supply chain may not be fully avoided,” Varathan said.
Inflationary pressure
Already, some banks have downgraded China’s growth prospects due to the power crunch.
Many observers appear to be worried about a “significant degree of energy price shock,” Varathan said.
China’s power shortage could lead to rise in prices for many export goods that could result in modest increase in consumer inflation in advanced economies, according to Kevin Xie, senior Asia economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
Restrictions on electricity supply will cut economic growth and exacerbate the slowdown caused by problems in China’s residential construction sector, Xie said in a note last week.
“Energy intensive industries will be most affected by electricity rationing. The combined share of the industrial sector in affected provinces with power rationing is about 14% of Chinese GDP,” he added.
So far, policymakers in Beijing have not given any indication of whether China will resume importing Australian coal. Media reports last week said Indian firms snagged about 2 million tons of Australian coal at a discounted price that were sitting in Chinese warehouses.
Siemens announced today that it’s cutting around 6,000 jobs worldwide, and 450 of them will be in its EV charging business.
The German tech giant is laying off 450 employees in the EV charging business at Smart Infrastructure, with 250 of those layoffs taking place in Germany. Siemens announced the coming redundancies in September 2024. The cuts in the EV charging business, which employs more than 1,300 people, will be completed by the end of fiscal 2025.
The company is also laying off 5,600 employees in its factory automation business at Digital Industries, citing muted demand in key markets China and Germany.
Siemens cites the reasons for the EV charging business cuts as “strong price pressures and limited growth potential for low-power [Level 2] charging stations.” It says it will instead focus on DC fast-charging infrastructure depots and fleets and for “en route charging.”
In April 2023, Siemens opened a factory outside of Dallas that manufactures commercial Level 2 chargers.
Going forward, the company says it intends to take a more regional approach to markets with different charging standards to be more efficient.
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. 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. They have 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.
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Buy or lease a new Hyundai EV, and you can get a free home charger or a $400 charging credit. Hyundai is offering a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger with the purchase or lease of select EVs, including the new 2025 IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. Here’s how you can get yours.
Earlier this year, Hyundai extended the offer, initially introduced in 2023, to include the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5.
The only issue was that it was only for the new IONIQ 5. Hyundai expanded the promo this week to include 2025 and 2024 model year IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6s.
Starting now, if you purchase or lease any of the EVs listed above, Hyundai will give you a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger. If you already have a home charger, you can opt for a $400 public charging credit.
Like you charge your phone, Hyundai is making it just as easy for you to wake up with a fully charged vehicle every morning. After the purchase or lease date, you’ll have 60 days to select the home charger or public credit.
The charger will be provided through the Hyundai Home Marketplace. After creating a profile (which you can do here), you will find a “Find Offer” button at the bottom of the page.
Once selected, it will give you instructions for installation. You can expect an email from Hyundai Home Electrum within about five business days with a coupon code.
You will also have access to Hyundai’s Home Energy Advisors, which can help guide you through the installation process.
If you choose the $400 public charging credit, you can use it directly through ChargePoint’s mobile app, where you can find charging stations and more.
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | EV Powertrain | Driving Range (miles) | Starting Price* |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 168-horsepower rear motor | 245 | $42,500 |
| IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $46,550 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $49,500 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $54,200 |
| IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $50,050 |
| IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $53,000 |
| IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 320 horsepower dual motor | 259 | $55,400 |
| IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 269 | $58,100 |
The upgraded 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now has up to 318 miles driving range, a new style inside and out, and it even has a NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. It starts at $42,500, with monthly leases as low as $199.
Thinking about trying out Hyundai’s new EVs for yourself? We’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to find deals on the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 at a dealer near you.
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Environment
Jackery flash sale takes $2,500 off select units with extra savings + gift, Heybike Mars 2.0 hits $899 low, Autel EV charger, EGO, more
Today’s Green Deals are headlined by Jackery’s Sustainable Power Flash Sale that is only running for a few days with up to $2,500 being taken off its power stations – there’s even some hangover St. Paddy’s Day extra savings and a free gift offer on select purchases. In a rare occurence directly from Jackery, we spotted the brand’s popular Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station dropping to $90, among other notable offers. Heybike has also switched to its Limited Spring Sale, with some short-term discounted bundle sale offers being led by the Mars 2.0 Fat Tire e-bike that is back down at its $899 low for the next few days. We also have Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV Charger down at a limited-supply $455 Amazon low, as well as EGO’s Nexus Escape 400W Inverter Kit that helps you get more usage out of your batteries, returning to its $249 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX Spring Sale offers, Tenways’ $895 in e-bike savings, 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.
Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus 99Wh power station hits $90 in flash sale + bonus savings and free gear on other units
Jackery is having a Sustainable Power Flash Sale through March 19 with up to $2,500 in discounts on a selection of power stations and solar generators for your spring adventures, with some bonus St. Paddy’s Day savings on the brand’s Explorer 5000 series of offers. Among what we’re seeing, we spied the popular Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station down at $89.99 shipped. Usually going for $149 most of the time, since Black Friday we’ve been seeing more frequent falls to its $89 low, normally as individual Amazon deals over any inclusion in these direct sales. Today’s deal is a 39% markdown that saves you $59 off the going rate, giving you the chance to grab it here at the second-lowest price we have tracked – only $1 above the lowest rate. For once, it’s even beating out Amazon, where it’s only discounted to $109 right now.
***Note: While there are no extra sitewide savings during Jackery’s Sustainable Power Flash Sale, we are seeing Jackery offer up St. Paddy’s Day extra savings through March 19 when you purchase any of its modular Explorer 5000 series units. You’ll score 15% off either the Explorer 5000 power station or its bundle options by using the code GREEN15 at checkout, as well as getting a FREE Explorer 100 Plus that will be automatically added to your cart.
Jackery’s palm-sized, two-pound Explorer 100 Plus power station is the brand’s compact, airline-approved backup solution that beats out most popular sizes of power banks on top of offering solar charging capabilities. It provides you with a 99Wh (31,000mAh) LiFePO4 capacity with up to 128W of output through its dual USB-C and single USB-A ports. By plugging it into a wall outlet, you’ll regain 70% of the battery in about an hour, with a full battery taking a bit longer at up to two hours. As I mentioned, there are solar charging capabilities here, with a maximum 100W solar input giving you a full charge in around two hours – plus, you could also connect it to your car’s auxiliary port to regain a full charge in three hours time.
Jackery’s Sustainable Power Sale home and outdoor deals:
- Explorer 1000 Plus (1,264Wh) with two 100W solar panels: $999 (Reg. $1,699)
- Explorer 2000 v2 (2,042Wh) Power Station: $1,099 (Reg. $1,499) | $100 cheaper at Amazon
- Explorer 2000 Plus (2,042.8Wh) with 500W solar panel: $1,699 (Reg. $3,299)
- Explorer 3000 Pro (3,024Wh) with 500W solar panel: $1,999 (Reg. $3,999)
- Explorer 2000 Plus (4,085.6Wh) with two 200W panels and extra battery: $2,499 (Reg. $4,999)
- Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh): $2,974 (Reg. $3,499) | $25 more at Amazon
- can be expanded to 60kWh with additional equipment
Jackery’s Sustainable Power Sale accessory deals:
You can check out the full lineup of deals for Jackery’s Sustainable Power Flash Sale on the landing page here.
Heybike’s Mars 2.0 folding fat tire e-bike with free gear returns to $899 low in limited spring savings
Following in the footsteps of its previous flash sales, Heybike is offering a Limited Spring Sale on a selection of e-bikes, with the next few days giving folks another chance to score the Mars 2.0 Folding Fat Tire e-bike at $899 shipped through March 21. Coming down off its $1,499 price tag, we see this model prominently featured in most of the brand’s sales, often dropping to either $1,099 or lower to $999, though occasionally we do see it go lower to $899, like today. You’ll be benefitting from a $600 markdown, returning it to the all-time lowest price we have tracked just in time to secure it for your upcoming spring adventures. You’ll even get a free large cargo basket with your purchase. Head below for more details and to check out the other models benefitting from the savings.
While it doesn’t sport any fancy bells and whistles like higher-end models on the market, Heybike’s Mars 2.0 gives you some solid performance and features for such a budget-friendly price – especially this low. It arrives ready to support you through your commute with a removable 600Wh battery for up to 45 miles on a single charge with its five PAS levels, providing you with top speeds of 28 MPH. That’s with the standard’s 750W motor, which you can upgrade to a 1,000W model for $200 more, bumping your maximum speed up to 32 MPH while also providing more power for inclines, increased load capacity, and more.
Its folding frame will certainly be a blessing to folks with limited storage space, and you won’t have to worry about being caught with a flat on the two 4-inch puncture-resistant fat tires (each with fenders). There’s also the Shimano 7-speed derailleur, integrated cargo rack, an LED headlight and taillight, and LED display – plus, if you upgrade to the 1,000W motor, you’ll also have the brakes upgraded to hydraulic disc brakes to ensure stopping power at those higher speeds.
Heybike’s Limited Spring Sale offers:
- Ranger S Folding Fat Tire e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,499)
- 28 MPH for up to 55 miles
- Can upgrade to 1,000W motor for $200 more
- Comes with free front basket and large basket
- Cityrun Urban Commuter e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,599)
- 21 MPH for up to 55 miles
- Comes with free front basket and large basket
- Horizon Full-Suspension e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,999)
- 28 MPH for 55 miles
- Comes with free front basket and large basket
- Brawn Off-Road e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- 28 MPH for 65 miles
- Comes with free large basket
- ALPHA Mid-Drive All-Terrain e-bike (new model): $1,599 (Reg. $1,699)
- 28 MPH for up to 60 miles
Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite level 2 EV charger gets limited-supply discount to $455 Amazon low
Amazon is offering a Lightning Deal on the Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV Charger for $455.20 shipped while supplies last. Coming down off its usual $569 MSRP, we’ve been seeing frequent Lightning savings like today over the last year, along with some longer-lasting discounts too, often dropping costs to the same rate. Taking advantage of the limited savings here nets you $114 to go back in your pocket while you score it at the lowest price we have tracked on Amazon. At the time of writing this, 6% of the available units have been claimed. Head below for more.
Autel’s 240V MaxiCharger AC Lite arrives as an affordable alternative for non-Tesla drivers, compatible with any EV that takes a J1772 connector. It provides you up to 50A charging speeds once installed, averaging at around 37 miles for every hour your EV is hooked up (and assuming you’re setting it to the maximum output), with smart controls for monitoring and setting adjustments available through your smartphone. Built to stand against year-round elements, it sports a 25-foot cable that will continue to function in as low as -40 degrees, with Autel rating it to withstand “snow, rain, hail, and sleet.”
Get more use out of your EGO batteries with the Nexus Escape 400W 3-Port Inverter Kit at a $249 low
Amazon is offering the third-ever savings hitting the EGO Power+ Nexus Escape 400W Inverter Kit with a 4.0Ah battery and a charger for $249 shipped, after clipping the on-page $50 off coupon. Normally this model carries a $300 price tag, which we saw the previous discount bring down only by $1 back in January. At the end of February we saw this same additional $50 off discount pop up, disappearing for a short time before being brought back today. You’re looking at a $51 markdown here, which returns costs to the all-time lowest we’ve seen.
Perfect for anyone who has collected a solid arsenal of EGO tools, this Nexus Escape inverter provides you with the means to get more out of your acquired batteries – beyond simply powering the brand’s equipment. Not only can you use the included 100W charger to refill your 56V EGO brand ARC batteries by connecting it to the inverter, but you’ll also be able to power up to three devices simultaneously through the two USB-C ports and one USB-A port. It delivers up to 400W of continuous power normally, peaking at 800W for anything needing the boost. You’ll even be getting a 4.0AH battery along with this kit, in case you’re just starting your investments into one of the top electric tool brands on the market.
We’ve got quite of few deals on EGO’s lineup of tools at the moment, like the 56V 21-inch Cordless Self-Propelled model that comes with two 6.0Ah batteries for a 100-minute runtime still sitting at its new $700 low, or there are also the brand’s T6 riding tractor or Z6 zero-turn riding mowers that are down at their lowest rates – up to $1,500 off and starting from $3,499.
Best New Year EV deals!
- GoTrax Everest Electric Dirt Bike (new low): $3,979 (Reg. $6,000)
- MOD Easy SideCar Sahara e-bike (discount applied in cart): $3,749 (Reg. $3,899)
- Lectric ONE Long-Range e-bike with $467 bundle: $2,399 (Reg. $2,507)
- MOD Easy 3 e-bike (discount applied in cart): $2,249 (Reg. $2,399)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,741)
- MOD Groove Step-Thru 3 Beach Cruiser e-bike (new, discount applied in cart): $1,849 (Reg. $2,499)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $762 bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,561)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike w/ $562 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,261)
- Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus Utility e-bike (new low): $1,699 (Reg. $2,199)
- Tenways CGO800S Step-Thru Commuter e-bike with $315 in free gear: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Level 2 Step-Over Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Level 2 Step-Through Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Over e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Through e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Heybike ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike (new model): $1,599 (Reg. $1,699)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro belt-drive e-bike with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro chain-drive e-bike with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Velotric 2024 Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike with $134 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,799)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,715)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,813)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike with extra battery: $1,399 (Reg. $1,599)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike with extra battery: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike with $120 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,549)
- Velotric Discover 1 Plus Step-Thru Commuter e-bike with $120 bundle: $1,199 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $574 bundle: $1,139 (Reg. $1,653)
- Heybike Hauler Cargo e-bike with large rear basket (new low): $1,199 (Reg. $1,499)
- Lectric XPeak 1.0 Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle (new low): $1,099 (Reg. $1,626)
- Lectric XPedition 1.0 Single-Battery Cargo e-bike with $336 bundle (new low): $1,099 (Reg. $1,735)
- Rad Power RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike (new low): $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Aventon Soltera.2 Urban Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP 3.0 Standard e-bikes with $455 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,453)
- Segway Ninebot MAX G3 eKickScooter (preorder): $900 (Reg. $1,400)
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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