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[Editor’s note: It is good to remember that because many places, such as many parts of India, are behind in development, they are able to develop green infrastructure at a point before more damage is done. This is the one blessing of underdeveloped countries. As they play catchup in development, they can start more originally with green development.]

By RMI India

Pursuing low-carbon development is central to India’s Paris Agreement climate goals. In this pursuit, net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) and electric vehicles (EVs) are the two high-leverage areas. The ability to deliver vast emissions reductions across rural and urban settings has brought NZEBs and EVs to the center of the climate change mitigation agenda. In the Indian context, vehicles and homes also have the distinction of being the two most important purchases consumers make.

Once purchased, assets such as gasoline-powered cars and energy-guzzling homes can be hard for consumers to change, thereby locking in emissions for several decades. Getting it right the first time thus proves especially important.

Lower operational costs for adopters are one of the key advantages of both EVs and NZEBs. However, the upfront cost of both NZEBs and EVs remains a barrier, stalling mass adoption. Price-conscious Indian consumers naturally ask: Who will pay for the gap between conventional and greener alternatives?

Central and state subsidies are already playing a role in bridging the cost premium between vehicles running on gas/diesel and EVs. Buildings certified under various rating programs such as the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) are increasingly being allocated incentives by different government entities. In both cases, this government assistance has helped create momentum. However, there exists an oft-overlooked opportunity to reduce the cost premium and improve the attractiveness of both EVs and NZEBs — retail finance.

Retail Finance Can Improve Affordability, Awareness, and Adoption

Retail finance is a key driver of economic growth. Access to credit (in the form of mortgages and loans) has made homes and vehicles more affordable, enabling millions of first-time buyers.

In March 2021, the outstanding housing loans in India amounted to US$298 billion and vehicle loans to US$61.7 billion. Retail banking overall forms a fifth of all bank credits (not including the non-banking financial companies or NBFCs). This large market size is indicative of the influence that financial institutions (FIs) can have on transitioning India’s vehicle and housing stock to greener alternatives.

Dedicated “green” loans or mortgages with affordable interest rates and long tenures can help borrowers spread cost premiums across time. Lower operational costs of EVs or NZEBs improve the ability of the borrower to afford equated monthly installments. This reduces the probability of default, creating a win-win scenario for both the FI and the borrower.

The mortgage example structure in Exhibit 1 shows how a green building can make ownership affordable for the borrower while realizing higher incomes for a bank. Longer tenures can be even more advantageous for both.

Exhibit 1: Green mortgage illustrative example for first year (in $). Source: Modified from IFC, 2019

Affordability is only part of the possible impact. FIs also have the potential to enhance consumer awareness. Commercial banks and NBFCs are in regular contact with individuals interested in purchasing new assets. This channel can be instrumental in communicating the financial benefits of EVs or NZEBs and busting myths on ownership. The resulting behavioral change on purchase decisions has the potential of raising the aspirational value and desirability of green assets. Hence, by improving affordability and awareness, FIs can help scale adoption.

Solutions Exist but Risks Need to Be Overcome

Dedicated green loans and mortgages are not new inventions. In India, too, a few forward-thinking FIs have started developing these products. For example, the State Bank of India has launched a Green Car Loan, whereas the National Housing Bank’s SUNREF India program is facilitating affordable green housing credit worth ₹800 crore (US$107 million) in India.

Replicating such products across the retail finance ecosystem requires us to consider current barriers. Unique challenges exist: For EVs, the lack of secondary market is a concern. Meanwhile for NZEBs, developers lack incentives to construct property where operational benefits will pass on to the occupant. However, many risks are common. In both cases, unproven asset value, low awareness of techno-economics, and an uncertain policy environment are seen to be holding back finance.

Moving forward, overcoming these barriers will be important for unlocking the opportunity inherent in greening retail finance. Building the capacity of FIs for developments in EVs and NZEBs will be needed to maximize the potential of dedicated loan or mortgage products. Another common area that needs to be prioritized is data availability on loan performance of EVs and NZEBs. To this end, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) can designate green assets such as EVs and NZEBs as financial reporting sub-sectors.

Also, the RBI can consider the creation of a sustainable finance taxonomy by setting baselines and definitions for green assets. This will help develop insights into existing green financial products and direct finance to the most effective technologies.

The vehicle and housing finance industries can simultaneously learn from each other. For example, the Government of India’s Partial Risk Sharing Facility for Energy Efficiency is a promising instrument enabling FIs to lend to energy-efficient projects. Risks of financing energy service companies wishing to retrofit buildings are partially covered under this facility, reducing overall transaction costs. Such risk-sharing programs need to be introduced for EVs as well to improve the lending confidence of FIs.

For EVs, partnerships between FIs and manufacturers help mainstream low-cost financing. Developer-FI partnerships for net-zero energy housing similarly need to be scaled. IIFL Home Finance is an FI already piloting green certification and lending programs with local developers in Indian cities. Providing technical assistance and data-driven support to the value chain is helping develop a pipeline of NZEBs.

Governments can enable more such partnerships by offering interest rate subventions, stamp duty reductions, and incentives for longer tenures. Creating a shared roadmap for the development of NZEBs will additionally provide direction to the entire ecosystem.

Financial Institutions that Take the Lead, Can Reap the Rewards

For EVs alone, the cumulative capital investment required by the end of the decade could be as much as  US$266 billion (see Exhibit 2). This translates to a loan market of US$50 billion in 2030. Similarly, estimates suggest a US$1.25 trillion investment opportunity in green housing by 2030. FIs that champion green loans and mortgages and proactively enable the market stand to gain the most in these scenarios.

Exhibit 2: Cumulative capital cost of India’s EV transition, 2020–2030, including EVs, batteries, and electric vehicle supply equipment. Source: NITI Aayog and RMI, 2021

Energy transition-related risks will also make EVs or NZEBs more worthwhile to lend to in the near-term. Many of the gas/diesel vehicles that FIs are financing today will start to lose their value as the upfront cost of EVs decreases, emission norms are tightened, and fuel prices increase.

Similarly, as the Energy Conservation Building Code for residential buildings is notified across India and incentive structures are enhanced, the possibility of stranded real estate assets may increase. Resilience and energy cost volatility risks should also be considered.

The RBI has already begun to commit to climate action: in April 2021, it joined the Network for Greening the Financial System, a green finance coalition for central banks. This commitment signals the inevitability of green finance in India, of which green lending will be an essential part. Most recently, the Climate Finance Leadership Initiative’s launch in India is demonstrative of the financial potential to accelerate mass consumer adoption of green assets such as EVs and NZEBs, leading the country closer to Paris Agreement goals. With the stage being set, now retail finance must step up.

Featured image courtesy of Blu Smart, Move for Change.

Ready for a better ride? Join the #BluRevolution and help us improve the quality of life in megacities of India.

 

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Greenlane’s flagship electric charging truck stop is now online [update]

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April 24, 2025

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Greenlane's flagship electric charging truck stop is now online [update]

Greenlane flagship charging truck stop
Photo: Greenlane

Greenlane, which is rolling out a US EV charging network for big rigs, just switched on its first electric truck stop in Colton, California.

April 24, 2025: The flagship facility, at the intersection of Interstates 215 and 10, was completed eight months after breaking ground. It’s got 41 OEM-agnostic chargers with 12 pull-through lanes and CCS 400 kW dual-port chargers with liquid-cooled cables. They’re built to handle big Class 8 electric rigs with ease. Twenty-nine bobtail lanes feature CCS 180 kW chargers.

Colton offers a spacious lounge with food and drinks, a water refill station, and restrooms. There’s free wifi, mobile charging stations, and 24/7 customer support. Security includes round-the-clock on-site attendants, security cameras, gated access, and enhanced lighting. Office space is available for leasing, and there’s overnight truck and trailer parking.

It’s the first of several electric charging truck stops planned for the company’s I-15 commercial EV charging corridor. Greenlane plans to expand its network with future sites expected roughly every 60 to 90 miles in Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker, California.

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Greenlane has also secured its first commercial fleet customer, fully electric truckload carrier Nevoya, which will begin operating its fleet of electric trucks out of Colton early next month. Nevoya will use the charging infrastructure and occupy on-site office space. The two companies plan to scale the partnership to include up to 100 of Nevoya’s electric trucks.

Greenlane’s flagship electric charging truck stop

March 11, 2025: Builder and developer Mortenson is constructing the commercial EV charging facility in Colton, which broke ground last September. It will include more than 40 chargers when it comes online for heavy, medium, and light-duty EVs. In its next phase, Greenlane plans to deploy solar panels and battery storage to enhance grid stability, manage peak loads, and increase energy efficiency.

Greenlane’s pull-through lane chargers will be equipped with Alpitronic CCS 400 kW dual-port chargers featuring oil-cooled cables. That means faster charging without the bulk—these cables stay lightweight and easy to handle. For bobtail charging, eFill CCS 180 kW chargers will be available, bringing smart energy management to keep fleet operations running smoothly.

To keep everything in check, ABB’s SCADA system will handle remote monitoring and breaker management, boosting reliability and efficiency. Plus, Greenlane’s sites are built with Trenwa precast cable trench, making it easier to expand EV charging infrastructure and upgrade to megawatt charging as fleet demand grows.

Greenlane’s tech launch

Greenlane, a joint venture between Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy, and BlackRock, also debuted its branded digital technology suite as part of its ongoing development of the I-15 Commercial EV Charging Corridor. The products will be rolled out in phases.

Greenlane’s Chief Technology Officer, Raj Jhaveri, said, “Our technology helps maximize uptime and operational efficiency by ensuring vehicles are charged efficiently and ready to meet the demands of their freight schedules.”

The tech rollout includes an app that allows drivers to check charger availability and make reservations in advance, a fleet portal that enables fleet managers and dispatchers to plan and manage routes for their electric fleets, and a new Greenlane website.

Greenlane also now has OnRamp Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that integrate with existing fleet solutions, providing fleet managers and drivers access to optimized routes, efficient charging and refueling schedules, and related charging data and emissions savings.

Read more: Greenlane announces LA to LV charging corridor for commercial trucks

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.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Thousands of Volkswagen ID. Buzz vans are going driverless on Uber

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April 24, 2025

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Thousands of Volkswagen ID. Buzz vans are going driverless on Uber

Volkswagen Uber
Photo: Volkswagen Group of America

VW’s US self-driving arm, Volkswagen ADMT (Autonomous Driving Mobility & Transport), is partnering with Uber to roll out thousands of autonomous ID. Buzz vans across the US over the next decade.

The plan kicks off in Los Angeles, with testing starting later this year and commercial rides expected to launch in 2026.

The ID. Buzz autonomous driving (AD) vans will have human operators onboard during early testing and launch phases to help fine-tune the tech and keep things safe. Each stage will only move forward once regulators give the green light.

Volkswagen’s mobility brand MOIA is supplying the vehicles and the AD software that’ll run them on Uber’s platform. It’s a full-stack approach to bringing self-driving EVs to ride-hailing, and another sign that the robotaxi race is heating up.

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“Volkswagen is not just a car manufacturer – we are shaping the future of mobility, and our collaboration with Uber accelerates that vision,” said Christian Senger, CEO of Volkswagen Autonomous Mobility. 

In March 2024, Volkswagen became the first vehicle manufacturer to develop a Level 4 AD service vehicle for large-scale production. Level 4 AD means the car can handle most driving situations independently in a defined area, such as a city. It can also drive alone, without passengers.

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to 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 you share your phone number with them.

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Jackery cuts Explorer 5000 Plus offers to new lows from $2,483, Lectric XP 3.0 e-bike bundles up to $365 off, Anker SOLIX C1000, more

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April 24, 2025

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Jackery cuts Explorer 5000 Plus offers to new lows from ,483, Lectric XP 3.0 e-bike bundles up to 5 off, Anker SOLIX C1000, more

Today’s Green Deals are being led by a surprise Earth Day Sale changeup from Jackery, with the brand increasing savings on its latest Explorer 5000 Plus offers that are seeing a bunch of new low prices starting from $2,483, but they’ll be ending tomorrow night. We also have new Lectric deals taking up to $365 off XP 3.0 e-bike bundles starting from $999, as well as Anker’s SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station down at $449 with some additional bundle options. Lastly, we spotted the latest generation of Greenworks’ Pro 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer hitting a new $349 low, but only through the rest of the day. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s new Heybike Hauler e-bike low, the multi-day EcoFlow flash 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.

Jackery increases savings on its modular Explorer 5000 Plus offers at new lows starting from $2,483

Looking back in on Jackery’s ongoing Earth Day sale through April 25, we spotted notable price cuts across the brand’s Explorer 5000 Plus offers, starting with the power station on its own for $2,483.10 shipped, after using the promo code EARTH10 at checkout for an additional 10% off. Normally going for $3,499 at full outside of discounts, we saw it spend most of the sale’s length at the former $2,849 low with the additional 5% savings from before. Now, you’re looking at savings increasing to 29% off, giving you $1,016 in total savings at a new all-time low. Head below to learn more about this model and check out the other low prices on its bundle options. It’s also beating out its Amazon pricing, where it’s still sitting at $2,999.

The latest release from Jackery, the Explorer 5000 Plus is the brand’s largest modular backup power solution, starting with a 5,040Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be expanded up as high as 60,000Wh. Through its 12 output ports, it can deliver up to 7,200W of power that can double to 14,400W when connected to a second power station unit – plus, it comes rated for 4,000 life cycles, meaning you can completely discharge and “recharge it every day for nearly 11 years.”

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Jackery’s Explorer 5000 Plus comes ready to cover load demands of 120V and 240V devices alike (while also extending this versatility to solar charging for better compatibility with panels that use a MC4 connector), including the batteries in your RV and EV too, making it quite the option for folks who want a plug-and-play option that they can rely on at home while also taking it out of the house on trips. Along with the ChargeShield 2.0 protections, it also comes fireproof, shockproof, and is rated with an IPX4 water-resistant rating. You can get the full rundown on its many other capabilities in our original launch coverage here.

***Note: The extra 10% off discount has not been factored into the prices below – be sure to use the code EARTH10 at checkout for the maximum savings!

Jackery’s Earth Day Explorer 5000 plus deals:

Be sure to check out the full lineup of Jackery’s Earth Day Sale while the savings last through April 25, complete with bonus savings.

Lectric XP 3.0 e-bike

Lectric Lightning Deals hit XP 3.0 e-bikes with up to $365 in free gear for outdoor ventures starting from $999

Lectric has continued many of its Earth Day e-bike bundle prices while switching things up with Lightning Deals on its XP 3.0 e-bikes that are getting increased bundles with up to $365 in free gear. You’ll find the Standard models now getting $310 bundles at $999 shipped alongside the Long-Range models getting $365 bundles at $1,199 shipped. These packages would normally cost you $1,309 and $1,564, respectively. These may not be the largest bundles we’ve seen before, but they are continuing the recent trend of gearing you up with cargo-capable add-ons for greater versatility during your outdoor ventures through spring and summer. Head below to learn more about these e-bikes and the included bundles you’ll be getting when purchasing them while these deals remain.

The best-selling e-bikes in America, Lectric’s XP 3.0 e-bikes offer durability and reliability while keeping down at extremely affordable rates. The frame provides folding capabilities for easier storage and transport when not in use, with a 500W hub motor that peaks at 1,000W and can top out at either 20 or 28 MPH speeds, depending on your state’s laws. Your decision on which to buy will largely fall on how far you want it to carry you, as the Standard models provide up to 45 miles of travel with PAS activated, while the Long-Range models take things further for up to 65 miles.

There are throttles on all the models for when you want to cruise off pure electric power, though this will decrease your travel range. They also come stocked with an integrated rear cargo rack (which the basket attaches to), puncture-resistant tires, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, and an LCD display. Of course, don’t forget about the free gear you’ll be getting, with the Standard models coming with steel-encased front and rear cargo baskets, rear-view mirrors, a phone mount, an accordion-style bike lock, and a bottle holder. The Long-Range models are getting the same cargo package, a wide comfort saddle, a phone mount, a 35L water-resistant soft cooler, and a water-resistant pannier bag.

The e-bike pricing on the brand’s other e-bike bundles have remained the same, which you can browse in full in our original sale coverage here.

Anker SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station

Score Anker’s SOLIX C1000 1,056Wh LiFePO4 power station with $550 in savings at $449

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its SOLIX C1000 Portable Power Station at $449 shipped, with the price undercutting its direct flash sale pricing by $100. This model normally sits at a full $999 price tag, though we’ve been more recently seeing it start at Amazon from $799. While we have seen it go $20 low before – last time being at the top of February – it’s been spending the last two months mostly dropping to either $499 or this same rate we’re seeing today. You’ll be scoring a 55% markdown off its MSRP while this deal lasts, giving you $550 in savings at the second-lowest price we have tracked.

Anker’s SOLIX C1000 power station makes a great camping companion for those who want a little more battery size from the camping-oriented C800 models, especially considering it’s beating those smaller models’ pricing, which starts from $499. It provides you with a 1,056Wh LiFePO4 capacity (with a bundle option below that will double that amount) alongside up to 1,800W of steady power output through its 11 port options that can surge to 2,400W for larger appliance needs. You can refill the battery to 80% in just 43 minutes when plugged into a wall outlet, though this does only account for the station alone and not any expanded setup. There’s also a 600W maximum solar input that you can take advantage of to refill the entire battery in 1.8 hours with ideal sunny conditions.

We’re seeing two discounted bundle options right now from Amazon that you can take advantage of, with the first giving you the power station and a 200W solar panel for $699 shipped, down from $1,299. As mentioned before, you could also score the station with an expansion battery to reach a 2,112Wh capacity for $869 shipped, bringing the costs significantly far from its $1,798 MSRP.

Greenworks Pro 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

Greenworks’ latest pro-tier 3,000 PSI electric pressure washer at new $349 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the best price yet on the newest generation of Greenworks’ Pro 3,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $349 shipped. Carrying a $450 price tag outside of discounts, we’ve seen three previous drops to $360 over at Amazon, which is currently out of stock. For the rest of the day, though, you can get a better-than-ever $101 markdown that drops costs to the lowest price we have tracked. This deal is also beating out the direct Greenworks website, where stock has also run out, making this the best place to score it to cover your outdoor cleaning needs through the months ahead.

Housed within a heavy-duty steel frame, this generation’s pro-tier model adds a foldable design over its predecessor for easier storage and transport when not in use. The 14A TruBrushless motor maxes out at 3,000 PSI for your cleaning needs, with a 1.1 to 2.0 GPM flow rate as it goes. Like its previous model, you’ll also find an onboard one-gallon detergent tank here, as well as a bunch of included accessories for wider versatility, including five nozzles, 25 feet of kink-resistant hose, and a durable quick-connect metal wand/gun.

Best Spring 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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