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Earlier this year, we first reported on the Specialized Globe line of electric bicycles, which the company announced would see the high-end bicycle manufacturer launch a new series of more affordable electric utility bikes. Now, we’re getting our first look at the premier model known as the Globe Haul ST.

Specialized’s Globe Haul ST was teased earlier this year with a heavily obscured photo showing the e-bike carrying a pile of cactuses. At the time we could tell that it would be a step-through utility e-bike, but that was about it.

Now we’re getting two new photos that finally show off the bike without teaser cactuses covering all of the best parts.

Check out the first image below to see the first glimpse of the upcoming Globe Haul ST.

Specialized unveils Globe Haul ST

As the company explained as part of the new photo release:

In 2022, Globe introduced a series of super fun high performance everyday bicycle models with enough power, range and modularity to enable riders to finally leave that car dependency behind. Although the Haul ST looks small, it’s been known for its huge personality.

While we are finally getting our first look at the new bike, the company hasn’t exactly been generous with the tech specs.

We know it will have an aluminum frame and a rigid steel fork, but that’s about it for the hard details.

From the pictures, we can glean a few more nuggets of information. There’s obviously a rear hub motor, but we don’t know the power rating. There’s a decent chance it will be one of these “250W” situations where those quotes do some heavy-lifting to imply that the bike will be legal in 250W-limited countries, while actually offering higher power that North American customers are more familiar with.

We can see that the Globe Haul ST carries a fairly large battery, a set of fenders with built-in lighting, a telescoping seat tube for a wide range of rider heights, a step-through frame for easier mounting (especially when you have large cargo or kiddos on the rear rack), and of course that cargo-ready rear rack.

It’s not clear if there’s a throttle or not, but an extra wire terminating on the right handlebar could indicate an included throttle – or it could just be a remote with buttons controlling additional functions.

The large tires feature a hybrid street/trail tread with a slick patch in the center and knobbies on the edges for cornering in looser terrain.

A seven or eight-speed transmission offers a range of gears, and hydraulic disc brakes should provide plenty of stopping power for a loaded-down utility e-bike.

The last major piece of information we’re missing is the price. Many of Specialized’s electric bikes start at nearly $4,000, and the prices increase significantly from there. The Globe Haul ST should be cheaper, likely in the low to mid $2,000 range or even upper $1,000 range, if we’re lucky.

We’ll have to wait for more information before judging the value of the e-bike, but it is clear that Specialized is hoping to horn in on some that sweet RadRunner-type action in the value-priced electric bike market.

What do you think of the Specialized Haul ST? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

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Ørsted’s largest solar farm in the world is now online in Texas

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Ørsted's largest solar farm in the world is now online in Texas

The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.

This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.

But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.

Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.

“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.

The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.

Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.

With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.

Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm


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Cramer names oil and natural gas stocks set to do well under Trump

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Cramer names oil and natural gas stocks set to do well under Trump

CNBC’s Jim Cramer on Friday said companies related to natural gas and oil will thrive under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and a majority Republican Congress.

“We’re hearing about all sorts of Trump trades right now, and many of these things have made insane moves in less than three weeks, to the point where, actually, they’re feeling precarious to me,” he said. “If you want a sustainable Trump trade, I say bet on the natural gas ecosystem. This is an industry that already had a lot going for it, it just needed some cooperation from the federal government, which it is about to get.”

President Joe Biden’s administration is largely opposed to fossil fuels, Cramer said, and the federal government has worked to block pipelines and paused new liquified gas export authorizations. This dynamic, coupled with a weaker global economy, caused the sector to underperform for much of the year, he suggested. But Trump has shown more favor to the industry, and Cramer pointed out that he tapped prominent oil executive Chris Wright to lead the Department of Energy.

Cramer recommended several stocks in the sector, including energy producers EQT and Coterra. The former is focused on natural gas and recently acquired peer Equitrans, raising the combined company’s valuation to an estimated $35 billion, Cramer noted. He added that Coterra is a good long-term holding and called the company “one of the shrewdest operators in the industry.”

He highlighted pipeline companies, including Energy Transfer and Kinder Morgan, and said he was especially bullish on Enbridge. Enbridge says it transports about 20% of all natural gas consumed in the U.S., and Cramer claimed the Canadian outfit has “strategically located assets.” He also named Cheniere and Sempra, saying the former is the “best playfor liquified natural gas exports.

“Seasonally, this is a good time for the commodity,” he said, pointing out that natural gas itself has climbed since the election. “But I also think there’s some optimism about the future of the industry driving this move.”

Jim Cramer’s Guide to Investing

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Jeep launches Wagoneer S EV lease prices starting at just $599 per month

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Jeep launches Wagoneer S EV lease prices starting at just 9 per month

Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.

2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices

After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.

Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.

The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.

Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.

Jeep-Wagoneer-S-EV-lease-prices
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition (Source: Jeep)

The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.

Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.

Jeep-Wagoneer-S-EV-lease-prices
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition Radar Red interior (Source: Jeep)

Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.

According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.

Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y Starting Price Range Lease Price
Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition $71,995 +300 miles $599/mo
Tesla Model Y RWD $44,990 320 miles $299/mo
Tesla Model Y AWD $47,990 308 miles $399/mo
Tesla Model Y AWD Performance $51,490 279 miles $599/mo

In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.

Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.

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