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The latest data shows that the EU’s overall storage levels are at an average of nearly 94% full.

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European gas prices may have dropped to levels not seen in more than four months, but this is far from being the end of the energy crisis, four industry analysts told CNBC.

The Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) is Europe’s main benchmark for natural gas prices. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent pressures on Europe’s energy mix have pushed natural gas prices to trade at historic levels back in August — above 340 euros per megawatt hour. However, these have significantly come down since then, ending Thursday’s session at 108.5 euros per megawatt hour.

In addition, intraday European gas prices even went negative at the start of the week — meaning that holders of natural gas paid buyers to take the cargo off their hands.

“With gas storage near full, LNG inflows in oversupply and favourable mild autumn weather, prices are doing the work to keep the system balanced as commodities trade in the present,” Ehsan Khoman, head of commodities research at MUFG Bank, told CNBC via email.

The latest data compiled by industry group Gas Infrastructure Europe shows that the EU’s overall storage levels are at an average of nearly 94% full. That’s comfortably above the 80% target the bloc had set for countries to reach by the start of November.

EDP CEO: 'Expect the unexpected' with gas prices

Some of the LNG (liquefied natural gas) orders made during the summer are arriving now, when storage is full, representing an oversupply. Temperatures in the region have also been unusually warm, with some nations currently experiencing 20 degree Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) heat.

Nikoline Bromander, analyst at consultancy Rystad Energy, said high output from wind power and political agreement within the EU on cooperative measures to reduce gas prices and consumption have contributed to lowering gas prices.

But Europe’s energy crisis isn’t over, and analysts are warning European policymakers against complacency.

Europe ‘not out of the woods’

“The temptation in Europe will be to take a sigh of relief and acknowledge the hard work and tough decisions on demand and supply that have been taken,” Bromander said in a research note.

“However, a series of factors – from Asian demand for LNG potentially increasing to a lack of sufficient regasification facilities in Europe means that decision makers may feel the pressure sooner rather than later.”

One of the big question marks is what will happen to LNG demand when China fully reopens its economy. Beijing has been the biggest buyer of LNG in the world, but its zero-Covid policy has prevented its economy from operating at full capacity. If this dynamic changes in the coming months, there will be more competition for the commodity and prices could spike.

Even if this winter ends up being mild, next winter also remains a supply concern.

Tom Marzec-Manser

head of gas analytics at ICIS

Henning Gloystein, director for energy at consultancy firm Eurasia Group, told CNBC that “the current glut shouldn’t be seen as a signal though that the upcoming winter might not see energy shortages.”

“Given there’s virtually no Russian gas available in Europe, supply is tight. Once it gets cold, inventories will draw down. If there’s a late winter cold snap when stocks have been reduced, thigs could get pretty tight in early 2023, meaning possible price spikes and potential energy shortages,” Henning said, adding that “it’s therefore still very important for industry and households to try to reduce consumption.”

Tom Marzec-Manser, head of gas analytics at energy consultancy ICIS, reaffirmed the point that that weak gas prices in recent days should not be interpreted as a sign that Europe is now out of the woods when it comes to managing the lost flows from Russia.

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU was obtaining about 40% of all its natural gas from Moscow. That has now fallen below 10%.

“Forward pricing indicates that high prices will soon return: ICIS data shows gas for delivery in January is more than four times the price of spot gas at the TTF,” Marzec-Manser told CNBC via email.

Europe has in recent months endured a sharp drop in gas exports from Russia, traditionally its largest energy supplier.

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“Even if this winter ends up being mild, next winter also remains a supply concern as refilling storages through the summer of 2023 will be much harder than summer just gone, with little-to-no Russian gas available,” he added.

Several experts have warned that Europe’s high storage levels were to a large extent achieved with Russian gas. Even Xavier Bettel, the prime minister of Luxembourg, an EU nation, acknowledged earlier this month that storage was full with Russian gas. However, Russia supplies have been severely disrupted and it is Europe’s aim to be completely free from Russian fossil fuels.

Furthermore, there’s also the risk that European demand picks up in the coming months.

“The risk with the sell-off in the European gas market is the potential that demand starts to pick-up,” Khoman from MUFG Bank said, citing reports that fertilizer producers in Europe are easing curtailments.

“If this is part of a broader trend that we see in European demand, it would make it increasingly difficult for Europe to rebuild storage to comfortable levels ahead of next winter,” he added, projecting gas prices to average 200 euros per megawatt hour in the second quarter of 2023 and until the end of next year.

The CEO of EDP, Portugal’s utilities firm, summed it up when speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” Friday. “Certainly we are in a much better place than we were a couple of months ago,” Miguel Stilwell d’Andrade said, but “we should expect a lot of volatility going forward.”

The world has never witnessed an energy crisis of this depth and complexity, says IEA

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Tesla deploys its first Superchargers owned by 3rd-party in the US

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Tesla deploys its first Superchargers owned by 3rd-party in the US

Tesla has officially deployed its first Supercharger station owned by a third party in the US, a step in the automaker’s effort to accelerate the charging infrastructure growth while reducing capital expenditure.

The new station, located at a Suncoast Charging in Land O’Lakes, Florida, consists of 8 stalls and is now open to the public.

While Tesla has previously sold Supercharger hardware to other networks – most notably BP Pulse back in 2023 – this site represents a different model.

The station is owned by the host but fully managed by Tesla, meaning it appears and functions exactly like any other Supercharger in the navigation system and app, maintaining the seamless user experience Tesla owners, and now non-Tesla owners, are used to.

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Tesla’s official charging account confirmed the deployment in a post on X today:

This move falls under Tesla’s “Supercharger for Business” program, where property owners can purchase the hardware and pay for installation while Tesla handles the operations, maintenance, and billing.

Up until recently, Tesla owned and operated almost all of its Supercharger network, which has been the company’s most important moat.

However, as the network opens up to non-Tesla EVs with the adoption of NACS (North American Charging Standard), Tesla is transitioning from a purely closed ecosystem to a major energy and service provider for the broader EV market.

By allowing third parties to put up the capital for the stations while Tesla retains control over the software and customer experience, the company can likely deploy stalls much faster than if it were solely reliant on its own balance sheet.

Electrek’s Take

This is a smart move.

We have been saying for years that while the Supercharger network is Tesla’s greatest asset, it is also a capital-intensive beast to feed. Tesla has installed over 70,000 Supercharger posts globally, but to support the millions of EVs hitting the road (both Tesla and NACS-adopting rivals), the network needs to grow exponentially, not linearly.

Tesla’s Supercharger growth has declined since Musk fired the entire charging team, just to rehire many of them after.

Allowing third parties to own the assets solves the capital bottleneck. It’s similar to the franchise model used by gas stations or even fast-food chains – with the main difference being that Tesla owns the pump rather than the gas as the electricity still comes from the electric utilities.

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Hyundai’s 641 HP electric sports car is here, but it will be limited [Images]

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Hyundai's 641 HP electric sports car is here, but it will be limited [Images]

The IONIQ 6 N made its North American debut on Thursday, but Hyundai said it will be sold in limited quantities in the US.

Meet Hyundai’s electric sports car, the IONIQ 6 N

Hyundai said the IONIQ 6 N “redefines the EV driving experience” after unveiling it at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

After launching it in South Korea last month, Hyundai’s electric sports car made its official North American debut at the LA Auto Show on Thursday.

The IONIQ 6 N is Hyundai’s first fully electric sports car and the second EV, following the IONIQ 5, to receive the “N” performance badge. With the IONIQ 5 receiving global recognition as one of the most awarded performance EVs, Hyundai looks to build on it with its latest model.

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Based on a dual motor, all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain, the IONIQ 6 N packs a monstrous 641 HP and 568 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0 to 60 mph time in just 3.2 seconds.

Hyundai's-electric-sports-car-limited
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)

That’s when N Grin Boost and N Launch Control are active, two of the many fun features that unlock the full potential of the vehicle by optimizing power and torque.

N Grin Boost provides a 10-second power boost while the Launch Control feature adjusts torque for maximum traction and acceleration.

Hyundai-IONIQ-6-N-EV-limited
The Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)

Other fun features like N e-Shift and N Active Sound + simulate the sounds and jerk feeling of an internal combustion engine. Hyundai even added an N Track Manager for a customized on-track experience and N Drift Optimizer, for, well, that one’s pretty self-explanatory.

Inside, the IONIQ 6 N features Kia’s new ccNC infotainment with dual 12.3″ driver display and navigation screens with an exclusive N steering wheel and N badging throughout.

Hyundai-IONIQ-6-N-EV-interior-US
The interior of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 N (Source: Hyundai)

Measuring 194.3″ in length, 76.4″ in width, and 58.9″ in height with a wheelbase of 116.7″, the IONIQ 6 N is about the size of a Porsche Taycan, but it’s expected to be about half the cost.

With an upgraded 84 kWh battery, the IONIQ 6 N can recharge from 10% to 80% in as little as 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger.

Kia will reveal the projected driving range and prices during a media launch, so check back soon for updates. In Korea, it’s rated with a WLTP range of 291 miles (469 km).

Given that the current highest-priced IONIQ 6 Limited trim starts at $51,100 in the US, you can expect the N variant to start at around $65,000 to $70,000. It will begin arriving at dealerships in 2026, but Hyundai said the IONIQ 6 N will be available in limited quantities in the US.

Along with the launch of the IONIQ 6 N, Hyundai is introducing a range of N Performance Parts for its N-branded vehicles in the US, including the IONIQ 5 N and Elantra N.

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Official Black Friday deals just got even better – up to 70% off with new lows from Anker SOLIX, Segway Navimow + Ninebot, Jackery, more

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Official Black Friday deals just got even better – up to 70% off with new lows from Anker SOLIX, Segway Navimow + Ninebot, Jackery, more

With Amazon having officially kicked off its Black Friday event, we’re seeing many of our favorite brands following suit with updated/expanded lineups of deals – and all the posts we’ve collected for you today feature tons of great returning and new low prices. Leading the group is Anker’s SOLIX Black Friday Sale, which has increased savings up to 70% on power stations, bundles, and accessories, with offers like the latest F3000 Portable Power Station hitting a new $1,199 low (while also getting a FREE protective cover). Behind it is Segway Navimow’s Black Friday event with up to $700 discounts, bonus savings, and new low prices on its robotic lawn mowers – including the first-ever savings on the newest X3 series, all starting from $664. There’s also Heybike’s Hero 750W Mid-Drive All-Terrain e-bike at a new $2,099 low, Segway’s expanded Black Friday EV sale with returning low prices, and even four of Jackery’s newest power stations that are beating out the brand’s direct holiday sale with new low prices on every model, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Mango Power Black Friday power station sale, 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.

Anker’s expanded SOLIX Black Friday Sale increases power station savings up to 70% with new lows starting from $150

Anker SOLIX has launched the next phase of its ongoing Black Friday Sale with increased savings up to 70% across its power stations, bundles, and accessories, giving us the best prices we have seen all year – complete with free gifts with select purchases and at certain price thresholds. Among the expanded lineup, you can score the latest F3000 Portable Power Station starting solo at $1,199 shipped and coming with a FREE protective cover ($99 value), matching in price over at Amazon, though you won’t get the cover there. This new model has been on the market since June carrying a $2,599 full price tag, which we’ve seen go as low as $1,399 up until today. Now, with its Black Friday event in full gear, you’re getting an additional $200 discount to a new all-time low price, giving you a total $1,499 in savings this holiday season. Head below for the full rundown of deals while they’re around.

***Note: We’re seeing a continuation of the four tiers of FREE gifts during Anker’s expanded Black Friday Sale when you spend $2,500 or more, giving you bonus solar panels and power stations. Another thing to remember is that despite saying this sale ends on November 27, Anker regularly extends savings through and past Cyber Monday, so we might just see further deals added in the coming weeks, but there’s no telling for sure.

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If you’re looking for well-rounded backup power support for trips and home backup alike, and don’t want to shell out the money for the more expansive F3800 units, you’ll find a proper companion in Anker’s SOLIX F3000 power station. It kicks off at a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 that can expand up to 24kWh (with bundles available below), and is one of the newer models boasting passthrough charging capabilities when plugged up to a gas generator during grid failures and the like.

It provides a steady output up to 3,600W that can double to 7,200W for greater home backup needs when two stations are linked together, dishing out power to devices, appliances, and more through the 11 output ports (including a TT-30R port for RV backup). On top of the gas generator option previously mentioned, you can also top off the battery using a standard AC outlet or with up to its maximum 2,400W solar input.

Anker’s SOLIX F3000/F3800 Black Friday deals:

Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Plus Black Friday deals:

Anker’s SOLIX essential backup and RV Black Friday deals:

Anker’s 1kWh SOLIX camping-ready Black Friday deals:

Anker’s under 1kWh SOLIX camping-ready Black Friday deals:

Anker’s SOLIX electric cooler Black Friday deals:

You can also find Anker’s SOLIX Black Friday Sale discounts on expansion batteries, solar panels, and other accessories by heading to the main page here.

Black Friday banner with Segway Navimow robotic lawn mowers

Get up to $700 Black Friday savings on Segway Navimow robot mowers, including first discount on new X3 series – from $664

Segway Navimow has officially launched its Black Friday Sale with up to $700 savings (including a bonus sitewide 5% savings code that you can get here) on three of its robotic lawn mower series – one of which being the first-ever savings on the latest X3 series after hitting the market back in spring. These are advanced autonomous assistants that you can hand off mowing duties to, with designs that can cover anywhere from 1/8 acres to 2.5 acres on one full charge – with these robots able to return to their stations and recharge before picking back up, rinsing and repeating until complete. As I mentioned, this is the first-ever savings you can score on the newest X3 series, while the i105 model and the i110 model are hitting new all-time and annual lows thanks to the extra savings you’ll get using the provided promo code – all starting from $664.05 shipped for the i105, which beats out the Amazon pricing.

To see this full Segway Navimow Black Friday lineup of deals (including the bonus savings code), be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

man riding Heybike Hero 750W mid-drive all-terrain e-bike over grass

Heybike increases Black Friday savings on its Hero 750W mid-drive all-terrain e-bike to a new $2,099 low, more

As part of Heybike’s ongoing Black Friday Sale, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the brand’s premium Hero Carbon-Fiber Al-Terrain e-bikes, with the 1,000W rear hub e-bike keeping down at $1,899 shipped, while the 750W mid-drive e-bike is getting increased savings to $2,099 shipped. Normally fetching $2,599 and $3,099 outside of sales, we saw the 1,000W model drop down to its $1,899 low for the first time last month, with this sale retaining that pricing while increasing the savings on the 750W model that comes in $200 lower than we’ve ever tracked. All-in-all, you’re looking at the best prices we have tracked on these higher-end e-bikes, giving you $600 and $1,000 savings while upgrading your ride to handle any terrain you come across.

If you want to learn more about the differences between these two e-bikes, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Segway electric scooters and e-bikes for Black Friday Sale

Segway’s official Black Friday sale now live: Best price of the year on latest e-scooters, e-bikes, more starting from $150

Segway has switched gears into its official full Black Friday Sale period, expanding the lineup of EV deals we’ve been seeing up until now alongside increasing savings for the best prices of the year. One notable model returning to its best price is the ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter at $849.99 shipped, which matches in price over at Amazon. While it carries a $1,300 MSRP directly from the brand, you can more often find it only fetching $1,000 at full price, with this all-time low price having only appeared during July and October’s Prime Day sales events. You’re getting another shot at $150 off the going rate (and $450 off the MSRP), giving you multi-terrain conquering commuting/joyriding power at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this all-terrain e-scooter, or browse the massive expanded lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this full Black Friday Sale here.

Four Jackery power stations being used to power various devices

Jackery’s Explorer 1000, 2000, 3000 V2 + 5000 Plus power stations are all hitting new Black Friday lows from $332

Wellbots is undercutting the Black Friday Sale pricing from Jackery on four particular power stations, giving you new low prices during the biggest holiday shopping season. Starting off at the smallest of these units for camping and moving up to whole-home backup companions, you can find the Explorer 1000 V2 Portable Power Station down at $331.55 shippedafter using the on-page promo code JACK5 at checkout, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $17 and Jackery’s direct pricing by $67. It’s been initially dropped from its full $799 price to $349, which goes $17 lower thanks to the bonus savings code, which provides an up to $467 markdown to a new all-time low price. Be sure to check out the other new low prices below while they’re still around.

If you want to browse the full lineup of new low prices on these power stations, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Best Fall 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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