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For anyone who thinks the worst part of stand up paddleboards is the paddling, you’re going to love this week’s Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week entry. Apparently all it takes to ditch the paddle is a $300 SUP conversion kit that turns a paddleboard into an electric surfboard.

Electric conversions are all the rage these days. We’ve seen plenty of electric bike conversion kits, and there are even kits to turn an old car into a snazzy new electric vehicle.

But converting a stand up paddleboard into an electric surfboard sounds like a whole new level of fun.

Putting aside the fact that this kind of kills the exercise benefits of SUPs, it still sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon out on the water.

And for just $300, it seems like this Alibaba special can help you and nine of your friends make it happen. Oh yea, that’s the other thing. There’s kind of a minimum order quantity of 10 units. But no worries, once your friends see how awesome this thing is, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to move those other nine fins pretty quickly.

From what I can gather from the super bare-bones Alibaba sales page, the conversion kit seems to have a carbon fiber fin that houses a small electric motor and a propellor complete with prop guard.

A cynical part of me wonders if that’s the real fin that you get, since $300 already sounds like a pretty killer price, not even considering the carbon fiber.

But taking them at their word, it looks like a pretty nice kit.

The batteries and controller are housed in a nuclear football/Tupperware/Otterbox style case that appears to be strapped onto the board in a less than elegant style. But I guess you’ll be buzzing the coast so fast that no one will get a good look at how janky the attachment appears to be.

Or at least I assume you’ll be flying along at a good speed. There’s no tech specs to tell me just how fast this thing can go, though they did at least describe the motor as “high power”, which sounds like a good sign to me!

The concept is actually pretty cool, and it’s something we’ve occasionally heard of before: a swappable fin on a typical stand up paddleboard that adds a little motor and propellor to let you lazily cruise your local waterways.

It’s definitely not going to give you the thrill of a faster and more powerful electric surfboard. Based on the size in the images, I’d guess that it’s no more powerful than 250 watts.

Compared to the ultra-fast 35 mph (56 km/h) electric surfboards I’m used to playing around on, I’m not sure it’s going to offer the same wind in your hair and spray in your face experience.

But then again, it’s also considerably less expensive than most $10,000 electric surfboards out there, so perhaps there’s something to be said for taking it slow and easy.

If I had to choose though, I think I’d still prefer something a bit more powerful. Check out my last ride on a high power electric surfboard below. As soon as an Alibaba kit can do this, I might considering actually buying one.

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Save $483 on Jetson Canyon electric scooter from $417, portable pellet grill now $251, more

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Save 3 on Jetson Canyon electric scooter from 7, portable pellet grill now 1, more

Spring joyrides are now just as affordable as they are fun, as today’s best deals come headlined by the Jetson Canyon Folding Electric Scooter starting at $417. You can also take a more environmentally-friendly approach to cookouts this spring with this portable Z GRILLS Pellet Grill and Smoker at $251, while getting your yard in shape for get-togethers with a collection of discounted Sun Joe electric tools. Plus, all of the other best new Green Deals landing this week.

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.

Save up to $483 on the Jetson Canyon Folding Electric Scooter starting from $417

Amazon is offering the Jetson Canyon Folding Electric Scooter with two varying discounts based on location, the first of which falls to $417.28 shippedafter clipping the on-page 20% off coupon – and the second falling to $495.52 shippedafter clipping the on-page 5% off coupon. Already down from its $900 MSRP, this is only the fifth discount we have tracked over the course of the last year and comes in as a 54% or 45% markdown off the going rate, saving you a whopping $483 to $404 off the MSRP. You won’t be able to find this particular model on the manufacturer’s website anymore either, as it has been retired since December, but when it was available it was last listed at its MSRP. 

Equipped with a 500W motor and a 48V lithium-ion battery, the Jetson Canyon escooter is able to reach top speeds of 15.5 MPH and travel up to 22 miles on a single charge. It comes with three speed modes (up to 3 MPH, up to 10 MPH, and up to 15.5 MPH) that can be controlled via the LCD display that also gives you real-time information on your speed, battery levels, and headlight status. Like many other models of electric scooters, this one features a folding design that makes it far easier to store or transport when you’re not using it.

Z GRILLS CRUISER 200A Pro Portable Pellet Grill and Smoker hits $251

Amazon is offering the Z GRILLS CRUISER 200A Pro Portable Pellet Grill and Smoker for $251.10 shipped. Down from $322, with a higher $335 MSRP, it has seen very few discounts since its release in February 2023, with the biggest of the past year dropping costs to a $215 low. Today’s deal comes in as a 25% markdown off the going rate and lands as the third-lowest price we have tracked – just $36 above the all-time low.

This portable grill and smoker sports a more compact design than other models under the Z GRILLS brand, only measuring 25 inches by 20 inches by 13 inches that makes it easy to transport, set up, break down, and clean – all on the go. It utilizes wood pellets as a fuel source for maximum flavor and reduced emissions lower than that of charcoal. Equipped with upgraded PID controls, this device keeps between its 180-degree to 450-degree temperature range for 8-in-1 functionality: grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, and char-grill. It has 202 square-inches of cooking space that holds up to six burgers, 11 hotdogs, or one full rack of ribs at once – even including a meat probe so you won’t have to sit around babysitting your food as it cooks.

Sun Joe SPX3000 2,030 PSI Electric Pressure Washer now $129

Amazon is offering the Sun Joe SPX3000 14.5A 2,030 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $129 shipped. It has spent the last year at or returning to $169, with the second half of 2023 seeing regular discounts, but never down farther than $159 – except for a short-lived drop to $110 in October during Prime Deals days. Since 2024 began, we’ve seen the same recurring discount to $129, with today’s deal coming in to repeat the trend as a 24% markdown off the going rate and returning costs to the fourth-lowest price we have tracked – $34 above the all-time low from 2022. Equipped with a 1,800W motor, this electric pressure washer is able to produce a 2023 max PSI and 1.76 GPM. It features two 0.9L onboard detergent tanks to better tackle cleaning projects, as well as Sun Joe’s total stop system that automatically shuts off the pump when the trigger is not engaged to conserve water and costs. It comes with five interchangeable nozzles: zero degrees, 15 degrees, 25 degrees, 40 degrees, and a special soap nozzle.

Spring e-bike deals!

AeroGarden Sprout 3-plant indoor garden from two angles

Other 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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GM in talks with CATL to license cheaper LFP EV battery tech and joint North American plant

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GM in talks with CATL to license cheaper LFP EV battery tech and joint North American plant

General Motors (GM) is reportedly in talks with battery giant CATL to license its cheaper LFP battery tech. The plans could include a new joint North American plant to produce the new batteries.

After software glitches, freight delays, and other issues caused GM to miss its EV sales target in 2023, the company believes “production hell” is behind it.

CEO Mary Barra claims 2024 will be “the year of execution” as the automaker looks to get back on track.

GM is ramping up production of its Ultium-based models after it “turned the corner” at its battery factory in Detroit. With several new Chevy EVs rolling out this year, including the Blazer EV, Equinox EV, and Silverado EV, GM looks to build 200,000 to 300,000 Ultium EVs this year.

That would be around 20 times more than the fewer than 14,000 units sold last year. GM is also retiring its best-selling Chevy Bolt, at least in its current form.

With 62,045 Chevy Bolts sold last year, the electric car accounted for over 81% of GM’s EV sales. Barra confirmed GM will launch an Ultium-based Bolt EV next year.

Chevy-Bolt-EV
Chevy Bolt (Source: GM)

It will offer “an even better driving, charging, and ownership experience.” According to Barra, it will be the first Ultium EV in North America to feature LFP batteries.

GM looks to CATL for cheaper LFP battery tech

According to a new report from CarNewsChina, GM is in talks with CATL to license its LFP battery tech. The plans also reportedly include building a joint North American factory to make the batteries.

Details are scarce, but the plant will likely be in the US or Mexico. It will be similar to the agreement between CATL and rival Ford. Ford announced a $3.5 billion investment last February to build a new LFP plant (BlueOval Battery Park Michigan).

Chevy-Blazer-EV-prices
2024 Chevy Blazer EV (Source: GM)

The plant is expected to begin producing LFP batteries in 2026 to power Ford’s next-gen EVs. Ford reached an agreement with CATL to license its LFP battery tech. The American automaker will manufacture the cells with knowledge from CATL.

Under the GM deal, CATL would be responsible for building the production lines, supply chains, and other equipment while GM handles the CapEx.

GM's-new-Bolt-EV
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV Redline Edition (Source: GM)

GM CFO Paul Jacobson said the new Bolt EV will save the company billions by using LFP batteries.

Both automakers look to sidestep federal regulations requiring EV batteries to be produced in North America to qualify for a tax credit.

Electrek’s Take

If true, the news could be significant. For one, South Korean and Japanese battery makers dominate the North American market, with LG, Samsung SDI, SK, and Panasonic controlling 80% of the market.

However, these battery makers have largely missed the opportunity with LFP batteries while China’s CATL and BYD took control of the market. LFP batteries are cheaper to produce which could give automakers an advantage going forward.

Several automakers, including Ford and GM, have announced plans to introduce more affordable EVs as demand for lower-cost electric options climbs.

The Late Post claims CATL has reduced the cost of its batteries to 400 yuan ($55) per kWh, compared to 600 yuan ($83) per kWh with NCM batteries. This could translate to significant savings as American automakers look to cut costs and break even with EVs.

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A dealership marked up a Hyundai IONIQ 5 N’s price by $20k

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A dealership marked up a Hyundai IONIQ 5 N's price by k

Hyundai just released the IONIQ 5 N’s price just a couple weeks ago, and a California dealer has already marked the MSRP up on the automaker’s newest, most powerful EV by $20,000.

Redditor u/Qball1754 wrote in a post on the r/Ioniq5 subreddit yesterday that he’s a Hyundai influencer and the owner of a Veloster N. Hyundai told him that Ontario Hyundai in California had the IONIQ 5 N in its possession, so he went to the dealership to buy it and was greeted by an eye-watering markup of $20,000, which took the price from $67,685 to $87,685:

Here’s what u/Qball1754 – aka David De Rigo, according to his Instagram account – had to say on Reddit:

First off, my sales person was super nice and pushed hard to work something out. Aside from that my experience wasn’t the best, there’s a 20k markup that is non-negotiable and was told corporate made the decision on it since it was delivered like that (I don’t buy it) Other dealerships are gonna charge a higher markup on the car from what I was told as it’s an “exotic” Hyundai will not do a lease for the car or any EV credit and finance only. Sales/finance manager were really disrespectful over pricing and me knowing about their allocations and being an Nfluencer.

Electrek’s Take

The IONIQ 5 N is a serious performance vehicle. Its dual electric motors can deliver up to 641 horsepower (478 kW) from an 84 kWh battery and achieve 0-60 mph in an unbelievable 3.25 seconds. But is it “exotic” enough to justify a $20k markup?

It’s only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, and the dealership is going for the “don’t ask, don’t get” approach. But it sounds like they threw up all sorts of arbitrary conditions and rules. Way to sell cars and build your reputation, folks – especially with an “Nfluencer.”

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in stock.–ad*


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