The greenwashing of cow poop harvesting. Should BMW be involved?
You read that right. Poop. Manure. Cow pies. US Dairy farming remains a massive contributor of greenhouse gas methane emitted by its endless lanes of cattle providing milk to the public. California in particular currently sits at as the US dairy farming mecca, but also accounts for nearly half of the methane emissions in the entire state. New recycling methods have been put into place and automakers like BMW have utilized their carbon offsets to power its EVs, but many argue this is greenwashing and the entire incentive program encourages more emissions, not less.
Over the past decade, biogas energy derived from animal waste has become a widely popular option for dairy farmers as an additional income stabilizer. Energy gathered using methane digesters has led to automakers like BMW using those offsets to charge its electric vehicles with less guilt on its conscience, but analysts have cried “greenwashing” as these methods not only produce the same environmental impact as fossil fuels, but also encourage dairy farms in the United States to increase emissions.
In 2011, California began an incentive program called the low carbon fuel standard (LCFS) which rewards dairy farmers for converting their methane into energy that can then be sold to other companies, like automakers for example, as offset credits. The concept of offsets is an entirely different debate we will save for another day, but in spirit, this idea sounds beneficial although we’d argue a complete focus on natural resources like wind and solar prove better in the long run.
In fact, several scientists and environmental advocates agree as much. A January 2022 report from the Union of Concerned Scientists relayed the following as it pertains to manure biomethane analysis:
We recognize that the capture and productive use of waste biomethane generated by anaerobic digestion (AD) from manure lagoons is a useful mechanism to mitigate methane pollution and can also replace a small amount of fossil methane use in energy and industrial applications.
However, the system remains flawed and so does its priorities. The experts argue that the LCFS in particular awards credits to farmers at a much higher magnitude than the cost to operate and maintain a methane digester. The aforementioned study goes on to say it believes the value of LCFS credits for large, confined animal feeding operations (CAFO) like California’s dairy farms, massively exceeds the costs of recovering the biomethane itself.
Furthermore, the biomethane energy still burns the same as fossil fuels, despite being marketed as a clean alternative. This is where the topic of greenwashing comes into play, but how exactly is BMW involved in a biogas industry projected to more than double globally to $126.2 billion by 2030? Like many things dairy related, it starts in California.
BMW’s biomethane energy offsets border greenwashing
In April of 2021, BMW Group announced a new venture as the first automaker to begin collaborating with dairy farms in California to offset the charging carbon emissions from its EVs. At the time, BMW relayed that credits through the LCFS enable charging incentives for drivers participating in its ChargeForward program that began around the same time.
These collaborations included Straus Organic Dairy Farm and CalBio who builds the methane digestors farms use. BMW North America’s energy services Manager, connected eMobility Adam Langton spoke at the time:
Our sustainability mission isn’t simply about reducing carbon emissions but making sustainability practices financially attractive for the long-run, so that these practices can expand and help our partners thrive. Dairy biodigesters are an example of an energy technology that not only reduces carbon emissions in a sustainable way but also offers a new revenue stream to farmers and their communities. In the future, we hope to use this collaborative model we have created in California to support more biodigester development in the US and ultimately bring more clean energy sources to our customers.
Third-generation farmer and owner of Bar 20 Dairy Steve Shehadey shared a similar sentiment in the video you can view below, explaining that no matter your farm’s dairy output, farmers have no control over the fluctuating prices of milk:
There’s times when you’re making money, there’s times when you’re losing money. And so, the concept of being able to produce energy or power was attractive because, if you can stabilize some income, it helps to you get you through the tough times.
According to Shehadey, Bar 20’s two solar projects and the methane digester produce an excess of 3 million kWh of power more than what the dairy farm needs to operate. The implementation of renewables like solar on farms is commendable, and capturing methane to recycle is a better option than letting it simply enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
However, there is greenwashing at play here no matter how BMW or anyone else tries to spin it, as these recycled gases are still emitting hefty carbon emissions and are empowered by an incentive program that rewards farms for the more stinky gas they produce.
A 2022 article by the Guardian points to the same research by the Union of Concerned Scientists, arguing that the environmental benefits of biogases are immensely exaggerated and the LCFS prioritizes farm gas (a combustion-based source of energy) over other renewables like solar and wind.
According to a 2018 analysis by researchers at UC Davis, methane digesters are likely not profitable without the government grants and subsidies, finding it costs $294 a year to produce $68 of gas from one cow, not including the massive upfront cost of installing the digester itself.
This is where it gets interesting.
According to a 2021 analysis by Aaron Smith, professor of agricultural economics at UC Davis, LCFS credits generate a subsidy of $1,935 a year per cow. If dairy farmer’s needed a reason to start recycling cow poop, that’s a pretty lucrative one, especially in a fluid pricing market for dairy – having a financial contingency for selling excess energy feels like a no brainer for farmers, especially those with large operations.
A main argument by the Union of Concerned Scientists is that subsidies in the LCFS vastly eclipse the cost of producing the methane gas, disproportionally benefiting the largest and most pollutive dairy farms. One an even more disheartening note, these incentives threaten dairy industry consolidation, where the largest farms get bigger, and the smaller ones can no longer compete. Not to mention that dollar signs attached to biogas production could sway farmers away from cleaner sources of renewable energy, again such as wind and solar. Per its study:
The LCFS is structured to require producers of polluting transportation fuels to bear the costs of mitigating transportation fuel pollution. However, in the case of the manure biomethane, the majority of the climate pollution at stake is methane from manure, and the fossil methane displacement in the transportation fuel market is a relatively small contribution. Thus, in this instance the largest polluter is the one receiving a large subsidy.
The lifecycle basis of the LCFS is supposed to ensure that support for low carbon fuels is based on a comprehensive assessment of their climate benefits. However, in this instance, this structure is functioning as poorly designed offset program with transportation fuel users paying an extremely high price for manure methane mitigation. This is not good transportation fuel policy or good agricultural methane mitigation policy.
It’s completely understandable why California dairy farmers who participate in methane biofuel production thanks to the current subsidies in place to their benefit. It’s truly doubtful that there is ill intent toward the environment in this process, as it does provide a partial solution to a serious emissions problem in the state. However, its benefits are highly exaggerated to the point of greenwashing, so it’s tough to give companies like BMW a pat on the back for their collaborations in the venture.
There are certainly cleaner ways to power EVs, especially without carbon offsets.
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Environment
RadRunner e-bikes from $999, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 with solar panels $2,999, Anker Everfrost review, more
Well folks, the weekend is nearly here and before it officially arrives we’ve pieced together the latest roundup of Green Deals. Leading the pack today are RadRunner 2 and 3 Plus e-bikes from $999 as well as an EcoFlow flash sale that takes the brand’s robust DELTA Pro 3 with four 125W solar panels down to a new $2,999 low. We’ve also went hands-on with Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Electric Cooler, and the full review is waiting for you to scope out right here. There are also plenty of other deals from earlier in the week that are still live, so head below and we’ll get you caught up on what you may have missed.
Head below for more 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.
Rad’s ‘jack-of-all-trades’ RadRunner 2 and RadRunner 3 Plus e-bikes provide utility with mobility at low prices from $999
Having begun back in February, and now continuing with Rad Power’s current Earth Day Sale running through April 23, the brand still has two of its three RadRunner series e-bikes down at the lowest prices in their history, while the RadRunner Plus model has run out of stock. Starting with the lowest priced, you can hop aboard the brand’s RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike for just $999 shipped, bringing costs down from its $1,499 post-2024 tariff pricing. Before this price cut began, things had only ever fallen as low as $1,199 before the summer of last year, with discounts following July only ever dropping to $1,299. But with this shake-up, you’ll score $500 off the going rate for as long as supplies last, gaining a versatile means to commute and run errands at the lowest price we have tracked.
Given the moniker of Rad’s “jack-of-all-trades” model, the RadRunner 2 is an affordable means to get around during commutes, joyrides, errand running, and more. I see them, and their counterparts in the series, parked outside my local grocery store frequently, as more and more folks in Brooklyn seem to be finding them as a solid alternative to owning a car. You’ll get up to 50 miles of travel here with its four PAS levels activated at up to 20 MPH top speeds with its combination of a 750W brushless gear hub motor and the 672Wh battery. Along with the simplified control panel for its riding settings, it also comes stocked with a rear-mounted cargo rack that offers a 120-pound payload, puncture-resistant fat tires, a standard LED headlight, and an integrated taillight with both brake light and flash mode capabilities.
The upgraded RadRunner 3 Plus e-bike, meanwhile, is also still down at it’s newest all-time low of $1,699 shipped, brought down from $2,199. It sports the same 750W motor and 672Wh battery combination for achieving 45+ miles of travel through its five PAS levels at up to 20 MPH speeds. There are some notable differences here, like the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that provide better stopping power (over the RadRunner 2’s mechanical ones), as well as a 350-pound payload (50 pounds more total), and a longer step-thru design for a more ergonomic riding position. There are also other features like puncture-resistant fat tires, fenders over both wheels, the LED headlight and brake-light capable integrated taillight (with the auto-on functionality), and LCD screen for settings.
EcoFlow’s latest flash sale gives you the multi-capable DELTA Pro 3 with four 125W solar panels at a new $2,999 low, more
As part of its ongoing Mega Sale through April 25, EcoFlow has launched the next round of its flash offers lasting through the rest of the day. The main deal here is the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station bundled alongside four 125W solar panels for $2,999 shipped. Coming down off its usual $4,598 price tag, we’ve only ever seen discounts take it down as low as $3,199 before today. For the rest of the day, you can take advantage of this lower-than-ever pricing to score one of the brand’s newer solar generator packages at a 35% markdown, giving you $1,599 in savings at a new all-time low price. It even beats out Amazon, where it still sits $300 higher.
One of the brand’s newer models that has been quite popular since releasing back in June, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 starts off with an already impressive 4,096Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity with a steady 4,000W of power output that surges up to 6,000W. It comes with some equally impressive expansion capabilities up to 48,000Wh with additional equipment, with its output also expanding up to 12,000W when three of these power stations are connected together, covering major home backup needs. Among the many units under the brand’s flag, this one offers the widest amount of ways to recharge its own battery, with seven solo options and 18 combination options. A standard wall outlet will have it back at an 80% battery in 50 minutes, while also offering other options like solar charging (with a max 2,600W input), EV, automotive auxiliary outlets, dual PV charging, and much more.
It’s been given 14 output ports, divided up amongst seven ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and three DCs, and offers up the complete array of smart controls accessed through the companion app to monitor and adjust settings as it keeps your devices and appliances running. It was the first unit to be given the latest X-Core 3.0 tech, expanding its surging capabilities and charging speeds while also running at quieter decibels and cooler temperatures, as well as improving upon the battery and smart home management, providing “explosion-proof” battery packs, and upgrading its parallel capacity expansion performance.
The second of today’s flash savings gives you the brand’s 800W Alternator Charger at $349 shipped, coming down from its regular $399 pricing during this sale and its full $599 rate. With this device, you’ll be able to recharge any power station you have via your car’s alternator, juicing the battery back up while on the move – which makes a perfect companion for those who may be taking their setups on the road.
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A lawsuit alleging that Tesla is inflating mileage to avoid warranty claims is already being compared to Dieselgate and referred to as ‘Tesla Odometergate.’
Is Tesla having its own Dieselgate, or is it a nothing burger?
A new class action lawsuit filed in California against Tesla alleges that the automaker is using “predictive algorithms” to inflate mileage at the odometers, allowing Tesla to claim higher mileage past warranty limits.
Lawyers for the plaintiff wrote in the lawsuit:
Rather than relying on mechanical or electronic systems to measure distance, Plaintiff alleges on information and belief that Tesla Inc. employs an odometer system that utilizes predictive algorithms, energy consumption metrics, and driver behavior multipliers that manipulate and misrepresent the actual mileage travelled by Tesla Vehicles. In so doing, Defendants can, and do, accelerate the rate of depreciation of the value of Tesla Vehicles and also the expiration of Tesla Vehicle warranties to reduce or avoid responsibility for contractually required repairs as well as increase the purchase of its extended warranty policy.
The lawsuit refers to patents filed by Tesla regarding its mileage counter, but it primarily relies on the experience of its lead plaintiff.
Nyree Hinton, a data professional from Los Angeles, is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit and shared his own experience that led to making these allegations.
In December 2022, Hinton purchased a used 2020 Tesla Model Y with 36,772 miles on the odometer. He received Tesla’s Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers repairs for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Shortly after, Hinton noticed that his vehicle’s mileage increased at an unexpected rate. Despite driving approximately 20 miles per day, based on his own estimate, the odometer indicated an average of over 72 miles per day. This rapid mileage accumulation led to the warranty expiring sooner than anticipated, resulting in Hinton incurring a $10,000 suspension repair bill that he believed should have been covered under the warranty otherwise.
Other than Hinton’s experience, the lawsuit is light on data, but it does cite other Tesla owners claiming to have similar experiences on forums and social media.
Here’s the full lawsuit:
Tesla’s own Dieselgate or a nothing burger
If the allegations in this lawsuit are factual, it would indeed be a significant scandal. However, it is light on proof.
Hinton appears to have closely tracked his own experience, and he has some credibility as a data analyst. We have no reason not to believe him, but the case would need a lot more evidence to move forward.
Electrek reached out to ‘Green’, a well-known Tesla hacker who frequently discovers new features and specifications in Tesla’s software and firmware.
He told us that he doubts Tesla would have been able to hide something like that from him and the broader whitehat hacking community, but he admits they weren’t looking for it.
Green believes that it is likely that Tesla uses predictive algorithms for its odometer, but it could be as simple as accounting for tire wear, since tire rotation is used to calculate odometer mileage.
Odometers are not perfect, and there can be some discrepancies, but the one described by the lead plaintiff in this case is undoubtedly higher than what would be expected or allowed.
Electrek’s Take
I think it’s too light on data and proof right now to make a big deal out of this. I have no reason not to believe Hinton, but it could also be a specific problem with his vehicle rather than a broader issue and active deception from Tesla.
If the lawsuit is allowed to proceed, we may gain more insight, and it could encourage others with similar experiences to join in – resulting in more data.
In the meantime, I’ll remain in the skeptical camp on this one.
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Environment
Tesla (TSLA) brand damage is destroying used car value: ‘People don’t want them anymore’
Tesla’s brand damage is eroding the value of used Tesla vehicles at a rapid rate, as owners rush to sell theirs.
It is breaking the used Tesla market as prices are plunging just as the broader used car market is recovering.
After a few tough years for the used car market following the pandemic, it is finally starting to recover over the last month.
Economic uncertainty and a fear of higher inflation due to Trump’s tariffs are prompting some buyers to shift from the new car market to the used car market.
From March 2024 to March 2025, average used car prices decreased by 2.68% in the US, but the trend has finally reversed.
According to Car Guru‘s used car index, used car prices have risen an impressive 2.17% in the last 30 days alone.
However, there’s an exception: Tesla.
The price of used Tesla vehicles has been falling, like the rest of the used car market, since the pandemic; however, it is not benefiting from the reversal in the current macroeconomic situation.
While average used car prices rose more than 2% in the last 30 days, Tesla’s used car prices decreased by 1.34% in the US.
That’s due to oversupply, as many Tesla owners are selling their vehicles to distance themselves from the Tesla brand, which is associated with CEO Elon Musk and his increasingly divisive political views.
The demand to sell used Tesla vehicles is so high that many used car dealers, who had been fighting to acquire inventory just a year prior, are starting to be reticent about buying Tesla vehicles as the value decreases so rapidly.
In Quebec, Le Journal de Montréal spoke with local used car dealers and attended a car auction where many Tesla vehicles were up for sale, with some selling for half the price they were selling for just over a year ago.
Éric Piuze, owner of a used car dealership on Montreal’s South Shore, said (translated from French):
“People don’t want them anymore. The Elon Musk effect is very real in Quebec.”
The used car dealers at the auction noted that they are not confident they can sell the used Tesla quickly enough to avoid further value decreases.
Furthermore, they note that potential buyers are lowballing on Tesla vehicles because they are aware that inventory is high, creating a buyer’s market.
Dealers are also seeing higher defaults on Tesla car payments, as buyers who took on debt to purchase them just a few years ago struggle to make payments.
Piuze added (translated from French):
People paid a lot of money for Teslas. During the pandemic, we saw many people remortgaging their homes to buy a Tesla. Those days are over.
At its peak, the average used Tesla price was over $60,000 in 2022. Now, the same vehicles are worth a fraction, but their car payments are still high.
Electrek’s Take
Even with the used car market finally getting a breather from crashing prices, Tesla vehicles are not benefiting at all. This highlights a significant issue in the used Tesla market. It’s broken.
The market can’t absorb the surge in people selling their Tesla vehicles.
I wouldn’t want to be a company holding a fleet of Tesla vehicles right now. The value erosion is impressive.
I thought that maybe the Cybertruck was dragging the entire Tesla market down, with a 6.64% decrease in used value over the last 30 days. However, the Model Y alone saw a 1.67% decrease during the same period.
The good news is that the vast majority of people selling their used Tesla vehicles are purchasing other electric vehicles, thereby boosting the EV market. It’s also giving people the chance to get into Tesla vehicles for cheaper, although they should expect the value of those vehicles to decrease rapidly.
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