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The E-Transit Type A school bus, which Ford showcased back in March, is now available for order from Collins Bus Corporation, one of the leading US school bus manufacturers.

The E-Transit is currently the leader of the US electric van market, with about 60% of last year’s EV van sales. But the E-Transit isn’t just a cargo van; you can also buy it as a cutaway chassis which can then be upfitted with various containers on the back, depending on what niche you want the vehicle to fill.

Collins is a bus manufacturer that Ford has worked with to fill that niche with a traditional yellow American school bus on Ford’s all-electric chassis.

The bus is a “Type A,” which is the smallest type of school bus, typically built on a cutaway van chassis – like that of the E-transit. “Type C” is the stereotypical purpose-built long, yellow bus that most often comes to mind when thinking of school buses.

The E-Transit school bus will be able to hold a dozen seated passengers or eight seated passengers and two wheelchairs in an alternate floor plan.

It maintains the 68 kWh capacity of the E-Transit van, which is good for about 100 miles of range after upfitting the vehicle through Collins. The plain cargo E-Transit gets 126 miles of range, according to Ford, but 100 should be more than enough for most school buses and their short daily routes.

Collins is not the only manufacturer who will use Ford’s school bus package, but Ford wanted to highlight Collins since the two had worked together on the original demo vehicle shown back in March.

Ford also shared some additional specs of its School Bus Prep Package with us:

Ford’s Type A School Bus Prep Package is offered on E-Transit T-350 low roof extended 178” single-rear-wheel cutaway and includes these features to adhere with school bus chassis compliance requirements:

  • Safety Glass (65B) 
  • Right Hand Door Delete (60X)
  • Dual AGM Batteries (63E) 
  • Separate Stop Turn Tail Lamp – LED Enabled (43Q)
  • Auxiliary Fuse Panel with High Spec Interface Connector (87E)
  • Dual-note Horn (85D)
  • Modified Vehicle Wiring System (53K)

Other specs unique to this offering include: 

  • Pro Power Onboard
  • Twin-I-Beam front suspension
  • Tilt Steering
  • TorqShift® five-speed automatic overdrive transmission
  • Front stabilizer bar with HD front and rear shock

Notably, the bus has Ford’s Pro Power Onboard, which is the company’s branding for its bidirectional charging feature. This enables some interesting use cases for school buses, which spend so much of each day parked.

We recently saw a Canadian town using Lion Electric school buses to keep warm during emergencies, so the E-Transit school bus could potentially do something similar (though its battery is 2-3x smaller than the LionC’s, which is a much larger and more expensive Type C bus). And its dual AGM batteries will help power auxiliary climate controls in cold or hot weather.

More practically, bidirectional charging can also be used for grid resiliency or to offset dirty energy in the grid during peak hours, which are interesting possible use cases for school districts (and sometimes, they can be used to make money, too, through energy arbitrage at different times of day).

Pricing is based on the cost of a Ford E-Transit cutaway plus additional upfit costs from the distributor. The cutaway itself starts at $49,575, which is about $9k more than the gas version. But that’s before various EV school bus incentives and the Clean School Bus program, which can make these incredibly cheap for districts.

This is a big difference from other electric school buses, which can cost three times as much as their gas counterparts.

The bus is available for order now, and you can contact your local Collins bus dealer for more information.

Electrek’s Take

We love seeing the electrification of government vehicles like this – buses, garbage trucks, mail delivery vehicles, etc.

Oftentimes, the duty cycle for these vehicles is perfect for electrification. They do short, predefined routes every day. They stop and start a lot. They drive through residential communities where noise and air pollution are even less desirable than everywhere else. And they need to be reliable. Electrification is a perfect solution.

For school buses, it’s even more important because young kids ride in them, and having better air quality is extra important to young lungs. Air pollution from vehicles is a major contributor to childhood asthma, so getting our kids away from dirty diesel buses is of paramount importance.

People seem to really love electric school buses, which is why they’ve been taking off around the US. In just the last six months, the number of committed electric school bus purchases in the US has almost doubled. And that number will probably go even higher after California’s new electric truck rule, which was implemented last week.

We’ll get a chance to look at Ford’s electric school bus this week at ACT Expo, the industry’s largest advanced truck expo, going on from May 1-4 in Anaheim.

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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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You won’t believe the repair cost of this Tesla Cybertruck after a crash with a compact sedan

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April 24, 2025

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You won't believe the repair cost of this Tesla Cybertruck after a crash with a compact sedan

Tesla Cybertruck damage

A compact car crashed into a parked Tesla Cybertruck, messing with the electric truck’s rear suspension. The experience of trying to repair the truck was so complicated and costly that it ended up as a salvage.

The Cybertruck introduces several innovations, including its partially 48-volt electronic architecture, drive-by-wire steering, and stainless steel exterior.

However, innovations in the auto industry often come with higher or unpredictable repair costs.

Edmunds found out the hard way.

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The publication bought a Cybertruck last year for long-term testing, but they disclosed this week that the truck was involved in an accident in December.

A “compact sedan” crashed into the rear wheel and bumper area on the driver’s side of the Cybertruck while it was parked. As you can see from the picture above, the damage didn’t look too bad, as you would expect for a 6,000-lb truck after an impact from a much smaller sedan.

However, before they knew it, the Cybertruck was totaled.

First off, Edmunds had to go to a Tesla Collision Center that can work on the Cybertruck and there are only two around Los Angeles, where they are based.

The first one said that it would take a month before they could estimate the repair, and another 6 months to start the repairs.

The second center, located in Ontario, California, also stated that there is a one-month wait to receive an estimate, but repairs can begin immediately after that.

Edmunds decided to go with the Tesla Collision Center in Ontario, but the repair never happened since the total cost was estimated at over $57,000.

Here’s the breakdown of repairs that the Cybertruck needed:

  • Stripes and moldings: $619
  • Motors and components: $4,191 (including $3,000 for an EV drive unit)
  • Motor mounts: $77
  • Wheels and parts: $1,758
  • Steering: $2,040
  • Rear suspension: $9,149 (including $2,500 for a new suspension crossmember)
  • Cab and components: $3,800 (including $3,240 for a high-strength steel frame)
  • Bed: $8,762.79 (including $1,595 for the outer panel, $4,280 for the aluminum rear section and $1,055 for the bed floor)
  • Tailgate: $2,495
  • Rear bumper: $2,417.73
  • Rear body, lamps and floor plan: $1,668.50 (including $800 for the inner taillamp assembly)
  • Miscellaneous parts: $357.22
  • Other parts: $5
  • Paint and materials: $610
  • Tax on parts and materials: $3,320.65
  • Labor: $16,584
  • Sublet repairs: $25

Needless to say, the truck was declared totaled, and it just fetched $8,000 on a salvage car auction site.

Electrek’s Take

Holy moly! That’s insane. The suspension getting screwed from the vehicle smashing directly into the rear wheel I get. That could have happened with any truck, and sure, you’d be looking at over $10,000 in damages easily.

However, $9,000 to fix the bed, $2,500 to fix the rear bumper, and $2,500 to fix the bumper, and that’s just in parts before the $16,500 of labor overall, is nuts and doesn’t scream “heavy duty” and “apocalypse proof” truck.

The Cybertruck was supposed to be a rugged, stainless steel truck that you wouldn’t mind getting dinged and scratched. I think it will be challenging to justify this with $57,000 in damages for a relatively mild crash.

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Amazon and Nvidia say AI data center demand is not slowing down

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2 hours ago

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April 24, 2025

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Amazon and Nvidia say AI data center demand is not slowing down

An Amazon Web Services data center in Stone Ridge, Virginia, on July 28, 2024.

Nathan Howard | Bloomberg | Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY — Amazon and Nvidia executives said Thursday that the construction of artificial intelligence data centers is not slowing down, as recession fears have some investors questioning whether tech companies will pull back on some of their plans.

“There’s been really no significant change,” Kevin Miller, Amazon’s vice president of global data centers, said at a conference organized by the Hamm Institute for American Energy. “We continue to see very strong demand, and we’re looking both in the next couple years as well as long term and seeing the numbers only going up.”

The comments run contrary to worrying buzz building on Wall Street about tech companies changing data center buildout plans. Wells Fargo analysts said Monday that Amazon Web Services is pausing some leases on data center commitments, citing industry sources. The magnitude of the pause was unclear, the analysts said, but the comments raised fears that Amazon was doing something similar to Microsoft’s recent move to pull back on some early stage projects.

Miller said “there’s been little tea leaf reading and extrapolating to strange results” about Amazon’s plans.

Nvidia is also not seeing signs of a slowdown, said Josh Parker, the chipmaker’s senior director of corporate sustainability.

“We haven’t seen a pullback,” Parker said. China’s artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek sparked a sell-off in power stocks earlier this year as investors worried that its artificial intelligence model is more efficient and data centers might need as much energy as originally anticipated.

But Parker said Nvidia sees compute and energy demand only rising due to AI, describing the reaction to DeepSeek as “kneejerk.” Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark said 50 gigawatts of new power capacity will be needed by 2027 to support AI. That is the equivalent of about 50 new nuclear plants.

“Anthropic and the other AI companies, what we’re seeing is tremendous growth in the need for new baseload power. We’re seeing unprecedented growth,” Clark said.

The executives were speaking at a gathering of tech and energy companies at a conference in Oklahoma City organized by the Hamm Institute to discuss how the U.S. can address the growing energy needs for AI. There is a growing consensus in both industries that natural gas will be needed to meet the power needs.

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