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ChargePoint NACS

Global EV charging network ChargePoint has officially opened up its AC and DC piles to the most prominent electric brand on the road – Tesla. Following an announcement this past summer, ChargePoint is now deploying NACS connectors, enabling Tesla drivers to replenish without needing to bring their own adapters.

Since its inception in 2007, ChargePoint ($CHPT) has expanded into one of the largest EV charging networks on the planet, having delivered over 145 million combined charging sessions to drivers across North America and Europe.

Up until recently, ChargePoint has served any and all EVs using J1772 or Combined Charging System (CCS) plugs, which is essentially all models that don’t don the “T” logo. Even Nissan LEAF owners can find a CHAdeMO charger. Tesla has owned a proprietary charging connection that was eventually renamed the North America Charging Standard… despite it being no such thing at the time.

Well, times have changed, this year especially, as major automakers like Ford and GM have announced they will adopt the standard on future EVs. Nearly everyone in the industry has followed suit, including BMW Group just yesterday.

However, ChargePoint was missing from the list… at least until June, when it confirmed NACS connectors on new and existing chargers would be implemented to allow Tesla drivers to more easily access its network. Today, ChargePoint has confirmed those connectors are starting to be installed and will continue to expand.

  • ChargePoint NACS
    Credit: ChargePoint

ChargePoint adds NACS, opens network to Tesla EVs

Up until today, Tesla drivers could still use ChargePoint’s network, albeit without fast charging, as long as they brought their own adapter. However, the charging network has recognized the magnitude of business Tesla drivers bring to the industry and looks to capitalize by providing a solution to ease the charging process. Per ChargePoint CEO Pasquale Romano:

With more than 35 million historical ChargePoint sessions initiated by Tesla vehicles, we saw the need to offer native connector solutions for this large portion of the EV market. Our support for both installed and new products opens up ChargePoint DC chargers to millions of drivers who have not yet had a fast charging alternative to the Tesla ecosystem, and makes their AC charging experience more convenient.

Per ChargePoint, NACS connectors are rolling out to AC chargers now and will begin being implemented on DC chargers in November, giving Tesla owners access to its fast chargers for the first time. For EV drivers with ChargePoint Home Flex tech in their garages, the company says it will begin shipping NACS cables this month.

With the addition of NACS, ChargePoint now offers every necessary charging connection in North America and Europe, opening up access to virtually all EV models.

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Another luxury automaker is cutting jobs after failing to keep up in the EV race

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February 26, 2025

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Another luxury automaker is cutting jobs after failing to keep up in the EV race

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Another global luxury automaker is cutting jobs after struggling to keep pace as the industry shifts to electric vehicles (EVs). With EVs gaining market share in most major regions, some are starting to get left behind.

Aston Martin cuts jobs, delays its first EV (again)

Aston Martin announced plans to cut 5% of its workforce on Wednesday after its fourth-quarter losses (before tax) surged 400%. The company expects the move will save around 25 million pounds ($31,700).

The British luxury brand missed full-year estimates after wholesale volume slipped 9% last year. It’s ballooning debt also reached 1.16 billion pounds ($1.47 billion), up 43% from 2023.

CEO Adrian Hallmark blamed “industry-wide supply chain disruptions” and the “macroeconomic weakness in China” for the poor performance and job cuts.

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Aston Martin’s wholesale volumes plunged 49% in China last year compared to 2023. Like most global OEMs, Aston Martin is getting squeezed out of the market after struggling to keep up with EV leaders like BYD, Tesla, XPeng, NIO, and others.

Despite falling behind early, Aston Martin is delaying its first fully electric vehicle (EV), yet again. The luxury automaker pushed back the long-awaited EV last year until 2026. It was initially scheduled to launch later this year. Now, it’s planned for “the latter part of this decade.”

In 2023, the British luxury brand entered a strategic tech partnership with Lucid Motors to use its advanced EV powertrain technology for its future electric sports cars.

Aston Martin is the latest luxury automaker to announce job cuts as it struggles to keep up in the global EV race. Earlier this month, Porsche announced plans to cut 1,900 jobs in Germany by 2029, also due to lower profits and sales in China, one of its most important markets.

Other global OEMs, including Ford (in Europe), Nissan, Stellantis, and Volkswagen all announced plans to cut jobs with more competition and rising losses in China.

In the meantime, Aston Martin will focus on its first mid-engine plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV), the Valhalla, which will launch later this year. The Valhalla is already sold out for the first year’s production, which is limited to just 999 units.

Electrek’s Take

Like most global automakers, Aston Martin is struggling to keep up with China’s EV surge. Luxury automakers like Aston Martin and Porsche have been hit especially hard, with more advanced, tech-loaded EVs coming out of China, many times at a much lower price.

Although BYD is best known for its cheap EVs, like the $10,000 Seagull, it’s quickly expanding with luxury sedans, SUVs, and electric sports cars hitting the market.

And BYD is not the only one. XPeng, NIO, Li Auto, and others are all gaining market share in China’s luxury market.

With China now flooded with domestic models, these companies are expanding into new overseas markets, including Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, to drive growth.

Can global automakers keep up? Or will China continue dominating the market over the next few years as the industry shifts to EVs? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.

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Trump plan to freeze funding stymies Biden-era energy rebates for consumers

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February 26, 2025

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Trump plan to freeze funding stymies Biden-era energy rebates for consumers

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Some states have stopped disbursing funds to consumers via Biden-era rebate programs tied to home energy efficiency, due to a Trump administration freeze on federal funding enacted in January.

The Inflation Reduction Act, passed in 2022, had earmarked $8.8 billion of federal funds for consumers through two home energy rebate programs, to be administered by states, territories and the District of Columbia.

Arizona, Colorado, Georgia and Rhode Island — which are in various phases of rollout — have paused or delayed their fledgling programs, citing Trump administration policy.

The White House on Jan. 27 put a freeze on the disbursement of federal funds that conflict with President Trump’s agenda — including initiatives related to green energy and climate change — as a reason for halting the disbursement of rebate funds to consumers.

That fate of that freeze is still up in the air. A federal judge issued an order Tuesday that continued to block the policy, for example. However, it appears agencies had been withholding funding in some cases in defiance of earlier court rulings, according to ProPublica reporting.

In any event, the freeze — or the threat of it — appears to be impacting state rebate programs.

“Coloradans who would receive the Home Energy Rebate savings are still locked out by the Trump administration in the dead of winter,” Ari Rosenblum, a spokesperson for the Colorado Energy Office, said in an e-mailed statement.

The U.S. Department of Energy and the White House didn’t return a request for comment from CNBC on the funding freeze.

In some states, rebates are ‘currently unavailable’

Consumers are eligible for up to $8,000 of Home Efficiency Rebates and up to $14,000 of Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates, per federal law.

The rebates defray the cost of retrofitting homes and upgrading appliances to be more energy efficient. Such tweaks aim to cut consumers’ utility bills while also reducing planet-warming carbon emissions.

California, the District of Columbia, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina and Wisconsin had also launched phases of their rebate programs in recent months, according to data on an archived federal website.

All states and territories (except for South Dakota) had applied for the federal rebate funding and the U.S. Department of Energy had approved funding for each of them.

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The Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency said its Home Energy Rebates programs would be paused until federal funds are freed up.

“Due to the current federal Executive Orders, memorandums from the White House Office of Management and Budget, and communications from the U.S. Department of Energy, funding for all Efficiency Arizona programs is currently unavailable,” it said in an announcement Friday.

Rhode Island paused new applications as of Jan. 27 due to “current uncertainty” with Inflation Reduction Act funding and executive orders, according to its Office of Energy Resources.

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The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority launched a pilot program for the rebates in fall 2024. That program is ongoing, a spokesperson confirmed Monday.

However, the timeline for a full program launch initially planned for 2025 “is delayed until we receive more information from the U.S. Department of Energy,” the Georgia spokesperson explained in an e-mail.

However, not all states have pressed the pause button: It appears Maine is still moving forward, for example.

“The program remains open to those who are eligible,” Afton Vigue, a spokesperson for the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, said in an e-mail.

The status of rebates in the eight other states and districts to have launched their programs is unclear. Their respective energy departments or governor’s offices didn’t return requests for comment.

‘Signs of an interest’

While the Trump administration on Jan. 29 rescinded its memo ordering a freeze on federal grants and loans — two days after its initial release — the White House said the freeze nonetheless remained in full force.

Democratic attorneys general in 22 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming the freeze is unlawful. The White House has claimed it is necessary to ensure spending aligns with Trump’s presidential agenda.

David Terry, president of the National Association of State Energy Officials, said he is optimistic the rebate funding will be released to states soon.

“For these two particular programs, I do not think [the freeze] will stymie the programs,” Terry said. “I see signs of an interest in moving them forward and working with the states to implement them.”

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Aventon clearance sale drops Level 2 e-bikes to $1,599, Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 preorder, Leviton EV40P charger at new $334 low, DJI, more

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February 26, 2025

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Aventon clearance sale drops Level 2 e-bikes to ,599, Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 preorder, Leviton EV40P charger at new 4 low, DJI, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is Aventon’s clearance sale that is making way for its newest models (the Level 3 Smart Commuter has officially joined the lineup), with the Level 2 Commuter e-bikes down at $1,599, among others. Right behind it is the early-bird preorder deal direct from Anker on its new 40L and 58L SOLIX EverFrost 2 Electric Coolers for a $10 ticket that gives you $300 off once it officially releases next month. We also spotted Leviton’s EV40P Level 2 Smart EV Charger for at-home or on-the-go usage hitting a new $334 low, as well as DJI’s Power 1000 Portable Power Station dropping to $419. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s EcoFlow Monthly Madness sale (ending February 28), the returning low on Anker’s SOLIX C200 60,000mAh station, 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.

Aventon makes way for latest releases by offering its Level 2 commuter e-bikes for $1,599

With the arrival of Aventon’s new Level 3 Smart Commuter e-bikes, the brand is having a clearance sale on select models, led by the Level 2 Commuter e-bikes at $1,599 shipped, which come in either the step-over or step-through designs. They would normally cost $1,899 at full price, but we’ve been seeing them keep more towards $1,699 most of the last year, falling to $1,599 during Black Friday and Christmas sales and into the new year. While we’ve seen this model go as low as $1,499 back in 2023 direct from Aventon, while Best Buy offered a one-day $1,299 low sale in April of last year, this is the best rate we’ve seen in the time since, giving you $300 in savings and equipping your commutes with some serious traveling power.

The Level 2 has been Aventon’s flagship commuter model for some time now, though that may be changing now that we’re seeing the upgraded smart capabilities of the new Level 3 e-bikes. The streamlined frame houses a 500W (peaking at 750W) rear-hub motor with a fully-integrated 14.0Ah battery, delivering up to 28 MPH top speeds for up to 60 miles on a full charge. Using the throttle alone to cruise around limits the speed to 20 MPH, with the 28 MPH speed available when utilizing the five PAS levels (supported by a torque sensor).

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There’s a rear-mounted rack to carry any cargo along with you, as well as front and rear fenders over the hybrid tires and a front suspension fork. It also features integrated head and taillights, with the rear lights offering a brake light function, and you’ll find a handy backlit LCD display attached to the handlebars that gives you real-time at-a-glance status updates as you ride.

Aventon clearance sale offers:

Aventon’s newest e-bike models (no price cuts):

  • Soltera 2.5 Lightweight e-bike: $1,199
    • 20 MPH for up to 46 miles
  • Sinch 2.5 Compact Folding e-bike: $1,799
    • 20 MPH for up to 55 miles
  • Abound SR Cargo e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60 miles
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Over Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Through Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
Anker SOLIX EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler

Pay $10 now to secure $300 off Anker’s new 40L or 58L EverFrost 2 electric coolers in early-bird preorders

Following behind the early pre-sale offer from Wellbots, Anker is now offering its own early-bird savings on the new SOLIX EverFrost 2 Electric Cooler in two sizes – with a $10 ticket purchase through March 6 securing you a $300 off coupon down the road, leading the 40L model to drop to $599.99 shipped, while the 58L model will be taken down to $799.99 shipped. These new devices will normally fetch $900 and $1,100 at full price once officially launched, with today’s deal specially solid if you wanted the smaller of the two options, otherwise, the 58L model comes in $1 above the Wellbots offer we covered last week. Regardless of which option you choose here, there’s also the additional $60 in savings you’ll get with the included free gear: a cup holder, a knife holder, and a fishing rod holder.

As I said, we’re seeing a similar deal on the 58L from Wellbots that gives you the same free gear package at $1 less, with the purchase there securing your unit before it begins shipping next month, so you don’t have to worry about coming back to then make another purchase like you will here. You can learn about that deal and the 58L model in our original coverage.

Coming in as the second-largest model of the three (the smaller 23L won’t launch until a later date than the others), Anker’s 40L EverFrost 2 doesn’t sport the dual-compartments like its 58L counterpart, but will still provide cooling or freezing functions so you don’t have to worry about ice runs ever again. Controlled via its app, these new models are tossing out the first generation’s direct cooling systems in favor of air-cooled refrigeration, giving you a chilled space for food and drinks in up to 18 minutes, depending on which mode you have it set in.

Like the dual-zone model, this mid-size unit also sports dual battery ports, allowing it to run up to 104 continuous hours while in Eco mode. Each 288Wh battery also comes with extra functionality, as it can be removed from the cooler and used as a power bank if need be, providing you with the means to top off devices with the 60W USB-C and 12W USB-A ports. There are four options for recharging: connect a maximum 100W of solar input, plug into a wall outlet or a 12V car port (these three are rated for a 3.6-hour charge time), or you can use a USB-C connection for a 5.5-hour charge. Every size comes with an IPX3 water-resistance rating, as well as large 6-inch wheels for semi-rough terrain and a fold-down tray that is also used as a handle.

Leviton EV40P Level 2 smart EV charger

Get 40A speeds with Leviton’s at-home or on-the-go EV40P Level 2 smart EV charger at a new $334 low

Amazon is now offering the best rate yet on the Leviton EV40P Level 2 Smart EV Charger for $334.04 shipped. This model usually carries a $499 price tag, though it’s been more recently keeping around $418 to $444 in 2025. While the last year has kept the price above $400 during most discounts, today’s deal comes in with a better-than-ever 33% markdown, saving you $165 at a new all-time low price that beats out the previous low we last saw in August by $50. It’s also beating out Leviton’s direct site, where it’s currently priced higher at $549.

The EV40P charger from Leviton comes encased in a water-resistant enclosure while its 25-foot cable can stand up to freezing and cracking, allowing you to install it either indoors or outdoors. On that note, this model comes with a plug-in design for both at-home and on-the-go needs, delivering up to 40A charging speeds, as long as there is a NEMA 14-50P outlet available. The SAE-J1772 connector ensures universal compatibility with most EVs on the market, including Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Subaru, and even Tesla with a Leviton NACS Adapter. Using the My Leviton App, you’ll get full smart controls that give you the real-time status of the station whether it’s in use or not, as well as additional remote controls to set schedules during off-peak hours, start/stop sessions, and even receive notifications when faults occur.

If you’re more in the market for a hardwired model to install at your home with higher charging speeds, you can find the Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV charger at $455 right now, down from $569. It comes with a J1772 connector, though Tesla drivers can find the option for a NACS connector direct from the brand’s site where it matches in price. You’ll get up to 50A speeds here, averaging around 37 miles for every hour of charging. It sports the usual array of smart controls you expect and comes weather-resistant against temperatures as low as -40 degrees.

DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station

Out-of-home adventures last longer with DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station at $419

DJI’s official Amazon storefront is offering its DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station for $419 shipped, after clipping the on-page $30 off coupon. Normally you’d be paying $999 for this model at full price, though today it’s already starting off lower than we’ve seen it in 2025 – plus, with the additional $30 off coupon things are going even further with a combined 58% markdown. While we have seen things go as low as $399 and $379 back during Black Friday and Christmas sales (which haven’t been seen again since), you’re still looking at $580 in savings at the third-lowest price we have seen – $40 above the all-time low. It’s even beating out DJI’s direct site by $280.

An ideal backup companion for anyone who spends most of their time out of the house (especially if its to fly any of the brand’s high-quality drones), the Power 1000 station provides a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity to top off laptops, tablets, cameras, drones, and more. There are 8 port options on this unit, with its two ACs delivering up to 2,200W (surging to 2,600W) for larger appliance coverage, while the dual USB-Cs offer 140W fast-charging speeds each, as well as the others.

If you pair this power station with either a MPPT module or the brand’s Power Car Power Outlet to SDC Power Cable, you can utilize the sun’s rays for solar charging. It boasts a sizeable 1,600W max solar input, which takes about 80 minutes to refill the battery to full. You can also recharge it by plugging it into a wall outlet for an 80% battery in 50 minutes, with a 100% battery taking a little longer at 70 minutes.

There are a few bundle options here worth noting, two of which are solar generator options that give you the power station with the appropriate cables and a 100W solar panel for $669, down from $1,247, or you can grab a similar setup with three 100W solar panels for $1,475, down from $1,955. If you already have solar panels to use, the other options provide the power station with the needed cables starting from $499.

Best New Year 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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