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The increasing popularity of electric bicycles with their convenient electric boost has seen more and more commuters riding each day, especially car drivers who wouldn’t have otherwise opted for two wheels. This growth in cycling has spawned calls for improved bike lanes and additional bicycling infrastructure.

Some drivers have interpreted this call for safer bike lanes as if it was some type of “war on cars”. In actuality, car drivers should love seeing more people on bikes and e-bikes. In fact, it’d be better for them if they encouraged more people to switch to bikes. Here’s why.

More cyclists means less traffic

It shouldn’t take any major leaps of logic to realize that each person riding a bike to work or the store can help take another car off the road. Even if you never plan to give up your car entirely, each bike rider means one less car currently on the road creating traffic. Remember: you aren’t stuck in traffic; you are traffic.

But what you might not realize is just what a big impact on traffic reduction bikes can make. A study in Belgium found that when just 10% of drivers switch to two-wheelers, traffic congestion decreases by 40%! Another study in Atlanta, Georgia found that during a period when the city banned rental scooters, travel time for car trips increased by around 10%. And that’s even with many people still riding their own private scooters and bikes!

Suffice it to say that the more people using bikes, scooters, motorcycles, and other personal vehicles, the less traffic for everyone.

More bikes means more parking

You know who doesn’t take up parking spots? Cyclists. The next time you’re driving laps around the block looking for parking or zig-zagging through a packed parking lot, remember that the reason for the lack of parking spots is that everyone is driving a car, just like you. If more people rode bikes, you’d have more empty parking spots.

It’d be pretty easy, too. If you supported initiatives that encourage more people to ride a bike in your city, you’d be sitting pretty in your parking spot more often. It doesn’t cost that much to replace that painted stripe on the ground with bollards, separating the bike lane in a safe way that encourages more people to ride bikes. Just think of all those big, beautiful parking spots those cyclists would be freeing up!

You could have better roads

No one likes driving on beaten-up, pockmarked roads. No one likes dodging road debris. And no one likes waiting for lengthy road construction projects that repair all of that accumulated road damage.

You probably see where this is going. Bikes don’t wear down road surfaces or leave hub caps in the middle of intersections. They’re lightweight vehicles that often don’t even mingle with cars on roads – at least not when they’re given their own protected bike lanes to use.

What you might not realize is just how extreme the difference in road wear truly is. The damage to a road increases with the weight of the vehicle according to the fourth power law. To oversimplify it, a vehicle that is twice as heavy per axle doesn’t do twice as much road damage, but rather 16 times as much. If you consider the average cyclist and bike weight to be 250 pounds compared to an average car at 4,000 pounds, that car is doing around 65,000 times the damage to the road surface. The difference is mind-boggling.

If more people rode bikes, there’d be incredibly less wear and tear on the roads. That means roads would be smoother and more comfortable each day, and there’d be less frequent road work performing repairs. Ultimately, that makes everyone’s lives better.

electric street sweeper for bike lanes

Drivers will feel better when other people ride bikes

When more people ride bikes around you instead of driving, you’ll feel better.

Stick with me, I’ll show you why.

Even the most ardent car drivers have a basic understanding that the exhaust coming out of their car is “not good”. If someone asked you to put your lips around the tailpipe as they turn on your car, you’d probably protest. And I’m guessing the same goes for if someone asked your kid to do the same.

So we all know car emissions are bad. But you might not realize just how bad. Studies put the number of premature deaths worldwide due to automotive exhaust pollution at around a third of a million people each year. That amounted to 361,000 people in 2010 and 385,000 in 2015.

The exhaust from combustion engines is a killer, plain and simple. People literally use car exhaust to kill themselves. Here’s a grim metric from Australia: until catalytic converters became standard, the rate of suicide by car exhaust increased faster than the rate of vehicle registrations.

All of this car exhaust in the air is quite simply poisoning you. Yes, statistically speaking you will likely not be one of the nearly 400,000 people this year to actually die from it. But what other medical problems is it still causing you? The more people that switch from cars to bikes, the less particulate pollution is in the air and the healthier you will be.

And don’t for a second think “Ok, but maybe people can just drive electric cars and that will fix it.” Electric vehicles don’t have tailpipe emissions, but their heavier weights actually cause more tire pollution. Those microscopic bits of tire that get flung into the air eventually either get breathed in or settle into the water system. Either way, they work their way into our bodies and kill us in a slightly different way. We’re only recently learning just how bad this stuff is for us. In fact, particulate pollution from tires is up to 2,000 times worse than tailpipe emission pollution from modern cars. Fun!

And don’t even get me started on the extremely carcinogenic brake pad pollution from cars and trucks.

Long story short: more people riding bikes means that you live in a cleaner and healthier world. Your morning coffee has less tiny bits of tire in it and you won’t die as early from preventable causes like lung cancer or one of dozens of other ailments caused by car pollution.

toyota mpg car driver exhaust

More people riding bikes makes you richer

Want more money? Tell your friends to ride a bike.

I mean, you too could also save a huge amount of money riding a bike. But even if you’re sticking to your car, other people riding bikes saves you money.

That reduced traffic? It saves you fuel cost and increases your productivity by spending less time idling in the middle of the road.

That reduced road wear? Those are your tax dollars that don’t have to be spent on road repairs.

That increased health of the society around you? There are untold healthcare savings there. Insurance companies don’t have to charge as much, dropping your own premiums. Tax dollars don’t have to go towards as much healthcare. You don’t have to buy your kid an inhaler because he never got asthma from the extra car exhaust produced by drivers like you.

That’s all extra money in your pocket, all because a bunch of people started riding their bikes.

aventon soltera electric bike

What have we learned?

Here’s the thing: all of these benefits can only happen if more people get out of their cars and get onto a bike. More people need to turn from drivers into riders. Electric bikes, which make cycling easier (and can make it basically effortless if you use a throttle-controlled e-bike) have made the biggest strides in getting more people onto bike seats. So if you really want to enjoy these benefits, consider giving a bike a try.

But even if you can never see yourself getting around without your car, then you can still enjoy every single one of these benefits simply by encouraging others to use bikes. Support bike lanes being installed in your city. Support incentives for e-bikes. Support safety campaigns that help drivers become more aware of e-bikes. Hell, take an extra glance yourself at intersections for cyclists.

You can sit pretty in your SUV and live a better life simply by helping the rest of us feel better riding our bikes. It’s one of those rare cases where a rising tide lifts all ships. Let’s ride that tide to a more cycling-friendly world, baby!

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Tesla owners get creative to distance themselves from Elon with new car logos & projectors

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2 hours ago

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March 3, 2025

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Tesla owners get creative to distance themselves from Elon with new car logos & projectors

Tesla owners are finding creative ways to distance themselves from Elon Musk. They are now removing Tesla logos from their vehicles, replacing them with badging from other automakers, and even using projections on a Cybertruck in one case.

We previously reported on the surge in sales of stickers reading variations of “I bought this car before I knew Elon was crazy.” One particular business selling such stickers claimed to be selling hundreds per day as Tesla owners are looking to distance themselves from the automaker’s CEO.

Things have escalated since then, and the hate against Tesla has ramped up quite a bit. Some Tesla owners are even worried about people vandalizing their vehicles.

Now, some Tesla owners have found some more creative, tongue-in-cheek ways to distance their Tesla ownership from Elon Musk than slapping a sticker on their bumper.

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For example, Tesla vehicles are being spotted de-badged with the Tesla logos replaced with badges from other automakers (pictures via Stonk King):

It’s not exactly a new phenomenon, but lately, more of these Tesla vehicles with other automaker logos have been spotted.

But here’s an even more creative and clearer example of a Tesla owner trying to distance themselves from Musk.

A Tesla Cybertruck projecting images on its tailgate has been spotted several times in the last week:

It displays pleas not to graffiti the vehicle and adds things like “this truck already makes me look stupid enough.”

The short video is signed “Mussk production,” with the “ss” referencing the Schutzstaffel, a Nazi paramilitary group.

Electrek’s Take

Obviously, these are somewhat tongue-in-cheek examples, but between these, Tesla protests worldwide, and declining sales, it is genuinely mindboggling to see the destruction of Tesla’s brand in such a short period of time.

I have been covering Tesla for roughly 15 years and I remember when it was completely unknown brand, loved only by a handful of EV nerds, like myself, and hated by fossil fuel propagandists.

It took a great deal of work from Tesla employees and the EV community to build Tesla into an incredibly beloved global EV brand. A deep social media addiction, purchasing of Twitter, a move into politics, a few salutes, and now most of that incredible work is gone.

It takes years to build a reputation and seconds to destroy it.

If you are looking to install solar on your own home, to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar – whether you’re a homeowner or renter. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 30% compared to going it alone. Some installers even offer Tesla products as shown above. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

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Offshore wind roars back in 2025 with 19 GW of additions and China in the lead

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2 hours ago

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March 3, 2025

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Offshore wind roars back in 2025 with 19 GW of additions and China in the lead

offshore wind 2025
Photo Credit: Eric Haynes

Global offshore wind is gearing up for a comeback in 2025, with new capacity additions expected to hit 19 gigawatts (GW) and spending projected to soar to $80 billion, according to Oslo-based independent energy research firm Rystad Energy. That’s a big rebound after a sluggish end to 2024 when new installations dropped to around 8 GW – 2 GW lower than in 2023.

A record number of lease auctions is fueling the recovery. Mainland China, the world’s largest offshore wind market, is leading the charge, accounting for 65% of new capacity. That boost means 2025’s total additions will surpass the previous peak in 2021 by about 1 GW. For context, 2024 saw 7.7 GW added, 2023 hit 10.2 GW, and 2022 came in at 9.3 GW.

Floating wind, where turbines are installed on floating platforms instead of fixed foundations, has seen an uptick in project announcements. But supply chain issues, similar to those in bottom-fixed offshore wind farms, are slowing things down. Right now, floating wind is expected to stay below 7 GW of total capacity by 2030 unless governments step up support to help the sector scale.

Lease agreements, the long-term contracts between wind energy companies and landowners, are also facing some uncertainty. In 2024, a record-breaking 55 GW of offshore wind capacity (excluding mainland China) was up for grabs in lease auctions worldwide. But offered capacity doesn’t always translate into awarded capacity. Case in point: the US had zero bids for its 3 GW floating wind auction in Oregon, while the Gulf of Maine auction awarded about 7 GW of the 13 GW on the table.

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Looking ahead, lease auction openings are expected to dip in 2025, with around 30-40 GW likely to be available. That’s a drop from 2024’s record levels but still in line with what the industry saw in 2021 and 2022. While the offshore wind industry faces some hurdles, the momentum heading into 2025 suggests a sector gearing up for major growth – if it can navigate the challenges ahead.

“Global offshore wind is set for a robust year in 2025; however, certain signals could affect its smooth upward trajectory,” said Petra Manuel, senior offshore wind analyst at Rystad Energy.

“US federal policy is creating significant global ripple effects, hindering offshore wind development, especially where a large portion of auctioned capacity lies.

“President Donald Trump’s January memorandum halting new leasing and approvals on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), citing environmental and safety concerns, could last throughout his term, pausing new developments and creating continued uncertainty for ongoing projects.”

Read more: Europe’s wind power hits 20%, but 3 challenges stall progress

If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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EcoFlow Spring Sale takes 59% off power stations, Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah e-bike with $762 in free gear, Segway robots, more

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March 3, 2025

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EcoFlow Spring Sale takes 59% off power stations, Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah e-bike with 2 in free gear, Segway robots, more

Kicking off this week’s Green Deals are two big sales events from two of our favorite brands, with the first being EcoFlow’s Spring Sale that is seeing up to 59% being taken off power station units, like the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that comes with two 100W solar panels and an 800W alternator charger for a new $854 low – as well as offering extra savings, free gear, and more. Right behind it is Lectric’s Spring Forward sale that has up to $762 in free gear accompanying e-bike purchases, with a fully-loaded package ($762 value) on the XPedition 2.0 26Ah Dual-Battery Cargo e-bike at $1,799, among others. We also spotted Segway’s Navimow H Series Robot Lawn Mowers getting $600 off once more and starting from their $1,299 low, as well as the return of Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station to $90, but this time without the limited Lightning deal stock. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, rounded up in our Electrified Weekly coverage from over the weekend.

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.

EcoFlow’s Spring Sale drops DELTA 2 bundle with two 100W panels and alternator charger to new $854 low

EcoFlow is helping folks prepare for their upcoming adventures by launching a Spring Sale through March 13 with up to 59% taken off power stations and accessory packages – plus, there are bonus savings and gifts too. One notable standout that falls well within affordable means is the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that comes with two 100W solar panels and an 800W alternator charger for $854.05 shipped, after using the sitewide promo code 25SSAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. Normally, this bundle would cost $1,997 at full price, with this particular combination of items not usually featured in sales. We have been seeing the power station alongside the alternator charger down at $899 recently, occasionally falling lower to $849. Considering the solar panels usually go for up to $399 each, this is some significant savings. All-in-all, you’re looking at $1,143 staying in your wallet here at the best price we have tracked.

We’ve got some bonus promotions I want to point out before diving into the power station’s details, led by the additional 5% sitewide discount you can get by using the code 25SSAFF5 at checkout. You’ll also find that certain offers come with free gear such as a camping chair, camping trolley, or a protective bag. The company is also including a free RAPID 20W GaN charger with a 60W cable on orders over $400, as well as 2x EcoCredits on the “web-exclusive” offers on the sale’s main landing page here.

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A great and affordable companion for travels, EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station offers an expandable LiFePO4 capacity starting at 1,024Wh and ramping up to 3,072Wh (with added expansion batteries). Your devices and most appliances are covered through any of its 15 port options, with the unit providing a 1,800W output that surges up to 2,200W thanks to the included X-Boost tech, which also reduces its charging times. In just 50 minutes, you can have its battery back to 80% via a wall outlet, with a full charge taking a little longer at 80 minutes. The included solar panels will have things back at full in around six hours, with that time shrinking as you add more solar input up to its maximum 500W – plus, the alternator charger gives you 1kWh of battery for every 1.3 hours of driving, so just heading out to your camp sites will likely have you topped off and ready for your stay amongst nature.

***Note: The sitewide 5% discount has not been factored into prices below – be sure to use the code 25SSAFF5 at checkout to score the best prices during this sale!

EcoFlow Spring Sale “web-exclusive” deals (2x EcoCredits):

EcoFlow Spring Sale deals for RV adventures:

EcoFlow Spring Sale Campsite coverage deals:

EcoFlow Spring Sale on-the-go backup deals:

EcoFlow Spring Sale home backup deals:

EcoFlow solar panel deals:

EcoFlow expansion battery deals:

You can browse and shop EcoFlow’s entire Spring Sale lineup on the landing page here.

Lectric XPedition 2.0 cargo e-bike

Lectric’s Spring Forward sale offers fully-loaded $762 bundle with its XPedition 2.0 26Ah dual-battery cargo e-bike at $1,799

With the end of winter approaching, Lectric has launched its Spring Forward sale with up to $762 in free gear accompanying your e-bike purchase. Aside from the continued price cuts on the XP 3.0 Long-Range models, Lectric’s XPedition 2.0 26Ah Dual-Battery Cargo e-bike is getting a fully loaded package with $762 in free gear at $1,799 shipped. This bundle would normally run for $2,561, but like always the savings here are on the bundle itself – with this sale’s offer being the biggest package we’ve seen on this model to date. This fully loaded offer includes two rear rack cushions, two running boards, an Elite headlight, a suspension seat post, a 4L frame bag, two XL pannier bags, an accordion-style bike lock, and an orbitor basket and extra cushion. You’ll find the standard single-battery model coming with $326 in free gear while the 35Ah Dual-Battery Long-Range models are getting $654 in free gear. More below.

Lectric’s latest XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes are a great option for folks who tend to haul more than themselves around town – whether that’s packages or passengers – with its extended rear rack and 450-pound payload. They sport the brand’s new 750W M24 rear hub motor (peaking at 1,310W) that provide top speeds of up to 28 MPH, as well as improved acceleration and power for climbing hills (even while carrying extra weight). Expanded from two to three battery options with this generation, the single 13Ah battery delivers up to 60 miles of travel, while the dual 13Ah batteries take things further up to 120 miles and the dual 17.5Ah batteries go higher up to 170 miles – though keep in mind this is while using the PAS support at its lowest levels.

All three share the same upgraded components, like the adjustable dual spring 50mm front suspension fork, the Shimano 8-speed drivetrain, narrower 20-inch by 2.5-inch wheels with fenders over each, more powerful hydraulic mineral oil disc brakes, the headlamp and taillights with brake lighting and turn signal functionality, the wider-stance kickstand, and a color display.

Lectric XPedition 2.0 offers with up to $762 bundles:

Lectric XPeak 2.0 offers with up to $562 bundles:

Lectric XP 3.0 offers with up to $514 bundles:

Lectric XP Lite 2.0 offers with up to $557 bundles:

Lectric ONE LR e-bike with $467 bundle

Lectric XP Trike with $419 bundle

Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $206 bundle

Segway Navimow H series robot lawn mower

Gain autonomous lawncare with Segway’s Navimow H series robot mowers at $600 off from $1,299 low

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Segway is offering $600 discounts across its lineup of Navimow H Series Robot Lawn Mowers starting from $1,299 shipped, after clipping the on-page coupon, with its larger counterparts down at $1,599 and $1,999 thanks to the same discounts. These three robots usually fetch full prices of $1,899, $2,199, and $2,599, respectively, with discounts ranging from $380 to $600 since releasing a year ago. We see these $600 discounts popping up regularly, with another chance to score those savings today at the lowest price we have tracked. Not only does Segway’s direct site only offer the largest model, but it’s currently sold out at the moment, making this your best opportunity to score this autonomous lawn care support with its maximum savings.

The Navimow H series robots from Segway comes in three models that are tailored to cover 0.2, 0.37, or 0.74-acre yards. The first of them delivers a 180-minute runtime on a single charge while the larger two have a larger 240-minute battery life. All three provide a cutting height range between 1.2 inches to 2.4 inches, with the means to traverse up to 24 degrees of slopes and an IP66 waterproof protection rating to stand up to the aftermath of weather changes.

With these models, Segway has tossed aside the need for perimeter wires and replaced them with RTK positioning, which pairs with the VisionFence sensor for enhanced navigation and greater obstacle avoidance. You’ll get the usual array of smart controls here, including the robot being smart enough to register when its battery is running low in order to return to its station for recharging, picking up where it left off after it’s finished. It achieves this thanks to the Global Navigation Satellite Systems that guide it within the set boundaries – plus, it’s able to keep track of its location in case of it getting stuck on terrain or stolen off your property.

Anker PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power bank station is a totable companion back at $90

Anker’s official Amazon storefront is offering the popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Portable Power Bank Station for $89.99 shipped in both colorways. Normally posted with a $150 price tag, we saw it spend most of the last year keeping above $100, though since November we’ve been seeing more frequent cuts down to $90 and the occasional fall to the $80 low. You’re looking at the second-lowest price we have tracked here today, which puts $60 back into your pocket and is beating out Anker’s direct site where it’s currently priced at $113.

A solid choice for anyone wanting a larger day-to-day backup power option for their devices, Anker’s PowerCore Reserve beats out the usual 5,000mAh to 20,000mAh models with an even greater 60,000mAh/192Wh capacity. Through its two USB-A ports and/or the two USB-C ports, it delivers up to 60W charging speeds – plus, you can’t beat its bag-ready form factor coming in at just five pounds. Speaking of its design, the crown provides a reliable light source via the pop-up light, complete with two brightness levels and an S.O.S button for emergencies. It offers two methods to recharge its own batteries: either by plugging it into a wall outlet or utilizing up to its 60W solar input limit (sold separately).

You can also still find Anker’s upgraded SOLIX C200 60,000mAh Power Bank Station back at its $100 low, while the 90,000mAh models are also discounted in the same post.

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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