Sean Duffy, who was just confirmed as Secretary of Transportation on the back of the transportation “expertise” he showed as a contestant on Road Rules: All Stars, a reality TV travel game show, wasted no time in promising to raise your fuel costs by at least $23 billion on his first day.

The memo, signed yesterday, promises a review of all existing fuel economy standards, which require manufacturers to make more efficient vehicles which save you money on fuel.

Specifically, the memo targets the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard (CAFE), which was just improved last year by President Biden’s DOT, saving American drivers $23 billion in fuel costs by meaning they need to buy less fuel overall. The savings could have been higher, but were softened from the original proposal due to automaker lobbying.

However, the new DOT memo says it targets all similar standards, rather than just the improvements made last year – so in fact, our headline likely underestimates how much higher fuel costs would go if the DOT follows through on this memo.

A recent analysis by Consumer Reports shows that fuel economy standards are enormously popular with Americans, and that maintaining the current standards could result in lifetime savings of $6,000 per vehicle, compared to current costs, by 2029. And that fuel economy standards implemented since 2001 have already saved $9,000 per vehicle. Now, imagine the net effect of removing all of those standards, which Duffy has directed the DOT to examine doing.

The Sierra Club responded to the decision with this statement: “These common-sense, popular fuel economy standards save drivers money at the pump and reduce dangerous pollution from vehicles. Drivers spend excessive amounts of money to fuel their cars, and it’s often a large part of household expenses. Wasting no time at all as the new Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy is selling American families out to Big Oil, burdening us with higher fuel prices and more polluting gas-guzzlers that harm our health.” 

Mr. Trump signaled he intended to raise your fuel costs during the 2024 US Presidential campaign, when he asked oil executives for $1 billion in bribes in return for killing off more efficient vehicles. Now, after he finally received more votes than his opponent for the first time (after three tries, and despite committing treason in 2021 for which there is a clear legal remedy), he’s already following through on causing the inflation he promised during the campaign.

As we’ve already seen to be the case often with Trump’s allies, the DOT memo lies about its intentions. Just like his EPA nominee, who said he wants to make the air cleaner by making it dirtier, Duffy, known for being a former reality TV contestant, says he wants to make fuel costs lower by making them higher. The memo attempts to argue that your car will be cheaper if it has lower fuel economy, even though it wont, because buying more fuel will mean you spend more on fuel, not less.

Unequivocally, over here in the real world, dirtier air is actually dirtier, and higher fuel costs are actually higher.

The result of this increased fuel usage also inevitably means more reliance on foreign sources of energy. The more oil America uses, the more it will have to import from elsewhere. Other countries looking to exercise power over the US could certainly choose to raise prices as they recognize that the US has just become more reliant on them.

And, as we know from the most basic understanding of economics, adding more demand means prices will go up, not down. Reducing demand for a product in fact forces prices down, and EVs are already displacing oil demand which depresses oil prices.

Meanwhile, Biden’s higher fuel economy standards would mean that automakers need to provide a higher mix of EVs, which inherently get all of their energy to run not just domestically, but regionally as well. Most electricity generation happens regionally or locally based on what resources are available in your area, so when you charge a car, you’re typically supporting jobs at your local power plant, rather than in some overseas oil country.

Biden’s standards would have stood to benefit US-based EV makers, the most prominent of which is Tesla. However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk gave hundreds of millions of dollars to Mr. Trump, despite it being very clear during the campaign that he intends to harm EVs, which his DOT is now following through on.

Musk has also thrown his support behind policies that will harm Tesla’s business (and Tesla recognizes this to be the case overseas), and thus its shareholders’ pocketbooks (though the shareholders are also doing that on their own, by pledging an illegal $55B payday to a bad CEO).

Some claimed that the result of this support would go towards ending NHTSA investigations into Tesla’s FSD technology, which the agency has heretofore taken a rather light touch on, and which are primarily focused on ensuring that the technology be implemented safely, which is something that everyone, including Tesla investors, should favor. But Duffy himself said that he would not intervene in those investigations.

Also, whiplash changes in regulatory regimes are typically seen as bad for business. Above all, businesses desire regulatory certainty so they can plan products into the future, and there are few businesses with longer planning timelines than automakers.

This is why automakers want the EPA to retain Biden’s emissions rules, because they’re already planning new models for the EV transition. They went through this once before, in the chaos of 2017-2021, where they originally asked for rollbacks but then realized their mistake, and now still complain about the broken regulatory regime caused by the last time a former reality TV host squatted in the White House.

The new DOT memo is just one of many inflationary steps that Mr. Trump has indicated his interest in. He’s also thrown around tariffs and tariff threats willy-nilly, which have the effect of increasing costs, harming growth and reducing innovation. (This is also the case with President Biden’s tariffs on Chinese EVs, and you can read more about why they’re the wrong answer here)

Finally, the most important problem with this memo is that it will increase emissions, which harms your health and increases climate change. Much like the other trends we’ve seen here, this administration doesn’t know much about the basics of climate science, which is already costing America $150 billion a year in increased infrastructure costs related to damage from natural disasters. Just yesterday, a new study came out showing how climate change created conditions that made the LA wildfires, which will be the costliest in US history by far at $20B, more likely.

And that’s not even counting health costs, which will be even higher. The aggregate of these damages could cost each American born today $500,000 over their lifetime.

But all of these harms will happen to real people. This isn’t reality television, where the intent is to make up drama for views. This is actual harm that’s actually going to be done to Americans, who are having a rough time as the global economy continues to grapple with the long-term disruptions resulting from a pandemic that was exacerbated by the same reality TV host, and of course the ever-present worsening climate change.

And so, Mr. Trump is doing his best to follow through on his campaign promises – which, in so many ways, will only make your life costlier, more unhealthy, less stable, and less secure from foreign influence. This is what 49% of America voted for.

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The upcoming flagship Genesis GV90 is set to shake up the ultra-luxury market. Ahead of its official debut, we are finally getting a look at the larger electric SUV. The Genesis GV90 was spotted in South Korea for the first time, revealing its “massive” size. Check it out below.

Genesis GV90 spotted in public for the first time

Genesis has quickly built a name for itself after it became an independent luxury brand from its parent company, Hyundai.

The brand currently offers three all-electric vehicles: the GV60, Electrified G80, and Electrified GV70 SUV. This year, all three are getting significant updates with more range, a redesigned interior, and even more luxury. Meanwhile, the luxury brand has even bigger plans, with new vehicles arriving soon.

Genesis is preparing to launch a new full-size electric SUV that’s expected to rival ultra-luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz GLS Class and Bentley Bentayga.

We got a sneak peek of the new SUV after Genesis revealed the Neolun concept last March. The larger model features a clean, “reductive” design with its signature two-tone headlamps and Crest grille showcased upfront. The premium SUV even included coach doors, giving it that Rolls Royce-like feel.

Ahead of its arrival, the Genesis GV90 was spotted on a carrier for the first time in South Korea. The pictures from Namcha Cafe (via MotorsJason) reveal the test car, which is believed to be the new Genesis.

Despite the camouflage, you can see the SUV’s massive size in its outline. Even the wheels appear to be unusually large at around 22″.

Genesis will use the flagship electric SUV as a tech beacon as Hyundai scales upwards. The cabin will feature its latest tech and software, including a 24.6″ infotainment screen.

The GV90 will be the first vehicle underpinned by Hyundai’s next-gen “eM” platform. Hyundai’s new EV platform is expected to significantly cut costs with a modular design compared to its current E-GMP, which powers all IONIQ models, many Kia EVs (EV3, EV4, EV5, Ev6, EV9), and the Genesis GV60.

Last November, TheKoreanCarBlog reported that the first GV90 prototypes were spotted outside Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea. Now, we are finally seeing production models out in public.

It’s expected to launch in two trims: a Standard and an “Exclusive” model. The base model is expected to start at around 100 million won, or around $80,000. Meanwhile, the Exclusive trim, which will retain features like coach doors, could cost upwards of 200 million yuan, or around $160,000. The premium version will be limited to just a few models.

Genesis is expected to reveal the GV90 later this year, with mass production scheduled for early 2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan EV plant in Korea.

Would you buy the ultra-luxury Genesis GV90 for around $80,000? Or would you opt for the Exclusive trim with coach doors for around $160,000? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Leading today’s Green Deals is the $200 off launch deal on Aiper’s latest Surfer S2 Solar Pool Skimmer that comes upgraded with a bunch of new features at $340. Right behind it is Segway’s Valentine’s Day sale with up to 25% discounts across a selection of EVs, among them being the Ninebot E2 Plus e-KickScooter down at $300. We also spotted DJI’s Power 1000 Portable Power Station bundled along with a protective bag at a new $579 low, as well as NutriChef’s 3L Electric Kitchen Composter falling to $228, as well as a smart alternative model. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s two exclusive low prices on Anker’s F3800 power station, Heybike’s Valentine’s sale, 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.

Aiper launches upgraded Surfer S2 solar pool skimmer with tons of new features at $200 off for $340

Aiper’s official Amazon storefront is offering the first savings on its newest autonomous pool cleaner, the Surfer S2 Solar Pool Skimmer that is now down at $339.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $60 off coupon. This is the latest release from the popular robot pool cleaner brand, carrying a $540 price tag with it. Today’s first-time discount starts with a drop to $400, which is already some solid savings, but then goes further with the coupon to a combined $200 markdown off the going rate, setting the bar for its all-time low price going forward. It’s also worth noting that this price is sitting only $40 above the current discounted rate of the Surfer S1 model, making it quite the affordable launch deal.

Building upon the success of its predecessor, Aiper’s Surfer S2 solar pool skimmer arrives sporting serious cash savings so you can prep for summer with the latest tech. It comes sporting an updated brushless motor, a larger suction inlet, and a 150-micron filtration system alongside its DebrisGuard anti-leak design for improved collections of small and large debris, “effectively handling fine dirt, small particles, and large leaves.” The battery has also been improved upon here, now offering up to 35 hours on a single charge (up from the S1’s 10-hour battery), or it can get 24/7 performance with the sun shining through its integrated solar panel.

Aiper’s Surfer S2 solar pool skimmer has been equipped with dual dToF sensors that work with the brand’s algorithms for greater obstacle avoidance – plus, don’t worry about it getting stuck on pool steps thanks to the inclusion of its four retractable anti-stranding columns. And should it find itself in a precarious situation regardless of the columns, it’s also been programmed with automatic self rescue capabilities to get it back to deeper waters. Alongside the usual smart controls, this one also allows for manual steering through its companion app, ensuring whatever you need cleared away is taken care of.

Segway’s Valentine’s savings drop the Ninebot E2 Plus e-kickscooter to $300

Segway is launching its Valentine’s Day sale through February 14 with up to 25% discounts across a selection of its popular e-scooters. One of the best budget-friendly offers is the brand’s Ninebot E2 Plus KickScooter for $299.99 shipped. Normally this model costs $400 at full price, with costs mainly keeping above $300, though we did spy occasional drops to $280 over 2024. Today’s deal gives you one of the most frequent rates we’ve seen, cutting $100 off the tag and giving you a shot at the third-lowest price we have tracked – $55 above the all-time low we last saw during 2023 Christmas sales. You’ll find it matching in price at Amazon, as well.

Segway’s E Series of Ninebot kickscooters are a reliable means around town that fits within budget restraints (I’ve been riding an E22 around NYC for five years), and the E2 Plus stands as one of the best options from the group. It delivers you the means to commute up to 15.5 miles on a single charge, though this number falls a little to 12.4 miles when riding at its max 15.5 MPH top speed. A unique feature that you don’t see on many other models is the RGB ambient lights that offer 256 colors and 3 light effects which will change its rhythm along with the speed.

It’s been given a much larger 2.8-inch LED dashboard with a 25-degree tilt for easier glances and setting adjustments while in the middle of your ride. You’ll also find it stocked with puncture-proof hollow tires, an integrated headlight, a dual breaking system, an IPX4 weather-resistant rating, a folding frame for easier storage, and smart controls via the Segway-Ninebot app that includes remote locking and unlocking for added security.

Segway Valentine’s Day sale deals under $300:

Segway Valentine’s Day sale $301-$500 deals:

Segway Valentine’s Day sale $501+ deals:

Grab DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station with a protective bag at a new $579 low

Through its official Amazon storefront, DJI is offering its Power 1000 Portable Power Station bundled with a protective bag for $579 shipped, after using the promo code PN8XSGC3 at checkout. This package normally goes for $1,098 at full price, which has mostly kept above $978 since it hit the market a few months ago, though we’re finally seeing discounts take things lower. You’ll be saving $519 with today’s deal that is also dropping it lower than we’ve seen before, marking a new all-time low price. The power station on its own is currently down at its $499 low from its usual $999 tag, which makes this combo all the better as its normally $99 higher at the start but with the discounts on both options, there’s only a $80 difference, giving you the protective bag for less.

DJI’s Power 1000 is a great addition to outdoor kits, whether you’re camping, passing through, or even work outdoors. The 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity covers the backup power needs for laptops, tablets, cameras, and other essential gear, even the brand’s high-quality drones. There are eight output port options here, with the two ACs dishing power at up to 2,200W (surging to 2,600W) to cover larger appliance needs, while the dual USB-Cs boast 140W fast-charging speeds each, among others.

With the addition of either a MPPT module or DJI’s Power Car Power Outlet to SDC Power Cable, you’ll be able to take advantage of its solar charging capabilities (solar bundles can be found here), with an impressive 1,600W max input available, which would refill the battery in 80 minutes. Otherwise charging via a wall outlet delivers an 80% battery in 50 minutes or a full one in 70 minutes.

NutriChef’s compact, user-friendly 3L electric composter turns scraps into low-cost soil for $228

Amazon is offering the Nutrichef 3L Electric Kitchen Composter for $228.04 shipped, after clipping the on-page 15% off coupon. This handy appliance would normally cost you $270 at full price, but since December we’ve been seeing it up and down in price between its MSRP and the $200 low. Today’s deal comes in taking $42 off the price tag, landing it down among its lowest rates – just $28 above the all-time low.

Composting is becoming more and more popular across the country, especially for folks with green thumbs. This electric composter from NutriChef is ready to help you turn your kitchen scraps into low-cost soil for your plants through its drying, crushing, and cooling functions. Its compact size makes it a great addition to kitchens, particularly those in smaller apartments, and you won’t have to worry about the usual odors as its filtration system prevents those smells from filling your space. The display provides simplified controls for a more user-friendly experience, though, unlike some of the other composters we’ve covered here, this one does not sport any remote smart controls – but does feature a self-cleaning mode.

If you want a model that does sport smart tech capabilities, you’ll find Govee’s latest Smart Electric Composter down at $310 from $500, after clipping the on-page $40 off coupon. This model comes packed with monitoring and controls available via the companion app – you can even go hands-free with voice controls when connected to your Alexa, Google Assistant, and/or Siri. It has two changeable filters to prevent odors alongside three operating modes and a full array of safety notifications for when anything isn’t working as it should.

Best New Year EV deals!

• MOD Easy SideCar Sahara: $3,499 (Reg. $3,899)
• Segway Xyber e-bike (new, preorder): $2,800 (Reg. $3,000)
• Rad Power RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike with $200 accessory (new): $2,399
• Segway Xafari e-bike (new, preorder): $2,200 (Reg. $2,400)
• Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike with $200 accessory (new): $2,199
• Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike with $200 accessory (new): $2,199
• MOD Easy 3 e-bike: $2,199 (Reg. $2,399)
• Rad Power RadRunner 3 Plus Utility e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $654 in free gear (new): $1,999 (Reg. $2,741)
• Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike with $200 accessory (new): $1,899
• MOD City+ Step-Thru 3 Folding e-bike: $1,799 (Reg. $1,999)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 in free gear (new): $1,699 (Reg. $2,292)
• Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range e-bike w/ $365 in free gear (new): $1,599 (Reg. $2,003)
• Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Over e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
• Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Through e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
• Segway GT3 Superscooter (new model preorder): $1,500 (Reg. $1,700)
• Tenways CGO600 Pro chain-drive e-bike with $118 in free gear: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
• Tenways CGO600 Pro belt-drive e-bike with $118 in free gear: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
• Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
• Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard e-bike with $316 in free gear (new): $1,399 (Reg. $1,715)
• Lectric XPeak 1.0 Step-Thru e-bike with $727 in free gear (extra battery): $1,399 (Reg. $2,126)
• Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 in free gear (new): $1,399 (Reg. $1,813)
• Rad Power RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,499)
• Velotric T1 ST Plus e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,549)
• Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
• Velotric 2024 Discover 1 Plus Commuter e-bike: $1,199 (Reg. $1,599)
• Heybike Ranger S Folding e-bike with $208 in free gear: $1,099 (Reg. $1,499)
• Aventon Soltera.2 Urban Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
• Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,499)

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.