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The US Department of Energy (DOE) just finalized stove energy efficiency standards to save consumers money and reduce emissions.

The new stove energy efficiency standards

Until now, stoves haven’t had efficiency performance requirements in the US, so setting energy efficiency standards will put an end to the wide variety of stove efficiency in the US market. Inefficient stoves cost consumers more in the long run because they use more energy.

The changes primarily affect new smooth electric stove models, but the DOE says that 77% of smooth electric stoves (and 97% of gas stoves) on the market already meet the new standards.

New models will be required to use at least 30% less energy annually than today’s lowest-performing models. In particular, it ensures new smooth electric stoves don’t waste energy on standby.

Manufacturers will have to comply by the end of January 2028, and the DOE says that stove manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates support the new standards.

The DOE also says new stove energy efficiency standards are projected to save US consumers approximately $1.6 billion on utility bills over 30 years and decrease emissions by nearly 4 million metric tons cumulatively over 30 years. That’s roughly equivalent to the combined annual emissions associated with the energy use of half a million households. 

Johanna Neumann, senior director of the Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy at Environment America, said in response to today’s announcement, “By consistently making sure that manufacturers incorporate technological improvements into their products, the appliance standards program has a winning track record of reducing pollution that makes us sick and warms our planet.”

Electrek’s Take

This is good news, but it’s watered-down good news.

Firstly, an initial proposal to make more efficient coil-top electric stoves was thrown out – a decision that leaves me baffled.

And after the big political freakout last year about potential gas stove bans and tighter energy efficiency requirements for gas stoves that would have affected 50% of current gas models, the initial proposed standards have been loosened so that only 3% of gas stove models will need to be improved. Gas stoves that use 1.77 million BTUs annually are now allowed, compared to the initial proposal of 1.204 million BTUs.

Standards could have been tighter, but it became a political hot potato. Shame.

But let’s end this on a positive note: There are electric and induction stove rebates to be had if you’re in the market for a new stove.

Read more: Here’s how much money you’ll get with the Inflation Reduction Act

Photo: Benjamin Healley/Museums Victoria


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DHL picks Mercedes eSprinter as it expands its electric van fleet

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DHL picks Mercedes eSprinter as it expands its electric van fleet

DHL Express has more than 10,000 eSprinter vans in its global delivery fleet, but none of those have been deployed in North America – until now, that is! The company recently added 45 new Mercedes eSprinter panel vans, and they’ve got plans for plenty more!

While Mercedes offers its eSprinters with a promised 206 mile estimated range, DHL says it’s consistently seen them exceed 240 miles in stop-and-go delivery duty, making them the longest-range battery electric vehicles in DHL’s US fleet.

This extended capacity makes them ideally suited for urban logistics while expanding their potential use in longer delivery routes. The eSprinter vans also offer the same massive cargo capacity as their diesel-powered brothers, making them efficient last-mile delivery solutions that don’t compromise on payload or operational reliability.

And, of course, the eSprinter will do all of that without the noise, vibration, and harmful carbon emissions of diesel.

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“Electrifying our fleet is one of the most visible and impactful ways we are moving toward a more sustainable future,” explains Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express, US. “The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter brings an extended range and proven cargo capabilities that allow us to serve our customers with zero emissions, while also advancing our global goal of more sustainable logistics. These vehicles not only strengthen our operations in major US cities but also set the stage for future electric fleet growth across the Americas.”

The 45 eSprinters will see deployment in Chicago, Indiana, and Pittsburg, and will act as a first step DHL’s global Sustainability Roadmap, which will see the company electrify 66% of its last-mile US delivery fleet (and some of its long-haul fleet operations) by 2030.

Electrek’s Take


DHL reaches 50 electric truck milestone with Orange EV, plans to double down
Orange EV; via DHL.

In addition to these 45 vans, DHL is electrifying its European and Asian delivery fleets, ramping up its sustainable aviation fuel use, and even exploring electric semis, eVTOL and hybrid aircraft deliveries, and more.

In short, they’re doing the right thing – or seem to be, anyway. Whether or not that commitment to decarbonization will win them more American customers remains to be seen.

SOURCE | IMAGES: DHL, via PR Newswire.


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Enphase debuts a new US off-grid solar and battery system

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Enphase debuts a new US off-grid solar and battery system

Enphase Energy just launched a new off-grid system that lets homeowners power their homes without a utility connection – even for extended periods. The California-based Enphase says the off-grid setup delivers a seamless way to live independently from the grid while still using solar, batteries, and a standby AC generator.

A full off-grid setup

The new system combines Enphase’s IQ Battery 5P with embedded grid-forming microinverters, IQ8 Series Microinverters with Sunlight JumpStart, and a third-party standby AC generator. The components work together to supply power to a home and automatically manage energy sources to maximize efficiency and reliability.

If the batteries are drained and the generator runs out of fuel, the Sunlight JumpStart feature can automatically recharge the batteries the next morning once the sun comes up.

The IQ Battery 5P delivers 3.84 kVA of power per 5 kWh of capacity, and systems can be scaled up to 40 kWh and 15.4 kVA. That’s enough power to start big household appliances like HVAC systems or water pumps. The IQ System Controller 3G provides the backbone, managing solar, batteries, and generator inputs to deliver up to 46 kVA of off-grid power.

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Smarter control and connectivity

Each system connects to the cloud through Enphase’s IQ Combiner 5C HDK, which bundles solar interconnection, communications, and metering into one box. For homes without reliable broadband, the built-in 4G LTE Cat 4 modem keeps the system online for monitoring, firmware updates, and remote support.

Homeowners can manage everything from the Enphase App – from solar generation and battery status to generator integration and load control.

Why it matters

As grid outages become more common and homeowners look for ways to gain energy independence, off-grid systems like this are becoming more appealing.

“With the launch of our off-grid solution, we are giving homeowners a reliable path to complete energy independence,” said Nitish Mathur, Enphase’s SVP of customer experience. Enphase says over 100 homes are already operating entirely off-grid using its technology. The company plans to expand availability beyond the US in 2026.

Read more: Battery boom: 5.6 GW of US energy storage added in Q2


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Global offshore wind surges ahead as Trump sinks US progress

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Global offshore wind surges ahead as Trump sinks US progress

Global offshore wind targets are still strong enough to triple global capacity by 2030, despite the US’s offshore wind stagnation under Trump. A new analysis from energy think tank Ember and the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) shows that the rest of the world is charging forward, underscoring confidence in offshore wind as a cornerstone of future clean energy systems.

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