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Elon Musk is introducing his new right-wing fans to the idea of implementing a carbon tax, and it goes about as well as you would expect.

Over the last few years, Musk has become a sort of hero of the right.

Regardless of where you stand politically, it is a fascinating situation. I remember not too long ago when the right consistently attacked him for taking advantage of government subsidies at his companies.

A few years later, he buys Twitter, reinstates some previously banned conservative accounts, makes fun of Joe Biden and other democrats, starts to talk about “wokeness” and illegal immigration consistently, and now he is loved by the right.

Through this period, the once zealot climate change warrior who quit President Trump’s business council because he withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement, started talking a lot less about climate change and Tesla’s mission to accelerate to world’s transition to renewable energy.

On top of running six different companies, Tesla’s CEO is virtually a full-time political influencer now.

It is creating an interesting situation. For the first time in a while, Musk decided to use his massively popular X account to promote an idea perceived as left-wing (even though it shouldn’t be political): a carbon tax.

Musk wrote:

Musk has been pushing the idea of a carbon tax for a long time, and it’s interesting to see him introducing the idea to his new right-wing fans.

As you can imagine, it didn’t go too well.

Most of the top-voted comments underneath his post were responses that were quite negative. Here are a few examples:

I had to go down about 50 responses to see a positive response to Musk’s comment. It appears that for better or worse, Musk’s X profile is now dominated by his new right-wing fans.

Electrek’s Take

I am the first to admit that a carbon tax is difficult to implement correctly. In theory, it makes a ton of sense. In fact, free-market conservatives should love it since it fixes the market.

A free market only works if it’s fair and all external costs are accounted for. If external costs are not accounted for, the market becomes inefficient and fails.

A carbon tax accounts for the external costs of emitting carbon. It fixes the market inefficiency – making the true costs (including environmental) accounted for in the costs of the products. The products best for the environment would come up on top.

Now, to agree with that, you need to agree with the vast majority of environmental scientists who say that humanity’s carbon production is contributing to the acceleration of the Earth’s warming.

Yes, the climate has always naturally changed for billions of years, but it doesn’t mean that humans starting to pump billions of metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere every year is not accelerating it. The data looks clear.

For example, the amount of solar energy the earth is receiving has followed the natural cycle of the sun, and yet, global temperature has increased massively amid increased industrialization:

Therefore, at the very least, we can agree that products emitting less carbon over their entire life cycle are less risky of negatively affecting the environment. So why take more risk?

So, a carbon tax would, at the very least, help reduce the risk of this crazy experiment that humanity is conducting by unearthing carbon and burning it into the atmosphere in incredible amounts.

Now, I agree it’s hard to implement correctly. There are a lot of different aspects to it. For example, it works best if it’s global. Everyone needs to get on board. There’s the idea that the US shouldn’t get involved unless everyone gets involved, but that’s a decision between being a positive leader or accepting to be part of the problem because others don’t want to be part of the solution. I don’t like that mentality.

Also, it needs to be meaningful with a fair price. There have been carbon taxes before, but they had minimal impact because they haven’t really accounted for the trillions of dollars that burning fossil fuels costs worldwide every year.

It’s an incredibly difficult tax to make it fair, but I think it’s one worth doing. There could be a way to do it while reducing other taxes and encouraging people to live lifestyles that emit less carbon. And if you want to keep doing it, you can. It’s just that now it will reflect the true costs of the products.

As a side note, I hate to get too political. I’m not a very political person. I don’t believe that a lot of truly meaningful change in history came from politics and politicians. I don’t consider myself left or right. I approach every issue with an open mind. Please keep that in mind before for call me a leftist for endorsing a carbon tax.

In fact, I think we should go back to the days when this was a bipartisan issue in the US. Conservatives often claim that their side has the better economic policy, and nearly every economist is in favor of a carbon price – because unpriced externalities are a market inefficiency, and a carbon price solves that. Plus, a group of influential republican luminaries, including Bush and Reagan’s Secretaries of State George Shultz and James Baker, Bush’s Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, and conservative economist Greg Mankiw have all endorsed a carbon price.

One of the main problems is that it’s called a carbon “tax,” and many people, especially conservatives, have a visceral reaction to that word. If that’s your case, please try to get past it and understand the reasoning behind it.

Finally, please keep the comment section civil.

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Navee’s latest GT3 Max smart e-scooter at new $561 low, Tenways AGO X mid-drive e-bike bundle at $1,899 low, Segway E2 Plus II, more

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August 19, 2025

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Navee's latest GT3 Max smart e-scooter at new 1 low, Tenways AGO X mid-drive e-bike bundle at ,899 low, Segway E2 Plus II, more

We have three different EVs leading our Green Deals today, with the first being Navee’s newest GT3 Max Smart Electric Scooter hitting a new $561 low during the brand’s ongoing Back to School Sale. Next, Tenways’ newly launched pre-semester sale has returned its AGO X All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike to its $1,899 low while also offering $307 in free gear, as well as a spotlight on Segway’s new E2 Plus II eKickScooter at $300. We also have others from EcoFlow, Greenworks, Aiper, and more waiting for you below. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Segway Upgrade Your Daily Grind sale offers, the final day of deals from EcoFlow’s 48-hour accessory flash 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.

Navee’s latest 47-mile travelling GT3 Max electric scooter gets further price cuts to new $561 low

As part of its ongoing Back to School Sale that will continue through August 25, Navee has dropped the price lower than ever on its new GT3 Max Electric Scooter to $561 shipped, after using the promo code SCHOOL15 at checkout, which beats out its Amazon pricing by $132.49. What’s more, you’ll also be getting a FREE carbon fiber riser bag ($59 value) that is automatically added in the cart. Since its release mid-way through July, carrying a $750 price tag, we’ve seen discounts direct from the site (before this week) only take things down to $730 (and later $620 with the extra savings code last week), while at Amazon we’ve seen it regularly repeat to $693 for Prime members. All those rates are getting beaten out here by the combined 25% markdown that cuts $189 off the price tag for the best new rate that we have tracked.

While the GT3 and GT3 Pro are equally new models that first launched during CES 2025, Navee has already upgraded the series’ design with the GT3 Max electric scooter, which mainly focuses on its travel range. There is a 400W motor housing within the sleek frame (peaking at 1,000W) and a 597.6Wh battery that affords it a longer 46.6-mile range over the Pro models’ 37.3-mile range, with a top speed of 19.9 MPH. This puts it squarely in competition with the flagship ST3 Pro e-scooter, which mainly differs in its damping arm suspension system. There are three riding modes here, as well as the full array of smart features/controls we’ve seen on the latest models, including Apple Find My, Bluetooth proximity locking, and more – all controlled via the companion app.

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Of course, Navee’s 49-pound GT3 Max e-scooter comes with the usual folding design that helps you to carry it inside or up stairs more easily, not to mention making storage less of a headache. There are also other solid stock features like the tubeless tires to protect against flats, front fork and rear cylinder suspension, turn signal functionality integrated into the handlebars, a front drum brake paired with a rear electronic regenerative brake, and more.

You can check out the full lineup of deals during Navee’s Back to School Sale here, which is seeing particularly low prices for teachers and students who can verify their status.

man riding tenways AGO X e-bike through forest

Commute on streets and dirt alike with Tenways’ AGO X e-bike that gets $307 in free gear at its $1,899 low, more

Tenways has launched its Back to School Sale that is taking up to $600 off select e-bikes alongside offering up to $307 in free gear. Among the models seeing discounts, Tenways has returned its AGO X All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike to $1,899 shipped while giving you $307 in free add-on equipment. This model usually fetches $2,499 at full price, which has mostly been brought down to $1,999 over the last year, though we’ve been seeing more regular drops to the $1,899 low, like today. You’re saving $600 while the sale lasts at the best price we have tracked, not to mention the bonus mudguards, kickstand, and rear carrier you’ll be getting that puts you at $907 in total savings. What’s more, if you buy two of them (or any e-bike) together, you’ll receive an additional $300 discount on your cart’s total.

If you want to learn more about this model or the other deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

man riding Segway Ninebot E2 Plus II eKickScooter through college campus

Segway’s new entry-level Ninebot E2 Plus II eKickScooter with a 16-mile range drops to $300 in latest sale

Looking back in on Segway’s Upgrade Your Daily Grind sale, which will continue through the rest of the month, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the brand’s new Ninebot E2 Plus II eKickScooter at $299.99 shipped, which is also matching in price at Amazon too. This model launched back in May with a $400 price tag direct from the brand but never went higher than $370 at Amazon, which we saw dropped to $350 for its preorder period on both sites, with today’s deal being the second-ever fall to $300 that we’ve spotted. It did go $4 lower last month through and after Prime Day, with this otherwise being the best price we have tracked with $100 taken off the tag.

If you want to learn more about this particular model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here, with the full lineup of Segway’s e-scooter sale available here.

man and woman sitting outside by light powered by ecoflow RIVER 2 pro portable power station

EcoFlow’s RIVER 2 Pro 768Wh LiFePO4 power station tackles personal backup support at $379

By way of its official Amazon storefront, EcoFlow is offering its RIVER 2 Pro Portable Power Station at $379 shipped, which is matching directly from the brand’s website. While it carries a $599 MSRP directly from the brand, it keeps down lower at $529 in full at Amazon. We’ve seen discounts in 2025 bouncing the price around between $399 and its one-time $352 low that popped up in early May. Today’s deal gives you a 28% markdown off the going rate for $150 savings ($220 off the MSRP) and lands it at the third-lowest price we have tracked, beaten out by falls to $359, most recently in July, and the $352 low.

If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man cleaning brick driveway with greenworks 13A 2,100 PSI electric pressure washer

Greenworks’ 2025 13A 2,100 PSI compact electric pressure washer is down at $160, more

Amazon is offering the newer Greenworks 13A 2,100 PSI Compact Electric Pressure Washer at $159.99 shipped, which is also matching in price directly from the brand’s website. This is one of a number of newer models that were released at the top of the year, with discounts having mostly repeated to this same rate, save for the two Prime Day rates of $150 and a $140 low that was available to Prime members, exclusively. Today’s deal brings back the usual 20% markdown to cut $40 off the tag at the best non-Prime Day price that we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this new model or the others we spotted getting discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of the deals here.

aiper'shydrocomm smart pool monitor in water surrounded by bubbles

Aiper’s HydroComm smart monitor offers 5-in-1 testing for your pool and/or hot tub at a return $250 low

Through its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is offering a return low price on its latest HydroComm Smart Pool Monitor for $249.99 shipped in its blue colorway, which beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $50. Originally priced at $500 when it released in April, we see it carrying a lower $400 price tag from the brand and keeping at $350 at Amazon, where discounts have given us this same low rate twice before since Prime Day last month. It’s coming back for a third time here today, cutting $100 off the going rate (and $150 off the MSRP) at the best price we have tracked. You can also check out the array of discounts on the brand’s various pool cleaners on the official Amazon storefront page here.

If you want to learn more about this newer smart device, be sure to check out our original coverage of the deal here.

Best Summer 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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Environment

Ford’s next big EV money move: Turning batteries into business

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9 mins ago

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August 19, 2025

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Ford's next big EV money move: Turning batteries into business

Ford-EV-batteries

Ford is promising more affordable electric vehicles, but it’s still looking to make a profit. After kicking off production at its new EV battery plant in Kentucky, Ford is already looking for buyers to sell extra batteries.

Is Ford planning to sell EV batteries?

BlueOval SK, Ford’s joint venture with SK On, officially began production at its Glendale, Kentucky, plant on Tuesday.

The batteries will initially be used to power the F-150 Lighting electric pickup. However, Ford has bigger plans for the facility.

During an interview with Bloomberg, BlueOval SK CEO Michael Adams said, “Both of our parents are looking for opportunities for new business.” According to Adams, securing new clients to sell batteries to is “fairly high.”

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Potential buyers could involve energy storage businesses or other EV makers, Adams explained. A Bloomberg report earlier this year claimed that Ford’s joint venture was closing in on a deal to sell batteries to Nissan, but no official confirmation has been made.

Ford’s new plans to sell excess batteries comes as it faces slowing EV sales and upcoming policy changes. The company’s EV sales are down nearly 10% through the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.

Ford-EV-batteries
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

With the $7,500 tax credit set to expire at the end of September, the market will get even more competitive from here.

The joint venture has already scaled back plans at the Kentucky facility. Initially, the plant was expected to employ 2,500 workers. Now, it will have 1,450 employees.

Ford-$30,000-EV-pickup
CEO Jim Farley presents the Ford Universal EV Platform in Kentucky (Source: Ford)

Ford is also pausing production at a second plant in Kentucky as part of a broader strategy shift. According to Adams, the third battery plant, in Tennessee, will still begin producing batteries in 2027 despite Ford delaying its next-gen electric pickup until the following year.

Adams said everything is moving slower than expected, adding, “We’re in a monitoring phase and just being conservative in what we do in order to make sure that we’re safe.”

Ford-EV-batteries
Ford-Universal-EV-platform

Ford has overhauled its EV strategy with plans to launch smaller, more affordable electric cars. The company is betting on its new “Ford EV Universal Platform” to unlock more affordable electric vehicles while still making a profit.

The first vehicle based on the platform is expected to be a mid-size electric pickup with a starting price around $30,000. Customer deliveries are set to begin in 2027.

Ford will utilize lower-cost lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, manufactured in Michigan with licensed technology from China’s CATL, to power the new platform.

Electrek’s Take

Like most automakers, Ford is aggressively looking to cut costs to turn a profit on electric vehicles. After its EV business, Model e, lost $5.1 billion last year, Ford is warning that it could lose even more this year due to investments in its next-gen models.

According to Farley, the first model will need to be profitable in its first year on the market. Selling extra batteries could be a new source of revenue for Ford as it looks to turn things around.

Ford isn’t the only automaker that wants to sell EV batteries in the US. Earlier this year, a Nikkei report claimed Toyota would begin selling batteries to power Honda’s hybrid vehicles from its new plant in NC, starting in 2026.

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Environment

California’s new $55M Fast Charge Project covers every penny

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25 mins ago

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August 19, 2025

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California’s new M Fast Charge Project covers every penny

Fast Charge California Project
Photo: CA.gov

The California Energy Commission (CEC)’s Fast Charge California Project is offering up to $55 million in incentives – enough to cover 100% of installation costs – for DC fast chargers at publicly accessible businesses and sites. Applications are open now through October 29.

This is the CEC’s largest fast charging incentive effort yet, and for the first time, it’s available statewide. It’s part of the broader California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP), which has already helped deploy nearly 10,000 EV chargers since 2017.

The Fast Charge California Project prioritizes sites that are ready to go and shovel-ready, meaning applicants need to have a final utility service design and all required permits in hand. And it’s heavily focused on equity. Top priority will go to charging sites located in tribal areas, disadvantaged communities, and low-income neighborhoods, places that have been left out of the fast-charging boom.

Eligible locations include:

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  • Gas stations
  • Convenience stores
  • Retail centers
  • Parking lots
  • Any high-traffic public site

Here’s how much funding is on the table:

  • $55,000 per charging port for stations between 150 and 274.99 kW
  • $100,000 per charging port for stations above 275 kW
  • Total cap: Up to 100% of project costs, depending on size

“This is the biggest CALeVIP project ever. It’s the first to be statewide. And it’s the first to cover up to 100% of eligible costs,” said Hannon Rasool, who leads the CEC’s Fuels and Transportation Division. “Installing more fast chargers is vital to California’s zero-emission vehicle transition.”

The funding comes from the CEC’s Clean Transportation Program and the state’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

“State-funded incentives are essential for the rapid and equitable expansion of California’s electric vehicle charging network,” said Evan Wright, director of EV infrastructure and operations at the Center for Sustainable Energy. “This program is designed to get fast chargers in the ground … fast.”

Full eligibility requirements and application details are available on the Fast Charge California Project webpage.

Read more: Electrify America unveils a big DC fast charging hub in Santa Monica, CA

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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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