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beyond riders canvas jacket

If you’ve followed my writing or videos, you’ll know I’m a “life on two-wheels” kind of guy. If there’s an electric motorcycle, e-bike, scooter, or anything else remotely rideable out there, I’ve probably thrown a leg over it at least once. Over the years I’ve been fortunate enough to learn how each type of vehicle comes with its own unique personality and enjoyment, but also its own risk profile. And without the benefit of 5,000 pounds of murderous steel around us, out of necessity we motorcycle riders become masters of balancing risk.

But could the perceived risk of different types of rides, such as e-motorcycles versus e-bikes, cloud our judgment on personal protection? I think it might, at least for me. And so I’ve been on a hunt for the right gear to fix that.

To put it a different way, when I’m on my motorcycles, I prescribe pretty heavily to the ATGATT doctrine of All The Gear, All The Time.

You’ll never find me on a motorcycle without a quality full-face helmet, and 99% of the time I wear motorcycle-specific armored jackets and gloves. I’m talking full back armor, shoulders, elbows, and sometimes chest armor or even built-in airbags depending on the jacket. I take safety fairly seriously on motorcycles, I ride conservatively, and I gear up.

That being said, I’ll sheepishly admit that out of convenience I often skip my armored riding jeans in favor of my vulnerable Levis. And to be fair, I do frequently forgo my armored riding boots while opting instead for my daily work boots. But I’m never in shorts or sandals, that’s for sure.

There’s just something about my motorcycles that instills that sense of important adherence to safety gear, to (mostly) sticking to ATGATT. Though here’s a little pro tip: I learned the hard way not to fly on motorcycle trips while wearing armored jeans when I ended up standing in an airport in my underwear with two TSA agents poking around the knees of my pants looking for drug bags. Damn body scanners instead of metal detectors. Anyway, I digress.

So yeah, motorcycles always equal “gear up” in my mind.

Zero FXE electric motorcycle ridden by Micah Toll
Technically those are Levis and steel-toed work boots, but I’m mostly ATGATTing

Then there are my scooters. I’m not talking cute little Razor scooters. I’m talking faster machines, like my 60 MPH Gogoro electric scooter. Or the even faster Gogoro Pulse I just tested in Taiwan.

They’re every bit as fast as my motorcycles when riding in the city or even on urban highways. Yet for some reason, they seem to give me some false sense of security. Stepping through my scooters causes me to allow myself a looser interpretation of my own safety gear rules. I’ll don a 3/4 helmet instead of a full-face sometimes. I’ll roll out in a T-shirt instead of leathers or an armored jacket. I’ll ride in khaki shorts instead of pants. And yes, I’ll even wear sandals sometimes in the hot Tel Aviv summers.

Just a couple days ago I was bombing down a mountain road on an electric scooter in Taiwan – the same road motorcyclists would love to carve up – with nothing but my signature black tee between me and the Taipei asphalt. And for some reason it didn’t strike me as strange, even though I’d surely be in an armored jacket if I was doing that run on a motorcycle.

I don’t condone this type of nearly-nude riding (especially not the sandals thing, even though they’re practically the equivalent of dress shoes here in the Middle East), but I’m also going to be honest with you about how I ride. As someone who doesn’t own a car and thus rides daily out of necessity, it’s a big part of my life and I want to be transparent about what that means.

micah toll gogoro scooter
Somehow I couldn’t even be bothered to put my visor down on either of these Gogoro scooters, whoops…

And then there are my electric bicycles, where for some reason it all goes out the window. Sure, I’m at least almost always wearing a bike or skate helmet, but that’s pretty much where I’ve drawn the line for myself. If I’m wearing a t-shirt, that’s an upgrade over a tank top. Hell, sometimes my sandals are there just so the summer asphalt doesn’t burn my feet.

I’m not saying this is a good idea – in fact I know it’s a terrible idea. That’s why you may notice I never film my videos like this to avoid showcasing poor protection practices – I almost always film my electric bicycle videos in pants and boots. And yes, I know about degloving accidents (please don’t google that). But for some reason, even though I know academically that being hit by a car on a motorcycle would be just as bad as being hit by a car on a bike or scooter, I never really think of it that way when I go out to ride. I allow myself to be a lot more laissez-faire with my gear when on a scooter and especially when on an e-bike.

Lately though, I’ve been giving this concept a lot more thought. Why do I gear up on one type of two-wheeled vehicle but not another? I’m riding the same streets with the same obstacles and at the same speeds (at least while in the city). For a while now, I’ve been wondering why there isn’t a better solution. Sure, it seems a bit silly to mount my e-bikes wearing all the same massive gear from the motorcycle end of my small section of the closet that my wife permits me to use. But why isn’t there gear that can protect me like my motorcycle gear without making me look like I’m a Valentino Rossi wannabe?

As it turns out, there already is. It’s called Beyond Riders.

Fortunately, I’ve finally discovered the answer I’ve been looking for. I found the gear that offers the moto-level protection I want on my electric bicycles without the same over the top moto-look.

Beyond Riders specializes in full-protection riding gear that looks like casual wear. They’ve got riding shirts that look like plaid hipster lumberjack shirts. They’ve got canvas jackets that look like a classic Carhart work shirt. They’ve got mesh jackets for full protection from a slide while still getting a breeze down to your cotton undershirt in hot weather. They’ve even got pullover hoodies for a soft, warm winter feel-good shirt!

And all of these have special pockets for holding motorcycle armor to protect different combinations of your elbows, shoulders, spine, chest, and more. Imagine that, a comfy winter hoodie that also protects you in a crash.

Many of the models have other important features too, like reflective panels that illuminate at night, belt loops to keep the jacket down in a slide, hidden pockets for gear, vent panels to avoid overheating, gussets to help the shirts expand at the shoulders when you reach forward for the bars, and more.

The canvas jacket I’ve been wearing lately even has a built-in microfiber cloth in the lower inside flap for a quick way to clean your riding glasses.

Level 2 armor can be inserted into hidden pockets to protect your spine, shoulders, elbows, and chest

The aramid fiber material is protective against sliding across the asphalt, (not to mention the hidden Level 2 armor pads I have in there for impact protection), but the jacket is also light enough that I can throw it over my shoulder or into the crook of my arm and walk into a coffee shop. My wife even likes the way it looks on date nights – a test none of my other motorcycle gear has ever passed.

Basically, the jacket gives me that convenient and comfortable protection I’ve been looking for so that I can convince myself to actually wear it while riding my e-bikes. That’s the key piece here, because it only protects me on my e-bikes and e-scooters if I’m actually wearing it.

And it’s not just jackets either, but Beyond Riders also has riding pants that look like normal pants, fingerless skate gloves, protective hoodies, and more.

beyond riders canvas jacket

beyond riders canvas jacket
beyond riders canvas jacket
beyond riders canvas jacket micah toll

beyond riders canvas jacket micah toll
beyond riders canvas jacket micah toll

Then there are the color and pattern options, which seem endless, and the size range includes XXS to literally 8XL and everything in between.

After I dug a little deeper, I discovered how they can offer what seems like a thousand combinations and permutations of sizes and styles. Beyond Riders produces its clothing to order, which means it takes a few extra days (sometimes up to a week), but each shirt or other garment is produced after you order it on the website, made to the exact specifications you selected.

That surely helps them be more efficient by cutting down on stocking massive inventory, yet they can still produce just about any color or size combination quickly.

The more I researched, the more I learned. It makes sense that there’s a big motorcycle community around these jackets, but it turns out they’re popular in other riding sports like electric unicycle groups and for high-speed electric skateboard riders. So it makes perfect sense to turn it into my e-bike jacket.

You’d never know all of these armor pads are hidden in this shirt, not to mention the abrasion-resist aramid fibers

Of course this stuff doesn’t come cheap, and compared to a distressed denim jacket from Target, the prices are significant. But if you’ve ever looked at the main motorcycle gear brands like Rev’it and Alpinestars, you’ll see the prices are actually pretty decent compared to leading motorcycle protective garments.

My favorite of the two Beyond Riders jackets I got is the canvas riding jacket, which was $179 with included Level 1 pads, but I chose to add the $59 Level 2 pad upgrade for better production. The canvas jacket is certainly not a winter coat, but it keeps me warm enough in the moderate Florida and Tel Aviv winter I’ve been testing it in.

But now that temperatures are rising, I’m getting more use out of my Beyond Riders reflective mesh shirt that costs $229. It’s black (see above photo), but the reflective layer means that it’s still visible at night. And for price comparison, my Rev’it Eclipse 2 motorcycle jacket I’ve been wearing up until now was just shy of $200, so these prices are fairly par for the course when it comes to protective gear.

I definitely prefer the look of the canvas shirt better, but the mesh shirt is great for getting the same protection in hot weather.

livewire del mar micah toll
The same jacket works great on my motorcycles and my e-bikes!

While this stuff ain’t cheap by any stretch of the imagination, frankly neither is surgery. And growing back a significant portion of skin on your back, sides, or arms is something that most people would gladly have paid a few hundred bucks to have avoided once they are in the thick of it. I’ve still got some scarring from going wheels up on an electric skateboard back in 2018 – my most serious crash of my career that fortunately only left me donating more skin than I would have preferred to the asphalt. But you never forget that feeling, and so having those aramid fibers of the jacket around me (not to mention the armor) adds some significant peace of mind that my black cotton t-shirt just doesn’t provide. 

And the beauty is that while I’m comfortable wearing this gear on my electric bicycles, it’s found its way onto my motorcycle rides too since it’s built with that level of protection in mind.

My tried and true Rev’it motorcycle jacket has spent a lot more time on its hanger now that I’ve got the Beyond Riders gear in my quiver.

After years of dismissing protective clothing on my non-moto rides, I’ve finally found a way to take my appreciation for safety gear on my motorcycles and apply it to my electric bikes, scooters, and other rides in a way that is convenient enough that I actually do it.

To me, that’s the real kicker. You can have the best gear in the world, but if you don’t wear it because it’s too bulky, hot, or otherwise feels like overkill on your bike, then it’s only going to protect your coat hook.

The gear that you’ll actually wear because it’s comfortable and looks good (even on a bicycle!), that’s what will truly protect you.

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Check out Hyundai’s new robot that will automatically charge your EV

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2 hours ago

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May 22, 2025

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Check out Hyundai's new robot that will automatically charge your EV

Hyundai-robot-EV-charger

How much easier can charging get? Hyundai and Kia want to make it effortless with their new robot that automatically charges your EV.

Hyundai sets up robot EV charger service in Korea

If cars can drive themselves, why can’t robots automatically charge your EV? That may soon be a reality after Hyundai Motor showcased its new automatic charging robots (ACRs) in Korea.

Hyundai and Kia set up a demo site at the Incheon International Airport as part of a new business agreement. Through the agreement, Hyundai (and Kia) will work with the airport to establish an automatic robot EV charging service.

Since Incheon International Airport has already electrified its entire fleet and plans to have 1,110 chargers by 2026, it is the perfect spot to test it out.

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The companies will use the demo site as a “stepping stone” with plans to expand into additional airports, seaports, railways, and other transportation hot spots.

Hyundai Motor’s head of R&D said the project is “a significant milestone in verifying the practical benefits” of robotic EV charging.

Hyundai-robot-EV-charger
Hyundai deploys automatic charging robots at Incheon International Airport (Source: Hyundai)

Although several other companies, like Tesla and RAM (remember the Ram Charger?), have teased robot EV chargers in the past, Hyundai is one of the first to put them into action.

Hyundai first introduced its automatic charging robot in 2023. Using a 3D camera system and AI, the robot will automatically find and plug into the vehicle’s charge port.

Hyundai automatic charging robot for EVs (Source: Hyundai)

When you’re done, it will remove the charger and close the cover. Check out the video above to see how it works on the IONIQ 6.

The company expects that automatic charging robots will “significantly increase” the convenience of EV charging. With autonomous parking, the robots can charge several parked vehicles at the same time.

Will we see Hyundai’s robot EV chargers rolling around global airports in the future? It could soon be a reality.

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Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale takes up to $500 off new and legacy e-bikes from $1,299, DJI, Husqvarna, EcoFlow flash sale, more

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2 hours ago

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May 22, 2025

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Rad Power's Memorial Day Sale takes up to 0 off new and legacy e-bikes from ,299, DJI, Husqvarna, EcoFlow flash sale, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale which is taking up to $500 off seven e-bikes – four of which are the first discounts we’re seeing on the new lineup of models, like the Radster Road Commuter e-bike that is down at $1,999. We also spotted DJI’s Power 1000 Station dropping to $449, as well as Husqvarna’s Power Axe 350i 18-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw kit at $384, with more of the brand’s tools also seeing discounts. Lastly, we have EcoFlow taking up to 30% off three flash sale offers through the rest of the day, starting from $649. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s up to 67% discounts during EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale, the biggest accessory bundle to date on Lectric’s XP Trike, 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.

Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale offers first cash savings on new e-bikes along with legacy models – starting from $1,299

Rad Power has launched its Memorial Day Sale through June 4, which is offering up to $500 off seven e-bikes, including the first cash discounts on four of its newest e-bikes that will be ending sooner on May 26. Among the new models, the one that has had my eye since its launch at the top of March is the Radster Road Commuter e-bike that is down at $1,999 shipped. This new model has been keeping to its $2,199 full price since hitting the market, with the only deals we’ve seen so far having been single add-on accessory promos during some past sales. You’ll now be able to save $200 off the going rate through next week’s holiday, setting the bar for future discounts that we might see down the road.

Launched alongside three other models, including a trail-trekking counterpart, Rad Power’s Radster Road e-bike is the latest of the brand’s commuter-focused solutions that boast a sizeable speed and mileage increase over its legacy models. It arrives equipped with a 750W rear hub motor that produces 100Nm of torque and a 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated battery, providing you with top speeds up to 28 MPH and up to 65+ miles of travel on a single charge with its 5 PAS levels activated (with those supported by a torque sensor).

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This model, like its newer counterparts, comes stocked with some solid features beyond its initial performance, like the system locking via a passcode or an included security fob, providing added security, which is always my primary concern when taking mine out. There’s also the hydraulic suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, Kenda Kwick puncture-protected tires with fenders over each, the front LED headlight and integrated taillight with brake lighting and turn signals, a Shimano 8-speed derailleur, a rear cargo rack, a color display with a USB-C port to charge devices, and more.

Rad Power’s Memorial Day new e-bike deals (through May 26):

Rad Power’s Memorial Day legacy e-bike deals (through June 4):

This is a great month to gear up for cruises through the summer and into fall, as many of the most popular and our favorite brands are currently offering big savings on e-bikes and e-scooters, which you can browse in our one-stop-shop Ride to Work EV hub.

DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station

Keep your outdoor adventures running with DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station down at $449

Through its official Amazon storefront, DJI is offering its Power 1000 Portable Power Station for $449 shipped. Despite carrying a $999 price tag elsewhere, we’ve been seeing it spend 2025 so far keeping posted at a $699 rate here at Amazon, with discounts having been completely absent since April began. While we have seen it dip down as low as $379 in the past, those rates were last seen in November and December, with the price here beaten out in the new year by one fall to $419 in March, giving you the second-best pricing of 2025 that saves you $250 off the going rate ($550 off its original MSRP). It’s even beating out the discount we’re seeing directly from DJI’s website, where it’s sitting $50 higher.

An ideal companion for folks who spend plenty of time out in the wilds of the world, particularly for photography, flying the brand’s drones, and the like, DJI’s Power 1000 station covers backup power needs with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity through eight port options. Those ports are quite versatile in output, as among the options you’ll have, the two AC outlets provide up to 2,200W of power (surging to 2,600W) in order to tackle larger appliance needs, while also promising fast-charging speeds for personal devices at up to 140W from the dual USB-Cs, plus the others.

By equipping this station with either an MPPT module or DJI’s power outlet to SDC power cable, you’ll be able to utilize its solar-charging capabilities, with the unit boasting a 1,600W max input that can put the battery back to full in 80 minutes. Of course, you could also plug it into a wall outlet for an 80% battery in 50 minutes, taking about 20 minutes longer to push it to full. Right now, there are two discounted solar-capable bundles, with the station getting a 100W panel and the appropriate cables for $688, down from $1,247, or, while it has been $300 less for most of the year, you can still save $300 off the MSRP for the station with a 200W panel at $1,356. There are other options on the same page for those just seeking the cables to connect existing solar panels, but they are keeping to their full prices at the moment.

Husqvarna Power Axe 350i electric chainsaw

Fell trees and cut up firewood with Husqvarna’s Power Axe 350i 18-inch electric chainsaw kit at $384

Amazon is offering the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw for $383.99 shipped. Normally going for $480 at full price, discounts are often less frequent on this brand’s tools as opposed to EGO, Greenworks, and others. In 2025, we’ve seen it fall to this same rate twice before, which has been the lowest tracked price so far in the last five months. We have seen it go as low as $359 at the end of 2023, and $379 in 2024, with today’s deal being the best of 2025 and the third-lowest price overall, saving you $96 off the going rate for as long as it lasts.

Unlike many other Husqvarna offers we see, which are usually tool-only deals, the brand’s Power Axe 350i actually comes with a 7.5Ah battery and charger, and is a larger yet still lightweight model perfect for felling trees, cutting up firewood, and the like with its 18-inch bar and chain. It has been given the brand’s X-cut chain that retains sharpness for longer periods over more standard designs, while also boasting a tool-less tensioning system that allows for easier adjustments at faster speeds with little effort. There’s even a boost mode that activates with a button press, ramping its output by 25%.

Other Husqvarna discounts:

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus power station

Get up to 30% off EcoFlow flash offers like the DELTA 3 Plus power station with a protective bag at $649 (Today only)

As part of EcoFlow’s ongoing Memorial Day Sale through May 28, the brand has launched the next round of 24-hour flash offers on three units through the rest of the day. The only one to include an actual power station gives you the DELTA 3 Plus with a protective bag for $649 shipped. We normally see this bundle with the bag on the standard predecessor model or elsewhere, with the power station often fetching $799 at full price. While we have seen the price go as low as $535 from a Wellbots exclusive deal last month (one of only two that we’ve secured), you’re still looking at a solid $150 markdown off the going rate on top of getting the accompanying bag, which is lacking at Amazon, where the pricing on the station matches.

While not as sizeable as some of its counterparts, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus is a mid-range option that gives you peace of mind while away from home with its 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity, which you can expand up to 5kWh with the appropriate expansion batteries for the DELTA 3, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, or the DELTA 2. The 13 ports provide ample support for devices and appliances, with the unit dishing out a steady 1,800W output that can surge as high as 3,600W thanks to the X-Boost. There are five methods to recharge this model (AC, solar, smart dual fuel generator, 800W alternator charger, and multi-charging), and it comes rated for 4,000 lifecycles, giving you nearly 11 years of usage, were you to charge and discharge its battery every single day.

EcoFlow’s other 24-hour flash offers (through May 22):

EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale will continue taking up to 67% off power stations through May 28, with flash sales scheduled to pop up next on May 26.

Best Spring 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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House republicans vote to send US EV jobs to China, give trillions to US elites

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4 hours ago

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May 22, 2025

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House republicans vote to send US EV jobs to China, give trillions to US elites

capitol building congress senate house public domain

House republicans passed their tax proposal, which kills a slew of tax credits to help working families become more energy efficient, improve US air quality, and boost US manufacturing. The republican bill instead channels that money to wealthy elites, increasing the deficit by trillions of dollars along the way.

Republicans in Congress released their 389-page proposal last Tuesday and, as expected, it included several provisions to eliminate popular clean energy credits which were driving a boost in American manufacturing.

The credits were largely established under President Biden as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which raised hundreds of billions of dollars through tax enforcement on wealthy individuals and corporations and channeled that into energy efficiency credits for American families.

We’ve covered how families could save thousands of dollars on upgrades to lower their energy costs through these credits.

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But these credits aren’t just money-saving for Americans, they also work to boost American manufacturing, due to various provisions in the bill, particularly around the $7,500 EV tax credit which was limited to cars that undergo final assembly in North America.

While loopholes exist, nevertheless the bill resulted in a massive expansion of American manufacturing, driving hundreds of billions of dollars of investment and creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.

But now, republicans in Congress have voted to roll much of that progress back. The final vote tally was 215-214, with one additional representative voting “present” (which means 215 out of 430, or 50%, of representatives voted Yea, which is not actually a majority). All Democrats voted against the job-killing measure, while only two republicans, Davidson (R-OH) and Massie (R-KY), voted to support American jobs, and Harris (R-MD) voted “present.”

Here’s a list of the bill’s various effects related to clean air and energy (via the BlueGreen Alliance):

  • Attaching restrictions to clean energy and manufacturing tax credits that would make them unusable in practical terms while also “sunsetting” those tax credits early, a move that research suggests will increase costs for American families; 
  • Repealing the Clean Vehicle Tax Credits; 
  • Repealing the Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit; 
  • Clawing back unspent funds for air quality monitoring in schools, clean manufacturing, state and community energy programs, and electric grid upgrades; 
  • Defunding and delaying the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), which reduces pollution and protects the health of workers and communities; 
  • Clawing back all unspent Inflation Reduction Act funds, including many provisions that would have lowered energy bills, created jobs, and reduced pollution; and 
  • Attacks on many additional Inflation Reduction Act programs and initiatives.

The finalized bill went through some changes, though those changes primarily made the bill worse for American jobs and clean air. For example, it seems that the bill has snuck in a repeal of EPA pollution rules that will save thousands of American lives and $100 billion per year (see sec 42201), in yet another Congressional overreach.

It also seems to have incorporated republicans’ ridiculous proposal to add a punitive fee on EVs, in the amount of $250/year. That fee was originally proposed as a way to eliminate the federal gas tax, and was accompanied by a $20/year fee on gas cars, but republicans dropped the latter fee and boosted the EV fee, with the final effect that it would increase the deficit by billions.

You can perhaps see a pattern in these effects: they’re primarily targeted towards increasing costs for regular American families who were taking advantage of these tax credits, and towards programs that would keep you and your children healthier.

Previous analyses show how repealing these tax credits would lead to increased electricity prices for all Americans.

It should not be any surprise to anyone that has been paying attention that republicans want to poison you and raise your costs, but some people apparently still need more examples, so here we are.

In particular, the bill eliminates the US EV tax credit which had driven so much of that investment due to its domestic manufacturing provision (though there are some small carveouts). Not only does that inflate the cost of the best vehicles available today for Americans, it also takes away one of the incentives that was driving investment in US manufacturing.

And the bill specifically harms Tesla more than it harms Tesla’s competitors, despite its CEO, Elon Musk, being the richest republican donor on the planet.

We’ve warned before that a bill like this would just send more EV jobs to China, a country where nobody is “debating” over which direction the auto industry is going. Chinese automakers all know the industry is going electric, and they’re putting all of their effort into it.

This is quite a contrast with Western automakers which keep hemming and hawing, begging their governments to let them go bankrupt with anti-EV policy decisions that will only slow down their transition towards modernizing to the global EV status quo.

We’ve already seen the effects of other poor policy decisions on manufacturing, with several companies pausing or canceling plans to build manufacturing facilities in North America as a result of tariff chaos at the hands of an ignoramus. Republican districts have been hit hardest, as they were where the majority of this investment had been going.

And we’ve seen it made clear that the republicans in government responsible for protecting clean air would rather poison you and raise your fuel costs, as long as it helps the oil industry which bribed them into their position.

But then, the cherry on top of today’s tax bill is that its cuts of these credits don’t even have a greater budgetary purpose. Not only was the Inflation Reduction Act revenue-positive – which is to say, it raised more money than it spent, thus reducing the deficit – today’s republican tax bill is revenue-negative, which is to say, it will increase the deficit.

The republican proposal raises the debt ceiling by $4 trillion, and it makes use of virtually all of that headroom, as the Joint Committee on Taxation has estimated that it will add $3.7 trillion to US debt. This is largely due to the bill’s significant giveaways to wealthy elites, with the majority of tax cuts targeted at the wealthiest Americans.

So the government isn’t even getting any savings out of this bill, merely channeling more money from working families to the wealthy elites that the republican party has always tried to benefit (including in other ways than the clean energy credits, like by cutting health care for the poor).

The bill will now go on to the Senate, where republicans already showed this morning they will do anything, even if it’s illegal, to harm Americans. If you have a republican Senator, it might be worth letting them know that you support American jobs and clean air, and keeping costs low for Americans, and therefore oppose this bill.

The argument could be made stronger in states that have received significant investment as a result of the credits the bill repeals. EV projects are particularly popular in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and others along the burgeoning US “battery belt”. An interactive tool showing the jobs jeopardized by this republican plan, including the ability to sort by state or Congressional district, is available here.

Otherwise, you can find your Senator on Congress’ website, and then search for the contact form on your Senator’s website to get in contact with them.

Of course, if you have a Democratic Senator, it’s also worth letting them know that you oppose the tax bill, just in case a few of them decide to jump ranks and join the republicans in harming America. We certainly hope they don’t, and are encouraged by the fact that every Democrat in the House made the right decision here, but anything could happen.

Among the bill’s cuts is the rooftop solar credit. That means you could have only until the end of this year to install rooftop solar on your home, before republicans raise the cost of doing so by an average of ~$10,000. So if you want to go solar, get started now, because these things take time and the system needs to be active before you file for the credit.

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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – ad*

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