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Visitors inspect a Tesla Model Y car during the 40th Thailand International Motor Expo at the Impact Challenger hall in Nonthaburi. 

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Tesla has a lot going on. A significant slump in sales, stoking concerns among investors and industry analysts, in an EV market where aggressive price cuts have been needed to spur demand, have tied into decisions made by Elon Musk’s company to lay off workers and scale back spending on its EV Supercharger network. Tesla’s stock price has declined by over 30% this year.

Then, there’s the whole trade war with China, in which Musk holds a unique position.

The U.S. government is determined to limit China’s ability to, as it says, “flood” the U.S. market with renewable energy products, including its rapidly growing supply of EVs, with models priced as low as $10,000. But Tesla has a major operation in China, similar in some ways to Apple, a market key to both its manufacturing and consumer demand. That has all put Musk under considerable pressure to unlock new growth frontiers while navigating challenges of increased competition, supply chain disruptions, and rising raw material costs.

The EV giant appears is paying more attention to the vast potential of Asia beyond China, one of the hottest EV markets. In addition to its well-known interest in India, Tesla is taking a closer look at Thailand, the EV capital of Southeast Asia, where green mobility is rapidly gaining traction.

Thai government officials have touted talks with Tesla as Musk scouts locations for the next gigafactory — Thailand has been part of those deliberations for a few years, as has India, where Musk was scheduled to pay a recent visit before he canceled it, citing issues at Tesla that needed to be dealt with — he did pay a visit to China soon after. The Southeast Asia region, no doubt, holds the potential to provide Tesla with a sizeable customer base to diversify away from overreliance on Europe and the U.S., and a distinct option for manufacturing apart from its existing operations in China and interest in India.

Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.

‘The Detroit of Asia’

Thailand, known as the “Detroit of Asia” for many years already due to its skilled workforce and success attracting many international auto companies, can help Tesla to reduce its dependence on China. With a manufacturing base in Thailand, Tesla could also serve Asian markets and beyond, potentially replicating China’s rapid growth trajectory.

“Thailand is a possible path to China-like auto parts costs, allowing low-cost production,” says Craig Irwin, senior research analyst at Roth Capital who covers Tesla. “Thailand is an option since it’ll give continuity of access to the supply chain that supports the Shanghai facility, but not regulated by Beijing.” 

This comes at a crucial juncture for new demand, with the U.S. administration significantly cutting back on EV tax credits available to consumers based on Chinese sourcing in the manufacturing process — though some critics say the rules are not strict enough. The Thai government offers its own subsidies and tax incentives to propel EV adoption and attract foreign manufacturers.

“There are fewer political implications of exporting vehicles from Thailand to markets like the U.S. or E.U. versus China,” said Seth Goldstein, equities strategist at Morningstar, who covers Tesla.

Why Detroit failed in China

While vehicles made in Thailand may not qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act subsidies, they are less likely to face steep tariffs that have been imposed on Chinese vehicles in the U.S., Goldstein said, and many market expects worry about tariffs which could increase even more if Donald Trump is reelected. A Trump reelection is not even necessary: the Biden administration may introduce 100% tariffs on Chinese EVs next week, according to reporting on Friday.

There’s also a very large market to sell into where U.S. tariffs won’t matter at all: the 650 million people in Southeast Asia that can directly access one of ASEAN’s largest automotive markets, according to Tu Le, founder of the Beijing-based consultancy Sino Auto Insights, who has worked from Detroit to China.

A more affordable Tesla

What’s called the “China Plus One” supply chain strategy is gaining momentum across industries amid geopolitical uncertainty and the ongoing U.S.-China trade spat — even before the latest reports, President Biden has been in many respects as hawkish as Trump on China.

However, the affordable mass-market vehicle that has so far eluded Tesla will be a key to achieving large sales volumes in the region. “A Model 3 or Y will still be too expensive for those markets to be high volume products for Tesla,” Le said. 

Tesla said in its recent earnings that is it accelerating the launch of “new vehicles, including more affordable models” — with plans for a highly anticipated $25,000 model by 2025. But the company also made clear that much of that will take place on current manufacturing lines before investing in any new facilities.

Notably, Tesla launched Model 3 and Model Y in Thailand in 2022, but has struggled against the onslaught of Chinese rivals like China’s BYD and Xiaomi that offer a wide range of products, from high-end to affordable. In fact, BYD manufactured over three million EVs in 2023, exceeding Tesla’s production for the second year in a row.

Models presenting the Chinese automaker’s electric car, the BYD Song MAX, at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show 2024 in Nonthaburi Province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, on March 30, 2024. 

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Recent reporting from Nikkei Asia indicated that Tesla’s Model 3 sedan pricing has been cut 9% to 18% lower in Thailand, as its auto market joined the global slump and as BYD, Great Wall Motor, and other Chinese EV makers prepare to start their own production in the country. Chinese EV makers, including BYD, have earmarked $1.44 billion in new production facilities in Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy.

“The price war is not going to end very soon,” Naruedom Mujjalinkool at Krungsri Securities, told Nikkei Asia. 

Tesla Thailand recently rolled out a special financing program to spur more sales.

Thailand is a leading global automaker

Steven Dyer, a former Ford executive and managing director at the Shanghai-based arm of consulting firm AlixPartners, said Thailand’s existing auto infrastructure, labor force and policy all provide the potential for it to become a big player in EV manufacturing. But as important is automakers seeing enough of consumer market for locally made supply. In the auto industry, he said, a rule of thumb is “make where you sell,” which reduces freight and customs duty costs, and mitigates the risks of currency exchange.

Southeast Asia is a growing auto market, and Thailand is already the region’s biggest car producer and exporter, with Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, GM and Mercedes-Benz having already embraced Thailand as a regional headquarters.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (l) has an employee explain the production processes to him during a visit to the Mercedes-Benz plant near Bangkok. Mercedes-Benz produces 13 different car models in Thailand with over 1,000 employees. 

Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images

The country is striving to become a leading global manufacturing powerhouse through favorable tax benefits and import duties, but it also has a long way to go to convert current auto production to be EV-ready. By 2030, Thailand aims to convert 30% of its annual production of vehicles to EVs, which equates to 725,000 cars and 675,000 motorcycles — it is a market where motorbikes are also hugely important from both the manufacturing and consumer perspective.

Le says the country has an advantage, but will still have to play its cards right. “All ASEAN countries are looking to recruit EV manufacturers to their shores, but I’d say Thailand and Vietnam are two countries that hold an advantage over the others due to their automotive experience,” he said.

Leading legacy automakers, including Honda and Toyota, have committed a $4.1 billion to produce EVs in Thailand.

The Thai government is offering foreign EV manufacturers significant incentives, including up to 40% cuts on import duties and a reduced excise tax rate of 2% for fully assembled EVs imported in 2024 and 2025, provided they start producing in Thailand by 2027, according to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the Thailand Board of Investment.

Dyer said if a U.S. automaker succeeds in faraway markets with EVs, “it brings familiarity of the various U.S. brands to more consumers, which often helps build momentum for other compatriot carmakers in those markets.”

Thailand’s discovery of nearly 15 million tonnes of lithium deposits — a current key in battery chemistry — could give the country another edge over Asian rivals in attracting EV makers.

“If Thailand becomes a market where EVs or their components can be cheaply produced and freely exported, then I’d imagine many larger EV producers would consider building operations in the country,” Goldstein said, including Tesla.

Risks for Musk’s EVs in Asia

There are risks for Tesla within Asia. Some experts have raised concern that if Tesla effectively competes with Chinese rivals in China and the broader Asian market, China could cut off Tesla’s access to low-price parts. Thailand’s emergence as a manufacturing hub would help cushion such a blow.

Moreover, “if Thailand-produced EVs would qualify for Inflation Reduction Act subsidies, then that would create a strong incentive to produce vehicles or batteries there to export,” Goldstein said.

As of now, the U.S. government rules are buying U.S. companies “time to design, develop, and manufacture more competitive EVs at reasonable prices,” Le said.

Yet, without a cheaper entry-level model, U.S. EV makers like Tesla may be hamstrung against Chinese rivals ramping up production and rolling out models across a much wider price range.

“Tesla can compete in luxury automotive segments by producing vehicles locally in China, but the U.S. as an EV market is well behind China,” Goldstein said.

Tesla’s anticipated $25,000 entry-level vehicle, dubbed the Model 2, could help turn the tide amidst a sales decline and fierce Chinese competition, but as with all things Tesla, promises and timelines lead the experts to remain cautious, if not outright skeptical. Le says Tesla may already be too late in an Asian market that has already become more competitive $11,000 Chinese EVs. “Europe and the U.S. still hold promise for an ‘affordable’ Tesla, but the significance for the Asian market will be much more limited because of ‘China EV Inc’,” he said.

That doesn’t mean it’s not a big opportunity: Goldstein believes an affordable Tesla model could help the company grow to five million deliveries in 2030, especially in the U.S. and EU, where Tesla can manufacture locally to avoid tariffs. It’s just not one that may favor a major play for the Southeast Asian consumer, even if the market is too large to ignore entirely.

“ASEAN and South Asia are key markets for Tesla’s future, but Chinese EV makers have really complicated their path to global dominance in the future,” Le said.

Chinese EVs already make up 60% of worldwide sales, according to International Energy Agency.

“The mystique of the Tesla brand has started to wear globally and it’s partly due to the fact that their best-selling products have been largely unchanged for three to four years,” Le said.

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Ford ‘can’t walk away from EVs’ or it risks falling even further behind China

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4 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Ford 'can't walk away from EVs' or it risks falling even further behind China

Ford-walk-away-EVs

Ford’s CEO Jim Farley admitted he was humbled after tearing down the first Tesla and Chinese EVs. If it wants to compete globally, Ford can’t walk away from EVs altogether, so it’s planning to shake things up.

Ford can’t walk away from EVs, or it will lose to China

After taking apart a Tesla Model 3 and several electric vehicles from China for the first time, Farley said he was “very humbled” during a new episode of the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast.

The “shocking” revelation is what pushed Ford to overhaul its EV program. Ford is shifting its focus to smaller, more affordable EVs, which require smaller batteries and fewer materials.

Ford is promising its next-generation electric vehicles will be significantly more efficient and advanced than the current Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Farley told host Monica Langley that the Mach-E had about 1.6 km of electrical wiring, which led to a larger battery.

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Ford’s CEO has warned several times now that Chinese EV makers pose an “existential threat” to Western brands, including itself.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
Xiaomi SU7 (Source: Xiaomi)

After flying a Xiaomi SU7 from Shanghai to Chicago last year and driving it around for a few months, Farley even said he didn’t want to give it up.

“EVs are exploding in China,” Ford’s CEO said on the podcast, adding the Chinese government had its “foot on the economic scale” to promote electric vehicles.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
Xiaomi SU7 production (Source: Xiaomi)

Although the US is facing headwinds with the $7,500 federal tax credit now expired and the Trump administration shifting policies, Farley admitted, “We can’t walk away from EVs, not just for the US, but if we want to be a global company, I’m not going to just cede that to the Chinese.”

Ford, like most automakers, is bracing for slower EV sales over the next few months. Farley said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call that he expects electric vehicles to account for just 5% of the US market in the near term.

Ford-F-150-Lightning-production
The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX (Source: Ford)

The “EV market in the US is totally different than we thought,” Farley explained during the podcast, adding buyers are looking for more affordable options rather than the “$70-80,000” EV.

To stay competitive, Ford is betting on its new low-cost EV platform, the Ford Universal EV Platform, which the company says will help unlock more affordable electric cars.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
CEO Jim Farley presents the Ford Universal EV Platform in Kentucky (Source: Ford)

The first vehicle Ford plans to launch on the platform is a midsize electric pickup, starting at around $30,000. It’s expected to arrive in 2027. Ford will use lower-cost LFP batteries licensed from China’s CATL. They will be manufactured at Ford’s new plant in Michigan.

According to Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of tech platform programs and EV systems, the company intends to match the cost structure of leading Chinese brands.

In the meantime, Ford has paused production of its current electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning. A new report from The Wall Street Journal claims it’s now considering scrapping the EV pickup altogether.

Source: Business Insider


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Mercedes gives first look at the GLB EV interior and it’s loaded with massive screens [Images]

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6 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Mercedes gives first look at the GLB EV interior and it's loaded with massive screens [Images]

Mercedes-GLB-EV-first-look

The Mercedes GLB EV will be here in less than a month. With its debut just around the corner, Mercedes offered a first look at the new GLB EV’s interior, and yes, it’s loaded with massive screens.

First look at the new Mercedes GLB EV interior

Mercedes is putting the new electric GLB through the paces at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Singlefingen, Germany, ahead of its world premiere on December 8.

The testing is conducted in wind tunnels that range in temperature from -40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, snow cannons shoot various types of snow while high-powered fans generate winds up to 124 mph, simulating fierce blizzard conditions.

Although it’s covered in snow, you can still see that the new EV version maintains a similar boxy design to the current gas-powered GLB.

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If you look a little closer, it appears to have a larger grille design, like the new GLC EV, which Mercedes said “redefines” the face of the brand.

Mercedes also unveiled the new GLB EV’s interior for the first time, which looks pretty similar to the GLC’s. The optional floating MBUX Superscreen is the highlight, extending the entire width of the dash.

Mercedes-GLB-EV-first-look
The new Mercedes GLB EV during cold-weather testing (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

It also features Mercedes’ new multifunction steering wheel, which reintroduces a rocker switch for the cruise control.

Another new feature is the concave door handle design, which features a floating center panel that opens a storage space. The center console has a similar design, offering an optional wireless charging cradle and cup holders.

Mercedes-GLB-EV-interior-first-look
The interior of the new Mercedes GLB EV (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes said the new SUV offers “noticeably more headroom for first and second row occupants” compared to its predecessor. It will offer standard seating for five, with the option to add a third row for seven.

According to Mercedes, the new GLB takes “interior climate comfort” to the next level. For example, the climate control heats up twice as fast as its predecessor during a 20-minute drive at 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercedes said that since it only requires half the energy of the current GLB, it helps maximize range.

We will learn more about the Mercedes GLB EV on December 8. Check back soon for updates.


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Segway early Black Friday takes hundreds off EVs from $150, exclusive $1,082 savings on refurbished Anker SOLIX units, Jackery, more

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7 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Segway early Black Friday takes hundreds off EVs from 0, exclusive ,082 savings on refurbished Anker SOLIX units, Jackery, more


If you didn’t know, today is Singles’ Day, and as such, our Green Deals edition has some great opportunities to celebrate and treat yourself with, starting at Segway’s early Black Friday Sale with up to 30% discounts on several e-scooters and e-bikes starting from $150. We also secured exclusive deals with up to $1,082 savings on nine refurbished Anker SOLIX power stations and solar panels, like the renewed F3800 Portable Power Station at a new $1,597 low. There’s also the new Jackery Explorer 240D Portable Power Station back at its $139 low, as well as a new Worx Intellicut mower low, DEWALT’s 6-tool combo kit at an annual low, and our Singles’ Day roundup bringing up the rear. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full Anker SOLIX early Black Friday Sale lineup, 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.

Save hundreds in early Black Friday/Singles’ Day savings on Segway EVs to upgrade your commute, starting from $150

Segway has officially kicked off its early Black Friday Sale that will also coincide with Singles’ Day, giving lone riders a great opportunity at hundreds in savings on the brand’s select lineup of e-scooters and accessories. One such notable deal is the E2 Pro Electric Scooter that is dropping to $379.99 shipped, and also matching at Amazon. While it carries a $600 MSRP direct from the brand’s website, you’ll more often find it posted up at $500 in full over at Amazon, with most of the discounts we’ve seen over 2025 having kept costs above $400, save for the few drops to $330 we saw earlier in the year. During these early holiday promotions, you can score it at the second-best price we have tracked, giving you $120 off the going rate and $220 off the MSRP. Head below to browse the full lineup of Segway’s early Black Friday deals.

A great commuter for folks who don’t want to shell out too much money, but still want one of the more premium brands supporting them through travels around town, the Segway E2 Pro electric scooter has you covered for up to 21.7 miles on a single charge, thanks to the 275Wh battery. That battery runs the 750W motor and rear-wheel drive system, with enough power to handle up to 18% inclines while giving you top speeds of 15.5 MPH.

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One notable inclusion here is the Apple Find My integration for greater security, allowing you to keep track of your scooter and hunt it down in case of theft, which has been needed for such models that utilize push-button starts without keys. Your riding experience will also benefit from the front and rear turn signals, anti-skid traction control, 10-inch air-leakage-proof tubeless tires, 2.8-inch integrated LED dashboard for setting adjustments, and more.

Segway’s full early Black Friday Sale lineup:

  • C2 Lite eKickScooter for kids: $150 (Reg. $180) | matched at Amazon
    • 9.9 MPH for up to 5.9 miles
  • C2 eKickScooter for kids: $160 (Reg. $200) | matched at Amazon
    • 9.9 MPH for up to 6.8 miles
  • C2 Pro eKickScooter for kids: $230 (Reg. $280) | matched at Amazon
    • 12.4 MPH for up to 9.3 miles
  • E2 Plus II Electric Scooter: $280 (Reg. $350) | matched at Amazon
    • 15.5 MPH for up to 16 miles
  • E2 Pro Electric Scooter: $380 (Reg. $500) | matched at Amazon
    • 15.5 MPH for up to 21.7 miles
    • Apple Find My, more
  • MAX G30LP Electric Scooter: $500 (Reg. $600) | matched at Amazon
    • 18 MPH for up to 25 miles
  • MAX G30P Electric Scooter: $550 (Reg. $1,000) | not available at Amazon
    • 18 MPH for up to 40 miles
  • Max G2 Electric Scooter: $700 (Reg. $1,000) | matched at Amazon
    • 22 MPH for up to 43 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, more
  • GoKart Kit2: $800 (Reg. $999) | matched at Amazon
    • Requires a compatible Segway Ninebot S, S2, or S MAX
  • F3 Electric Scooter: $850 (Reg. $1,000) | matched at Amazon
    • 20 MPH for up to 44 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter: $1,000 (Reg. $1,200) | matched at Amazon
    • 24.9 MPH for up to 43.5 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • MAX G3 Electric Scooter: $1,200 (Reg. $1,300) | matched at Amazon
    • 28 MPH for up to 50 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • Xafari Electric Bike: $1,800 (Reg. $2,400)
    • 20 MPH for up to 88 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, and much more
  • Xyber Electric Bike: $2,900 (Reg. $3,300)
    • 35 MPH for up to 112 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, and much more

Segway’s early Black Friday accessory deals:

You can browse Segway’s early Black Friday lineup on the main landing page here, too.

Anker's SOLIX F3800 plus power station in kitchen with various appliances

Score up to $1,082 in exclusive savings on nine refurbished Anker SOLIX units at new lows starting from $112

We’ve secured a collection of nine exclusive deals on refurbished Anker SOLIX power stations and solar panels from Welbots, which provide up to $1,082 in total savings and even give our readers some new low prices on these units. The largest of these deals is on the Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station down at $1,597.07 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5RBANK6 for an additional 6% savings. The deal on this renewed unit starts with a drop from $2,679 to $1,699, and the exclusive code cuts another $102 off the tag. Last month, we secured similar deals that only took costs down to $1,709, with that rate beaten here by the combined 40% markdown that lands it lower than ever to the best new price we have tracked.

You can learn more about this power station, as well as the full lineup of refurbished units, by checking out our original coverage of these nine exclusive deals here.

person riding bike with Jackery's Explorer 240D power station hanging from shoulder on strap

Jackery’s new Explorer 240D 256Wh compact power station returns to $139 low for Singles’ Day, more from $176

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Jackery is offering its new Explorer 240D Portable Power Station at $138.99 shipped, beating out the brand’s direct website pricing by $70. This new model hit the market at the tail end of September with a full $209 price tag, with its initial launch deals to this rate holding on through Prime Day, before keeping above $149 with discounts in the time since. Today’s deal brings you another opportunity to jump on it at the best price we have tracked, saving you $70 in the process. You’ll also find a few bundle options available at discounted rates, too, like the station with a 40W mini solar panel at its lowest rate of $217.54 shipped.

If you want to learn more about this new power station, or browse its bundle offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man mowing lawn with Worx 40V 14-inch Cordless Intellicut lawn mower

Worx’s 40V 14-inch cordless mower with adaptable Intellicut feature at new $129 low for Singles’ Day

Amazon is now offering the best price yet on the Worx 40V 14-inch 2-in-1 Cordless intellicut Lawn Mower with two 4.0Ah batteries for $129 shipped during Singles’ Day, which has been going strong for us for 2.5 years now, and currently beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $61. It may carry a $300 MSRP direct from Worx, but at Amazon we’ve been seeing it down at $220 and more recently $199 for long stretches, with discounts having taken things as low as $165 this year. While this deal continues, you’re looking at a total $171 off the MSRP that lands it lower than ever for the best price we have tracked in its history, making it quite the Singles’ Day steal for homeowners and renters who need a means to keep their lawns maintained without running up a significant bill.

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

DEWALT's 20V MAX Cordless 6-tool combo kit for singles' day

Amazon is offering the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit with two 5.0Ah batteries at $729 shipped, which matches the price we’re seeing from Home Depot. It’s coming down from $1,049 here, and beats out all the discounts we’ve seen during 2025 from Amazon, which mostly kept costs above $815, except for the one-time and short-lived drop to $799. While we have seen it only beaten by the $649 low in the past, you’re still looking at the best price of the last few years, with $320 cut from the tag for the second-best overall price that we have tracked at Amazon.

If you want to learn more about what you’re getting in this kit, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Fall 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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