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The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog has pushed back against Moscow’s calls for further objectivity, following an inspection at the nuclear facility in the embattled Russian region of Kursk.

Last week, Russia accused Ukraine of attempting a drone strike at the Kursk nuclear plant during a lightning cross-border incursion that has been under way since early August and which Moscow is still trying to repel.

CNBC could not independently verify the incident and has reached out to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“What we need to do is to objectively, not to stoke any hysteria or anything like that, but to indicate when a danger exists. And here it does. It objectively [exists],” Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” on Thursday.

“The spokesperson of the Russian ministry of foreign affairs rightly says, be objective. Yes, we are being objective. We are saying here that this nuclear power plant … is within range of a potential artillery strike, which means that the danger exists. Is this danger inherent to the technology? Absolutely not,” he said, adding that these facilities hold “strategic value” in military conflicts because they serve national energy infrastructure.

“They are, I wouldn’t say pawns, but they are factors in a wider confrontation,” he noted.

His comments come after Russia on Wednesday urged more objectivity from the IAEA in the performance of its duties.

“We see both the assessments and the work of this structure [the IAEA], but each time we want a more objective and clear expression of this structure’s position, not in favor of our country, not in favor of confirming Moscow’s position, but in favor of facts with one specific goal: ensuring security and preventing the development of a scenario along a catastrophic path, to which the Kiev regime is pushing everyone,” Maria Zakharova, official representative of the Russian foreign ministry, said Wednesday on Sputnik radio, according to a Google-translated report from Russian state-owned news outlet Ria Novosti.

Grossi on Thursday acknowledged that parties at war are likely to retain a “strategic ambiguity that surrounds any military operation,” translating into less disclosure over their activities.   

“I also understand these attempts to drag me, or us, the agency, into their own preferred narrative that we need to avoid,” he said.

Grossi led a delegation to inspect the Kursk facility on Wednesday, telling reporters in a subsequent briefing that “the core of the reactor containing nuclear material is protected just by a normal roof. This makes it extremely exposed and fragile, for example, to artillery impact or drone[s] or missiles.”

On Thursday, Grossi explained that the Kursk nuclear plant contains reactors of the Soviet RBMK-type, similar to the ones present in the Chernobyl facility, which suffered one of the worst nuclear disasters in history in 1986.

This make of reactors lacks a reinforced roof, meaning that “if there was an attack, or, wittingly or unwittingly, or as a result of any exchange, there could be a possibility of an impact on nuclear material. And therefore release of radioactivity into the atmosphere,” Grossi said.

Recounting his on-site findings, he described the Kursk facility as still operating in “relatively normal conditions,” but noted “indications around the perimeter of the plant of impacts of projectiles, shrapnel markings, so on, which indicate or could indicate the existence of these kinetic events in the past.”

The risk of nuclear detonation as a result of nearby military activity has been a chief concern since the February 2022 start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s subsequent occupation of the Ukrainian plant in Zaporizhzhia — the largest nuclear power facility in Europe

Nuclear concerns have only mounted since this month’s start of the Ukrainian counter-offensive on the territory of Russia, which is the fifth-largest owner of nuclear reactors globally, according to the World Economic Forum.

Clashes between Moscow and Kyiv intensified at the start of the week, with Russia launching a massive barrage of 236 drones and missiles on what the Ukrainian air force described as “critical Ukrainian infrastructure.”

Referencing the offensive, the permanent mission of Ukraine to the IAEA reported in a note that “due to fluctuations in the national power grid caused by Russia’s attack, at 17:10 (EEST}, power unit 3 of the South Ukraine NPP was disconnected from the grid.”

“The Russian Federation continues to deliberately target Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, intending to disrupt the operation of the country’s nuclear power plants, which provide most of Ukraine’s electricity. Russian attacks pose a significant risk to the stable operation of nuclear facilities in Ukraine and the safety of millions of people,” the mission said.

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment.

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Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations

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April 15, 2025

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Blink just made it a lot easier to find its charging stations

Blink Charging Eco-Movement
Photo: Blink Charging

Blink Charging’s (Nasdaq: BLNK) new partnership with Eco-Movement will make Blink’s EV chargers a lot easier to find across multiple platforms.

Eco-Movement is a global platform that collects, refines, and maintains a massive real-time database of public and semi-public EV charging locations and pricing data. That info is used by some of the biggest names in the industry. Now, Blink is tapping into Eco-Movement’s platform to make its chargers way easier to find – whether you’re searching on Google Maps, asking your voice assistant, using a charging app, or navigating from your car’s dashboard.

As new Blink chargers come online, Eco-Movement updates its database of EV charging locations in real-time, and that information is incorporated by mapping and charger-finder apps. That way, EV drivers are kept up to date.

Mike Battaglia, president and CEO at Blink, said, “The leading mapping apps trust Eco-Movement and its state-of-the-art, quality-checked, and constantly updated data. We are excited to be teaming with them to ensure drivers worldwide can easily find our chargers and receive up-to-the-minute updates on charger availability.”

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Eco-Movement’s global database includes detailed charging point info – like addresses, operators, pricing, accessibility, truck compatibility, and real-time availability – along with roaming partners, membership rates, and payment options.

“Ultimately, this data will help EV drivers all over the world to find their next charging stop, which is a mission we share with Blink,” said Roderick van den Berg, CEO of Eco-Movement.

Read more: Blink Charging will more than triple EV charger production with a new factory

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to 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. They have 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 you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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EcoFlow phase 2 Mega Sale up to 65% off power stations, Hiboy launches U2 Pro e-scooter at $600 off, Goal Zero, more

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April 15, 2025

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EcoFlow phase 2 Mega Sale up to 65% off power stations, Hiboy launches U2 Pro e-scooter at 0 off, Goal Zero, more

Headlining today’s Green Deals is the second phase of EcoFlow’s ongoing Mega Sale, which is not only expanding the lineup of power station deals that are up to 65% off, but also continuing the EcoCredit rewards, adding bonus savings, and dropping prices on several units for new lows. Among them, we spotted the DELTA Pro bundle with two 220W solar panels and a protective bag going lower than ever to $2,279. Next, running as part of Hiboy’s Easter Sale, the brand is launching its new cargo-capable U2 Pro Electric Scooter with a 34-mile range at $600 off. Lastly, we have Goal Zero’s Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W Wireless AC Power Bank that features five port options, a wireless charging pad, and solar-charging capabilities at $200 alongside a counterpart model. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s ongoing Lectric XP Trike bundle, 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.

EcoFlow expands lineup with up to 65% off power stations during second phase of Mega Sale starting from $119

EcoFlow has shifted to the second phase of its ongoing Mega Sale through April 25, with up to 65% taken off power stations and solar generator bundles, complete with extra savings, EcoCredit rewards, and upcoming flash sale offers. One returning bundle that is dropping lower than ever is the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station that comes with two 220W solar panels and a protective bag for $2,279.05 shipped, after using the code 25EFMFAFF at checkout for a bonus 5% off. Normally fetching $5,096 at full price, we’ve seen this same bundle go as low as $2,374 in past sales, which is getting beaten out here today. With the bonus savings you’ll be scoring $2,817 off the going rate here, which lands the package down at the lowest rate we have seen to date.

Before we jump into the specifics of our headlining deal, let’s go over the bonuses we’re seeing during this Mega Sale’s second phase. First, while you would normally have to spend at least $2,500 to score the automatic 5% in extra savings, you can instead score it on orders under that amount thanks to the exclusive code 25EFMFAFF at checkout. From there, you’ll bump that amount to 7% off automatically on orders of $5,000 or more. There are some exceptions though, which you can get the full list of by hovering over the extra savings sections on the page. We’re also seeing the continued EcoCredit rewards here, with 3x the EcoCredits from purchases for standard members and 3.5x EcoCredits for Plus members.

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The EcoFlow DELTA Pro is one of the most popular and expansive options for backup power support from the brand, with this solar generator kit being quite the start-up for your needs that can be further invested in and built up over time. The LiFePO4 batteries start with a 3,600Wh capacity that you can further expand up to 25kWh with future investments in add-on equipment. Its 14 ports dish out 3,600W of power output, which will cover most appliances, with things surging up to 7,200W to ensure essential devices stay running.

Plugging the power station into a wall outlet will have the station’s battery recharged in 1.8 hours, or you can refill its capacity in 2.8 hours should you have the maximum 1,600W of solar input available (with the 440W here obviously taking more time). Keeping track of its settings and monitoring charging statuses doesn’t have to keep you nearby either, as the companion app gives you the full array of remote smart controls you’d expect, it just takes a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

***Note: The 5% sitewide coupon has not been factored in to the prices below, make sure to enter the code 25EFMFAFF at checkout to score the maximum savings!

EcoFlow’s Member-only deals:

EcoFlow’s member-only refurbished deals (use code MEM5OFF at checkout)

EcoFlow’s best second phase Mega Sale power station deals:

EcoFlow’s best second phase Mega Sale bundle deals:

EcoFlow’s other hot second phase Mega Sale bundles:

EcoFlow’s add-on accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s solar accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s other accessory deals:

You can browse the full lineup of EcoFlow’s second phase Mega Sale by following the link here to the landing page – and remember, you have through April 25 to take advantage of these deals. Be sure to also keep an eye out for the upcoming 24-hour flash sale offers too.

Hiboy U2 Pro electric scooter

Hiboy launches new cargo-capable U2 Pro e-scooter with a 34-mile range and 25MPH top speed at $900 ($600 off)

Running as part of its Easter Sale, Hiboy is launching its brand new U2 Pro Electric Scooter with a significant discount to $899.98 shipped along with a handy free device for its upkeep. This all-new commuting solution will carry a $1,500 price tag normally, but it’s hitting the ground today with the very first chance at cash savings here. You’ll be getting a 40% markdown while these savings last, cutting $600 from the tag and setting the bar for future deals down the road. What’s more, you’ll even be getting some free gear too, as it comes with a 2-in-1 tire inflator and vacuum device that is valued at $70.

Hiboy’s new U2 Pro Electric Scooter is cruising onto the scene with a sitting-oriented design that carries a 265-pound payload, as opposed to the usual standing frames we see from the brand. The 750W motor here peaks up to 810W in order to tackle inclines up to 20 degrees, delivering a top speed of 25 MPH. The 48V 13Ah battery provides enough juice to carry you for up to 34 miles on a single charge, with a 3.5-inch thick memory foam seat for added comfort during your journey. The whole thing comes with an IPX4 water-resistance rating that protects it from light rain, humid conditions, and other situations where it may be splashed with water.

This cargo-capable e-scooter comes with a larger footboard, which you could secure groceries or even a pet carrier to while also sporting an integrated rear cargo rack that can be further used for packages or to carry a passenger thanks to the inclusion of a removable cushioned seat. Among its other stock features, you’ll find 16-inch all-terrain snow tires that maximize grip on whatever surface your riding along, as well as a 125mm rear suspension, dual 160mm disc brakes, a 70 lux headlight, a break-activated taillight, a twist throttle, a key ignition, conveniently integrated controls along the left handlebar, and a large 7-inch display for real-time information at a glance.

Hiboy has added a banner to its main site stating that it will be increasing prices in the future, so be sure to check out the full lineup of deals in its Easter Sale while costs are still kept this low.

Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC power bank

Goal Zero’s Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W 5-port wireless AC power bank accompanies you anywhere at $200

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Goal Zero is offering a chance to score its Sherpa 100AC 25,600mAh 100W Wireless AC Power Bank at $199.89 shipped. This model, which is one of the few we’ve seen sporting an actual AC port, has been more recently keeping to $250 after falling from its original $300 MSRP back in 2024. While we did see it go as low as $177 during Black Friday and Christmas sales, it’s mostly stayed above $210 over the last year, with today’s deal providing a solid $50 markdown that lands it at the fourth-lowest price we have tracked – $23 above the low.

Coming in a durable anodized aluminum form factor with impact bumpers along its edges, the airline-approved Goal Zero Sherpa 100AC has been designed to accompany you anywhere while also being packed with a significant amount of port options for juicing up your essential devices. It totes a 25,600Wh capacity and among its many output options, you’ll find a 100W AC port that can surge up to 150W, a 100W USB-C port, a secondary 60W USB-C port, two USB-A ports, and it even provides 15W wireless charging to your smartphone. It can recharge its own battery at up to 60W speeds, taking two hours via a wall outlet while also providing up to 50W solar-charging capabilities that will refill the battery in three to six hours.

If you’re not really in need of the AC port option in the above model, you can save a bit more by going with Goal Zero’s counterpart Sherpa 100PD model for $159.89 shipped, down from $200. You’ll be getting much of the same performance capabilities for output charging and input recharging, with the difference here being fewer ports, specifically two USB-C ports and a 60W in/100W out USB-C port, as well as the 15W wireless charging.

Best New Year 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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Bespoke British sports car manufacturer RBW EV Cars breaks ground on new US facility

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6 hours ago

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April 15, 2025

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Bespoke British sports car manufacturer RBW EV Cars breaks ground on new US facility

A relatively young, handcrafted British EV automaker, RBW EV Cars, is celebrating an $8 million milestone as it expands its vehicle production to North America to deliver its two flagship models to US consumers. These bespoke BEVs with British design heritage in mind look like they are extremely fun to zip around in. See more below.

RBW Electric Cars was founded in 2017 by Peter Swain, who spun the business out from his restoration company RBW Classic & Sports Cars after seeing the potential of EVs with modern technology designed within a classic car aesthetic.

Swain then established a cooperation with Continental Engineering Services (CES), which helped develop and build a “proof of concept” for BEV. One year later, RBW launched its first prototype, which was followed by a driving sampler in 2019 before the start of production of RBW’s first EV, the Roadster, in Britain in February 2020.

By January 2022, RBW had delivered its first Roadster EV to a UK client before securing an investment to scale its production processes in the summer of 2023. That following fall, RBW opened its new UK EV factory before officially launching its second model, the RBW GT, in December 2023.

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Now, RBW Electric Cars is moving across the pond, making good on plans announced a year ago to establish a second hub to operate and build in the US to provide BEVs for consumers in North America.

RBW EVs breaks ground on US production site in Virginia

Per an update from RBW EV Cars today, it has officially broken ground on its new US production facility, lo9cated in Danville, Virginia. Today’s milestone follows an update in late 2024 that RBW had secured a deal with the state to build its new $8 million state-of-the-art production facility.

When complete, the 29,000-square-foot US hub in the rendering above will be home to RBW’s EV assembly, sales, and marketing operations. It will also be the new home to the entire team at Spirit EV, which developed and provides the turnkey EV powertrain solutions used in both the Roadster and GT models. Swain spoke about RBW’s latest milestone and its collaboration with Spirit EV:

RBW EV Cars has dedicated nearly a decade to developing bespoke electric vehicles that honor classic British design while delivering cutting-edge electrification. From the beginning of its operation, the company has been focused on bringing a global EV platform to market that could transcend how automakers design and engineer their own platforms. This is where Spirit EV comes in. We will now have R&D facilities in both the UK and US.

According to RBW EV Cars, its US operations will be led by former NASCAR driver and Danville native Peyton Sellers. Sellers will oversee the production of the UK automaker’s left-hand drive versions of the Roadster and GT EVs, both of which are currently scheduled to see only 50 US deliveries each in 2025.

Both RBW EV models deliver up to 150 miles of estimated range, a top (limited) speed of 90 mph, and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds. Brand new, built examples of the Roadster start at £108,000 ($143,00) in the UK. We don’t have US pricing yet, but RBW did share plans to unveil “additional product development initiatives and future vehicle lines” this coming fall.

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