Urban Commuting is made easy with Aventon’s lightweight Soltera.2 e-bike at $999
Aventon currently has several free extra battery offers on e-bike models that are sitting at their usual MSRPs, while the brand’s Soltera.2 Commuter e-bike stands alone with a price cut to $999 shipped, but sadly no extra battery. Recently fetching $1,199 in our post-tariff market, we saw it fall as low as $799 back during Memorial Day sales, which happened to be the last we saw it fall under $999 (again, because of the tariffs). Today you’re getting the best rate we’ve seen since the company had to tack on the additional $200 to its price tag, which provides a rare chance to add a quality e-bike at a lower-than-average rate to your commute (especially for first-time buyers/riders). You can learn all about this model below or in our hands-on review.
Aventon’s Soltera.2 e-bike cruises into view at a top speed of 20 MPH, and comes built with the brand’s usual levels of durability, reliability, and affordability in mind – plus, the whole thing only weighs 46 pounds and boasts a 300-pound payload. The ergonomic frame houses a 9.6Ah battery that powers the 350W brushless rear-hub motor, with the whole system supported by four different levels of pedal assistance – Eco, Tour, Sport, and Turbo – that allow it to travel up to 46 miles on a single charge. It’s even been updated from past models with a torque sensor (which we love to see), giving it a much smoother ride. There’s also a throttle for pure electric action, though keep in mind this will shorten the travel distance.
It comes with a few key add-on upgrades for a more enhanced experience, while still keeping itself lightweight and easier to handle in urban settings, like the backlit LCD display that has a hidden USB port to charge your smart phone as you ride (especially if using it as a GPS). There’s also front and rear integrated lights with turn signal functionality here, as well as a 7-speed Shimano derailleur and 700c x 38c Kenda tires.
EcoFlow’s new RIVER 3 Portable LiFePO4 Power Station gets first discount to $169
Running alongside the fourth phase of its ongoing Disaster Campaign, EcoFlow’s official Amazon storefront is offering the first post-launch discount on its new RIVER 3 Portable Power Station to $169 shipped, after clipping the on-page $70 off coupon. Normally sitting at $259 since first releasing back at the end of July, you’re looking at the first chance to save on this new personal portable backup power solution that comes in with a solid $90 taken off its price tag, setting its new all-time low rate going forward.
EcoFlow’s new RIVER 3 arrives in compact style with a 245Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity and X-GaNPower technology that increases its energy efficiency by “delivering double runtime for appliances under 100W while reducing the size and controlling the volume to less than 30 dB at a distance of 1.5 ft.” There are six output ports on this model to handle your devices, with two AC ports, two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and on car port. After being emptied, the battery can be brought back to full in just one hour when plugged into a standard wall outlet or in 2.6 hours with a 110W solar panel connected.
It’s been given X-Boost tech that allows it to run larger 600W heating appliances with just 300W of power, giving you reliable camping support on those autumn camping trips ahead. It sports built-in X-Guard tech too, which combines an advanced algorithm alongside cloud-based battery monitoring to provide 40+ safety measures, including protections against various currents, voltages, temperatures, and circuit risks. The whole unit boasts waterproof and fireproof safeguards too, as well as coming drop-resistant – plus, the battery has a IP54 rating to minimize potential water damage in unexpected circumstances.
Head over to EcoFlow’s main sales page here to check out the larger units and bundles that are currently up to $2,817 off through September 22.
Tesla’s level 2 Universal Wall Connector EV charging station gets rare price cut to new $575 low
You can find a rare price cut on Amazon for Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector that is now at $575 shipped. Originally priced at $620, we saw it permanently fall from its MSRP to $580 back in May, which beat out last year’s Black Friday and Christmas sales prices that only saw short-lived discounts to $595. While today’s price is only a slight shaving of $5 off the recent rate, it’s still a rare sight and chance to take advantage of – especially with Tesla products – and lands costs down at a new all-time low price.
With this official EV charger, you’ll add a customizable output of up to 48A charging speeds to your home, which you can alter while installing it indoors or outdoors to complete your EV setup. There is a cheaper, standard model that sits at $450 most days, though it only supports Tesla vehicles and doesn’t provide the universal compatibility via the J1772 adapter that this more advanced version does. When set to its maximum amperage, you’ll be benefitting from upward of 44 miles of travel for every hour that your EV is plugged in. The charger even keeps itself updated with the latest firmware for sustained efficiency as long as it is connected to a local Wi-Fi network or through the Tesla app.
Rexing’s J1772 Extension EV Charging Cable gives you 17 additional feet of length at $110 for the rest of the day
Looking through its Deals of the Day, you’ll notice Best Buy has marked down the Rexing J1772 Extension EV Charging Cable to $109.99 shipped. We usually see its price tag unmoved at $200 most of the time, with only two previous discounts in 2024 showing up in the form of these one-day sales – one to the second-lowest $110 rate in May and an earlier drop to the $100 low in January. This handy extension cord goes right along with your existing EV charging setup to provide an increased reach of 17 feet. It arrives compatible with level 1 and level 2 chargers that feature a J1772 connector, supporting up to 40A charging speeds. Outdoor use is no concern here either as it’s been given a high-strength ABS plastic design that boasts an IP66 waterproof rating to tackle the job at hand no matter the adversity from nature. Head below for more.
While you’re home setup may be taken care of now with the extended reach, have you considered grabbing a portable EV charger for those sudden needs while away from home? Well, Amazon currently has the VEVOR 40A Level 2 Portable EV Charger with a NEMA 14-50 plug marked down to $160 from $200. Compatible with vehicles and plug-in hybrids that comply with the J1772 standard, you’ll just need the appropriate outlet to get started here. It provides remote monitoring and controls that you can access via your personal device, including scheduling charge times any hour of the day for up to 12 hours at a time.
Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station returns to $100
Heading over to its official Amazon storefront, Anker is offering its popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station for $99.99 shipped. Starting at $170 at the top of the year, it settled at its recent $150 list price after the brand switched its design from a standard battery to a LiFePO4 one. We’ve been seeing consistent discounts dropping costs every one to two months, with May seeing the greatest of these cut the price down to the $95 low, followed by its second-lowest price at the beginning of August. Today, you’ll be benefitting from a substantial 33% markdown that gives you a solid $50 taken off the tag and the third-lowest price we have found, only $5 above the all-time low from four months ago.
Looking for a reliable and portable companion to take with you on your next venture out of the house? Well, the PowerCore Reserve arrives ready to support your personal devices with a 60,000mAh/192Wh LiFePO4 capacity in a compact 4.59-inch by 4.59-inch by 8.17-inch form factor that weighs in at just five pounds. It provides two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports and ensures enough juice for an iPhone 14 to be recharged over 10 times or a MacBook Air to get 2.9 recharges.
It also boasts solar charging functionality here, with its battery returning to full in about four hours when connected to a 60W solar input. A notable standout feature on this model is the built-in retractable light that can illuminate your campsites and outdoor hangouts or even assist during emergencies, as it has two different brightness levels and a button that triggers S.O.S to flash out into the darkness. While it’s already been given a durable design that can withstand much of the outside world, you can add an additional level of protection in the form of the custom co2CREA Hard Case for $28.
Save 50% on Bluetti’s AC180 Portable Power Station at new $499 low
Coming to us through its official Amazon storefront, Bluetti is offering its AC180 Portable Power Station for $499 shipped. Normally you’ll find this unit priced at $999 on Amazon and at higher $1,249 rates elsewhere, with consistent discounts every one to two months that have been dropping costs between $649 and the former $549 low. Today, you’re looking at an even greater 50% markdown that takes $500 off the price tag and lands it at a new all-time low price – just in time to be included in your fall travel/camping plans.
The AC180 power station takes care of device charging and portable appliance power needs while you’re away from home (or just outside it even). It provides a 1,152Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity, 1,800W of output power, and 11 output ports for versatility and multi-tasking – with four ACs, four USB-As, one USB-C, one DC, and even a wireless charging pad for your smaller, more personal devices. You’ll have the usual array of smart controls that are expected out of most power station brands, which you can access via the BLUETTI app on your tablet or smartphone. Recharging times come significantly reduced with this unit too, as you can get to 80% battery in as little as 45 minutes when your plug it into a wall outlet, or in 2.8 to 3.3 hours when connected to a 500W solar input.
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $177 in free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,176)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 e-bikes with $49 in free gear: $799 (Reg. $848)
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.
The e-bike industry has stalled a little bit in terms of features, and with harsh new legislation coming in from places like California, maybe it is time to start looking at e-bikes that are light, efficient, and smooth rather than how much wattage they can output. The Tenways CGO 600Pro, which comes in at just 37 pounds, is a model e-bike you should keep an eye on…
The CGO 600Pro comes in 2 flavors: a carbon belt single-speed version that Micah reviewed and this one, which is a chain and 8-speed Shimano gears. The belt drive is going to win out on simplicity and weight but if you are expecting to get close to the ‘class 1’ top speed of 20mph or need to go up some significant hills, you’ll want to opt for the chain/gear version here.
One thing I love about this bike is the tradeoff decisions. These keep the price low and weight down while still providing a great ride. The spec sheet overall is solid but not top-shelf.
Tenways CGO600 Pro tech specs (chain/geared version)
Motor: 350 Watt rear hub motor with 45 Nm of torque
Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
Range: Claimed up to 53 miles (85 km)
Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
Weight: 37 lb (16.8 kg, over 40lbs with fenders, kickstand, etc)
Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy
Tires: CST Puncture-proof 700*45C-size Tires
Brakes: Tektro dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes
Gearing: Shimano 8-Speed Claris
Extras: Compact LED display, 4 pedal assist levels, slim fender set, kickstand, internally routed cables, LED lighting, removable battery, Tenways app integration, torque sensor, four color options
No Throttle?
Note that as a class 1 e-bike, neither belt/chain version has a throttle. While this may be controversial to some, it not only simplifies the bike, it makes it a Class 1, which will be legal in the most places. I tend to think of no throttle as a “foot throttle” and for the commuter application, this will serve well. Would I appreciate a throttle on a hill start? Perhaps.
The idea of this bike is to just enhance your pedal bike experience. You are going to get some exercise on this bike versus a bike that is a glorified low-power moped that runs on throttle with vestigial pedals.
More importantly, the torque sensor here is phenomenal; I mean, it is probably the best torque sensor I’ve ridden connected to a rear hub motor. The acceleration is smooth and strangely powerful for the 350W/45nm motor. Significant hills are a breeze, and this is one of the few bikes where I forget that I’m using an e-bike sometimes (until I look down and I’m going 20mph with little effort). Hills are also where the gearing really helps.
The tires are also the perfect size for a commuter with puncture resistance and treads that will do OK in rain and snow.
The bike itself is also very stealthy in terms of showing that it is a powered e-bike. The small 36V, 10Ah battery is integrated magnificently into the narrow downtube of the bike. All of the cables are integrated into the bike frame for a super-clean look. The rear hub motor is small but packs a punch. Many people won’t even recognize this as an e-bike. While I’m proud to be riding an e-bike around, perhaps some people would like to keep that on the down-low.
Brakes are great with hydraulic Tektros clasping against 160mm rotors in front and back. It is such a light bike that stopping can be jarring.
Assembly was super easy and took about 30 minutes with the included tool set. The battery came about 40% charged but was ready to go within a few hours with the 3A charger. Shoutout to Tenways for using a water-resistant standardized barrel charger adapter and not some proprietary adapter so that I can use one from another bike when I inevitably lose it.
Electrek’s take
The Tenways CGO600 is a fantastic light, clean, stiff and smooth e-bike that I have 0 reservations about recommending. While the battery and motor are small, they power the light bike admirably and for around 50 miles (your mileage will vary).
Currently there is a $200 off promotion code “HAPPY2025TW” at checkout bringing the CGO600Pro down to $1399 which is an amazing price for this bike:
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Earlier this month, California enacted new regulations for electric bikes that resulted in stricter speed limits on e-bikes with throttles. At the time, it was unclear how electric bike makers would respond to the new regulations, but we’re now starting to see at least one manufacturer pushing to bring its existing e-bikes owned by California residents into compliance.
The new laws remove ambiguity in the Class 2/Class 3 e-bike categorization. Formerly, many e-bikes were designed to operate in either category depending on the owner’s desires. Such bikes could operate as Class 2 e-bikes reaching max speeds of 20 mph (32 km/h) with a throttle, or as Class 3 e-bikes reaching higher speeds of 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist-only.
In fact, the overwhelming majority of Class 3 e-bikes sold in the US used this design, offering hybrid compliance for functionality as both Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes.
After California’s new laws removed any ambiguity between the classes, it is now clear that e-bikes in the state will need to function either only as Class 2 e-bikes (throttle up to 20 mph) OR Class 3 e-bikes (up to 28 mph but without any throttle).
Globe Haul ST cargo e-bike
It was unclear whether existing e-bikes already sold prior to the law’s enactment would receive an exemption, but bicycle manufacturer Specialized doesn’t seem to be taking any chances.
Specialized is the maker of the Globe line of cargo e-bikes, and recently sent out an update to owners that would help them bring their e-bikes into compliance with California’s new stricter regulations.
Like so many other electric bikes on the market, the Globe e-bikes came with throttles allowing 20 mph speeds without pedaling, but could also reach up to 28 mph on pedal assist.
A new firmware update promoted by the company will essentially restrict its e-bikes to purely Class 2 operation, removing the motor’s ability to assist the bike in going any faster, even when pedaling without throttle operation.
The update will also come with a Class 2 compliance sticker that replaces the previous Class 3 sticker.
To install the voluntary update, Globe owners are encouraged to visit their local Specialized dealer.
A copy of the update letter was shared on Reddit and can be seen below.
Electrek’s Take
This is an interesting approach, because it indicates an understanding by Specialized that it is responsible for any of its e-bikes already on the road that have now been made non-compliant by the new law.
There are basically two main options to “fix” these previously hybrid Class 2/3 e-bikes and bring them into compliance. One is to unplug and remove the throttle, turning the bike into a true Class 3 e-bike under CA regulations. The other is to remove the ability for the motor to assist at speeds over 20 mph, turning it into a Class 2 e-bike. That latter is what Specialized appears to have decided to go with, and it makes sense to me. If you asked most owners of these e-bikes about which they’d give up if they had to, they’d probably tell you “take my 21-28 mph speed but leave me my throttle”. Throttles are simply such a major part of e-bikes in North America that most riders would give up the whole bike if they were forced to give up the throttle.
The bigger question here is how many Globe riders will actually install this update. Since you need to not only opt-in to it, but also physically visit a dealer to do it, I have to imagine that the vast majority of riders will simply ignore the update altogether, keeping their faster non-compliant speed on an e-bike with a throttle. I’m not saying that’s the right thing to do, but I am saying it’s what will happen in the real world.
And if we are being honest, these Globes aren’t even the e-bikes that are at the heart of the issue. Most CA residents are more concerned with teenagers ripping down sidewalks on moped-style e-bikes, not the local moms and dads riding to Trader Joe’s on their sensible, upscale cargo e-bikes that just happen to have hybrid Class 2/3 performance.
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Wind energy powered 20% of all electricity consumed in Europe (19% in the EU) in 2024, and the EU has set a goal to grow this share to 34% by 2030 and more than 50% by 2050.
To stay on track, the EU needs to install 30 GW of new wind farms annually, but it only managed 13 GW in 2024 – 11.4 GW onshore and 1.4 GW offshore. This is what’s holding the EU back from achieving its wind growth goals.
Three big problems holding Europe’s wind power back
Europe’s wind power growth is stalling for three key reasons:
Permitting delays. Many governments haven’t implemented the EU’s new permitting rules, making it harder for projects to move forward.
Grid connection bottlenecks. Over 500 GW(!) of potential wind capacity is stuck in grid connection queues.
Slow electrification. Europe’s economy isn’t electrifying fast enough to drive demand for more renewable energy.
Brussels-based trade association WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson summed it up: “The EU must urgently tackle all three problems. More wind means cheaper power, which means increased competitiveness.”
Permitting: Germany sets the standard
Permitting remains a massive roadblock, despite new EU rules aimed at streamlining the process. In fact, the situation worsened in 2024 in many countries. The bright spot? Germany. By embracing the EU’s permitting rules — with measures like binding deadlines and treating wind energy as a public interest priority — Germany approved a record 15 GW of new onshore wind in 2024. That’s seven times more than five years ago.
If other governments follow Germany’s lead, Europe could unlock the full potential of wind energy and bolster energy security.
Grid connections: a growing crisis
Access to the electricity grid is now the biggest obstacle to deploying wind energy. And it’s not just about long queues — Europe’s grid infrastructure isn’t expanding fast enough to keep up with demand. A glaring example is Germany’s 900-megawatt (MW) Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm. The turbines are ready to go, but the grid connection won’t be in place until 2026.
This issue isn’t isolated. Governments need to accelerate grid expansion if they’re serious about meeting renewable energy targets.
Electrification: falling behind
Wind energy’s growth is also tied to how quickly Europe electrifies its economy. Right now, electricity accounts for just 23% of the EU’s total energy consumption. That needs to jump to 61% by 2050 to align with climate goals. However, electrification efforts in key sectors like transportation, heating, and industry are moving too slowly.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has tasked Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen with crafting an Electrification Action Plan. That can’t come soon enough.
More wind farms awarded, but challenges persist
On a positive note, governments across Europe awarded a record 37 GW of new wind capacity (29 GW in the EU) in 2024. But without faster permitting, better grid connections, and increased electrification, these awards won’t translate into the clean energy-producing wind farms Europe desperately needs.
Investments and corporate interest
Investments in wind energy totaled €31 billion in 2024, financing 19 GW of new capacity. While onshore wind investments remained strong at €24 billion, offshore wind funding saw a dip. Final investment decisions for offshore projects remain challenging due to slow permitting and grid delays.
Corporate consumers continue to show strong interest in wind energy. Half of all electricity contracted under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in 2024 was wind. Dedicated wind PPAs were 4 GW out of a total of 12 GW of renewable PPAs.
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