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 Tesla Solar Roof tiles are still alive, but the product is on the back burner at Tesla as it failed to achieve its promises.
When launching the solar roof in 2016, CEO Elon Musk presented it as a critical product to accelerate solar power deployment, as it opens up the market to people who want to go solar but also need to replace their roof soon.
However, Tesla didn’t reach volume production of the solar roof tiles until 2020, and even then, it was at a fraction of the deployment it was aiming for.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
In 2022, Electrekreported that Tesla installed solar roofs for the first time and confirmed that the Company deployed 2.5 MW of solar roofs during the second quarter of 2022, equivalent to approximately 23 roofs per week, which is far short of its goal.
Tesla shifted its focus on deploying Powerwalls and solar inverters through third-party installers.
The same thing is happening with Tesla’s solar roof tiles. The company appears to be giving up on installing them itself, but some installations are still happening with third-party certified installers.
Tesla doesn’t even give online quotes on its solar roof anymore and has people submit requests for quotes through third-party installers:
“In order to receive pricing and product information, Tesla will share your contact information with a Tesla Certified Installer.”
We are hearing less about solar roof installations lately, as Tesla has gone virtually silent on the program; however, some ongoing installations are still being carried out by third-party installers.
Weddle and Sons Roofing just posted about a new 20 kW Tesla Solar Roof installation in Topeka, Kansas:
It’s challenging to determine the exact deployment rate of the solar roof, but based on our checks with a few installers, it doesn’t appear to have increased since 2022.
Tesla-certified installers are even convincing potential buyers to opt for a regular roof with solar panels instead of a solar roof. Potential buyer Jeff Betty shared this text from an unnamed installer:
This is not entirely surprising, as the primary issue with the Tesla Solar Roof tiles is their pricing. Tesla aimed for the solution to be competitive with higher-end roofing options, but it remains expensive and much less affordable than many durable roof options, plus solar panels.
Electrek’s Take
In short, the Tesla Solar Roof is still alive, but it’s nowhere near the revolutionary product Tesla claimed it would be.
Instead, it has become a very niche higher-end roofing product that Tesla deploys in very low volume through third-party installers.
It’s not in any way a significant part of Tesla’s energy business, which is now almost entirely Megapacks and Powerwalls.
While Tesla’s solar roof is not for everyone, now is a great time to go solar with rooftop solar panels.
If you want to make sure you’re finding a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar – whether you’re a homeowner or renter. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
For the Valen Rev+, Retrospec managed to get the best out of that iconic moto-style scrambler spirit and put it into a comfortably handling fat tire e-bike while also keeping the performance bits that make it fun, and the best part is it comes at a reasonable price of just under $1,800
Aside from the looks and price this bike has a unique fun factor that comes from a combination of a few key components here.
One is the 20 by 4.0 inch Fat MTB tires with puncture protection and reflective sidewalls. Aside from these tires offering an extra layer of protection and suspension, Retrospec’s decision to offer wide tires also gives way more stability than a typical bike tire, which makes going through ruts, mud, or sand pretty effortless.
The second key component is the front suspension, which is fully adjustable and has 100mm of travel. Combined with the extra suspension from the fat tires, as mentioned earlier, this makes otherwise challenging terrain turn into fun detours that you’ll likely go out of your way to use.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
The third component is the 750w rear hub motor, which gives the bike a 28 mph assisted top speed. Combined with the secure handling and added front suspension, the Valen Rev+ is the kind of bike you want to plan an adventure with. Whether that’s a dirt road shortcut on your commute or a day to the beach, the comfortable long seat makes it hard to say no to a trip with the Valen Rev+
On the practical side, Retrospec put some significant thought into the design and build of this bike to ensure that riders are cared for with those often less thought of yet still essential features. Starting with the battery, the fully integrated 720Wh battery uses LG 21700 cells for a total of 68 miles of range when fully charged. In addition, the battery is lockable and easily removable for both on- and off-bike battery charging. It’s also seamlessly integrated into the bike’s frame, making for a clean look.
For safety, Retrospec added Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with e-bike-specific rotors, which is an important upgrade, considering an improved rotor typically allows for better heat dissipation and better overall performance. There are also Integrated front and rear lights with 100 Lux illumination for the front. Safety aside, the design here for the front light looks amazing.
For the less thought-of yet essential features, Retrospec included an easy-change rear wheel removal system that uses braze-ons located at the lower part of the bike, so there’s no need to remove zip ties. Unlike other e-bikes, the Valen Rev+ kept it simple with the same axel nut for both the front and rear which means fewer tools, but what makes the process itself a lot easier is not having to wrestle the chain when re-installing the wheel thanks to the chain hanger.
One of the great feelings of the Retrospec Valen Rev+ e-bike is how simple yet stylish it is; the display is a center-mounted color display with controls on the left-hand side of the handlebars. The control panel has only three buttons, so it’s as simple as it gets. With the up or down control, you can change through 6 levels of pedal assist, but if you’re looking for more control, you can also use the controls on the right side of the handlebars to cycle through the eight speeds on the Shimano Altus derailleur.
For how comfortable the moto-inspired Valen Rev+ is, it also feels great to pedal on in case you’re looking for more exercise and want to opt for the pedal assist rather than the throttle only. Unlike other e-bikes on the market, Retrospec’s Rev+ makes riding very approachable. For those who are newer to riding, that long seat and wide tires add a level of stability, making the overall learning experience much more enjoyable. With how comfortable the bike rides, it might make you think more about leaving the car at home more often and opting for the bike paths.
For those looking to get as much fun as possible out of an e-bike aside from the fat tires and front suspension, Retrospec’s BMX style handlebars offer excellent geometry and height that gives you much more control over the bike in case you wanna stand up and tackle some of the more challenging trails. In addition, if you’re looking to forget pedaling altogether, you could even choose to get the optional footpeg accessories, which, combined with the BMX-styled handlebars, will make the bike much more functional for off-road riding.
Overall, Retrospec seems to have put a lot of effort into bringing that scrambler moto spirit into a comfortable bike with loads of features that other manufacturers haven’t quite nailed down. From the easy rear wheel removal to the BMX-styled handlebars and comfortable long seat, it’s a very approachable and easy-to-maintain e-bike that can still rip on trails for those who want to tackle more of that tough off-road terrain.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
I’ll cut right to the chase. The new Model Y rival from Mazda is coming for the Y’s old sales crown with a starkly elegant 26.45-inch 5K ultra-wide display with dual screens and (get this) a massive 100″ (!) augmented reality heads-up display (AR-HUD) that projects key driving information onto the windshield, alerting the driver of pedestrians, speed limits, etc.
You can check it out for yourself, below.
Mazda EZ-60 interior revealed
Via Planet Car News.
As you can see, the interior largely eschews buttons, knobs, or physical interfaces of any kind in favor of touchscreens. Those screens enable EZ-60 drivers and passengers to control and adjust a 23-speaker, 7.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos audio system, while a separate touchscreen in the rear allows drivers passengers to adjust climate and entertainment settings for themselves.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
Other interior features include super-slick digital wing mirror displays (the exterior “side mirrors” are aerodynamic cameras), and fully twenty kid- and family-friendly storage compartments sprinkled liberally throughout the vehicle. A relatively small 350-liter (12.3 cu ft) rear trunk expands to 2,036 liters (71.9 cu ft) with the seats folded flat. A 126-liter frunk (4.4 cu ft, or about the size of the mini fridge in your college dorm) adds extra practicality.
The electric Mazda SUV itself is built on the Changan EPA1 platform, and is believed to be powered by an 80 kWh battery good for 295 miles of WLTP range, and a 93 kW charging speed that can take the EZ-60 from 30 to 80% charge in a little over 30 mins.
Following the crossover’s Chinese launch – officially slated for April 23rd. Changan Mazda plans to release the EZ-60 in overseas markets under the Mazda CX-6e nameplate.
Electrek’s Take
EZ-60 electric crossover SUV; via Changan Mazda.
Mazda is on a hot streak right now – and not just in China, but in the US as well. The brand’s near-premium positioning is perfect, targeting middle class buyers who are willing to pay a premium to drive a vehicle with better fit and finish than the Ford, Chevy, and Stellantis offerings – but not enough of a premium to justify a move into Acura/Volvo territory. And, frankly, no one in the industry is doing paint as well as Mazda right now. Not until you start doubling the Mazda’s MSRPs, anyway.