Battery recycling specialist Redwood Materials has just gained another major automaker as a client, signing a partnership with BMW of North America. Redwood will help recover and recycle end of life lithium-ion cells and their rare materials from BMW Group marques like MINI and Rolls-Royce.

Today’s latest partnership announcement only helps solidify Redwood Materials’ current status as the industry leader in battery recycling. The company, founded in 2017 by Tesla co-founder and former CTO JB Straubel, has found quick success in creating a more circular economy around lithium-ion batteries and their precious materials, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, and nickel.

In the past few years especially, Redwood has earned the business of several major OEMs, including Ford, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo. In turn, Redwood has recycled those brand’s batteries and resold their materials and components to companies like Panasonic and Toyota for a new life in EVs.

The company is quite good at what it does, too. In 2023, it was touting 95% efficiency in a battery recycling pilot, which helped it garner huge government loans to build reborn EV batteries and a huge company valuation (over $5 billion as of September 2023).

As Redwood Materials continues to expand its battery recycling operations on two continents, it continues to add clients to its Rolodex, which now includes BMW.

Redwood to offer battery recycling to BMW and MINI in US

BMW of North America shared details of its new partnership with Redwood Materials today, which includes battery recycling of lithium-ion cells from all-electric, plug-in, and mild hybrid vehicles from BMW Group marques in the US, including MINI, Rolls-Royce, and BMW Motorrad.

BMW states that Redwood will now work directly with the automaker’s network of nearly 700 locations across the US, which includes dealerships, distribution centers, and other facilities. The battery recycling specialist will help recover BMW’s end-of-life lithium-ion cells and take them to its facilities in Reno, Nevada, where it can do what it does best – recycle and refine their critical minerals. Redwood’s chief commercial officer, Cal Lankton, spoke about the new partnership with BMW:

The transition to electric mobility presents a tremendous opportunity to rethink how we manage the batteries that power our clean energy future. Our partnership with BMW of North America ensures responsible end-of-life battery management that will improve the environmental footprint of lithium-ion batteries, help decrease cost and, in turn, increase access and adoption of electric vehicles.

As mentioned above, Redwood promises that 95% to 98% of the critical minerals recycled will be returned to the battery supply chain and put into new EV models. Battery recycling is a critical yet nascent industry for EV adoption and sustainability, as the current materials inside EV batteries are nearly infinitely recyclable and are not lost in their lifetime of usage.

Redwood’s recycling processes are also a far better option than anyone else today since they have a significantly smaller environmental impact than conventional mining or other recycling technologies. Redwood states its recycling and refining of said materials reduces energy by 80%, CO2 emissions by 70%, and water by 80%.

As we’ve previously reported, Redwood is in the process of erecting a new battery recycling campus in Charleston, South Carolina, not far from BMW Group’s production plants in Spartanburg and Woodruff.

Flying cars are no longer just from sci-fi movies. Electric flying car maker Alef Aeronautics is one step closer to launching the new tech after signing a mass manufacturing deal this week for aviation-grade parts.

Although it may sound like something from the Jetsons, Alef has been advancing its flying car technology since 2015.

Alef set out to build an electric car that can actually drive and has vertical takeoff abilities. It also needs to be affordable.

After showing a scaled prototype, the startup attracted Tim Draper, a prominent venture capitalist known for his early Tesla investments. Draper became the lead investor with $3 million in seed funding.

We first saw the flying car, dubbed “Model A,” in October 2022. According to Alef, the Model A can drive up to 200 miles with a 110-mile flight range. It also has a $300,000 price tag.

Alef kicked off pre-orders the same month and had 440 reservations by the end of 2022. Less than a year later, Alef’s electric flying car became the first vehicle of its kind to receive a Special Airworthiness Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Alef signs mass electric flying car manufacturing deal

Last summer, Alef announced that pre-orders for its flying car had reached over 2,500. That would amount to $750 million in revenue once delivered. Reservation holders can reserve a spot in the “regular” queue for $150 or “priority” for $1,500.

The company also became the first to secure pre-orders to sell a modern aircraft through a car dealership last year. Alef signed a deal to sell its flying cars through a dealership in California.

As it prepares to launch one of, if not the world’s first, 100% electric flying car, Alef hit another milestone this week.

Alef announced it signed a mass manufacturing agreement with PUCARA Aero and MYC for aviation-grade parts for its electric flying car. The companies produce parts for industry leaders, including Boeing and Airbus.

As pre-orders top 3,200, Alef is now lining up manufacturing agreements to mass-produce its Model A flying car.

Alef’s CEO, Jim Dukhovny, said the company chose PUCARA Aero and MYC “for their impeccable safety record and compliance with major aviation authorities.”

PUCARA Aero proposed to build a subset of aviation-grade parts specifically for Alef’s vehicle. The parts will be “high grade” and certified by the FAA, EASA, and other aviation authorities.

Alef plans to begin Model A production in Q4 2025, with deliveries starting shortly after. The company is already working on its second vehicle, deemed “Model Z.” According to Alef, the four-door electric flying car is expected to launch in 2035 and start at just $35,000.

You can pre-order your electric flying car or learn more about the company and its tech on Alef’s website.

Today’s Green Deals are once again being led by Rad Power’s latest sale, which has its RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike dropping to a new $1,299 low. We also spotted a new low price on Bluetti’s AC50B 448Wh LiFePO4 Portable Power Station at $279. Hitting our radar for the first time today is the Vvolt Centauri SE Commuter e-bike which is getting a $700 discount to $2,599 and features some quality design choices. We have a budget-friendly low price on Greenworks’ 40V 14-inch Cordless Electric Push Mower, while EcoFlow launches a 24-hour flash sale on its GLACIER Portable Refrigerator/Freezer. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s rare bundle discount on the Xtracycle Stoker Off-Road Cargo e-bike or the new low on Anker’s SOLIX C800 power station, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike falls to new $1,299 low in latest sale

Rad Power is switching up its fall sales through September 25, with two models tailored to the versatile needs of the season and beyond, while also continuing the only deal we’ve seen on its newer models. The RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike sees the biggest discount among the offers at $1,299 shipped. More recently fetching $1,599 after Rad lowered prices across its older models at the start of 2024, this model has not been as prolific in savings as its high-step counterpart that has been retired after dropping to clearance lows. Before 2024 we mainly saw it drop to $1,799, with all the discounts after New Year’s Day only seeing costs fall as low as $1,399. Today’s sale marks its official descent lower as $300 is taken off its newer price tag, dropping it to a new all-time low price.

Visiting my family down in the swamps of Virginia and the Carolinas allowed me to hop aboard a RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike and enjoy it first-hand, which I discuss in my Travel Kit here. It’s a well-built and enjoyable ride, with its 750W brushless geared hub motor and semi-integrated 672Wh battery providing a solid 45 miles of travel and 20 MPH max speeds. Five levels of pedal assistance kick in with little effort, assisting in extending mileage to its fullest over the lesser travel distance only using the throttle allows.

As I mentioned in my Travel Kit coverage, this model is a great companion for rides on the streets and for when things go off-road, as the thick Kenda Juggernaut puncture-resistant tires easily tackled the swampy and varying terrain, with the water-resistant connectors providing added protections during these parts of my journeys. Along with these, the bike also comes equipped with a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, fenders to go over both wheels and a solid LCD display to monitor and switch through its settings.

More Rad Power deals:

Bluetti’s AC50B 448Wh LiFePO4 Portable Power Station starts from new $279 low

We just spotted a great new deal through Bluetti’s official Amazon storefront on its AC50B Portable Power Station for $279 shipped, after clipping the on-page $20 off coupon. A quick note here: some folks are seeing the additional $20 off, and sadly some may not. Normally priced at $399, this newer model has only seen three previous discounts since it hit the market back in March, with the first two dropping costs to $299, and the most recent one from July’s Prime Day sales taking things further to $284. Today, Prime Day’s pricing has been dethroned after such a short period to mark a new all-time low, which gives you back $120 in savings and beats out the current discount on Bluetti’s website. There is one bundle option on this unit, coming with a 120W solar panel for $448, after clipping the on-page 10% off coupon.

Not a goliath like some of the larger campsite and home-supporting models on the market, the AC50B arrives as a far more compact unit clocking in at just 14.8 pounds, which houses the 448Wh LiFePO4 battery and pumps out a solid 700W of output power (1,000W peak). There’s a generally well-rounded amount of ports here too, with a car port, a USB-A port, and two of both USB-C and AC ports. The unit’s own battery recharges to 80% of its capacity in about 45 minutes when you plug it into a wall outlet, thanks to its upgraded turbo charging mode. You also have its solar charging capabilities as an option too, with a full battery reached in just 3 hours alongside a 200W panel. When considering its design, capabilites, and the full array of remote smart controls, this unit is a sound investment for folks in need of temporary power solutions over more year-round coverage.

Save $700 on the Vvolt Centauri SE Commuter e-bike at $2,599

Running alongside the release of its newest Centauri II e-bike, Vvolt is offering a price cut on its Centauri SE Commuter e-bike that is down at $2,599 shipped. This model usually runs for $3,299 most days, with this being the first discount that we’ve covered here at 9to5Toys since the brand hit our radar. You’re looking at a solid $700 being slashed from its usual costs here, which brings the price down into a more affordable range, especially when you consider some of its features and its quality design.

The Centauri SE e-bike cruises onto the scene with a streamlined design and sleek frame while boasting a 28 MPH max speed and 60-mile travel range. It possesses a 350W custom-tuned Ananda mid-drive motor that peaks at 650W alongside a 490Wh removable battery, with only pedal assistance available – supported by both internal torque and cadence sensors for fast pick-up. Rather than any chain drives, this model has been given a Gates CDX Carbon Belt Drive for extended lifespans, quieter operations, and throwing out any need for grease – which means no more accidental stains on your clothes/skin too!

Depending on which size you choose, it only weighs in at a more minor 52 pounds, which should be quite manageable for folks who aren’t as physically gifted or even older – especially if you live in a building with stairs you’ll have to carry it up and down. There’s an integrated front and rear lighting system, bolstered by reflective graphics to provide 360 degrees of visibility to those around you when you’re riding through the darker hours of the day. Other notable features include Kenda Kwest anti-puncture tires, Tektro 720 hydraulic disc brakes, an Enviolo internal rear hub transmission, and a full-color display.

Greenworks 40V 14-inch cordless electric push mower offers budget-friendly reliability at new $187 low

Homeowners on a budget and landscaping hustlers rejoice! Amazon is giving folks a great chance to land some quality savings on the Greenworks 40V 14-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower for $187.49 shipped. Normally this model would cost you $270, which still isn’t that bad for a reliable electric mower like this, but the price is all the sweeter with the large 31% markdown that gives you back a solid $83 in savings while also landing it at a lower price than we have ever tracked – beating our previous mention at its former low by $25.

With this Greenworks mower, you’ll be adding a reliable piece of equipment to your lawncare routines at a price that isn’t weighing down or straight burning through your wallet – plus, you can forget the noise, fumes, and extra expenses associated with gas-guzzling models. The main body fits a 40V brushless motor inside the 14-inch poly deck, all running off a single removable 4.0Ah battery (which can be switched out with others that you may already have).

It provides a full hour of runtime to tackle your yard, with a five-position height adjustment that ranges from 1-1/4-inch to 3-3/8-inch cutting heights and a push-button start. It has also been designed with a folding frame for easier storage and a 2-in-1 functionality that can either bag your clippings or mulch them to be used in your flower beds.

EcoFlow one-day flash sale drops GLACIER portable dual-zone fridge/freezer with ice maker to $599 low

Today, EcoFlow has launched its penultimate 24-hour flash sale for its current Disaster Campaign sale that ends September 22, with its GLACIER Portable Refrigerator bundled with a plug-in battery down at $599 shipped through the rest of the day. Normally this package with the battery would run you $1,398, but today’s short-term sale is providing a large 57% markdown that saves you $799 and lands this smart device down at the lowest price we have tracked.

While the warmer parts of the summer are coming to a close as fall weather moves in, EcoFlow’s GLACIER can still be quite the handy device to bring along with you on your autumn outings. This portable refrigerator boasts dual-zone compartments (36L or 38L as single-zone), one for cooling and one for freezing, accessed by removing the divider, with separate remote smart controls for each one through the EcoFlow app. On top, it even has a section dedicated to its 120W compressor for integrated ice-making action – specifically “18 solid ice cubes in 12 minutes,” which you don’t see in the other big contenders on the market. It even beats out its competitors in run time, with the included battery giving you up to 40 hours of power before needing to be plugged in or recharged.

Speaking of recharging, there are three options for this model: solar charging with a max 240W panel takes just 2.1 hours with fair conditions, which takes slightly longer at 2.2 hours when plugged into a standard wall outlet – plus, there’s a DC charging option too, taking 2.1 to 4 hours (depending on whether it’s connected to 24V or 12V).

Don’t miss out on all the great discounts that EcoFlow’s Disaster Campaign sale is offering until September 22, which you can look through in full here on this landing page. 

Summer e-bike deals!

• Xtracycle Stoker Off-Road Cargo e-bike with $590 in free gear: $3,999 (Reg. $4,499)
• Juiced JetCurrent Pro Foldable e-bike: $2,399 (Reg. $2,799)
• Lectric ONE Long-Range e-bike with extra battery and more: $2,299 (Reg. $2,454)
• Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike with $439 in free gear: $1,999 (Reg. $1,999)
• Blix Vika X Folding e-bike with free carrying bag (new model): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
• Lectric XPeak Off-Road e-bike with extra battery and more: $1,399 (Reg. $2,126)
• Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
• Lectric XPress 750 High-Step e-bike with $306 in free gear (new model): $1,299 (Reg. $1,605)
• Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $306 in free gear: $1,199 (Reg. $1,505)
• Rad Power RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike: $1,199 (Reg. $1,399)
• Aventon Soltera.2 Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
• Lectric XP 3.0 e-bikes with $129 in free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,128)
• 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.

• Save a rare $500 on Xtracycle’s Stoker off-road cargo e-bike with $590 in FREE gear at $3,999
• Anker’s SOLIX C800 portable power station hits new $399 low in time for fall trips ($200 off), more from $449
• Segway’s Ninebot Max G30LP foldable electric scooter with regenerative braking returns to $500 low (Reg. $700)
• Goal Zero’s Yeti 6000X is ready to support you through autumn at new $2,489 low (Reg. $2,999+)
• Save an exclusive $350 on Bugatti’s upgraded 10 Max electric scooter and cruise the town in style at $1,249
• Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus 99Wh/31,000mAh LiFePo4 power station fits in your hand at new $89 low (Reg. $149)
• Ride joyful on Razor’s RSF650 electric mini motorcycle at $689 2024 low (Reg. $900+)
• Lectric’s ONE long-range e-bike carries you 100+ miles with extra battery and $220 in more free gear at $2,299
• Score exclusive $2,000 off Anker’s SOLIX F3800 LiFePo4 power station with expansion battery at $3,599 (Reg. $5,598+)