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It’s finally November and you know what that means – more and more Black Friday events! We’ve got three big e-bike brands all dropping savings this morning, led by Lectric’s Black Friday event that is taking up to $781 off its e-bike bundles, and also giving folks plenty of varying options at extra savings – 25% off accessories, discounted extra battery bundles, and even periodic Deals of the Day too – all starting from $999. The biggest news though, is MOD’s month-long event that has permanently dropped the prices across its e-bike lineup to provide affordable accessibility on top of the Black Friday discounts, with up to $1,300 in total savings starting from $1,799. Bringing up the rear is Aventon’s early savings event that offers the Pace 500.3 Cruiser e-bikes with free extra batteries for 120-mile travel at $1,599, among other models. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Tenways Black Friday sale 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.

Lectric’s Black Friday sale begins with up to $781 taken off e-bike bundles from $999 and tons of bonus deals

With November’s arrival, Lectric has switched to Black Friday sales by taking up to $781 off its e-bike bundle lineup, with tons of additional accessory deals too. One noticeable stand out right off the bat is the ONE Long-Range e-bike that is getting $467 in free gear at $2,199 shipped. Normally you’d be pressed for $2,666 to get this bundle at full price, but as always, Lectric includes the savings on all the free gear (though the e-bike is maintaining its $100 price cut from earlier sales). This is the largest bundle package that we have seen on this e-bike to date, making it the best deal yet to score it for your commute, complete with a rear cargo rack, a pair of fenders, two waterproof pannier bags, and a 4L storage bag that stows away right in the frame.

It appears as though this is indeed the 2024 Lectric Black Friday sale starting well ahead of time. We can’t know for sure if the deals will get better later in the month, but considering stock can run out at any time with this brand on the popular models, you might want to jump in now.

Before we get into the e-bike itself, there’s a few additional savings options you can take advantage of during this sale. The first is a short-term “deal of the day,” that will likely change every few days throughout the month, with you able to currently get a phone mount and an e-bike bell at 40% off for $26 through the weekend. Next, you can get 25% off a selection of add-on accessories that you can browse here. Lastly, Lectric is taking 30% off its extra batteries, allowing you to double your e-bike’s mileage for farther-reaching travel more easily – with long-range models, specifically, getting a chance to add a battery to their bundle at an increased discount ($200, as opposed to $350 while buying it separately).

Lectric’s premium commuter model, the ONE Long-Range e-bike comes built with plenty of top-notch upgrades, like the Pinion auto-shifting gearbox, the carbon fiber drive belt, and the 24A potted motor controller for effortless peaking to its maximum output power. Depending on your state’s laws, you’ll be able to reach a top speed of 20 MPH to 28 MPH, with the 48V 14Ah battery powering its journey for up to 60 miles of range on a full charge. There are five PWR-supported pedal assistance levels with this model, with lag times between the system cut down thanks to the 96 magnet cadence sensors.

Don’t worry if you just want to cruise around with little effort, as there is a thumb throttle too, but our ride will also benefit from the 20-inch puncture-resistant city tires, an integrated headlight and taillight – plus, hydraulic mineral oil disc brakes, and a new color LCD display. It keeps a clean, sleek look with the hidden cable routing, and you’ll also get all the cargo-carrying support you could want with the free add-on gear that comes with the bundle, making this quite the upgrade opportunity for commuters.

Lectric Black Friday XPeak e-bikes with $781 bundle

Lectric Black Friday XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $454 bundle

Lectric Black Friday XP 3.0 Standard e-bikes with $454 bundle

Lectric Black Friday XPedition Cargo e-bikes with $455 and $406 bundles

Lectric Black Friday XP Trike with $419 bundle

Lectric Black Friday XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $365 bundle

Lectric Black Friday XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $365 bundle

Black Friday e-bike

MOD kicks off Black Friday with massive price drops on its e-bikes at up to $1,300 off, deals from $1,799

MOD Bikes has launched its massive Black Friday e-bike sale through December 1, with some major news to start it off. As of today, the brand is making its quality e-bikes more accessible by permanently dropping the starting prices across its lineup of models, with the sale’s event then taking the savings further. My personal favorite amongst the bunch (and the latest addition to my commute – review coming soon), is the MOD Easy 3 e-bike that is now down at $2,199 shipped from its new $2,399 price tag. Permanently falling from its original $3,499 price, the changeup in its starting rate alone beats out all previous discounts we’ve seen, but now MOD is giving us even more with an additional $200 slashed off for Black Friday, landing it a new all-time low.

Coming into view with a motorcycle-inspired design, I’ve been absolutely loving my rides on MOD’s Easy 3 e-bike with its unique style and charm over other models on the market that more closely resemble mountain bikes. The 750W rear brushless geared hub motor provides steady power that peaks at 1,000W, all powered by the removable 720Wh MOD Samsung Powerpack battery that tag-teams rider support with five levels of pedal assistance (with an upgraded torque sensor over the predecessor’s cadence sensor). You’ll enjoy 28 MPH speeds for up to 50 miles with the battery at full charge, with tons of additional stock features that only heighten the experience while in the saddle.

There’s the 7-speed Shimano ALTUS derailleur, a nice upgrade from the more standard versions other e-bikes possess, with brake light functionality coming alongside the integrated LED headlight and taillight, while the dual suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and multi-terrain tires increasing its performance ability for a comfortable ride. The features don’t stop there either, as there’s also the rear cargo rack, a much wider-than-normal saddle to accommodate differing body shapes/sizes, fenders over both wheels, a thumb throttle, a bell, and an S3 smart color display that lets you charge our devices via the USB port. It even has password security locking capabilities for added piece of mind.

There’s also the upgraded MOD Easy SideCar 3 package that is down at $3,499 shipped from its new $3,899 price tag (permanently cut from its original $4,799 MSRP). It sports a 150-pound payload capacity which is great if you want to have some joyriding fun with kids, teens, or adults who fall under the limit. There are no seatbelts though, but the company has designed it with your furry pals in mind, including dedicated D-ring anchor points to secure your dog’s leash or harness.

***Note: Remember, all of the models you see listed below just saw $900 to $1,100 in permanent price cuts and are now an additional $200 to $400 off for Black Friday. 

MOD Black Friday deals:

Black Friday e-bike

Aventon has launched its early Black Friday sale alongside the launch of its new Abound SR model, with up to $300 being taken off its e-bikes, as well as a free extra battery bundle. If you’re hoping to score the doubled mileage deal, you’ll find the free extra battery coming with the Pace 500.3 Step-Over e-bike at $1,599 shipped and its Step-Through counterpart that is also down at $1,599 shipped. Normally $1,799, whole-roster deals like these are becoming rare for this brand in our post-tariff world, with Best Buy having seen the lowest falls to $1,099 and $1,199 back at the beginning of the year in short-term sales. You’ll be getting a solid $200 off its newer going rate today, with the free extra battery bumping the total savings up to $700 – one of the best deals we’ve seen since the unfortunate economic changeup that went into effect over the summer.

There’s some additional savings available when you bundle three accessories along with your e-bike, taking 20% off their total value after doing so. You’ll find the option on any of the landing pages for the e-bikes in the accessory options box.

Aventon’s tried and true Pace 500.3 e-bikes come with either a Step-Over or Step-Through design, with both sporting 500W rear-hub motors and integrated 48V batteries. The four pedal assistance levels (eco, tour, sport, and turbo) come supported by a superior torque sensor, which is always a happy upgrade to see on affordable models, propelling you up to 28 MPH top speeds for up to 60 miles (120 miles thanks to those extra battery inclusions). This cruiser’s frame features integrated lights that even offer turn-signal functionality and an LCD smart “easy read” display that has a concealed USB port to charge your smartphone while you ride onward. That’s not all either, as it also comes stocked with hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires, a throttle for pure electric rides, and an 8-speed Shimano derailleur.

Aventon early Black Friday deals:

Fall e-bike deals!

Black Friday e-bike

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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One of the US’s first solar peaker plants – with Tesla Megapacks – just came online

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November 21, 2024

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One of the US’s first solar peaker plants – with Tesla Megapacks – just came online

Photo: Arevon

Arevon Energy has kicked off operations at Vikings Solar-plus-Storage – one of the US’s first utility-scale solar peaker plants.

The $529 million project in Imperial County, California, near Holtville, features 157 megawatts of solar power paired with 150 megawatts/600 megawatt hours of battery storage.

Vikings Solar-plus-Storage is designed to take cheap daytime solar power and store it for use during more expensive peak demand times, like late afternoons and evenings. The battery storage system can quickly respond to changes in demand, helping tackle critical grid needs.

Vikings leverages provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that support affordable clean energy, strengthen grid resilience, boost US manufacturing, and create good jobs.

The Vikings project has already brought significant benefits to the local area. It employed over 170 people during construction, many local workers, and boosted nearby businesses like restaurants, hotels, and stores. On top of that, Vikings will pay out more than $17 million to local governments over its lifespan.

“Vikings’ advanced design sets the standard for safe and reliable solar-plus-storage configurations,” said Arevon CEO Kevin Smith. “The project incorporates solar panels, trackers, and batteries that showcase the growing strength of US renewable energy manufacturing.”

The project includes Tesla Megapack battery systems made in California, First Solar’s thin-film solar panels, and smart solar trackers from Nextracker. San Diego-based SOLV Energy handled the engineering, procurement, and construction work.

San Diego Community Power (SDCP) will buy the energy from the Vikings project under a long-term deal, helping power nearly 1 million customer accounts. SDCP and Arevon have also signed an agreement for the 200 MW Avocet Energy Storage Project in Carson, California, which will start construction in early 2025.

Vikings is named after the Holtville High School mascot, and Arevon is giving back to the local community by funding scholarships for deserving Holtville High students.

Arevon is a major renewable energy developer across the US and a key player in California, with nearly 2,500 MW in operation and more than 1,250 MW under construction.

Read more: Minnesota’s largest coal plant goes solar: Sherco Solar comes online

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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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Environment

BYD chases Ford and Toyota with its latest EV plant set to open in Cambodia

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November 21, 2024

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BYD chases Ford and Toyota with its latest EV plant set to open in Cambodia

BYD-EV-plant-Cambodia

China’s EV giant BYD is aggressively expanding overseas. As it finalizes plans for yet another EV manufacturing plant, this time in Cambodia, BYD will set up shop next to newly opened Ford and Toyota facilities.

BYD’s impressive growth streak is not slowing down. In October, BYD sold over 500,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs), its fifth straight record sales month and the first time it has crossed the half-million mark in a single month.

With China’s auto market becoming flooded with low-cost competitors, BYD is looking to key overseas markets to drive growth.

After opening its first plant in Thailand earlier this year, a booming EV region, BYD plans to open up shop in another major Southeast Asian market.

According to Khmer Times, BYD is nearing a deal to establish a new EV manufacturing plant in Cambodia. Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Wednesday that the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) is in the final stage of negotiations with BYD to build a new electric vehicle facility in the region.

“We may be aware that BYD is a giant Chinese company specialising in EV production, comparable to Tesla, the largest EV manufacturer in the United States,” Mr Hun Manet said at the event.

BYD-EV-plant-Cambodia
BYD’s first EV manufacturing plant in Thailand (Source: BYD)

BYD closes in on deal for a new EV plant in Cambodia

BYD will follow Toyota, which opened an assembly plant in Cambodia in May, and Ford’s first assembly plant in the region, which opened in June 2022.

Cambodia’s prime minister stressed the importance of attracting new investments. With geopolitical tensions rising, many companies are looking to new locations.

BYD-EV-plant-Cambodia
BYD’s luxury Denza opens its first store in Cambodia (Source: BYD)

Southeast Asia is expected to become a major electric vehicle hub. The Cambodian government unveiled plans earlier this year to raise automotive and electronics exports to over $2 billion while creating more than 22,000 new jobs.

BYD opening a new EV plant would be “excellent news” for Cambodia, Natharoun Ngo Son, Country Director of EnergyLab, told Khmer Times.

BYD-milestone-10-millionth-NEV
BYD Dolphin (left) and Atto 3 (right) Source: BYD

An EV manufacturing plant will “provide an excellent opportunity to reskill or upskill the Cambodian workforce” for new higher-paying jobs. EnergyLab is launching a new skills development program early next year to prepare the Cambodian workforce for the auto industry’s shift to EVs.

The news comes after BYD launched its first electric pickup, the Shark PHEV (BYD Shark 6), in Cambodia last month.

BYD-EV-plant-Cambodia-Shark
BYD launches Shark PHEV pickup in Cambodia (Source: BYD)

BYD is also planning to open EV plants in Mexico, Brazil, Pakistan, Hungary, and Turkey as it competes with Ford and Toyota in the global auto market.

Electrek’s Take

According to a recent Bloomberg report, BYD is quickly catching up to Ford in global deliveries. BYD outsold Ford in the third quarter by around 40,000 units.

While Ford is cutting more jobs in Europe as part of its restructuring, BYD has been on a major hiring spree as it ramps up production to meet the higher demand.

BYD is known for its low-cost EV models, like the Seagull, Dolphin, and Atto 3, but the Chinese auto giant is expanding into pickup trucks, midsize smart SUVs, and luxury EVs.

Ford is well aware of BYD’s rise in the global auto ranks. CEO Jim Farley has warned rivals in the past about losing significant revenue if they cannot keep up with China. Farley said he was shocked by the advanced tech he saw after a trip to China in early 2023.

Although Ford is shifting gears to focus on smaller, lower-cost EVs, it may be too little too late. Ford is developing what’s promised to be one of the most efficient EV platforms in California, but its first model based on it, a midsize electric pickup, isn’t due out until 2027.

Will BYD overtake Ford in the global auto ranks? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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Researchers develop EV battery that charges 0-80% in 15 minutes

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November 21, 2024

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Researchers develop EV battery that charges 0-80% in 15 minutes

EV battery charges 15 minutes
Photo: University of Waterloo

Researchers at Canada’s University of Waterloo have developed a new lithium-ion EV battery design that can charge from zero to 80% in just 15 minutes and has a longer lifespan.

The new design also allows batteries to handle up to 800 charging cycles, significantly increasing their lifespan.

Yverick Rangom, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said, “If we can make batteries smaller, charge faster, and last longer, we reduce the overall cost of the vehicle. That makes EVs a viable option for more people, including those who don’t have home charging stations or who live in apartments. It would also increase the value of second-hand EVs, making electric transportation more accessible.”

The secret sauce here is in the anode, which traditionally relies on graphite. The researchers designed a method to fuse graphite particles together to improve conductivity. This tweak enables lithium ions to move fast without causing typical degradation or safety hazards associated with fast charging.

What’s cool is that they didn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of materials; the team worked with the same lithium-ion components already used in EV batteries today.

“We’re just finding a better way to arrange the particles and providing new functions to the binders that hold them together such as state-of the-art electron, ion, and heat transfer properties,” explained Michael Pope, co-lead of the research and professor at Waterloo’s Ontario Battery and Electrochemistry Research Centre. “This approach ensures that the technology can be scalable and implemented using current production lines, offering a low-cost solution to battery manufacturers.”

The next step? The research team is optimizing the manufacturing process and putting prototypes to the test to gauge industry interest. The goal is to make sure this new battery design isn’t just effective – it has to be scalable and ready for widespread industry adoption.

“It’s crucial that it can be implemented within the existing infrastructure for both battery production and charging stations,” added Rangom, lead researcher for the Battery Workforce Challenge.

The University of Waterloo researchers’ findings are published in the journal Advanced Science.

Read more: North Dakota is ramping up its EV charger installations

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Save money and help the environment by utilizing the EnergySage Community Solar Marketplace to explore all the solar farms available to you. They even have dedicated Energy Advisors to answer any questions you have about community solar and help you sign up. Subscribe and save here. –affiliate link*

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