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This week’s Green Deals is kicking off with another early bird Black Friday e-bike sale, this time coming from Velotric, which is offering discounts with a $5 charity donation on a bunch of models, including the first savings on its new Discover 2 Premium Commuter e-bike at $1,699. Following behind is Hiboy’s latest sale switch-up that has dropped the EX6 Step-Thru Fat-Tire e-bike to its $800 low for a limited supply (with Best Buy also matching it in price). From there, we have a bunch of Husqvarna lawn care equipment that is seeing up to 30% off discounts, with its Automower robot lawn mowers starting from $599, as well as a one-day-only discount on Razor’s MX650 Dirt Rocket Off-Road Motocross e-bike at $575. Plus, all the best hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, including the Black Friday sales from Lectric, MOD, Tenways, and Aventon that are collected together in our Electrified Weekly roundup coverage.

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.

Velotric early Black Friday sale sees best chance to save on new Discover 2 premium commuter e-bike at $1,699, more

Velotric has switched its gears into early bird Black Friday sales through November 14, with its discounted e-bike models getting up to an additional $200 taken off their price tags with a $5 donation to the brand’s charity fund that goes towards the Clean Air Task Force and The Solutions Project. One of the most notable inclusions in this sale is the very first chance to save on Velotric’s new Discover 2 Premium Step-Thru Commuter e-bike for $1,699 shipped. This new model has been priced at $1,899 since releasing back in spring, but today folks can get the first cash savings on it with a solid $200 slashed from its price tag ($195 with the donation technically). Velotric has also stated that this will be the lowest price on this model while the early savings last, so this all-time low looks as though it will be the best chance to save all month long. You can learn more about the e-bike below or in our hands-on review.

Velotric’s new Discover 2 Commuter e-bike is the next in the brand’s affordable lineup, boasting some new and impressive features and innovations at a reasonable price. For starters, the motor has been upgraded to a 750W 75Nm model that peaks up at 1,100W for more hill climbing and acceleration power, with a 705.6Wh battery delivering a large 75-mile travel distance and top adjustable speeds up to 28 MPH. It’s been given a torque sensor over a standard cadence model for seamless transitioning between your pedaling and the motor to kick on – plus, the pedal assistance has a more versatile system here with three different modes and five different levels each.

Among the Discover 2 e-bike’s features, there’s a hydraulic suspension fork paired with hydraulic disc brakes for smoother riding and reliable stopping power, while the Kenda puncture-resistant tires prevent any premature end to the fun. It’s also been given Apple Find My capabilities for boosted security, a light-sensing 130 Lux integrated LED headlight, and the rear rack has an integrated taillight that offers brake lighting, flashing/steady lighting, and even turn signal functionality. The display has also been bumped up in quality, as its full-color quality comes in a 3.5-inch form and has a USB-C port built right in to charge your devices as you ride (while also using it for GPS, for example). It sports a 440-pound max rider weight, has an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, and an IPX6 water-resistance rating that means it can stand up to powerful water jets.

Velotric’s early bird Black Friday deals:

Velotric has some other deals planned for the second-half of the month, though it seems like some will not offer as big of a price cut on models, like the Discover 2, so don’t dawdle too long!

Discover 2 e-bike

Hiboy switches up sales by dropping its EX6 step-thru fat-tire e-bike to $800 low ($780 off), more from $192

Hiboy has switched up its ongoing savings across its EV lineup, with the brand’s EX6 Step-Thru Fat-Tire e-bike now down at $799.99 shipped for a limited supply. Normally going for $1,580, we’ve seen this low price pop up only three times previously over the year, first in March, followed by July’s Prime Day event, and lastly at the end of September coming from Best Buy – which is currently matching in price today too. You’re looking at a 49% markdown that saves you $780 and returns costs down to the lowest price we have tracked.

Hiboy’s EX6 e-bike makes a great starter model for folks not wanting to spend too much while gaining reliable commuting support, with it providing a nice 25 MPH top speed and up to 75 miles of travel on a single charge (depending on the riding modes you choose to use). This is achieved through the 500W brushless geared motor alongside its removable 48V waterproof battery and the three different pedal assistance modes (as well as a standard bicycle mode for cardio) – with a throttle that can solely be used at a reduced maximum of 41 miles of travel.

Hiboy has given this e-bike an ergonomically comfortable design to keep your body’s alignment in proper shape as you ride (and also provide further support if you’re focusing on your cardio health by pedaling it yourself). Its other features include a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, a hydraulic suspension fork, 20-inch all-terrain fat tires, fenders, dual disc brakes, a bright headlight, a rear cargo rack, an IPX4 splash/waterproof rating, and an LCD display

More Hiboy e-bike deals:

Best Hiboy e-scooter deals:

Hiboy bundle deals:

You can check out Hiboy’s entire sale on the landing page here.

Discover 2 e-bike

Husqvarna is offering a bunch of discounts on a collection of its tools and equipment, with its Automower series of robotic lawn mowers being included too as the 115H Robotic Lawn Mower starts at $599 shipped. More normally priced at $700 these days since falling from its original $1,400 rate at the end of 2022, this mower has mostly kept between $599 and its full price during 2024, with only one drop lower to $562 back in February. While it’s not the lowest price we have tracked, it is landing within short distances as the fourth-lowest price we have tracked – just $39 above the all-time low from last year.

Husqvarna’s 115H model of its robotic mowers utilizes the brand’s smart tech (including a patented guidance system) alongside guidance wires for areas that may have far more tree coverage in order to navigate your yard and deliver a uniform cut whenever you need it. You’ll have total control over the robot through its companion app, letting you adjust settings and schedules. The battery provides enough juice to the system to tackle up to 0.4 acres at a time (720 square feet an hour), with the robot’s body coming weatherproof and able to squeeze through more narrow areas and climb up to 17% slopes. It even possesses a built-in alarm system that will sound off when it is ever lifted and continue until it has been turned off with your custom PIN code, giving you some added peace of mind.

More Husqvarna Automower deals:

  • 415X Robot Mower: $1,399 (Reg. $2,000)
    • 0.4 acres on a single charge
    • added smart features like weather timing, GPS tracking, and more
  • 430XH Robot Mower: $1,749 (Reg. $2,500)
    • 0.8 acres on a single charge
    • added smart features like weather timing, GPS tracking, and more

Other Husqvarna lawn care deals:

razor MX650

For today only Razor’s 17 MPH black MX650 Dirt Rocket off-road e-bike is at $575 (Reg. $780)

With Black Friday on the horizon, and several Black Friday sales already beginning, there are some good opportunities currently to score major savings on EVs to upgrade your own and your children’s riding experience. Through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering an affordable option in the Razor MX650 Dirt Rocket Electric Motocross Off-road Bike for $574.99 shipped. Normally this model would run you $780, but for the rest of the day, you can take advantage of the 26% markdown here and save $205 on your child’s next ride while it’s at the lowest price we have tracked for this colorway. We haven’t seen much by way of discounts on this model otherwise, with its yellow counterpart getting most of the attention normally, but currently sitting $84 above this one-day-only pricing, while it sits at full price direct from Razor.

Razor’s MX650 Dirt Rocket is a perfect model to introduce motocross to your smaller kids and teens. It offers better control for fun off-road joyrides and more stability with its dual suspension and rear-wheel drive design, sporting a 650W high-torque motor and 36V battery to drive the whole system. It maxes out at 17 MPH speeds and features variable speed controls, as well as adjustable handlebars to fit kids and teens’ growing sizes. You’ll also find dual disc brakes for reliable stopping power, pneumatic knobby tires for rough terrain challenges, and shatter-resistant plastic fairings that not only give it the supercross-inspired look but can also take a beating.

Best Black Friday e-bike 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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There’s plenty of EV money out there – and plenty of people to help you find it!

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14 hours ago

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May 10, 2025

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There's plenty of EV money out there – and plenty of people to help you find it!

Ignore the Rumors, Money Still on the Table for Electric Vehicles and Chargers

While Washington continues to threaten America’s economic security and position as a global technology leader by toying with the idea of killing the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, the ENERGY STAR program, and other energy efficiency incentives, the private energy sector is stepping up with massive investments in battery storage, charging infrastructure, and commercial EV rebates – and helping fleet buyers navigate those new incentives is becoming part of the broader business plan.

The inspiration for this article was a recent announcement by Ford Pro, which is baking its incentive sourcing plan into its new new Electric Vehicle Incentive Consultation Service – a new offering designed to help Ford’s commercial customers navigate the rapidly-changing world of EV incentives.

The approach is working, too. In the few short weeks since launching the Consultation Service, tFord Pro helped customers discover over $40,000 in available incentives for charging purchases and $1.5 million for electric vehicle purchases.

Case(s) in point

Joliet Junior College; via Joliet Junior College.

Joliet Junior College in Illinois wanted to take advantage of the reduced air pollution, noise, and operating costs promised by EVs, but faced budget constraints that made the up-front costs of electrifying seem like an insurmountable obstacle. Consultants from Ford Pro were able to identify a number of state and local utility incentives the college was eligible for, which resulted in ra free L2 EV charger and an $8,000 EV charging infrastructure make-ready rebate from ComEd that, when combined, covered 100% of the college’s installation costs.

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The college was also able to qualify for a $7,500 commercial EV rebate (also from ComEd) that was applied at the point of sale, allowing the college to begin realizing fuel savings on day one.

“I recently worked with Ford Pro to learn more about rebates for a 2025 Ford Lightning truck that will be used as a police patrol vehicle for our college campus,” explained Tracy Williams, Deputy Chief of the Joliet Junior College Police Department. “They went above and beyond my expectations in this process. The rebate we were eligible for was proactively added upfront to our quote. This service was a significant help to our small department, allowing us to allocate resources more effectively and reduce the initial outlay.”

Ford Pro isn’t alone

Startup manufacturers like Orange EV, ReVolt Motors, and Windrose – even 3PLs like YMX, Nuvve, and Highland Electric – have made cursory fleet assessments a core part of their initial go to market strategies.

Even giant legacy brand Ford, with its Ford Pro E-Switch Assist, is offering to take telematic data from existing gas- and diesel-powered Ford F-150 and Transit models and track each vehicle’s individual energy use to determine whether it’s a good candidate for replacement with a Ford EV.

“Smart tools informed by data like E-Switch Assist are opening up many new conversations with our commercial customers large and small about EV readiness; we’re already using E-Switch Assist regularly in consultations to help organizations determine if electric trucks and vans are right for them,” says Nate McDonald, EV strategy and cross vehicle brand manager at Ford Pro. “The importance of these tools and technologies goes beyond selling a customer a new vehicle—it changes mindsets about whether electric vehicles will work for their business while potentially saving them time and money.”

There’s no question, then, that E-Switch Assist is a great product, but it kind of highlights one of my big criticisms of using fleet assessment and grant sourcing products as an integrated G2M strategy for OEMs.

Electrek’s Jo’s Take

Plugging the E-Transit into a DCFC; via Ford Pro.

The problem with tying this kind of fleet assessment and incentive sourcing into a sales pitch of any kind is the question of credibility. Imagine you’re a fleet buyer for a large bakery looking to replace your aging diesel fleet with some new electric box vans. You’ve read about the Motiv fleet proving itself over millions of real-world miles, you’ve read about the incredible deals on the Chevy Brightdrop, and you even got to check out the new Bollinger B4 at an ACT Expo ride and drive. They all seem great, and they all seem to work – but will they work for you?

Maybe they will, but if you got a fleet assessment from Motiv, another one from Chevy, and a third one from Bollinger, do you think any of them would tell you to go hit your local Isuzu dealer if that was, indeed, the most cost-effective choice for your fleet’s specific needs? Or do you think that each analyst would, through a miracle of miracles involving novel pivot tables and a sketchy misrepresentation of the law of large numbers, discover that their company’s products were ideally suited to meet your fleet’s needs?

In fairness to Ford Pro, their E-Switch Assist product only looks at Ford products, identifying when ICE-powered F-150s and Transits can seamlessly be switched out for F-150 Lightning pickups and E-Transit electric vans. I’d also say that, in my experience, ReVolt founder Gus Gardner and Highland Electric CEO Duncan McIntyre are stand-up guys who would probably be the first to tell you if their company’s products aren’t right for you – but that’s easy for me to say when it’s not my millions of dollars and my job security on the line, you know?

That’s why I look at programs like what we have here in Chicago, where both Scooter and I are based, as real standouts. The local utility ComEd, which is mentioned in the Joliet Junior College example from Ford, above, offers an unbiased and complimentary Fleet Electrification Assessment to qualifying commercial customers. That assessment not only helps identify what assets are primed candidates to electrify, but also looks into the customers’ site, helping them understand their charging options and maximize savings with smart metering, intelligent off-peak charging schedules, and a $90 million EV rebate program to help fund their suggestions. (!)

On a national level, companies like ICF have a fifty year track record of providing fleets with the tools and information they need to maximize their fleets’ energy efficiency with solutions that include electrification, better route planning, and right-sizing, while companies like GNA (now part of TRC and hosts of the ACT Expo) have been doing similar work, sourcing billions of dollars in grants for fleets in California.

When it’s all coming together with the right information, product offering, and utility involvement, you see results – which is why Illinois’ EV growth is outpacing the rest of the nation by 4:1. Here’s hoping other states and utilities are paying attention, and start getting this EV thing right, too.

Original content from Electrek.

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Trump’s crypto agenda is being threatened by his pursuit of personal profits

Published

15 hours ago

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May 10, 2025

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Trump's crypto agenda is being threatened by his pursuit of personal profits

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he gives remarks outside the West Wing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 8, 2025.

Kent Nishimura | Reuters

President Donald Trump is standing in his own way when it comes to passing crypto legislation.

Lawmakers this week rejected the GENIUS Act — a bill meant to establish federal rules for stablecoins — due in part to concerns that President Trump’s personal cryptocurrency ventures have created an unprecedented conflict of interest.

“Currently, people who wish to cultivate influence with the president can enrich him personally by buying cryptocurrency he owns or controls,” Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said in a statement to CNBC explaining his opposition to the bill. “This is a profoundly corrupt scheme. It endangers our national security and erodes public trust in government.”

Stablecoins are digital currencies that are pegged to the value of other assets, like the U.S. dollar.

Getting anything passed in Congress is a steep uphill battle for Republicans given their razor-thin majority in the House, filibuster-proof requirement in the Senate, and Democrats’ increasingly unified stance against President Trump’s agenda. But enough Democrats appeared to be on board with a stablecoin law to bring about a rare bipartisan win for the president.

That’s until $TRUMP got in the way.

The president’s meme coin, which he launched just before the inauguration in January, has added billions of dollars of paper worth to his coffers. Its value soared last month after the project ran a promotion offering top $TRUMP holders a dinner with the president and a “VIP White House tour.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it a “pay-for-play scheme.” First Lady Melania Trump has a coin as well.

The GENIUS bill failed to advance in the Senate on Thursday. It needed 60 votes to move to the Senate floor for final passage. The final tally was 48 in favor and 49 against. Three senators didn’t vote.

Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro

Earlier in the week, Senate Democrats unveiled the “End Crypto Corruption Act,” spearheaded by Merkley and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, meant to prohibit elected officials and senior executive branch personnel and their families from issuing or endorsing digital assets.

But the key defections to the stablecoin legislation came last weekend, when a group of nine Senate Democrats — four of whom had previously voted for the bill in committee — said that they wouldn’t support it and called for stronger provisions to address “anti-money laundering, foreign issuers, and national security.”

‘Ongoing self-dealing’

Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware was one of the four. She pointed directly at Trump’s financial entanglements.

“I also remain concerned about the ongoing self-dealing and financial conflicts of interest being carried out by the Trump family,” she wrote in a statement on Thursday.

It’s not just about the $TRUMP and $MELANIA meme coins. There’s also the Trump family crypto venture World Liberty Financial, which was established last year and launched a stablecoin just as the administration pushed for looser regulations on digital assets.

Reports have indicated that Abu Dhabi-based MGX is using Trump’s stablecoin for a $2 billion investment in crypto exchange Binance, creating yet another potential conflict of interest for a sitting president.

For some investors and entrepreneurs in the crypto industry, the president’s pursuit of personal profits is creating a major impediment to long-awaited advancements. After years of setbacks during the Biden administration, the crypto lobby became a powerful force in funding Trump’s 2024 campaign and in successfully backing industry-friendly candidates for Congress.

“It’s unfortunate that personal business is getting in the way of good policy,” said Ryan Gilbert, founder of fintech venture fund Launchpad Capital. “I would hope that everybody in the administration, including the president, gets out of the way of good policy.”

The White House didn’t respond to a request for comment. At a press conference on Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, when asked about the meme coin dinner, that “the president is abiding by all conflict of interest laws.”

“The president is a successful businessman, and I think it’s one of the many reasons that people reelected him back to this office,” Leavitt said.

Pantera's legal chief on what's next after Congress blocks key crypto bill

A number of top Democrats, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York have joined the parade of critics, targeting President Trump’s personal pursuits. Gillibrand helped introduce the GENIUS Act earlier this year, but she said this week that there are “a number of outstanding issues that needed to be addressed before the bill could pass the full Senate.”

“I believe it is essential to the future of the U.S. economy and to everyday Americans that we enact strict stablecoin regulations and consumer protections where none currently exist,” Gillibrand said in a statement. “I remain extremely confident and hopeful that very soon we can finish the job.”

Sen. Blumenthal called for an investigation into Trump-linked coins, demanding financial records from World Liberty Financial and slamming the president for “the attempted use of the White House to host competitions to prop up the value of $TRUMP.”

Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Arizona, had supported the GENIUS Act but said he couldn’t move forward this week after Republicans declined to provide more time to negotiate.

“Without more time to at least finish the bill, there was no true bipartisan path forward,” he wrote on X.

Launchpad’s Gilbert said the GENIUS Act is just the first piece. More broadly, the president’s conflicts could have an impact on hopes for other legislative achievements and deregulation efforts as well as the reputation of the U.S. crypto industry on the world stage.

“We will be the laughing stocks of the world for this particular reason, and it will hold back continued investment and innovation,” Gilbert said. “There was hope for the past six months that that we could lead in the United States, and that investment should pour into crypto-related businesses, and then it will be simpler and doable again, for all companies to take a lead and to invest in crypto assets.”

However, he said, “if the GENIUS Act doesn’t pass, we’re back to square one.”

WATCH: Ether surges nearly 25% for its best week in four years: CNBC Crypto World

Ether surges nearly 25% for its best week in four years: CNBC Crypto World

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Volvo teases all-new XC70 PHEV with 125 miles of electric range for 2026

Published

18 hours ago

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May 10, 2025

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Volvo teases all-new XC70 PHEV with 125 miles of electric range for 2026

Coming soon: the new Volvo XC70, Volvo Cars’ first extended-range plug-in hybrid

Volvo Cars has teased an all-new Volvo XC70 plug-in hybrid crossover with 400 hp and 200 km (approx. 125 miles) of all-electric range, giving it the longest battery-only range of any of the company’s plug-in hybrid offerings.

Built on the company’s new SMA platform for extended-range plug-in hybrids, the new XC70 resurrects an iconic name for the brand and represents an important product addition to the lineup and meet the growing demand for longer-range plug-in hybrids – especially in China, where the 2026 Volvo XC70 will be available for order later this year.

“The XC70 marks our strategic entry into the extended-range plug-in hybrid segment, a perfect bridge to full electrification,” says Håkan Samuelsson, president and returning chief executive of Volvo Cars. “[XC70] enables us to maintain and develop a balanced product portfolio, while offering a highly attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars. This is also an example of regionalization, where we adapt to the local market needs.”

Early reports indicate that the car shares a platform with the 400 hp Lynk & Co 08. It’s called the “CMA” in Lynk & Co speak, but the short version is 1.5L turbocharged engine and dual electric motors

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Up front, the XC70 features the same, shield-like closed grille as the brand’s newest all-electric models. It’s paired with an active grille shutter in the bumper that adjusts automatically opens and closes to to optimize for aerodynamics, cabin climate, and cooling – whatever is needed in the moment to maximize energy efficiency and, ultimately, driving range. 

The trademark Volvo “Thor’s Hammer” headlight design has evolved into distinctive DRLs – the headlights on the XC70 are actually beneath those, and feature Matrix LED technology that adapts the headlights intelligently to road and traffic situations, helping to improve both visibility and safety without blinding everyone in your path.

Towards the rear, the vertical taillight design creates a modern look consistent with Volvo styling cues … styling cues, by the way, taken from the granddaddy of the entire XC line. The V70 Cross Country. Which, you know, is what “XC” is all about to begin with.

Volvo V 70 XC Cross Country

OG V 70 XC Cross Country; via Volvo Cars.

I mean, sure – the new XC70 isn’t boxy enough, but we all have to make sacrifices in the name of efficiency and ecology, right? And, frankly, if the new ES90 or EX90 models are any indication, XC70 drivers won’t be suffering too badly.

Launch is set for late Q3, with a base price of about 400.000 yuan (about $55,000 USD). No word yet on global availability.

It’s real pretty, guys

SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo Cars.

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