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It’s the beginning of the Black Friday home stretch, with today’s Green Deals being led by exclusive deals on Anker’s SOLIX C300 90,000mAh Power Stations (and coming along with $49 in free gear) that start at $143. Right behind them are a collection of AeroGarden’s indoor hydroponic systems and multi-pod seed kits at new Black Friday lows, with the Harvest 2.0 model down at $45, among others. We also have Black Friday savings across a huge lineup of Greenworks electric mowers, trimmers, chainsaws, bundles, and more – all at up to 46% off and starting from $29. Lastly, we spotted a new all-time low price on Anker’s popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station that has dropped to $80. Plus, all the best hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, including all the major Black Friday sales on EVs, power stations, and more 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.

Anker SOLIX C300 power station

Featured deal: With more than 130 years in the bicycle business, Huffy is well-known across the market, especially for its large lineup of kid-friendly models. For Black Friday, the brand is providing some exclusive savings on its iconic Electric Green Machine Trike at $419, after using the promo code ELECTREKGM at checkout for 30% off. Ideal for riders aged 8+ and falling under the 180-pound max weight, it gives kids the chance to experience 15 MPH top speeds thanks to its 250W front hub motor alongside the 36V battery. This model will also grow with your child, as its seat provides three different adjustable settings to keep them safe while they tear up the pavement with plenty of spins and drifts.

Anker SOLIX C300 power station

Featured deal: Buzz Bicycles is bringing readers an exclusive promotion this Black Friday to save $400 on its Centris class 2 folding e-bike that drops costs to the best price of the year on top of including a free accessory – all for $799, after using the promo code ELECTREK200 at checkout. Featuring a step-thru and folding frame, you’ll enjoy cruising through the streets at 20 MPH top speeds for up to 40 miles, making it a great entry-level model for new riders as well as veteran riders seeking a more affordable option. There are two colorways here to choose from, and plenty of solid features like the 4-inch fat tires, front suspension, front and rear lighting – and even front and rear cargo racks too. Adding an electric solution to your commuter needs doesn’t have to break the bank with this deal.

Anker SOLIX C300 power station

Exclusive deals on Anker’s SOLIX C300 90,000mAh power stations offer $49 in free gear starting from $143

Wellbots is offering two exclusive deals on the Anker SOLIX C300 DC and AC 90,000mAh Power Stations for Black Friday, with the DC version dropping to $143.10 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5ANKER10 at checkout, while the AC version is hitting $179.10 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5ANKER10 at checkout. These two units normally fetch $200 and $250, respectively, with these discounts bringing costs down among the lowest prices we’ve seen – the second-lowest for the DC and a new all-time low for the AC, though the pot is sweetened here thanks to the free carry straps and USB-C cords (valued at $49) that you’ll get alongside your purchase. All-in-all, you’ll be saving $106 and $120 with these deals while they last.

The next generation of Anker’s compact and totable power stations, the SOLIX C300 units give you a solid 90,000mAh/288Wh LiFePO4 capacity to cover your on-the-go device charging needs. You’ll get up to a 300W power output with the Anker SOLIX C300 DC power station, with its recharging hitting 280W through the use of its two bi-directional 140W USB ports at once. This model also comes equipped for campsite illumination thanks to the integrated LED pop-up light. On the flip side, Anker’s SOLIX C300 AC power station tosses out the need for bi-directional charging, hitting the same 280W speeds when plugged into a wall outlet, with the same 300W output rate, and a switched out light bar on its front facing panel instead of the pop-up lighting.

AeroGarden hydroponic systems and seed pod kits

AeroGarden’s 6-plant Harvest 2.0 indoor hydroponic system hits new $45 Black Friday low

As part of its ongoing Black Friday sale, Amazon is offering the AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 Indoor Hydroponic System for $45 shipped. Normally fetching $90 at its usual full price, in 2024 we’ve been seeing it mainly stay above $80, with occasional periods of it falling lower – we spotted it hitting $50 over the summer and more recently dropping to $60 during last month’s Prime Day event. These low prices are getting beaten out here today though, with folks benefitting from the 50% off Black Friday markdown here, saving you $45 and giving you a new all-time low price – plus, it comes ahead of the brand’s inevitable disappearance come 2025.

If you weren’t aware, AeroGarden announced back in October that its doors will shut forever in 2025, so now is the best time to stock up on devices and seed pods – and at such low prices too. Tossing out the need for messy soil, this popular device allows for the growth of six veggies, herbs, or flowers up to 12 inches tall inside the grow deck, supported by its water bowl design. It’s been equipped with a 15W grow light that provides an automatic on/off timer that simulates the natural daily lighting of the sun, germinating them ”up to 5x faster than in soil” – and there’s even a nutrient reminder to add plant food and keep the growth on schedule. Along with the unit itself, you’ll also be receiving a growing starter kit that includes plant food, grow sponges, and lettuce seeds.

More AeroGarden Black Friday hydroponic system deals:

  • Sprout: $30 (Reg. $60)
    • 3-plant system
    • comes with 3-pod Gourmet Herb Seed Kit
  • Harvest Elite: $60 (Reg. $120)
    • 6-plant system
    • comes with Seed Pod Kit
  • Bounty: $115 (Reg. $230)
    • 9-plant system
    • Wi-Fi and Alexa compatability
    • 9-Pod Gourmet Herb Seed Pod Kit
  • Bounty Elite: $130 (Reg. $260)
    • 9-plant system
    • Wi-Fi and Alexa compatability

AeroGarden Black Friday seed kit deals:

Greenworks Black Friday

With its Black Friday sale in full swing, Amazon is offering up to 46% in major savings across a huge lineup of Greenworks electric lawn care solutions, like the 40V 16-inch Cordless Electric Lawn Mower for $209.99 shipped. This affordable model is coming down from its $299 price tag here, which we’ve mainly seen fall to $250 over 2024, though we did spot it hitting its $199 low back in July. Today, you’re getting the opportunity to score it with a 30% markdown that saves you $89 and lets you upgrade from your gas-guzzler at the second-lowest price we have tracked.

This electric lawn mower arrives sporting the brands brushless motor design all powered by the 4.0Ah battery, giving it a 60-minute runtime on a single charge (with recharging only taking 2 hours). It sports a five-position height adjustment to achieve the perfect adaptable cut between 1-1/4-inch and 3-3/8-inch heights while also featuring an easy-to-do push start button and a foldable frame for easier storage when its not in use. You’ll also have two options for collection while mowing – either mulching or rear bagging – which provides better versatility over single-functionality models.

Best Greenworks Black Friday lawn care deals:

Best Greenworks Black Friday lawn care bundle deals:

Best Greenworks Black Friday pressure washer deals:

Best Greenworks Black Friday snow-clearing deals:

Geenworks Black Friday accessory deals:

Anker SOLIX C300 power station

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power bank station hits new $80 low for Black Friday (Save $70)

Riding Amazon’s Black Friday sale wave, Anker’s storefront is offering its PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station for $79.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $10 off coupon. Normally sitting at its $150 price tag, we saw it hit its previous lowest rate during last month’s Prime Day event, lasting for a short time before jumping back to its full price – with a secondary short-lived repeat at the tail-end of October. Thanks to the Black Friday savings train, you’re getting an even better opportunity to score it for your personal device charging needs at a combined 47% markdown, saving you $70 while scoring it at a new all-time low price.

Since it was first released during the summer of 2023, Anker’s PowerCore Reserve has been a popular companion for day-to-day charging needs with its 60,000mAh/192Wh battery on top of the 5 pound weight and compact design that slips right into your bag. It dishes out power through the two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports, with it rated to keep an iPhone 14 recharged over 10 times or a MacBook Air for up to 2.9 times. Aside from its standard wall outlet recharging, you’ll also be able to utilize solar charging here with the addition of a 60W solar panel (sold separately). One of its much-loved features is the built-in retractable light that provides two brightness levels and even an S.O.S. button to flash out though the darkness in times of emergency (which has been passed on to its descendants).

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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Environment

Shipping threats around Arabian Peninsula rising, largest global shipowners organization warns

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2 hours ago

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June 22, 2025

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Shipping threats around Arabian Peninsula rising, largest global shipowners organization warns

Refrigerated containers of Maersk shipping lines are stacked at the container terminal of Bremerhaven port on April 22, 2025 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

Focke Strangmann | Getty Images News | Getty Images

The world’s largest direct-membership organization for shipowners, charterers, shipbrokers, and agents is warning that while it is still unclear how Iran will respond to Saturday’s U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the threat to commercial shipping in the waters around the Arabian Peninsula has risen.

“The Houthi threat against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has also gone up,” said Jakob Larsen, head of security at Bimco, which represents global shipowners. “The Houthis now threaten merchant ships with affiliation to Israel or the U.S., but attacks against merchant ships with other affiliations cannot be ruled out.”

Larsen said it is expected that U.S. warships and merchant ships affiliated with Israel or the U.S. would be the preferred targets for the Iranians.

In an email to CNBC, a Hapag Lloyd spokesperson tells CNBC, “We currently are still crossing the Street of Hormuz. Alert level is high, though, and things might change by the hour.”

Integrated logistics provider Maersk announced Friday it is temporarily suspending port calls to Israel’s largest container port, Haifa. The $4.2 billion cargo facility at Haifa, owned by Adani Group, has been a target of Iranian missiles but has not suffered any damage. Last week, Jugeshinder “Robbie” Singh, CFO of the Adani, debunked misinformation posted that the port was on fire from a strike on Iranian social media.

Bimco’s Larsen warned Iran could attempt a wider disruption of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz through attacks on merchant ships. Antiship missiles or drones of both airborne and surface types could be used in these attacks, he said.

“The laying of sea mines would constitute another dangerous development, but Iran’s intent to do so is questionable due to the risk to Iran-affiliated commercial ships and the risk of environmental disaster in case a ship is damaged,” said Larsen.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is recognized as one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints. The inability of oil to traverse through the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, can ratchet up global energy prices, raise shipping costs and create significant supply delays. In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.

“Given the Iranian threat to U.S. military bases in the region, availability of warships for protection of commercial shipping is probably limited, especially for commercial ships with no affiliation to the U.S. or Israel,” Larsen said.

The Strait of Hormuz handles less than 4% of global container trade but the ports of Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan are critical intermediary points for global shipping networks in the region.

The majority of cargo volumes from those ports are destined for Dubai, which has become a hub for the movement of freight with feeder services in the Persian Gulf, South Asia, and East Africa.

The conflict in the region has also sparked ocean freight rates to surge from Shanghai to Jebel Ali, the Arabian Gulf’s largest port.

Freight intelligence firm Xeneta said average spot rates have increased 55% month-over-month, prior to the conflict escalation between Israel and Iran. Rates are now $2,761 per forty-foot equivalent unit (FEU), a standard unit for measuring the capacity of container ships and volume of cargo.

On the tanker side, spot rates for very large crude carrier (VLCC) voyages between the Middle East and China are up 154% week-over-week. Rates on the long-range tankers’ (LR2) Middle East-Japan trade route are up 148% and Middle East-Japan very large gas carrier (VLGC) rates are up 33%.

Closure of Strait of Hormuz would be "carnage", says Shipping Analyst

The reason behind the increase in rates includes the added expenses on security measures, higher bunker fuel prices, and fuel costs as vessels use more fuel due to faster sailing through high-risk areas.

Marsh McLennan, the world’s largest marine insurance broker, noted hull and machinery insurance rates for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have increased by more than 60%.

In light of the latest wave of defense measures, Bimco is encouraging shipowners to review their security risk assessments and carefully consider mitigation measures.

“Merchant ships in the area should consider reducing their exposure to threats from Iran, for example, by routing away from the Iranian coast,” said Larsen. “We also recommend that ships maintain close contact to naval forces in the area through UK Maritime Trade Operations, maintain strong vigilance and increased lookout, report suspicious sightings and events to UKMTO, and increase the resilience of ships to absorb damage by ensuring watertight integrity and readiness of damage control organization including firefighting capability.”

“Bimco never directly recommends shipowners to completely stay away from a conflict area. Such a decision should be taken by the shipowner, taking into consideration all relevant factors of the security risk assessment, including, for example, the threat, the ship’s vulnerabilities, and the risk acceptance level of seafarers, the shipowner, and the cargo owner.”

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Republicans can’t stop wasting money – they want to scrap USPS’ awesome EVs

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3 hours ago

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June 22, 2025

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Republicans can't stop wasting money - they want to scrap USPS' awesome EVs

US-government-EVs
Oshkosh USPS electric mail carrier (Source: Oshkosh)

The Senate version of the repubilcans’ tax bill won’t just add trillions of dollars to the deficit through a massive giveaway to wealthy elites, it will also take the US Postal Service’s awesome new EVs and sell them off for pennies on the dollar, wasting money simply out of spite for vehicles that were already cleaning your air and making your community safer.

The Postal Service has used the same Grumman LLV vehicles for decades, produced from 1986-1994. So, some of these trucks are nearly 40 years old, and all of them are at least 30 years old.

The vehicles are showing their age – they get poor mileage, they break down often (or catch fire, as about 100 of the old gas guzzlers did last year), they emit significant pollution, and they have poor ergonomics.

So, in 2015, the USPS started the process of finding a replacement.

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After many bids and back-and-forth (including startups going out of business), the USPS, led by Postmaster Louis DeJoy, picked Oshkosh’s “Next Generation Delivery Vehicle” (NGDV) as the next postal vehicle.

The vehicle has a goofy look to it, but it’s a goofy look for a reason.

The large window gives exceptional visibility, meaning the kids and pets that are likely to occupy residential areas are easier to see, and thus easier for drivers to avoid.

The low hood further enhances safety, by reducing damage done to a human body in a crash (unlike the land yachts which are so popular with consumers and have contributed to pedestrian deaths reaching all-time highs).

And the tall roof makes it easier for drivers to enter and exit, reducing strain on their bodies which means lower labor costs overall – less injury, drivers potentially being able to stay in their jobs longer, and so on.

But that’s just talking about the look of the vehicle – there are even more beneficial features, like much more cargo space, driver assistance safety features (around-view cameras, blind spot monitors and collision sensors), and air conditioning, something the original LLVs lacked (and which is only becoming more necessary as the planet heats up).

As for powertrain, the NGDV is available in both gas and electric options, with the gas version getting a paltry 8.6mpg (similar to the old LLVs), but the electric version being naturally much more efficient.

Electrification is a perfect choice for most delivery vehicles. These vehicles do set daily routes with lots of starting and stopping, in neighborhoods where people live and breathe, and return back to the same place every night. It’s an ideal application for EVs, for the vast majority of rotues.

Higher efficiency electric drive means money savings on fuel and maintenance for most routes. Overall, a highly electrified fleet was estimated to save taxpayers $4.3 billion over its lifetime.

But perhaps the most obvious benefit of electric mail trucks is the lack of pollution in the places where people spend most of their time: at home. (I don’t know about you, but my mail carrier’s broken truck stinks up the place every day, forcing me to close the windows as it fails to start half the time – and I’m pretty sure this is a common experience)

Despite these benefits, at first, USPS planned to buy only 10% EVs, with the remainder being gas. But after that announcement, several entities (including Electrek) pointed out that even by USPS’ uncharitable calculations, EVs would save money for the vast majority of routes (and that’s not considering health and environmental benefits).

Thankfully, reason prevailed over time, and the USPS gradually increased its plan such that it eventually said it would buy only electric trucks after 2026, with relatively few gas trucks acquired before then for the few routes that electric isn’t suitable for. It’s also supplementing those purchases with some off-the-shelf Ford E-Transits to function as delivery vehicles, with fewer custom features but an easier rollout as E-Transits are readily available.

The NGDV has suffered delays, but as the truck has finally started to roll out, it’s been enormously popular. When the truck started use last year in Atlanta, drivers immediately loved it. They loved the new features, better safety, and less stress on their bodies.

Republicans move to undo these improvements, wasting taxpayer dollars

And so, of course, republicans are now threatening this unequivocally good thing in a way that’s only going to cost taxpayers more money and ensure that your mail costs, the pollution you breathe in your home and the danger to your neighborhood all increase.

As reported by the Washington Post, Senate republicans are considering a version of the tax bill that would auction off these vehicles, at pennies on the dollar, seemingly simply out of spite for the program.

As usual, republican justifications for the billions of dollars in waste they’re proposing don’t stand up to even the slightest amount of scrutiny.

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul stated that the plan “aims to cut unnecessary costs and focus USPS on delivering mail and not achieving the environmental initiatives pushed by the Biden Administration.”

But Paul ought to know this is false, because he’s part of the Senate, the body that approved these vehicles in the first place in 2022 (and, if you remember your high school civics class as Paul apparently does not, the Senate is not part of the “Biden Administration”). Nor is the USPS directly part of any presidential administration, since it is an independent federal agency, and during the bidding process was headed by Louis DeJoy, who was appointed during one Mr. Donald Trump’s first stint squatting in the White House.

Paul should also know that the bidding process started in 2015, and thus that the majority of it occurred while nobody named Biden was in the White House in the first place.

He also ought to know that most of that money is already spent, and selling off items the USPS already owns for pennies on the dollar doesn’t “save” anyone any money. Neither does having to buy all new gas vehicles, with higher fueling and maintenance costs, to replace them – this is the very definition of “unnecessary costs.”

Worse, falling back to the old LLVs and restarting the bidding process for their replacement would take more time and cause more waste. And in the interim we’d be stuck with these “obsolete” vehicles which, as covered above, are inefficient, unsafe, lack features, and routinely catch fire. All of this gets in the way of the focus on delivering mail.

So, Paul is either lying or stupid, but given the letter after his name, we’re pretty sure it’s both.

The USPS rightly pointed out what a stupid idea this is, stating “The funds realized by auctioning the vehicles and infrastructure would be negligible. Much of infrastructure is literally buried under parking lots, and there is no market for used charging equipment” (hmm, tearing out charging equipment for no benefit at all? where have we heard that before…). It said this action “will seriously cripple our ability to replace an aging and obsolete delivery fleet.”

It further urged the Senate “to pause and consider the substantial harm this proposal would cause to the Postal Service and our customers, your constituents.”

But, given the republican party’s current direction, maybe that exhortation would backfire. Harm seems to be precisely what they want, as reflected in everything they’re doing these days.

If you do happen to be one of those constituents, particularly in a republican state, it might be worth giving your Senator a call and asking them to stop wasting your money and raising your mail costs by selling off money-saving vehicles that promise to clean the air of your community. Here’s where you can find their contact info.

Among republicans’ proposed cuts is the rooftop solar credit. That means you could have only until the end of this year to install rooftop solar on your home, before republicans raise the cost of doing so by an average of ~$10,000. So if you want to go solar, get started now, because these things take time and the system needs to be active before you file for the credit.

To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and 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. – ad*

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Environment

Satellite images show activity at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility before U.S. air strikes

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6 hours ago

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June 22, 2025

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Satellite images show activity at Iran's Fordo nuclear facility before U.S. air strikes

Maxar Technologies, a U.S. defense contractor, released satellite imagery on Sunday showing activity at Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility prior to U.S. air strikes.

The images of the secretive plant, which were collected on Thursday and Friday, depict truck and vehicle activity near to the entrance of the underground military complex.

Located 300 feet under a mountain and reinforced by layers of concrete, Iran’s fortress-like Fordo facility is situated to the south of Iran’s capital of Tehran. It is the country’s most hardened and advanced nuclear site.

Alongside nuclear facilities at Natanz and Isfahan, Fordo was the target of U.S. air strikes on Saturday. Trump described the incursion as a “spectacular military success” that “completely obliterated” Iran’s key enrichment facilities.

The U.S. president’s claim about the result of the operation could not be independently confirmed. The International Atomic Energy Agency and Iran’s nuclear safety center had reported no radiation or contamination at the nuclear centers following the attacks, as of Sunday morning London time.

Maxar satellite imagery of Fordo fuel enrichment facility.

Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies

Maxar satellite imagery of Fordo fuel enrichment facility.

Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies

Maxar satellite imagery of Fordo fuel enrichment facility.

Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies

Maxar satellite imagery of Fordo fuel enrichment facility.

Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies

Maxar satellite imagery of Fordo fuel enrichment facility.

Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies

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