Leading today’s Green Deals is Hiboy’s newly launched early Christmas sale that is continuing Black Friday/Cyber Monday pricing while also increasing savings on some select models, like the 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike that hit a new $800 low. Next, we have Goal Zero’s Alta 50 and Alta 80 Portable Fridge/Freezers that were skipped over in last month’s seasonal savings but return to their lowest rates today, starting from $550. For camping enthusiasts, we spotted UGREEN’s Nexode 48,000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank Station down at $140, as well as Greenworks’ 80V Venture Commuter e-bike that has dropped to $1,550. Lastly, there’s VEVOR’s Tesla Charging Station Enclosure that fell to a new $140 low. Plus, all the hangover Green Deals from Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales are in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our dedicated shopping hub for you – but there’s no telling how long they’ll last.
Hiboy’s early Christmas sale drops its 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike to new $800 low (Save $900)
Hiboy has launched its early Christmas sale that is giving us returning Black Friday rates alongside new low prices, with the brand’s 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike dropping to $799.99 shipped. Outside of sales, this model carries a $1,700 price tag, with most of the deals we’ve seen drop things as low as $900, though recently we saw its Halloween and Black Friday sales take things lower to $850. With things switching over to December’s holiday season, we’re getting even more savings than ever before with a 53% markdown this time around that slashes $900 off the tag and lands it at a new all-time low.
Hiboy is offering first-time riders and budget shoppers an even more affordable rate today, with the 2024 P7 e-bike delivering a solid commuter solution at over half off. You’ll be able to cruise up to 28 MPH (which outdoes many other models that usually peak at 25 MPH if that) with three riding modes that offer varying mileages. The standard bike mode gives you the standard riding experience without activating the motor, while the power-assist mode propels you for up to 68 miles of travel, or you can go full electric with the throttle for up to 37 miles.
Hiboy’s 2024 P7 e-bike’s streamlined frame comes equipped with a 500W brushless motor, powered by a removable IPX5-rated waterproof 14.5Ah battery, with the entire setup weighing in at just 56 pounds for easier management should you have to carry it up or down stairs, for example. Notable features include front shocks, 2.2-inch mountain tires, power-off front/rear disc brakes, and an IPX4 water-resistant frame rating. There’s even an upgraded multi-functional LCD display here that not only gives you the usual performance data at-a-glance but also acts as a personal coach, pushing you to outdo your previous days’ best results, if you’re someone looking to get in better shape.
Other Hiboy early Christmas sale e-bike deals:
Hiboy early Christmas sale e-scooter deals:
Hiboy early Christmas sale kids’ EV deals:
Hiboy early Christmas sale bundle deals:
Goal Zero’s Alta 50 portable fridge/freezer holds 75 cans at $550 post-Black Friday low (Save $250)
The official Goal Zero Amazon storefront is offering the lowest prices right now on its Alta Portable Fridge and Freezer models, with the Alta 50 down at $549.89 shipped. Normally sitting at its $800 full price, we’ve only seen a handful of discounts since releasing in February, with the first few only taking costs down to $600 at most until October saw the first fall to the $550 low during Prime Day. After getting skipped over during Black Friday sales, the lowest price we have tracked is returning here today to slash $250 off this portable 53L appliance, beating out many same-sized competitors that keep to higher rates around $750 and up.
Whether you need a reliable fridge/freezer for camping trips, job sites, or other travels where you’ll be bringing your Goal Zero power station along, the Alta 50 (and also the larger 80 model) has your back by keeping food and beverages cold and crisp, tossing out the need to make ice runs. It can go as low as -4 degrees in temperature, with dual functionality for either refrigeration or freezing – keep in mind though that it doesn’t sport its own battery and requires either an outlet for non-stop use or an existing power station for days of use at a time. Its 53L capacity holds up to 75 twelve-ounce cans at once, which is one of the larger capacities we’ve seen at such a price lately, making it an affordable RV appliance for longer outings or a temporary campsite appliance during shorter trips.
As I stated before, you’ll also find Goal Zero’s Alta 80 Portable Fridge/Freezer at a returning low of $699.89 shipped at the moment too. Unlike the Alta 50, this model doesn’t need to switch between refrigeration or freezing as it offers dual zones to keep both functions running simultaneously. It sports a larger 78L capacity that holds up to 130 12-ounce cans at once. Like its smaller counterpart it requires a power station to remain portable, and depending on which model you hook up, you’ll benefit from up to 12+ days of runtime.
UGREEN Nexode 48,000mAh portable charger and power bank station offers compact backup support at $140
The official UGREEN Amazon storefront is offering its Nexode 48,000mAh Portable Charger Power Bank Station for $139.99 shipped, after clipping the on-page $30 off coupon. This model launched a year ago at $200, and since its first discount dropped in July, it’s been more recently fetching $170, with occasional discounts lower, the biggest of which took costs down to the $135 low. You’re getting another big chance at cash savings here today with this combined 30% markdown that saves you $30 and drops things to the second-lowest price we have tracked.
Cover the backup power needs of one to five devices simultaneously with this portable charger/power bank station from UGREEN, which delivers a 48,000mAh battery capacity alongside two USB-A ports and three USB-C ports with fast-charging up to 300W. Keep in mind though, that charging multiple devices at once will divide the output power and increase charge times (depending on which ports you’re using – for example, all three USB-C ports being used will lead to 100W rates for each). The larger capacity does allow for more juice to be divvied out over many smaller models on the market, with an “iPhone 15 Pro able to get 10.8 charges while a MacBook Air M2 15 will be able to get 1.1 charges” before the power bank itself needs to be plugged in – taking only 1.5 hours to get back to full via a standard wall outlet.
Other notable UGREEN power bank deals:
Notable UGREEN charger deals:
Get more from Greenworks’ battery ecosystem on its 80V Venture 27.5-inch commuter e-bike at $1,550 (Save $350)
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 80V Venture Series 27.5-inch Commuter Electric Bike for $1,549.99 shipped. Normally running you $1,900 at full price, we’ve seen very few discounts since this model was released at the start of 2024. We first spotted a price cut in April when it fell to $1,615 before rising back to its MSRP and keeping there until the beginning of November when it hit a new $1,520 low. Today, you’re looking at a solid $350 markdown that drops costs to the second-lowest price we have tracked, even beating out Greenworks’ own website where it’s still listed at its full going rate.
Part of Greenworks’ Venture series of e-transportation models, this 80V commuter e-bike was designed to add more expansion options to the brand’s battery ecosystem beyond just the usual array of tools. It comes equipped with a 350W brushless rear hub motor, peaking at 500W, and is powered by an included 4.0Ah battery (plus a rapid charger to re-juice it) or you can use any of the other batteries you may already own. With its three different pedal assistance levels you’ll get support up to 20 MPH for up to 22 miles on a single 40-minute charge. You’ll also enjoy stocked features like the front suspension fork, an adjustable suspension seat, a 7-speed Shimano shifter, 27.5-inch Kenda tires, an LED headlight, a rear cargo rack, as well as an LCD display paired with a simple control panel along the handlebars.
Get extra protection and security for your Tesla EV charger with VEVOR’s station enclosure at new $140 low
Amazon is offering a great option to better protect your Tesla charger while saving you a solid chunk of money with the VEVOR Tesla Charging Station Enclosure at $140.14 shipped. Normally this would run you $190, with only one previous discount $10 lower in early Black Friday sales. The savings are increasing now that the seasonal shopping event is over, with a total 26% markdown that saves you a solid $50 and gives you a new all-time low price too.
While Tesla’s EV chargers do come rated to withstand weather and thus can be installed indoors or outdoors, they aren’t exactly sitting atop the list of best-protected designs. That’s where this enclosure designed specifically for Tesla chargers from VEVOR comes in, with its IP32 waterproof and dustproof protection and cold-rolled carbon steel makeup to add another layer of defense for your charger. It sports a reinforced lock and hinge for added security, dual outlet holes at the bottom with rubber sleeves for threading, and grounding screws pre-installed.
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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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%.
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.”
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.
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 everythingthey’redoingthesedays.
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.
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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.