
EcoFlow New Year sale takes 55% off power stations, Hiboy launches S2 SE e-scooter at $300, Anker PowerCore Reserve $100, more
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Kicking off 2025’s Green Deals is EcoFlow’s phase 1 New Year sale that is taking up to 55% off units with extra savings, free gifts, and more. Amongst the many offers, we spotted the brand’s DELTA 2 Portable Power Station getting bundled with two 110W solar panels and an 800W alternator charger at a $1,139 low. Right behind is Hiboy’s newly released S2 SE Electric Scooter getting its first discount to $300, while Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station is down at $100. Lastly, we have a one-day-only discount on the Worx Nitro 20V 5-inch Cordless Pruning Saw to $100. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals can be found in the links at the bottom of the page, like Monday’s extra battery offers on Aventon e-bikes, the discount on Anker’s SOLIX C200 power bank station, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
EcoFlow’s phase 1 New Year sale takes up to 55% off power stations with sitewide coupons, free gifts, more from $50
EcoFlow is starting off 2025 with phase 1 of its New Year sale through January 8 that is taking up to 55% off its lineup of backup power solutions for your home and your travels, with extra savings and gifts thrown in too. One of the notable site-exclusive discounts you’ll find is on the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station bundle with two 110W solar panels and an 800W alternator charger for $1,139.05 shipped, after using the sitewide coupon 25NYAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. This package would normally cost $2,396 at full price, but for the extent of this sale you can get it at 50% off. You’ll save $1,197 on this solar generator bundle for on-the-go travels at the lowest price we have tracked. You can also grab the power station on its own for $474.05, after using the sitewide coupon 25NYAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off, down from $999.
There are some extra ways to save during this sale, like the 2x EcoCredits, which can be redeemed for further savings, as well as two gift offers. You can score a free 100W solar panel on orders over $2,000 or receive a free 160W solar panel on orders over $3,500.
Always a solid choice for outings and trips, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 provides your adventures with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity that you can further invest in to expand up to 3,000Wh with the brand’s appropriate extra batteries. Your devices and appliances will get all the juice they need thanks to the station’s 1,800W output (surging to 2,700W) through its 15 port options. The X-Boost tech here not only boosts its surge power for larger appliances, but it also allows the station to reach an 80% battery in 50 minutes via a wall outlet, with a full charge taking a bit longer at 80 minutes. It can also fully recharge in up to six hours with the two included 110W solar panels – plus, it comes with real-time smart controls and an IP68 waterproof rating for ensured protection against water, dust, and debris out in the wild. If you’re looking to score a larger power station setup, be sure to check out the other site-exclusive offers below.
***Note: The prices below have not had the additional 5% sitewide coupon factored in, be sure to use the code 25NYAFF5 at checkout to maximize savings!
EcoFlow New Year sale site-exclusive deals:
EcoFlow New Year sale newest arrival deals:
EcoFlow New Year sale best-selling power station deals:
EcoFlow New Year sale best-selling bundle deals:
- WAVE 2 AC/Heater with add-on battery and travel bag: $999 (Reg. $2,198)
- DELTA 2 (1,024Wh) with 220W panel: $809 (Reg. $1,648)
- DELTA 2 Max (2,048Wh) with 220W panel: $1,399 (Reg. $2,548)
- DELTA Pro Ultra (12.2kWh) with extra battery: $7,599 (Reg. $9,397)
- DELTA Pro 3 (4,096Wh) with four 125W Bifacial modular panels: $3,799 (Reg. $4,598)
- And much more…
EcoFlow New Year sale accessory deals:
You can browse EcoFlow’s full lineup of New Year sale discounts across all the brand’s power station options by following this link to the landing page here.

Hiboy launches the S2 SE electric scooter with upgraded tires, brakes, fender, more at $300
As Hiboy’s New Year sale extends savings into 2025, the brand is now launching its new S2 SE Electric Scooter at a price cut down to $299.99 shipped. This new model will normally run for $550 at full price, but you’re getting the first chance to save on it today with this special rate. You can now take advantage of this 45% markdown while the savings last, slashing $250 off the going rate while grabbing an upgraded solution for your daily commutes.
Hiboy’s new S2 SE e-scooter arrives building upon the designs of its predecessors with plenty of upgraded parts to enhance your commuting experience – all at an affordable rate for those on a budget. Its Q235 steel frame houses a 350W Hall Brushless DC motor alongside a 36V 7.8Ah battery to hit top speeds of 19 MPH for up to 17 miles on a single charge, with the motor also coming with the power to conquer 15-degree inclines.
The tires have been upgraded for improved smoothness during your travels, with a 10-inch solid front tire for puncture resistance and a 10-inch pneumatic rear tire for better shock absorption – both come 17% wider than before for improved grip along the pavement. The improvements don’t stop there, as it also sports a 26% wider fender to prevent water toss-ups and a 20% increase in load capacity thanks to the steel frame. Other features include a folding design, LED headlight/taillight, an e-brake/drum brake system that is pretty standard for scooters, and an integrated HD LED display.
You can check out the full extent of Hiboy’s New Year sale – which includes e-bikes alongside its e-scooters – by following the link here to our original coverage.

Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh power bank station starts 2025 at $100
Anker is offering its popular PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Bank Station for $99.78 shipped in the green colorway. You’d be expected to shell out $150 at full price on this model, but today it’s getting 33% taken off the usual rate. While we have seen it go as low as $80 in past months (mostly October and November), this is still a solid $50 being cut from the price tag at the third-lowest price we have tracked. It’s beating out Amazon’s pricing at the moment, which has both colorways discount and starting from $110.
A great choice for folks in need of day-to-day backup power, but want something larger than the common 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh power banks, Anker’s PowerCore Reserve delivers a whopping 60,000mAh/192Wh capacity with up to 60W charging speeds through its two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports. The compact design of its form factor means it only adds five pounds to the bag it’s stowed in, with recharging available by connecting it to a wall outlet or to a 60W solar panel (sold separately). A notable feature is the built-in pop-up light with two brightness levels and even an S.O.S button that causes it to brightly flash during emergencies.
Anker is having its SOLIX New Year sale through January 5, which has the two upgraded C300 DC and AC 90,000mAh models at their second-lowest rates.

For the rest of the day you can grab Worx’s Nitro 20V 5-inch cordless pruning saw at $100
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is giving folks solid savings on the Worx Nitro 20V 5-inch Cordless Pruning Saw for $99.99 shipped. Normally going for $150 most days, this handy compact device has been up and down in price throughout 2024, with Black Friday having seen the lowest rate of $89 for a short period. For today only, you can score it here with a 33% markdown that takes $50 off the usual costs for the third-lowest price we have tracked. It beats out Amazon’s current pricing, which is currently down at $130.
Equipped with a “high-efficiency motor,” this 5-inch pruning saw from Worx arrives with an included 2.0Ah battery that takes 5 hours to reach full with its charger. The compact design allows it to fit in tight spaces far better than many larger models, making it an ideal tool for any pruning jobs your garden and surrounding foliage may require. It features a 5-inch bar and chain that starts up with a simple squeeze of the trigger, with a whole array of built-in safety accessories to ensure a controlled experience.
Best ongoing holiday e-bike deals!
- MOD Easy SideCar Sahara: $3,499 (Reg. $3,899)
- MOD Easy 3 e-bike: $2,199 (Reg. $2,399)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $713 in free gear (new): $1,999 (Reg. $2,712)
- MOD City+ Step-Thru 3 Folding e-bike: $1,799 (Reg. $1,999)
- MOD Berlin Step-Thru 3 e-bike: $1,799 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $564 in free gear (new): $1,699 (Reg. $2,263)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range e-bike w/ $365 in free gear (new): $1,599 (Reg. $1,964)
- Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Over e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 500.3 Step-Through e-bike with free extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Lectric XP Trike with $419 in free gear: $1,499 (Reg. $1,918)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard e-bike with $365 in free gear (new): $1,399 (Reg. $1,764)
- Lectric XPeak 1.0 Step-Thru e-bike with $781 in free gear (extra battery): $1,399 (Reg. $2,180)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $296 in free gear (new): $1,399 (Reg. $1,695)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,799)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,549)
- Lectric XPress 750 High-Step with $365 in free gear: $1,299 (Reg. $1,664)
- Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $454 in free gear: $1,199 (Reg. $1,653)
- Velotric 2024 Discover 1 Plus Commuter e-bike: $1,199 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XP 3.0 e-bikes with $ 454 in free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,453)
- Aventon Soltera.2 Urban Commuter e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Hiboy 2024 P7 Commuter e-bike: $800 (Reg. $1,700)
- Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra Commuter e-bike (code 9TO5BIKE10): $1,034 (Reg. $2,499)
- Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Pro Commuter e-bike (code 9TO5BIKE10): $809 (Reg. $1,899)
- Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Standard Commuter e-bike (code 9TO5BIKE10): $674 (Reg. $1,099)
- Vanpowers City Vanture e-bike (code 9TO5BIKE10): $629 (Reg. $1,699)

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
‘Repowering’ era for America’s aging wind energy industry begins, despite Trump’s effort to kill it
Published
9 hours agoon
April 27, 2025By
admin
Jeffrey Sanders / 500px | 500px | Getty Images
On Inauguration Day, President Donald Trump issued an executive order indefinitely halting permits for new onshore wind energy projects on federal land, as well as new leases for offshore wind farms in U.S. coastal waters. The action not only fulfilled Trump’s “no new windmills” campaign pledge, but struck yet another blow to the wind industry, which has been hit hard over the past few years by supply chain snags, price increases upending project economics, public opposition and political backlash against federal tax credits, especially those spurring the fledgling offshore wind sector.
Nonetheless, the nation’s well-established onshore wind industry, built out over several decades, is generating nearly 11% of America’s electricity, making it the largest source of renewable energy and at times last year exceeding coal-fired generation. On April 8, the fossil-fuels-friendly Trump administration took measures to bolster coal mining and power plants, but as the infrastructure driving wind energy ages, efforts to “repower” it are creating new business opportunities for the industry’s key players.
This repowering activity has emerged as a bright spot for the wind industry, giving a much-needed boost to market leaders GE Vernova, Vestas and Siemens Gamesa, a subsidiary of Munich-based Siemens Energy. Following several challenging years of lackluster performance — due in particular to setbacks in both onshore and offshore projects — all three companies reported revenue increases in 2024, and both GE Vernova and Siemens stock have moved higher.
GE Vernova, spun off from General Electric a year ago, led overall onshore wind installations in 2024, with 56% of the U.S. market, followed by Denmark’s Vestas (40%) and Siemens Gamesa (4%).
GE Vernova stock performance over the past one-year period.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, installed wind power generating capacity grew from 2.4 gigawatts (GW) in 2000 to 150.1 GW as of April 2024. Although the growth rate for launching new greenfield onshore wind farms has slowed over the last 10 years, the U.S. is still poised to surpass 160 GW of wind capacity in 2025, according to a new report from energy research firm Wood Mackenzie.
There currently are about 1,500 onshore wind farms — on which more than 75,600 turbines are spinning — across 45 states, led by Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, Illinois and Kansas. Virtually all of the wind farms are located on private land, and many of the largest ones are owned and operated by major energy companies, including NextEra Energy, RWE Clean Energy, Pattern Energy, Clearway Energy, Xcel Energy and Berkshire Hathaway‘s MidAmerican Energy, which generates 59% of it renewable energy from wind, including 3,500 turbines operating across 38 wind projects in Iowa.
A growing number of the turbines are 20-plus years old and nearing the end of their lifecycle. So increasingly, operators have to decide whether to upgrade or replace aging turbines’ key components, such as blades, rotors and electronics, or dismantle them altogether and erect new, technologically advanced and far more efficient models that can increase electricity output by up to 50%.
“What’s becoming clear is that more and more of the U.S. installed base [of onshore turbines] has exceeded its operational design life,” said Charles Coppins, research analyst for global wind at Wood Mackenzie, “and now operators are looking to replace those aging turbines with the latest [ones].”
To date, approximately 70 GW of onshore wind capacity has been fully repowered in the U.S., according to Wood Mackenzie, while an additional 12 GW has been partially repowered. The firm estimates that around 10,000 turbines have been decommissioned and that another 6,000 will be retired in the next 10 years, Coppins said.
Damaged wind turbine that was first hit by a tornado then lightning.
Ryan Baker | Istock | Getty Images
Beyond the fact that aged-out turbines need to be upgraded or replaced, repowering an existing wind farm versus building a new site presents economic benefits to operators and OEMs. To begin with, there’s no need to acquire property. In fact, in certain situations, because today’s turbines are larger and more efficient, fewer turbines are needed. And they’ll generate additional electricity and have longer lifecycles, ultimately delivering higher output at a lower cost.
Even so, “there are some limitations on how much capacity you could increase a project by without having to go through new permitting processes or interconnection queues” to the power grid, said Stephen Maldonado, Wood Mackenzie’s U.S. onshore analyst. As long as the operator is not surpassing the allowed interconnection volume agreed to with the local utility, they can add electricity to the project and still send it to the grid.
Public opposition, Maldonado said, may be another hurdle to get over. Whether it’s a new or repower wind project, residents have expressed concerns about environmental hazards, decreased property values, aesthetics and general anti-renewables sentiment.
RWE, a subsidiary of Germany’s RWE Group, is the third largest renewable energy company in the U.S., owning and operating 41 utility-scale wind farms, according to its CEO Andrew Flanagan, making up 48% of its total installed operating portfolio and generating capacity, which also includes solar and battery storage.
One of RWE’s two repower projects underway (both are in Texas), is its Forest Creek wind farm, originally commissioned in 2006 and featuring 54 Siemens Gamesa turbines. The project will replace them with 45 new GE Vernova turbines that will extend the wind farm’s life by another 30 years once it goes back online later this year. Simultaneously, RWE and GE Vernova are partnering on a new wind farm, immediately adjacent to Forest Creek, adding another 64 turbines to the complex. When complete, RWE will deliver a total of 308 MW of wind energy to the region’s homes and businesses.
Flanagan noted that the combined projects are related to increased electricity demands from the area’s oil and gas production. “It’s great to see our wind generation drive the all-of-the-above energy approach,” he said. What’s more, at its peak, the repower project alone will employ 250 construction workers and over its operating period bring in $30 million in local tax revenue, he added.
In turn, the twin projects will support advanced manufacturing jobs at GE Vernova’s Pensacola, Florida, facility, as well as advancing the OEM’s repower business. In January, the company announced that in 2024 it received orders to repower more than 1 GW of wind turbines in the U.S.
Koiguo | Moment | Getty Images
Siemens Gamesa has executed several large U.S. repowering projects, notably MidAmerican’s expansive Rolling Hills wind farm in Iowa, which went online in 2011. In 2019, the company replaced 193 older turbines with 163 higher-capacity models produced at its manufacturing plants in Iowa and Kansas.
Last year, Siemens Gamesa began repowering RWE’s 17-year-old Champion Wind, a 127-MW wind farm in West Texas. The company is upgrading 41 of its turbines with new blades and nacelles (the housing at the top of the tower containing critical electrical components) and adding six new turbines.
In early April, Clearway announced an agreement with Vestas to repower its Mount Storm Wind farm in Grant County, West Virginia. The project will include removing the site’s 132 existing turbines and replacing them with 78 new models. The repower will result in an 85% increase in Mount Storm’s overall electricity generation while using 40% fewer turbines.
Preparing for ‘megatons’ of turbine recycling and tariffs
Another benefit of repowering is invigorating the nascent industry that’s recycling megatons of components from decommissioned turbines, including blades, steel, copper and aluminum. Most of today’s operational turbines are 85% to 95% recyclable, and OEMs are designing 100% recyclable models.
While the majority of mothballed blades, made from fiberglass and carbon fiber, have historically ended up in landfills, several startups have developed technologies recycle them. Carbon Rivers, for example, contracts with the turbine OEMs and wind farm operators to recover glass fiber, carbon fiber and resin systems from decommissioned blades to produce new composites and resins used for next-generation turbine blades, marine vessels, composite concrete and auto parts.
Veolia North America, a subsidiary of the French company Veolia Group, reconstitutes shredded blades and other composite materials into a fuel it then sells to cement manufacturers as a replacement for coal, sand and clay. Veolia has processed approximately 6,500 wind blades at a facility in Missouri, and expanded its processing capabilities to meet demand, according to David Araujo, Veolia’s general manager of engineered fuels.
Trump’s new-project moratorium isn’t his only impediment to the wind industry. The president’s seesaw of import tariffs, especially the 25% levy on steel and aluminum, is impacting U.S. manufacturers across most sectors.
The onshore wind industry, however, “has done a really good job of reducing geopolitical risks,” said John Hensley, senior vice president for markets and policy analysis at the American Clean Power Association, a trade group representing the clean energy industry. He cited a manufacturing base in the U.S. that includes hundreds of plants producing parts and components for turbines. Although some materials are imported, the investment in domestic manufacturing “provides some risk mitigation to these tariffs,” he said.
Amidst the headwinds, the onshore wind industry is trying to stay focused on the role that repowering can play in meeting the nation’s exponentially growing demand for electricity. “We’re expecting a 35% to 50% increase between now and 2040, which is just incredible,” Hensley said. “It’s like adding a new Louisiana to the grid every year for 15 years.”
GE Vernova CEO Scott Strazik recently told CNBC’s Jim Cramer that the growth of the U.S.’s electric load is the largest since the industrial boom that followed the end of the second world war. “You’ve got to go back to 1945 and the end of World War II, that’s the infrastructure buildout that we’re going to have,” he said.
As OEMs and wind farm developers continue to face rising capital costs for new projects, as well as a Trump administration averse to clean energy industries, “repowering offers a pathway for delivering more electrons to the grid in a way that sidesteps or at least minimizes some of the challenges associated with all these issues,” Hensley said.

Environment
ABB is bringing its new, 1.2 MW modular truck chargers to ACT Expo
Published
1 day agoon
April 26, 2025By
admin

Capable of delivering up to 1,200 kW of power to get electric commercial trucks back on the road in minutes, the new ABB MCS1200 Megawatt Charging System is part of an ecosystem of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) that ABB’s bringing to this year’s ACT Expo.
ABB E-mobility is using the annual clean trucking conference to showcase the expansion of its EVSE portfolio with three all-new charger families: the field-upgradable A200/300 All-in-One chargers, the MCS1200 Megawatt Charging System for heavy-duty vehicles shown (above), and the ChargeDock Dispenser for flexible depot charging.
The company said its new product platform was built by applying a computer system-style domain separation to charger design, fundamentally improving subsystem development and creating a clear path forward for site and system expansion. In other words, ABB is selling a system with both future-proofing and enhanced dependability baked in.
“We have built a system by logically separating a charger into four distinct subsystems … each functioning as an independent subsystem,” explains Michael Halbherr, CEO of ABB E-mobility. “Unlike conventional chargers, where a user interface failure can disable the entire system, our architecture ensures charging continues even if the screen or payment system encounters issues. Moreover, we can improve each subsystem at its own pace without having to change the entire system.”
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The parts of ABB’s new EVSE portfolio that have been made public so far have already been recognized for design excellence, with the A400 winning the iF Gold Award and both the A400 and C50 receiving Red Dot Design Awards.
New ABB chargers seem pretty, good

ABB says the systemic separation of its EVSE enhances both reliability and quality, while making deployed chargers easier to diagnose and repair, in less time. Each of the chargers’ subsystems can be tested, diagnosed, and replaced independently, allowing for quick on-site repairs and update cycles tailored to the speed of each systems’ innovation. The result is 99% uptime and a more future-proof product.
“The EV charging landscape is evolving beyond point products for specific use cases,” continued Halbherr. “By implementing this modular approach with the majority of our R&D focused on modular platforms rather than one-off products … it reduces supply chain risks, while accelerating development cycles and enabling deeper collaboration with critical suppliers.”
Key markets ABB is chasing

- PUBLIC CHARGING – with the award winning A400 being the optimal fit for high power charging from highway corridors to urban locations, the latest additions to the A-Series All-in-One chargers offer a field-upgradable architecture allowing operators to start with the A200 (200kW) with the option to upgrade to 300kW or 400kW as demand grows. This approach offers scalability and protects customer investment, leading to Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings over 10 years.
- PUBLIC TRANSIT AND FLEET – the new Charge Dock Dispenser – in combination with the already in market available HVC 360 – simplifies depot charging with a versatile solution that supports pantograph-, roof-, and pedestal charging options with up to 360kW of shared power and 150m/490 ft installation flexibility between cabinet and dispensers. The dispenser maintains up to 500A output.
- HEAVY TRUCKS – building the matching charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles and fleets represents a critical innovation frontier on our journey to electrify transportation. Following extensive collaboration with industry-leading truck OEMs, the MCS1200 Megawatt Charging System delivers up to 1,200kW of continuous power — 20% more energy transfer than 1MW systems — providing heavy-duty vehicles with purpose-built single-outlet design for the energy they need during mandatory driver breaks. To support other use cases, such as CCS truck charging, a dual CCS and MCS option will also be available.
- RETAIL – the award winning C50 Compact Charger complements the family as the slimmest charger in its category at just 9.3 inches depth, optimized for convenient charging during typical one-hour retail experiences. With its large touch display, the C50 takes the award-winning A400 experience even further — setting a new standard for consumer experience and very neatly echoing our own take on that “Goldilocks” timing zone for commercial charging.
ABB says that the result of its new approach are chargers that offer 99% plus uptime — a crucial statistic for commercial charging operations and a key factor to ensuring customer satisfaction. The new ABB E-mobility EVSE product family will be on display for the first time at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo (ACT Expo) in Anaheim, California next week, then again at Power2Drive in Munich, Germany, from May 7-9.
Electrek’s Take

The ACT Expo is one of – if not the most important sustainable trucking event in North America, featuring all the big names in heavy trucks, construction equipment, material handling, infrastructure – even Tier 1 suppliers. Mostly, though, it’s many fleet buyers’ only chance to test drive these zero emission trucks before writing a big PO (which just makes it even more important).
Electrek will be there again this year, and we’ll be bringing you all the latest news from press events and product reveals as it happens.
SOURCE | IMAGES: ABB E-mobility.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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.
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Environment
Whisper Aero ultralight aircraft scores $500K for “UltraQuiet” electric jet motor tests
Published
1 day agoon
April 26, 2025By
admin

Along with Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-based ultralight aircraft company Whisper Aero has secured a $500,000 grant to help advance the company’s innovative electric jet motor concept off the drawing board and onto the testing phase.
Earlier this month, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced plans to award $500,000 to Tennessee Tech and Whisper Aero through the Transportation Network Growth Opportunity (TNGO) initiative.
“We look forward to using these award dollars to place students in internships working directly with Whisper Aero leaders,” said Tennessee Tech President Phil Oldham. “By learning from an electric propulsion innovator like Whisper Aero, our students will gain invaluable perspective and can take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it right here in Tennessee.”
The grant will see a Whisper Aero glider fitted with a pair of the company’s eQ250 electric-powered jet “propulsors” for UltraQuiet flight. Tennessee Tech faculty and students will carry out copper-bird ground testing to ensure the safe integration of engines, batteries, and controllers, and kickstart Tennessee Tech’s new Crossville Mobility Incubator.
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Those propulsors, by the way, are super cool.

Whisper Aero’s main claim to fame is its innovative UltraQuiet WhisperDrive (above). It’s effectively an electrically spun ducted fan jet engine that uses a large number of stiff composite fan blades inside a lightweight, acoustically treated duct. With so many blades, the Whisper Aero propulsor can push more air than a conventional prop while spinning much more slowly. As such, the “blade passage frequency” moves up to more than 16,000 Hz – outside the range of most human hearing but not, supposedly, high enough to freak out the beagles.
The Whisper Aero ultralight is effectively an Aériane Swift3 glider fitted with a pair of Whisper’s eQ250 propulsors, each capable of up to 80 lbs. of thrust. The Ultralight has a wingspan of over 40 ft with a maximum L/D of 35:1 and can be stressed to a design loading of +6/-4g, making it capable of some pretty impressive acrobatic feats.
The Swift3 glider is designed for a low speed, low power cruising speed of 45–55 knots with “just” 6.5 hp. Power-off glides from a few hundred feet showed a low sink rate, and a climb rate of 1,250 ft/min with full self-launching power (in other words: the Whisper glider doesn’t have to be towed by a launch vehicle, like a conventional ultralight glider).
Quiet cool

Range under full power is about 109 miles with current battery tech, but it’s expected that range under the latest EPiC 2.0 energy batteries would rise to nearly 170 miles.
Nathan Millecam, CEO of Electric Power System, said, “EPiC 2.0’s leap in energy density and thermal performance has enabled a significant increase in range, a clear validation of our next-gen cell technology. We are impressed by what the Whisper team continues to achieve in advancing electric aviation.”
The press release concludes explaining that flight tests are expected to show that the Whisper Aero glider can be flown, “a few hundred feet away from neighborhoods without any disturbances, while carrying a 220 lbs. payload with full range,” which is all kind of ominous in today’s political climate, but still pretty neat from a purely tech perspective.
The TNGO grant follows a separate grant from NASA awarded last year, though that grant aims to develop the eQ250s – not as a propulsion system, but as a key component in future spacecraft ventilation systems.
Tennessee Tech announces TNGO grant
With support from TNECD’s Transportation Network Growth Opportunity (TNGO) initiative, Tennessee Tech University and Whisper Aero are partnering to advance next-generation propulsion technology in the aerospace industry. This collaboration will enhance aerospace research and workforce development, ensuring Tennessee remains a leader in cutting-edge mobility solutions.
SOURCE | IMAGES: TNECD; via eVTOL Insights, New Atlas.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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.
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Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
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Environment2 years ago
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Environment2 years ago
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Business3 years ago
Bank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway