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Closing out this week’s Green Deals, we’re stopping back in on Lectric’s Plunge flash sale that ends January 20 to give a spotlight on the brand’s XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes that start at $999 and come with the largest bundle packages yet at $404 in free gear. We’ve secured an exclusive new low price for our readers on EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus Portable Power Station that takes costs down to $541, with an alternate backup power offer that is seeing DJI’s Power 1000 Portable Power Station at 50% off for $499. For EV drivers, we also spotted Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV charger dropping to its $455 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Rad Power flash sale that includes a free extra battery with the RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike, among others – and much more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Lectric’s XP Lite 2.0 80-mile e-bikes with $404 in free gear start from $999 in flash sale savings

Checking back in on Lectric’s Plunge flash sale that is running through January 20, I wanted to shine a spotlight on the brand’s newer XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes that are getting $404 in free gear. Lectric’s standard XP Lite 2.0 e-bikes are going for $999 shipped while the black JW XP Lite 2.0 belt-drive model sits higher at $1,099 shipped. Normally with these packages, you’d be paying $1,403 and $1,503, respectively, but as is the norm at Lectric, the savings primarily come in the form of these free bundles, with this sale offering the biggest ones we’ve seen since the e-bikes released back in June.

Starting with Lectric’s standard XP Lite 2.0 e-bikes, which offer four unique colors (compared to the brand’s usual black/white options on other models), they’ve been given 672Wh batteries paired with a 300W motor (peaking to 819Wh) to provide up to 80 miles of travel via the five levels of pedal assistance at max 20 MPH speeds. For such a low price, they even comes stocked with some impressive features, like the hydraulic mineral oil brakes, BMX-style handlebars, 20×2.5-inch slick tires with a 3mm Hippo Skin liner and pre-Slimed tubes for anti-puncture resistance, a full color LCD display with a USB-A charging port for devices, and folding capabilities at the handlebar stem, main frame, and even at the foot pedals.

The big difference between the above models and Lectric’s black JW XP Lite 2.0 counterpart is the inclusion of the carbon fiber-reinforced Gates Carbon Drive belt system over the chained drivetrain. This delivers a quieter, smoother, and oil-free ride that not only improves its performance to more efficient levels but also ensures it will outlast chain-drive counterparts after long-term use.

There are two other models benefitting from this flash sale’s increased savings, which you can check out in full here, or to browse the entire lineup of e-bike bundle deals in the brand’s overall New Year sale, check out our original coverage.

EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus portable power station

Save an exclusive $258 on EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus portable 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station at new $541 low

Wellbots is giving 9to5Toys readers another great exclusive deal today, with the EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus Portable Power Station getting taken down to $540.94 shipped, after using the code 9TO5D3P14 at checkout. This newer model usually carries a $799 price tag since launching in July, with it starting today well under the direct discounted pricing we’ve seen on average from EcoFlow that only gets better once the exclusive promo code is factored into things. You’ll be saving $258 off the going rate, which comes in $76 under its previous low from Christmas sales as the best price we’ve tracked to date.

With only six months on the market, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus is already carving out a place for itself as a fully capable backup solution that doesn’t weigh so heavily on finances. It arrives with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be built up to 5kWh via the addition of expansion batteries from its counterpart DELTA 3, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, or DELTA 2 stations. Through the 13 versatile ports, it provides 1,800W output power which its X-Boost tech surges up to 3,600W to cover larger appliance needs far better than older station models of this same size.

This X-Boost tech takes things further for its own recharging too, as it allows for five fast-charging means to re-juice itself. A wall outlet will get the battery back to full in 56 minutes, which also lines up with the timeframe that EcoFlow’s Smart Generator 4000 would take. Connecting it to your car via an alternator charger can refill things after 1.3 hours of driving, or you can hook up to 1,000W of solar input to top it off in 70 minutes. Lastly, there’s the multi-charge feature that lets you take advantage of both solar charging and AC charging simultaneously.

Autel EV charger

Save $114 on Autel’s hardwired MaxiCharger AC Lite Home level 2 EV charger while it’s at a $455 low

Coming to us through its official Amazon storefront, Autel is offering its MaxiCharger AC Lite Home Level 2 EV charger for $455.20 shipped. Normally this model would fetch $569 at full price, with frequent returns to this $455 low over the last year (more frequently in the form of short-term Lightning deals). Today, that low rate is coming back with help from this 20% markdown, cutting $114 off the going price and even matching with Autel’s direct site too.

This 240V level 2 EV charger from Autel comes compatible with EVs using a J1772 connection – and for Tesla drivers, you can find an option to choose between a J1772 or NACS connector direct from Autel’s website. Providing up to 50A charging speeds, you’ll average around 37 miles per every hour its plugged in, regardless of the weather, as its upgraded 25-foot cable comes designed to tackle the job in cold as low as -40 degrees while the unit as a whole can withstand “snow, rain, hail, and sleet.” Through the companion app you’ll have full smart controls to monitor and manage settings, as well as optimize things to take advantage of off-peak hours.

DJI Power 1000 Portable Power Station

DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 power station covers laptops, phones, tablets, drones, and more at $499

While most people know DJI for its high-quality drones, its official Amazon storefront is offering some big savings on its Power 1000 Portable Power Station at $499 shipped, after using the on-page promo code G2IGEKLM at checkout. Normally you’d find this model at a $999 in full, with today’s deal starting off at $699 while the promo code strikes another $200 from this rate for a solid 50% in savings. While we have seen it fall lower during Cyber Monday and during the week of Christmas, this is still a sizeable $500 being cut off the going rate today, dropping costs among its lowest prices. You’ll also find this same deal direct from DJI’s site, but only after using the code DJIPOWERSAVE at checkout. There are also an array of bundle options on both the Amazon and DJI landing pages you can take advantage of too.

This power station from DJI comes as a perfect companion for folks who spend a lot of time out of the house and exploring the wilds, providing you with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity to juice up laptops, tablets, cameras, and other essentials – including the brand’s drones. It has 8 port options, with the two ACs dishing power at up to 2,200W (surging to 2,600W) to cover larger appliance needs, while the dual USB-Cs boast 140W fast-charging speeds each, among others.

With the addition of either a MPPT module or DJI’s Power Car Power Outlet to SDC Power Cable, you’ll be able to take advantage of its solar charging capabilities, with an impressive 1,600W max input available, which would refill the battery in 80 minutes. Otherwise charging via a wall outlet delivers an 80% battery in 50 minutes or a full one in 70 minutes.

Best New Year EV 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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Eat Culver’s frozen custard + fast charge your EV in Wisconsin

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2 hours ago

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September 17, 2025

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Eat Culver's frozen custard + fast charge your EV in Wisconsin

Culver's fast charge
Photo: Zero 60

Zero 60, an EV charge point operator on the ChargePoint network, is bringing fast charging to a Culver’s in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The company, founded by Faith Technologies Incorporated (FTI), will install a renewable-powered charging station in Rhinelander.

The new site sits along a state-designated Alternative Fuel Corridor at Culver’s on 620 W. Kemp St. It will feature four 160-kilowatt charging ports, giving EV drivers in northern Wisconsin reliable fast charging well beyond the state’s urban hubs.

The project is backed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s first round of funding from the Wisconsin Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (WEVI) program. Wisconsin wants to ensure EV drivers can confidently travel north, knowing they won’t be stranded without chargers.

“Partnering with a well-known brand like Culver’s gives us a unique opportunity to combine Midwest hospitality with clean, convenient charging,” said Wade Leipold, executive vice president of FTI. “We’re proud to support Wisconsin’s efforts to build a robust, future-ready charging network that serves communities and travelers alike.”

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Zero6 Energy is financing, owning, and operating the station, while FTI is handling the engineering, design, installation, and ongoing maintenance. Zero 60 already operates nine charging sites and has plans for many more across the US, with the first wave of stations installed in New York, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin, and more currently being developed in other states.

Read more: GM, EVgo, and Pilot hit 200+ charging sites across 40 states

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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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Tesla is trying to hide 3 Robotaxi accidents

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2 hours ago

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September 17, 2025

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Tesla is trying to hide 3 Robotaxi accidents

Tesla is attempting to conceal the details of three separate accidents involving its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, despite having only two months of service with a small fleet.

Due to the Standing General Order 2021-01 (the “SGO”), automakers are required to report to NHTSA crashes involving their autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems within five days of being notified of them.

We have previously reported on Tesla leading crashes for level 2 driver assistance systems by thousands of reported crashes, but the automaker never reported any automated driving crashes because it never had any system that would qualify as a level 3-5 SAE automated driving system, despite the name of its “Full Self-Driving” software package.

This has changed with the launch of Tesla’s limited Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas.

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Now, Tesla has reported its first three accidents involving an “automated driving system” through its new Robotaxi effort:

Report ID Same Incident ID Model Model Year Incident Date Incident Time Roadway Type Injury Severity*
13781-11507 346e79b6abcc2ca Model Y 2026 JUL‑2025 03:45 Street Property Damage. No Injured Reported
13781-11459 8578fbc6ef74c60 Model Y 2026 JUL‑2025 12:20 Street Minor W/O Hospitalization
13781-11375 b5d3e7bb23a3388 Model Y 2026 JUL‑2025 15:15 Intersection Property Damage. No Injured Reported

All the accidents happened in July, during Tesla’s first month of operating its Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas.

There was at least one injury reported for one of the crashes, but Tesla lists it as “minor”. None of the accidents is being investigated by authorities based on the information Tesla has released.

Tesla hasn’t released many details about its Robotaxi effort, but the automaker is estimated to have only about 12 vehicles in its Robotaxi fleet in Austin as of July, and it was offering rides to only a limited group of users, mostly Tesla influencers and shareholders who are disincentivized from criticizing the company.

As it does with its ADAS crash reporting, Tesla is hiding most details about the crashes. Unlike its competitors, which openly release narrative information about the incidents, Tesla is redacting all the narrative for all its crash reporting to NHTSA:

It makes it hard to get any context about the accident and assess the level of responsibility for the automated driving system.

Unlike competitors, such as Waymo, Tesla’s Robotaxi still uses a “safety monitor” who sits in the front seat with a finger on a kill switch ready to stop the vehicle. Despite this added level of safety, Tesla is evidently still experiencing crashes.

CEO Elon Musk has claimed that Tesla would remove the safety monitor by the end of the year and deliver on its “full self-driving” promises to customers, but he has never shared any data proving that Tesla’s automated driving system is reliable enough to achieve that.

NTHSA is also investigating Tesla for misreporting its crash data.

Electrek’s Take

The facts are that Tesla has never released any significant data to prove that its system is reliable. Never.

The only data Tesla has shared is the cumulative mileage driven by the fleet on Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, but that’s with a human driver at the wheel at all times.

Tesla never shared disengagement data despite publicly claiming multiple factors of improvement in miles between disengagements.

How can you trust a company that operates like that?

Furthermore, it redacts the most critical details of crashes involving its driver-assist and automated driving systems.

That’s not the type of opacity I want to see from a company deploying potentially dangerous, yet also potentially lifesaving, technology.

Unfortunately, I’ve lost hope of regulators doing anything about this any time soon. It will likely take more tragic accidents for them to act.


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Toyota’s new app rewards EV and PHEV drivers for charging, since it doesn’t happen enough

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3 hours ago

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September 17, 2025

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Toyota's new app rewards EV and PHEV drivers for charging, since it doesn't happen enough

Toyota-EV-charging-app

Toyota introduced a new “science-backed” app that rewards EV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivers for charging their vehicles. Why? Because, according to Toyota’s own research, PHEV drivers don’t plug in often enough.

Toyota develops an app to reward EV drivers for charging

Hybrid vehicles and Toyota are nearly synonymous at this point. Toyota launched the Prius, the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, back in 1997.

Just under three decades later, the Prius is now in its fifth generation, and Toyota offers over 16 hybrid vehicles, two PHEVs, and one all-electric model in the US (two, if you include the Lexus RZ).

Although Toyota is committed to offering vehicles across all powertrain options (EV, PHEV, and hybrid), the company believes it has found another way to cut emissions.

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The Toyota Research Institute’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) division developed an app, Charge Minder, that “applies behavioral science to EV charging.” It basically turns the charging experience into a game with rewards for charging streaks and “encouraging messages.”

The app also includes education quizzes to teach you more about your vehicle and when the best time is to charge up for maximum cost savings.

Toyota-PHEV-charging-app
Toyota’s new ChargeMinder app rewards EV and PHEV drivers for charging (Source: Toyota)

Toyota’s research found that, in the US, “behavioral interventions increased charging by 10% for plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) drivers.” Satisfaction among the PHEV drivers rose 16 percentage points, bringing it to 100%

In Japan, PHEV and EV drivers shifted to charge during peak renewable charge times by 59%, which Toyota said added nearly 30 hours of daytime charging per vehicle, per day.

Toyota-PHEV-charging-app
Toyota-PHEV-charging-app

“This research and development shows how science-based behavioral interventions can both help us reduce carbon emissions as much as possible, as soon as possible, and increase customer satisfaction,” Dr Gill Pratt, chief scientist and CEO of the Toyota Research Institute, said.

Toyota’s app (ChargeMinder) integrates over a dozen science-backed “interventions” that are designed to promote better charging habits.

Electrek’s Take

It’s no secret that Toyota is sticking to its roots and will continue to offer PHEVs and hybrids, alongside all-electric vehicles, for the foreseeable future.

Most PHEVs nowadays offer between 20 and 50 miles of electric driving range, which is plenty for most daily commutes. However, there’s one issue. PHEV drivers are not plugging in as they should and are primarily using them as traditional gas-powered vehicles.

A report from the European Commission last year found that PHEVs pollute more than they are promoted, largely because drivers are not plugging them in.

New findings from earlier this month revealed that carmakers are misleading buyers about PHEVs, with real-world emissions that are multiple times higher than what they are documented to be.

Can Toyota’s app really help cut emissions? Maybe a little, but battery electric vehicles EVs are still the most effective way to truly make a difference and pave the way for sustainable transportation.


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