Connect with us

Published

2 hours ago

on

Today’s Green Deals are headlined by Lectric’s Valentine’s Day sale that is running through February 15 with up to $654 bundles accompanying the lineup of e-bikes, as well as a separate 40% discount on its pet trailer. The focus of this sale is on the brand’s XP 3.0 e-bikes that are getting passenger packages to take your loved ones along for the ride, starting from $999. There’s also a Bluetti flash sale on six backup power solutions, with the latest Handsfree Backpack Power Stations hitting new low prices from $199. We also spotted the EGO Power+ 56V 15-inch Split-Shaft Cordless Electric String Trimmer with a rapid-reload head down at $159. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Blix Valentine’s sale offers, the returning low price on Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus, 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.

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale offers up to $654 in free gear while XP 3.0 e-bikes get passenger bundles – all from $999

Lectric’s Valentine’s Day sale promotions have launched through February 15 with up to $654 in free gear accompanying your purchase. While you’ll find the largest bundles on the brand’s XPedition 2.0 cargo models, this sale wants to focus on spending time with your loved one by offering a passenger package along with its XP 3.0 e-bikes that start from $999 shipped, with the long-range models getting some additional free gear to boot. These aren’t the largest bundles we’ve seen for these models, but they are certainly one of the few times we’ve seen gear included that was intended to help you haul around another person instead of just inanimate cargo. You can also save 40% on the Wag-Along Pet Trailer during this sale at $107, down from $179.

The most popular of the brand’s commuting solutions, the XP 3.0 e-bikes all sport a 500W hub motor that peaks up at 1,000W to hit 20 MPH speeds, which can go higher up to 28 MPH speeds, depending on your state’s regulations. The main difference between the standard models and the long-range models (aside from the $200 price difference) is the battery – which will either provide you with 45 miles of travel (standard) or up to 65 miles (long-range) when utilizing the PAS support. Keep in mind for folks who enjoy cruising with only electric power that you’ll get about half the mileage. Along with the free add-on gear, you’ll also enjoy some quality stock features, like the integrated rear cargo rack, puncture-resistant tires, 180mm hydraulic disc brakes, a foldable body, an LCD display, and more.

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale XP 3.0 offers with up to $187 bundles

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale XPedition 2.0 offers with up to $654 bundles

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale XPeak 2.0 offers with up to $316 bundles

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale ONE LR e-bike with $308 bundle

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale XP Trike with $216 bundle

Lectric Valentine’s Day sale XP Lite 2.0 offers with $128 bundles

Bluetti power station flash sale

Bluetti’s limited 46% off flash sale drops latest Handsfree backpack power stations to new lows from $199

Bluetti has launched the first wave of its planned limited-time flash sales for the next week, with six solid backup power solutions getting up to 46% taken off their price tags. Some of the notable inclusions that are beating out the brand’s fall and winter holiday sales is the latest Handsfree 1 and Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Stations that are down at $199 shipped and $299 shipped. Now carrying $369 and $499 price tags after New Year’s Day, after falling from their original $429 and $599 MSRPs from their launch in October, in the past sales since we’ve been seeing them return to $299 and $399. That’s changing today as they’re dropping lower than ever before, saving you $170 ($230 off MSRP) and/or $200 ($300 off MSRP) at new all-time lows.

The perfect backup power devices for folks who are always on-the-go out in nature, the Handsfree 1 and Handsfree 2 power stations come with an ultra-slim design that fits nicely in their complimentary 42L and 60L backpacks – with plenty more room to spare for other essential camping, hiking, and outdoor gear. With the Handsfree 1, you’re looking at a 268.8Wh LiFePO4 battery (with 300W output surging to 450W) while the Handsfree 2 provides a larger 512Wh LiFePO4 capacity (700W surging to 1,200W). Both models provide five ports to cover your devices and small appliances: one AC port, two USB-A ports, and two USB-C ports.

Recharging speeds are as convenient as they are fast (good for last-minute plans), with either able to hit 80% in 45 minutes via a wall outlet while reaching a full battery takes a little longer at 1.5 hours for the Handsfree 1 and 1.3 hours for the Handsfree 2. Of course, an outdoor-minded power station wouldn’t be much help without solar charging – with both able to get back to full in 3 hours with a 120W panel (they have a max of 200W and 350W solar inputs). The bags come splash-resistant, with easy access to the power station’s port through the side flap, and plenty of layers of compartments, outer buckles, and more for your additional equipment.

Other Bluetti flash sale offers:

EGO Power+ 56V 15-inch cordless electric string trimmer

This EGO Power+ 56V 15-inch cordless electric string trimmer comes with a split-shaft and rapid-reload head for $159

Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 15-Inch Cordless Electric String Trimmer with a 2.5Ah battery for $159 shipped. More recently fetching $179 in the past months, with an original $200 price tag, we haven’t seen the price budge lower since July, keeping to its lower going rate. That’s changing here today as it drops another $20 unexpectedly, giving you the third-lowest price we have tracked – just $10 above the all-time low from May.

EGO Power+ is one of the less-discounted brands of reliable electric tools, so seeing this string trimmer with a split-shaft fall this low is definitely a cause to jump for many fans of the brand. This model provides a 15-inch cutting swath while also featuring a rapid-reload head for quicker and easier replacement of any broken lines. There’s also a variable speed control for the various jobs and conditions you may be working around, as well as an IPX4 weather-resistant build to stand up to sudden weather changes while you’re in the middle of things. You’ll also be getting an included charger and 2.5Ah battery that comes interchangeable with the brand’s other tools.

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.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Environment

These EV deals are hard to pass up with leases under $300 a month in February

Published

59 mins ago

on

February 5, 2025

By

These EV deals are hard to pass up with leases under 0 a month in February

EV-lease-deals-February

After a record-breaking year for electric vehicles, automakers are kicking off 2025 with significant discounts. With leases starting under $300 a month, these are some of the best EV deals to take advantage of this February.

Over 1.3 million electric vehicles were sold in the US last year, with new models like the Honda Prologue and Chevy Equinox EV hitting the market.

Honda and GM alone sold nearly 80,000 more EVs alone last year than they did in 2023, while Hyundai, Kia, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan also saw gains.

Tesla Model Y and Model 3 remained the top-selling models, but new entrants are gaining traction, with the Prologue placing seventh and the Equinox EV at eighth.

Although an influx of new EVs helped boost sales, the growth was largely thanks to massive incentives, making them on par with or even cheaper than similar gas-powered cars.

For example, at just $209 per month, you can lease a Honda Prologue for less than a 2025 Civic sedan despite costing over $20,000 more. The Tesla Model 3 is also cheaper than a Honda Civic at just $249 per month right now.

EV-deals-February
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

Best EV lease deals for under $300 a month in February

The Honda Prologue is listed for $209 per month for 24 months. With $2,699 due at signing, the effective cost is $321 per month. In California and other ZEV states, it’s even lower at just $278. A 2025 Honda Civic Sedan will run you $269 per month for 36 months. With $3,699 due upfront, the effective rate is $371, or $50 more per month than the Prologue.

Honda is not the only one offering significant savings on popular EV models this month. Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Kia, Toyota, and several others are offering EV lease deals for under $300 a month in February. You can find deals in your area at the bottom.

Lease From Term
(months)		 Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2025 Kia Niro EV $149 24 $3,999 $315
2024 Kia EV6 $179 24 $3,999 $345
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 $189 24 $3,999 $355
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 $229 24 $3,999 $395
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 $159 24 $3,999 $326
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 $169 24 $3,999 $335
2024 Volkswagen ID.4 $149 24 $999 $191
2024 Fiat 500e $211 42 $211 $216
2024 Toyota bZ4X $219 36 $2,999 $302
2024 Honda Prologue $209 24 $2,699 $321
2024 Subaru Solterra $279 36 $279 $287
2025 VinFast VF 8 $279 24 $695 $308
Tesla Model 3 $249 36 $2,999 $332
Tesla Model Y $299 36 $2,999 $382
2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV $299 24 $3,169 $431
Best EV lease deals for under $300 a month in February 2025 (*Updated 02/05/2025)

The 2025 Kia Niro remains one of the most affordable EVs you can lease this month. It starts at just $149 per month for 24 months, with $3,999 due at signing.

Kia is offering deals on its other electric models, including the 2024 EV6, starting at just $179 per month. The three-row EV9 can be leased for $399 per month for 24 months, with $4,999 due at signing.

EV-deals-February
2025 Kia EV6 US-spec model (Source: Kia)

Although the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a great deal at just $189 per month, the upgraded 2025 model may be even better.

The new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 now has more range with up to 318 miles, an upgraded interior and exterior design, and even has an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. At just $229 for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is just $395 per month.

EV-deals-February
Hyundai’s new 2025 IONIQ 5 Limited with a Tesla NACS port (Source: Hyundai)

To sweeten the deal, Hyundai is also offering a free ChargePoint Level 2 home EV charger with every 2025 IONIQ 5 purchase or lease.

Chevy introduced new deals on its new EV models, including the Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado, last month, worth up to $5,000 in savings.

EV-deals-February
Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV can be leased for $299 per month for 24 months. With $3,169 due at signing, the effective rate is $431.

Automakers are offering significant EV deals to start the year. However, with Trump reportedly planning to end federal incentives, including the $7,500 EV tax credit, the savings could soon disappear.

Ready to take advantage of the savings while they last? Although we are known for breaking news, we can also help you find deals on popular electric vehicles. You can use our links below to view offers on popular EV models in your area.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Elon Musk poached Tesla engineer for DOGE to the joy of lawyers suing him for resource tunneling

Published

3 hours ago

on

February 5, 2025

By

Elon Musk poached Tesla engineer for DOGE to the joy of lawyers suing him for resource tunneling

Elon Musk has poached a long-time Tesla engineer to help with his work at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The Tesla CEO appears to feel invincible right now because he did that while he and Tesla’s board are being sued for breach of fiduciary duties and resource tunneling.

Last year, shareholders sued Tesla, the board, and Elon Musk, claiming breach of fiduciary duty.

The lawsuit was filed in Delaware by the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund (CB&T),
Daniel Hazen, and Michael Giampietro, on behalf of Tesla shareholders.

In the lawsuit, the shareholders argue that Musk has breached his fiduciary duties to Tesla shareholders by founding xAI, a private AI company, poaching Tesla employees, threatening not build AI products at Tesla unless given more control over the company, and for funneling resources from Tesla to his private companies.

Even after the lawsuit was filed, Musk continued to give the lawyers behind it more ammunition by poaching Tesla employees for his many private businesses.

Now, we learn that Musk even poached a Tesla engineer to help in his new role under the Trump administration.

Wired reports that Thomas Shed, a Tesla engineer, has been made “the director of Technology Transformation Services” (TTS), a division of the General Services Administration.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Shed was working on “software, camera and teams that run the vehicle and battery factories” at Tesla as recently as last month:

The report states that Musk recruited several young engineers from his companies and placed them in government positions to advance his anti-DEI and cost-cutting efforts.

In Shed’s case, he appeared to have come directly from Tesla into his new government role under Musk.

Electrek’s Take

I can hear the lawyers cheering from here. Elon’s breaches of fiduciary duties are pretty blatant. The problem is that the lawsuit will take years to resolve.

In the meantime, Elon will string shareholders along, telling them that everything he is doing is for the good of Tesla. I hope fewer of them will believe him this time.

And before all you Elon fans attack me in the comments for simply reporting on this, please provide counter-arguments to the point made in this article. That’s the only thing that matters.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Toyota’s first EV battery plant in the US is ready for business, but there’s more

Published

3 hours ago

on

February 5, 2025

By

Toyota's first EV battery plant in the US is ready for business, but there's more

Toyota-delaying-EVs

The world’s largest automaker wants to catch up in the global EV race after falling behind rivals like Tesla and BYD. On Wednesday, Toyota announced that its $14 billion EV battery plant in North Carolina is open for business. The new facility will begin shipping batteries for Toyota’s electric vehicles in April. Meanwhile, Toyota revealed separate plans to challenge BYD and other EV leaders in China.

Toyota will begin building EV batteries in the US in April

A little over three years after Toyota revealed plans to build a new EV battery plant in North Carolina, the facility is about to open its doors.

After releasing Q3 earnings on Wednesday, the company announced that the Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC) plant had finished preparations. Toyota said the facility “is ready to begin production and will start shipping batteries for North American electrified vehicles in April.”

The plant will produce batteries for Toyota electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and hybrid models. Toyota invested nearly $14 billion, creating about 5,000 jobs as its new “epicenter” of North American battery production.

To give you an idea, Toyota’s new EV battery plant is about the size of 121 football fields, at over seven million square feet.

Toyota-EV-battery-US
(Source: Toyota)

TBMNC is Toyota’s 11th manufacturing plant in the US and its first in-house battery factory outside Japan. The plant will finally begin shipping batteries in April. When fully operational, Toyota expects output to reach over 30 GWh annually.

Toyota-EV-battery-China
(Source: Toyota)

In a separate press release on Wednesday, Toyota announced it will establish a wholly-owned company in Shanghai, China, to produce EVs and batteries for the Lexus brand.

According to Toyota, local Chinese companies “will take the lead in planning and developing BEVs” as it looks to keep pace with BYD and other domestic EV makers. The company said its goal is to “become a company that is more loved and supported by the people of China.

Toyota-EV-battery-US
2025 Lexus RZ 450e (Source: Lexus)

The new EV company is expected to begin production “after 2027,” with an annual production capacity of around 100,000 units.

Electrek’s Take

Toyota’s announcement comes as it quickly falls behind in the industry’s shift to EVs in major sales regions, including the US and China.

Last year, Toyota sold just 18,750 bZ4X electric SUVs in the US. In comparison, Japan’s Honda sold over 33,000 Prologue models in the US in 2024, and it began deliveries in March. Even the Nissan Ariya outsold the bZ4X with nearly 19,800 models sold.

The situation is even more severe in China, where Toyota is losing ground to low-cost domestic EVs. After sales fell 9% in China last year, Toyota blamed “the shift to new energy vehicles” and “intensifying price competition.”

Can Toyota turn things around? Producing more efficient EVs and batteries will be a start. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending