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Today’s Green Deals has plenty of EV options to upgrade your commute and keep things running, starting with Lectric’s Nothin’ But Net Sale with up to $762 in free gear accompanying e-bikes, a new price cut on the XPeak 2.0 models, and exclusive March Madness-inspired cargo packages of up to $643 in free gear on the XP 3.0 e-bikes starting from $999. Next, Segway’s Spring Sale has launched with up to 50% being taken off e-scooters and power stations, like the Ninebot Max G2 KickScooter with Apple Find My that is down at $800. Aventon is having a clearance sale on its legacy models to make room for even more of its latest releases, including the popular Abound Cargo e-bike for $1,799, among others. Lastly, we have the next of EcoFlow’s one-day-only flash sale offers, with the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station coming with a free Power Hat for $2,899, as well as an add-on battery for the brand’s WAVE 2 at $399. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Jackery flash sale offers (ending tonight), the returning low on Heybike’s Mars 2.0, 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 celebrates March Madness with free $643 tailgate-ready bundles on its XP 3.0 e-bikes from $999

With it officially being the start of March Madness, Lectric is launching its Nothin’ But Net Sale with continued offers from its spring savings events on top of increasing bundles once again and offering some new price cuts (XPeak 2.0). Following the trend we’ve been seeing throughout its previous sales, the XP 3.0 e-bikes are now getting up to $643 in free cargo-hauling gear, with the standard models going for $999 shipped with $519 bundles and the long-range models going for $1,139 shipped with $643 bundles. You’d normally have to shell out $1,518 and $1,782 for these packages, respectively, which are geared toward your cargo-hauling wants alongside your commuting needs. The standard models are receiving a wide saddle, a suspension seat post, an Elite headlight, an accordion-style folding bike lock, water-resistant pannier bags, a cargo net, and steel encased front and rear cargo baskets. The long-range models get the same, as well as a phone mount and a top tube bag – on top of the obvious $60 price cut. Head below for more details and offers.

On its own, the popular, best-selling XP 3.0 e-bikes cover commuting needs, but with these fully loaded cargo packages you’ll also get the added benefit of being better equipped for cargo-hauling needs – especially if you tend to enjoy tailgating and similar events. They sport 500W hub motors (peaking at 1,000W) that provide 20 MPH speeds, going higher to 28 MPH speeds for states where local laws permit.

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The difference between which model is best for you depends on your intended travels, with the PAS support delivering up to 45 miles of travel for the standards and up to 65 miles for the long-range models. There’s also a throttle for electric riding too, though it does run down the battery at faster rates. 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 XP 3.0 with “Nothin’ But Net” exclusive bundles:

Lectric XPedition 2.0 offers with up to $762 bundles:

Lectric XPeak 2.0 offers with up to $336 bundles and price cuts:

Lectric XP Lite 2.0 offers with up to $557 bundles:

Lectric ONE LR e-bike with $467 bundle

Lectric XP Trike with $420 bundle

Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $206 bundle

Segway Ninebot Max G2 e-scooter

Segway’s Spring Sale cuts $600 off its Ninebot Max G2 e-scooter with Apple Find My for $800

Segway has launched its Spring Sale with up to 50% being taken off a selection of e-scooters and power stations, some of which are even dropping back to lows we haven’t seen since Black Friday and/or Christmas sales. One such offer is the Ninebot Max G2 KickScooter for $799.99 shipped, likely due to the current $500 pre-sale deal on the new Ninebot Max G3 eKickScooter running through March 24. The Max G2 however, is coming far down from its $1,400 MSRP directly from Segway. While it has been down at $1,000 or less on Amazon for some time now, you are looking at one of the best prices to date with as much as $600 in savings. You can also find it matching the price over at Amazon right now.

Despite it not having as advanced tech as the new Max G3, Segway’s Ninebot Max G2 still offers advancements that exceed most standard commuters we see – for instance, the Apple Find My capabilities so you always know where it is and can find your way back to it. The weather-resistant steel build houses a 450W motor (peaking at 1,000W) paired with a 551Wh battery for up to 43 miles of travel on a single charge, with speeds topping out at 22 MPH.

There are four different riding modes, some at lower speeds to extend travel times while others sacrifice mileage in favor of speed, as well as the folding body you’d expect from an e-scooter. There are features to add more comfort – the larger footboard and front suspension – as well as others for improved performance, like its self-healing tubeless tires or the traction control system to combat slippage on slippery roads. You’ll also find integrated turn signals at the edge of the handles, a high-decibel electronic horn, and an LED display.

Segway’s mid-distance commuter deals:

Segway’s long-distance commuter deals:

  • Max G2 KickScooter: $800 (Reg. $1,400) | matching at Amazon
    • 22 MPH for up to 43 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, more
  • ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter: $950 (Reg. $1,300) | $26 more at Amazon
    • 24.9 MPH for up to 43.5 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • GT3 SuperScooter (first discount since release): $1,500 (Reg. $1,700) | $100 more at Amazon
    • 31 MPH for up to 45 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more

Segway’s joyriding deals:

Segway’s power station deals:

Aventon Abound cargo e-bike

Aventon is making space for the latest releases with $300 off e-bikes and bonus savings starting from $999

With the arrival of Aventon’s new Abound LR e-bike, along with the already released, and slightly shorter Abound SR e-bike, the brand is once again making space for it and other new models by launching a clearance sale across predecessors, like the original Abound Cargo e-bike that is down at $1,799 shipped. This model normally carries a $1,999 price tag, which has consistently been kept to $1,799 for sales since May 2024, when we last saw it go lower to $1,599. Today’s deal still gives you a solid $200 off the going rate though, or you can upgrade to the Abound SR smart e-bike for $100 more or the Abound LR smart e-bike for $200 more – the difference between these being the latter’s seven-inch longer cargo space with a lockable onboard storage bag and 8-pound heavier chassis.

Aventon’s Abound e-bike has been a popular model since releasing back in early 2023, with a 750W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,200W for inclines and improved cargo-hauling) that is paired with a 678.2Wh integrated battery to provide up to 50 miles of travel when utilizing its four PAS levels (supported by a torque sensor) and top speeds of 20 MPH. There is a throttle for getting around in pure electric style, though this will lessen its travel range depending on how much you rely on it.

There are plenty of solid features coming on this model, including a front suspension fork, hydraulic brakes, integrated front and rear lights with turn signal functionality, fenders over both tires, the integrated rear cargo rack with a 143-pound payload, a Shimano 7-speed derailleur, a kickstand, a storage bag, and an LCD Smart “Easy Read” display.

Aventon’s other legacy e-bike clearance deals:

Aventon’s other legacy e-bike deals:

  • Pace 500.3 Cruiser e-bike with FREE extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles (120 miles with extra battery)
  • Pace 500.3 Step-Through Cruiser e-bike with FREE extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles (120 miles with extra battery)
  • Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles
  • Aventure 2 Step-Throughe-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
    • 28 MPH for up to 60 miles

Aventon’s newest e-bike models (no price cuts):

  • Soltera 2.5 Lightweight e-bike: $1,199
    • 20 MPH for up to 46 miles
  • Sinch 2.5 Compact Folding e-bike: $1,799
    • 20 MPH for up to 55 miles
  • Abound SR Cargo e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60 miles
    • GPS tracking, remote locking, geofencing, passcode, keyless battery, alarm system, more
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Over Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
  • Level 3 Smart Step-Through Commuter e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 70 miles
    • GPS tracking, auto-lock, unusual movement detection, alarm system, more
  • Abound LR Cargo e-bike: $1,999
    • 20 MPH for up to 60 miles
    • 6 inches longer and 8 pounds heavier than SR model
    • GPS tracking, remote locking, geofencing, passcode, keyless battery, alarm system, more
EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 power station

EcoFlow flash sale drops newer DELTA Pro 3 LiFePO4 power station to $2,899 through the rest of the day

As part of its ongoing second phase of Spring Sale savings, EcoFlow has launched the next of its one-day-only flash sales with two different offers running through the rest of the day. The first, and biggest, of these deals is on the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station which comes with a free Power Hat for $2,899 shipped. Coming down from its usual $3,699 price tag, we saw this newer unit go as low as $2,789 during Black Friday in the time since releasing in June. While this sale has brought the costs down to $2,909 normally with the extra savings, this limited-time markdown gives you some extra savings – $800 in total – dropping it down amongst its lowest tracked rates. You’ll even find it matching at Amazon for the time being, marking a new low there, as far as we’ve seen.

One of the newer models under EcoFlow’s flag, the DELTA Pro 3 power station offers up an impressive 4,096Wh LiFePO4 capacity (expandable to 48,000Wh) alongside 4,000W of output (surging to 6,000W). When three of these units are connected, that output power expands up to 12,000W for major home backup needs. It also sports the brand’s widest variety of recharging options – seven solo-source methods and 18 combination methods. A standard wall outlet will have it back at an 80% battery in 50 minutes, while also offering other options like solar charging (with a max 2,600W input), EV, automotive auxiliary outlets, dual PV charging, and much more.

There are 14 port options for its outgoing power (seven ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and three DCs) with smart controls available through its companion app for monitoring and adjusting settings. The first of the brand’s stations given the latest X-Core 3.0 tech, it expands surging output power for larger appliance needs, ramps up recharging speeds, runs at quieter levels and cooler temperatures, improves the battery management and lifespan, provides “explosion-proof” battery packs, improves parallel capacity expansion, as well as smart home energy management.

The second offer during this flash sale is for folks who already own the WAVE 2 portable AC/heater, giving you an add-on battery and a free carrying bag for the main unit at $399 shipped, down from $899. The battery provides the AC/heater with the means for up to 8 hours of runtime before needing to be plugged into an outlet, solar panels, a power station, or plugged into your car.

Be sure to check out the massive lineup of other deals in EcoFlow’s second phase of Spring Sale deals while they’re still around through March 26.

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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Environment

‘Repowering’ era for America’s aging wind energy industry begins, despite Trump’s effort to kill it

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15 hours ago

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April 27, 2025

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'Repowering' era for America's aging wind energy industry begins, despite Trump's effort to kill it

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%).

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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.

Vestas CEO says wind turbine manufacturer is ‘well positioned’ amid tariff concerns

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ABB is bringing its new, 1.2 MW modular truck chargers to ACT Expo

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1 day ago

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April 26, 2025

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ABB is bringing its new, 1.2 MW modular truck chargers to ACT Expo

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’s good-looking family; via ABB.

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

HVC 360 Charge Dock Dispenser depot deployment; via ABB.
  • 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

BEV trucks and buses at ACT Expo in Long Beach; image by the author.
ACT Expo test drives; by the author.

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.

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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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Whisper Aero ultralight aircraft scores $500K for “UltraQuiet” electric jet motor tests

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1 day ago

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April 26, 2025

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Whisper Aero ultralight aircraft scores 0K for

Whisper's "UltraQuiet" propulsion system to power acrobatic glider

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.

UnltraQuiet WhisperDrive; via Whisper Aero.

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

Dual WhisperDrive fans deliver ~160 lbf of thrust; via Whisper Aero.

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.

TNECD

SOURCE | IMAGES: TNECD; via eVTOL Insights, New Atlas.

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