Connect with us

Published

on

Kicking off today’s Green Deals is EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale that has increased savings up to 67% on its power stations, solar generator bundles, accessories, and more, with extra savings and some free gear on select purchases. Standing out as one of the best solar generator options is EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Power Station bundled with two 220W solar panels and a protective cover back for a $2,279 low, among many other options. We also wanted to shine a spotlight on the biggest bundle to date accompanying Lectric’s XP Trike that is getting $508 in free gear at $1,499, with links to the brand’s full Memorial Day Sale too. We also spotted EGO’s Z6 42-inch Cordless Electric Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower with an e-STEER wheel and four 12.0Ah batteries back in stock at its $4,999 low, with its other riding counterparts also discounted. Lastly, we have a one-day-only sale from Best Buy on Anker’s SOLIX C300 AC 90,000mAh Power Station for $217.Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Jackery Memorial Day savings, the new and returning lows during Heybike’s anniversary, 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.

Get up to 67% off power stations, solar generators, more during EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale starting from $50

EcoFlow has its Memorial Day Sale promotions running through May 28 with up to 67% being taken off power stations, solar generators, and more – all with extra savings and select members-only pricing. A standout bundle that is returning to its lowest price is the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Solar Generator bundle that comes with two 220W solar panels and a protective bag for the station at $2,279.05 shippedafter using the code EFRVSALEAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off. This bundle would normally run you $4,997 at full price these days, but is starting down at $2,399, with the extra savings making the deal all the sweeter with an additional $120 taken off the tag. It’s matching the same price we saw during the brand’s shorter Mother’s Day Sale, coming back around at the all-time lowest rate we have tracked with a total $2,718 in savings.

One of EcoFlow’s most popular backup power solutions, the DELTA Pro boasts a robust 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity to cover off-grid living (with the solar panels ensuring the sun can re-juice its cells), which you can invest in over time to pump up to 25KWh that covers trips, events, home backup, and more (though you’ll also want to check out transfer switch options). There are 14 port options that can dish out up to 3,600W of steady power, with it even surging as high as 7,200W for hungrier and more essential appliances, especially during emergency power loss.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

It has a max 1,600W solar input that will have the battery back to full in 2.8 hours, so the 440W you’ll be getting in this bundle will obviously take a bit more time. You can also plug it into a power outlet to have it recharged in 1.8 hours, or utilize your car’s auxiliary port while driving. With a Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth connection, you’ll stay synced to the real-time status of the station’s settings and performance, with remote controls to change things as needed.

***Note: The extra 5% sitewide savings have not been factored into the prices below, so be sure to use the promo code EFRVSALEAFF at checkout to get the maximum savings possible!

EcoFlow’s top direct Memorial Day Sale bundle picks:

EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale power station deals:

EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale solar generator/bundle deals:

EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale solar accessory deals:

EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale other accessory deals:

To check out EcoFlow’s Memorial Day Sale promotions on the WAVE 3 and GLACIER coolers, as well as the member-only deals, be sure to follow this link to the sale’s main landing page.

Lectric XP Trike e-bike

Hop on Lectric’s XP Trike with the biggest bundle to date of $508 in free gear for $1,499 ($2,007 value)

Lectric’s Memorial Day Sale has shaken up the previous bundle packages we’ve been seeing the last few months, with the event offering up to $742 in free gear along with your e-bike purchases through next week’s holiday. One notable increase this time around that deserves a spotlight is the Lectric XP Trike that comes with $508 in free gear at $1,499 shipped. This bundle we’re seeing during this sale would normally run the costs up to $2,007 in full, but the massive savings we usually see from the brand come in the form of these accessory packages, with this being the biggest we’ve seen to date. Along with the e-bike, you’ll be getting a pair of rear-view mirrors, an accordion-style folding bike lock, a suspension seat post, an Elite headlight, a wider saddle with a backrest, a bell, and the brand’s steel-encased cargo package for the front and rear.

Perfect for older riders, as well as anyone else looking for a more leisurely way to get around for joyrides, commutes, and even errands, Lectric’s XP Trike provides plenty of versatility. It sports a folding frame for space-saving convenience, housing a 500W planetary geared brushless motor (peaking to 1,092W) alongside a 48V 13Ah battery to reach 14 MPH top speeds for up to 50 miles of travel while its five PAS levels are active. Those who may be new to e-bikes will also get the added support from its default mode, which limits acceleration and speed to allow you to develop your comfort more thoroughly.

Along with the sizeable bundle it’s getting, the XP Trike already comes with a bunch of noteworthy features for the price, like the guaranteed stopping power of its hydraulic brakes (and the additional parking brake). There’s also the integrated rear lights (with brake lighting), slimmer tires for easier turning, an ergonomic twist throttle for electric cruising (which will shorten its mileage), and a backlit LCD display. On top of everything, the build comes with an IP65 water- and dust-resistant construction.

Be sure to check out the full lineup of Lectric’s Memorial Day Sale while the deals last through next week’s holiday, with the largest packages hitting the XPedition 2.0 Cargo e-bikes that start from $1,399, as well as the ongoing preorder bundles on the new XP4 and XP4 750 e-bikes from $999, among others. You can also browse all the live EV sales in one place by heading to our Ride to Work EV hub, which has been put together to give you all the best deals from our favorite brands.

EGO Z6 42-inch cordless electric zero-turn riding lawn mower

EGO’s Z6 42-inch electric zero-turn riding mower with an e-STEER LCD wheel and four 12.0Ah batteries back at $4,999 low

Amazon is dropping the EGO Power+ Z6 42-inch Cordless Electric Zero-Turn Riding Lawn Mower with e-STEER wheel and four 12.0Ah batteries back to its best price of $4,998.99 shipped. It usually goes for $5,999 at full price, though tariffs are seeing increased tag rates lately. We saw this model drop down to this same rate at the top of March and held out until early April when it went out of stock. Grabbing it here while the savings and stock are back gives you another chance at $1,000+ off the going rate, returning it to the lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more on this model and its variants that are also seeing discounts.

Coming in as the smallest of EGO’s Z6 series, this 42-inch riding mower has been equipped with four independent brushless motors powered by the four included 12.0Ah batteries to keep things running for up to 2.5 acres on a single charge. Of course, as is always convenient with EGO tools, any other 56V ARC batteries you may already own can also be thrown into the mix, whether in the two open ports or to switch out, providing you with extended runtimes to tackle even more.

This model comes with three driving modes to choose from (control, standard, and sport), and features EGO’s e-STEER wheel that pairs well with the zero-turn maneuverability for improved control as you work. The steering wheel also boasts an LCD interface that lets you better customize your experience with more streamlined controls. You’ll also benefit from the adjustable seat suspension, 10 cutting height levels, 3-in-1 functionality for bagging, side discharging, and mulching, and more.

EGO’s other riding mower deals:

If you’re looking for cheaper options in the form of more standard push mowers, you can check out all EGO’s discounted models on the landing page here.

Anker SOLIX C300 AC Power Station

Anker’s SOLIX C300 AC 90,000mAh power station makes an excellent traveling companion at $217 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Anker SOLIX C300 AC Portable Power Station for $216.99 shipped through the rest of the day. This unit normally fetches $300 at full price directly from the brand, but starts at $270 from Best Buy. Since tariffs hit the market a few months ago, discounts have been reduced across multiple marketplaces, with things usually getting cut down between $239 and $250 lately. While we have seen the price go lower, especially during November and December, you’re still looking at a solid $53 markdown ($83 off the direct MSRP) that not only drops costs to the second-best price we’ve seen over the last four months, but also undercut’s Anker’s current Memorial Day Sale, as well as Amazon’s pricing, by $33.

One of Anker’s more portable backup power solutions that can be slung over your shoulder or toted inside a bag, this SOLIX C300 power station covers your personal devices and smaller appliances with a hefty 90,000mAh LiFePO4 battery. Unlike the DC variant, which is more USB-focused, this model boasts three AC outlets alongside the three USB-C ports, single USB-A, and the car port. It dishes out a steady stream of power at up to 300W, surging as high as 600W when needed.

You’ll have a few different ways to go about recharging its battery, with a standard wall outlet putting the battery back to 80% in about 50 minutes, with additional methods through either its solar input (100W max), a car port, or through its PD 3.1 USB-C port. It also comes designed for camping, as an integrated handle on top makes carrying it easy (with shoulder strap hooks too), while the integrated light bar above the display helps to see when deep in the thick and dark woods of off-grid sites.

Best Spring 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.

Continue Reading

Environment

Russia’s struggling war economy might be what finally drives Moscow to the negotiating table

Published

on

By

Russia’s struggling war economy might be what finally drives Moscow to the negotiating table

Russian President Vladimir Putin tours an exhibition at the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War on Poklonnaya Gora in Moscow, Russia, April 30, 2025.

Alexander Kazakov | Via Reuters

Russia has shown little appetite for peace negotiations with Ukraine, despite Moscow making a show of what war experts described as “performative ceasefires,” and a number of attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to persuade Russian leader Vladimir Putin to talk to Kyiv.

In fact, Moscow is widely believed to be planning a new summer offensive in Ukraine to consolidate territorial gains in the southern and eastern parts of the country, that its forces partially occupy. If successful, the offensive could give Russia more leverage in any future talks.

While Russia seems reluctant to pursue peace now, increasing economic and military pressures at home — ranging from supplies of military hardware and recruitment of soldiers, to sanctions on revenue-generating exports like oil — could be the factors that eventually drive Moscow to the negotiating table.

“Russia will seek to intensify offensive operations to build pressure during negotiations, but the pressure cannot be sustained indefinitely,” Jack Watling, senior research fellow for Land Warfare at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, said in analysis Tuesday.

Russian stockpiles of military equipment left over from the Soviet era, including tanks, artillery and infantry fighting vehicles, will be running out between now and mid-fall, Watling said, meaning that Russia’s ability to replace losses will be entirely dependent on what it can produce from scratch.

“At the same time, while Russia can fight another two campaign seasons with its current approach to recruitment, further offensive operations into 2026 will likely require further forced mobilisation, which is both politically and economically challenging,” Watling surmised.

CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for a response to the comments and is awaiting a reply.

Economy slowing

In the meantime, dark clouds are gathering on the horizon when it comes to Russia’s war-focused economy, which has labored under the weight of international sanctions as well as homegrown pressures, also largely resulting from war, such as rampant inflation and high food and production costs that even Putin described as “alarming.”

Russia’s central bank (CBR) has stood the course of keeping interest rates high (at 21%) in a bid to lower the rate of inflation, which stood at 10.2% in April. The CBR said in May that a disinflationary process is underway but that “a prolonged period of tight monetary policy” is still required for inflation to return to its target of 4% in 2026. In the meantime, a marked slowdown in the Russian economy has surprised some economists.

“The sharp slowdown in Russian gross domestic product growth from 4.5% year-on-year in the fourth quarter, to 1.4% in the first quarter is consistent with a sharp fall in output and suggests that the economy may be heading for a much harder landing than we had expected,” Liam Peach, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics commented last week.

“Such a sharp drop in GDP growth has surprised us, although we had expected a slowdown to take hold this year,” he noted, adding that “a technical recession is possible over the first half of the year and GDP growth over 2025 as a whole could come in significantly below our current forecast of 2.5%.”

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin visits Uralvagonzavod, the country’s main tank factory in the Urals, in Nizhny Tagil, on Feb. 15, 2024.

Ramil Sitdikov | Afp | Getty Images

The growth that remains in the Russian economy is concentrated in manufacturing, specifically the defense sector and related industries, and is being fueled by state spending, according to Alexander Kolyandr, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis.

“After three years of militarizing the country, Russia’s economy is cooling,” he said in online analysis for CEPA, noting that the slowdown in inflation, less borrowing by companies and consumers, declining imports, industrial output and consumer spending all pointed to the slowdown continuing.

That’s not disputed by Russian officials, with the Economic Development Ministry predicting that economic growth will slow from 4.3% in 2024 to 2.5% this year.

“The economy is not demobilizing; it is just running out of steam. That said, a drop can easily become a dive. Bad decisions by policymakers, a further dip in oil prices, or carelessness with inflation, and Russia could find itself in trouble,” Kolyandr said.

Sanctions and oil price bite

What’s particularly starting to hurt Russia are factors beyond its control, including tighter sanctions on Russia’s “shadow fleet” (vessels illicitly transporting oil in a bid to evade sanctions enacted following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine) and a decline in oil prices as a result of Trump’s global tariffs policy that is hitting demand.

On Thursday, benchmark Brent futures with a July expiry stood at $64.94 a barrel while frontmonth July U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was at $61.65. The last spot price of a barrel of Urals crude oil, Russia’s benchmark, was at $59.97, according to LSEG data.

At the start of 2025, Brent was trading at $74.64 per barrel, while WTI and Urals crude were trading at $75.13 and $70.04, respectively.

Russia’s finance ministry said in April that it expects 24% lower revenues from oil and gas this year, compared to earlier estimates, and lowered its oil price forecast from $69.7 to $56 per barrel. The ministry also raised the 2025 budget deficit estimate to 1.7% of GDP, from a previous forecast of 0.5%.

FILE PHOTO: Crude oil tanker Nevskiy Prospect, owned by Russia’s leading tanker group Sovcomflot, transits the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey September 6, 2020. 

Yoruk Isik | Reuters

A lower oil price will “severely limit Russian revenue while its reserves are becoming depleted,” RUSI’s analyst Watling remarked.

“More aggressive enforcement against Russia’s shadow fleet and the continuation of Ukraine’s deep strike campaign could reduce the liquid capital that has so far allowed Russia to steadily increase defence production and offer massive bonuses for volunteers joining the military,” he said.

If Western allies can maintain and strengthen efforts to degrade Russia’s economy, and Ukraine’s forces “deny Russia from reaching the borders of Donetsk [in eastern Ukraine] between now and Christmas,” then “Moscow will face hard choices about the costs it is prepared to incur for continuing the war.”

“Under such conditions the Russians may move from Potemkin negotiations to actually negotiating,” Watling said.

Continue Reading

Environment

White House crypto czar David Sacks says stablecoin bill will unlock ‘trillions’ for U.S. Treasury

Published

on

By

White House crypto czar David Sacks says stablecoin bill will unlock 'trillions' for U.S. Treasury

U.S. President Donald Trump sits next to Crypto czar David Sacks at the White House Crypto Summit at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 7, 2025.

Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

President Donald Trump‘s top crypto and AI advisor David Sacks said Wednesday that the administration expects the stablecoin legislation moving through the Senate to pass with “significant bipartisan support,” and claimed it could unlock demand for U.S. Treasuries.

“We already have over $200 billion in stablecoins — it’s just unregulated,” Sacks told CNBC’s “Closing Bell Overtime.” “If we provide the legal clarity and legal framework for this, I think we could create trillions of dollars of demand for our Treasuries practically overnight, very quickly.”

The GENIUS Act — a bill to regulate stablecoins — cleared a key procedural vote in the Senate. With 15 Democrats voting for the bill to pass the cloture threshold this week, the proponents have the votes necessary to avoid a filibuster.

“We have every expectation now that it’s going to pass,” added Sacks, though he didn’t answer a question about concerns from Democrats that there aren’t sufficient safeguards in place to keep the president and his family from profiting from legislation.

Read more about tech and crypto from CNBC Pro

Democrats previously rejected the GENIUS Act in part on concern that President Trump’s personal cryptocurrency ventures, including his own meme coin and a stablecoin from his family’s crypto business, created an unprecedented conflict of interest.

Unlike digital assets such as bitcoin, which can trade wildly, stablecoins are a subset of cryptocurrencies whose value is tied to that of a real-world asset, like the U.S. dollar. Bitcoin hit a new record on Wednesday, nearing $110,000.

Tether, which is banked by Cantor Fitzgerald in the U.S., controls more than 60% of the stablecoin market. Deutsche Bank found that stablecoin transactions hit $28 trillion last year, surpassing that of Mastercard and Visa, combined.

Sacks, who has emerged as a powerful policy voice inside Trump’s inner circle, framed the GENIUS Act not just as a crypto breakthrough but as a national economic strategy.

“Stablecoins offer a new, more efficient, cheaper, smoother payment system — new payment rails for the U.S. economy,” he said. “It also extends the dominance of the dollar online.”

The White House has aggressively backed the effort, even as concerns mount over the president’s potential conflicts.

While Sacks sold $200 million in crypto-related holdings before taking his White House job according to a disclosure filing, Trump and his family have been leaning into building a crypto empire.

The Trumps are financial backers of World Liberty Financial, which just launched its own stablecoin — USD1 — backed by Treasuries and dollar deposits.

Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment fund recently pledged $2 billion in USD1 to Binance, the world’s largest digital assets exchange. It’s the company’s largest-ever investment made in crypto.

Still, the path to passage isn’t entirely smooth. Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., added a controversial rider to the bill that would cap credit card late fees — what’s seen as a poison pill that could alienate banking allies and stall final approval.

WATCH: Trump’s growing crypto empire raising conflict of interest concerns

Trump's growing crypto empire raising conflict of interest concerns

Continue Reading

Environment

Trump wants to kill ENERGY STAR – here’s how that impacts you

Published

on

By

Trump wants to kill ENERGY STAR – here's how that impacts you

The Trump administration wants to pull the plug on ENERGY STAR, the federal program behind those familiar blue labels on energy-efficient appliances, homes, and buildings. Launched in 1992, ENERGY STAR has saved Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs while slashing greenhouse gas emissions.

To dig into what this means for everyday Americans, we spoke with Rebecca Foster, CEO of clean energy nonprofit Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC), which has spent decades working to make homes, schools, and businesses more energy efficient.

Electrek: What is the ENERGY STAR program, and what are the benefits for consumers?

Rebecca Foster: It’s simple: ENERGY STAR helps customers and businesses save energy and reduce costs. The program does this by clearly labeling which products are energy-efficient options. It’s a certification of confidence – it does not dictate efficiency standards. The program was created in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush and has enjoyed decades of bipartisan support. 

Advertisement – scroll for more content

The brand has become the backbone of energy efficiency across the country. ENERGY STAR is a recognized and reliable mark of efficient appliances and electronics that lower costs and improve indoor air quality. The ENERGY STAR label has also expanded to include efficiency standards for weatherizing homes and certifying when new buildings are constructed to high efficiency standards. Utilities benefit from ENERGY STAR, too – with more efficient appliances and systems plugged in, they are better able to manage the grid and decrease costs for customers.

The main benefit to consumers is significant savings through energy efficiency. A typical home can save around $450 a year on their energy bills by choosing ENERGY STAR-certified products, according to a Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimate. Lower-income households spend a greater proportion of their budget on energy, so losing that savings will be felt especially hard by these families. Energy efficiency programs that VEIC administers, including Efficiency Vermont, Efficiency Smart, and the DC Sustainable Energy Utility, have incorporated ENERGY STAR certifications into their rebates and educational materials for decades. The ENERGY STAR certification is an easy way to let people know which products are eligible for rebates and encourage folks to choose the more efficient option by making it more affordable with incentives. Combined, these programs have delivered more than $694 million in customer incentives since 2000, resulting in over $5.6 billion in lifetime customer savings. 

Evaluations of the ENERGY STAR program show it saves US households about $40 billion a year nationwide – and has delivered about $500 billion in savings since it began. All for a program that costs the government just $30 million annually. According to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency‘s 2022 survey, where I worked for over a decade prior to joining VEIC, nearly 90% of US households report recognizing the ENERGY STAR label and almost half (45%) report knowingly purchasing an ENERGY STAR-certified product or home within the last 12 months.

Electrek: How would ending the ENERGY STAR program hurt consumers at a national and regional level?

Rebecca Foster: Efficiency labels and education from ENERGY STAR leads to more affordable energy bills for customers. Ending the program means less clarity and guidance for how to choose the more efficient option, which means higher costs month after month. Households are increasingly opting for more efficient, all-electric clean technologies like cold climate heat pumps for heating/cooling and EVs for their transportation needs. That means efficiency will become even more important for households to maintain lower electricity use. So, losing ENERGY STAR now will really cost Americans more in the short and long term.

Regionally and on a local level, getting rid of ENERGY STAR could disrupt energy efficiency programs run by states, utilities, and third-party administrators that rely on the ENERGY STAR label for rebates. It could also hurt manufacturers, distributors, and contractors who have built their businesses around providing and installing more efficient equipment. Existing lists of qualified products will quickly become out of date as new models and new technology enter the market. We could see programs in different states or run by different entities come up with confusing or competing standards for their rebates, making it more difficult for people to save energy. 

All of these impacts hurt consumers, especially at a time when families and businesses are already struggling to keep up with rising costs. 

Electrek: What sort of impact would ending this program have on the grid?

Rebecca Foster: A stable electric grid is more important than ever as we see growing electricity demand due to data centers and AI and an increasing reliance on electricity to meet more of our daily needs. ENERGY STAR has been the backbone of energy efficiency across the country for decades, and it’s delivered the more efficient lighting, appliances, and heating systems that are in use today in countless homes. Efficiency is a major reason why US electricity demand has been flat for the last two decades, according to the EIA.

As we see the electrification of our transportation and heating sectors, we’re also going to see unprecedented growth in electricity demand – an 11% increase in New England alone over the next decade, according to ISO New England. That’s part of a 50% increase in demand nationally by 2050, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

Losing ENERGY STAR would slow down and complicate management of the grid because efficiency contributes to a stable and optimized grid. It also helps avoid the costly expansion of transmission projects by reducing demand without asking customers to make large behavioral changes. 

A more efficient grid can also avoid investing in new fossil fuel power generation, like natural gas power plants, helping meet state and regional goals for clean energy and emissions reductions. ENERGY STAR is a great tool for realizing an efficient, electrified future. Ending the program will put a greater burden on grid operators and utilities by taking away one of the most effective tools in the toolbox for addressing rising energy demand: customer participation.

Rebecca Foster is VEIC’s CEO. Heading up the executive leadership team, Rebecca guides the nonprofit’s strategic planning, business development, and performance across its contracts nationwide. With nearly 25 years of experience in the clean energy industry, Rebecca is a seasoned leader dedicated to the organization’s mission of generating the energy solutions the world needs.

VEIC is a national clean energy nonprofit that delivers high-impact energy solutions focused on equity and innovation. Since 1986, VEIC has been recognized as a leader in decarbonization strategies, working with governments, utilities, foundations, and businesses to reduce GHG emissions and create a sustainable energy system that benefits everyone.


If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. 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. They have 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 Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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

Continue Reading

Trending