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The Cofrentes nuclear power plant, on 17 October, 2024 in Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain.

Europa Press News | Europa Press | Getty Images

A European-wide shift to nuclear power appears to be gathering momentum as countries hedge their bets in pursuit of more energy independence.

In just the last few weeks, Denmark announced plans to reconsider a 40-year ban on nuclear power as part of a major policy shift, Spain reportedly signaled an openness to review a shutdown of its nuclear plants and Germany dropped its long-held opposition to atomic power.

The renewed European interest in nuclear shows how some countries are hedging their bets in pursuit of more energy independence.

The burgeoning trend appears to be driven, at least in part, by some of the costs associated with renewables, notably solar and wind technologies.

“Solar and wind are still the cheapest and fastest way to drive the green transition, and that remains our focus. But we also need to understand whether new nuclear technologies can play a supporting role,” Lars Aagaard, Denmark’s minister for climate, energy and utilities, told CNBC via email.

The renewables-heavy Scandinavian country said in mid-May that it plans to analyze the potential benefits and risks of new advanced nuclear technologies, such as small modular reactors, to complement solar and wind technologies.

Denmark’s government, which banned the use of atomic energy in 1985, added that it does not plan a return to traditional nuclear power plants.

“We have no recent experience with nuclear power, and we lack the necessary knowledge regarding safety and waste management. That’s why we must begin a serious analysis — not to replace solar and wind, but to see whether new nuclear can complement our energy system in the future,” Aagaard said.

Wind turbines of Vestas, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions, is pictured at the Port of Odense, Denmark on October 15, 2024.

Jonathan Nackstrand | Afp | Getty Images

Georg Zachmann, senior fellow at Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, said nuclear power remains the most divisive electricity generation technology in Europe.

“Thereby, the renaissance of nuclear in the political discourse is somewhat surprising, given that the cost of main competing technologies, new wind and solar plants, have dropped by more than 80 percent, while those of nuclear plants have rather increased,” Zachmann said.

The so-called “hidden cost” of balancing and transporting electricity from renewables has been increasing with rising shares of wind and solar generation, Zachmann said, noting that this theme has recently become more apparent.

Revived European interest in nuclear

Spain signaled its openness to atomic energy late last month. In an interview reported by Bloomberg, Spanish Environmental Transition Minister Sara Aagesen said that while the government is proceeding with plans to retire nuclear energy reactors over the next decade, extensions beyond 2035 could not be ruled out.

Aagsen said at the time that the government was not considering anything, and no specific proposals had yet been tabled.

Widely regarded as anti-nuclear power, the southern European country has been mired in a blackout blame game over green energy in recent weeks. It follows a catastrophic power outage affecting much of Spain, Portugal and the south of France.

The discussion whether to prefer nuclear or renewables only helps natural gas — that continues to be burnt as long as investments in clean electricity do not happen at scale.

Georg Zachmann

Senior fellow at Bruegel

Some external observers have flagged renewables and net-zero emissions targets as possible reasons for the outage, particularly given Spain and Portugal both rely on high levels of wind and solar for their electricity grid.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and the country’s grid operator Red Electrica de Espana (REE), however, have both said record levels of renewable energy were not at fault for the blackout.

Germany, which closed the last of its three remaining nuclear plants in 2023, recently scrapped its opposition to nuclear power in what marked a rapprochement with France.

Onlookers watch as the first of the two cooling towers of the nuclear power plant collapses during a controlled demolition in Grafenrheinfeld, Germany on August 16, 2024.

Daniel Peter | Afp | Getty Images

Led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, the newly elected government was said to have dropped its objection to French efforts to ensure that nuclear power is treated on a par with renewables in EU legislation, the Financial Times reported on May 19, citing French and German officials.

Spokespeople for France and Germany’s respective governments were not immediately available to comment when contacted by CNBC.

Natural gas

As it is low-carbon, advocates argue that nuclear power has the potential to play a significant role in helping countries generate electricity while slashing emissions and reducing their reliance on fossil fuels.

Some environmental groups, however, say the nuclear industry is an expensive and harmful distraction to cheaper and cleaner alternatives.

Bruegel’s Zachmann said the ability of fully depreciated nuclear power plants to continue operating much beyond their lifetime, as well as the “highly uncertain” hope that next-generation small modular reactors “can be built very cheaply captures the imagination of industry and policymakers.”

In all likelihood, Zachmann said “new nuclear power plants will remain difficult to finance and will at very best only pay off in decades. In the meantime, the discussion whether to prefer nuclear or renewables only helps natural gas — that continues to be burnt as long as investments in clean electricity do not happen at scale.”

Data published by energy think tank Ember found that the EU’s electricity system continued a rapid shift toward renewables in the first half of last year. Indeed, wind and solar power rose to record highs over the six-month period, reaching a share of 30% of the bloc’s electricity generation and overtaking fossil fuels for the first time.

Alongside renewables growth, Ember said at the time that nuclear generation across the EU increased by 3.1%.

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Navee ST3 Pro e-scooter with quad suspension at new $850 low, ECOVACS A2500 RTK robot mower $1,500 low, Lectric, more

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May 27, 2025

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Navee ST3 Pro e-scooter with quad suspension at new 0 low, ECOVACS A2500 RTK robot mower ,500 low, Lectric, more

Just because Memorial Day is over, doesn’t mean the savings are slowing down on eco-friendly tech, and today’s Green Deals feature a mix of new and ongoing discounts at some of the best prices of the season. Headlining today is Navee’s newly launched Father’s Day Sale with up to $264 in savings on its two latest e-scooter series, which includes the new flagship ST3 Pro Electric Scooter with a damping arm suspension system, Apple Find My, and plenty more down at an $850 low, along with some free gear too. Next, we have ECOVACS’ new Goat A2500 RTK Robot Lawn Mower returning to its $1,500 low for the second time, as well as Lectric’s XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $404 free bundled gear starting from $999. Lastly, we spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery dropping back to its $429 low. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals and ongoing Memorial Day EV sales in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s ongoing increased savings on the Ride1Up Portola e-bike, and more – and don’t forget to browse our Memorial Day EV hub for the hangover savings while they last.

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.

Navee drops new flagship ST3 Pro electric scooter with damping arm suspension and Apple Find My to $850 + free gear

With Memorial Day having passed, Navee is jumping right into its Father’s Day Savings event with up to $264 in discounts across four of its newest e-scooters. The sale is headlined by Navee’s flagship ST3 Pro Electric Scooter that comes with $64 in free gear at $849.99 shipped. This entire package would normally cost you $1,014 in full these days ($950 for just the scooter), which has come down from its original $1,299 price tag from when it was unveiled at CES 2025 through its launch at the end of March. The biggest discount we saw in the time since was the early-bird launch discount to $899, which is getting beaten out here by today’s deal. All-in-all, despite the savings here only totaling up to $164, you’re still getting a high-performance commuting solution at the lowest price we have tracked. Head below for more.

Navee’s flagship ST3 Pro electric scooter is a commuter with serious get-up-and-go power, coming equipped with a 600W motor (1,350 peak) and a 12.75Ah battery that can carry you up to 46.6 miles on a single charge and reach 25 MPH top speeds – plus, that peak power is ready to conquer up to 28% inclines. A standout feature here is the brand’s new automotive-grade damping arm suspension system that will smooth out your travels at the front and rear, thanks to the four polymer arms. And security gets a step up from other scooters with the addition of Apple Find My too.

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There’s plenty more to be impressed by on Navee’s ST3 Pro electric scooter, like the triple-braking system made up of hydraulic disc, drum, and automotive-grade eABS brakes, the latter of which also boasts regenerative braking capabilities to recycle energy for prolonged journeys. There are also self-healing tires, an auto-on headlight, integrated turn signals and a taillight with brake lighting, lighting under the footboards with 15 different modes, a traction control system, a 3.6-inch LED display, its folding frame, and some additional remote smart controls via its companion app, like manual and auto locking, among others. Among the free gear, you’ll get an e-scooter lock and a phone holder for added convenience and peace of mind.

Navee’s other Father’s Day e-scooter deals:

  • GT3 Electric Scooter: $500 (Reg. $614)
    • 20 MPH for up to 31 miles
    • Apple Find My, smart locking, quad shock absorption, dual braking, and more.
    • comes with lock and phone holder
  • GT3 Pro Electric Scooter: $550 (Reg. $714)
    • 20 MPH for up to 37.3 miles
    • Apple Find My, smart locking, quad shock absorption, dual braking, and more.
    • comes with lock and phone holder
  • ST3 Electric Scooter: $750 (Reg. $914)
    • 25 MPH for up to 37.3 miles
    • Apple Find My, smart locking, damping arm suspension, triple braking, and more.
    • comes with lock and phone holder

There’s plenty of ongoing post-holiday price cuts across several e-bike and e-scooter brands right now, which you can browse in full in our Memorial Day EV hub here.

ECOVACS Goat A2500 RTK robot lawn mower

ECOVACS’ new Goat A2500 RTK robot mower returns for the second time to $1,500 low

Amazon is offering a second chance at the lowest price on the new ECOVACS Goat A2500 RTK Robot Lawn Mower for $1,499.99 shipped, as well as discounts on two of its counterparts. This new and advanced autonomous lawn care solution has been going for $2,000 at full price since hitting the market a few months ago, with three discounts having taken things down to $1,700 and $1,800, and one previous drop to this same low back at the top of the month. You’re getting a second chance here today at a 25% markdown that cuts $500 off the tag for the lowest price we have tracked.

One of ECOVACS’ new robot mowers, the Goat A2500 sits as the middle-ground choice with a 32V motor and dual-blade discs that cover mowing duties across 4,305 square feet of land in an hour, working at 2.3 feet per second. The 5Ah battery allows enough juice to tackle up to 5,382 square feet on a single charge, with it automatically returning to its station upon low levels and only taking 45 minutes before it’s ready to go once again.

What’s really great here is the trading of any need for perimeter wires to operate via RTK navigation, which works along with the 3D-ToF LiDAR tech and AIVI 3D AI camera to not only stay the course, but also avoid 200+ common garden obstacles – all with an IPX6 waterproof construction for when it gets caught by sudden weather changes. There’s also an array of remote smart controls through its app, which allows you to adjust performance settings, as well as edit the 3D maps that it uses to complete its duties.

ECOVACS’ other Goat robot mower deals:

lectric xp lite 2.0 e-bike

Lectric’s 49-pound XP Lite 2.0 folding e-bikes with 80-mile range get $404 in free gear starting from $999

While Memorial Day may be over, the savings we’re seeing from Lectric are continuing for an unknown amount of time, with up to $742 in free gear accompanying e-bike purchases – and don’t forget the ongoing preorder bundle deals for the brand’s new XP4 and XP4 750 e-bikes that start from $999. One of the notable increases in savings during this sale is on the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes for $999 shipped and come with $404 in free gear, as well as the XP Lite 2.0 JW Long-Range model that sits a little higher at $1,099 shipped, coming with the same bundle. These packages would normally run you $1,403 and $1,503 at full price, which is beating out most of the bundle sizes we’ve seen since this same package was offered at the beginning of January. The extra add-ons include a rear cargo rack, fenders, a suspension seat post, an accordion-style folding bike lock, two adjustable rear-view mirrors, and an Elite headlight upgrade.

Coming in as the lightest e-bikes under Lectric’s flag, the XP Lite 2.0 e-bikes weigh in at just 49 pounds, making them more manageable up and down stairs or when putting them in your car for longer-distance transport – plus, the foldable design also contributes to saving space when you’re not riding. The 672Wh battery in each delivers up to 80 miles of travel on a single charge when its five PAS levels are being used, while the 300W rear hub motor (819Wh peak) reaches up to 20 MPH speeds.

As is the case with Lectric’s lineup, you’re getting dependable features that you’d expect to raise the price more, like the hydraulic mineral oil brakes, 20×2.5-inch slick tires with 3mm Hippo Skin liner and pre-slimed tubes for anti-puncture resistance, BMX-style folding handlebars, and a full color LCD screen with a USB-A port to juice up devices as you ride, perfect for those using their phones for GPS.

And for just $100 more you can upgrade to the JW Black variant, which has been given a Gates Carbon Drive belt system for a quieter, smoother, and oil-free riding experience, with it also promising a longer-lasting lifespan over chain-drive models. You can also save a bit more going with the shorter 45-mile range standard models that start from $799 shipped, though there are no bundle packages with free gear on these.

Be sure to check out the full lineup of Lectric’s ongoing Memorial Day Sale here while the massive savings last, with even more ongoing sales past the holiday collected in our Memorial Day EV hub, with many slated to end over the next few days, while others are continuing into June.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 smart extra battery

Add 1,024Wh to your DELTA 2 LiFePO4 power station capacity with this expansion battery at $429 low

Coming at us through its official Amazon storefront, EcoFlow is undercutting its ongoing Memorial Day Sale pricing (ending May 28) on the DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery for $428.99 shipped. This add-on unit normally fetches $799 at full price directly from the brand, but has been starting from $599 in 2025 at Amazon. Discounts have mostly kept costs above $449, though we did see two previous dips to this low. It’s beating out EcoFlow’s direct sale pricing by $30, giving you $170 in savings off its going Amazon rate ($370 off its MSRP) at the lowest price we have tracked.

This add-on battery from EcoFlow is the perfect addition for folks with an existing DELTA 2 power station who want to get far more backup power support for traveling and at-home needs. The battery sports a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be added to your existing station, giving you 2,048Wh with one or bumping things as high as 3,072Wh when adding two to your setup. Right alongside the station, this battery comes rated for 3,000+ life cycles, giving you over eight years of use if you were planning to discharge and recharge it every single day.

If you were considering starting your backup setup, you can check out EcoFlow’s ongoing Memorial Day deals running through May 28 – which include extra savings (code EF25MEM) that drops the power station and extra battery bundle to $997 from $1,798 – which beats Amazon by $2.

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.

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CATL’s first 100-second swappable EV batteries debut, proving how far ahead China is

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May 27, 2025

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CATL's first 100-second swappable EV batteries debut, proving how far ahead China is

CATL's-swappable-EV-batteries

The first vehicles with CATL’s new ultra-fast swappable EV batteries are now being delivered in China. CATL’s new “Choco-SEB” battery pack can be swapped in 100 seconds, making it just as quick as filling up at a gas station. The new EV features ultra-fast charging and starts at under $24,000 as China widens its lead on the global auto industry.

First EV with CATL’s swappable batteries debuts

CATL’s new swappable batteries could make gas stations obsolete. After revealing the “Choco-SEB” batteries last year, the first vehicles powered by the new technology are now being delivered in China.

On May 25, Changan Automobile announced that it had delivered 1,000 Oshan 520 models, the first electric vehicle (EV) based on CATL’s Choco-SEB swappable batteries. During the event, Changan said the new vehicle has already secured over 15,000 orders from clients.

The Oshan 520 starts at 166,800 yuan in China ($23,100) with a CLTC driving range of up to 515 km (320 miles). It can also gain a full recharge in 100 seconds thanks to CATL’s new tech.

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According to CATL, it has already established 34 Choco-SEB swap stations in Chongqing, Changan’s hometown. By the end of the year, it will have over 50 stations completed in the city.

CATL's-swappable-EV-batteries
CATL's-swappable-EV-batteries

In total, it aims to have 1,000 battery swap stations in 31 cities across China by the end of 2025. Changan and CATL signed an agreement in November 2024 to launch the first models based on the new tech.

After the meeting, officials watched the battery replacement process. Within 100 seconds, the vehicle gains over 310 miles of range (500 km).

CATL-EV-battery-swap-station
CATL Choco-Swap EV battery swap station (Source: CATL)

Several other major automakers, including GAC, Chery, NIO, FAW, and BAIC, are also partnering with CATL to launch vehicles based on its Choco-SEB.

CATL wants to make charging an EV as easy (or even easier) than filling up a gas vehicle. The battery giant released two “grades” last year, one for smaller cars and the other designed for larger A or B-class vehicles.

According to the latest data from SNE Research, CATL maintains a commanding lead in the global EV battery market, holding a 28.8% share through the first two months of 2025, up from 26.9% in the same period last year.

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There’s a hidden number on every e-bike. You should find yours right away

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May 27, 2025

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There’s a number hidden somewhere on basically every electric bicycle – or pedal bicycle – including the one in your garage. If you haven’t found it yet, you should do it today. Here’s why.

That number is the frame number, and for all intents and purposes, it’s basically like a VIN but for a bike. The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on your car is the number that gives it an identity and helps track it down if it’s ever stolen.

The same goes for your bike’s frame number. This innocuous string of characters, often stamped inconspicuously beneath your bike’s bottom bracket or on the head tube, isn’t just there to fill space – it can be the key to protecting your bike from theft or recovering it if the unthinkable happens.

Why is the frame number so important? Simply put, it’s your bike’s fingerprint, a unique identifier that distinguishes your ride from every other two-wheeler out there. In a scenario where your e-bike goes missing, having this number documented can drastically improve the odds of it being returned by law enforcement.

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Rad Power Bikes recently shared some great tips on the importance of knowing your frame number and where to find it. As you can see in the images below, the number is usually stamped into the frame on the bottom of the head tube (the front of the bike), or under the bottom bracket (the underside of the bike where the pedals are connected).

But knowing your frame number is only half the battle. The next critical step is registering that number with a bike registry. Fortunately, several trustworthy services offer free registration, creating a central database accessible by law enforcement, bike shops, and fellow cyclists who might stumble upon your stolen steed.

Bike Index (bikeindex.org) is one of the most popular platforms, boasting thousands of successful recoveries and a simple, intuitive registration process. And the best part is that it’s free! Another solid option is Project 529 (project529.com), widely used in North America and highly praised by police departments for its effectiveness in tracking stolen bikes. Again, it’s free to use!

Additionally, some local municipalities offer their own registries, such as the National Bike Registry (nationalbikeregistry.com), which collaborates directly with law enforcement to streamline the reporting and recovery process.

These types of services offer a form of passive protection, where you can mark your bike as stolen in their registries and then hope that someone finds it. In the event that someone does find your bike (such as in a shady Craigslist sale, etc.) and decides to check the frame number against the databases, they’ll see it’s stolen. If the police raid a bike theft ring and find a cache of stolen bikes, they may run all their frame numbers and find that yours is in the mix.

If you want protection that is a bit more active, there are full-on insurance options (though your renters or homeowner’s insurance may cover your e-bike), or theft protection services like Tempo that aren’t technically insurance, but operate somewhat similarly by offering a combination of holographic tracking number stickers for the bike combined with up to $2,500 in coverage for a replacement bike, if they can’t recover your stolen bike. I had the chance to sit down with Tempo’s founder Michael Keating at Micromobility America late last year, and you can see more about what I learned from him here.

This is probably a good time for a reminder to us all that a good lock is usually the only thing standing between our precious e-bike and those who want to take it from us.

I’ve reviewed a ton of locks, but some of my favorites include the Foldylock Compact for its high security, smaller size, and ease of locking to various sizes/shapes of bike racks, or the Foldylock Forever which is the big brother of the Compact and is nearly as impenetrable as it gets for a bike lock, as confirmed by the top bike lock testing agencies in the world.

For those who prefer a U-lock instead of a folding lock, my go-to lock is the Mason 220. Again, it is one of the top-rated locks, but it’s also wide enough to fit around the battery-fattened downtube of my e-bikes. That’s rare in the world of U-locks, and so the fact that it carries so many high-level awards and certifications is icing on the cake.

But no matter how good your lock is, there’s always a chance that your e-bike can be separated from you. And so the long and the short of it is that every e-bike has a unique identifier on it, and finding that frame number is your best chance of getting your bike back if it is ever stolen.

So take a minute today and locate your frame number to write it down or take a picture of it. Better yet, take a selfie with it and yourself. If you ever need to quickly prove that it’s your bike to a police officer on the sidewalk (such as if you followed an AirTag right to the bike), that’s a great way to do it.

I’ve had my e-bike stolen more than once, and the only way to curb that sinking feeling is to get it back. Taking a few minutes now to locate your frame number and register your e-bike can save you countless headaches later. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth several thousand dollars worth of cure when it comes to stolen bikes. So flip that bike upside down, jot down your frame number, and give yourself some peace of mind.

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