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We’re starting off this week’s Green Deals with the first post-launch savings on the new Segway Xafari and Xyber e-bikes starting from $2,200. Right behind it, EcoFlow is kicking off hurricane season with up to 55% discounts on a sizeable collection of power stations, complete with bonus savings, select 2x EcoCredit rewards, and some lower-than-ever member-only pricing, including the DELTA Pro Solar Generator bundle with a 400W panel at a new $2,199 low. Lastly, we have two mowing deals, with the first being the EGO 56V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Select Cut Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit that includes 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries back at its $600 low. You could also automate your lawn care with Segway’s Navimow i Series of RTK Robot Mowers that are getting rare price cuts starting from $849. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals from last week in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly Roundup.

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.

Segway’s new Xafari and Xyber e-bikes with Apple Find My, proximity locking, more get first post-launch savings from $2,200

Segway is celebrating Father’s Day with surprise price cuts of up to $300 on the brand’s two new e-bikes for the first time. Through June 15, you’ll be able to hop aboard the Xafari e-bike for $2,199.99 shipped, while the Xyber e-bike sits higher at $2,999.99 shipped. These two models normally go for $2,400 and $3,300, respectively, since the brand raised the Xyber’s price due to tariffs on May 1. The discounts we’re seeing here are the first post-launch cash savings, bringing the Xafari back to match its preorder launch pricing, while taking the Xyber back to its original MSRP.

Praised by Segway as the model “for everyone, yet far from ordinary,” the Xafari e-bike is an all-terrain cruiser for riders of different ages and skill levels. It comes equipped with a 750W rear hub motor paired with a removable 936Wh battery to hit 20 MPH top speeds (in as fast as 5.2 seconds) for up to 88 miles on a single 6-hour charge with its 12 PAS levels activated (supported by a torque sensor). Comfort is the main focus here, with ergonomic positioning, 80mm front/70mm rear suspension, an adjustable compression damping and lock-out fork, and 26-inch by 3-inch all-terrain tires – all adding to a smoother riding experience. There’s also the adjustable-height saddle with quick-release and an adjustable stem, a rear-mounted cargo rack, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, front and rear lighting (including brake lighting), an integrated multi-color smart TFT display with a 20W USB A/C port, and more.

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Of course, one of the biggest additions to Segway’s e-bikes, is the inclusion of the brand’s Intelligent Ride System. This gives them some high-end smart features like Airlock wireless proximity security, an alarm system, Apple Find My, GPS, adaptive pedal assistance, and plenty more. You can get the full rundown on these features in our original CES 2025 launch coverage here.

Speaking of the Xyber e-bike, which sports the same Intelligent Ride System features as the above model, it is the mid-range, light EV that is perfect for speed freaks, as it can go from 0 to 20 MPH in just 2.7 seconds, and keep climbing up to a 35 MPH top speed when set in race mode. It’s been given a monstrous 6,000W direct-drive motor and a 2,880Wh dual-battery setup, letting it carry you for up to 112 miles on a single 4-hour charge. There are 12 levels of pedal assistance here, as well as three different modes for throttle-only riding.

It’s been equipped with an inverted dual-crown fork at the front alongside a classic swing-arm design at the rear – plus, the coil-sprung, hydraulically damped front and rear suspension for added comfort on uneven terrain. You’ll also find Tektro hydraulic disc brakes here for stopping power, with the whole thing sitting atop two 20-inch by 5-inch tires with flat-resistant inserts, among other top-notch features. One thing to note here, though, is that Segway has specified this current model to be an unclassified e-bike for maximized performance over on-road or non-permitted trail riding, with a road-legal model that meets regulations coming later in the year.

You can get the full details of all the many features on these e-bikes in our original launch coverage from CES 2025 here.

EcoFlow power stations

Power essentials through hurricane season with EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro 400W solar bundle at new $2,199 low

With the calendar having stepped into June, so too have we officially stepped into 2025’s hurricane season, and EcoFlow is offering up to 55% off backup power solutions through June 8 to help you prep, complete with extra savings. Among the lineup, we spotted several continuing member-only deals that have increased savings from the brand’s two-day May Madness event, like the well-regarded DELTA Pro Solar Generator bundle with a 400W panel for $2,199 shipped, which doesn’t benefit from the 5% bonus savings, sadly, but does benefit from 2x EcoCredit reward points. This package would normally run you $4,898 at full price, which we’ve seen go as low as $2,299, most recently during last week’s short-term May Madness discounts. This is a 55% markdown that cuts $2,699 off the going rate, landing it $100 lower than ever for the best new price we have tracked. It’s even coming in $200 under Amazon’s current pricing.

One of the brand’s larger modular backup solutions, the DELTA Pro is ready to power you through trips in nature, at gatherings and events, or during emergencies with its starting 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity. What’s great is that with future investments (expansion batteries), you can expand it all the way up to 25kWh. Through its 14 output ports, it dishes out a steady stream up to 3,600W, surging to 7,200W for larger needs.

It recharges its own battery cells fairly quick, with a wall outlet putting it back to full in about 1.8 hours, or you could do so in 2.8 hours when taking advantage of its maximum 1,600W solar input. There’s other ways to top off its levels, including generators, with an auxiliary car port, and more. You’ll also get the full array of smart controls you would expect through its companion app via either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

EcoFlow’s other Member-only deals:

To browse the entire lineup of EcoFlow’s June Disaster Sale follow this link to our full coverage here, with plenty of savings on in-house and out-of-house power solutions at up to 55% off – plus, the bonus 5% extra savings that are not stackable with the above member-only pricing.

EGO 56V 21-inch cordless electric select cut self-propelled lawn mower

This EGO 56V 21-inch cordless select cut self-propelled mower kit with 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries back at $600 low

Amazon is offering a return low price on the EGO Power+ 56V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Select Cut Self-Propelled Lawn Mower Kit that comes with 7.5Ah and 5.0Ah batteries at $599.99 shipped. This newer model hit the scene at the top of last year and is coming off its $998 full price here today. March of last year was the last time we spotted this low price, with the discounts in the time since only going as low as $700. You’re now getting a second chance at the best price we have tracked for this package, which equips you with plenty of power to cover lawn care needs at home with $398 in savings.

It’s one of the best times of the year to consider trading your gas guzzler for a more eco-friendly electric means to tackle lawn care, and this cordless mower from EGO comes with more power than we usually see. Just using the 7.5Ah ARC battery provides enough juice for up to 60 continuous minutes of runtime, with the 5.0Ah battery being a convenient way to extend that time for longer jobs. The included 550W charger can bring these batteries back to full in up to 60 minutes, letting you use one while charging another for near-endless runtimes.

Aside from the six-position cutting height levels (from 1.5 to 4 inches) and three-in-one functionality (bagging, side discharging, mulching), you’ll also be getting the brand’s select cut system here, giving you more customization options for different needs. Thanks to this setup, the blades are interchangeable between lower mulching blades and high-lift bagging blades. Mobility is far easier as the self-propulsion does most of the work for you – plus, annoying pull strings are a thing of the past with its push-button start.

segway navimow i series robot lawn mower

Segway’s Navimow i Series of RTK robot mowers get rare price cuts starting from $849 in Father’s Day savings

Through Father’s Day, Segway is offering rare 15% discounts on its Navimow i Series Robot Lawn Mowers, with the i105 model down at $849 shipped and matching at Amazon, while the i110 model is down at $1,099 shipped and only available on the direct site. These models don’t often see many discounts from their $999 and $1,299 price tags compared to its H series counterparts, with the last price cuts we saw being on the i105 model back during Black Friday when prices dropped to its $799 low. You can grab them here at the second-lowest price we have tracked for the i105 and the lowest price we’ve seen on the i110 model, giving you $150/$200 in savings while automating your lawn care routine.

While it doesn’t sport the fanciest of bells and whistles like Segway’s new X3 Series of robots, which are now officially available for online purchase, the brand’s Navimow i Series are the smaller and more affordable option for those on tighter budgets, with the i105 model covering up to 1/8 acres and the i110 model covering up to 1/4 acres on a single charge. Keep in mind that these robots can stop progress to recharge at their station, picking up where they left off after finishing. One of the standout designs here is the trading of perimeter wires for RTK positioning paired alongside AI-assisted mapping through its 140-degree FOV camera.

The brand’s Exact Fusion Location System 2.0 is the name of the game, working with the AI to utilize satellite navigation to keep track of the robot’s position regardless of how complicated your yard/garden layout is or how much tree coverage there may be. This feature also doubles as a security measure, allowing you to track the robot’s real-time location while it works or in case of theft. Through its companion app you’ll have access to its full array of other smart features too, like setting schedules, marking off-limits zones, and customizing the 3D mapping routes/settings – and it has the memory for 12 different zones.

There’s two other big robot lawn mower deals running right now on new models, with the ECOVACS Goat RTK Robot Lawn Mowers currently getting up to 25% off discounts on three models starting from $900. There’s also the highly advanced Anker eufy E15 and E18 Robot Mowers that do away with RTK positioning and boundary wires for pure vision FSD navigation, getting $300 discounts and a $100 free gift.

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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It’s time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]

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July 26, 2025

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It's time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]

Great batteries that aren't the Tesla Powerwall

For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for “normals” looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. Its CEO’s recent involvement in controversial politics, however, means that people are now distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing company.

It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there?

UPDATE 26JUL2025: added more options, put everything in alphabetical order.

Electricians and contractors often praise the sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn’t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that’s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand’s solar battery offerings as well – here are some of the best options out there.

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As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Cheapest batteries ..?” Too much research and a quick descent into Temu-grade nonsense. In the end, I went with the same solution I’ve been using on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by brand. Enjoy!

Bluetti EP800 + B500

Bluetti EP800 install photo; via Bluetti.

If you’re in a smaller space or renting and can’t (or don’t want to) add a hardwired battery solution to your home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a sweet “middle ground” option that combines the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the company’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be used without a solar roof but also plays well with most rooftop PV options.

The basic EP800 + B500 package offers about 9.9 kWh of capacity for under $9,000 as I type this, and the system can scale up to nearly 20 kWh by adding more B500 packs. The system puts out 7.6 kW of power – more than enough, in other words, to keep some lights on and your fridge and foods (and meds) cold.

What’s more, it works great with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you want an option that’s a bit more portable if you move a lot or plan on moving soon.

EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro

EG4 installer; via EG4.

Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.

Battery Usable capacity (kWh) Continuous power output (kW) Roundtrip efficiency Average price per kWh* Coupling
Tesla Powerwall 3 13.5 11.5 97.5% $926 DC or AC
EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro 11.44 10.24 99% $786 DC

“The EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it’ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won’t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.”

Enphase IQ Battery 10

IQ Battery 10; via Enphase.

If you’re looking for a one-brand solution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup but don’t want to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase offers a full line of Made-in-the-USA solutions that could be right for you.

“Energy systems developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.”

Franklin WH aPower 2

Franklin aPower2 home battery; via Franklin WH.

If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek styling and beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That’s nearly a full day of keeping a modern refrigerator running.

The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).

GM Energy Home System

GM Energy Home System with Chevy Silverado EV; via GM.

Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more flexibility – whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home’s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.

GM Energy and GM’s car dealers list Qmerit as their installation partner, and they’re great, but if you “already have a guy,” you can order the Home System directly from GM Energy’s website for $12,700 (as I type this).

The GM Energy Home System system includes:

  • GM Energy PowerBank
  • GM Energy PowerShift Charger
  • GM Energy Home Hub & Inverter

StorEn vanadium flow BESS

StorEn Vanadium Flow Batteries
Vanadium flow batteries; via StorEn Technologies.

If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped fire risk makes you nervous, StorEn Technologies is developing a consumer-focused battery solution based on vanadium flow chemistry. Their system promises to last 25 years or more with no capacity loss, so you can charge and drain the battery fully each day and without stressing about wear … but there are a couple of downsides.

First, they’re not yet available to the general public – only to StorEn’s early investors in (what I understand to be) a sort of quasi-Kickstarter deal.

Second, the StorEn batteries are significantly bulkier than a Powerwall. That said, if you’ve got the room and you’re old enough to realize that 25 years isn’t actually a super long time, the StorEn solution might to be a super compelling, nearly maintenance-free setup that might outlast both your solar panels and the roof they’re mounted on.

VillaGrid+ battery; via Villara.

So, remember how I started this off saying that I wouldn’t turn this into a “best batteries” post? That’s partly driven by the fact that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or someone who’s researched thousands of end-user experience surveys to come up with whatever metrics I’d need to confidently and correctly call one battery “the best.”

Our friends and solar industry experts at EnergySage, though? They’ve got all three of those things on staff, and they really, really like the Villara VillaGrid+.

“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the best battery on the market, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Equipment Rating System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That said, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is not necessarily the best Tesla Powerwall alternative. It’s a very different (and much pricier) battery.”

What puts the VillaGrid+ on top? According to Zagame, it all comes down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Unlike more traditional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has better recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t contain any carbon, which makes it extra safe. The only downside is you’ll definitely shell out more money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”

That extra money will also buy some additional peace of mind, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year warranty compared to Tesla Powerwall and its (and just about everyone else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t find a price, but Villara’s other products, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, come in at nearly double Powerwall’s per kWh cost. Check out the specs, below, then let us know if you think the novel chemistry and additional warranty are worth it in the comments.

Battery Usable capacity (kWh) Continuous power output (kW) Roundtrip efficiency Average price per kWh* Coupling
Tesla Powerwall 3 13.5 11.5 97.5% $926 DC or AC
Villara VillaGrid+ 11.5 10 98.5% Get quote DC or AC

Original content from Electrek.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

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10 hours ago

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July 26, 2025

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Vertical Aerospace completes first ever public airport-to-airport eVTOL flight

Vertical Aerospace eVTOL completes historic airport-to-airport flight

Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.

The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.

The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.

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“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”

Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.

The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.

Electrek’s Take

Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Vertical Aerospace.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

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13 hours ago

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July 26, 2025

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Honda takes a page from Tesla playbook, launches new insurance business

Honda launches in-house insurance agency for U.S. drivers

Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.

Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.

“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”

The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.

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Electrek’s Take

Electric CUVE scooter; via Honda.

It’s important to note some of the key differences between Honda’s insurance offering and Tesla’s. Honda isn’t offering discounts, they’re not bundling insurance premiums into the vehicle financing, and they’re not building their insurance offerings into their dealerships’ checkout/F&I offices. Not yet, anyway.

What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.

It’s a smart play. And, once Honda figures out a way to cut franchise dealers out entirely and go to a direct sales model, it’ll look even smarter.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda.

If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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. It has 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 Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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