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We’re kicking off this week’s Green Deals with a mix of new all-time and 2025 low prices, led by the extended EcoFlow Father’s Day Sale that has added new member-only deals, like the first-time offer of the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle with a 500W bifacial modular panel at $1,405, among others. We also secured a new and exclusive low price on the Bluetti AC180P Portable Power Station for $461, while also noticing Aiper’s Surfer S2 Solar Robotic Pool Skimmer hitting a new $306 low. From there, we have two tool discounts, with the first being on EGO’s 56V 14-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw for $189, and the second being on Greenworks’ 40V 10-inch Cordless Tiller/Cultivator for $206. 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.

EcoFlow extends Father’s Day Sale with new bundles like the DELTA 2 Max with a 500W panel at $1,405

EcoFlow has extended its Father’s Day Sale offers through June 22, which is including most of the savings we’ve been seeing alongside ongoing sitewide bonus savings. The big changeup with this extension is the addition of more member-only pricing (free to sign up), which includes a first-time offer for the DELTA 2 Max Solar Generator bundle with a 500W bifacial modular panel for $1,405.05 shipped, after using the sitewide code EFFDAFF5 at checkout for an additional 5% off. This package deal is getting a 48% combined markdown here for the next few days, bringing costs down from its full $2,699 price tag. We typically see its variant bundle with two 220W panels selling for between $1,499 and $1,424 during recent sales. This bundle, however, offers more solar input for $19 less, setting the bar for future discounts in the process, while also running you a bill for $1,998 at Amazon right now when grabbing the power station and 500W panel separately.

A great mid-range and expandable backup power option, the EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max brings a reliable 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery along for your trips into the wilds or even to cover appliances during unexpected blackouts. With the addition of its compatible expansion batteries, you can increase that capacity up to 6,144Wh. There’s also the 2,400W of steady power you’ll get through its 15 output ports, surging as high as 3,400W once its X-Boost mode has been activated within its companion app.

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With EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Max, you can connect up to two panels, with the station boasting a 1,000W max solar input for solar charging, while also being able to refill its battery through a wall outlet (1.1 hour recharge), or through dual charging by solar and AC simultaneously to reach 80% in 43 minutes. With the purchase of an alternator charger, you can also take advantage of charging as you drive.

***Note: The additional 5% in savings has not been factored into the prices below, so be sure to use the code EFFDAFF5 at checkout for the maximum savings!

EcoFlow’s new Father’s Day member-only deals:

You can browse the rest of EcoFlow’s extended Father’s Day Sale lineup in our original coverage here, and don’t forget that you’ll have until June 22 to take advantage of these deals before the sale officially ends.

Bluetti AC180P portable power station

Pick up Bluetti’s AC180P 1,440Wh LiFePO4 power station with exclusive $438 savings to a new $461 low

We’ve secured an exclusive new low price from Wellbots for our readers on the Bluetti AC180P Portable Power Station for $461.34 shipped, after using the exclusive code BLUETTI9TO5 at checkout. You’d normally be shelling out $899 for this unit at full price here, while it carries a higher $999 tag directly from the brand and can be found as high as $1,099 at other retailers. We’ve had two previous exclusive deals on this model over the last year, the first being in October for $499, while in February it was brought down to $487. The savings are increasing even more today, as this combined 49% markdown cuts $438 from the going rate and lands it at a new all-time low.

Bluetti’s AC180P power station comes as the largest unit in the brand’s AC180 series, providing you ample support for off-grid camping while also having your back for essential emergency power. There’s a 1,440Wh LiFePO4 capacity here, with it dishing out a steady output of up to 1,800W (surging as high as 2,700W when needed). What’s nice about power stations is their ability to retain charges for long periods of emergency backup, with this model able to hold an 80% charge for three to six months, letting you always have it at the ready by just charging it two to four times throughout the year. There’s more output ports here too, with it providing four ACs, four USB-As, one USB-C, one DC car port, and even a wireless charger.

There’s a versatile array of charging options too, with turbo-charging tech lending to a 45-minute charge time to an 80% battery (100% in 1.8 hours) via a standard wall outlet. You can also connect up to its 500W max solar input to refill the battery in 3.3 hours via the sun, or you can plug it into your car’s auxiliary port for a 12.5-hour charge, which is esepcially helpful while driving (as it could drain the car battery if left for too long).

Aiper Surfer S2 Solar Robotic pool skimmer

Automate pool skimming with Aiper’s latest solar-charging Surfer S2 robot at a new $306 low

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Aiper is now offering the best price yet on its Surfer S2 Solar Robotic Pool Skimmer at $305.98 shipped, which also matches its direct pricing from the brand’s site. This model has only been on the market since January, with it previously carrying a $540 price tag, though we’ve been more recently seeing it keep down at $400, with discounts having taken it as low as $320 up until today. It’s beating out our previous mention from last month by $14, giving you a great opportunity to upgrade your pool cleaning routine at the best new price we have tracked.

Aiper’s Surfer S2 robot comes with improved designs over its first-generation predecessor, including its DebrisGuard anti-leak design, a more powerful brushless motor, and a larger suction inlet that is paired alongside a 150-micron filtration system, giving you better performance regardless of it being for smaller or larger debris. There’s a larger battery with this model too, letting it run for up to 35 hours on a single charge, with the onboard solar panel topping it off during every sunny day, while also providing a DC adapter as a backup charging option during cloudier times.

Aiper has given this robot dual dToF sensors that work with the brand’s algorithms for greater obstacle avoidance capabilities – with it even knowing when to deploy or retract its four anti-standing columns to keep it from getting caught on pool steps. Should these columns fail at preventing this, the robot has self-rescue programming to get it back to deeper waters. It comes with a full array of smart controls through its app, letting you monitor or adjust settings, as well as manually steer it should you want a particular area taken care of. You can check out all the other discounted models from Aiper in the brand’s official Amazon storefront here.

EGO Power+ 56V 14-inch cordless chainsaw

Make quick work of trees and shrubbery with EGO’s 56V 14-inch cordless electric chainsaw at $189

Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 14-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw for $189 shipped. This model has been recently fetching $229 at full price, with it having been available at $189 off and on since mid-May. You can pick up your own while the savings last, cutting $40 off the going rate at the best price we have tracked over the last 12 months.

The brushless motor inside this 56V EGO chainsaw is equivalent to a 30CC gas model, giving you up to 6,800 RPM for more eco-friendly and efficient cuts, while also allowing you to toss out that noisy and fume-belching gas guzzler. The included 2.5Ah battery provides enough juice for up to 100 cuts on a single charge, giving you ample support for firewood or cutting up trees and shrubbery that may becomes damaged from this year’s hurricane season. What’s especially nice about EGO tools/batteries is that they come compatible with each other, allowing you to switch things around for longer runtimes or to power multiple different tools off one source.

Greenworks 40V 10-inch cordless tiller/cultivator

Aerate soil before planting with Greenworks’ 40V 10-inch cordless tiller/cultivator at $206

Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 10-inch Cordless Tiller/Cultivator for $206.20 shipped. Normally going for $280 at full price, discounts have mostly kept the costs above $240 during 2025 so far, with a few previous falls as low as $216. The deal here brings a 26% markdown to the pricing, cutting $74 off the tag for the best price we have tracked. It’s even beating out the direct pricing from Greenworks’ website, where it’s sitting $32 higher.

While we’re no longer in the prime cultivating time of spring, the weather this year for many regions around the country has only just begun warming up, meaning that this Greenworks tiller/cultivator would still be good to use – and that’s not counting any fall planting you’ve got on the books which will need prepping for. The included 4.0Ah battery keeps the motor running for up to 45 continuous minutes of breaking up/aerating your soil, coming with an adjustable tilling width of 8.25 to 10 inches. The best part is that it’s virtually maintenance-free, as you won’t have to deal with gas, oil, or noisy/fume-heavy emissions. If you already have the appropriate battery for it, you can pick up just the tool on its own for $170, down from $220.

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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Home solar/battery 30% incentive is over 180 days after Trump signs it – latest Senate bill

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June 17, 2025

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Home solar/battery 30% incentive is over 180 days after Trump signs it - latest Senate bill

In the latest Senate version of the GOP’s budget and tax bill, better known as Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, the 30% tax credit for home solar and batteries is going to be over 180 days from the time the President signs it.

Other tax credits for utility-scale solar and wind projects are going to be completely phased out by 2028.

As expected, the Republican Party has been trying to remove incentives for renewable energy to clean its grid and achieve much-needed productivity expansions.

The main effort is through the new budget and tax bill, known as Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, which was passed by the House last month. However, the bill is expected to evolve as it progresses through the Senate.

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Under the version passed by Congress, the ITC (Section 25D), which offers a 30% tax credit for home solar and energy storage systems, was going to be completely phased out by the end of 2025.

The Senate has now released the latest draft of the bill, which includes more details about how it plans to eliminate renewable energy incentives.

According to the latest language, the home solar and battery incentive would end 180 days after it is enacted.

Here’s the latest language:

(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 25D is amended by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following new subsection:

‘‘(h) TERMINATION.—

‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The credit allowed under this section shall not apply with respect to any expenditures made after the date described in paragraph (2).

‘‘(2) APPLICABLE DATE.—The date described in this paragraph is the date which is 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph.’’.

It’s not exactly clear when Trump could sign the bill. It is still contested by some Republicans, who hold the majority in the Senate, but killing the

The rumor is that they are trying to get it on his desk by July 4, which would mean the end of the tax credit by December 31st and no real change compared to the House bill at this level unless there are further delays on passing the bill in the Senate, which is not out of question.

This is creating a new level of urgency for home solar and battery installations to get systems deployed and activated by the end of the year.

The only good news with the current Senate version of the bill compared to the House’s is for larger-scale utility solar and battery projects, which generally fall under Section 48E of the Code (ITC).

There’s now a planned phase out with 60% of the incentive in 2026 and 20% in 2027 rather than ending by 2025:

  • Solar and wind facilities would be eligible for the full ITC or PTC, as applicable, if construction begins in 2025.
  • If construction begins in 2026, such facilities would be eligible for 60 percent of the otherwise available ITC or PTC.
  • If construction begins in 2027, such facilities would be eligible for 20 percent of the otherwise available ITC or PTC.
  • Thereafter, such facilities would not be eligible for the ITC or PTC.

Those incentives are instead going to be directed toward hydropower, nuclear and geothermal energy through 2036.

Electrek’s Take

Some good, some bad here. Obviously, this is a win for big corporations and the fossil fuel industry more than anything.

They don’t want decentralized energy production and storage, which is what the tax credit for residential solar power and energy storage systems is intended to incentivize.

The good news is that if you are a homeowner and you still don’t have solar, there might be time to still lock in an installation by the end of the year – though it is starting to be limited due to high demand.

EnergySage can help you go solar in a few clicks without getting any sales calls until you are ready to move forward. It’s a free service that will enable you to get quotes and compare them without any hassle. They work with a great number of solar installers and help you get the best price and best system for your home. Receive and compare solar quotes quickly on their website.

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Tesla gears up to start selling Tesla Semi electric truck in Europe

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June 17, 2025

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Tesla gears up to start selling Tesla Semi electric truck in Europe

Tesla Semi factory hero

Tesla is gearing up to start selling its upcoming Tesla Semi electric truck in Europe with a new hire to develop the market.

Tesla Semi is finally about to go into volume production in the US after being unveiled almost a decade ago.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2017 and was initially scheduled to enter production in 2019; however, the automaker delayed the program on several occasions.

Tesla unveiled a “production version” in 2022, but it was only produced in small batches. The Class 8 electric truck remains a rare sight in the US, with only a few dozen units in the hands of a handful of customers and a few more in Tesla’s internal fleet.

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heavy-duty EV charging
Photo: PepsiCo

In January 2023, Tesla announced an expansion of Gigafactory Nevada to build the Tesla Semi in volume.

However, that plan was also changed and delayed. Tesla ultimately built a separate factory adjacent to Gigafactory Nevada, and production was delayed until 2025.

Earlier this year, Tesla completed the building and started working on the production lines. The automaker said that Tesla Semi production was expected to begin in late 2025 and ramp up to a capacity of 50,000 trucks per year.

Now, we learn that Tesla is starting to build an organization to sell the Tesla Semi in Europe.

Electrek found that Tesla hired a new leader to head business development for Tesla Semi in Europe.

Usuf Schermo announced on his LinkedIn last week that he joined Tesla as “Head of Business Development EMEA for Tesla Semi.”

Schermo, who holds a master in economic engineering, energy and ressources management from TU Berlin, has some experience with commercial electric vehicles.

He was the head of sales in Germany for Volta Trucks from 2022 to 2024. The company made the Volta One, a 16-tonne electric truck aimed at city deliveries.

Volta went bankrupted in 2023, but it got back in business with a restructuring in 2024, which didn’t last long as they were insolvent as of last month.

For the last year, Schermo has been leading sales for EVUM aCar, a German startup building a small commercial vehicle.

Now, he will develop the market for Tesla’s class 8 electric truck.

The European electric commercial truck market is much developed in the US with already some significant competition from Volvo with the Volvo FH Electric, Mercedes-Benz with the eActros 600, MAN with the eTGX, and several others.

Amazon Volvo FH Electric Truck

The market is still young, but Volvo is already emerging as a leader with an estimated more than 3,000 electric trucks in operations in Europe.

With production only starting in the US toward the end of the year, Tesla is not likely to have an homologated version of the Tesla Semi in Europe until later in 2026.

Tesla has already announced plans to build the Tesla Semi in Europe at Gigafactory Berlin.

The automaker currently only produces the Model Y at the German factory and its sales are crashing across Europe.

Electrek’s Take

I keep saying to Tesla fans that hate me: I track both Tesla hires and departures. I try to report on both, but the former are much more scarce than the latter these days.

This is one of the few significant hires of the last years at Tesla and say “significant” because it shows Tesla is preparing to sell the Tesla Semi in Europe because this is clearly not an executive level role.

Over the last year and since the great purge of talent in April 2024, Tesla has almost been exclusive promoting from within at higher director and VP levels rather than hire from outside.

As for the Tesla Semi in Europe, it could work. Like I said, there’s already a lot of competition, but Tesla Semi is expected to have a longer range than everything else, which should attract buyers.

However, as we recently reported, it is expected to be much more expensive than what Tesla previously announced.

It could particularly useful for Gigafactory Berlin, which is at a real risk right now with Tesla’s sales crashing in Europe. Producing a new vehicle program there, and a commercial one that rely less on consumer perception, could help increase factory utilization.

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Shipping groups are starting to shy away from the Strait of Hormuz as Israel-Iran conflict rages on

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June 17, 2025

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Shipping groups are starting to shy away from the Strait of Hormuz as Israel-Iran conflict rages on

An Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps speed boat sailing along the Persian Gulf during the IRGC marine parade to commemorate Persian Gulf National Day, near the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the seaport city of Bushehr, in the south of Iran, on April 29, 2024.

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty Images

Some shipowners are opting to steer clear of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, according to the world’s largest shipping association, reflecting a growing sense of industry unease as the Israel-Iran conflict rages on.

Israel’s surprise attack on Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure on Friday has been followed by four days of escalating warfare between the regional foes.

That has prompted shipowners to exercise an extra degree of caution in both the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical gateway to the world’s oil industry — and a vital entry point for container ships calling at Dubai’s massive Jebel Ali Port.

Jakob Larsen, head of security at Bimco, which represents global shipowners, said the Israel-Iran conflict seems to be escalating, causing concerns in the shipowner community and prompting a “modest drop” in the number of ships sailing through the area.

Bimco, which typically doesn’t encourage vessels to stay away from certain areas, said the situation has introduced an element of uncertainty.

“Circumstances and risk tolerance vary widely across shipowners. It appears that most shipowners currently choose to proceed, while some seem to stay away,” Larsen told CNBC by email.

“During periods of heightened security threats, freight rates and crew wages often rise, creating an economic incentive for some to take the risk of passing through conflict zones. While these dynamics may seem rudimentary, they are the very mechanisms that have sustained global trade through conflicts and wars for centuries,” he added.

The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, is recognized as one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints.

In 2023, oil flows through the waterway averaged 20.9 million barrels per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, accounting for about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.

The inability of oil to traverse through the Strait of Hormuz, even temporarily, can ratchet up global energy prices, raise shipping costs and create significant supply delays.

Alongside oil, the Strait of Hormuz is also key for global container trade. That’s because ports in this region (Jebel Ali and Khor Fakkan) are transshipment hubs, which means they serve as intermediary points in global shipping networks.

The majority of cargo volumes from those ports are destined for Dubai, which has become a hub for the movement of freight with feeder services in the Persian Gulf, South Asia and East Africa.

There are signs that shipping companies are shying away from the Strait of Hormuz: Analyst

Peter Tirschwell, vice president for maritime and trade at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said there have been indications that shipping groups are starting to “shy away” from navigating the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, without naming any specific firms.

“You could see the impact that the Houthi rebels had on shipping through the Red Sea. Even though there [are] very few recent attacks on shipping in that region, nevertheless the threat has sent the vast majority of container trade moving around the south of Africa. That has been happening for the past year,” Tirschwell told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Monday.

“The ocean carriers have no plans to go back in mass into the Red Sea and so, the very threat of military activity around a narrow important routing like the Strait of Hormuz is going to be enough to significantly disrupt shipping,” he added.

Israel-Iran conflict lifts freight rates

Freight rates jumped after the Israeli attacks on Iran last week. Indeed, data published Monday from analytics firm Kpler showed Mideast Gulf tanker freight rates to China surged 24% on Friday to $1.67 per barrel.

The upswing in VLCC (very large crude carrier) freight rates reflected the largest daily move year-to-date, albeit from a relative lull in June, and reaffirmed the level of perceived risk in the area.

Analysts at Kpler said more increases in freight rates are likely as the situation remains highly unstable, although maritime war risk premium remains unchanged for now.

Missiles launched from Iran are intercepted as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, June 16, 2025.

Ronen Zvulun | Reuters

David Smith, head of hull and marine liabilities at insurance broker McGill and Partners, said shipping insurance rates, at least for the time being, “remain stable with no noticeable increases since the latest hostilities between Israel and Iran.”

But that “could change dramatically,” depending on whether there is escalation in the area, he added.

“With War quotes only valid for 48 hours prior to entry into the excluded ‘Breach’ area, Underwriters do have the ability to rapidly increase premiums in line with the perceived risk,” Smith told CNBC by email.

The Hapag-Lloyd AG Leverkusen Express sails out of the Yangshan Deepwater Port, operated by Shanghai International Port Group, on Aug. 7, 2019.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

A spokesperson for German-based container shipping liner Hapag-Lloyd said the threat level for the Strait of Hormuz remains “significant,” albeit without an immediate risk to the maritime sector.

Hapag-Lloyd said it does not foresee any bigger issues in crossing the waterway for the moment, while acknowledging that the situation could change in a “very short” period of time.

The company added that it has no immediate plans to traverse the Red Sea, however, noting it hasn’t done so since the end of December 2023.

— CNBC’s Lori Ann LaRocco contributed to this report.

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