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President Donald Trump‘s attack on solar and wind projects threatens to raise energy prices for consumers and undermine a stretched electric grid that’s already straining to meet rapidly growing demand, renewable energy executives warn.

Trump has long said wind power turbines are unattractive and endanger birds, and that solar installations take up too much land. This week, he said his administration will not approve solar and wind projects, the latest salvo in a campaign the president has waged against the renewable energy industry since taking office.

“We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar,” Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday. “The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!”

Trump’s statement this week seemed to confirm industry fears that the Interior Department will block federal permits for solar and wind projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took control of all permit approvals last month in a move that the American Clean Power Association criticized as “obstruction,” calling it “unprecedented political review.”

The Interior Department blocking permits would slow the growth of the entire solar and wind industry, top executives at renewable developers Arevon, Avantus and Engie North America told CNBC.

Even solar and wind projects on private land may need approvals from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service if, for example, a waterway or animal species is affected, the executives told CNBC. The three power companies are among the top 10 renewable developers in the U.S., according to energy research firm Enverus.

The Interior Department “will not give preferential treatment to massive, unreliable projects that make no sense for the American people or that risk harming communities or the environment,” a spokesperson told CNBC when asked if new permits would be issued for solar and wind construction.

Choking off renewables will worsen a looming power supply shortage, harm the electric grid and lead to higher electricity prices for consumers, said Kevin Smith, CEO of Arevon, a solar and battery storage developer headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, that’s active in 17 states. Arevon operates five gigawatts of power equivalent to $10 billion of capital investment.

“I don’t think everybody realizes how big the crunch is going to be,” Smith said. “We’re making that crunch more and more difficult with these policy changes.”

Uncertainty hits investment

The red tape at the Interior Department and rising costs from Trump’s copper and steel tariffs have created market instability that makes planning difficult, the renewable executives said.

“We don’t want to sign contracts until we know what the playing field is,” said Cliff Graham, CEO of Avantus, a solar and battery storage developer headquartered in San Diego. Avantus has built three gigawatts of solar and storage across the desert Southwest.

“I can do whatever you want me to do and have a viable business, I just need the rules set and in place,” Graham said.

Engie North America, the U.S. arm of a global energy company based in Paris, is slashing its planned investment in the U.S. by 50% due to tariffs and regulatory uncertainty, said David Carroll, the chief renewables officer who leads the American subsidiary. Engie could cut its plans even more, he said.

Engie’s North American subsidiary, headquartered in Houston, will operate about 11 gigawatts of solar, battery storage and wind power by year end.

Multinationals like Engie have long viewed the U.S. as one of the most stable business environments in the world, Carroll said. But that assessment is changing in Engie’s boardroom and across the industry, he said.

“The stability of the U.S. business market is no longer really the gold standard,” Carroll said.

Rising costs

Arevon is seeing costs for solar and battery storage projects increase by as much as 30% due to the metal tariffs, said Smith, the CEO. Many renewable developers are renegotiating power prices with utilities to cover the sudden spike in costs because projects no longer pencil out financially, he said.

Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act ends two key tax credits for solar and wind projects in late 2027, making conditions even more challenging. The investment tax credit supported new renewable construction and the production credit boosted clean electricity generation.

Those tax credits were just passed on to consumers, Smith said. Their termination and the rising costs from tariffs will mean higher utility bills for families and businesses, he said.

The price that Avantus charges for solar power has roughly doubled to $60 per megawatt-hour as interest rates and tariffs have increased over the years, said CEO Graham. Prices will surge again to around $100 per megawatt-hour when the tax credits are gone, he said.

“The small manufacturers, small companies and mom and pops will see their electric bills go up, and it’ll start pushing the small entrepreneurs out of the industry or out of the marketplace,” Graham said.

Renewable projects that start construction by next July, a year after the One Big Beautiful Act became law, will still qualify for the tax credits. Arevon, Avantus and Engie are moving forward with projects currently under construction, but the outlook is less certain for projects later in the decade.

The U.S. will see a big downturn in new renewable power generation starting in the second half of 2026 through 2028 as new projects no longer qualify for tax credits, said Smith, the head of Arevon.

“The small- and medium-sized players that can’t take the financial risk, some of them will disappear,” Smith said. “You’re going to see less projects built in the sector.”

Artificial intelligence power crunch

Fewer renewable power plants could increase the risk of brownouts or blackouts, Smith said. Electricity demand is surging from the data centers that technology companies are building to train artificial intelligence systems. PJM Interconnection, the largest electrical grid in the U.S. that coordinates wholesale electricity in 13 states and the District of Columbia, has warned of tight power supplies because too little new generation is coming online.

Renewables are the power source that can most quickly meet demand, Smith at Arevon said. More than 90% of the power waiting to connect to the grid is solar, battery storage or wind, according to data from Enverus.

“The power requirement is largely going to be coming from the new energy sector or not at all,” so without it, “the grid becomes substantially hampered,” Smith said.

Trump is prioritizing oil, gas and nuclear power as “the most effective and reliable tools to power our country,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said.

“President Trump serves the American people who voted to implement his America First energy agenda – not solar and wind executives who are sad that Biden’s Green New Scam subsidies are ending,” Kelly said.

But new natural gas plants won’t come online for another five years due to supply issues, new nuclear power is a decade away and no new coal plants are on the drawing board.

Utilities may have to turn away data centers at some point because there isn’t enough surplus power to run them, and no one wants to risk blackouts at hospitals, schools and homes, Arevon’s Smith said. This would pressure the U.S. in its race against China to master AI, a Trump administration priority.

“The panic in the data center, AI world is probably not going to set in for another 12 months or so, when they start realizing that they can’t get the power they need in some of these areas where they’re planning to build data centers,” Smith said.

“Then we’ll see what happens,” said the University of Chicago MBA, who’s worked in the energy industry for 35 years. “There may be a reversal in policy to try and build whatever we can and get power onto the grid.”

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Lectric launches long-range XP Trike2 750 with $493 preorder bundle, Bluetti backpack stations from $199 low, Rad Power, more

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August 27, 2025

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Lectric launches long-range XP Trike2 750 with 3 preorder bundle, Bluetti backpack stations from 9 low, Rad Power, more

We’ve got another big EV release headlining today’s Green Deals, as Lectric has officially launched its new XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike for preorder with a $493 bundle at $1,799 – and you’ll also find the new standard XP Trike2 getting its largest post-launch bundle yet. Next, Bluetti’s latest sale has some 48-hour flash offers alongside some top backup support picks, led by the returning low prices on the Handsfree 1 and 2 Backpack Power Stations starting from $199. There’s also Rad Power’s pet-focused accessory deals for National Dog Day that are joining its ongoing Labor Day Sale, as well as an EGO chainsaw offer, a one-day-only Fremo power station low, and more waiting for you below. Plus, all the hangover savings are at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s first-ever Ride1Up VORSA e-bike discount, the Segway Navimow robot lawn mower Labor Day savings, 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.

Review: The ST3 Pro e-scooter brings serious suspension alongside smart controls and more as Navee’s latest flagship

As a long-time rider of Segway electric scooters, my expectations are quite high for new brands looking to climb their way up to the standard that the household-name has set in stone at this point. Only within the last few months did Navee come onto my radar, with the brand offering me the chance to test out its latest flagship model, the ST3 Pro Electric Scooter, which has been quite the surprise, to say the least. At first, it seemed like it was full of gimmicks that were destined to fail, but after riding around for several weeks now, I can happily say that Segway may just have found a new challenger. Head below to get my hands-on impressions of this high-end e-scooter that still retains accessible pricing for the stunning list of features.

To get our full hands-on impression of this new flagship e-scooter, be sure to check out our review here.

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man and woman riding Lectric XP Trike2 750 e-bikes down residential street

Lectric launches upgraded XP Trike2 750 long-range eTrike for preorder with a $493 bundle at $1,799, more

As part of Lectric’s ongoing Labor Day Sale, the brand has officially launched its new XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with a $493 bundle for preorder at $1,799 shipped, while the standard XP Trike2 is seeing its biggest bundle yet of $242 in free gear at $1,499 shipped. The standard model only hit the market last month during the brand’s Prime Day sale with a $227 bundle, which is now increased to a $242 value, whereas the new long-range variant is starting with over double the value of bundled free gear. This new model will be getting steel-encased front and rear cargo baskets, a support seat with a backrest, an Elite headlight, a suspension seat post, a pair of mirrors, and an accordion-style bike lock. Head below to learn more about these two models or check out the brand’s full lineup of Labor Day deals here.

Lectric’s eTrikes have been among the most popular on the market, and this new generation takes everything fans have loved and goes even further with the upgrades (not to mention the wide array of colorway options). Starting with the variances, the standard XP Trike2 sports a Stealth M24 500W rear hub motor (peaking at 1,092W) and a 624Wh battery combo, while Lectric’s newer XP Trike2 750, as the name implies, comes with a more powerful 750W motor upgrade and a larger 840Wh battery. While both max out at 14 MPH top speeds, the standard can give you five levels of pedal-assisted support for up to 50 miles, while the 750 model extends that range up to 70 miles of travel. They both offer a power-limiting preset feature too, letting you take things slow and get to know your new ride before ramping up to its fastest settings.

From there, the only difference is Lectric’s standard model has a cadence sensor vs. the XP Trike2 750’s torque sensor upgrade, with them otherwise sharing the other stock features, including a Cloud 50 suspension fork for less strain on older riders’ joints. There’s also the puncture-resistant tires with fenders to go over all three, hydraulic disc brakes, headlighting/tail lighting that brings amber side lighting, turn signals, brake lighting into the mix, as well as an IPX5 water-resistance construction, parking brakes, a rear cargo rack, a TFT LCD screen, keyless riding functionality, and more.

Be sure to check out Lectric’s full Labor Day Sale lineup in our original coverage here, which includes the largest bundle on the XP4 Folding Utility e-bikes, as well as a surprise $500 price drop alongside a $220 package on Lectric’s premium ONE Long-Range Belt-Drive Commuter e-bike at a new $1,899 low, among others.

BLUETTI Handsfree Backpack power station being used by man to power laptop on mountain top
Photo: BLUETTI

Bluetti’s latest sale drops the Handsfree backpack power stations to best prices starting from $199, more

Bluetti has an ongoing Emergency Power Sale that seems to be taking the place of any officially named Labor Day Sale, and which is taking up to 46% off the brand’s power stations. Among the lineup, we also spotted a particularly notable 48-hour flash sale that is offering the Handsfree 1 and Handsfree 2 Backpack Power Stations for $199 shipped and $299 shipped. These two highly portable power solutions normally go for $429 and $599 at full price, which have mostly dropped down to $299 and $399 during sales, save for the occasional flash events where we’ve seen these low rates pop up. You’re getting another chance to score either at the best prices we have tracked, giving you $230 or $300 in savings, and beating out Amazon prices of $349 for the Handsfree 1 and $449 for the Handsfree 2. Head below for more on these and some of the other offers during this sale.

If you want to learn more about these backup power solutions, or the other flash offers/top picks, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man riding Rad Power e-bike and towing dog in Trailer

Celebrate National Dog Day with these Rad Power pet-focused add-on accessory deals starting from $21.75

As part of its ongoing Labor Day Sale running through September 3, Rad Power Bikes is celebrating National Dog Day with four pet-focused add-on gear units – some of which are already discounted – getting 25% in additional savings and starting from $21.75 shipped. These add-on accessories range from basket-dwelling carriers to full-on hitch-ready trailer carriers – and if your cart totals $150 or more, you’ll be getting free shipping too! Just keep in mind that the extra savings will be added in your cart. Head below to see what you can expect from this gear and be sure to also give your puppers a little head scratch for me. Woof!

If you want to learn more about all these pet-focused add-on accessories for your e-bike, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man cutting through log with EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch cordless chainsaw

Tackle storm cleanup and fall/winter firewood needs with EGO’s 56V 16-inch cordless chainsaw kit at $220

Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 16-inch Cordless Chainsaw with 2.5Ah battery at $219.99 shipped. This particular kit usually goes for $279 at full price, which we saw enter 2025 at $249 and falling as low as $219 for a two-month period before jumping back up in price at the start of June. While we’ve seen it go lower in the past, you’re looking at the second-best rate of the year which cuts $59 off the tag and lands it just $1 shy of the lowest price we have tracked in 2025.

If you want to learn more about this chainsaw’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man and woman sitting outside at table with Fremo X300 Portable Power Station

Fremo’s X300 portable power station is an 8-pound solution for personal devices at its $180 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Fremo X300 Portable Power Station at $179.99 shipped, while it’s currently out of stock on Amazon. This unit would normally fetch $330 at full price, which we’ve regularly seen dropping between $200 and $190 over 2025 in these one-day-only sales, with Amazon having seen it go as low as $180. That low price is available here through the rest of the day, saving you $150 off the tag price and giving you a more compact power solution for your personal devices.

If you want to learn more about this compact backup power solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only sale here.

Best Summer 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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Hyundai’s new electric family hauler is already winning over buyers

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August 27, 2025

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Hyundai's new electric family hauler is already winning over buyers

Hyundai's-three-row-electric-SUV

The IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, is off to a stronger start than most predicted. At a time when many automakers are blaming slow EV demand, Hyundai’s big electric family hauler seems to be bucking the trend.

Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV is off to a strong start

After opening IONIQ 9 pre-orders in its home market in February, Hyundai was already calling the larger SUV a game-changer.

A few months later, in March, the first models rolled off the production line at Hyundai’s new Metaplant America in Georgia.

The IONIQ 9 has only been on the market for a few months, but it’s already winning over buyers. Since launching the three-row electric SUV in February, Hyundai has sold 14,391 units globally. Of them, 4,745 were sold in Korea and 9,646 were sold overseas.

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In the US, Hyundai has sold 2,086 IONIQ 9 models since it went on sale in May. Although it may not seem like much, considering it’s a higher-priced electric SUV in an increasingly crowded segment, local analysts believe it is beating expectations.

Hyundai-three-row-electric-SUV
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

In the US, most brands are seeing an influx of EV buyers ahead of the federal tax credit expiration at the end of September.

The 2026 IONIQ 9 starts at $60,655 in the US, offering a driving range of 335 miles. However, with generous discounts, Hyundai is offering leases as low as $299 per month. The offer is for a 36-month lease with $4,999 due at signing.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 interior (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV isn’t the brand’s only EV that’s seeing relatively strong demand. The new and improved 2025 IONIQ 5 is coming off its best sales month in the US in July and remains one of the top-selling EVs in the US.

The IONIQ 5 is also surprisingly affordable. Hyundai is offering 2025 IONIQ 5 leases starting at $129 per month. However, the best offers are mainly in California and other ZEV states.

Hyundai-IONIQ-5
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Hyundai)

In other states, the 2025 IONIQ 5 is still one of the most affordable EVs with leases starting at just $179 per month.

Both the IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 are built at Hyundai’s plant in Georgia, enabling them to qualify for the $7,500 EV tax credit. Hyundai’s current Getaway sales promotions end on September 3, ahead of the tax credit expiration at the end of the month.

Looking to test one out for yourself? You can use our links below to find the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 in your area.

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Environment

Another major automaker is abandoning its big EV plans

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5 hours ago

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August 27, 2025

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Another major automaker is abandoning its big EV plans

German-automaker-EV-plans

Yet another big name in auto is pulling back on its EV plans, blaming slower than expected demand for electric vehicles.

Porsche drops in-house EV battery plans

Volkswagen’s luxury sports car brand, Porsche, announced this week that it no longer plans to build EV batteries in-house.

Cellforce, Porsche’s high-performance EV battery company, will shrink and only focus on research and development, rather than production.

In a statement, Porsche blamed “the slower ramp-up” of EVs and “challenging market conditions” in its biggest markets, the US and China, for the changes.

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CEO Oliver Blume, confirmed the news, saying “For volume reasons and a lack of economies of scale, Porsche is no longer pursuing its own production of battery cells.” The staff reductions, will be handled in “a socially responsible matter,” Porsche said. Volkswagen’s battery unit, PowerCo, will take on several former employees.

Porsche-EV-battery-plans
Porsche Cayenne EV towing a 3-ton trailer and classic car (Source: Porsche)

Porsche plans to continue to continue offering internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and all-electric options across every segment “well into the 2030s.”

Following the Taycan and Macan Electric, Porsche is still planning to launch the all-electric Cayenne and 718 models. The German automaker promises future models will still “bring trend-setting technologies in electromobility into series production.”

Porsche-gas-powered-cars
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach Package (Source: Porsche AG)

A separate report from German magazine WirtschaftsWoche claimed on Wednesday that Porsche is on the hunt for a new CEO to replace Oliver Blume.

German automaker Opel drops EV commitment plans

Porsche isn’t the only German automaker adjusting EV plans. Opel is one of the many brands under the Stellantis Group, alongside Jeep, Ram, Peugeot, Citroën, Fiat, and several others.

Although it was one of the many automakers to commit to offering an all-electric lineup, it’s now backing off its promise.

German-automaker-EV-plans
Opel Corsa Electric (Source: Stellantis)

During Stellantis’ EV Day in 2021, Opel announced its intention to transition to all-electric vehicles by 2028, accompanied by a slate of new models. Former CEO Michael Lohscheller, now chief executive at Polestar, said, “As of 2028, Opel will only offer electric cars in our core market Europe.”

On Monday, the German auto giant abandoned its plans for an all-EV lineup, saying it will continue to focus on its current “multi-energy” strategy.

German-automaker-EV-plans

Opel is the first German auto brand to offer a fully electrified model for every vehicle in its lineup, including electric (EVs), plug-in (PHEVs), and even internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

In response to media reports claiming it has changed its strategy, the company said in a statement, “This does not have to be limited to 2028 if the demand side requires otherwise.”

Although the company will continue to focus on EVs in specific regions, like the UK, France, and Germany, it will also offer other powertrain options based on demand.

German-automaker-EV-plans
Opel Corsa Electric (Source: Stellantis)

Opel, alongside British sister company Vauxhall, is one of the top-selling brands in Europe. In Germany and the UK, Opel and Vauxhall ranked first in the ever-expanding B-hatch segment through the first half of the year.

The German auto giant becomes the latest brand to scale back EV plans or shift to hybrids, following Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, and others.

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