Connect with us

Published

on

Headlining today’s Green Deals is the return of NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike that has cruised back down to its $1,299 all-time low. It is joined by Segway’s expandable Cube 2000 Portable Power Station that is now $500 off at $1,200, as well as a one-day discount on Jackery’s totable Explorer 290 Portable Power Station that has fallen back to its $180 low for the rest of the day. There’s also tons down in our links to check out, with another one-day low on Greenworks’ powerful 80V 18-inch cordless electric chainsaw, as well as discounts on some AeroGarden indoor hydroponic systems, a versatile EGO Power+ tool system, and more – plus, all the other hangover Green Deals that are still alive and well, like yesterday’s Juiced Bikes 15% off sitewide sale that dropped the RipCurrent S e-bike to the lowest price we’ve seen in 2024.

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.

NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike cruises back down to $1,299 low

Best Buy is offering the NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike for $1,299 shipped. Normally going for $2,200 most days, we’ve seen five previous one-day discounts on this model in 2024 so far, first dropping costs to $1,500 on Valentine’s Day, followed by two in April and one in May that all saw things go further to the $1,300 low. June brought about the new $1,299 low which returns here today as a $901 markdown. You can learn more about this e-bike by heading below the fold or by reading through our hands-on review.

Coming in three colorways, the NIU BQI-C3 Pro arrives via sporting a 750W rear hub motor paired with dual 48V 10.0Ah batteries, giving the e-bike a travel range of 90 miles and maxing out at 28 MPH. It fully recharges from empty in just five hours, and settings can be monitored and controlled via the companion app thanks to NIU’s smart control technology that has been carried over to this model from its popular lines of electric scooters.

It cruises onto the scene with some extra features to enhance the ride too, with add-ons like the kickstand, integrated rear cargo rack, fenders for both wheels, an LED headlight and taillight, puncture-resistant tires, and a 3.5-inch TFT color display for real-time readouts of its performance and battery levels. All the wiring is internally routed for a cleaner and more sleek look, while the motor carries an IP65 waterproof rating and the battery carries a higher IP67 rating.

NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike

Segway’s LiFePO4 Cube 2000 Expandable Portable Power Station falls to $1,200

Amazon is offering the Segway Cube 2000 Portable Power Station for $1,199.99 shipped. Normally fetching $1,700 most days, we’ve been seeing an increasing number of discounts on this unit since July’s Prime Day event, where it first fell to its $999 low in 2024. Since then it’s been keeping to its higher rates, but more regularly falling to $1,200 on Amazon, while direct-from-Segway sales tend to list it for a higher $1,400 rate on average. Today, you’re looking at a solid $500 markdown that returns costs to the third-lowest price we have tracked – $200 above the all-time low from July’s 2-day savings event. It even beats out Segway’s own website where it’s currently discounted to a higher $1,400 rate.

The Cube 2000 delivers a 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that can be further expanded up to a 5,048Wh capacity with the addition of three BTX-1000 expansion battery packs (sold separately). Unlike other brand’s models of the same general size, this one boasts an impressive 12 output ports to cover charging devices and appliances – four USB-As, three ACs, two USB-Cs, two DCs, and one car port – with the power station pumping out a steady 2,200W of output power that peaks at 4,400W. Despite its capacity size it only takes 1.8 hours via a standard wall outlet to fully recharge this unit, thanks to its rapid recharging capabilities. It also has the options to recharge with an 800W max solar input allowing for solar charging, with smart controls available through the Segway-Ninebot app via a Bluetooth connection.

Jackery’s Explorer 290 Portable Power Station wants to be your travel companion at return $180 low

Coming to us via its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Jackery Explorer 290 Portable Power Station for $179.99 shipped. Down from its usual $250 price tag, it ended last year with a low of $190 during Black Friday sales, with prices immediately undercut in January to the newer $180 low, which repeated again in July and back at the top of this month too. It’s coming in once more in time for those late summer to fall outings as another $70 markdown that returns costs back to the all-time lowest price we have tracked. You won’t currently find this model available in new condition on Amazon either, only a refurbished option for $149.

A wonderful travel companion that weighs in at 9.6 pounds and can fit right into your backpack or tote bag, the Explorer 290 delivers a 290Wh capacity alongside 200W of power output, peaking at 400W. There are three ways to recharge the battery on this model, either through solar charging, an AC outlet, or a car port – taking somewhere in the range of five to seven hours on average. Thanks to its one AC port, two USB-A ports, and the car port, you’ll be able to recharge up to four devices at once.

Summer e-bike deals!

NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike

Other new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

Lotus Cars quietly updates its 900+ hp Eletre and Emeya EVs for 2026

Published

on

By

Lotus Cars quietly updates its 900+ hp Eletre and Emeya EVs for 2026

Lotus Cars’ compelling, high-performance electric sports sedan and SUV received a number of fresh updates earlier this week, but packs superior infotainment tech, styling tweaks, and (of course) a mind-bending 905 electric horsepower. (!)

I haven’t checked the numbers, but I’d bet a dollar or three that Tesla moves more cars in a good week than Lotus sells in a year. Still, Lotus has managed to preserve its reputation as a maker of truly engaging drivers’ cars. Its latest EVs, the Emeya sedan and Eletre SUV, are generally regarded as dynamic, exhilarating machines that credibly carry Colin Chapman’s yellow badge.

For 2026, though, the Chinese versions of the updated Lotus EVs have black badges (the UK versions were announced back in April), but the new doesn’t stop there.

The next update on the list is the addition of 22″, 10-spoke ultralight alloy wheels across the entire Eletre lineup. Both the 600 and 600 SE variants retain last year’s 6-piston fixed front and floating rear brake calipers, while the top-tier 900 model gets a high-performance, 10-piston, carbon-ceramic braking system that’s more than capable of hauling the Eletre SUV down from speed, lap after lap.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

They’ll need those brakes, too – because these things are fast, and getting faster with seemingly every new software update. “Things can always go faster,” reads the official Lotus copy. “The new Eletre and Emeya ‘900’ provide unmistakable evidence, representing superlatives in terms of performance. Both rely on a 675 kW (~915 hp) strong dual-motor powertrain.”

Both Lotus 900s can put that power to the ground effectively enough to rocket from 0-62 mph (100 km) in a well under 3.0 seconds on their way to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph (256 km/h) in the Eletre, and 160 mph (265 km/h) in the Emeya. The 600s aren’t exactly slow, either, packing 405 kW electric motors (~600 hp) good for 0-60 times in the mid 4s.

Inside, the Eletre and Emeya designs carries over without major changes. Lotus enhanced the features list on various trims. The 600 models now include 12-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, as well as 15-speaker audio systems from KEF. The 600 SE further adds a PDLC smart panoramic sunroof, 20-way power-adjustable front seats, front seat massage function, and active rear-wheel steering.

CarNewsChina reports that the updated 900 model builds upon the 600 SE’s new offerings with an intelligent, active anti-roll control suspension system.

Pricing for the 2026 Lotus EVs starts at 538,000 yuan (74,800 USD) in China, and climbs to over 838,000 yuan (116,500 USD) for the top-shelf Lotus Eletre 900 SUV. All models carry the same two-speed transmission and 112 kWh battery (102 kWh in the UK), good for up to 610 km (~375 miles) of driving between charges.

No word yet on if or when these updates will make it to America.

Electrek’s Take


It wasn’t that long ago that a 900+ hp car was a cammy, rough-riding mess of a machine that you could barely take through a drive thru, but could probably land on the cover of a car magazine. Today, that same 900 hp in a quiet, smooth, reliable EV hardly generates a headline. And, almost in defiance of the “everything just keeps getting more expensive” truism, these mind-bending supercars can be had for less than what cars like this used to cost with gas engines and a third of the power.

How far we’ve come!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Lotus Cars, via CarNewsChina.


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.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

E-quipment highlight: 50 kW portable DC fast charger from Lincoln Electric

Published

on

By

E-quipment highlight: 50 kW portable DC fast charger from Lincoln Electric

The welding equipment experts at Lincoln Electric know a thing or two about high-voltage equipment. Now, they’re bringing that electrical expertise to a whole new market with a portable, self-contained, 50 kW DC fast charger designed to deliver a quick shot of range and get stranded drivers back on the road.

Lincoln Electric’s Velion 50 kW DC fast charger is pitched as a durable, compact mobile charging unit that’s perfect for tow truck operators and construction fleets dealing with vehicles and fleet assets that couldn’t quite make their way back to a charger. So, you’re looking at this and thinking of one of those red, 5-gallon gas tanks that helps get drivers off the highway and to the next exit, congratulations: you get it!

“[Velion is] Designed for flexible, mobile use,” said Bruce Chantry, Vice President, Electric Vehicle Solutions at Lincoln Electric, during a buzzword-packed introduction of the new machine. “Designed in collaboration with the market and leveraging decades of expertise in power electronics, our solution is engineered to provide the flexibility customers need today, with a future-ready design to meet the demands of tomorrow.”

Designed, engineered, and assembled in the United States with over 70% domestic content, the Velion charger meets all National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) and Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements.

LINCOLN ELECTRIC

Lincoln Electric plans to sell the Velion DCFC to municipal fleets and state highway agencies, first, and envisions it being deployed in tough environments like construction sites, emergency response arenas, and complex fixed fleet depots. Car dealerships, museums, and probably ambulances too, could benefit – but I’m sure that’s just scratching the surface.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Watch the Lincoln Electric launch video for the Velion from earlier this summer, below, then let us know how you’d like to see a mobile fast charger get deployed in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Lincoln Electric Velion DCFC


Velion 50 kW mobile charger; via Lincoln Electric.

The company hasn’t announced pricing or battery energy capacity (in kWh) for the new Velion, but I’d guess it’s something higher than 15 kWh, but less than 20. If you guys have a better guess, I’d love to hear it!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Lincoln Electric.


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.

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

Continue Reading

Environment

How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

Published

on

By

How CATL is changing EV battery tech in Europe [Video]

Electric vehicles have come a long way, but let’s be real—they still have their hangups: “range anxiety,” long charging times, and questions about safety and sustainability. But what if all those worries could be put to rest?

At IAA Mobility in Munich, CATL, one of the world’s biggest battery makers, unveiled a new technology that could revolutionize EVs.

Shenxing Pro: Go Far, Last Long

CATL debuted two versions of its next-gen Shenxing Pro battery. One is all about distance and durability. Picture this: a single charge gets you up to 758 km (or about 470 miles). That’s enough to drive from Houston to Memphis without a single stop. And it’s not just about the distance; this thing is built to last. It promises a lifespan of 12 years or 1,000,000 km, with only around 9% degradation after 200,000 km. That’s a huge leap from today’s EV batteries, which often lose up to 30% of their capacity over the same period.

Fast Charging, Even When It’s Freezing

Tired of waiting around for your car to charge? The second version of the Shenxing Pro is for you. It’s the Super Fast Charging model, designed to get you back on the road in minutes. CATL says it can add a whopping 478 km of range in just 10 minutes under perfect conditions. And here’s the best part: it holds its own in the cold. We all know how much cold weather messes with most EV batteries, but the Shenxing Pro still delivers up to 410 km of range in just 20 minutes at a chilling -20°C. That’s better than many EVs perform in normal temperatures!

Advertisement – scroll for more content

No Propagation 3.0: Safety First

Safety is a top concern with EV batteries, especially the risk of thermal runaway—that’s when one cell overheats and triggers a dangerous chain reaction. CATL’s new No Propagation 3.0 platform is engineered to stop that domino effect cold. It uses special fireproof coatings and a cell structure that quickly cools down and relieves pressure. In the rare event of a problem, the battery can still provide stable power for over an hour. That extra time is a lifeline, giving drivers the chance to get to safety and ensuring critical systems like advanced driver-assistance features stay online when you need them most.

Getting Greener, At Scale

CATL is also tackling the sustainability issue head-on. Through a new initiative called the Global Energy Circular Commitment (GECC), they aim to cut the use of new raw materials by half over the next two decades. They’re already a leader in this space, operating the world’s largest battery recycling network. Since 2024, they’ve recycled over 130,000 tons of used batteries, recovering 99.6% of crucial metals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese.

The Whole Package

What’s so impressive about the Shenxing Pro isn’t just one feature—it’s everything working together. By improving range, charging speed, safety, and sustainability all at once, CATL isn’t just fixing a single problem; they’re taking on the biggest obstacles to widespread EV adoption. If these batteries live up to the hype, the next wave of EVs could be more efficient, more reliable, and a whole lot greener.

The bottom line? CATL’s latest battery tech in tandem with other commitments could prove to be the building blocks for the next wave of EVs in Europe and beyond.

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

Continue Reading

Trending