The Biden administration has finalized a plan to expand solar on 31 million acres of federal lands in 11 western states.
More federal lands for solar
The proposed updated Western Solar Plan is a roadmap for Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) governance of solar energy proposals and projects on public lands.
It bumps up the acreage from the 22 million acres it recommended in January, and this plan adds five additional states – Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming – to the six states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah – analyzed in the original plan.
It would make the public lands available for potential solar development, putting solar farms closer to transmission lines or on previously disturbed lands and avoiding protected lands, sensitive cultural resources, and important wildlife habitats.
This announcement is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which the White House is working to accelerate ahead of the November election. The Investing in America agenda is a government initiative focused on boosting the US economy by investing in infrastructure, clean energy, and job creation.
BLM surpassed its goal of permitting more than 25 gigawatts (GW) of clean energy projects on public lands earlier in 2024. It’s permitted 29 GW of projects on public lands – enough to power over 12 million homes. The Biden administration set the goal to achieve 100% clean electricity on the US grid by 2035.
Ben Norris, vice president of regulatory affairs at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) said in response to the BLM developments:
While we’re still reviewing the details, we’re pleased to see that BLM listened to much of the solar industry’s feedback and added 11 million acres to its original proposal.
While this is a step in the right direction, fossil fuels have access to over 80 million acres of public land, 2.5 times the amount of public land available for solar.
One of the fastest ways to decarbonize our grid is to greenlight well-planned clean energy development on federal lands, and the improvements to this environmental review document will certainly help.
Electrek’s Take
The Biden administration is racing to catalyze all the clean energy projects it can between now and the November election, and the latest iteration of the Western Solar Plan is a big step. It’s designed to alleviate the permitting bottleneck of solar development on public lands while preserving protected lands and habitats. Plus, a lot more land, of course.
White House deputy chief of staff Natalie Quillian said in an interview [via Reuters]: “We’ve been really pushing ourselves to use our executive authority wherever possible to improve the federal permitting process.”
Proposed projects will still undergo site-specific environmental review and public comment, as they always should, but this is welcome news for spurring US renewables growth because we’re still not going fast enough.
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Power your mobile life through Bluetti’s new RVSolar power system bundles with exclusive savings from $2,519
Bluetti is ending September with an all-new release for RV and van life lovers who want to adventure with a more eco-friendly power source – plus, we’ve even secured some exclusive savings for our readers. You can pick up the base package for Bluetti’s RVSolar 48V Solar Power System (made up of a power hub, LiFePO4 battery, and wiring kit) for $2,519.10 shipped, after using the exclusive code ELECTREK10F at checkout for an additional 10% off. This new system will run for $3,699 at full price once the initial launch savings end, with things starting at a 24% markdown that combined with our exclusive savings for a combined 32% price cut of $1,180 that sets the bar for future discounts – plus, there are loads of bundle deals waiting for you below.
This new RVSolar power system from Bluetti, as the name implies, is entirely focused on RV/nomad life. This is a plug-and-play option to bring solar capabilities to your RV’s appliances, with it covering multiple appliances at once with up to 5,000W output power from its 100Ah LiFePO4 battery – all with “no noise, fumes, or maintenance – just quiet, natural surroundings.”
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The IP65 water-resistant construction gives Bluetti’s RVSolar system protection against spills/accidents, road bumps, and more, with the battery bringing a rating from the brand for a 10+ year lifespan. What’s really great here is the mix of recharging options, making it much more versatile, like any ordinary power station. There’s the 1,800W max solar input you can get from portable or mounted solar panels, the 1,200W input you’ll get from your vehicle’s alternator, or the largest 5,000W input you can get from shore power.
***Note: Be sure to use the exclusive code ELECTREK10F at checkout for these prices!
ECOVACS’ three Goat RTK robot lawn mowers see up to $900 discounts starting from a new $785 low
Amazon is offering a lower-than-ever rate on the ECOVACS Goat O1000 RTK Robot Lawn Mower for $784.99 shipped, which beats out its direct pricing from the brand’s website by $15. While it carries a $1,000 MSRP, this model has been recently keeping down at $900, with some falls over the year having seen things go to $850 and a one-time $841. The deal here today is going lower than ever, as the 22% markdown cuts $215 off the full price tag for a new all-time low.
Save up to 28% on BougeRV’s portable electric coolers for any of your vehicles starting from $160
Through its official Amazon storefront, BougeRV is offering up to 28% discounts on a lineup of 12V portable electric fridge/freezers, starting with the 23-Quart Portable Cooler at $159.99 shipped, with other 30, 42, and 53-quart sizes available at discounted rates here, all with multiple colorways to choose from. The smallest of these here would normally run you $190 at full price, which we’ve mostly seen drop between $170 and $160 over the year, with some select falls lower to $157 last seen in August. Today’s deal gives you a solid $30 markdown off the going rate for the second-best price of the year and the fourth-lowest overall – just $8 above the all-time low.
Greenworks’ 2nd-gen 40V 12-inch cordless compact chainsaw with a 2.0Ah battery is back down at $128
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 12-inch Gen 2 Cordless Compact Chainsaw with 2.0Ah battery at $127.99 shipped, which matches the price we’re seeing direct from the brand’s website. Outside of discounts, you’d be shelling out $170 for this model at full price, which we’ve seen dropping to $128 twice before in 2025 and a fall lower to $120 that occurred during July’s Prime Day event. You can pick your own up today with $42 slashed from the tag, giving you the second-best price of the year that only sits $8 above July’s annual low.
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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We will get our first look at the electric sports car by the end of the year, but Genesis is giving us a closer look at the GV60 Magma, the luxury brand’s first high-performance EV.
Genesis preps for its first luxury performance EV
Genesis is about to shake things up with its first high-performance luxury EV, the GV60 Magma. Although it packs plenty of power, Genesis promises it’s more than a performance machine.
The GV60 Magma will “set a new standard for global luxury and high performance,” Genesis said, confirming it will make its official debut by the end of the year.
In the meantime, the company is testing it in some of the most extreme conditions across the globe to ensure it delivers.
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Genesis announced on Tuesday, September 30, that the GV60 Magma had undergone testing in the US, Sweden, New Zealand, South Korea, and elsewhere, “to ensure stability at high speeds and a luxurious ride in any driving conditions.”
The luxury brand claimed its performance EV “achieved the ultimate ride quality through driving tests in extreme heat and cold conditions.”
The Genesis GV60 Magma concept (Source: Genesis)
In Sweden, Genesis tested the GV60 Magma’s launch performance and chassis control development, while at its California Proving Ground, it conducted hot weather tests, evaluated overheat protection, and assessed cooling performance.
Genesis tested the performance EV in New Zealand’s rugged mountainous region at an altitude of 1,500 km to ensure stability, braking, and control in extreme, blizzardy conditions.
Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept global debut at Goodwood (Source: Genesis)
Offering more than just pure performance
To maximize driving performance and ride comfort, Genesis ran a driving evaluation in its home market of South Korea last week.
“The numerous driving tests conducted around the world went beyond simple performance verification and were a continuous process of picking to simultaneously capture the charm of high performance and the value of comfort,” a company official said.
Genesis GV60 Magma EV concept (Source: Genesis)
Genesis promises the GV60 Magma will offer a “differentiated driving experience” with advanced new technology that the luxury brand has accumulated over the past decade.
It will be more than a performance EV. According to Genesis, the GV60 Magma “is a model that can enjoy comfortable driving in everyday life while also delivering the charm of high performance at any time.” It will showcase the brand’s “future vision for luxury high performance.”
Genesis GV60 Magma testing with other Magma vehicles (Source: Genesis)
Like Hyundai’s other performance electric cars, such as the IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N, the Genesis GV60 Magma is expected to pack over 600 horsepower. It could be even closer to 700 horses. We will find out soon when it makes its official debut.
Genesis Magma vehicles (Source: Genesis)
The current Genesis GV60 Performance delivers up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0-60 mph sprint in 3.7 seconds.
It will also likely include features similar to Hyundai’s N Torque Distribution, Grin Boost, Launch Control, and e-Shift, allowing you to fine-tune performance and other settings.
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in Korea, followed by the US, Europe, and other markets. Prices will be revealed closer to launch, but the current Performance model starts at $69,900 in the US. The GV60 Magma is likely to be priced closer to $75,000 or more.
In comparison, the Tesla Model S Plaid starts at $89,990, boasting 1,020 hp. Tesla’s luxury performance EV can hit 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. Will the Genesis GV60 Magma compete?
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So far we’ve seen nothing but teaser images of the new Chevy Bolt, but this weekend it was spotted charging at a Tesla Supercharger in Southern California ahead of its October 8 reveal.
The Chevy Bolt was originally released in the 2017 model year. It was GM’s first real, modern effort at an EV, designed to be all-electric rather than a compliance car like the old Chevy Spark EV. (GM did previously design the EV1 from the ground up, but it came along before the lithium ion era of EVs, and was decidedly a compliance car).
But, due to an extended recall and because the Bolt used GM’s first-gen EV platform, rather than its whiz-bang new “Ultium” system, GM retired the vehicle in late 2023, even though it was having its best sales year ever.
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But, that wasn’t the end for the model. After declaring the Bolt dead but before ending production on it, GM said that it would bring back an Ultium-based Chevy Bolt (which our publisher Seth Weintraub has taken to calling the “Boltium”).
Unfortunately, the new Bolt will be larger than the old Bolt. The Bolt had two models, the EV and EUV, which were extremely similar except that the EUV was just bigger (and more expensive). Instead of bringing back the spread of both models, GM decided to only bring the larger one, continuing to let the SUV virus spread unchecked through the American populace.
To be fair, the EUV is still not an enormous vehicle, but it is six inches longer than the EV was, and any move towards larger cars is the wrong direction. But that said, we don’t actually know the dimensions of the new Bolt… but we do, now, know what it looks like.
Chevy Bolt spotted charging at Tesla Supercharger with NACS port
And it turns out, it looks almost exactly like the old one. At least from the outside.
It was spotted charging at a Tesla Supercharger in Southern California (which I don’t recognize, but which I’m sure our readers will be able to point out) by EV Youtuber chargepozitive, who posted his photos on Instagram.
The exterior design of the Bolt looks pretty much identical to the outgoing EUV model. The only differences we can see are the removal of the black border around the fake grille, addition of a black line between the headlights, a change in the taillights to add a slight angular dip around the edges, and more body color paint on the rear bumper.
We can’t tell what the size of the vehicle is, but it’s likely similar if not identical to the outgoing EUV, given how similar the models look.
And while chargepozitive said he could peek through the windows to see inside, the dash was covered up and the GM employee who was there with the car asked him not to take pictures.
What’s more interesting is what it’s plugged into – a Tesla Supercharger, via a NACS port.
The charger the Bolt was spotted at has the new V4-style cabinets, which notably have a longer cable. This seems to matter, because the Chevy Bolt has its charge port in front of the driver’s door – the same place the original model had it.
While this is good for GM’s design and engineering process, and for consistency for current Bolt owners, it could lead to a few snags… particularly when it comes to Supercharger use.
Since Tesla put the charge port for its vehicles in a weird spot (because that’s where the plug was in the garage of the house Elon Musk was renting at the time), that means all Superchargers are configured so the cable can reach the left-rear of the vehicle. And some early Superchargers have short cables, which really can’t reach more than a couple feet.
So, that means a port at the left-front of the vehicle isn’t going to be reachable on those short-cable chargers. Tesla even has an entry about this on its NACS FAQ page, stating:
Most Supercharger cables at NACS Supercharger sites should be able to reach your EV charge port, however, in some cases you might have to park over the line in order to charge comfortably. Avoid parking diagonally to reach the cable and try to obstruct as few charge posts as possible. Charge port locations vary by EV model, which requires cable sharing between adjacent stalls at many sites. Tesla is rapidly deploying our latest V4 Supercharger post which reaches all EVs in the same Supercharger stall. Additionally, we encourage all vehicle manufacturers to standardize charge port locations to the rear driver side or front passenger side.
Notably, the new Bolt’s charging location is not in either of those two quadrants of the vehicle, and is even set back from the nose, which will add difficulty at all but the latest Tesla sites (though it should be said that even the Cybertruck is barely compatible with some Supercharger sites).
This is just an early showing in a few photos, and frankly doesn’t tell us a lot that we didn’t already find when GM sent out some teaser images in July showing the new front fascia and charge port placement.
But we’ll get a closer look at the Bolt next week at an unveiling event in Los Angeles. So stay tuned for more details.
What do you think about the new Bolt’s design, now that we’ve seen it all-in-one rather than through teaser images? Let us know in the comments.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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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