Gain utility with mobility on Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike at $1,299
Rad Power has switched up savings through September 18 that is cutting prices on a selection of e-bikes while also offering some additional promotions on one of the brand’s newest models and its SafeShield batteries. You’ll find the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike leading the group this time around at $1,299 shipped. Normally this model goes for $1,599, and the few times we’ve seen it discounted in 2024 have often cut the price tag down to its $1,299 rate, with a few going further to the $1,249 low. You’re getting another chance today to score it at its second-lowest price, which is still a solid $300 markdown landing only $50 above the lowest price we have tracked – matching last year’s Black Friday rate.
An ideal addition for riders who may be concerned with having the proper space to store it, the RadExpand 5 e-bike has been given a folding frame that is activated by a mechanism at its center and condenses in size to fit in closets, car trunks, RVs, and more. The frame houses a 750W brushless geared rear-hub motor powered by the 672Wh battery, topping out at 20 MPH max speeds and carrying you up to 45+ miles on a single charge. There are four low-profile cadence-sensing pedal assistance levels here too that extend the bike’s travel distance, or you can use the half-twist throttle for pure electric action at a decreased range.
Along with its main features, it comes with a standard LED headlight, as well as an integrated taillight with brake light functionality for safer trips through darker hours – with both coming on automatically with enough light loss. It’s also been given an integrated cargo rack to better assist you with transporting some cargo (55 pound limit), fenders over both wheels, a water-resistant wiring harness, a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, and a simple LED display.
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Best 2024 deal cuts $1,000 off Greenworks CrossoverZ 80V Electric Zero-Turn Riding Mower for $4,500
Best Buy is giving folks another shot at one of the best rates on Greenworks’ CrossoverZ 80V 42-inch Electric Zero-Turn Riding Mower that is back down at $4,499.99 shipped. Normally sitting at a $5,500 price tag, with a higher $6,000 MSRP on other sites, it spent the first half of 2024 keeping above $5,500, with these past few months getting more frequent lower rates of $4,999, which have been the best we’ve seen since its $4,266 low surfaced for a short period during 2023’s Christmas sales. Today you can add it to your lawncare routine at the best price we’ve seen this year with a $1,000 markdown ($1,500 off when counting Amazon’s $6,000 pricing).
One of Greenworks’ most highly-rated lawn care solutions, the comprehensive CrossoverZ tackles your mowing needs for up to 2 acres on a single charge of its six 80V 4.0Ah batteries. The heavy-duty 42-inch steel deck houses the powerful 80V Trubrushless motor that rivals a 24-horsepower gas motor. You’ll have comfortable seating with back support as you work, with the mower itself delivering a cutting height range between 1-1/2 inches and a maximum of 4-1/2 inches.
To charge the multiple batteries in one sitting, the CrossoverZ comes with three dual-port turbo chargers that gets them back to full in a collective 45-minute to 90-minute timeframe so you don’t have to wait around all day before crossing the lawn off your to-do list. You can also upgrade this model further with a 42-inch Bin Bagger Accessory for $600 on Amazon, while Best Buy doesn’t seem to have it available at the moment. With this dual-bin add-on, you’ll get a 6-bushel capacity in order to effectively collect all the clippings and debris from around your yard.
First post-launch discounts on new Anker SOLIX C300 90,000mAh DC/AC power bank stations start from $170
Anker has launched its Fall Savings sale through September 22, taking up to 46% off a large collection of SOLIX power stations, bundles, and accessories. There are two limited-time inclusions amongst the bunch that will be ending five days earlier than the rest and include a free gift in the form of an EverFrost Portable Cooler 40 (worth $849). First, there’s the return of the F2000 Portable Power Station that comes bundled with an expansion battery and a 400W solar panel for $2,699 shipped. Normally running for $4,347 (minus the cooler), we first saw this same deal back at the beginning of August, with it repeating here at the same $1,648 markdown ($2,497 when including the cooler) and giving you the absolute lowest price we can find.
This F2000 solar generator bundle provides an expanded 4,096Wh LiFePO4 capacity with 2,400W of output power potential to cover off-grid needs during camping trips, power outages, and more. In up to 1.4 hours the battery can be recharged from 0 to 80% after plugging into a standard wall outlet, with a 1,000W solar input to utilize solar charging. There are 12 output ports too, with four AC ports, three USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, two car ports, and an exclusive RV port. It’s also been given a power-saving mode that works with the smart AC ports to extend its lifespan and prevent you from wasting energy.
With the included EverFrost 43L battery-powered cooler you’ll be able to keep food and drinks cold and crisp for up to 35 hours (and you’ll never need ice to do it). It has a 299Wh personal capacity with a 100W solar input for solar charging too, as well as two USB-A ports and a USB-C port so it can double as a device charger when the above power station isn’t available.
Also repeating for the second time is Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station that comes with two 405W solar panels for $3,599, down from $4,998 – plus, you’ll get the free EverFrost 40 too. You’re starting here with a 3,840Wh LiFePO4 capacity that you can expand all the way to 53,800Wh with the appropriate add-on equipment. As it comes here you’ll get up to 6,000W of power output (that expands to 12,000W) along with plenty of appliance-powering ports: eight ACs, three USB-Cs, two USB-As, one DC, and one car port, as well as connections for plugging into your RV, an electric car, and even your home’s circuit breaker (but you will need either a Home Backup Kit for sections to be supported or learn about the Home Power Panel that covers the entire household).
There are several ways to recharge the battery, with the two primary means being a standard wall outlet (in 2.7 hours) or with its 2,400W solar input (2+ hours at max input, depending on conditions). Everything is housed within a rollable design, with an LCD display to monitor real-time levels as well as adjust settings – or you can do all this on your phone via the companion app.
Hiboy’s S2 MAX Electric Scooter drops to $500 2024 low
Amazon is offering one of the best deals on the Hiboy S2 MAX Electric Scooter that is currently down at $499.99 shipped for folks looking for an affordable commuting alternative. Normally this model is priced at $900, but Amazon more regularly sees its starting rate down at $700, which is already a great starting point. While most of 2024 has mainly seen discounts cutting costs to $600, today you can grab it at the second-lowest price we have tracked (and the lowest so far in 2024) – just $28 above the short-lived all-time low that we last saw during 2023’s Christmas sales. Not only are you adding a reliable solution to your commuting needs here, but you’ll be saving $200 doing it ($400 going by its original MSRP elsewhere).
Many folks these days are desperate to find alternative ways of getting to and from life’s appointments, whether that’s work, school, or just getting around town – and let’s face it, cars can often be well out of the price range for many of us. Hiboy’s S2 Max arrives ready to take on the challenge with a massive 40.4-mile travel range on a single charge of its 48V battery, while the 500W motor provides top speeds of 19 MPH (which beats out a lot of slower competitor models from brands like GoTrax and Segway). It comes with three riding modes that balance out travel distance versus speed at various rates, which can also be customized to your preferences through the companion app. It even sports a rear regenerative e-brake to recoup some mileage, opposite its front drum brake.
The frame effortlessly folds for easier storage and transport decisions when you’re not riding – including taking it on public transport. Your safety and peace of mind has even been taken into consideration, with the brand adding a bright headlight to see where you’re heading while the taillight lets everyone behind you know where you are. And going back to its app-controlled support, this scooter has a handy security feature to lock and unlock its controls when you’re not around, with there being no physical way on the frame itself to override these commands.
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $177 in free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,176)
Lectric XP Lite 2.0 e-bikes with $49 in free gear: $799 (Reg. $848)
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.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has released an encouraging new report revealing that 90% of wind turbine materials are already recyclable using existing infrastructure, but tackling the remaining 10% needs innovation.
That’s why the Biden administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated over $20 million to develop technologies that address these challenges.
Why this matters
The wind energy industry is growing rapidly, but questions about what happens to turbines at the end of their life are critical. Recyclable wind turbines means not only less waste but also a more affordable and sustainable energy future.
According to Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, “The US already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach.”
The report, titled, “Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States Part 1: Providing a Baseline for America’s Wind Energy Recycling Infrastructure for Wind Turbines and Systems,” identifies short-, medium-, and long-term research, development, and demonstration priorities along the life cycle of wind turbines. Developed by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, with help from Oak Ridge and Sandia National Laboratories, the findings aim to guide future investments and technological innovations.
What’s easily recyclable and what’s not
The bulk of a wind turbine – towers, foundations, and steel-based drivetrain components – is relatively easy to recycle. However, components like blades, generators, and nacelle covers are tougher to process.
Blades, for instance, are often made from hard-to-recycle materials like thermoset resins, but switching to recyclable thermoplastics could be a game changer. Innovations like chemical dissolution and pyrolysis could make blade recycling more viable in the near future.
Critical materials like nickel, cobalt, and zinc used in generators and power electronics are particularly important to recover.
Key strategies for a circular economy
To make the wind energy sector fully sustainable, the DOE report emphasizes the adoption of measures such as:
Better decommissioning practices – Improving how turbine materials are collected and sorted at the end of their life cycle.
Strategic recycling sites – Locating recycling facilities closer to where turbines are decommissioned to reduce costs and emissions.
Advanced material substitution – Using recyclable and affordable materials in manufacturing.
Optimized material recovery –Developing methods to make recovered materials usable in second-life applications.
Looking ahead
The DOE’s research also underscores the importance of regional factors, such as the availability of skilled workers and transportation logistics, in building a cost-effective recycling infrastructure. As the US continues to expand its wind energy capacity, these findings provide a roadmap for minimizing waste and maximizing sustainability.
More information about the $20 million in funding available through the Wind Turbine Technology Recycling Funding Opportunity can be found here. Submission deadline is February 11.
If you live in an area that has frequent natural disaster events, and are interested in making your home more resilient to power outages, consider going solar and adding a battery storage system. 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. They have 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.
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Mazda is finally stepping up with plans to build its first dedicated EV. The upcoming Mazda EV will be made in Japan and based on a new in-house platform. Here’s what we know about it so far.
The first dedicated Mazda EV is coming soon
Although Mazda isn’t the first brand that comes to mind when you think of electric vehicles, the Japanese automaker is finally taking a step in the right direction.
Mazda revealed on Monday that it plans to build a new module pack plant in Japan for cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells.
The new plant will use Panasonic Energy’s battery cells to produce modules and EV battery packs. Mazda plans to have up to 10 GWh of annual capacity at the facility. The battery packs will power Mazda’s first dedicated EV, which will also be built in Japan using a new electric vehicle platform.
Mazda said it’s “steadily preparing for electrification technologies” under its 2030 Management Plan. The strategy calls for a three-phase approach through 2030.
The first phase calls for using its existing technology. In the second stage, Mazda will introduce a new hybrid system and EV-dedicated vehicles in China.
Mazda EZ-6 electric sedan (Source: Changan Mazda)
The third and final phase calls for “the full-fledged launch” of EVs and battery production. By 2030, Mazda expects EVs to account for 25% to 40% of global sales.
Mazda launched the EZ-6, an electric sedan, in China last October. It starts at 139,800 yuan, or around $19,200, and is made by its Chinese joint venture, Changan Mazda.
Mazda EZ-6 electric sedan (Source: Changan Mazda)
Based on Changan’s hybrid platform, the electric sedan is offered in EV and extended-range (EREV) options. The all-electric model gets up to 600 km (372 miles) CLTC range with fast charging (30% to 80%) in 15 minutes.
At 4,921 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,485 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,895 mm, Mazda’s EZ-6 is about the size of a Tesla Model 3 (4,720 mm long, 1,922 mm wide, and 1,441 mm tall with a 2,875 mm wheelbase).
Mazda EZ-6 interior (Source: Changan Mazda)
Inside, the electric sedan features a modern setup with a 14.6″ infotainment, a 10.1″ driver display screen, and a 50″ AR head-up display. It also includes zero-gravity reclining seats and smart features like voice control.
The EZ-6 is already off to a hot sales start, with 2,445 models sold in November. According to Changan Mazda, the new EV was one of the top three mid-size new energy vehicle (NEV) sedans of joint ventures sold in China in its first month listed.
Will Mazda’s first dedicated EV look like the EZ-6? We will find out with Mazda aiming to launch the first EV models on its new in-house platform in 2027. Stay tuned for more.
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A view of offshore oil and gas platform Esther in the Pacific Ocean on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California.
Mario Tama | Getty Images
President-Elect Donald Trump said Tuesday that he will reverse President Joe Biden‘s ban on offshore drilling along most of the U.S. coastline as soon as he takes office.
“I’m going to have it revoked on day one,” Trump said at a news conference, though he indicated that reversing the ban might require litigation in court.
Biden announced Monday that he would protect 625 million acres of ocean from offshore oil and gas drilling along the East and West coasts, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska’s Northern Bering Sea. The president issued the ban through a provision of the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
An order by Trump attempting to reverse the ban will likely end up in court and could ultimately be struck down.
During his first term, Trump tried to issue an executive order to reverse President Barack Obama’s use of the law to protect waters in the Arctic and Atlantic from offshore drilling. A federal court ultimately ruled that Trump’s order was not lawful and reversing the ban would require an act of Congress.
The Republican Party has a majority in both chambers of the new Congress.