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US grid interconnections
Power lines; by Ten West Link.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law directing the state to upgrade its electrical transmission system through use of new smart grid technologies and by replacing old wires with newer, high-tech ones in order to get the state ready for increased renewable electricity generation.

In recent years, there’s been a lot of noise regarding the difficulties of integrating renewable electricity into the grid, and upgrading grid capacity to deal with increased demand from electric vehicles.

These problems are real, but are often overstated by entities who want to keep things how they are – a grid and transportation network that are driven by fossil fuels, rather than renewables.

The issue is that, as renewables make up a larger percentage of grid electricity, there will be more fluctuations in supply due to the intermittent nature of solar and wind generation (and the distributed nature of rooftop solar). The two do complement each other to some extent – the wind tends to blow harder when the sun is down – but there needs to be some sort of backup in the form of consistent base-load generation, and dispatchable electricity to make up for peaks and troughs.

Batteries can help with that dispatchability by being tied to the grid and ready to smooth out those peaks and troughs. And, even when they’re not equipped with vehicle-to-grid technology, electric cars can be charged at times when there is excess electricity available, which means they won’t strain the grid too much during times of peak demand.

But all of this back-and-forth still results in increased congestion on the grid, and with our current “dumb” grid, there’s a prospect of needing to build huge new transmission lines in order to move all this electricity around. That’s expensive, but worse than that, it takes forever to do – beyond the permitting issues involved with construction, there’s always the issue of local NIMBYs who want the infrastructure built, they just want it built somewhere else.

Fortunately, there are solutions to these problems, and California’s new law directs the state to implement those solutions.

California law will upgrade the grid – for cheap

California’s new law, SB 1006, just signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, directs the state to use “grid-enhancing technologies” (GETs) and “reconductoring” to solve these growing pains with the grid.

GETs is just a catch-all term for smart grid solutions that make the grid more capable of managing loads efficiently. These include “advanced power flow control systems” which can channel power to where its needed, “dynamic line rating systems” which monitor local weather conditions to make the grid more responsive, and “topology optimization software” which helps to reroute traffic on a grid much like your phone’s traffic app might do for cars.

Combined, these technologies can reduce grid congestion by 40% or more, and reduce the need for curtailment, which is when renewable resources are available but not transferred to the grid due to congestion. And these can be built quickly and at low cost, without needing to wait for more transmission lines.

In addition to this smart grid tech, a very simple solution goes by the name “reconductoring,” which means simply replacing old wires with newer, lighter ones.

Old transmission wires use heavy steel cores, necessary to hold up the cables over the hundreds of yards they hang between electrical transmission towers. Around these cores, aluminum conductors are used to transmit the electricity.

Due to the weight of the steel, this means that you can only have so much aluminum in the wire. But if we used more modern, lighter, and stronger materials, that means we can add more conductive material and transfer more electricity through the same transmission lines.

So “reconductored” cables use structural materials like carbon fiber, which is much stronger and lighter than steel, and advanced materials that have less electrical resistance than aluminum. And while we’re at it, we can build sensors into the lines to enable the dynamic line rating systems mentioned above.

While carbon fiber is expensive, it’s a lot cheaper than building a new transmission line – adding new capacity through reconductoring is thought to cost less than half as much as adding it through building new transmission lines (California recently got a $600 million grant from the feds for these purposes). And, again, it happens faster too.

All of this should not only increase California’s grid capabilities and make it more ready for the future, it should also lower electricity prices. By reducing congestion and enabling more use of cheaper, cleaner alternatives like solar and wind generation, these upgrades should offer downward pressure on rates.

And, if these upgrades prove to be successful, California could once again provide a model to the country on how to get ready for the electrification future. A report from April said that widespread use of advanced conductors could increase the pace of new transmission capacity by 4x by 2035.

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Jackery’s new Explorer 240D power station gets first savings from $139, Hiboy launches EX9 urban commuter e-bike at $800 off, more

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September 24, 2025

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Jackery's new Explorer 240D power station gets first savings from 9, Hiboy launches EX9 urban commuter e-bike at 0 off, more

We’ve got two new releases leading today’s Green Deals, starting with Jackery’s new Explorer 240D Portable Power Station and bundles, which seems to be replacing the discontinued Explorer 100 Plus, getting its first savings starting from $139. Right behind it is Hiboy’s new EX9 Urban Commuter e-bike launching with $800 savings at $1,200, as well as Ride1Up’s End of Summer Sale lineup that has dropped the Prodigy V2 9-Speed Mid-Drive e-bike to a new $1,895 annual low, among others. We also have Jackery’s Explorer 1000 v2 station undercutting its Early Prime Day pricing and getting a FREE solar panel bundle, one-day-only sales on Anker SOLIX and Greenworks combo kits, and more waiting for you below. And don’t forget about all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Jackery Early Prime Day Sale lineup, EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale (ending tonight), 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.

Jackery launches its new compact Explorer 240D 256Wh power station at Amazon with first savings from $139

Running alongside its Early Prime Day Sale, Jackery has launched its newest backup power solution, and this one is not only coming in a more compact form factor to replace the discontinued Explorer 100 Plus, but its also seeing its first savings coming from Amazon. You can now pick up the Jackery Explorer 240D Portable Power Station at $139 shipped, which beats out the brand’s direct pricing (though it is stated on the landing page that it’s not yet available to buy), where it’s still sitting/starting at its full $209 rate. While this initial launch discount continues, you can be some of the first to score one for your on-the-go charging needs with a 33% markdown that cuts $70 off the going rate and sets the bar for future discounts. Head below for more on this and its bundle options.

I, like many, was very upset to see Jackery’s Explorer 100 Plus disappear from markets, but today the brand is giving us the official replacement in the form of its new Explorer 240D power station. This new compact solution brings along a 256Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity (69,189.19mAh) that significantly beats many power banks and other compact power stations on the market, alongside four output port options for your devices: three USB-Cs and a solo USB-A. You’ll be getting up to 200W of power through those ports, with the brand even rating this model to last for a minimum of 6,000 charge cycles, meaning you’ll get over 16 years of use, even when using it every single day.

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The Jackery Explorer 240D station also comes with more recharging options than the Explorer 100 Plus, as you can plug it into a typical AC outlet, with a dual AC and DC option for faster rates, as well as using a solar panel, or your car’s auxiliary port as you drive. It weighs in at just 6.9 pounds, though sadly cannot accompany you on planes due to it exceeding the 100Wh limit from airlines.

Jackery’s Explorer 240D power station launch deals:

If you want a similar compact power companion like the Jackery Explorer 240D station, but want to save a bit more, Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh Power Station is currently down at $80. Jackery is one of two power station brands that have already launched its Early Prime Day Sale promotions leading up to next month’s two-day event, with up to 65% discounts, free gifts, bonus savings, and more – all starting from $129.

two men riding Hiboy's EX9 urban commuter e-bike down street

Hiboy launches new EX9 urban commuter e-bike with dual-sided torque sensors and 62-mile range at $1,200

Running alongside its ongoing Fall EV Sale, Hiboy has launched the latest of its commuting solutions with a significant discount. You can now hop aboard Hiboy’s new EX9 Urban Commuter e-bike for $1,199.98 shipped, after using the promo code DAB1 at checkout for additional savings, which sadly does not stack with the Fall Sale codes. This new model will be fetching $2,000 without the launch discounts we’re seeing here for the moment, which has been cut down to $1,300, with the promo code providing an additional $100 cut to the tag for $800 in total savings. This is quite the deal to receive right out of the gate and sets the bar for future discounts down the road.

If you want to learn more about this all-new commuting solution, be sure to check out our original coverage of this launch deal here.

man riding Ride1Up Prodigy V2 e-bike down street

Ride1Up’s latest sale drops the Prodigy V2 9-speed mid-drive e-bike to a new $1,895 annual low, more

Ride1Up currently has an End of Summer Sale running and taking up to $600 off a selection of e-bikes, with increased savings on the Prodigy V2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike for $1,895 shipped, while the Prodigy V2 belt-drive e-bike is back down at $2,595 shipped, as it’s been throughout most of the brand’s recent events. Normally, the chain-drive model goes for $2,495 in full, while the belt-drive counterpart sits higher at $2,795. We’ve seen discounts over 2025 take these rates as low as $1,995 and $2,595. While the belt-drive model is taking another lap around at the usual annual low, savings have increased on the chain-drive model to $600, landing it at the best price we have tracked all year.

If you want to learn more about this e-bike, or the other models seeing discounts, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 power station on table in forest powering toaster oven and drone

Jackery undercuts sale pricing on its Explorer 1000 v2 station at Amazon for $429 + get a FREE 100W solar panel ($1,098 value)

Jackery’s official Amazon storefront is undercutting the brand’s current direct Early Prime Day Sale pricing on its Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station for $429 shipped, which is also eligible for a FREE 100W solar panel ($299 value), while the solo station sits $20 higher as part of the sale and the only solar bundle (200W) would run you $649 at the moment. During this period, the price is coming down from its usual $799 full rate, which only fell as low as $449 until July, when the 4-day Prime event gave us the first and only drop to its $399 low. This is the next-best price you can pick it up at, with $370 being cut from the tag, though, if you’re hoping to pick it up with bundled gear, it’s better to instead shop the Early Prime Day Sale here.

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

man and woman running on beach towards water behind Anker SOLIX C1000X power station

Anker’s SOLIX C1000X black power station with a book-sized 100W solar panel back at its $649 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Anker SOLIX C1000X Portable Power Station with 100W “book-sized” solar panel at $649 shipped, which differs in its black colorway from the usual grey model featured at Amazon and the brand’s direct website. While picking up the standard station with a 100W panel would normally cost you up to $1,328, this colorway with the “book-sized” panel has only been seen once before in these one-day-only sales, having fallen to this same rate for the first time in late August, which remains the lowest we have tracked. For the rest of the day only, you can take advantage of the 28% markdown for $250 in savings. You could also go bigger with the solar capabilities with this bundle of the C1000 and a 200W solar panel down at $699.99 shipped right now, which has a total $799 value that you’re getting for just $51 more.

If you want to learn more about this station, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

greenworks 80V 21-inch mower, 13-inch string trimmer, and 730 CFM blower combo

Cover yard upkeep with this 80V Greenworks mower, trimmer, and blower combo at $580 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 21-inch Lawn Mower, 13-inch String Trimmer, and 730 Leaf Blower Combo for $579.99 shipped, which is difficult to find this exact combination of tools elsewhere, with the closest match at Amazon being this less advanced 3-tool package that is currently sitting at $560. You’d have to pay $1,100 for this bundle at full price, which we’ve seen fall as low as $550 back in July. For the rest of the day, you can score it with $520 in savings at the fourth-lowest price we have tracked – just $30 above July’s low and the best price we’ve seen appear since.

If you want to learn more about this 3-tool combo, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

man sitting on Rad Power's RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike

Best Fall 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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Environment

Lucid (LCID) ramps up Gravity production, massive numbers spotted in drone flyover

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4 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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Lucid (LCID) ramps up Gravity production, massive numbers spotted in drone flyover

Lucid Gravity factory drone flyover

Lucid (LCID) appears to be successfully ramping up Gravity production, as a large number of electric SUVs have been spotted exiting its Arizona factory in a new drone flyover.

The Gravity is a big step forward for Lucid. The automaker has proven its capacity to produce a super-powerful and efficient powertrain with the Air, but it is a luxury sedan, which is hardly a popular segment in the US, where the company is based.

Lucid used its learnings from the Air to launch the Gravity, an electric SUV, which is a much more popular vehicle segment in North America.

There has been considerable confusion about the Gravity ramp-up. The vehicle has been undoubtedly positively reviewed by the industry, but the rollout has been questioned.

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Recently, a news report claimed that Lucid only sold nine Gravity SUVs in its first six months on the market.

Nick Twork, Lucid’s head of communication, quickly shut down the report without confirming the actual number of Gravity delivered to customers.

While there’s no doubt that Lucid delivered more than nine Gravity SUVs, it’s true that the automaker has had issues ramping up production. Lucid’s interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, confirmed as much during the last earnings call.

Some have recently attempted to link Gravity’s issues with demand rather than production, citing Lucid’s listing of some units in inventory. However, this was also confirmed to be false, as Lucid clarified that it was simply listing batched production units, which sold out within a day.

Now, we finally get some clear evidence that Lucid is ramping up Gravity production, thanks to a new drone flyover of the factory in Arizona:

The drone flyover took place on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, and it shows a large number of Gravity electric SUVs in lots being prepared for shipping.

There appear to be more Gravity units than Air’s and there are hundreds of Gravity SUVs – possibly even over a thousand:

Winterhoff said yesterday that Lucid will cover the federal tax credit until the end of the year, in case the automaker can’t deliver by the end of September.


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The Acura ZDX electric SUV is dead before it ever had a chance

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4 hours ago

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September 24, 2025

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The Acura ZDX electric SUV is dead before it ever had a chance

Acura-ZDX-dead

The Acura ZDX is officially dead. Acura’s sole electric SUV will not return for another model year. Despite better-than-expected sales, Acura is preparing for a new EV.

The ZDX is dead as Acura bets on the RSX and hybrids

Honda confirmed plans to end production of the Acura ZDX on Wednesday. Acura’s electric SUV is assembled by GM at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, plant.

It’s also based on the same Ultium EV platform that powers all Chevy, GMC, and Cadillac electric models. GM was slated to begin building the 2026 model year later this month, but that will no longer be the case.

A note sent to plant workers said Honda “has decided to cancel all future production” of the Acura ZDX. A Honda spokesperson confirmed the plans to CNBC, saying the move was due to changing market conditions.

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“To better align our product portfolio with the needs of our customers and market conditions, as well as our long-term strategic goals, we can confirm the Acura ZDX has ended production,” the spokesperson said in an email to CNBC.

Acura-ZDX-dead
The 2024 Acura ZDX (Source: Acura

The Honda Prologue, another GM-based electric SUV, will return for a 2026 model year. Honda’s spokesperson confirmed that the Prologue will continue to be produced at GM’s plant in Mexico.

Acura is shifting its focus to its sporty new electric SUV, the RSX, which will be manufactured at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio, starting in the second half of 2026. The luxury brand also plans to reintroduce hybrids, but no specifics have been revealed.

Acura-ZDX-EV-dead
Acura ZDX at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: Honda)

The changes will not impact workers’ employment at the facility, according to GM’s memo. It will add additional gas-powered Chevy Blazer production and engines, starting in 2027.

Electrek’s Take

Honda’s decision to discontinue the ZDX is not a huge surprise. Although sales were higher than expected, outselling the Cadillac Lyriq in the first half of 2025, Honda is preparing for a new generation of vehicles, starting with the new Acura RSX.

The 2026 Acura RSX will be the first vehicle to debut on Honda’s in-house EV platform. It will also be the first model to feature Acura’s ASIMO OS, promising to be an advanced AI-based system that will control all infotainment, ADAS, and other connected features.

Honda says the RSX will be a “Software Defined Vehicle,” which will get smarter and more advanced over time through over-the-air (OTA) updates.

With the $7,500 EV tax credit ending this month, Honda is offering a few discounts that are hard to beat, including over $20,000 off the Prologue. The Acura ZDX has nearly $30,000 in savings, but that’s if you can find one. You can use our links below to view inventory in your area.


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