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Fall’s Prime Day pricing is dropping early folks, with today’s Green Deals spotlighting Segway’s Ninebot MAX G30LP KickScooter which is now down at a new $450 fall Prime Day low. Coming up right behind it is Lectric’s XPeak Off-Road e-bikes that have shaken off the recent price cut in favor of receiving $776 in free gear, including an extra battery for double travel distance – all for $1,399. Bluetti has also launched its fall Prime Day sale that has returned its AC200L Portable Power Station back to its $1,199 low. You can also prepare for the snow season at a great price with the EGO Power+ 56V 21-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower, and EV drivers are getting another one-day sale for Rexing’s Tesla to J1772 EV Charger Adapter too. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s ongoing discounts on Tesla’s Universal and Standard Wall Connector level 2 EV charging stations, and much 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.

Segway Ninebot MAX G30LP kickscooter with regenerative brakes at $450 fall Prime Day low

Segway has launched its Big Deal Sale that is running through October 9 and taking up to 60% off its lineup of e-mobility models, with the popular Ninebot MAX G30LP KickScooter getting one of the best deals in the bunch and starting at $529.99 shipped, with extra savings that take $80 more off its discounted price to land at $449.99 shipped, after joining the Segway Mileage Club by simply creating an account for free. Normally sitting at a $700 price tag, discounts usually bring costs down within a $615 to $600 range, with occasional drops lower to $550 and $500. Today though, after creating an account, you’re looking at a new all-time low price here that beats out its previous low for the first time by $50 – all you have to do is join, add the e-scooter to your cart, and get the extra savings automatically.

Whether you’re new to the world of e-scooters or an experienced rider, the Segway Ninebot MAX G30LP KickScooter continues to be one of the best budget-friendly models that can carry you a significant distance – and I frequently see them cruising the streets of NYC. There’s a 350W motor tucked inside along with a 36V 367Wh battery that delivers up to 25 miles of travel on a single charge, reaching top speeds of 18.6 MPH, and even tackling inclines up to 20% without a problem (double what many other models can handle).

The Ninebot MAX G30LP Kickscooter provides three different riding modes to balance out performance, depending on what kind of commuter you need in any given moment – with a speed limit mode, standard mode, and sport mode. The balance is even taken a step further with the addition of regenerative braking (which I truly love to see on e-scooters) that recycles energy when you activate the brakes to extend travel times (especially if you’re in its more economical riding modes). Aside from that, there’s also a secondary braking system, a foldable frame, a built-in LED headlight, smart controls via the companion app, and an LED digital dashboard.

  • E2 KickScooter: $300 (Reg. $370)
    • 12.4 MPH for up to 15.5 miles
    • Save additional $50 after signing up
  • S2 Self-Balancing Scooter: $570 (Reg. $600)
    • 11.2 MPH for up to 21.7 miles
    • Save additional $90 after signing up
  • F2 Pro KickScooter: $700 (Reg. $800)
    • 20 MPH for up to 34 miles
    • Save additional $100 after signing up

More Segway Ninebot teen/adult EV discounts:

Kid-friendly Ninebot EV discounts:

Ninebot MAX G30LP KickScooter

Lectric’s fall sale has made some changes to its discounted e-bike bundles, with up to $776 in free gear being added to your purchase. Once again taking over the spotlight is the brand’s XPeak Off-Road e-bikes at $1,399 shipped, which get the biggest bundle of $776 in free add-on gear, including an extra battery for doubled mileage. Last week saw a rare price cut to the $1,299 low, but today, despite prices resuming their normal rates, you’re looking at one of the best (and most popular) deals on these models due to all the extra add-ons that you get. The massive package of gear includes the extra battery, a rear cargo rack, fenders, an Elite headlight, and the brand’s accordion bike lock.

The biggest drawing point of this bundle is the inclusion of the free extra battery that extends the XPeak e-bike’s travel distance from 55 miles to 110 miles, which only sweetens the pot further thanks to its already affordable lower price rate. The 750W rear hub motor (that peaks at 1,310W to tackle inclines) is also supported by five levels of pedal assistance that boost the rider’s efforts up to max speeds of 20 to 28 MPH, depending on your state’s laws.

There are a bunch of great features on these XPeak e-bikes that you’re getting alongside the praise we have for its performance and price, with Lectric adding 4-inch puncture-resistant fat tires for prolonged rides (even through rough or debris-ridden areas). You’ll also be getting hydraulic mineral oil brakes, a 7-gear Shimano derailleur, a thru-axle wheel attachment system for tool-free installations, a hidden cable routing system, an IP65 water-and-dust-resistant LCD display, and even removable pedals that are quite underestimated for folks, like me, who may need to make room to house/transport the bike when not in use. Plus, all the additional free gear you’re getting from the bundle too!

You can follow the link here to the sale’s landing page to browse through all the offers in their entirety, with the XPedition Dual-Battery Cargo e-bikes and XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes getting the next best bundle deals.

AC200L

Bluetti’s AC200L 2,048Wh LiFePO4 power station returns to $1,199 low in early fall Prime Day sale

After last week’s launches of early fall Prime Day sales from EcoFlow, Jackery, and now Anker, we’re seeing a similar shorter-term sale from Bluetti through October 7 that is taking up to 57% off its offerings and even including some exclusive savings for members. One standout this go around is the brand’s AC200L Portable Power Station which is down at $1,199 shipped. It would normally cost you $1,999 outside of sales, with frequent short-term discounts as well that have been steadily increasing the savings as the months go on, starting the year with falls to $1,399, while more recently price cuts in August and September have seen it go $200 lower. Today’s sale is bringing us another chance at the lowest rate we have tracked, with a 40% markdown dropping costs by $800 and landing it back at its all-time low – which even beats out July’s Prime Day pricing by $100.

While smaller power stations are handy for a few days worth of traveling around, if you tend to go camping with bigger groups using more appliances or want more home support during emergencies, the AC200L’s 2,048Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity has your back. You can even build on your investment over time here, as it can be bumped up to a 4,096Wh capacity with a B230 expansion battery, or go further to 6,348Wh with two B210 batteries, with a third option to max it out at 8,192Wh with two B300 batteries. It features 11 output ports to connect to your devices/appliances (four ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, one car port, one RV port, and even a NEMA TT-30 port) and provides up to 2,400W speeds (surging to 3,600W).

Recharging speeds have been increased with this model, as you can now hit 80% battery in just 45 minutes when plugged into a wall outlet, or you can take advantage of its solar charging capabilities with a maximum 1,200W input that will refuel the battery in 1.7 to 2.2 hours on average. Plus, there’s the usual smart controls you’ll be getting too, allowing you to monitor and control the unit’s settings through your tablet or smartphone via the BLUETTI app.

Bluetti AC200L bundle discounts:

Other notable Bluetti deals:

You can follow this link here to the main landing page and browse everything in full, and do consider joining Bluetti’s membership program (free to sign up), which you can learn more about here. 

Ego Power+

Prepare for winter’s arrival with the EGO Power+ 56V 21-inch cordless electric snow blower at $549

Winter is coming, are you prepared? Well, Amazon is helping you stock up on winter equipment today with the EGO Power+ 56V 21-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower that is down at $549 shipped. Normally fetching $649 since we entered warmer months, it has only seen six previous discounts so far in 2024, with May having seen a brief drop to the $519 low and the others mainly keeping above $551. Today though, prices have been cut back down to the second-lowest price we have tracked, sitting just $30 above the all-time low.

As fast as the months have seemed to move, before we all know it we’ll have rushed through fall and found ourselves back in the season of snow – and what better way to prepare for those rougher days than with this 21-inch cordless electric snow blower. Sporting a brushless motor and powered by two 4.0Ah batteries, you’ll be able to effortlessly clear a 21-inch wide path while tossing all that snow up to 35 feet out of the way. Ice won’t be much concern thanks to the steel auger that can break through it at faster rates than other models on the market, especially with its durable weather-resistant steel body. There’s a variable speed control for the auger that allows for more comfortable handling, while the two bright LED headlights give you improved visibility when committing to those nighttime and early-morning clearings.

Rexing

Coming to us via its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Rexing Tesla to J1772 EV Charger Adapter for $109.99 shipped for the rest of the day. Usually priced at $160 in full, we’ve watched it steadily increase savings over 2024 with discounts starting to $130 in February and more recently dropping costs between $100 and $110 – most of which have come from these one-day sales. We did see it dip under $100 for a brief timeframe back at the start of summer, but today’s deal still gives you a solid $50 markdown that lands it among the lowest rates we have tracked.

Having this attachment in your glove compartment will give you more wide-ranging access to recharging your EV, as any J1772-compatible model will be able to connect to any Tesla level 1 or level 2 stations, minus the company’s supercharger stations. It also makes for a convenient addition if you’re a Tesla driver as non-Tesla-owning friends, family, or guests will likely appreciate the versatility of the otherwise limited setups at your home. You’ll receive the support of charging speeds up to 20kW, dishing out up to 80A to get plenty of mileage in a few hours.

Speaking of Tesla charging stations, we spotted a rare discount on both its Universal and Standard Wall Connector level 2 stations yesterday over at Amazon for folks who are looking to upgrade or start their home EV setup. The Universal model, down at $550 from $580, has a customizable output of up to 48A, giving you upward of 44 miles per hour of charging, and utilizes an integrated J1772 adapter for compatibility with non-Tesla EVs. The standard model offers the same performance specs, just without the adapter, and is currently down at $420 from $450.

Fall e-bike 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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Trump’s nuclear power push weakens regulator and poses safety risks, former officials warn

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July 17, 2025

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Trump's nuclear power push weakens regulator and poses safety risks, former officials warn

Plant Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant in Waynesboro, GA, August 15, 2024.

Van Applegate | CNBC

President Donald Trump‘s push to approve nuclear plants as quickly as possible threatens to weaken the independent regulator tasked with protecting public health and safety, former federal officials warn. 

Trump issued four sweeping executive orders in May that aim to quadruple nuclear power by 2050 in the U.S. The White House and the technology industry view nuclear as powerful source of reliable electricity that can help meet the growing energy needs of artificial intelligence.

The most consequential of Trump’s orders aims to slash regulations and speed up power plant approvals through an overhaul of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The NRC is an independent agency established by Congress in 1975 to make sure that nuclear reactors are deployed and operated safely.

Trump accuses the NRC of “risk aversion” in his order, blaming the regulator for how few nuclear plants have been built in the U.S. over the past three decades. The president says that the NRC is focused on protecting the public from “the most remote risks,” arguing that such a cautious approach to approving plants restricts access to reliable electricity.

“We’ll be very safe, but we’ll be fast and safe,” Trump said about expediting nuclear plants at a conference on energy and artificial intelligence in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The president said his administration would get a “whole different group of people” to regulate the industry.

But three former NRC chairs who spoke to CNBC say Trump is blaming the regulator that protects the public, when the industry’s fundamental problem is that new nuclear plants are incredibly expensive to build. The chairs were appointed by Democratic presidents. CNBC also spoke to the chief of staff for a chair appointed by George W. Bush.

Only two new reactors have been built from scratch in the U.S. over the past 30 years. Those new units at Plant Vogtle in Georgia came in $18 billion over budget and seven years behind schedule. Two reactors in South Carolina were canceled in the middle of construction in 2017 due to cost overruns. The mismanagement of the Georgia and South Carolina projects led to the bankruptcy of industry stalwart Westinghouse.

Trump’s intervention at the NRC threatens the independence that the regulator needs to protect the public interest, the former chairs said. If NRC independence is compromised, the regulator could become vulnerable to industry or government influence in ways that raise the risk of a nuclear accident, they warned.

Independence threatened

Trump’s executive order is unprecedented in the history of the NRC and it is dangerous, said Allison Macfarlane, who led the NRC as chairperson from 2012 to 2014. The Fukushima nuclear accident is an example of what can happen when safety regulators are not independent, said Macfarlane, who was appointed by President Barack Obama.

The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan resulted in a severe accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. An investigation by Japan’s parliament concluded that the accident was manmade and found that collusion between government, industry and regulators was the root cause.

Meta signs 20-year nuclear power agreement with Constellation Energy

Japan’s regulators and government focused on promoting nuclear power as safe and did not force the operator to implement measures that would have made the plant less vulnerable to a natural disaster, according to the 2012 investigation. In the wake of the accident, Japan shut down all of its nuclear plants for safety inspections, losing a power source that supplied 30% of the nation’s electricity.

“There was a massive impact on the economy and that is an issue of national security,” Macfarlane said of the accident in Japan.

“The reason why we have independent regulators, and by independent I mean free of industry and political influence, is to protect the public safety and to protect national security,” she said.

Slashing regulations

Trump’s executive order seems more focused on approving reactors fast than safety, said Stephen Burns, who chaired the NRC from 2015 to 2017. The order requires the NRC to make final decisions within 18 months on applications to build and operate nuclear plants. It calls for the regulator to make decisions even faster when possible.

“To the extent it’s saying NRC is the problem and we’re more concerned with deadlines than we are with the safety case — that’s where it concerns me,” said Burns, who was also appointed to the commission by Obama.

The NRC is also ordered to undertake a “wholesale revision” of its regulations and work with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Government Efficiency to accomplish this.

One of the goals of revising NRC regulations is to create a process to approve at a “high volume” microreactors and small modular reactors, advanced nuclear technologies that the industry believes will one day make plants cheaper and faster to build.

But these advanced reactors often have designs that are very different from the existing U.S. fleet and present different safety profiles as a consequence, said Richard Meserve, who chaired the NRC from 1999 to 2003. These new designs have not been deployed in the real world, and some use different reactor coolants such as sodium or molten salt rather than light water in traditional plants.

“We have very strict deadlines on reactors of a type that have not yet been thoroughly reviewed,” said Meserve, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton. “To set deadlines seems to me to be very imprudent. There has to be a careful analysis that is guided by data that may not be available even for some of these reactors.”

Why Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta are investing in nuclear power

And it’s unclear what role OMB and DOGE are playing in revising the NRC’s regulations. The NRC and White House declined to comment when asked whether OMB and DOGE would have the final say over how regulations are changed.

OMB has always reviewed major NRC regulations as a matter of procedure, said Paul Dickman, who served as chief of staff for NRC chair Dale Klein, an appointee of President George W. Bush. (Klein, when asked to comment, referred questions to Dickman. CNBC also reached out to Kristine Svinicki, who was appointed as chair during Trump’s first administration, but didn’t hear back.)

The question now is whether OMB and DOGE will also be passing judgement on the technical content of the regulations, Dickman said. The pair’s undefined role in the review process introduces uncertainty that could make the NRC vulnerable to political interference, he said.

“Are they going to reject something because they didn’t like an opinion?” Dickman asked. “What’s the basis of that? There’s no guidelines for review.”

Trump is “committed to modernizing nuclear regulations, streamlining regulatory barriers, and reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission while prioritizing safety and resilience,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said.

The NRC is “working quickly to implement Executive Orders to modernize our regulatory and licensing processes while protecting public health and safety,” spokesperson Scott Burnell said.

Staff cuts

Trump has also ordered a staff reduction at the NRC at a time when the regulator is now facing tighter deadlines and a major overhaul of its regulations, the former chairs said. An executive order that calls for staff cuts “is just another way to incentivize people to look for other jobs,” Dickman said.

“It’s a loss of personnel and competency which is really probably the most worrisome part of all this stuff,” Dickman said.

A senior White House official told reporters in May that the size of the staff cuts had not been determined. The executive order does allow for staffing to increase for plant licensing. The NRC and White House declined to comment when asked by CNBC about the potential cuts and whether licensing staff would be beefed up.

Last month, Trump fired NRC Commissioner Christopher Hanson, who was appointed by President Joe Biden. Hanson said in a statement that Trump terminated his position “without cause contrary to existing law and longstanding precedent regarding removal of independent agency appointees.” The White House declined to comment when asked why Hanson was fired.

“This is part of the overthrow of the NRC as an independent agency,” Meserve said.

Political interference, whether real or perceived, threatens undermine U.S. public confidence in nuclear power, Dickman said. Such interference would also tarnish the NRC’s reputation as the international gold standard for approving reactors, which would make it more difficult for U.S. companies to sell nuclear technology abroad, according to Macfarlane, Burns and Meserve.

“Public confidence in the safety of reactors is enhanced by the fact that there is an independent regulator that’s separated from the political process,” Meserve said. “There is a danger when you mix in political considerations and promotion along with the safety mission that the safety mission gets suppressed to some extent — and you could end up with some very bad mistakes being made.”

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Mangrove’s new lithium plant will boost North America’s EV game

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July 17, 2025

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Mangrove's new lithium plant will boost North America's EV game

Mangrove lithium plant
Photo: Mangrove Lithium

Mangrove Lithium is scaling up in a big way to produce more homegrown lithium in North America. The Vancouver, Canada-based company just announced it will build another new facility, and this one will crank out 20,000 tonnes of battery-grade lithium yearly – enough to power over 500,000 EVs, as much as North America’s current refining capacity.

Mangrove has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) to lock in demand with multiple major US battery gigafactories. These deals cover offtake for the entire output of the new refinery. However, the company has not yet announced the refinery’s site location.

“Global customers are recognizing that Mangrove is a strategic partner in securing lithium supply,” said CEO and founder Saad Dara.

Annie Liu, Mangrove’s chief strategy and commercial officer, added, “Having negotiated deals for automakers like Tesla and Ford, I’ve seen just how crucial a reliable Western lithium supply chain is – and that’s exactly what we’re building here.”

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The new plant will go beyond Mangrove’s current electrochemical refining tech by adding spodumene concentrate processing – in other words, extending the company’s operations further upstream in the lithium supply chain. It’s a big move toward reshoring parts of lithium refining, which is still heavily dominated by China.

Dara warned that the global lithium supply chain is getting more fragile by the day, so “Mangrove is building the foundation for a self-reliant, scalable, and sustainable North American lithium future,” he said.

His urgency isn’t hypothetical: Earlier this year, China floated the idea of banning exports of key lithium extraction and processing tech. With most lithium still processed in China, the idea of being cut off sent a clear message – North America needs local capacity, and fast.

Mangrove says its electrochemical refining process is flexible when it comes to feedstock and output, which helps reduce costs, shrink carbon footprint, and eliminate waste. That flexibility could be a game-changer as the continent tries to build out a cleaner and more secure lithium supply chain.

Meanwhile, Mangrove’s first commercial plant in Delta, British Columbia, is already under construction. Backed by a USD 35 million funding round, the project is on track to come online by the end of the year. That plant alone will supply enough battery-grade lithium to power about 25,000 EVs annually. It will be North America’s first electrochemical lithium refining facility.

Read more: Critical EV battery materials face a supply crunch by 2030

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Hyundai is using its three-row IONIQ 9 EV with a built-in drone launch pad to save the planet

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July 17, 2025

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Hyundai is using its three-row IONIQ 9 EV with a built-in drone launch pad to save the planet

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-EV-drones

Meet the Hyundai IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station. Hyundai’s new three-row EV is more than just a family hauler — it’s now using drones to help restore forests.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 EV restores forests with drones

After delivering the first customer models just a few months ago, Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV is already doing more than just cutting emissions.

Hyundai introduced the IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station on Thursday, a modified version of the brand’s largest EV, complete with a built-in drone launch pad.

The interior features a dedicated drone operation PC, dual monitors, and a swivel seat, essentially transforming it into “a fully functional mobile office.”

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Hyundai’s specially designed EV, built in collaboration with Guru E&T, is being used to plant trees in areas that are hard to access. Equipped with vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities, Hyundai’s electric vehicles supply power for the drones in remote areas.

The drones scatter “seed balls,” which are clay spheres filled with soil, organic matter, and seeds throughout the area.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-EV-drones
Hyundai IONIQ 9 Seed Ball Drone Station interior (Source: Hyundai)

The modified IONIQ 9 is part of the Korean automaker’s ongoing Smart Forest Restoration Program. It follows the IONIQ 5 Monitoring Drone Station, launched in 2023.

Hyundai is utilizing its new EV models to help restore forests in Uljin, Korea, which were severely impacted by widespread wildfires in 2022.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-EV-drones
Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 EVs are restoring forests with drones (Source: Hyundai)

The efforts are part of Hyundai’s forest-building efforts called the IONIQ Forest project. Launched in 2016, the project covers 13 countries, including the US. Hyundai plans to expand the drone projects into other regions in the future.

After deliveries began in the US in late May, Hyundai reported IONIQ 9 sales reached over 1,000 by the end of June.

Hyundai-EV-drones
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai’s three-row electric SUV starts at $60,555 with an EPA-est range of up to 335 miles. Like the IONIQ 5, it also features a native NACS port to access Tesla Superchargers.

The IONIQ 5 remains one of the top-selling EVs in the US, with over 19,000 sold in the first half of 2025. With leases starting at just $179 per month, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (now with more range and a built-in NACS port) is hard to pass up right now with the EV tax credit set to expire at the end of September.

Since both the IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 are built at Hyundai’s new EV plant in Georgia, they still qualify for the $7,500 tax credit until the deadline.

Looking to snag the savings while they’re still here? You can use our links below to find the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9 in your area.

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