Connect with us

Published

4 weeks ago

on

Amazon’s Prime Big Deals Day event is in full swing and we’re working non-stop to bring you all the best Green Deals we can find, starting with Anker’s sale that has pumped up its discounts and is taking up to $4,134 off power stations, bundles, and more – with bonus savings in the form of free gear – all starting from $99. GoTrax’s newer EBE1 16-inch folding e-bike has dropped down to a $540 Amazon Prime Day low, while Greenworks’ lineup of electric tools and lawncare equipment is seeing up to 53% off discounts. Bringing up the rear is the assortment of AeroGarden multi-plant indoor hydroponic systems that are down among some of their lowest prices too. You’ll find our Prime Big Deal Days hub taking the spotlight down at the bottom of the page for the next few days, curating everything together as we find them for your one-stop shopping pleasure. We’re updating the hub as fast as we can, so be sure to check back in regularly throughout today and tomorrow.

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.

Save up to $4,134 during Anker’s Prime Big Deal Days sale with power stations, bundles, more starting from $99

Running alongside Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days event, Anker still has its ongoing sale that will be ending along with the 2-day event on October 9, taking up to $4,134 off SOLIX power stations, bundles, and accessories – with some bonus gifts on orders over $3,000. These discounts are bringing you some of the best deals we have seen to date, marking one of the year’s best opportunities to stock up ahead of camping trips, road trips, emergency power outages, and more – with releases starting from $99 and featuring old reliable models and new releases alike. Head below to see the complete rundown of all these great deals before they’re gone!

Before we dive into the savings, as I stated before, Anker is offering additional bonus gear with purchases that reach certain thresholds when buying direct from its website. You’ll receive a free 200W solar panel when your order totals between $3,000 to $3,999, or you can get a free EverFrost 40 Portable Electric Cooler with purchases between $4,000 and $4,999, and lastly, you’ll score a free 400W solar panel for orders over $5,000. All you have to do is place your items in the cart and you’re gift will appear beside them, shipping after your order has been placed.

Anker Prime Big Deals Day Power bank/stations deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day C300 power station deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day C800 power station deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day C1000 power station deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day F2000 power station deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day F3800 power station deals:

Anker Prime Big Deals Day accessory deals:

You can browse everything Anker’s website has to offer at the landing page here or checkout the collection of Amazon-specific discounts here.

Prime Big Deals Day

GoTrax’s budget-friendly EBE1 16-inch folding e-bike with 28-mile range at $540 Amazon Prime Day low, more

As part of its Prime Big Deals Day event, Amazon is slashing costs on a large selection of GoTrax e-bikes, e-scooters, and hoverboards, like the EBE1 16-inch Folding Electric Bike for $539.99 shipped. This newer model under the brand would normally cost you $600 most days, which is where prices have mostly sat since it first hit the market last summer. We first saw this same rate during Labor Day sales and its back again today during this savings extravaganza as a second chance to add it to your commute for the best price that we’ve seen on Amazon, saving you a solid $60.

The EBE1 e-bike not only gives you two different riding mode options that can tackle most commutes, but it does so without burning a hole through your wallet like higher-end models. The folding frame makes storage and transport far easier when you’re not on the saddle, with it housing a removable 36V 7.8Ah battery that powers the 350W motor (peaks at 500W) up to top speeds of 15.5 MPH. You’ll enjoy either a full-electric ride using the throttle for up to 15.5 miles or get support from the pedal assistance for up to 28 miles. It also comes stocked with dual-mechanical disc brakes, an LED headlight, 16-inch one-piece rims, a rear shock absorber, and simple controls on the handlebars to switch between settings.

Other notable GoTrax Prime Day deals:

Prime Big Deals Day

Greenworks’ 40V 12-inch cordless electric chainsaw hits new $93 low, more up to 53% off for Prime Day

As part of its Prime Big Deals Day event, Amazon is taking up to 53% off a collection of Greenworks mowers, blowers, trimmers, chainsaws, and more. One of the notable standouts is the Greenworks 40V 12-inch Cordless Compact Chainsaw for $93.09 shipped. Normally fetching $180, in 2024 the biggest discount we saw was back during July’s Prime Day event where costs dropped to the former $98 low. That price is being beaten out here today with a 48% markdown cutting $87 off the price tag and landing it at a new all-time low price.

This compact chainsaw arrives ready to handle storm cleanup, firewood collections, and more – whenever and wherever. It sports a 40V brushless motor that comes powered by a 2.0Ah battery, allowing up to 65 cuts of 4×4 planks on a single charge. It is stocked with a 12-inch bar and chain that keeps itself lubricated and running smoothly thanks to the built-in auto-oiler – plus, the little oil window to better keep track of when to refill it. The compact, lightweight design with a wrap-around handle ensures reduced strain while you maintain maximum control during its use. And you won’t need to deal with the headache of pulling its cord or priming the motor first as this chainsaw starts with a simple push of a button, ultimately saving you time, energy, and most importantly due to it being an electric model – money.

Notable Greenworks Prime Day deals:

Prime Big Deals Day

Update your kitchen with AeroGarden’s upgraded Harvest 2.0 indoor hydroponic system at $60

As part of its Early Prime Big Deal Days, Amazon is now offering the black AeroGarden Harvest 2.0 Indoor Hydroponic System for $59.99 shipped. Down from its usual $90 price tag, it’s mainly been keeping above $80 for most of 2024, with summer having seen a short-lived drop to the $50 low before returning to its previous trend in the time since. Today you’ll benefit from a 33% markdown on this handy device, shaving a solid $30 off its price tag and landing it at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $10 above the all-time low.

There are two big benefits to updating you’re kitchen with the Harvest 2.0 – first off, you’ll have your favorite herbs, veggies, or flowers right at your fingertips, while also doing away with messy soil in favor of a spacious grow deck and water bowl design to grow up to 6 different plants up to 12 inches tall at once. It features a 15W grow light that includes an automatic on/off timer to mimic natural sunlight that “helps plants germinate up to 5x faster than in soil.” It has been upgraded from the original Harvest model with a dark interior within the grow deck to prevent better algae growth in the reservoir and a one-button control nutrient reminder.

Other AeroGarden deals:

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.

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

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Environment

Solid-state batteries may yet catch up — but silicon anodes are winning the race to power EVs

Published

4 hours ago

on

November 5, 2024

By

Solid-state batteries may yet catch up — but silicon anodes are winning the race to power EVs

A Wallbox EV charger for electric car is displayed during the “Mondial de l’Auto” at Parc des Expositions on October 15, 2024 in Paris, France.

Chesnot | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Silicon anodes appear to be leading the way in the race to commercialize next-generation battery technologies for electric vehicles.

The buzz around silicon-based anodes, which promise improved power and faster charging capabilities for EVs, has been growing in recent months — just as the hype around solid-state batteries seems to have fizzled.

It comes as increasing EV sales continue to drive up global battery demand, prompting auto giants to team up with major cell manufacturers on the road to full electrification.

While some OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) have inked deals with solid-state battery developers, carmakers such as Mercedes, Porsche and GM have all bet big on silicon anodes to deliver transformative change in the science behind EVs.

A recent report from consultancy IDTechEx described the promise of advanced silicon anode materials as “immense” for improving critical areas of battery performance, noting that this potential hadn’t gone unnoticed by carmakers and key players in the battery industry.

It warned, however, that challenges such as cycle life, shelf life and — perhaps most importantly — cost, need to be addressed for widespread adoption.

Venkat Srinivasan, director of the Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science at the U.S. government’s Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago, said silicon anodes appear to have the edge over solid-state batteries.

“If there’s a horse race, silicon does seem to be ahead at least at this moment, but we haven’t commercialized either one of them,” Srinivasan told CNBC via videoconference.

How silicon could enable cheaper EVs, electric flight and more powerful batteries

Srinivasan said five years ago silicon-anode batteries had a calendar life of roughly one year, but recent data appears to show a dramatic improvement in the durability of these materials, with some tests now projecting a three to four-year calendar life.

Unlike the cycle life of a battery, which counts the number of times it can be charged and discharged, the calendar life measures degradation over time. Typically, the calendar life of a battery refers to the period in which it can function at over 80% of its initial capacity, regardless of its usage.

Srinivasan said solid-state batteries, long billed as the “holy grail” of sustainable driving, still have a long way to go before they can match the recent progress made by silicon anodes.

“That transition still has to be made in solid-state with their metal batteries and that’s why I think you’re hearing from people that, hey, it looks like that promise hasn’t panned out,” Srinivasan said.

“That doesn’t mean we won’t get there. It may happen in a few years. It just means that it feels like today silicon is in a different part of the technology readiness level.”

Silicon anodes vs. solid-state batteries

Analysts say silicon anodes theoretically offer 10 times the energy density as graphite, which are commonly used in battery anodes today. Yet, these same materials typically suffer from rapid degradation when lots of silicon is used.

“Silicon anodes and solid-state batteries are two emerging technology trends in the EV battery market aimed at pushing the boundaries of high-performance battery cells,” Rory McNulty, senior research analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, told CNBC via email.

A researcher checks the electromagnet de-ironing machine at the Daejoo Electronic Materials Co. R&D center in Siheung, South Korea, on Thursday, June 22, 2023.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

It has typically been the case that better battery performance comes at the cost of longevity or safety, McNulty said. Silicon anodes, for example, are known to swell significantly during charging, which reduces the battery’s longevity.

By comparison, McNulty said solid-state batteries were claimed to greatly improve the stability of the electrolyte to high performance electrode materials, combating the challenges of using high energy density materials such as silicon and lithium.

As the name suggests, solid-state batteries contain a solid electrolyte, made from materials such as ceramics. That makes them different from conventional lithium-ion batteries, which contain liquid electrolyte.

Especially in the West, advances in the area of silicon anodes [are] seen as strategic opportunity to catch up with China.

Georgi Georgiev

Battery raw materials analyst at Fastmarkets

Japan’s Toyota and Nissan have both said they are aiming to bring solid-state batteries into mass production over the coming years, while China’s SAIC Motor Corp reportedly said in early September that its MG brand would equip cars with solid-state batteries within the next 12 months.

Nonetheless, analysts remain skeptical about when solid-state batteries will actually make it to market.

A strategic opportunity?

“Silicon based anodes promise to be the next-generation technology in the anode field, providing a solution for faster charging,” Georgi Georgiev, battery raw materials analyst at consultancy Fastmarkets, told CNBC via email.

Georgiev said several industry players have been looking into the potential of silicon anodes, from well-established anode suppliers in China and South Korea to new players like Taiwan’s ProLogium and U.S. manufacturers Group14 and Sila Nanotechnologies.

“Especially in the West, advances in the area of silicon anodes [are] seen as strategic opportunity to catch up with China, which dominates the graphite-based anode supply chains with Chinese anode producers holding 98% of the global anode market for batteries,” Georgiev said.

“However, there are significant technical challenges going to 100% silicon anode such as silicon expansion affecting the longevity of the batteries and currently there are several routes to produce silicon anodes,” he added.

A FEV x ProLogium Technology Co. 100% silicon composite anode next-generation battery at the Paris Motor Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Taiwanese battery maker ProLogium debuted the world’s first fully silicon anode battery at the Paris Motor Show last month, saying it’s new fast-charging battery system not only surpassed traditional lithium-ion batteries in performance and charging efficiency but also “critical industry challenges.”

ProLogium, citing test data, said it’s 100% silicon anode battery could charge from 5% to 60% in just 5 minutes, and reach 80% in 8.5 minutes. It described the advancement as an “unmatched achievement in the competitive EV market,” which will help to reduce charging times and extend the range of EVs.

Fastmarkets’ Georgiev said a big question mark over the commercialization of silicon anodes is the cost of production and whether any of the major silicon-anode producers “could produce material at scale with a consistent quality and at a competitive price — [a] major requirements of OEMs.”

“At this stage silicon anodes are used more as an additive to graphite-based anodes and in the years to come we expect to see increase of silicon share in anode, but in combination with graphite, while 100% silicon anodes will take longer time to enter the mass market,” he added.

Continue Reading

Environment

Oil giant Saudi Aramco posts 15% drop in third-quarter profit but maintains dividend

Published

6 hours ago

on

November 5, 2024

By

Oil giant Saudi Aramco posts 15% drop in third-quarter profit but maintains dividend

Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil refinery and oil terminal

Ahmed Jadallah | Reuters

Saudi state oil giant Aramco reported a 15.4% drop in net profit in the third-quarter on the back of “lower crude oil prices and weakening refining margins,” but maintained a 31.05 billion dividend.

The company reported net income of $27.56 billion in the July-September period, topping a company-provided estimate of $26.9 billion. The print is also a 5% drop from the previous quarter, which came in at $29.1 billion, as lower global oil prices, weaker demand and prolonged OPEC+ production cuts led by Saudi Arabia continue to impact crude prices.

The average selling price of oil for the second quarter of 2024 stood at $85 per barrel, but dropped to $78.7 per barrel during the third quarter, according to Saudi-based bank Al Rajhi capital, as non-OPEC supply volumes grew.

The oil firm said its year-on-year decline was partly offset by a “reduction in selling, administrative and general expenses primarily driven by a gain from derivative instruments, and a decrease in production royalties largely reflecting lower crude oil prices and a lower average effective royalty rate compared to the same quarter last year.”

Aramco’s dividend includes a base payout of $20.3 billion and an atypical performance-linked one of $10.8 billion. The Saudi government and the kingdom’s sovereign wealth vehicle, the Public Investment Fund, are the main beneficiaries of the dividend, holding stakes of roughly 81.5% and 16% in the company.

The remaining shareholding trades freely on Saudi Arabia’s Tadāwul stock exchange, with the company having finalized its second public share offering back in June.

Aramco’s earnings before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) came in at $51.45 billion in the third quarter, down 17% year-on-year. Aramco’s capital expenditure guidance was brought up 20% to $13.23 billion.

The company was trading at 27.45 riyals following the announcement, down 0.18% on the previous day.

The earnings align with a broader trend across oil majors, whose third-quarter profits have also suffered from declines in crude prices and refining margins. Aramco said it achieved average realized crude price of $79.3 per barrel in the third quarter, compared with $89.3 per barrel in the same period of last year.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter who produces roughly 9 million barrels per day of crude at present, serves as the de facto leader of the OPEC+ oil producers’ alliance, a subset of whom agreed over the weekend to delay a planned December output hike by one month.

OPEC chief says delayed December output hike is 'nothing unusual'

“Aramco delivered robust net income and generated strong free cash flow during the third quarter, despite a lower oil price environment,” CEO Amin Nasser said in a statement. “We also progressed our upstream developments, strengthened our downstream value chain, and advanced our new energies program as we continue to invest through cycles.”

The revenues will be a boon to the Saudi economy, which is currently undergoing a diversification process under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s legacy Vision 2030 scheme spanning a slew of high-cost infrastructure “gigaprojects.”

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance cut the kingdom’s growth forecast to 0.8% in 2024, in a steep decline from a previous projection of 4.4%, and raised the outlook for the national budgetary shortfall to roughly 2.9% of GDP, from a prior indication of 1.9%.

Continue Reading

Environment

Cybertruck backlog runs out, Model S gets stuck, GM hits a sales milestone

Published

12 hours ago

on

November 5, 2024

By

Cybertruck backlog runs out, Model S gets stuck, GM hits a sales milestone

On today’s episode of Quick Charge, Tesla’s Cybertruck is now available in Canada – and, like in the US, there’s no waiting! Plus, we’ve got an “actually” smart summon Tesla that’s actually stuck, GM reaches a sales milestone, and we get a brand-new title sponsor!

Today’s episode is the first with our new title sponsor, BLUETTI – a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonusLucid proves than an EV company can keep its promises while Xiaomi teams up with Chevrolet and Honda to prove – at least conceptually – that records are made to be broken. audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news!

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Read more: Renewables now make up 30% of US utility-scale generating capacity

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

Continue Reading

Trending