The US election is coming soon, with early and mail-in voting already open in several states. But for people who don’t have transportation to get to polling places, help might come in the form of a ride from an electric vehicle – and if you live in one of these 11 states, you can volunteer to help.
Giving people rides to the polls is nothing new in America. There are a lot of people with disabilities, people who can’t afford transportation, voting precincts that are spread out and difficult to get to a polling place in, etc., and giving these voters rides to the polls can help to increase participation of groups that are underserved by our electoral process.
Mail-in ballots and early voting also help to alleviate these issues and increase participation, but after their successful application to increase participation in the 2020 election, some states have rolled back their offerings in those respects, leading to difficulty for some voters.
And so, with EVs in focus in this election, EV advocacy group EVHybridNoire decided to give voters in 11 states a chance to experience an EV and also drive more voter participation at the same time.
It comes in the form of a new effort over at ChargeTheVote.org, which is accepting EV-owning volunteers to drive voters to their polling place, and also accepting signups to request a ride to the polls. If you’re interested in either, you can sign up here – as long as you’re in one of these 11 states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, or Wisconsin.
For more on the effort, read it in their own words:
ChargeTheVote.org is a nonpartisan voter education and engagement initiative to enhance voter turnout in the 2024 election by providing zero-emission transportation in electric vehicles (EVs) to local polling locations. This effort will simultaneously provide positive engagement with electric vehicles (EVs) and EV drivers local to their communities by assisting voters in exercising their right to vote via transportation in electric vehicles – EVs. This fosters a positive association with EVs in communities that have the most to gain including financial savings, good paying U.S. jobs across all skill levels, cleaner air, increased access to safe transportation, and more. ChargeTheVote.org is powered by the nation’s largest network of diverse EV drivers – EVHybridNoire.
ChargeTheVote will also host a webinar for those who are interested in participating this coming Tuesday, October 22 at 7pm Eastern time. You can sign up for that webinar here.
So if you have an EV and want to help people vote, sign up! Or if you need a ride and wouldn’t mind trying out one of the latest and greatest in the automotive world, you can sign up too.
Just head on over to ChargeTheVote.org and scroll down to the signup portion.
Electrek’s Take
Exposure to EVs has been shown to increase people’s opinion of them, and also to decrease the effect that political attacks on EVs have. So while we don’t expect this to change the world, perhaps it can help to take the temperature down in the room.
We’d certainly like to see fewer nonsense attacks on EV technology, so the more opportunity to expose more people to how great it is, the better.
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How much easier can charging get? Hyundai and Kia want to make it effortless with their new robot that automatically charges your EV.
Hyundai sets up robot EV charger service in Korea
If cars can drive themselves, why can’t robots automatically charge your EV? That may soon be a reality after Hyundai Motor showcased its new automatic charging robots (ACRs) in Korea.
Hyundai and Kia set up a demo site at the Incheon International Airport as part of a new business agreement. Through the agreement, Hyundai (and Kia) will work with the airport to establish an automatic robot EV charging service.
Since Incheon International Airport has already electrified its entire fleet and plans to have 1,110 chargers by 2026, it is the perfect spot to test it out.
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The companies will use the demo site as a “stepping stone” with plans to expand into additional airports, seaports, railways, and other transportation hot spots.
Hyundai Motor’s head of R&D said the project is “a significant milestone in verifying the practical benefits” of robotic EV charging.
Hyundai deploys automatic charging robots at Incheon International Airport (Source: Hyundai)
Although several other companies, like Tesla and RAM (remember the Ram Charger?), have teased robot EV chargers in the past, Hyundai is one of the first to put them into action.
Hyundai first introduced its automatic charging robot in 2023. Using a 3D camera system and AI, the robot will automatically find and plug into the vehicle’s charge port.
Hyundai automatic charging robot for EVs (Source: Hyundai)
When you’re done, it will remove the charger and close the cover. Check out the video above to see how it works on the IONIQ 6.
The company expects that automatic charging robots will “significantly increase” the convenience of EV charging. With autonomous parking, the robots can charge several parked vehicles at the same time.
Will we see Hyundai’s robot EV chargers rolling around global airports in the future? It could soon be a reality.
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Rad Power’s Memorial Day Sale offers first cash savings on new e-bikes along with legacy models – starting from $1,299
Rad Power has launched its Memorial Day Sale through June 4, which is offering up to $500 off seven e-bikes, including the first cash discounts on four of its newest e-bikes that will be ending sooner on May 26. Among the new models, the one that has had my eye since its launch at the top of March is the Radster Road Commuter e-bike that is down at $1,999 shipped. This new model has been keeping to its $2,199 full price since hitting the market, with the only deals we’ve seen so far having been single add-on accessory promos during some past sales. You’ll now be able to save $200 off the going rate through next week’s holiday, setting the bar for future discounts that we might see down the road.
Launched alongside three other models, including a trail-trekking counterpart, Rad Power’s Radster Road e-bike is the latest of the brand’s commuter-focused solutions that boast a sizeable speed and mileage increase over its legacy models. It arrives equipped with a 750W rear hub motor that produces 100Nm of torque and a 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated battery, providing you with top speeds up to 28 MPH and up to 65+ miles of travel on a single charge with its 5 PAS levels activated (with those supported by a torque sensor).
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This model, like its newer counterparts, comes stocked with some solid features beyond its initial performance, like the system locking via a passcode or an included security fob, providing added security, which is always my primary concern when taking mine out. There’s also the hydraulic suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, Kenda Kwick puncture-protected tires with fenders over each, the front LED headlight and integrated taillight with brake lighting and turn signals, a Shimano 8-speed derailleur, a rear cargo rack, a color display with a USB-C port to charge devices, and more.
Rad Power’s Memorial Day new e-bike deals (through May 26):
Rad Power’s Memorial Day legacy e-bike deals (through June 4):
This is a great month to gear up for cruises through the summer and into fall, as many of the most popular and our favorite brands are currently offering big savings on e-bikes and e-scooters, which you can browse in our one-stop-shop Ride to Work EV hub.
Keep your outdoor adventures running with DJI’s Power 1000 1,024Wh LiFePO4 station down at $449
Through its official Amazon storefront, DJI is offering its Power 1000 Portable Power Station for $449 shipped. Despite carrying a $999 price tag elsewhere, we’ve been seeing it spend 2025 so far keeping posted at a $699 rate here at Amazon, with discounts having been completely absent since April began. While we have seen it dip down as low as $379 in the past, those rates were last seen in November and December, with the price here beaten out in the new year by one fall to $419 in March, giving you the second-best pricing of 2025 that saves you $250 off the going rate ($550 off its original MSRP). It’s even beating out the discount we’re seeing directly from DJI’s website, where it’s sitting $50 higher.
An ideal companion for folks who spend plenty of time out in the wilds of the world, particularly for photography, flying the brand’s drones, and the like, DJI’s Power 1000 station covers backup power needs with a 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity through eight port options. Those ports are quite versatile in output, as among the options you’ll have, the two AC outlets provide up to 2,200W of power (surging to 2,600W) in order to tackle larger appliance needs, while also promising fast-charging speeds for personal devices at up to 140W from the dual USB-Cs, plus the others.
By equipping this station with either an MPPT module or DJI’s power outlet to SDC power cable, you’ll be able to utilize its solar-charging capabilities, with the unit boasting a 1,600W max input that can put the battery back to full in 80 minutes. Of course, you could also plug it into a wall outlet for an 80% battery in 50 minutes, taking about 20 minutes longer to push it to full. Right now, there are two discounted solar-capable bundles, with the station getting a 100W panel and the appropriate cables for $688, down from $1,247, or, while it has been $300 less for most of the year, you can still save $300 off the MSRP for the station with a 200W panel at $1,356. There are other options on the same page for those just seeking the cables to connect existing solar panels, but they are keeping to their full prices at the moment.
Fell trees and cut up firewood with Husqvarna’s Power Axe 350i 18-inch electric chainsaw kit at $384
Amazon is offering the Husqvarna Power Axe 350i 18-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw for $383.99 shipped. Normally going for $480 at full price, discounts are often less frequent on this brand’s tools as opposed to EGO, Greenworks, and others. In 2025, we’ve seen it fall to this same rate twice before, which has been the lowest tracked price so far in the last five months. We have seen it go as low as $359 at the end of 2023, and $379 in 2024, with today’s deal being the best of 2025 and the third-lowest price overall, saving you $96 off the going rate for as long as it lasts.
Unlike many other Husqvarna offers we see, which are usually tool-only deals, the brand’s Power Axe 350i actually comes with a 7.5Ah battery and charger, and is a larger yet still lightweight model perfect for felling trees, cutting up firewood, and the like with its 18-inch bar and chain. It has been given the brand’s X-cut chain that retains sharpness for longer periods over more standard designs, while also boasting a tool-less tensioning system that allows for easier adjustments at faster speeds with little effort. There’s even a boost mode that activates with a button press, ramping its output by 25%.
Other Husqvarna discounts:
Get up to 30% off EcoFlow flash offers like the DELTA 3 Plus power station with a protective bag at $649 (Today only)
As part of EcoFlow’s ongoing Memorial Day Sale through May 28, the brand has launched the next round of 24-hour flash offers on three units through the rest of the day. The only one to include an actual power station gives you the DELTA 3 Plus with a protective bag for $649 shipped. We normally see this bundle with the bag on the standard predecessor model or elsewhere, with the power station often fetching $799 at full price. While we have seen the price go as low as $535 from a Wellbots exclusive deal last month (one of only two that we’ve secured), you’re still looking at a solid $150 markdown off the going rate on top of getting the accompanying bag, which is lacking at Amazon, where the pricing on the station matches.
While not as sizeable as some of its counterparts, EcoFlow’s DELTA 3 Plus is a mid-range option that gives you peace of mind while away from home with its 1,024Wh LiFePO4 capacity, which you can expand up to 5kWh with the appropriate expansion batteries for the DELTA 3, DELTA Pro 3, DELTA 2 Max, or the DELTA 2. The 13 ports provide ample support for devices and appliances, with the unit dishing out a steady 1,800W output that can surge as high as 3,600W thanks to the X-Boost. There are five methods to recharge this model (AC, solar, smart dual fuel generator, 800W alternator charger, and multi-charging), and it comes rated for 4,000 lifecycles, giving you nearly 11 years of usage, were you to charge and discharge its battery every single day.
EcoFlow’s other 24-hour flash offers (through May 22):
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.
House republicans passed their tax proposal, which kills a slew of tax credits to help working families become more energy efficient, improve US air quality, and boost US manufacturing. The republican bill instead channels that money to wealthy elites, increasing the deficit by trillions of dollars along the way.
Republicans in Congress released their 389-page proposal last Tuesday and, as expected, it included several provisions to eliminate popular clean energy credits which were driving a boost in American manufacturing.
The credits were largely established under President Biden as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which raised hundreds of billions of dollars through tax enforcement on wealthy individuals and corporations and channeled that into energy efficiency credits for American families.
We’ve covered how families could save thousands of dollars on upgrades to lower their energy costs through these credits.
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But these credits aren’t just money-saving for Americans, they also work to boost American manufacturing, due to various provisions in the bill, particularly around the $7,500 EV tax credit which was limited to cars that undergo final assembly in North America.
But now, republicans in Congress have voted to roll much of that progress back. The final vote tally was 215-214, with one additional representative voting “present” (which means 215 out of 430, or 50%, of representatives voted Yea, which is not actually a majority). All Democrats voted against the job-killing measure, while only two republicans, Davidson (R-OH) and Massie (R-KY), voted to support American jobs, and Harris (R-MD) voted “present.”
Here’s a list of the bill’s various effects related to clean air and energy (via the BlueGreen Alliance):
Attaching restrictions to clean energy and manufacturing tax credits that would make them unusable in practical terms while also “sunsetting” those tax credits early, a move that research suggests will increase costs for American families;
Repealing the Clean Vehicle Tax Credits;
Repealing the Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit;
Clawing back unspent funds for air quality monitoring in schools, clean manufacturing, state and community energy programs, and electric grid upgrades;
Defunding and delaying the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), which reduces pollution and protects the health of workers and communities;
Clawing back all unspent Inflation Reduction Act funds, including many provisions that would have lowered energy bills, created jobs, and reduced pollution; and
Attacks on many additional Inflation Reduction Act programs and initiatives.
It also seems to have incorporated republicans’ ridiculous proposal to add a punitive fee on EVs, in the amount of $250/year. That fee was originally proposed as a way to eliminate the federal gas tax, and was accompanied by a $20/year fee on gas cars, but republicans dropped the latter fee and boosted the EV fee, with the final effect that it would increase the deficit by billions.
You can perhaps see a pattern in these effects: they’re primarily targeted towards increasing costs for regular American families who were taking advantage of these tax credits, and towards programs that would keep you and your children healthier.
It should not be any surprise to anyone that has been paying attention that republicans want to poison you and raise your costs, but some people apparently still need more examples, so here we are.
In particular, the bill eliminates the US EV tax credit which had driven so much of that investment due to its domestic manufacturing provision (though there are some small carveouts). Not only does that inflate the cost of the best vehicles available today for Americans, it also takes away one of the incentives that was driving investment in US manufacturing.
But then, the cherry on top of today’s tax bill is that its cuts of these credits don’t even have a greater budgetary purpose. Not only was the Inflation Reduction Act revenue-positive – which is to say, it raised more money than it spent, thus reducing the deficit – today’s republican tax bill is revenue-negative, which is to say, it will increase the deficit.
So the government isn’t even getting any savings out of this bill, merely channeling more money from working families to the wealthy elites that the republican party has always tried to benefit (including in other ways than the clean energy credits, like by cutting health care for the poor).
The bill will now go on to the Senate, where republicans already showed this morning they will do anything, even if it’s illegal, to harm Americans. If you have a republican Senator, it might be worth letting them know that you support American jobs and clean air, and keeping costs low for Americans, and therefore oppose this bill.
The argument could be made stronger in states that have received significant investment as a result of the credits the bill repeals. EV projects are particularly popular in states like Georgia, North Carolina, and others along the burgeoning US “battery belt”. An interactive tool showing the jobs jeopardized by this republican plan, including the ability to sort by state or Congressional district, is available here.
Of course, if you have a Democratic Senator, it’s also worth letting them know that you oppose the tax bill, just in case a few of them decide to jump ranks and join the republicans in harming America. We certainly hope they don’t, and are encouraged by the fact that every Democrat in the House made the right decision here, but anything could happen.
Among the bill’s cuts is the rooftop solar credit. That means you could have only until the end of this year to install rooftop solar on your home, before republicans raise the cost of doing so by an average of ~$10,000. So if you want to go solar, get started now, because these things take time and the system needs to be active before you file for the credit.
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