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Today’s Green deals are bringing you three flash sales with some big savings – two on e-bikes, one on power stations. Leading the group is Rad Power’s flash sale with two end dates (January 20 and January 29), price cuts, free accessory offers, and free extra battery opportunities across many models, like the RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike at $1,299 and coming with an extra battery for double the travel distance, among others. We then have a 24-hour flash sale from EcoFlow that is taking up to 50% off three of the brand’s most popular power stations, starting with the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station with a free waterproof bag at $499. At the rear is Heybike’s Ranger S Folding e-bike with $208 in free gear at $1,099 through the weekend. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $1,500 in savings on Jackery’s flagship solar generator bundle, the deals on Aiper’s robotic pool cleaners, 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.

Hop on Rad Power’s RadRunner 2 ‘jack-of-all-trades’ e-bike at $1,299 and get a free extra battery (Save $649)

Rad Power has launched a flash sale through January 20 (with some deals continuing past to January 29) with up to $699 in savings across a solid selection of e-bikes – complete with free extra battery offers too. One such offer getting the doubled mileage in Rad Power’s flash sale is the popular RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike at $1,299 shipped. Regularly priced at $1,499 after the summer’s tariffs hit, we saw it go as low as $1,199 in pre-summer sales, with July being the last time we saw its lowest rate before getting its price upped by $100. Today’s deal returns costs to the second-lowest price overall and the lowest price tracked since summer saving you a total of $649 in all.

Rad Power has named the RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike as its “jack-of-all-trades” model, ready to assist you through just about anything – errands, commutes, joyrides, and more. You’ll enjoy a 50-mile travel range (doubled to 100 miles with the extra battery) at up to its 20 MPH top speed thanks to the combination of its 672Wh battery and 750W brushless-geared hub motor. There are four levels of PAS here, with a simplified control panel to adjust settings as you want/need them. Stocked features include a rear-mounted cargo rack that offers a 120-pound payload, puncture-resistant fat tires, a standard LED headlight, and an integrated taillight with both brake light and flash mode capabilities.

Rad Power flash sale e-bike deals (ending January 20)

  • RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $1,099 (Reg. $1,599)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
  • RadRunner 3 Plus Utility e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
    • comes with free extra battery
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles (90+ with extra battery)
    • add both to cart for automatic discount

Extended Rad Power flash sale e-bike deals (ending January 29)

  • RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount

***Note: With the following battery pack discounts – be sure to check compatibility with your existing model before ordering. Discounts will be automatically applied in the cart.

Rad Power flash sale e-bike accessory deals (ending January 29)

EcoFlow DELTA power stations

EcoFlow 24-hour flash sale takes up to 50% off three sizes of LiFePO4 power stations with free gear starting from $499

As part of its ongoing New Year sale, EcoFlow has launched a 24-hour flash sale that is dropping three of its power stations (some coming with free gear) to some of the lowest rates we have seen recently. Starting from the smallest and working up, the first offer is on the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that comes with a waterproof bag at $499 shipped. Normally priced for $999 at full, we’ve only seen it go lower twice before – once to $489 during October’s Prime Day and the other taking things to $399 for short-lived Cyber Monday savings. Today, you’re not only getting $500 off the going rate, but you’ll be doing so $50 under the rate we saw during Black Friday sales while also getting the free waterproof bag for added protection.

A great travel companion for trips out of the home, the DELTA 2 provides you with 1,024Wh of LiFePO4 capacity that expands up to 3,000Wh by adding an extra battery (bundle option for $999 here). It pumps out power at up to 1,800W speeds, surging to 2,200W, through its 15 port options. The station’s battery can be brought back to 80% in 50 minutes via a wall outlet, while a full charge will take a little longer at 80 minutes. You can also take advantage of up to 500W of solar charging capabilities to refill the battery in three to six hours – or you can invest in the brand’s alternator charger to charge up as you drive.

The second of these short-term deals is the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station that gets a free transfer switch (letting you back up your circuit breaker with the station) for $2,099 shipped, with the station alone normally priced at $3,699. You’re getting plenty more here starting at a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity (which expands to 25kWh with additional equipment) that provides 3,600W of output (surging to 7,200W) through 14 ports. A wall outlet tops its battery off in 1.8 hours, with its full 1,600W of solar input giving you a recharge in 2.8 hours.

Lastly, there’s the full home backup option in the DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station for $4,699 shipped, down from $6,098, which comes at the second-lowest price we’ve seen direct from the brand. It starts at an even higher 6,100Wh LiFePO4 capacity with a 7,200W output, but that can easily be bolstered up to 90kWh capacity and a 21.6kW output with multiples of its full setups connected together. Outside of its 5.6kW to 16.8kW solar input range, a wall outlet will juice up the battery in two hours, with EV piles, and generators also an option.

And be sure to also check out EcoFlow’s full phase 2 of New Year savings across its lineup while it lasts – these deals will officially be ending at the end of January 19.

Heybike Ranger S e-bike

Heybike’s Ranger S Folding e-bike with $208 in free gear falls to $1,099 in weekend flash sale

Heybike is having a flash sale opportunity through January 19 on its popular Ranger S Folding e-bike at $1,099 shipped while also coming with free baskets worth $208. Normally this e-bike and the bundle would run you $1,707 ($1,499 for the e-bike alone) all together, but this combined 36% markdown is saving you $608 off that rate while things last. We have seen it go lower, primarily during Black Friday sales and random flash sales earlier in the year when it would fall to $999, as well as a one-day $899 low on November 29, which we haven’t seen again since. Regardless, this is still a solid chunk of savings – plus the included baskets ups the utility of this reliable commuter.

The Ranger S Folding e-bike cruises into view as one of the most popular and best-selling models from under Heybike’s flag, and it’s not hard to see why at such a low price compared to other big names on the market. You can choose between the standard 750W (1,400W peak) or the upgraded 1,000W (1,800W peak) rear hub motors, which will really come down to how much speed and incline-tackling power you need for your area. Keep in mind that the 1,000W model comes with a higher $1,299 price tag ($400 off). Both models come with a 692Wh battery and five pedal assistance levels – with a cadence sensor for the 750W model and a superior torque sensor for the 1,000W model. You’ll be cruising around town for up to 55 miles on these models at 28 MPH top speeds for the 750W motor and a faster 32 MPH top speed for the 1,000W motor.

It even comes with an improved 4A charger that comes in twice as strong as the average e-bike chargers we usually see, cutting down charging times to just four hours to get a full battery. There are plenty of solid features here too, like the folding step-thru frame, the 20-inch fat tires that come with fenders over top each, an LED headlight, a LED taillight with brake lighting that’s been integrated into the rear cargo rack, a hydraulic front suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and a smart LCD display, among others.

The other model that often keeps side by side in popularity with the Ranger S is the brand’s Mars 2.0 Folding Fat Tire e-bike that is also still benefitting from its New Year discounts at $999 with free baskets too. You can check out the full lineup of offers while they last on the landing page here.

Best New Year 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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Texans can now join a VPP and get 2 sonnen batteries at no upfront cost

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5 hours ago

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January 17, 2025

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Texans can now join a VPP and get 2 sonnen batteries at no upfront cost

Image: sonnen

A groundbreaking new Virtual Power Plant Power Purchase Agreement (VPA) provides Texans with solar panels and two 20 kWh sonnen batteries at no upfront cost.

A new sonnen storage + solar VPP for Texans

SOLRITE Energy, which finances solar and battery storage, and global battery storage manufacturer sonnen today announced the launch of their new VPA in Texas’s ERCOT market. This program offers solar and battery storage for homeowners at an affordable monthly rate, making backup power accessible for many Texans.

Here’s how it works: SOLRITE installs solar panels and sonnen batteries at eligible customer households with no upfront cost. (I’ve asked the sonnen spokesperson what the eligibility criteria are and will update this post when I hear back.) Homeowners then pay a lower-than-average rate for the solar energy they produce each month, saving them money compared to typical electricity rates in Texas.

Texans participating in the SOLRITE program pay a leading rate of 12¢ per kWh for solar energy, significantly lower than the 19-20¢ per kWh rate commonly seen in the state.

The sonnen batteries provide backup power for each home at no charge and enable Texan homeowners to join a larger virtual power plant (VPP) network. The VPP supports the Texas grid, reducing reliance on polluting power plants during times of high demand. SOLRITE and sonnen generate revenue from the energy stored in these batteries, which helps cover the cost of the equipment, and that’s what allows homeowners to use the battery systems at no cost. 

Each day, the sonnen batteries in the VPP help balance the Texas grid by directing power where it’s needed most and when it’s most valuable. This reduces energy costs for everyone, whether they’re in the VPP or not, and strengthens the grid’s efficiency and resilience.

The VPP also differs from traditional solar buyback programs that send extra energy to the grid whenever it’s sunny. Instead, the sonnen battery network strategically controls when and how energy is shared with the ERCOT grid, making solar energy a more reliable power source.

Since September 2024, SOLRITE says it’s already committed over 40 megawatt-hours of residential battery power to the Texas market through this program, working with solar installers statewide.

Blake Richetta, chairman and CEO of sonnen Inc. USA said:

The bold and inventive SOLRITE introduction in the Texas market represents the most successful early-stage launch of the sonnenConnect VPP in the world.

sonnen is proud to dispatch authentic VPPs across the United States and Australia, as well as the largest behind-the-meter residential battery based VPP in the European Union – with nerve centers in Germany, Italy and Belgium, amongst other countries.

And in all of these markets, we have never seen anything like the SOLRITE Texas launch. We are so proud of the SOLRITE invention, and we are passionate to build a SOLRITE-Future for Texas.

Electrek’s Take

I belong to a virtual power plant in Vermont and have two Tesla Powerwalls, and I love being part of this program. I lease my Powerwalls for $55 a month and had to pay a couple thousand dollars to have them installed, so what sonnen and SOLRITE are offering to Texans is a really good deal.

Read more: This big battery storage project will boost San Antonio’s grid

Now is a great time to begin your solar journey so your system is installed in time for those sunny spring days. If you want 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 to 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.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate partner

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As Biden heads out, $43.7M goes to 25 EV charging accelerator projects

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7 hours ago

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January 16, 2025

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As Biden heads out, .7M goes to 25 EV charging accelerator projects

lamppost EV charger
Image: Voltpost

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s Communities Taking Charge Accelerator has awarded $43.7 million to 25 innovative EV charging projects across the US.

The Communities Taking Charge Accelerator was launched on April 16, 2024, and the funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The three main goals of the funding are to expand access to electrified mobility options for folks who don’t have access to home charging, accelerate opportunities for fleet electrification, and improve and advance managed charging systems to mitigate impacts and optimize usage of the grid.

On January 15, 25 project awardees were announced that impact 23 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Challenges that the projects will address include:

Solving for no-home charging. Not everyone has a driveway or garage to charge their EVs, e-bikes, or scooters. Projects are testing creative solutions like curbside chargers, multifamily charging setups, and shared community micromobility hubs. They also look at everything from rate design to building multimodal charging hubs, making it easier for people in apartments or urban areas to power up.

In this project, for example, Voltpost will install lamppost EV chargers in San Francisco using existing infrastructure.

Electrifying fleets for people and goods. Think of shared rides, carpool services, and last-mile delivery trucks. Electrifying these types of light- and medium-duty fleets could have a huge impact on reducing emissions. These projects aim to figure out how to charge fleets more efficiently, whether they’re transporting people or goods. It’s all about improving community access to clean transportation options while keeping operations smooth for fleet operators.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s project allows Metro Bike Share to increase access to electric bikes by implementing electrified stations with in-dock charging. 

Managed charging for clean reliable energy. Managed charging is about coordinating when and how EVs charge to avoid grid strain and use renewable energy whenever possible. Projects in this area are working on open-source tools and standards to make managed charging tech accessible and easy to integrate into today’s energy systems.

The University of Alabama is running a project to develop and implement an end-to-end multi-stakeholder EV charging management framework to enhance grid reliability.

Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office, said, “This investment aims to expand transportation and energy infrastructure to meet the current and anticipated demands – from how people charge and use shared vehicle fleets including e-bikes around transit hubs to a new model for more affordable multifamily housing charging – advancing a more holistic energy and transportation ecosystem.”

Electrek’s Take

The Biden administration has been rapidly doling out funds to clean energy and EV projects, and it’s great to see the Communities Taking Charge Accelerator funds reach its recipients at the 11th hour. There are some great projects, which you can check out here.

Read more: Rivian powers Michigan’s first federally funded NEVI EV fast charger

Now is a great time to begin your solar journey so your system is installed in time for those sunny spring days. If you want 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 to 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.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate partner

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Tesla says a new way to clean cameras are coming

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8 hours ago

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January 16, 2025

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Tesla says a new way to clean cameras are coming

Tesla announced on X that it is working on a new way to keep the cameras clean on the Cybertruck.

Hopefully, it will make its way to other Tesla vehicles because it is a common problem with the performance of its advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

When driving using Tesla’s Autopilot or Full Self-Driving (Supervised) suite of driver-assist features, you will often get an alert that the system might not work properly because “one or more cameras are obstructed” due to dirt or snow coming off the road and into the lenses.

For Cybertruck, that’s an even problem because the rear-view camera is the only way to look behind the vehicle when the tonneau cover is up.

It led to some owners complaining that they need to remember to clean the camera at the back of the truck almost every time they use it, especially in the winter.

Tesla responded to some of those comments through its ‘Tesla AI’ account on X. One owner specifically asked if Tesla is planning a solution for when it achieves “unsupervised self-driving” because it then can’t expect someone to always be able to clean the cameras and Tesla responded:

On a more serious note, a more comprehensive cleaning solution is being worked on.

Tesla didn’t elaborate on the solution or when it would be available.

Back in 2019, we reported on Tesla applying for a patent on technology “to use laser beams to clean debris off its cars automatically.” It mused that it could be used to clean cameras, but nothing came out of the patent application.

Tesla says that it plans to achieve unsupervised self-driving capability in California and Texas around Q2 2025, but the latest data makes this sound extremely unlikely, to say the least.

Electrek’s Take

I doubt that it will be lasers, though it would be cool, but there’s undoubtedly a need for a solution.

In my own experience with FSD in the Quebec winter, I get alerts of obstructed cameras literally every other drive.

Tesla has already implemented heaters, which help some, but other than the front-facing cameras, which benefit from the windshield wipers, there’s a need for more.

What’s interesting here is Tesla basically admits that for unsupervised self-driving, which was part of the question it answered, it needs to add extra hardware to make it work.

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