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When I first looked at the JackRabbit XG Pro, my instinct was to take it somewhere wild. Sure, it’s designed to be a compact, fun-sized ride for urban zipping and off-road excursions — but what if I took it even further? What if I used it to tow a kayak… to the beach… and then paddled that kayak with the e-bike strapped to it to a deserted island to go camping?

Sometimes bad ideas turn into great stories. This was one of those.

You may recall that I recently covered the launch of this wild new micro e-bike (that technically isn’t a bicycle due to the lack of pedals, as my commentors will surely point out). The lightweight 35 lb (16.7 kg) ride can hit 20 mph – or 24 mph in off-road mode (32 to 39 km/h), and has 749 watts of power combined with 48 miles (77 km) of range.

So basically, it’s a lot of performance packed into the frame of something that feels and rides like a small-format throttle-controlled e-bike.

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And at half the weight of most off-road e-bikes, this is just about the only one I could find that would be able to tow 100+ lb (45+ kg) of kayak and camping gear in off-road conditions, including uphill through sand, and still be small enough to then carry it on my kayak in open water. Or at least that was the plan, and I hoped it was going to work.

To see this crazy idea play out before your eyes, check out my video of the whole debacle. It’s a bit of an investment at 30 minutes, but word on the street is it’s worth it, and you’re probably running out of options on Netflix anyway.

Towing a kayak with a 37 lb micro e-bike

The JackRabbit XG Pro is often referred to as a “micro e-bike”, but it felt light a might micro e-bike pulling all my gear.

I attached a DIY trailer to my 10 ft sit-inside (shout-out to my dad, since I stole the trailer he built for his larger kayak to get it from the van to the boat ramp) and loaded up with enough gear to keep me comfortable for an overnight island camp.

Then I hit the road — a mix of beachside streets, bike paths, and some surprisingly rough off-road sections.

The bike never flinched. I was legitimately surprised because I had expected this to be a ‘pushing it to its limits’ situation but the JackRabbit XG Pro didn’t really care.

The only time I ever felt like I was pulling a trailer was during slow uphill sections when it would tend to wheelie due to the slow speed, high torque, and the 100 lb kayak pulling back on the seat post.

I kept speeds modest — around 5 to 8 mph (8-13 km/h) felt like the sweet spot before things got bouncy in the kayak filled with camping gear — but the e-bike never seemed to struggle.

Phase two: Packing the JackRabbit onto the kayak

Once I made it to the launch point after several miles of towing my kayak, it was time to test a theory I hadn’t actually tested: Can you fit the JackRabbit onto the bow of a sit-inside kayak and still paddle?

Turns out: kind of.

I broke the bike down as small as I could — batteries out, front wheel off, handlebars turned sideways — and lashed it to the bow. I had added a few tie down points to my kayak the night before to make this lashing process easier, and those definitely helped.

The trailer, wheel, and loose gear filled the rest of the space, and I wedged myself in around it all. Barely. I had to offload gear just to fit my legs in. After moving my tent, sleeping pad and a few other bits of gear to the stern to make more leg room, I finally managed to squeeze in. A quick drag down the waterline reminded me just how heavy the kayak had become, but there wasn’t any turning back now. It was either sink or swim. Or, well, hopefully neither.

Paddling into the unknown

Despite being comically overloaded, the kayak floated (barely), and I pushed off toward an uninhabited barrier island I’d scouted via satellite maps.

The paddle was a bit stressful at first until I was pretty sure the three inches (7.5 cm) of freeboard I had left was enough to keep me from capsizing. The wake thrown off from passing jet skis and pontoon boats made things exciting in all the wrong ways.

I paddled around for a while until I finally found the cut in the mangrove trees I had spotted via blurry satellite map, though it took me several false alarms as I discovered others so small they didn’t show up on the pixelated images.

When I finally found the right cut in the mangroves and slid into a coarse, natural sand ramp, the feeling was somewhere between “I can’t believe that worked” and “Oh no, now I have to unpack it all.”

Island life, e-bike style

I didn’t end up unpacking the bike at camp. It had taken a lot of effort to get it loaded and I could see the clearing I had spotted on the satellite images was only a short walk through the trees, so I stashed the boat and bike in the mangroves to keep them out of sight from the water and humped my gear the rest of the way.

I found the clearing, set up my tent, and cooked dinner over a twig-burning stove under the creeping suspicion that the Florida Skunk Ape was going to join me at any moment.

The moon was just a sliver that night, but I had a really cool 44-foot (13 meter) solar-powered string light that Biolite sent me and so I set that up for a little extra light as the sun went down. This area of Florida is under a burn ban right now, meaning open fires due to recent drought conditions leading to extra dry brush. I checked with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and confirmed I could use a camping stove, so between that small fire and the string light, I could see my way around my small camp at night. The two were just enough to illuminate all the rats that came out at dusk, who apparently had taken over the island.

I thought I had cleaned my mess kit well after dinner, but throughout the night I was listening to and watching through my tent mesh all of the rats rummaging through it and my bag.

While I had been looking forward to my morning coffee and oatmeal, that pretty much made the decision right there that I’d have to skip it and go for the granola bar I had safely tucked away with me in my tent.

The rats aren’t dangerous by themselves but they do carry diseases and so I wasn’t going to be using that cooking gear until I had a chance to clean it thoroughly.

The ride back: Just as wild

Packing everything back up was just as tight the second time. I loaded everything back into kayak and after one last look at the beautiful sunrise, I pushed off into the open water of the Gulf of Mexico.

I had considered a longer paddle that would cut down the road segment of my ride, but once I got out in the deeper water and the waves picked up, I quickly called an audible and realized I shouldn’t mind the extra miles on the road since drowning in asphalt is a lot less likely.

I beelined it for the coast and have never been happier to hear the crunch of sand under my bow as I beached the kayak for the last time of the trip.

Back on the sand, I hopped out and strapped the kayak to the trailer, reloaded the bike, and cruised back down the highway and into the nearest beach town — tired, sore, a little sunburned, but incredibly satisfied.

The JackRabbit XG Pro isn’t meant for towing a kayak to a beach and then sailing away with it. But that’s what makes this microbike such a fun tool. It’s small, but mighty. Weirdly capable. Surprisingly rugged.

It’s true that JackRabbit’s tiny e-bikes are a favorite among boaters for taking up such little room on a boat, though I think this might be the smallest vessel anyone has ever brought one on. They’re also popular in the light airplane and RV community for the same reason – e-bike-sized wheels for riding around when you get to your destination.

Would I recommend repeating this trip? Only if you enjoy problem-solving on the fly, questionable decision-making, and the occasional kayak-side existential crisis. But yes — it was absolutely worth it.

And considering this is about the worst case scenario for portability and power in a small e-bike, most people should find the JackRabbit XG Pro more than capable of a daily commute or a fun off-road adventure.

What do you think? Would you ever want to try a trip like this? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comment section below. And before you go, check out my video review of the JackRabbit XG Pro below, which stayed (mostly) on dry land. Or check out my full kayak towing/paddling adventure video here.

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Environment

This 50% recycled glass solar panel performs like brand new

Published

5 hours ago

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August 2, 2025

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This 50% recycled glass solar panel performs like brand new

recycled glass solar panel
Photo: SOLARCYCLE

Solar panel recycler SOLARCYCLE and Arizona State University just proved that solar panels made with recycled glass work just as well as new ones.

In a new collaboration with Arizona State’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the solar recycling company created a prototype solar panel – what they call a “mini module”– using 50% recycled glass pulled from end-of-life solar panels. The mini module matched the performance of panels made entirely with new materials.

The research was led by Dr. Zachary Holman, Arizona State’s vice dean for research and innovation, and his team. Researcher Kate Fisher built and tested two sets of panels: one using only new glass, and the other using a 50/50 mix of new and recycled glass cullet. The recycled material came from panels processed using SOLARCYCLE’s technology.

Using industry-standard power conversion efficiency tests, the results were clear: There was no statistically significant difference in how the two types of panels performed.

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“This is exactly the kind of result we hope for when industry and academia collaborate,” said Holman. “Together, we proved that you don’t have to sacrifice performance to build solar panels more sustainably.”

This isn’t just a one-off science experiment. SOLARCYCLE says the recycled-glass panel is part of a bigger plan to make solar manufacturing more circular – and less wasteful. The company plans to build a solar glass factory in Cedartown, Georgia, next to its existing recycling factory. It’ll be the first in the world to use recycled cullet like this at commercial scale.

“By proving we can manufacture new solar panels using recycled materials that produce at peak performance levels, we’re taking a major step toward making the solar industry more sustainable, scalable, and self-reliant,” said SOLARCYCLE’s CTO and co-founder, Pablo Dias.

Read more: SOLARCYCLE’s new plant will recycle 25% of all US end-of-life solar panels in 2030

The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% 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.

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Environment

EcoFlow TRAIL power stations launch from $113, Exclusive Bluetti Apex 300 savings (up to $3,150 off), Lectric Back to School Sale, more

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9 hours ago

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August 1, 2025

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EcoFlow TRAIL power stations launch from 3, Exclusive Bluetti Apex 300 savings (up to ,150 off), Lectric Back to School Sale, more

We’re closing this week’s Green Deals coverage with some major launches and one of our favorite e-bike brand’s next big sale, starting with the launch of EcoFlow’s new TRAIL 200 DC 60,000mAh and TRAIL 300 DC 90,000mAh power stations, along with plenty of bundle options and some extra savings – all starting from $113. Following right behind it is the exclusive early-bird savings (up to $3,150) on Bluetti’s new Apex 300 Versatile Power Station and bundles that start from $1,439, as well as Lectric’s Back to School Sale that is taking up to $654 off e-bike bundles, with many seeing increased packages, like the XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes that are getting $365 in free gear starting from $999. We also have Greenworks’ Pro-grade 2,700 PSI electric pressure washer back at its 2025 low, as well as Worx’s 20V PowerShare 10-inch cordless chainsaw, and more waiting for you below. Plus, all the hangover savings at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s exclusive new ENGWE Engine Pro 2.0 folding e-bike low price, Anker’s eufy SoloCam S220 solar security camera savings, 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.

EcoFlow launches new TRAIL 60,000mAh and 90,000mAh power stations with bundles, free gear, and extra savings from $113

EcoFlow is launching its newest and most compact series of power stations with some significant savings, starting with the TRAIL 200 DC 60,000mAh Portable Power Station at $113.05 shipped, after using the code 25EFTRAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off, while the TRAIL 300 DC 90,000mAh Portable Power Station is at $151.05 shipped, after using the same promo code – and both are also getting a free RAPID 30W GaN Charger ($26 value) along with the purchase. These two new personal backup power solutions will go for $200 and $250 at full price, getting cut down to $119 and $159 in initial discounts, but you’ll also be shedding an extra $6 and $8 thanks to the bonus savings code – for combined $113 and $125 markdowns (including the free chargers) that set the bar for future discounts. Head below to learn more and browse all the bundle offers.

These new EcoFlow TRAIL 200 DC and 300 DC power stations are the brand’s most compact backup power solutions to date, rivaling Anker’s PowerCore Reserve/C200 DC/C300 DC stations in their portability and performance. The 200 DC model weighs in at four pounds and sports a 60,000mAh LiFePO4 battery, while the 300 DC is under six pounds, sitting higher at a 90,000mAh LiFePO4 capacity. You’ll get up to 220W and 300W output power with these units, with the 200 DC providing two 12W USB-A ports, a 140W USB-C port, and a 100W USB-C port, while the 300 DC has the same USB-A ports but two 140W USB-C ports and a 120W car outlet.

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The EcoFlow TRAIL DC power stations come with loads of protection measures against overvoltage, overloading, short circuiting, various temperature spikes or drops, overcurrent, and more. There are also built-in woven handles that make carrying them all the easier, though with their small designs, they can also easily stow away inside your bag. You can charge both via a standard wall outlet at up to 200W or 280W speeds, with the 300 DC bringing a 110W max solar input into the mix for solar charging.

***Note: The extra savings has not been factored into any of the prices below, so be sure to use the code 25EFTRAFF at checkout for an additional 5% off your order. All the following offers also come with a free RAPID 30W GaN Charger too!

EcoFlow TRAIL power station launch offers:

Bluetti Apex 300 versatile power station

Score up to $3,150 in exclusive savings on Bluetti’s new Apex 300 versatile power station and bundles starting from $1,439

Bluetti is officially launching its new Apex 300 Versatile Power Station along with several bundle options at up to $2,600 off in initial early-bird discounts alongside an exclusive 10% bonus savings for our readers. Things start with the lone Apex 300 Power Station at $1,439.10 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS10F at checkout for an additional 10% off your order. This new backup power unit will normally fetch $2,399 at full price once the early-bird savings ends, but you can take advantage of these first-time savings now to score a $960 markdown that sets the bar for future discounts in the future. Head below to get the rundown on this station’s capabilities and check out the many bundle offers also available.

If you want to learn more about this all-new power station’s monstrous capabilities and the many bundle offers we’re seeing during this launch, be sure to check out our original coverage of these exclusive deals here.

lectric xp lite 2.0 e-bike

Head back to school on Lectric’s XP Lite 2.0 folding e-bikes with $365 in free gear from $999, more bundles up to $654 off

Lectric has launched its Back to School Sale that is offering up to $654 in free gear accompanying e-bike purchases, with a bunch of models seeing increased bundle sizes this time around – plus some select accessory savings too. One such model is the XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes that are all coming with $365 in free gear at $999 shipped, while the XP Lite 2.0 JW Long-Range e-bike gets the same bundle at $1,099 shipped. You’d normally have to pay $1,364 and $1,464, respectively for these same packages at full price, but as you’re likely aware by now, the savings come in the form of the bundled gear rather than actual price cuts on the bikes themselves. We’ve been seeing these models getting much smaller bundles between $100 and $200 over the last few months, but now they’re increasing in size just in time for students prepping for their upcoming class commutes. Head below for more on these and the other deals during this sale.

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

greenworks pro 2,700 PSI electric pressure washer stands in driveway in front of garage door

Get 2,700 PSI power through this Greenworks Pro-grade electric pressure washer + foam cannon at $360

Amazon is bringing back the best pricing of 2025 on the Greenworks Pro 2,700 PSI Electric Pressure Washer with Foam Cannon at $359.99 shipped. This particular model with the added foam cannon bundle isn’t available directly from the brand’s website, with it normally fetching $450 at full price. In 2025 we’ve seen three previous discounts to this same repeating rate, with today’s deal following suit for a fourth-time opportunity, giving you a 20% markdown for $90 in savings at the second-best price we have tracked – $45 above the all-time low last spotted during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.

If you want to learn more about this electric pressure washer, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

man cutting log with Worx 20V PowerShare 10-inch cordless chainsaw

Worx’s 6.2-pound 20V PowerShare 10-inch cordless chainsaw returns to annual $100 low, more from $158

Amazon is returning the best 2025 pricing on the Worx 20V PowerShare 10-inch Cordless Chainsaw for $99.99 shipped. It’s coming down off its usual $120 price tag, and is currently going for as much directly from the brand’s website. It was priced down to $104 during Prime Day, with that rate beaten out here today as the best price we have tracked in 2025 – landing it just $11 above the all-time low that we haven’t seen in quite some time. Head below to learn more about this model and its pole saw bundle counterpart option.

If you want to learn more about this model or its pole/chainsaw upgrade package, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Summer 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

Trump just killed all offshore wind zones as US power needs surge

Published

9 hours ago

on

August 1, 2025

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Trump just killed all offshore wind zones as US power needs surge

Trump offshore wind zones
Photo: Avangrid

Trump’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is rescinding every single Wind Energy Area (WEA) in US federal waters, wiping out over 3.5 million acres of zones once earmarked for offshore wind development.

This masochistic move is part of Trump’s January 2025 executive order halting all offshore wind leasing and ordering a review of wind permitting. It follows a new directive from his Interior Department — “Ending Preferential Treatment for Unreliable, Foreign-Controlled Energy Sources.”

This is pure propaganda politics, not energy policy.

Trump has spent years spreading lies about offshore wind farms, from calling them “bird graveyards” to wrongly blaming them for whale deaths. Now his administration is taking a wrecking ball to one of the country’s most promising clean energy industries – just as the aging US grid faces unprecedented strain from climate change, EV adoption, and the explosion of data centers that demand massive electricity.

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Offshore wind is not unreliable. It’s already producing clean power for homes and businesses all over the world, including the US. In fact, many of the world’s most successful offshore wind developers — including European firms — have decades of experience building turbines in deep waters and tough weather. These companies work hand-in-hand with US firms, bringing expertise and creating good-paying American jobs, from manufacturing to port construction to long-term operations and maintenance.

The government’s rollback affects critical areas for future wind projects in the Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, Central Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, California, and Oregon. By removing these designated offshore zones, Trump’s BOEM is essentially canceling the roadmap for the US’s offshore wind future – one that would have powered millions of homes, stabilized energy costs, and brought climate benefits when we need them most.

Jason Walsh, executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance, released a statement in response to this destructive decision:

Donald Trump should support the country’s progress and do everything he can to foster more resources for the people. Instead, he is trying to wipe an entire sector of the energy industry off the board at a time when our electric grid is overburdened and electric bills are rising. Attacking offshore wind will put America behind its foreign competitors, kill jobs, and weaken our energy sector.

This isn’t just an energy issue – it’s a jobs issue, a climate issue, and a national competitiveness issue. At a time when we need more power on the grid, more affordable energy, and more tools to fight climate change, the Trump administration is deliberately dismantling a homegrown solution. We will all pay for it with our wallets, and our kids will pay with their futures. Europe and China’s offshore wind industries are leaving the US in the dust.

Read more: Trump blocked wind projects, and now 17 states and DC are suing

The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% 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.

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