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Green hydrogen fans have lots to cheer about these days as one huge mega-project after another takes shape, but there is also some interesting activity bubbling up on the small end of the scale. With that in mind, let’s check out a new modular, off-grid, above-ground, rainwater harvesting, solar powered hydrogen fuel station over in Australia. Wait, doesn’t the US have one of those, too?

Keeping It Above Ground

Above ground is the keyword here. Electric cars get props for having nothing coming out of their tailpipes, and they also have this extra benefit of not contributing to the LUST problem, which for some reason nobody talks about. However, people should be talking about it, because LUST is a big problem — for gasmobiles, that is.

That’s LUST, as in Leaking Underground Storage Tanks. When you pull into your local gas station, all of your gas does not come out of that little thing sticking up out of the ground. It comes from a storage tank below the surface. Not all of them leak, of course. However, there are a lot of them, and some of them leak into the ground, potentially impacting people who depend on underground aquifers for drinking, which EPA estimates includes about half the US population.

Here in the US, in 1984 Congress finally passed a law requiring corrective action for old leaking underground tanks for petroleum and other hazardous liquids, setting standards for new ones, and tasking EPA with creating a program to deal with the whole mess. Since then the law has been strengthened and expanded, but the problem persists.

Though EPA calculates that 37 states closed about 90% of their problem sites over the past 20 years, 544,000 underground storage tanks remain. They require constant monitoring, correction, and removal if necessary, and a quick stroll through the Intertubes reveals plenty of holes in the program.

“Addressing the LUST sites remaining to be cleaned up continues to be a high priority for EPA and our state, territorial, and tribal partners,” EPA recently wrote, by way of introducing the idea that a backlog of cases remains, even as new ones pop up.

Above-Ground Modular Green Hydrogen Refueling Station To The Rescue

One obvious solution to the LUST problem is to store your hazardous liquids above ground, where you can keep an eye on them. Another part of the solution is to store only the minimum necessary to fulfill near-term needs, and that’s where green hydrogen comes in.

For those of you new to the hydrogen topic, most of the world’s supply of hydrogen is produced by pulling it out of natural gas, which is why hydrogen fuel cell cars get the stink-eye from advocates for climate action. They have zero tailpipe emissions, but they drag a long tail of fossil energy baggage behind them.

Green hydrogen from renewable resources could solve that problem. It used to be a pie in the sky idea, until recent years when the cost of wind and solar power began to sink like a stone. That set the stage for electrolysis, which refers to systems that apply an electrical current to water, and out bubbles the green hydrogen.

That opens the door for hydrogen fuel stations that can store green hydrogen in above-ground tanks. Add a water storage tank and perhaps throw in a battery for additional energy storage, and everything you need is out in the open air.

That finally brings us to the latest news about green hydrogen fuel stations. The firm Hydrogen Fuels Australia has just dropped word that plans for a new hydrogen fuel station are under way for the Melbourne suburb of Truganina, which will give it bragging rights to the first ever off-grid modular green hydrogen production and fuel station in all of Australia.

“Founded on environmentally sustainable and ‘low impact’ concepts, H2FA’s operation uses its own electrolysis assets (in island mode) to convert renewable power into green hydrogen,” explains the company, emphasizing that this is a modular, off-grid system and not a grid-connected system.

The sustainable element includes rainwater harvesting to supply the electrolysis system.

The Global Green Hydrogen Technology Network Is Growing

H2FA also emphasizes that the site is not a one-off. It will serve as an R&D center to fine tune the technology and scale up the green hydrogen production end of things.

The project also demonstrates how the international knowledge base and supply chain is pivoting into green hydrogen.

Partners in the project include Australia-based Skai Energies along with Nilsson Energy of Sweden to manage the site’s microgrid, with Green Hydrogen Systems of Denmark providing the electrolyzers, and the US firm Plug Power supplying power to the site.

If you’re not surprised to see Plug Power in the green hydrogen mix, join the club. CleanTechnica first took note of Plug Power back in 2010, when it was pitching hydrogen fuel cell forklifts to the masses. That was before the green hydrogen industry began to emerge. Now that it has, Plug Power is still eyeballing all sorts of hydrogen-fueled mobility devices, but apparently it has also come to realize that green hydrogen production is a money maker.

A 750-kilowatt solar array will power the electrolysis system at the Truganina site. The initial plans call for 60-90 kilograms of green hydrogen daily, eventually ramping up to 3,000 kilograms. H2FA calculates that will provide enough to fuel over 100 vehicles daily.

More Modular, Renewable Hydrogen Fuel Stations For The US

If all goes according to plan, the new H2FA fuel station will be up and running next year. The company is already planning to expand the concept across Victoria and the rest of Australia, too.

So, what about the US? Although hydrogen fuel cell passenger cars have struggled to find a foothold in the market, a growing number of auto makers are eyeballing the long haul truck field and other heavy duty uses. Quick refueling, long range, and high power are the basic benefits.

The US Department of Energy, for one, is a huge fan. Earlier this month Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced that hydrogen will be the first area of focus under the Energy Department’s new Earthshots innovation initiative, modeled on the successful Moonshot and Sunshot programs.

The Earthshots initiative follows on the heels of a growing movement among hydrogen stakeholders in the US to pump up interest in green hydrogen as a decarbonization pathway, and not just for mobility purposes. In one especially noteworthy development that should send shivers up the spines of natural gas stakeholders, the powerhouse legacy firm Mitsubishi has come up with a new gas turbine for power plants that is specifically designed to integrate green hydrogen with natural gas on an incremental basis, until sufficient supplies are available for 100% green hydrogen operations.

Yikes! Hopefully those green hydrogen power stations will do a better job under climate impacts than natural gas power plants. Natural gas was supposed to be a cleaner “bridge” fuel to deep decarbonization, but for one thing its cleanliness is in question, and for another thing it doesn’t seem up to the task of providing power on a reliable basis during hot spells as well as cold ones.

Looking at you, Texas. In an interesting twist, earlier this year Texas launched a project to explore the development of a regional hydrogen hub, leveraging its considerable wind and solar resources, so perhaps help is on the way.

Follow me on Twitter @TinaMCasey.

Image (screenshot): Courtesy of Hydrogen Fuels Australia.

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NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike at new $999 low, Segway’s latest Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter $400 off, EV charger adaptor, Greenworks, more

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March 31, 2025

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NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike at new 9 low, Segway's latest Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter 0 off, EV charger adaptor, Greenworks, more

We’re kicking off this week’s Green Deals with a mix between one new release along with several budget-friendly options for your commutes and lawn mowing duties. To start, we have NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike that not only offers up to 90 miles of travel (and a bunch of solid features), but is also dropping down to a new $999 low. Behind it is Segway’s latest flagship release, the Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter, which is getting a $400 post-launch discount to $1,000. There’s also Leviton’s NACS to J1772 EV Charger Adaptor dropping to $32, as well as the popular Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower that comes with a 4.0Ah battery for $210. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals from last week are in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly roundup – but don’t miss out on the many sales that are ending tonight!

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.

Get a long-traveling budget-friendly commuter in NIU’s BQi3-C3 Pro e-bike at a new $999 low

Best Buy is offering the best rate yet on the NIU BQi-C3 Pro e-bike for $999 shipped. Normally posted up at a $2,200 price tag, this e-bike has been more frequently seen discounted between $1,300 and $1,500 on average, with the $1,299 low appearing more often too since first appearing in June. Today’s deal though takes costs lower than we’ve ever seen them with a 55% markdown that puts $1,201 back into your pocket for a new all-time low and the best price we have currently find.

With three colorways to choose from – black, white, or grey – NIU’s BQi-C3 Pro e-bike offers up some solid commuting power at a far more affordable rate than many other models with similar capabilities. The streamlined frame houses dual integrated 10.0Ah batteries that work alongside the 750W rear hub motor and Gates carbon belt to provide top speeds of 28 MPH for up to 90 miles on a single five-hour charge when its three PAS levels are being utilized.

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Your ride is further enhanced by the extra features you’ll find here, like the integrated rear cargo rack, front suspension, puncture-resistant tires, and a 3.5-inch TFT color display. Along with these, you’ll also find fenders over both those tires, an LED headlight and taillight, a kickstand, and mechanical disc brakes – plus, all its wiring is internally routed for a cleaner look on top of the motor’s IP65 waterproof rating and the batteries’ IP67 rating.

Segway Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter

Segway’s new Ninebot Max G3 e-scooter with Apple Find My and autonomous locking falls to $1,000

Amazon is now offering the new Segway Ninebot Max G3 Electric Scooter for $999.99 shipped. Coming down from its $1,400 price tag, this all-new flagship e-scooter just officially hit the market a week ago after having a pre-launch sale that saw it drop to $900. If you missed out on those pre-sale savings this is the next-best price we have seen, cutting $400 off the going rate to give you the second-lowest price we have tracked and even coming in $100 under Segway’s direct site.

Picking up the mantle from the Max G2, Segway’s all-new Ninebot Max G3 brings some impressive upgrades to your commute, starting with an 800W motor that can peak all the way to 2,000W, tackling up to 30% inclines at top speeds up to 28 MPH. By activating its Boost Mode, acceleration is pushed to its max, getting you up to 15.5 MPH in 2.4 seconds before increasing further up to its top speed. With the 597Wh battery that it’s been given, travel distance has been bumped up to 50 miles on only 3.5 hours of charging, which is due to the built-in fast-charger – plus, by connecting a DC charger cable for simultaneous charging, you can hop back on to ride in a shorter 2.5-hour timeframe.

Among its upgraded features you’ll find improved handling, disturbance resistance, and slip resistance at any speed thanks to the Stability Enhancement System here. Two notable standout features though, are the Apple Find My inclusion alongside the autonomous locking/unlocking functionality, which you can adjust in terms of its activation via your distance from it. There’s also the dual suspension, 11-inch self-sealing tires, the automatic 6W headlight, underglow deck lighting, and a 2,4-inch smart TFT display which provides navigation, caller IC, and smart charge management through your phone.

Leviton NACS to J1772 EV charger adaptor

Add Leviton’s NACS to J1772 EV adapter to your glove box for wider charging access at $32

As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is having a Lightning deal on the Leviton NACS to J1772 EV Charger Adapter for $31.60 Prime shipped, with non-members needing a cart total of over $35 to score the free shipping. This handy little adapter normally keeps up at its $39 MSRP, which is getting a solid 19% markdown here today for as long as supplies last. What few discounts we’ve seen have mostly kept prices above $35, though December did see a drop to the $31.20 low that repeated once at the top of the month. You’re looking at the second-lowest price we have tracked here today, which comes in just $0.40 above the lowest ever.

If you’re sticking with your Tesla or any NACS-centered EV and want to expand your charging options, this might be a good adapter to have tucked away in your glove box. You’ll gain access to any charging station that sports J1772 connectors – so trips visiting friends and family with such setups no longer need planning around should you need to top of your EV’s battery. Not only is it designed to have no problems in indoor and outdoor environments, regardless of the season, but it also allows for up to 60A charging speeds when in use.

Greenworks 40V 16-inch cordless electric push lawn mower

Get lawn care support on a budget with Greenworks’ 40V 16-inch cordless push mower at $210

As part of its Big Spring Sale, Amazon is offering the Greenworks 40V 16-inch Cordless Push Lawn Mower with a 4.0Ah battery for $209.99 shipped. This model has been keeping down at $300 lately, a drop-off from its usual $330 price tag, with the discounts in 2025 mostly dropping costs between $250 and $225, though there have been occasional returns to this same rate, which we last spotted in February. While we have seen it go lower in the past, you’re still looking at the best price on Amazon for the last year, saving you $90 ($120 off its previous price tag) while also getting you prepped for mowing duties throughout the warmer months ahead. It’s even beating out Greenwrok’s direct site by $90.

This 40V Greenworks push lawn mower is a budget-friendly model that is perfect for smaller yards, as the included 4.0Ah battery provides it with enough juice for 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge, though you can certainly switch it out with others to extend performance. There are five cutting height positions that you can choose from here, ranging from 1 1/4 inches to 3 3/8 inches, with the push button start eliminating the need to wrestle with pull-strings and the foldable frame saving you storage space. It even provides two different collection options, mulching or rear-bagging, giving you more versatility over single-function counterparts.

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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Home solar buyers are asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives

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March 31, 2025

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Home solar buyers are asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives

Tesla Powerwall and Eaton smart breaker

New data from EnergySage shows that home solar buyers are increasingly asking for Tesla Powerwall alternatives as the brand damage extends to Tesla’s energy business.

Tesla has long been the brand leader in home battery packs with Powerwall.

The automaker launched its energy division in 2015 with the release of the first Powerwall, which help greatly expand the home battery pack market.

With Powerwall 2, Tesla Energy became the market leader and with Powerwall 3 last year, the company achieveied a truly impressive production ramp – albeit not without some questions.

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It remains the most popular option for people looking for home backup power or to make better use of their home solar system, but there’s competition and Tesla’s brand issues are turning people to those competitors.

EnergySage is a service that enables homeowners to easily source and compare solar quotes for free without any sales call.

It gives them a lot of data about the home solar and battery industry.

The company says that homeowners have consistently chosen the Powerwall when adding a battery to their quote, but it has gone down since Trump’s inauguration and Musk’s salutes:

From January 1 through January 19, about 73% of homeowners selected a battery quote that included the Tesla Powerwall. That number dropped to 64% between January 20 and March 10.

Futhermore, EnergySage says that it has seen a surge in people mentioning Tesla in the quote process and 68% specifically asked for a Tesla Powerwall alternative:

Homeowners receiving quotes mentioned Tesla more than twice as often in emails in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same time last year; 13.5% expressed unfavorable views towards Tesla or Musk, while 68% specifically requested a Tesla alternative.

EnergySage shared an example of one such message from one of its clients:

“Do you offer a battery from a supplier other than Tesla? Though we have a Tesla Powerwall and love it, and we love our Tesla Model 3 and Y, we are outraged at Musk’s politics, so we don’t wish to send him more money,”

North Carolina-based Renu Energy Solutions says that 78% of the home batteries it installed last year were Tesla’s Powerwalls.

Nicholas Boles, Solar Energy Advisor Manager at Renu, confirmed that they are now seeing a surge in requests for alternative this year.

Boles said that they are now pushing Franklin batteries as a Tesla alternative:

“The last 14 deals I’ve sold as a manager have all been Franklin batteries.”

The Franklin aPower 2 has very similar specs as the Powerwall 3 with a bit more energy capacity and a bit less power capacity, but it also has a better warranty:

Specification Tesla Powerwall 3 Franklin aPower 2
Energy Capacity 13.5 kWh 15 kWh
Continuous Power Output Up to 11.5 kW 10 kW
Peak Power Output Up to 30 kW (for 10 seconds) up to 15 kW
Load Start Capability 185 A Locked Rotor Amps (LRA) Supports up to a 5-ton A/C unit
Scalability Up to 4 units Up to 15 units per system (225 kWh total)
Battery Chemistry Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Round-Trip Efficiency 89% (solar to battery to home/grid) Not specified
Operating Temperature Range -4°F to 122°F (-20°C to 50°C) -4°F to 131°F (-20°C to 55°C)
Dimensions (H x W x D) 43.25 in x 24 in x 7.6 in (1099 mm x 609 mm x 193 mm) 45.2 in x 29.5 in x 11.8 in (1149 mm x 750 mm x 300 mm)
Weight 287 lbs (130 kg) 357 lbs (162 kg)
Enclosure Rating Not specified IP67 (battery pack & inverter); IP56 (wiring)
Warranty 10 years 15 years or 60 MWh throughput

While there’s evidence that Tesla’s brand issues are pushing more people to alternative, it is still clear that Powerwall remains popular.

Kowalczyk of Solartime USA told EnergySage that the Texas-based solar installers still gets more requests for Powerwalls than any other battery system.

Electrek’s Take

It makes sense that Tesla’s brand issues would also affect its energy business. Megapack being a business-to-business product isolates from the brand issues, but the Powerwall is still a consumer product.

However, the Powerwall was already so dominant that even significant brand issues would still result in significant market share for Tesla.

There’s also a lack of competition, but they are coming. Franklin aPower 2 is a good example as it fairly close in price and specs as Powerwall 3.

That said, with the still growing home solar business as people are trying to avoid increasing electricity rates. Tesla isn’t likely to have a demand issue with the Powerwall anytime soon.

If you are interested in getting solar and/or batteries for your home, we recommend using EnergySage. You will be able to get quotes without any hassle and only talk to someone when you are ready to move forward.

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Genesis will launch the GV80 EV we’ve been waiting for, but first a hybrid is coming soon

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4 hours ago

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March 31, 2025

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Genesis will launch the GV80 EV we've been waiting for, but first a hybrid is coming soon

Genesis-GV80-EV

The luxury Genesis GV80 SUV is finally getting an EV variant. Genesis is launching the next-gen model as soon as next year. For the first time, it will be available as a hybrid. An all-new, fully electric GV80 is set to follow.

When is Genesis launching the GV80 EV?

Genesis has emerged as a dark horse in the luxury segment as the auto industry continues shifting toward electrification.

Although Genesis initially planned to launch all new vehicles exclusively as EVs, starting this year, that will no longer be the case.

Hyundai’s luxury brand will introduce a series of hybrids after it “overachieved” in the EV department. Genesis now plans to launch hybrids for as many models as possible, including the GV80. After sales of the midsize luxury SUV hit a new global record in the first half of 2024, Genesis is preparing to launch an updated model.

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According to South Korean blogger MotorsJason, the next-gen Genesis GV80 will debut in 2026 or 2027 with a new 2.5L hybrid variant.

Currently, the SUV is only available in 2.5-liter four-cylinder or twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 options. A hybrid variant will likely help boost the midsize SUV’s appeal even more.

Genesis-GV80-EV
Genesis-GV80-EV

Genesis will follow up with an all-new GV80 EV, which is expected to launch in 2028. The electric SUV will reportedly be built on Hyundai’s new eM platform, set to replace its current E-GMP.

Although details are slim at this point, Hyundai’s new EV platform is expected to boost range and charging speeds while cutting costs. It’s designed for vehicles of all sizes, from sedans to pickups. The platform will also underpin the upcoming ultra-luxury Genesis GV90.

Genesis-GV80-EV
Genesis GV80 Coupe concept (Source: Genesis)

At 4,940 mm long, 1,975 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall, the Genesis GV80 is about the size of a BMW iX (4,952 mm long, 1,967 mm wide, and 1,695 mm tall) or slightly bigger than the Tesla Model Y and Porsche Macan EV.

Genesis is also reportedly working on an electric G70 sports sedan. Like the GV80 EV, it likely won’t arrive until 2027 or 2028.

Can the Genesis GV80 EV compete with the BMW iX or upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV? Let us know what you think in the comments.

Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, MotorsJason

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