If switching from gas to electric is a bit daunting as you think of having to buy yet another battery platform, chargers, and the like, then RYOBI has you covered. As one of America’s largest DIY tool brands, there’s a real possibility you have some RYOBI 18V tools already at home. Whether that’s the case or not, picking up a RYOBI 18V ONE+ 15-inch cordless string trimmer is a good choice either way. The kit includes a 4Ah battery and charger to jump-start your collection and also adds another battery to your kit if you already have some. On sale for $139 shipped, you’ll find that today’s deal saves 22% from the normal $179 going rate, marking one of the first discounts of the season. We also have a wide selection of Tesla and e-bike discounts in today’s New Green Deals, so you won’t want to miss that either.
Today only, as part of its Special Buy of the Day, Home Depot is offering a selection of RYOBI and other electric outdoor yard tools on sale. Our top pick from the sale is RYOBI’s 18V ONE+ 15-inch Cordless String Trimmer Kit for $139 shipped. Today’s deal comes in at 22% off the normal $179 going rates and marks one of the first discounts that we’ve tracked so far this season. Ready to jump-start your yard tool overhaul, going with RYOBI tools means you’ll be able to utilize 18V ONE+ batteries that you might already own. This string trimmer features a brushless motor, bump feed head with speed winder, and variable speed control. Compatible with 0.080- and 0.095-inch string line, you can even adjust the cutting width from 13 to 15 inches to dial things in. Of course, not a single drop of gas or oil is needed for this tool to work, and the included 4Ah battery and charger will work with all other RYOBI 18V ONE+ tools too.
Anker PowerHouse 256Wh power station drops to best price of the year at $187 (Reg. $250)
Anker’s official Amazon storefront is now discounting several of its portable power stations, all of which are headlined by the PowerHouse 256Wh model at $186.99 shipped. Down from $250, this is one of the best discounts we’ve seen to date at 25% off. It’s $13 under our previous mentions and matching the lowest price of the year. This is also the second-best discount to date. Packing all of Anker’s usual portable power station perks into a redesigned package, this more recent offering arrives with an internal 256Wh battery. That pairs with a multitude of ports for refueling your everyday carry like two AC outlets, a 60W USB-C PD port, dual USB-A slots, and a car socket, all of which share 200W of power between them. An integrated LED light on the front and carrying handle make it an even better companion for camping, or just having on-hand for power outages at home.
If the lead deal isn’t packing enough power for your needs, we’re also tracking some other models on sale. These are all mostly at some of the best prices of the year, and if not, marking rare chances to save nonetheless at $50 or more below our previous mentions from last month. Just be sure to clip the on-page coupon for each of the listings in order to lock-in the prices you see below.
Spring joy rides await with Segway’s Ninebot E22 electric scooter at $500 low (Save $300)
Amazon now offers the Segway Ninebot ES4 Electric Kick Scooter for $499.99 shipped. Normally fetching $800, you’re looking at only the second discount of the year and a match of the all-time low. This is well under our previous $730 price cut from last year and one of the first times it has gotten close to being this low. Spring weather is officially here and if you’re looking to usher in those more comfortable temperatures with some joyrides through town, it’s time to hit the streets and cruise around on EVs like the discounted Segway Ninebot ES4. Whether it’s for commuting to and from work or just for some fun, this electric kickscooter is up to the task with a 28-mile range and 19 MPH top speed. In-between rides, its folding design is sure to come in handy and there’s also a built-in headlight for being able to ride around even once the sun goes down.
To go alongside the more traditional EV on sale above, Amazon is also marking down two different versions of Segway’s Ninebot self-balancing electric scooters. These ride-on vehicles are powered by electric just the same, but are a bit more high-tech compared to the usual scooter form-factor above.
Pick up an EcoFlow RIVER 2, DELTA Mini, and two solar panels for $983 with our exclusive code
Wellbots has partnered with 9to5Toys to offer our readers a special bundle with the EcoFlow RIVER 2, DELTA Mini, and two 110W Solar Panels for $983.18 shipped with the code 9TO5POWER at checkout. For comparison, you’d spend $1,299 at Amazon for just the DELTA Mini 2 with two solar panels, and the RIVER 2 costs an additional $199 there. Today’s deal saves a total of 34% from the going rate at Amazon and comes in at $515 in total savings.
This bundle has quite a lot to it, so we’ll unpack the contents in stages. Starting things off, you’ll have the compact EcoFlow RIVER 2 portable power station. The 256Wh RIVER 2 features a total output of 600W and allows you to run up to six appliances at the same time. There are two AC outlets, one grounded and one not grounded here, which can power various items like mini fridges, toasters, or even small heaters. You’ll also find a 60W USB-C output, dual 12W USB-A, and a 100W DC plug too.
Now, if that’s not enough for your daily use, then that’s where the 882Wh EcoFlow DELTA Mini comes in. Taking things up a notch, the DELTA Mini features a maximum sustained output of 1,400W, though it can boost up to 1,800W if the need arises. With five total AC outputs here, four of which have the ability to be grounded (though only two at a time), this power station is great for running a larger campsite or even your home off-grid. In addition to the AC ports, you’ll find a 100W USB-C port, three total USB-A plugs up to 18W, and a DC out capable of delivering up to 126W. Of course, both the RIVER 2 and DELTA Mini function without any gas or oil needed.
Wondering how you recharge off-grid? Well, the two included 110W solar panels are made for just that. You can hook up the panels to either portable power station and recharge with the sun’s rays. This comes in handy whenever you’re off-grid for extended periods of time, or if the power is out at home for more than a few hours. Essentially, you can use the solar panels to power and charge the batteries during the day, so that way when the sun goes down you can still keep things up and running just the same.
New Tesla deals
After checking out the RYOBI string trimmer on sale above, if you keep read, you’ll find a selection of new green deals that will make your Tesla experience better in multiple areas. From storage to keep recordings on to phone mounts, car chargers, and anything else we can find, it’ll be listed below. Each day we’ll do our best to find new and exciting deals and ways for you to save on fun accessories for your Tesla, making each trip unique. For more gift ideas and deals, check out the best Tesla shop. Keep reading on for e-bike, Greenworks, and other great deals.
New e-bike deals + electric scooter discounts
If you’re looking to get out and enjoy the sunshine still after using your new electric mower, than we recommend you experience it than on another e-bike or electric scooter you just got at a fantastic price through one of our deals and sale below. You can use it for fun, exercise, or even transportation to and from work or the coffee shop. We have several people here that will regularly commute to coffee shops or offices on their e-bike, as it cuts down on fossil fuel usage as well as allows them to enjoy some time outdoors on nice sunny days. Below, you’ll find a wide selection of new e-bike deals and electric scooter deal in all price ranges, so give it a look if that’s something you’d be interested in picking up. As always, the newest e-bike deal and electric scooter discounts and sales will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.
Additional New Green Deals
After shopping the RYOBI string trimmer on sale above, be sure to check out the other discounts we found today. These new green deals are wide-ranging from outdoor lawn equipment to anything else we find that could save you money in various ways, be that cutting gas and oil out of your life or just enjoying other amenities that energy-saving gear can bring. As always, the newest deals will be at the top, so shop quick as the discounts are bound to go away soon.
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Wind energy powered 20% of all electricity consumed in Europe (19% in the EU) in 2024, and the EU has set a goal to grow this share to 34% by 2030 and more than 50% by 2050.
To stay on track, the EU needs to install 30 GW of new wind farms annually, but it only managed 13 GW in 2024 – 11.4 GW onshore and 1.4 GW offshore. This is what’s holding the EU back from achieving its wind growth goals.
Three big problems holding Europe’s wind power back
Europe’s wind power growth is stalling for three key reasons:
Permitting delays. Many governments haven’t implemented the EU’s new permitting rules, making it harder for projects to move forward.
Grid connection bottlenecks. Over 500 GW(!) of potential wind capacity is stuck in grid connection queues.
Slow electrification. Europe’s economy isn’t electrifying fast enough to drive demand for more renewable energy.
Brussels-based trade association WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson summed it up: “The EU must urgently tackle all three problems. More wind means cheaper power, which means increased competitiveness.”
Permitting: Germany sets the standard
Permitting remains a massive roadblock, despite new EU rules aimed at streamlining the process. In fact, the situation worsened in 2024 in many countries. The bright spot? Germany. By embracing the EU’s permitting rules — with measures like binding deadlines and treating wind energy as a public interest priority — Germany approved a record 15 GW of new onshore wind in 2024. That’s seven times more than five years ago.
If other governments follow Germany’s lead, Europe could unlock the full potential of wind energy and bolster energy security.
Grid connections: a growing crisis
Access to the electricity grid is now the biggest obstacle to deploying wind energy. And it’s not just about long queues — Europe’s grid infrastructure isn’t expanding fast enough to keep up with demand. A glaring example is Germany’s 900-megawatt (MW) Borkum Riffgrund 3 offshore wind farm. The turbines are ready to go, but the grid connection won’t be in place until 2026.
This issue isn’t isolated. Governments need to accelerate grid expansion if they’re serious about meeting renewable energy targets.
Electrification: falling behind
Wind energy’s growth is also tied to how quickly Europe electrifies its economy. Right now, electricity accounts for just 23% of the EU’s total energy consumption. That needs to jump to 61% by 2050 to align with climate goals. However, electrification efforts in key sectors like transportation, heating, and industry are moving too slowly.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has tasked Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen with crafting an Electrification Action Plan. That can’t come soon enough.
More wind farms awarded, but challenges persist
On a positive note, governments across Europe awarded a record 37 GW of new wind capacity (29 GW in the EU) in 2024. But without faster permitting, better grid connections, and increased electrification, these awards won’t translate into the clean energy-producing wind farms Europe desperately needs.
Investments and corporate interest
Investments in wind energy totaled €31 billion in 2024, financing 19 GW of new capacity. While onshore wind investments remained strong at €24 billion, offshore wind funding saw a dip. Final investment decisions for offshore projects remain challenging due to slow permitting and grid delays.
Corporate consumers continue to show strong interest in wind energy. Half of all electricity contracted under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in 2024 was wind. Dedicated wind PPAs were 4 GW out of a total of 12 GW of renewable PPAs.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the official unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y, Mazda 6e, Aptera solar car production-intent, and more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET):
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The Chinese EV leader is launching a new flagship electric sedan. BYD’s new Han L EV leaked in China on Friday, revealing a potential Tesla Model S Plaid challenger.
What we know about the BYD Han L EV so far
We knew it was coming soon after BYD teased the Han L on social media a few days ago. Now, we are learning more about what to expect.
BYD’s new electric sedan appeared in China’s latest Ministry of Industry and Information Tech (MIIT) filing, a catalog of new vehicles that will soon be sold.
The filing revealed four versions, including two EV and two PHEV models. The Han L EV will be available in single- and dual-motor configurations. With a peak power of 580 kW (777 hp), the single-motor model packs more power than expected.
BYD’s dual-motor Han L gains an additional 230 kW (308 hp) front-mounted motor. As CnEVPost pointed out, the vehicle’s back has a “2.7S” badge, which suggests a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint time of just 2.7 seconds.
To put that into perspective, the Tesla Model S Plaid can accelerate from 0 to 100 km in 2.1 seconds. In China, the Model S Plaid starts at RBM 814,900, or over $110,000. Speaking of Tesla, the EV leader just unveiled its highly anticipated Model Y “Juniper” refresh in China on Thursday. It starts at RMB 263,500 ($36,000).
BYD already sells the Han EV in China, starting at around RMB 200,000. However, the single front motor, with a peak power of 180 kW, is much less potent than the “L” model. The Han EV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.
At 5,050 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,505 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,970 mm, BYD’s new Han L is roughly the size of the Model Y (4,970 mm long, 1,964 mm wide, 1,445 mm tall, wheelbase of 2,960 mm).
Other than that it will use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack from BYD’s FinDreams unit, no other battery specs were revealed. Check back soon for the full rundown.