Micah Toll

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes new e-bikes from Urban Arrow and VanMoof, testing of the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus rickshaw tricycle, the new Olto electric moped, a Honda four-wheeled quad-bike, low cost Zero motorcycles, and more.

Zero Motorcycles announced this week that production of its new XE and XB electric motorcycles is now officially underway, with the first units set to begin shipping soon. The milestone marks a major step forward in Zero’s plan to expand beyond its high-performance electric motorcycles and tap into the growing market for more affordable EVs on two wheels.

While it’s not an official title, one of the front-runners for the world’s coolest electric microcar has got to be the Swiss-designed and Italian-manufactured Microlino. And thanks to a new version with first-ever air conditioning, it just got even cooler.

Politicians in Maharashtra hope to build the world’s largest electric mass transit system on the coastal metropolis’ waterways. It’s all starting now with a recent order of 11 of Swedish boat maker Candela’s P-12 electric ferries, often referred to as ‘flying boats’ due to the way their hydrofoils lift the hulls out of the water for faster speeds and better efficiencies.

If you’ve ever thought, “I could totally ditch the second car if I just had the right e-bike,” then Urban Arrow may have just dropped your dream machine. The Dutch cargo bike powerhouse has launched its newest model, the FamilyNext Pro, in North America – and it’s easily one of the most impressive family-focused electric bikes I’ve seen hit the market.

The world has been waiting for Honda to seriously get behind electric bikes, motorcycles, and other lightweight personal electric vehicles. And now they just have, in a big way. But I no matter what you’re expecting when you hear “Honda just launched a bike lane vehicle”, I can pretty much guarantee that it isn’t this. Say hello to the Fastport eQuad, a new four-wheeled delivery vehicle from Honda.

You can call it a cargo bike. You can call it a passenger trike. You can call it a rickshaw. You can call it a lot of things. But after spending the last few weeks with the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus, I think the most accurate description is this: it’s the pickup truck of electric bikes.

Olto, the second electric two-wheeler model from the mobility startup Infinite Machine, was just unveiled as a bike lane-ready moped ready to conquer US cities. Combining slick design with high-tech features, it brings many automotive-level hallmarks to the e-bike market.

There was a time when having your own plane was a pretty clear indicator that you were part of that upper crust of society. If it was a pricey and rare electric plane, then all the more. But those days are numbered as the influx of compact and powerful electric powertrain components collides with good old American entrepreneurism to create a number of interesting new electric flying machines that now make it cheaper to fly yourself than drive.

VanMoof, the Dutch makers of slick-looking electric bikes that proved too high-tech to succeed just two years ago, is back with two new models that help return the company to (some of) its former glory. The new VanMoof S6 and S6 Open (i.e. low-step) are here. But will riders return?

While I enjoy covering news and reviews related to new e-bikes and other micromobility vehicles, my favorite part of working in this industry is actually getting to go deeper behind the scenes, often pulling back the curtain to see what lies behind some of the biggest companies in the market. Most only show us their polished front-facing image, but there’s so much more to the story than that. From the people who build and operate these brands to the way new ideas work their way through the design pipeline and into bike boxes headed to our doorsteps, there are countless untold stories just waiting to be revealed. And that’s exactly what I set out to do when I visited the headquarters of EUNORAU, one of the most prolific e-bike makers in the world.

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes Trek’s first throttle e-bike, NYC imposing a 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes, MeetOne Tour electric trike review, why your e-bike frame number is important, NIU’s stock is soaring, and more.

New York City officials are preparing to roll out a new speed limit for electric bikes – and it’s not exactly a green light. Under the newly announced plan, the city will soon set a 15 mph (25 km/h) speed cap for all e-bikes, as part of a broader crackdown aimed at addressing rising concerns about sidewalk safety, delivery rider behavior, and e-bike-related crashes.

The SONDORS electric bicycle company infamously went bankrupt in 2023, yet it now appears to be attempting a rise from the ashes. The company’s founder and former CEO Storm SONDORS is back at the helm and pre-selling a new electric motorbike with a somewhat familiar name – the Meta AT.

But will riders be once bitten, twice shy?

I’m super bullish on electric trikes. I may not be a silver-haired fox (yet), but even at a ripe 36 years old, I can appreciate the advantages of a comfortable e-trike just as much as their larger market of mature riders.

I don’t think age or accessibility should be the only factors when considering the advantages of three wheels over two, and the MeetOne Tour dual motor electric trike is a great example of that. Sure, it’d be awesome for folks who can no longer feel the same confidence or stability from two-wheelers. But it’s also just a blast to ride at any age and ability level!

The electric motorcycle market is a small and highly interconnected one, with a limited amount of suppliers and an even smaller number of actual honest-to-goodness motorcycle manufacturers. While Covid-era progress led to a series of highly-funded rapid advancements and flashy announcements, the last few years have been hard on the industry as funding and excitement have both dwindled, resulting in a smaller number of big releases. So it makes sense that people would jump at news that Honda is now producing its first electric motorcycle and that you can already buy it. The only problem is that none of that is true – finally some real fake news.

Brazil, a nation renowned for its vast landscapes and vibrant urban centers, is a fascinating case in the worldwide adoption of electric two-wheelers. Despite a robust two-wheeler market, with sales reaching approximately 1.9 million units in 2024, the adoption of electric motorcycles has been relatively modest. However, recent developments signal a shift towards electrification is gaining momentum and that the country is on the cusp of a significant transformation in its transportation sector.

In a historic first for electric marine travel, a Swedish team has successfully crossed the Mediterranean in an electric boat – and not just any electric boat, but one that flies. The voyage marks a major milestone in the future of clean maritime transport and shows that electric boats aren’t just ready for lakes and calm harbors – they’re ready for open sea.

There’s a number hidden somewhere on basically every electric bicycle – or pedal bicycle – including the one in your garage. If you haven’t found it yet, you should do it today. Here’s why.

Cargo e-bikes have long been a staple in European cities, seamlessly blending utility with eco-friendly transportation. Now, the U.S. is catching up, not just in adoption but in celebration.

In a significant move that marks a departure from its traditional e-bike offerings, Trek has introduced the FX+ 1, its first-ever electric bike equipped with a throttle. This launch responds to growing consumer demand for more versatile and accessible e-biking options, particularly in the North American market.

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes a new launch of a full-suspension e-bike from Velotric, Yamaha-backed company’s plan for battery swapping in electric bicycles, buying a super-cheap e-bike from China, testing the Meepo Flow electric skateboard, PodBike closes its doors, the impending launch of the Royal Enfield Flying Flea electric motorcycle, and more.

Velotric is breaking new ground – and blazing new trails – with the launch of its newest electric bike model, the Nomad 2X. Based on the popular all-terrain Nomad platform, Velotric has ratcheted up the action with a full-suspension version that doesn’t skimp on the features.

In a surprising and disappointing turn for fans of innovative micromobility, Podbike, the Norwegian maker of the sleek, fully enclosed Frikar electric pedal-car, has filed for bankruptcy. Despite gaining significant attention and accolades for its standout design and functionality, the company ultimately couldn’t overcome the financial hurdles that have cut down so many ambitious mobility startups lately.