Micah Toll

Rad Power Bikes has announced the appointment of Kathi Lentzsch as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a leadership change as the company leans further into retail expansion and reduces its emphasis on direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales.

In yet another new example of an industry defying progress out of preference for “the old ways”, X Games riders and fans are going to be seeing a lot fewer electric motorcycles in the air this year. That’s after a new rule change has quietly banned electric motorcycles from competing. And the reasoning? It’s not fair to the gassers who are trying to keep up.

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 e-bike it from Clip, Orbea’s unveiling of the Denna e-bike, our Velotric Nomad 2 review, Rad Power Bikes’ CEO has stepped down, Segway and Apollo are shipping new scooters, and more.

The latest addition to Orbea’s electric road bike lineup is here, and it’s designed to handle more than just pavement. The Orbea Denna, announced today, is a gravel-optimized electric road bike that builds on the company’s previous experience with models like the Gain and Terra. Featuring a mid-drive motor “tuned specifically for off-road conditions”, the Denna aims to blend power, range, and versatility for riders looking to tackle everything from steep climbs to loose trails.

Fat-tire electric bikes are all the rage these days, designed to triumph on the trails but just as often seen conquering the pavement. Now the newly-released Velotric Nomad 2 is here to take a slice of that adventure-ready market. Designed for riders who want a mix of commuting practicality and off-road capability, this e-bike brings a powerful motor, excellent comfort, and a surprising amount of premium features at a relatively affordable price. But how well does it actually perform? I put it to the test to find out.

Brooklyn-based e-bike conversion kit maker CLIP has launched BOLT, a front-mounted electric motor designed to transform standard bicycles into e-bikes. The company is marketing the device as the world’s most affordable quick-install e-bike upgrade, with a focus on making electrified transportation accessible in low-to-moderate income communities and emerging markets.

If you’ve ever thought, “Man, I wish my scooter was faster, smoother, and had more underglow,” then Segway has been reading your mind. The company just opened pre-orders for its new Ninebot Max G3, the latest in its Max series, and it’s packing more features than ever before.

Phil Molyneux, CEO of Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes, has left the company under unclear circumstances, marking another major leadership shake-up for the embattled e-bike brand.

In what could either be a sign of the times or perhaps the start of a terrible decision-making chain, that famous $2,000 electric mini-truck I bought from China several years ago has somehow gotten even cheaper.

In a new high watermark for Canadian electric scooter company Apollo, the brand’s new flagship electric scooter has begun shipping in North America. With speeds topping 50 MPH (80 km/h) in the highest power version, the Phantom 2.0 is set to push Apollo into even more premium scooter territory.

Velotric has continued to regularly update its popular e-bike models, with the latest launch today bringing us the Nomad 2. This fat tire adventure bike carries a host of new features and components, offering a powerful yet comfortable ride on both city streets and off-road trails.

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 merger between Electric Bike Company and Integral Electrics, California looking to clamp down further on Sur Ron hooligans, a Super73 recall, Cowboy’s production move, a tour inside Bafang’s factory in China, and more.

NIU, best known as a leader in the electric moped market, has expanded considerably over the last few years. In addition to offering a hot-selling new electric dirt bike and showing off concepts for electric ATVs, the company is now unveiling an electric microcar known as the NIUMM 500.

Aventon, one of the most well-known players in the US electric bicycle market, has announced the launch of its latest model, the Level 3. A smart e-bike designed for modern commuters, the Level 3 is packed with advanced security features, extended range capabilities, and comfort-focused components. It’s all part of the new Aventon Control Unit (ACU), which serves as the central brain of the smart bike, and helps it offer new standards in daily riding and commuting convenience.

Several well-known players in the US electric bicycle market have recently joined forces in creative ways. Electric Bike Company, known for its local manufacturing in Southern California, has just announced a major merger with Integral Electrics, an e-bike brand uniquely designing electric bicycles for women and other short statured riders.

The Engwe LE20 is an interesting take on the cargo e-bike format. It’s marketed as a budget-friendly utility e-bike that can handle hauling groceries, gear, or even a passenger. At the same time, it looks like a cross between a compact cargo bike and a semi-fat tire hybrid-style bike, with a chunky frame, small wheels, and a long rear rack. But how does it actually perform in the real world? After spending some time riding and testing it, here’s what I found.

In a reflection of growing sentiment in the US against reckless electric bike riders, one California town is preparing to enact a series of new restrictions and legal clarifications for e-bike riders.

Super73, a leading e-bike manufacturer based in Irvine, California famous for its moped-style electric bikes, has issued a recall for two of its popular models.

Cowboy, the Brussels, Belgium-based electric bicycle maker famous for its modern take on classic European-cycling designs, is nearshoring its production to speed up delivery times.

If you’ve been hanging around in the world of electric bikes for any decent amount of time, you’ve probably come across Bafang. They don’t make electric bikes, but they’ve long made many of the components used by them. I visited the factory back in 2019, and recently returned for a second visit to see what had changed. Boy, was I unprepared for what awaited me…

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 an NYC program to give out free e-bikes to delivery riders, a new bicycle handlebar designed with help from Onlyfans, Vammo’s 1 million battery swaps, a new e-moto/e-snowmobile project, Lift electric hydrofoil boards, and more.

New York City’s Department of Transportation has a novel idea for helping get the most common uncertified e-bikes off the city’s streets: let their riders swap them for a safer UL-compliant electric bike for free.

It’s a tale as old as time. A man takes a ride on an electric motorcycle and thinks to himself, “This is great, but you know what it’s missing? The ability to morph into an electric snowmobile, too.”

Ok, perhaps it’s not the most common thought among us. But that hasn’t stopped it from apparently becoming a reality thanks to Canadian designer Steven Foster, who has now spent three years developing and testing that exact concept to bring the Avvenire Combat e-motorcycle to life.

We’ve spent years following interesting high-tech developments in the e-bike industry, often while the more traditional non-electric cycling industry has had to make do with comparatively lower-tech leaps. But now all cyclists can rejoice in an interesting new “smart handlebar” that happens to have gotten a friendly helping hand from an unlikely source.