Are Hybrid Systems Truly the Future of the Grid? NREL’s Magic 8-Ball Says: “Concentrate and Ask Again.”
By Devonie McCamey
A quick scan of recent energy-related headlines and industry announcements shows rising interest in hybrids — and we are not talking about cars.
Hybrid renewable energy systems combine multiple renewable energy and/or energy storage technologies into a single plant, and they represent an important subset of the broader hybrid systems universe. These integrated power systems are increasingly being lauded as key to unlocking maximum efficiency and cost savings in future decarbonized grids — but a growing collection of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) analysis indicates there are still challenges in evaluating the benefits of hybrids with the tools used to help plan those future grids.
In comparing hybrids to standalone alternatives, it is important to tackle questions like: Is it always beneficial to combine renewable and storage technologies, instead of siting each technology where their individual contributions to the grid can be maximized? Or are only certain hybrid designs beneficial? Does the energy research community consistently represent the characteristics of hybrids in power system models? And are we using common definitions when studying hybrids and their potential impacts?
Turning over a Magic 8-Ball might bring up the response: Concentrate and ask again.
“At NREL, we’re working to represent hybrid systems in our models in a more nuanced, detailed way to try to answer these questions — and ultimately advance the state of modeling to ensure consistency in how hybrids are treated across different tools,” said Caitlin Murphy, NREL senior analyst and lead author of several recent studies of hybrid systems. “With growing interest in these systems that can be designed and sized in lots of different ways, it’s crucial to determine the value they provide to the grid — in the form of energy, capacity, and ancillary services — particularly relative to deploying each technology separately.”
The results of this body of work highlight some gaps between what different models show and what many in the energy community have — perhaps prematurely — proclaimed when it comes to the value of hybrid systems to the future grid.
“Hybridization creates opportunities and challenges for the design, operation, and regulation of energy markets and policies — and current data, methods, and analysis tools are insufficient for fully representing the costs, value, and system impacts of hybrid energy systems,” said Paul Denholm, NREL principal energy analyst and coauthor. “Ultimately, our research points to a need for increased coordination across the research community and with industry, to encourage consistency and collaboration as we work toward answers.”
First, What Do We Mean When We Talk About Hybrid Systems? NREL Proposes a Taxonomy To Delineate What Makes a System a True Hybrid
Finding answers starts with speaking the same language. To help researchers move toward a shared vocabulary around systems that link renewable energy and storage technologies, Murphy and fellow NREL analysts Anna Schleifer and Kelly Eurek published a paper proposing a new taxonomy.
Schematic showing several proposed technology combinations for hybrid energy systems. NREL’s literature review identified several proposed technology combinations. Blue nodes represent variable renewable energy (VRE) technologies, green nodes represent energy storage technology types, and orange nodes represent less-variable renewable energy (RE) technologies or systems; arcs indicate technology pairs that have been proposed in the literature. PV: photovoltaic; RoR: run-of-river; HESS: hybrid energy storage system; CSP + TES: concentrating solar power with thermal energy storage; the Mechanical storage icon encompasses compressed air energy storage and flywheels, both of which ultimately convert the stored energy to electricity. Source: “A Taxonomy of Systems that Combine Utility-Scale Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Technologies“
“Our ability to quantify hybrids’ potential impacts could be hindered by inconsistent treatment of these systems, as well as an incomplete understanding of which aspects of hybridization will have the greatest influence,” Murphy said. “Ultimately, we hope our proposed taxonomy will encourage consistency in how the energy community thinks about and evaluates hybrids’ costs, values, and potential.”
After a thorough literature review, the team developed a new organization scheme for utility-scale systems that combine renewable and energy storage technologies — only a subset of which can truly be called “hybrids.” They came up with three categories based on whether the systems involve locational or operational linkages, or both.
“We found that technology combinations do not represent a meaningful delineation between hybrids and non-hybrids — the nature of the linkages are more important distinctions,” Murphy said.
The resulting categories can help inform policy considerations, as they define system characteristics that could challenge existing permitting, siting, interconnection process, and policy implementations. The taxonomy is also helpful in informing model development efforts, as the categories identify the unique characteristics that must be reflected to adequately represent hybrid systems in a model — including the effects of the linkages on both a project’s costs and the values it can deliver to the grid.
That is where NREL’s next set of analyses comes in.
In a series of recent reports, NREL analysts homed in on a set of technology combinations and linkages that are consistent with a true hybrid system — co-optimizing the design and self-scheduling of linked technologies to maximize net economic benefits.
To do this, NREL modeled hybrid systems using three different tools that underpin many of the laboratory’s forward-looking power system studies. These analyses focus on DC-coupled solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage (PV+battery) hybrids, which are increasingly being proposed for the power system.
Can We Improve How Capacity Expansion Models Assess the Value of PV+Battery Hybrids? “Signs Point to Yes.”
Combining PV and battery technologies into a single hybrid system could lower costs and increase energy output relative to separate systems — but accurately assessing PV+battery systems’ market potential requires improved methods for estimating the cost and value contribution in capacity expansion models, including those that utilities use for integrated resource planning.
In Representing DC-Coupled PV+Battery Hybrids in a Capacity Expansion Model, Eurek, Murphy, and Schleifer teamed up with fellow NREL analysts Wesley Cole, Will Frazier, and Patrick Brown to demonstrate a new method for incorporating PV+battery systems in NREL’s publicly available Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) capacity expansion model.
“The method leverages ReEDS’ existing treatment of separate PV and battery technologies, so the focus is on capturing the interactions between them for a hybrid with a shared bidirectional inverter,” Eurek said. “While we apply this method to ReEDS, we anticipate that our approach can be useful for informing PV+battery method development in other capacity expansion models.”
The research team used the method to explore a range of scenarios for the United States through 2050, using different cost assumptions that are uncertain and expected to influence how competitive PV+battery hybrids will be. These include the cost of hybrid systems relative to separate PV and battery projects, the battery component’s qualification for the solar investment tax credit (ITC), and future cost trajectories for PV and battery systems.
“From the full suite of scenarios, we find that the future deployment of utility-scale PV+battery hybrids depends strongly on the level of cost savings that can be achieved through hybridization. So, greater sharing of balance-of-system costs, reductions in financial risk, or modularity can all lead to greater PV+battery hybrid deployment,” Eurek said. “Deployment is also highly sensitive to the battery component’s ability to arbitrage, based on charging from the grid when prices are low and selling back to the grid when prices are high.”
In all scenarios explored, the synergistic value in a PV+battery hybrid helps it capture a greater share of generation, which primarily displaces separate PV and battery projects. In other words, the model results indicate that there is strong competition between PV+battery hybrids and separate PV and battery deployments — although it is important to note that the modeling does not reflect the faster and simpler interconnection process for hybrid projects, which could shift the competition with other resource types as well. In addition, if the PV+battery hybrid is designed and operated to ensure the battery component can qualify for the solar ITC, that could accelerate near-term deployment of PV+battery hybrids.
The team notes several ways in which future PV+battery system modeling could be improved — regardless of which capacity expansion model is used. A top priority is improving the representation of the battery component, including operations-dependent degradation — which may be distinct for hybrid versus standalone battery systems — and temporary operational restrictions associated with its qualification for the solar ITC. In addition, modeling retrofits of existing PV systems to add batteries may be especially important, since this is often considered one of the fastest ways to get PV+battery hybrids onto the grid.
What About Hybrids’ System-Level Operational Benefits? “Outlook Good.”
The operation and value of PV+battery hybrids have been extensively studied from the perspective of project developers through analyses that maximize plant-level revenue. But hybrid systems’ operational characteristics have rarely been studied from the perspective of grid operators, who work to maintain reliability and maximize affordability by optimizing the performance of a suite of generation and storage assets.
In Evaluating Utility-Scale PV-Battery Hybrids in an Operational Model for the Bulk Power System, NREL analysts Venkat Durvasulu, Murphy, and Denholm present a new approach for representing and evaluating PV+battery hybrids in the PLEXOS production cost model, which can be used to optimize the operational dispatch of generation and storage capacity to meet load across the U.S. bulk power system.
Production cost models are an important tool used by utilities and other power system planners to analyze the reliability, affordability, and sustainability associated with proposed resource plans. Here, NREL demonstrated a technique to enhance a production cost model to represent the operational synergies of PV+battery hybrids.
“We used a test system developed for NREL’s recent Los Angeles 100% Renewable Energy Study — replacing existing PV and battery generators on this modeled system with PV+battery hybrids,” Denholm said.
The research team analyzed different scenarios that were designed to isolate the various drivers of operational strategies for PV+battery hybrids — including how the technologies are coupled, the overall PV penetration on the system, and different inverter loading ratios (or degrees of over-sizing the PV array relative to its interconnection limit).
Results show multiple system-level benefits, as the growing availability of PV energy with increasing inverter loading ratio resulted in increased utilization of the inverter (i.e., resulting in a higher capacity factor), a reduction in grid charging (in favor of charging from the local PV, which is more efficient), and a decrease in system-wide production cost.
This chart shows the destination of all PV direct-current (DC) energy collected over the course of a year for simulated PV+battery hybrids as a function of inverter load ratio (ILR). In addition to demonstrating the growing availability of PV DC energy with increasing ILR, the breakdown of utilized PV DC energy indicates that most is sent directly to the grid and 15%–25% is used to charge the local battery. AC = alternating current. Source: Evaluating Utility-Scale PV-Battery Hybrids in Operational Models for the Bulk Power System
“The approach we present here can be used in any production cost modeling study of PV+battery hybrids as a resource in different power system configurations and services,” Durvasulu said. “This is a critical step toward being able to evaluate the system-level benefits these hybrids can provide, and improving our understanding of how a grid operator might call on and use such systems.”
How Could the Value of Hybrids Evolve Over Time? “Reply Hazy, Try Again.”
The third report in the series brings yet another modeling method to the table: price-taker modeling, which quantifies the value that can be realized by PV+battery systems — and explores how this value varies across multiple dimensions.
In “The Evolving Energy and Capacity Values of Utility-Scale PV-Plus-Battery Hybrid System Architectures,” Schleifer, Murphy, Cole, and Denholm explore how the value of PV+battery hybrids could evolve over time — with highly varied results.
Using a price-taker model with synthetic hourly electricity prices from now to 2050 (based on outputs from the ReEDS and PLEXOS models), NREL simulated the revenue-maximizing dispatch of three PV+battery architectures in three locations. The architectures vary in terms of whether the PV+battery systems have separate inverters or a shared inverter and whether the battery can charge from the grid. The locations vary in terms of the quality of the solar resource and the grid mix, both of which influence the potential value of PV+battery hybrids.
“We found that the highest-value architecture today varies largely based on PV penetration and peak-price periods, including when they occur and how extreme they are,” Schleifer said. “Across all the systems we studied, we found that hybridization could either improve or hurt project economics. And no single architecture was the clear winner — in some cases, you want to take advantage of a shared inverter, and in other cases, separate inverters and grid charging are too valuable to give up.”
The results of this price-taker analysis show that a primary benefit of coupling the studied technologies is reduced costs from shared equipment, materials, labor, and infrastructure. But in the absence of oversizing the PV array, hybridization does not offer more value than separate PV and battery systems. In fact, hybridization can actually reduce value if the systems are not appropriately configured — which means appropriately sizing and coupling the battery and likely oversizing the PV array relative to the inverter or interconnection limit.
Another important finding is that both subcomponents stand to benefit from hybridization. As PV penetration grows, the additional energy and capacity value of a new PV system declines rapidly — but coupling the PV with battery storage helps to maintain the value of PV by allowing it to be shifted to periods where the system can provide greater value. In addition, coupled PV can help increase the total revenue of the battery by displacing grid-charged energy, which typically has non-zero cost.
“As the role of PV+battery hybrids on the bulk power system continues to grow, it will be increasingly important to understand the impact of design parameters on economic performance,” Schleifer said. “Additional analysis is needed to tease out the factors that impact the performance and economics of PV+battery hybrid systems — and give system planners and researchers clearer answers about their possible benefits.”
Working Toward “Without a Doubt:” A Call for Coordination To Resolve the Remaining Unknowns
Looking at this collection of work, one thing is clear: No current model is an accurate Magic 8-Ball for predicting hybrids’ future value — but coordinated efforts to improve our models can bring the research community a step closer to a clear outlook.
And momentum is building: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has convened the DOE Hybrids Task Force — which worked with NREL, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and seven other national laboratories to develop the recently released Hybrid Energy Systems: Opportunities for Coordinated Research, which highlights innovative opportunities to spur joint research on hybrid energy systems in three research areas. That effort touches on the PV+battery hybrids described in this article, and it also considers additional technology combinations that could have a growing role in the future, including PV+wind, nuclear+electrolysis, and other low-emitting hybrid systems.
“While the power system was originally developed as single-technology plants, and many of our research efforts have been siloed to individual technologies, the DOE Hybrid Task Force represents a step toward collaboration,” Murphy said. “We were able to identify several high-priority research opportunities that span multiple technologies, establish common priorities, and lay a foundation for further dialogue.”
In the days ahead, NREL is uniquely poised to further the validation of hybrid system performance and operation with the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) research platform. ARIES introduces both a physical and a near-real-world virtual emulation environment with high-fidelity, physics-based, real-time models that facilitate the connection between hundreds of real hardware devices and tens of millions of simulated devices.
Integrated energy pathways modernizes our grid to support a broad selection of generation types, encourages consumer participation, and expands our options for transportation electrification.
Ultimately, advancing hybrid systems research at NREL and other national laboratories will require more coordination with industry. The DOE Hybrids Task Force report identified the need for a multistakeholder workshop to take a deep dive into what is motivating different stakeholders to propose and deploy different types of hybrid systems.
“By creating opportunities to directly solicit insights from industry, utility planners, and other stakeholders, we can move toward a deeper understanding of what sources of value are driving industry interest in hybrids,” Murphy said. “Is there inherent value that can only be unlocked through hybridization, or is some of the value embedded in the familiar? By adding storage to variable resources, we can make them look and participate more like the controllable resources we are used to having on the power system.
“Bringing the key players together will help us as researchers to recognize these motivations — some of which we might not currently understand — and close the gap in how to represent them in our models.”
Learn more about NREL’s energy analysis and grid modernization research.
Article courtesy of the NREL, the U.S. Department of Energy
Featured photo by Ramón Salinero on Unsplash
BMW is charting fresh waters — literally — with a self-inflating electric stand-up paddle board (SUP) that pairs high–performance battery power with with premium materials, digital connectivity and a whole ecosystem of accessories.
Developed in collaboration with Slovenian manufacturer SipaBoards, the new BMW x SipaBoards electric SUP features self-inflating technology that makes unpacking the eSUP and getting it into the water a breeze.
By combining that self-contained convenience with the BMW x SipaBoards’s 300 W electric drive technology. That’s more than enough power to help scoot you across the water with a propeller developed specifically for BMW and cruising speeds of up to 7.5 km/h (4 knots), the new electric SUP is opening up a new chapter in riding pleasure in the process.
BMW eSUP
The BMW x SipaBoards ships with a pair of 90 Wh modular batteries good for more than 3 hours of continuous, water-based fun. A pair of 180 Wh batteries coming as options in spring 2026 (that’s the new news today, by the way), that more than double the fun to 7 hours.
Additionally, the BMW x SipaBoards features an innovative new mounting system that allows accessories to be attached quickly to a large number of points with an easy click & connect. BMW’s ecosystem of accessories includes speakers, drinks bottles, waterproof bags, and coolers – including a Lifestyle Accessory Capsule, which comes with selected accessories such as an Insta360 X5 camera that allows users to take incredible (and, no-doubt, Insta-friendly) pictures during every ride.
The 90 Wh version of BMW x SipaBoards is available now from the BMW Lifestyle online store and at selected SipaBoards retailers with a starting price of €3,990.
SOURCE | IMAGES: BMW.
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I’ve spent countless hours here at Electrek doing detailed hands-on testing of hundreds of electric bikes. Through thousands of miles of riding, I’ve been fortunate to learn these e-bikes inside and out, top to bottom and front to back. That long-term experience with real-world e-bike testing has helped me find the best electric bicycles on the market for just about any budget.
Below are some of the top e-bikes I’ve hand-tested for every price range, current as of October 2025. Fall sales are really kicking off and that means big savings for e-bike riders! So check out the awesome e-bikes below, any one of which could become your next electric bike.
This list is divided into several price ranges. We’ll start with the best e-bikes under $1,000, then move on to the under-$2,000 category, under-$3,000 category, etc. The goal is to highlight some of my favorite models in various budget ranges to help you make the right decision based on your needs and budget.
The sub-$1,000 electric bike category is critical for a few reasons.
First, it’s pretty hard to produce a quality e-bike and sell it for under $1k. Most of the options in this price category make too many sacrifices in quality or longevity to earn a spot on this list as one of “the best.”
Second, many newly curious e-bike buyers just aren’t prepared to drop several thousand dollars on a brand-new concept, making this price range critical for many new e-bike shoppers.
Fortunately, we’ve found some excellent options for cheap electric bikes that can still save you some serious dough.
Lectric XP LITE 2.0
The Lectric XP LITE 2.0 was recently updated and is now quite likely the king of bang-for-your-buck electric bikes.
For years, the $999 Lectric XP 3.0 has reigned supreme in the budget electric bike category. That’s still a great bike, and we’ll discuss it next, but the more affordable $799 Lectric XP LITE 2.0 is an even more wallet-friendly electric bike.
That new e-bike offers some great riding at under 800 bucks.
It’s a throttle-enabled Class 2 folding electric bike with 20″ wheels, a max speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and a motor rated for 300W continuous and 819W peak. It’s not going to be the strongest hill climber, but it does get going quickly on flat and modestly hilly terrain.
And the biggest upgrades include hydraulic disc brakes as well as an optional Gates carbon belt drive system for an extra $100. Riders can also opt for a nearly double-sized battery for an extra $200.
This is the only e-bike in this price range that I know of with a 48V electrical system. All the other budget e-bikes under $800 use a 36V system and thus suffer from weaker power.
There are some things that you give up with this model, such as that the fenders aren’t included free. But for just $799, you’re still getting built-in lights, a hidden battery, large color LCD display and a lightweight folder. Plus it comes in five color options.
There’s a lot of value there!
Lectric XP LITE 2.0 quick specs
- Motor: 300W (819W peak) geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi) or 130 km (80 mi) with long-range battery)
- Battery: 48V 7.8 Ah (375 Wh)
- Weight: 22 kg (49 lb)
- Price: $799
Lectric XP4
The Lectric XP4 recently launched, replacing the Lectric XP 3.0 which was the previously undisputed best-selling electric bike in the US. The XP4 is expected to quickly take its title, racking up massive sales figures as riders flock to its extreme bang-for-your-buck. Simply put, it’s hard to find any other e-bike that offers this level of value!
The XP4 can get riders up to 28 mph (45 km/h) and now comes in either a 500W or 750W version, with respective battery sizes of 48V 10.4Ah and 48V 17.5Ah. The long-range version’s premium price tag ($1,299 vs the standard range model at $999) is perhaps even higher value than the already impressive base model.
Other upgrades include a new stronger rack design, torque sensor for smoother pedal assist, and improved hardware like the 8-speed transmission, hydraulic disc brakes, updated urban/trail hybrid-style tire tread, and a beautiful new TFT color screen.
The XP4 is hands-down the highest value e-bike I’ve ever tested and it’s quite obvious just how much time and effort went into building such a potent e-bike designed to fit so many different riders and tasks.
It’s hard to find a better combination of low cost and high performance anywhere in the e-bike market right now.
Lectric XP4 quick specs
- Motor: 500W or 750W geared rear hub motor (peaks at ~1,000W and ~1,300W)
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 45-85 miles (70-135 km) depending on battery choice
- Battery: 48V 10.4Ah (500 Wh), or larger 17.5Ah (840Wh) battery choices available
- Weight: 69-71 lb (31-32 kg)
- Price: $999
Ride1Up Portola
When Ride1Up launched the Portola, it was pretty obvious what the game plan was: fire a shot across Lectric Ebike’s bow with a direct competitor to the Lectric XP line. By all accounts, Ride1Up nailed it with an impressive competitor.
The Ride1Up Portola has a lot more going for it than just the attractive price of $1,095. The bike has great performance with a maximum speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) and great components including hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension, a built-in rear rack, and a 750W motor.
There are two battery options available, either a 48V 10.4Ah or a 48V 13.4Ah, and the larger battery only costs an extra $100.
I love the sleek-looking frame and apparently, I’m not alone. Those who are on the hunt for a good-looking folding fat tire e-bike that doesn’t break the bank will likely find this to be one of the more fashionable options.
Ride1Up Portola quick specs
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 72 km (45 mi), but less if you’re heavy on the throttle
- Battery: 48V 10.4 Ah (504 Wh), or larger 48V 13.4 Ah battery available
- Weight: 27.2 kg (60 lb)
- Price: $1,095
Once you bump up above the $1,000 limit, you start to see many more great options for e-bikes in a wide range of categories.
From electric cargo bikes to cruisers and even electric mopeds, there’s something for everyone in this price range.
JackRabbit OG2 micro e-bike
The $1,249 JackRabbit OG2 is in one of these fuzzy areas between e-bikes and other e-rideables. In this case, it straddles the line between an electric bike and an electric scooter.
It more or less feels like an electric bike based on its ride geometry. However, the lack of pedals means that it could also be classified as an electric scooter, albeit a large-wheeled e-scooter.
But with those 20-inch wheels and bicycle seat, the JackRabbit OG2 rides much more like a small folding e-bike than an e-scooter. And its electronics match that of a light e-bike, too.
The 300W motor gets the little runabout up to 20 mph (32 km/h). The small 158 Wh battery only offers around 10 miles (approximately 16 km) of range, but is also conveniently small enough to easily keep a spare battery in a cargo pocket or even a small purse.
The biggest benefit of the JackRabbit is that it is so simple that the lack of frills keeps the weight down to just 25 lb (11.3 kg)! For an e-bike, that’s almost so light that it floats.
The company also released a higher power and larger battery capacity version too, which might be good for riders who want to push harder and go farther. For those that want to see a few more upgrades on this minimalist e-bike, the JackRabbit OG2 and XG might be more your size.
See my full review of the JackRabbit OG2 here.
JackRabbit OG2 quick specs
- Motor: 300W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 20 km (12 mi)
- Bike weight: 11.3 kg (25 lb)
- Brakes: Rear mechanical disc brake
- Price: $1,249
Lectric XPedition 2.0
We called the Lectric XPedition e-cargo bike a runaway success right from the start, and that’s exactly what it turned into. Now with the new Lectric XPedition 2.0 on the road, it’s better than ever.
With heavy-hauling weight capacity, the option for one or two batteries for extra long range, hydraulic disc brakes and torque sensor-based intuitive feeling pedal assist, this e-bike is dragging electric cargo bikes into the future.
The $1,399 Lectric XPedition 2.0 has turned the electric cargo bike market upside down, bringing a heavy-hitting cargo e-bike to market for an ultra-affordable price.
While it’s not the fanciest cargo e-bike on the market (you’ll find those in the $4,000-$6,000 price range further down this article), it’s definitely the best bang for your buck thanks to a combination of high value parts and reasonable pricing.
Lectric XPedition 2.0 quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh) with the option for a second battery (and higher capacity batteries)
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: up to 75 miles (120 km)
- Weight: 74 lb (33.5 kg)
- Price: $1,399
Rad Power Bikes RadKick
The RadKick is Rad’s most recently unveiled budget e-bike and is a return to form for the company that got its start as a budget-minded e-bike brand.
The RadKick is designed with minimalism in mind, yet still offers a number of great features. Available in both a 7-speed version ($1,399) and a single-speed belt-drive version ($1,199), the RadKick is great for those that want a fairly lightweight e-bike for a great price.
You give up a bit of power and range compared to Rad’s other models with more battery capacity and higher power motors, but you get a lot of value in return. The bike features a torque sensor for great performing pedal assist, hydraulic brakes for smooth and maintenance-free braking, included rack and fenders, LED lighting, a color LCD display, right-side half-twist throttle, SafeShield potted battery from Rad (UL-compliant and designed to be fireproof), and is compatible with a wide range of Rad accessories.
To be honest, this is the e-bike that I’ve been waiting for Rad to launch.
- Motor: 500W rear hub motor
- Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: Up to 35 miles (56 km)
- Weight: 55 lb (25 kg)
- Price: $1,199 to $1,399
Aventon Soltera.2
The $1,399 Aventon Soltera.2 is the latest version of Aventon’s beautiful city bike that offers some of the best quality fabrication that I’ve seen in this price range – or even in higher price ranges. It is offered in either a single-speed or seven-speed format.
The bike rolls on narrow tires for that efficient city ride, while still packing in a 500W motor.
The battery is a bit smaller at 36V and 10Ah, but the bike makes up for a smaller battery by being able to integrate it into the frame in a sleek and attractive package.
The beautiful color display also adds to the bike’s charm, as do the powerful headlight and frame-integrated tail light. There’s even an awesome companion app that lets your phone track your bike’s important stats. Basically, you’re getting a lot for $1,199 here!
Check out my in-depth Aventon Soltera.2 review here.
Aventon Soltera.2 quick specs:
- Motor: 500W peak-rated rear hub motor
- Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: 20-63 miles (32-101 km)
- Weight: 46 lb (21 kg)
- Price: $1,199
Ride1Up Roadster V3
Ride1Up has proven itself as a high-value electric bike brand, focusing largely on efficient and speedy commuter e-bikes. While the company has many models in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, the $1,295 Ride1Up Roadster V3 is one of the best bang-for-your-buck options in the lightweight category.
This 500W-rated e-bike offers Class 3 performance, meaning you can hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), or a still impressive 20 mph (32 km/h) if using the throttle. But sticking to pedal-assist means you get to enjoy that quality torque sensor for smoother pedaling. The bike even comes with an option for either a belt drive or a 10-speed Shimano transmission, and three frame sizes to choose from.
The V3’s design was updated with many new features, including a now-removable battery for even more convenient charging both on and off the bike. And with a sub-40 lb weight, it’s hard to beat this one on a pound for pound basis!
Ride1Up Roadster V3 quick specs:
- Motor: 500W rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 32-64 km (20-40 mi) throttle vs. pedal assist
- Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh) with genuine LG cells and UL certified
- Weight: 17.6 kg (39 lb)
- Price: $1,295
Check out my full review of the Ride1Up Roadster V3 here:
Lectric XPeak
Lectric Ebikes recently expanded into larger territory with the launch of the new Lectric XPeak. It’s the company’s first e-bike with a larger than 20″ wheel size, bringing some chunky 26×4.0″ tires into the company’s inventory.
The XPeak takes the form of a typical adventure-style fat tire electric bike. It features a hardtail design with a suspension fork, high volume tires, hydraulic disc brakes and a relatively large battery that is certified by the Swiss testing agency SGS to meet UL 2849 standards.
The bike is also tested to higher standards for ruggedness of the frame and fork than most e-bikes in this price range, meaning it’s likely going to last longer too. As far as fat tire adventure-style e-bikes go, there’s no better bang for your buck than the Lectric XPeak.
Lectric XPeak quick specs:
Ride1Up Vorsa
The Ride1Up Vorsa is Ride1Up’s most versatile “SUV‑style” e‑bike yet, designed to transition seamlessly from commuting through city streets to loaded errands and light gravel or park paths. With a standard price around US $1,695, it delivers an exceptionally high‑value riding experience that often outperforms models far above its price range.
With a powerful 750 W rear‑hub motor producing a hefty 95 Nm of torque (and peaking over 1,400 W in real-world tests), the Vorsa accelerates comfortably and can maintain Class 3 speeds of up to 28 mph via pedal assist or 20 mph throttle thanks to its dual-sensor system and customizable display. Whether you’re hauling cargo or cruising commute lanes, the Vorsa delivers smooth, responsive power that feels natural and planted.
I love how well‑rounded the package is. Ride1Up outfits the Vorsa with a 100 mm suspension fork, comfortable ergonomic bars, multiple colors/frame styles (step‑thru or standard), and a modular rear rack rated for 440 lb total payload, which is expandable via Connect+ accessories. Hydraulic disc brakes, full fenders, integrated lighting, and passive features like UL‑certified batteries and Apple FindMy integration round out the build.
At just $1,695, the Ride1Up Vorsa is priced way below fair market value, which makes this an absolute steal of a deal.
Check out my Ride1Up Vorsa review here.
Ride1Up Vorsa quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 50-100 km (30-60 mi)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
- Weight: 29 kg (65 lb)
- Price: $1,695
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner
The RadRunner from Rad Power Bikes has been an industry favorite ever since it was first announced back in 2019. The company is actually on the RadRunner 2 now, but the update only made minor changes since the original was already so well-designed.
The bike uses a step-through moped-style frame to create a short utility bike or mini cargo e-bike. It’s quick up to the 20 mph top speed and offers a ton of uses. When outfitted with the Passenger Package, it has a seat and footpegs that let you carry kids or adults on the back, turning this into a multi-passenger e-bike.
The high-capacity battery and powerful motor also make for sprightly acceleration and longer than average rides, so you’ll have enough power to ride all day.
The RadRunner is truly one of those do-anything e-bikes because it has so many uses. The same bike can be used for fun recreational riding, city commuting, trail riding, or grocery shopping. There’s something for everyone.
There’s even an upgraded version known as the RadRunner Plus, which adds suspension, a seven-speed transmission, a more detailed display, and the passenger package, though the RadRunner Plus costs a bit more at $1,899.
Check out my complete review of the RadRunner 2 here.
RadRunner 2 quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 45-72 km (25-45 mi) depending on user input
- Battery: 48V 14Ah (672 Wh)
- Weight: 29.5 kg (65 lb)
- Price: $1,399
Electric Bike Company Model Y
Electric Bike Company is one of the only e-bike manufacturers that actually builds its electric bikes in the US from the ground up.
They start with bare frames and perform the entire build locally with highly trained e-bike technicians. That also allows them to offer more customization options than any other e-bike company out there.
The $1,949 Model Y is a step-through cruiser e-bike with a hidden battery in the front basket. It offers fast speeds up to 28 mph and high-quality parts like hydraulic disc brakes and top-end hardware. The color screen and leather accents on the seat and bar ends add to the classy look too!
The real treat though is getting to select the custom paint on every surface of the bike, plus your own rim colors, trim colors, and tire options. It’s incredibly customizable to the point where you’re virtually guaranteed to be able to create a truly one-of-a-kind electric bike if you wish.
Check out my full review of the Electric Bike Company Model Y here.
Electric Bike Company Model Y quick specs:
- Motor: 1,000W peak rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 80 km (50 mi) with moderate pedaling
- Battery: 48V with either 9Ah (432 Wh) or 18Ah (864 Wh) options
- Weight: 26 kg (58 lb)
- Price: $1,949
Velotric Discover 2
Velotric has a number of interesting e-bikes in its lineup, and I’m enjoying testing several of the company’s new models. But one of my favorites so far—thanks to its excellent on-road abilities—has got to be the Velotric Discover 2.
The e-bike isn’t just powerful or surprisingly smooth pedaling, it’s also quite safe. The punchy hydraulic disc brakes offer quick and controlled stops while the UL-certified battery and e-bike systems offer safe operations, removing the worry of dangerous thermal events.
For just $1,899 at its current sale price, riders are getting 15 pedal assist settings, a torque sensor, IPX7 waterproof rating on the battery (meaning the battery can be submerged in water), and robust strength testing that goes above and beyond typical ISO testing for e-bikes. This is an excellent bike for both commuting and pleasure rides, making it a great all-around option!
Check out my full review of the Velotric Discover 2 here.
Velotric Discover 2 quick specs:
- Motor: 1,100W peak rear geared hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 120 km (75 mi) on pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 14.7Ah (705.6 Wh) frame-integrated, removable
- Weight: 28.5 kg (63 lb)
- Price: $1,899
Velotric Packer electric cargo bike
There are a lot of electric cargo bikes on the market, but the Velotric Packer has recently become one of my go-to recommendations for several reasons. It’s fairly priced, has loads of cargo accessories, includes a UL-certified battery, comes in some eye-catching colors, and works well for transporting my three nieces and nephews around with me.
At its sale price of $1,699, this is definitely an electric cargo bike to have on your short list for it’s slick-looking design and great functionality.
Check out my full review of the Velotric Packer here.
- Motor: 750W (1,200W peak) rear-geared hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) or 25 mph (40 km/h) when unlocked
- Range: Up to 52 miles (84 km)
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (692 Wh)
- Weight: 75 lb (34 kg)
- Price: $1,699
By the time you surpass the $2,000 mark, you’re starting to get into serious e-bikes with serious performance or build quality.
If you’re spending this much, you’ll want to ensure you’re buying from a reputable company with top-notch products and service.
Ride1Up TrailRush
The Ride1Up TraiRush is the first actually quite good electric mountain bike that comes in at a budget price. It gives you a real German-made Brose motor, which offers good power matched with whisper-quiet performance. You get a dropper seat post and Maxxis Minion tires, Tektro Orion quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and a 120mm Rockshox Judy Silver TK Air Fork.
The first time I took a ride on the Ride1Up TrailRush, I couldn’t believe just how good the bike felt, especially from a company known for its wide array of commuter and street-oriented electric bikes. But Ride1Up was founded by cyclists at heart, and so they know what it means to build a good bike, regardless of category. At $2,095, this is a steal for just great parts.
Ride1Up TrailRush quick specs:
- Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km)
- Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh)
- Weight: 57 lb (25 kg)
- Price: $2,095
Lectric One
The Lectric ONE is something of an enigma in the e-bike market. To put it into perspective, it’d be hard to buy the gearbox alone on this bike for under $2,000, and yet that’s nearly the price tag of the entire bike! For just $2,399, you’re getting an e-bike with components normally found on $10,000+ bikes.
The Lectric One was unveiled as a lightweight commuter e-bike designed with an ultra high-end drivetrain based around the Pinion C1.6i auto-shifting gearbox. Paired with a Gates carbon belt drive and a true 750W-rated Stealth M24 motor (with 1,300 peak watts!), the Lectric ONE hits class 3 speeds in style with some extra premium components.
Lectric ONE quick specs:
- Motor: 750W rear hub motor (1.3 kW peak)
- Battery: 48V 10.4 or 14Ah (500Wh or 672 Wh)
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: up to 75 miles (120 km)
- Weight: 55 lb (25 kg)
- Price: $2,399
Ride1Up Prodigy V2 mid-drive e-bike
The $2,295 Ride1Up Prodigy V2 has brought new meaning to the phrase “low-cost mid-drive electric bike”, updating an already impressive e-bike with a new next-gen setup.
This e-bike sports a high-end German-manufactured Brose mid-drive motor and can hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), yet is price similarly to much cheaper hub motor-based electric bikes.
It’s a perfect commuter e-bike for someone who wants high-quality parts like that German mid-drive motor with 90Nm of torque, hydraulic disc brakes, bright LED lights, included fenders, rear rack, and a very comfortable saddle. Plus there’s a choice between a nice 9-speed chain drive transmission or a fancier Gates Carbon Drive belt setup with an Enviolo continuously variable transmission.
This e-bike is easily worth another $500 more than the price tag, if not more. In fact, you’ll find many of these same components on e-bikes with $3,000-$4,000 price tags all over the place. So if you’re looking for a higher quality e-bike that doesn’t cost as much as a fancy bike shop e-bike, this is the one to consider.
Ride1Up Prodigy quick specs:
- Motor: Brose TF Sprinter mid-drive
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
- Range: 30-50 miles (50-80 km)
- Battery: 36V 14Ah (504Wh)
- Weight: 58 lb (26 kg)
- Price: $2,395
Priority Current Plus
I love the $3,299 Priority Current electric bike so much that it has become one of my daily riders. It’s the one I grab when I’m doing city riding and I know I want to be pedaling.
While the original version was already a great bike, the new Current Plus adds some key improvements, such as an included throttle and a nearly 50% larger capacity battery for more range. The throttle is great in a pinch, but the bike is also just so much fun to pedal thanks to a torque sensor-based pedal assist that provides natural-feeling assistance up to a fast 28 mph top speed.
The internally geared rear hub combined with a Gates belt drive system and powerful hydraulic disc brakes make this a very nice e-bike for the price. Plus that mid-drive motor offers tons of torque (140 Nm!) for climbing hills or accelerating quickly.
I’m also a fan of the built-in lights and included fenders, not to mention the punchy hydraulic disc brakes and Goodyear tires.
Mid-drive electric bikes aren’t cheap, but the price is definitely a fair one for this e-bike.
Priority Current Plus quick specs:
- Motor: 500W mid-drive motor with torque sensor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) or 20 mph (32 km/h) user-selectable
- Range: 40-75 miles (64-120 km)
- Battery: 720 Wh frame-integrated battery
- Weight: 24 kg (53 lb)
- Price: $3,299
Ride1Up CF Racer1
I’m not normally a carbon fiber, drop bar, race bike kind of guy. But then again, that’s usually because those types of bikes are way out of my price range… until now.
The Ride1Up CF Racer1 brings carbon fiber road e-bikes to the common man, offering both a traditional road bike and a gravel bike edition.
At under 29 lb (13 kg), these e-bikes are some of the lightest around. I picked one up with my index finger and was shocked at how easily it left the ground.
To get there, that meant a relatively low-power motor and a smaller battery were required. But for the folks that ride these types of bikes, a big motor and heavy battery probably aren’t on their wishlist anyway. Instead, a simple extra boost, as if you’ve always got a tailwind, helps augment your own pedaling.
For just $2,295, there’s no better deal out there for a budget-friendly carbon fiber road e-bike.
Ride1Up CF Racer1 quick specs
- Motor: 250W 42 Nm torque
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist
- Range: 16-40 miles (26-64 km)
- Battery: 252 Wh frame-integrated battery
- Weight: 12.9 kg (28.6 lb)
- Price: $2,295
Ride1Up REVV1 FS
This full-suspension electric moped-style e-bike is a masterclass in high performance electric bike design. Sure, it’s an obvious SUPER73 imitation, but it’s a really well done imitation.
It handles well, it’s got great rubber between you and the road, the suspension gives a comfortable ride, and it’s got plenty of extra power.
Despite the 750W label, the e-bike can be unlocked to make use of nearly 1,500W of peak power. I was able to reach a top speed of 37 mph (59.5 km/h) during my testing (not on public streets!).
But the bike ships in Class 2 mode with a 750W limit and 20 mph (32 km/h) maximum speed, meaning you’ll have to contact the company to request an unlock for the bike to be used above Class 2 speeds and power levels.
All in all, the $2,395 Ride1Up REVV1 FS is an amazing e-bike for anyone who wants a moped-style ride with full-suspension, high quality 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes and a design that rides almost like a motorcycle, yet in a bike form factor.
Check out my complete Ride1Up REVV1 FS review here.
Ride1Up REVV1 quick specs:
- Motor: Bafang 750W continuous rear hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) out of the box, 37 mph (59.5 km/h) when unlocked
- Range: 30-60 miles (48-96 km)
- Battery: 52V 20Ah (1,040 Wh)
- Weight: 93 lb (42 kg)
- Price: $2,395
Tern Quick Haul
The Tern Quick Haul is an electric cargo bike from the famed cargo e-bike company Tern. It holds the distinction of being the most affordable model in Tern’s lineup.
That says a lot, because Tern is known for its high-quality e-bikes that are built to be ridden every day for real-world errands, carpool duty, and more. These e-bikes are meant to replace cars, and they do just that for many riders. With a huge list of accessories, you can outfit a Quick Haul for just about any job.
The Tern Quick Haul features a mid-drive Bosch motor, hydraulic disc brakes, Tern’s vertical parking rack, and a relatively lightweight but high utility design that is meant to carry just about anything in your life.
We had the chance to test a pair of Quick Hauls at Eurobike in Frankfurt last year, which you can learn more about here.
Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive motor
Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) with pedal assist (no throttle)
Range: Up to 60 miles (96 km), less when riding in highest power
Battery: 400Wh, removable/lockable
Weight: 50 lb (22.8 kg)
Price: $2,999
Ariel Rider X-Class
When it comes to fast, powerful electric mopeds on a budget, it’s hard to compete with the $2,399 Ariel Rider X-Class. This is the e-bike I usually recommend when someone simply wants the most power and speed for the least amount of money.
The impressive performance comes from a powerful 1,000W motor that actually puts out closer to 2,000W of peak power. It can be limited to 20 mph if you’d like, but I got it up to 36 mph in unlimited mode.
The bike rolls on 20″ moto-style wheels and comes with nice parts including hydraulic disc brakes, a bench seat, dual suspension, and a big moto-style headlight.
You can see my full review of the Ariel Rider 52V X-Class here.
- Motor: 1,000W (2,000W peak) rear hub motor
- Top speed: 36 mph (58 km/h), but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
- Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km), less when riding at top speed
- Battery: 52V 18Ah (936 Wh), removable/lockable
- Weight: 80 lb (36 kg)
- Price: $2,399
Xtracycle Hopper electric cargo bike
The Xtracycle Hopper is something of a Goldilocks cargo bike, in my opinion. It’s not as a big as a traditional long tail cargo bike, but it’s still big enough to carry multiple kids or a week’s worth of groceries.
It’s also not as pricey as the expensive $5-7k bike shop cargo e-bikes, yet it’s much higher quality than the typical direct-to-consumer cargo e-bikes.
I’ve tested it for all sorts of cargo jobs and even put my friends and family on it to take their kids to school and let me know how it works for them. Everyone has come away impressed with the ride feel, which seems much more like a traditional bike than a bulky cargo bike.
For the money, the Xtracycle Hopper offers incredibly value and much higher quality construction than you’d get with entry-level brands.
Check out my full Xtracycle Hopper review here.
RadRover 6 Plus quick specs:
- Motor: 750W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: 32-80 km (20-50 mi) depending on throttle or pedal assist
- Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh)
- Weight: 38.5 kg (85 lb)
- Price: $2,999
Above $3.5k, you’re entering some seriously dedicated e-bike territory.
These e-bikes either feature top-shelf components like drivetrain and brake parts, or pack in so much power that they couldn’t possibly be priced any lower.
Either way, you’re not in Kansas anymore. You’re heading down the e-bike rabbit hole.
Tern HSD
Tern is renowned for building high-quality electric bikes that double down on utility features. The newly updated Tern HSD is the company’s more affordable utility e-bike, offering many features you’ll find on its higher-end GSD but at a price that more riders can stomach.
The HSD uses small 20″ wheels and includes a folding stem, making it nice and compact. But taking it one step further, Tern outfitted it with its innovative rack that lets you park the bike on its tail, meaning it takes up barely more space than a coat rack in the corner of a room.
The bike’s Bosch mid-drive and high capacity batteries provide a high-end e-bike drive, and they are matched with a variety of performance drivetrain options that you can select from, depending on how high you want to spec the bike.
Whether you’re ferrying around kids or buying a week’s worth of groceries, the HSD is a solid option.
Check out my detailed first ride experience on the Tern HSD here.
Tern HSD quick specs:
- Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) with electric assist
- Range: 42-110 km (26-69 mi) depending on pedal input
- Battery: Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh
- Weight: 25.4 kg (55.9 lb)
- Price: $4,299
CSC FT1000MD
The CSC FT1000MD sounds like a motorcycle name because it comes from a company with motorcycle heritage. CSC Ebikes was born out of CSC Motorcycles, a company with several decades of two-wheeler experience.
The FT1000MD is the company’s highest power option. The fat tire e-bike comes with a 1,000+ watt motor known as the Bafang M620 Ultra. It’s the most powerful and highest torque e-bike mid-drive motor on the retail market. CSC paired it with a big battery, quality suspension, hydraulic brakes, built-in lighting, and more to create a high performance and high-quality adventure e-bike.
I was able to hit speeds of around 34 mph with the motor in unlocked format, though you can limit it to 20 or 28 mph to fit into class 2 and class 3 designations.
Check out my full review of this incredibly powerful e-bike here.
CSC FT1000MD quick specs:
- Motor: 1,000W continuous Bafang M620 mid-drive
- Top speed: 54 km/h (34 mph) when unlocked
- Battery: 48V 16Ah (768Wh) with Samsung 35E cells
- Frame: 6061 aluminum
- Suspension: Front suspension fork with preload and damping adjustment, plus lockout
- Brakes: Tektro hydraulic disc brakes with 180 mm rotors
- Weight: 34 kg (75 lb)
- Price: $3,299 or save $200 with discount code ELECTREK
Ariel Rider Grizzly
When it comes to all-wheel-drive electric bikes, the $3,299 Ariel Rider Grizzly is one of my favorites.
This incredible e-bike is really more of a small electric motorcycle. It uses two high-power motors – one in each wheel – to offer speeds in the mid-30s and acceleration that will get you there in the blink of an eye.
Full suspension and hydraulic disc brakes make this an e-bike that handles well at any speed, and the bright red paint job looks as aggressive as the e-bike feels. It even comes with footpegs pre-installed so you can carry a passenger with you.
Plus it’s got double batteries to feed those two power-hungry motors, so you’ll be able to ride this e-bike pretty darn far too, as long as you aren’t too demanding from the throttle.
Check out my full in-depth review of the epic Ariel Rider Grizzly e-bike here.
Ariel Rider Grizzly quick specs:
- Motors: Dual 1,000W continuous hub motors (1,850W peak or 3.7 kW combined)
- Top speed: 36 mph (58 km/h) when unlocked, but can be limited to Class 2 speeds
- Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km), less when riding at top speed
- Battery: 52V 35Ah (1,820 Wh) between two removable/lockable batteries
- Weight: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Price: $3,299
Priority Skyline
The Priority Skyline builds upon Priority Bicycles’ legacy of creating high-performance, low-maintenance e-bikes and ups the ante with more premium parts than we’ve ever seen on a Priority e-bike before.
The show stopper here is the inclusion of Pinion’s 12-speed automatic gearbox, which smartly shifts gears without the rider ever having to think about it. You can personalize your shift points to dial in the ride, and let the centrally-mounted gearbox do the rest. The carbon belt drive transfers your pedal power while a 750W rear hub motor brings the extra power riders need.
There are also high-quality hydraulic brakes, a great suspension fork, and a big battery for long range in the city. Rear rack and complete fenders come standard, as do the built-in LED lights and adjustable handle-bar stem.
See my full review of the Priority Bicycles Skyline here.
Priority Bicycles Skyline quick specs:
- Motor: 750W hub motor with torque sensor
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
- Range: Up to 96 km (60 mi) on pedal assist, less on throttle
- Battery: Downtube-integrated and removable 720 Wh battery
- Weight: 30.8 kg (68 lb)
- Price: $3,999
You just couldn’t stop, could you? I showed you plenty of awesome e-bikes that didn’t cost most of a paycheck. But you just haaaaaaad to keep going.
Fine, here they are. These are some of the most expensive e-bikes out there that we’ve tested and that I’d actually recommend someone buying, if you can pony up the cash.
GoCycle G4i+
When it comes to ultra-premium folding electric bikes, there’s only one name that comes to my mind: GoCycle. These are the most impressive folding e-bikes I’ve ever seen. And they better be – they were designed by a former McLaren engineer.
Between the carbon fiber work, single-sided wheels, high-tech tires, trippy LED dot display, innovative rear suspension, and completely enclosed drivetrain, there’s a lot of high-end stuff going on here.
The speed will vary from 15-20 mph depending on which country you buy the bike in, but the performance is only part of the equation. The quick folding and light, compact design of the e-bike is the real winner here.
Check out my full review of the GoCycle G4i+ here.
GoCycle G4i+ quick specs:
- Motor: 500W front hub motor
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) in the US
- Range: up to 50 miles (80 km)
- Battery: 36V 10.4Ah (375 Wh)
- Weight: 37.2 lb (16.9 kg)
- Price: $6,999
FREY EX Pro electric mountain bike
The FREY EX Pro is a high-end electric mountain bike with crazy high power. It uses the same motor as the CSC FT1000MD we featured above (the Bafang M620 mid-drive), but cranks up the current to provide closer to 1,500W of power.
It’s enough to destroy chains if you aren’t careful. We know. Several of us here at Electrek have done it.
The FREY EX Pro not only features high-end parts like a RockShox Lyric fork and Magura MT5e hydraulic brakes, but it even comes with dual batteries so you can ride farther and stay on the trails longer.
I’ve personally taken this e-bike back UP a downhill mountain bike course – that’s how powerful it is.
It may be expensive, but it saves you several thousand dollars compared to many European electric mountain bikes with similar components but a fraction of the power in the FREY.
See my full review of the FREY EX Pro here.
- Motor: 1 kW continuous, 1.5 kW peak-rated Bafang Ultra mid-drive motor
- Top speed (tested): 59 km/h (36 mph)
- Battery: Dual 48V 14Ah packs (1,344 Wh total)
- Range: Varies considerably by ride style/terrain, but 30-100 km (20-60 miles) is the ballpark
- Weight: 34 kg (75 lb)
- Price: $5,580
Tern GSD
The Tern GSD improves upon the Tern HSD with even more capability and even nicer components. There are multiple versions that can take you up to nearly $10k, but even the lower-tier versions are not “low tier,” if you know what I mean.
Parts like automatically engaging electric locks, 10-speed Shimano Deore transmissions, Magura MT5e quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes, and more set these e-bikes apart from the rest of the pack.
If you’re getting a Tern GSD, you’re getting a fully qualified car replacement. There are many people that use these instead of buying a second car. When you look at it like that, the price suddenly seems pretty reasonable.
Check out our full review of the Tern GSD here.
- Motor: Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph) with electric assist
- Range: 42-85 km (26-53 mi) depending on pedal input
- Battery: Bosch PowerPack 400 Wh
- Weight: 33.6 kg (74 lb)
- Price: $5,399
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The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and iconic nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides – and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, I’m suggesting another 1980s classic that deserves a modern electric update: the Buick Grand National.
I want to start this off by saying: yes, I know there was never a Buick Electra Grand National. The storied, turbocharged Buick GNX of yore was based on Buick’s Regal model, not the more ponderous Electra – but this is my article, and I think the “Electra” nameplate belongs on a US-market EV significantly sooner than later.
As for the “Grand National” part, the timeslip will solve that.
Why it would work
Thanks to the nearly $300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ ultra-luxury car, we’ve already seen GM put a low-slung sedan body on its EV skateboard. That car uses a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for a 655 hp all-wheel driving experience capable of launching the big sedan from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.
Putting those same motors under a shorter, lighter two-door sedan body would put my proposed all-electric Buick Electra at just under 6,000 lbs., and make the new car more than quick enough to earn the Grand National badge with a 3.5-second dash to 60 on its way to an 11.25 (ish) second quarter mile at about 120 mph. As for cost? You could almost name your price, but keeping it just under the Chevy Corvette’s $74,780 base price would make it a winner.
Limit production to 1987 units, make them order-only so dealers can’t ruin the party with obscene markups, and Buick can watch the money roll in … possibly.
You guys are smart, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find all the problems with this particular take – and I can’t wait to hear them! Should it be RWD only? A plug-in hybrid? Scroll on down to the comments and let me know what you think it would take to make a battery-powered Buick GNX revival make sense.
Original content from Electrek.
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