Technology is shaping the future of food but practices rooted in tradition could still have a role to play
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Published
4 years agoon
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admin
From oranges and lemons grown in Spain to fish caught in the wilds of the Atlantic, many are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking the ingredients that go on our plate.
Yet, as concerns about the environment and sustainability mount, discussions about how — and where — we grow our food have become increasingly pressing.
Last month, the debate made headlines in the U.K. when the second part of The National Food Strategy, an independent review commissioned by the U.K. government, was released.
The wide-ranging report was headed up by restaurateur and entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby and mainly focused on England’s food system. It came to some sobering conclusions.
Its executive summary said the food we consume — and the way we produce it — was “doing terrible damage to our planet and to our health.”
The publication said the global food system was “the single biggest contributor to biodiversity loss, deforestation, drought, freshwater pollution and the collapse of aquatic wildlife.” It was also, the report claimed, “the second-biggest contributor to climate change, after the energy industry.”
Dimbleby’s report is one example of how the alarm is being sounded when it comes to food systems, a term the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN says encompasses everything from production and processing to distribution, consumption and disposal.
According to the FAO, food systems consume 30% of the planet’s available energy. It adds that “modern food systems are heavily dependent on fossil fuels.”
All the above certainly provides food for thought. Below, CNBC’s Sustainable Future takes a look at some of the ideas and concepts that could change the way we think about agriculture.
Growing in cities
Around the world, a number of interesting ideas and techniques related to urban food production are beginning to gain traction and generate interest, albeit on a far smaller scale compared to more established methods.
Take hydroponics, which the Royal Horticultural Society describes as “the science of growing plants without using soil, by feeding them on mineral nutrient salts dissolved in water.”
In London, firms like Growing Underground are using LED technology and hydroponic systems to produce greens 33-meters below the surface. The company says its crops are grown throughout the year in a pesticide free, controlled environment using renewable energy.
With a focus on the “hyper-local”, Growing Underground claims its leaves “can be in your kitchen within 4 hours of being picked and packed.”
Another business attempting to make its mark in the sector is Crate to Plate, whose operations are centered around growing lettuces, herbs and leafy greens vertically. The process takes place in containers that are 40 feet long, 8 feet wide and 8.5 feet tall.
Like Growing Underground, Crate to Plate’s facilities are based in London and use hydroponics. A key idea behind the business is that, by growing vertically, space can be maximized and resource use minimized.
On the tech front, everything from humidity and temperature to water delivery and air flow is monitored and regulated. Speed is also crucial to the company’s business model.
“We aim to deliver everything that we harvest in under 24 hours,” Sebastien Sainsbury, the company’s CEO, told CNBC recently.
“The restaurants tend to get it within 12, the retailers get it within 18 and the home delivery is guaranteed within 24 hours,” he said, explaining that deliveries were made using electric vehicles. “All the energy that the farms consume is renewable.”
Grow your own
While there is a sense of excitement regarding the potential of tech-driven, soilless operations such as the ones above, there’s also an argument to be had for going back to basics.
In the U.K., where a large chunk of the population have been working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the popularity of allotments — pockets of land that are leased out and used to grow plants, fruits and vegetables — appears to have increased.
In September 2020 the Association for Public Service Excellence carried out an online survey of local authorities in the U.K. Among other things it asked respondents if, as a result of Covid-19, they had “experienced a noticeable increase in demand” for allotment plots. Nearly 90% said they had.
“This alone shows the public value and desire to reconnect with nature through the ownership of an allotment plot,” the APSE said. “It may also reflect the renewed interest in the public being more self-sustainable, using allotments to grow their own fruit and vegetables.”
In comments sent to CNBC via email, a spokesperson for the National Allotment Society said renting an allotment offered plot holders “the opportunity to take healthy exercise, relax, have contact with nature, and grow their own seasonal food.”
The NAS was of the belief that British allotments supported “public health, enhance social cohesion and could make a significant contribution to food security,” the spokesperson said.
A broad church
Nicole Kennard is a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield’s Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures.
In a phone interview with CNBC, she noted how the term “urban agriculture” could refer to everything from allotments and home gardens to community gardens and urban farms.
“Obviously, not all food is going to be produced by urban agriculture, but it can play a big role in feeding local communities,” she said.
There were other positives, too, including flood and heat mitigation. “It’s … all those benefits that come with having green spaces in general but then there’s the added plus, [which] is that you’re producing food for local consumption.”
On urban farming specifically, Kennard said it provided “the opportunity to make a localized food system” that could be supported by consumers.
“You can support farms that you know, farmers that you know, that are also doing things that contribute to your community,” she said, acknowledging that these types of relationships could also be forged with other types of farms.
Looking ahead
Discussions about how and where we produce food are set to continue for a long time to come as businesses, governments and citizens try to find ways to create a sustainable system that meets the needs of everyone.
It’s perhaps no surprise then that some of the topics covered above are starting to generate interest among the investment community.
Speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe” in June, Morgan Stanley’s global head of sustainability research, Jessica Alsford, highlighted this shift.
“There’s certainly an argument for looking beyond the most obvious … ways to play the green theme, as you say, further down the value and the supply chain,” she said.
“I would say as well though, you need to remember that sustainability covers a number of different topics,” Alsford said. “And we’ve been getting a lot of questions from investors that want to branch out beyond the pure green theme and look at connected topics like the future of food, for example, or biodiversity.”
For Crate to Plate’s Sainsbury, knowledge sharing and collaboration will most likely have a big role to play going forward. In his interview with CNBC, he emphasized the importance of “coexisting with existing farming traditions.”
“Oddly enough, we’ve had farmers come and visit the site because farmers are quite interested in installing this kind of technology … in their farm yards … because it can supplement their income.”
“We’re not here to compete with farmers, take business away from farmers. We want to supplement what farmers grow.”
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Environment
Rad Power’s new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes hit $1,999 lows, EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off units from $429, more
Published
1 hour agoon
June 26, 2025By
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Leading today’s Green Deals is Rad Power’s newly launched 4th of July Sale that is taking up to $600 off three e-bikes and up to 50% off add-on accessories – with the standout offers being the new Radster Road Commuter e-bike and the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike returning to their $1,999 lows for the second time ever. We also have a 48-hour early Prime Day flash sale from EcoFlow that is offering up to 54% off either the DELTA Pro or DELTA Pro Ultra power stations, as well as the DELTA 2 expansion battery with return lows starting from $429. From there, we have two Greenworks deals, the first being the Greenworks 82V bundle of the Commercial-Grade 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower with three 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at $700. Bringing up the rear is a roundup of the brand’s electric pressure washers, with the 1,800 PSI Open Frame model with an onboard soap tank leading at $120. Plus, there’s all the rest of the hangover Green Deals in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Anker SOLIX F3000 power station launch deals, the exclusive Bluetti early Prime Day savings we’ve secured for our readers, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Rad Power Bikes celebrates 4th of July with its new Radster Trail and Road e-bikes back at $1,999 lows
Rad Power has launched its 4th of July Sale through July 9 that is continuing its $999 low on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike, while also offering $200 off on two of its newest models, with the Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike for $1,999 shipped alongside the Radster Road Commuter e-bike also at $1,999 shipped. These two new models normally fetch $2,199 since they were released in March, with only one previous discount on the books to this same low price back during the brand’s Memorial Day Sale. Now the low pricing has returned, giving you $200 savings and the best rates yet on some of the latest e-mobility options. Below, you’ll also find several of the brand’s add-on accessories with up to 50% discounts during this sale too.
Rad Power’s Radster Road commuter e-bike and Radster Trail off-road e-bike differ based on where you plan to trek, with both boasting improved speed and mileage over the brand’s legacy models. They both come equipped with 750W rear hub motors producing 100Nm of torque alongside a 720Wh Safe Shield semi-integrated battery. You’ll be able to activate five pedal assistance levels (supported by a torque sensor) in order to travel up to 65+ miles on a single charge at up to 28 MPH top speeds.
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As I stated before, there’s a few key differences based on the model, with the Radster Road tailored for street riding with 29-inch by 2.2-inch Kenda Kwik puncture-resistant tires with a reflective strip while the Radster Trail has 27.5-inch by 3-inch Kenda Havoc puncture-resistant tires. Aside from those, there are some slight fender and handlebar grip variances, with both offering the same smart features like passcode locking, an included security fob, and more. From there, they share hydraulic suspension forks, hydraulic disc brakes, auto-on headlights, taillights with brake and turn signal lighting, rear cargo racks, 8-speed Shimano derailleurs, and a color display with a USB-C port to charge your phone.
Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale offers (through June 9):
Rad Power’s 4th of July Sale add-on accessory deals:

EcoFlow 48-hour flash sale takes up to 54% off two expandable power stations and extra battery offers starting from $429
EcoFlow has launched the next of its early Prime Day flash sales, offering up to 54% off three units and running for 48 hours. Two of these units even have different ways to save money, which we detail for each. The first of these deals gives you the DELTA Pro Portable Power Station with a free protective bag at $1,799 shipped (extra savings are not valid here), or you can add the station from this page to your cart and use the code EFPDAFF5 at checkout to get a price cut to $1,709.05 shipped along with a free RAPID 5,000mAh power bank. Down from the $3,699 MSRP, this is the first time since March that we’ve seen sales bring the costs down to $1,799, with it being the next-best price behind the $1,709 low from the extra savings option. You’ll find it priced at $1,799 from Amazon right now too, though this doesn’t include any free gear or extra savings options.
EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station is one of the most popular and most expansive units under the brand’s flag, starting with a 3,600Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can be boosted as high as 25kWh with additional equipment. It provides a steady 3,600W output, can surge up to 7,200W when needed, and comes with 14 ports to cover your devices and appliances. For recharging, you’ll have the option to plug it into a wall outlet, your car’s auxiliary port, or utilize up to its max 1,600W solar input to take advantage of sunny days.
While the next of the flash offers gives you the DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station at $4,399 shipped, down from its full $6,098 price tag, you can’t stack the extra savings, but you can add the station to your cart from this page and use the code EFPDAFF7 at checkout to score it at $4,370.07 shipped – plus, you’ll be getting a free 250W solar panel along with it. This is the largest and most expansive of the brand’s stations, starting at a 6.1kWh LiFePO4 capacity and 7,200W output that can be built upon to reach as high as a 90kWh capacity and 21.6kW output. It even comes as the best whole-home backup system when paired alongside the Smart Home Panel 2, which lets it cover your home’s breaker but also connect to roof panels, among much more.
The last of these flash offers gives you the DELTA 2 Smart Extra Battery at $429 shipped, bringing it down from $799 with no way to score more savings like the other two – though this is a returning low price. With this add-on device, you’ll be able to expand your DELTA 2 power station setup with an additional 1,024Wh capacity, up to the unit’s 3,072Wh max capacity.
Be sure to check out the full lineup for EcoFlow’s early Prime Day Sale running through July 7, with 60% discounts, bonus 5% and 7% savings, free gifts, and installation subsidies – all starting from $179.

Score Greenworks’ 82V commercial 25-inch cordless self-propelled mower with three 4.0Ah batteries at $700
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 82V Commercial-Grade 25-inch Cordless Self-Propelled Lawn Mower bundled with three 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger for $699.99 shipped. You’d normally shell out $700 at full price for the mower with two batteries, but this first-time bundle offer gives you the additional 4.0Ah battery ($250 value) for free. All-in-all, this is a 26% markdown on a bundle that would otherwise cost you $950 to buy separately, with the mower being one of the brand’s newest models at only a year old.
This 82V Greenworks mower comes with a 1.8kW brushless motor that “outperforms 160cc gas engine machines,” tackling up to 1/2 an acre with just two of the 4.0Ah batteries, which fit into the dual ports on the mower to prolong runtimes. It’s all housed inside a 25-inch steel deck, with self-propulsion tech supported by a variable speed rear wheel drive for effortless mobility. Alongside foldable handles for vertical storage and a 2-in-1 functionality for rear-bagging and mulching, it comes with SmartCut tech that auto-adapts cutting speeds based on the thickness of sensed grass as it moves. Like the other solutions under the Greenworks flag, this model starts at the push of a button and releases no fumes, no emissions, and far less noise.
This isn’t the only commercial-grade Greenworks deals we’ve seen lately, as you can pick up the 82V 760 CFM Cordless Axial Leaf Blower bundle with two 82V Bluetooth 4.0Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger that is now 50% off at a new $300 low, or the 82V 18-inch Commercial-Grade Cordless Chainsaw that comes with 4.0Ah and 2.5Ah batteries and a dual-port rapid charger at a new $400 low.

Clean outdoor spaces with Greenworks’ 1,800 PSI electric pressure washer with an onboard soap tank for $120
Amazon is offering the Greenworks 1,800 PSI Open-Frame Electric Pressure Washer at $119.99 shipped. You’d normally have to shell out $170 for this model at full price, which we’ve only seen taken down to $127 twice in 2025. Today’s deal is going even lower thanks to the 29% markdown here that cuts $50 off the tag and lands it at the second-lowest price we have tracked – just $1 above the low we last saw during October’s Prime Day event.
Summer is in full swing and outdoor cleaning is well under way, and you can keep your driveway, walkways, patio furniture, and more in pristine condition with this open-frame electric pressure washer from Greenworks that has an onboard soap tank. It provides up to a max 1,800 PSI at up to a 1.2 GPM flow rate, and comes with four varying nozzles and a 25-foot high-pressure hose – with everything having an onboard place to keep them. You won’t be dealing with any gas, oil, or emissions here, with the system starting up at the press of a button.
Greenworks’ other electric pressure washer deals:
There’s also the Greenworks 40V bundle that gives you a 13-inch cordless string trimmer/edger, a 350 CFM leaf blower, and three replacement spools of line at a new $150 low.
Best Spring EV deals!
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Heybike Hero Carbon Fiber All-Terrain 750W mid-drive e-bike: $2,599 (Reg. $3,099)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,495 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Heybike Hero Carbon Fiber All-Terrain 1,000W rear-hub e-bike: $2,299 (Reg. $2,599)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $2,095 (Reg. $2,495)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $703 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,702)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $554 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,253)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $1,915)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XP Trike with $405 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,904)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $336 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,635)
- Velotric Discover 1 Plus Commuter e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $356 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,655)
- Heybike Brawn Off-Road e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,799)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $414 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,513)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Lectric XP 3.0 Long-Range e-bikes (clearance price cut): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $414 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,413)
- Hiboy EX6F Folding e-bike (new model – two launch savings): $950 (Reg. $1,580)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike (new low): $999 (Reg. $1,599)
- Navee ST3 Pro Electric Scooter (new model): $760 (Reg. $1,014)
- Navee GT3 Pro Electric Scooter (new model): $520 (Reg. $714)

Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
- Anker launches new modular SOLIX F3000 3,072Wh LiFePO4 station with up to $1,850 savings starting from $1,699
- Get up to 50% discounts + bonus exclusive 5% savings on power stations during Bluetti’s early Prime Day Sale starting from $239
- Celebrate America’s birthday with Lectric’s new XP4 e-bikes and up to $356 in free gear from $999 in 4th of July Sale, more
- Get up to 65% off Jackery power stations in early Prime Day Sale access with bonus + trade-in savings, more from $89
- Anker SOLIX early Prime Day flash sales drop C300 AC 90,000mAh 100W solar bundle to a new $369 low (Reg. $669), more
- EcoFlow’s early Prime Day Sale takes up to 60% off power stations + extra savings, free gear, subsidies, more – all from $179
- Save $698 on Heybike’s CityRun commuter e-bike with a 55-mile range at $1,099 in 4th of July Sale, more from $999
- Take this EGO 56V 3,200 PSI cordless electric pressure washer with two 6.0Ah batteries anywhere at a $699 low (Reg. $799)
- Greenworks’ 40V 13-inch cordless trimmer/edger and blower kit + 3 bonus spools at new $150 low (Reg. $190)
- NIU’s latest KQi 200F electric scooter with regen brakes lending to a 34-mile travel range drops to new $599 low (Reg. $799)
- Cut, collect, and/or mulch clippings with this Greenworks 40V 17-inch cordless push mower at new $230 low (Reg. $310)
- Control the length of line up to a 15-inch cutting swath with this 40V Worx Nitro cordless trimmer kit at $190 low (Reg. $270)
- Promote garden growth through pruning with Worx’s 20V 5-inch cordless mini chainsaw at new $84 low (Reg. $130)
- Score Greenworks’ 82V commercial 760 CFM cordless axial blower with two Bluetooth 4.0Ah batteries at new $300 low (50% off)
- Electrified Weekly – Rad Power RadRunner Plus and Max free console promo from $1,799, 4th of July EV sales from Lectric, Tenways, more
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Environment
Hyundai and Kia are cutting prices with nearly $17,000 in discounts in some markets
Published
3 hours agoon
June 26, 2025By
admin

Are the Korean auto giants facing slowing sales? Hyundai and Kia are offering generous incentives globally, resulting in price cuts worldwide. In some markets, discounts can reach nearly $17,000.
Hyundai Motor, including Kia, has launched aggressive sales promotions this month in six of its biggest global markets: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Central and South America.
The discounts apply to some of its top-selling EVs, including the IONIQ 5 and SUVs like the Tucson and Santa Fe.
According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, Hyundai and Kia cut prices by up to 23 million won, or nearly $17,000 in some regions.
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The promotions vary depending on the market. For example, in Serbia, Hyundai is offering up to 15,000 euros ($17,500) off the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 models. In Thailand and Chile, discounts reach as high as 12 million won ($8,900) and 17.8 million won ($13,100), respectively.
Why is Hyundai offering such significant discounts? The report suggests that it could be all due to the new 25% US auto tariffs on imported vehicles, Hyundai’s largest market.

After the tariffs were introduced, Hyundai and Kia reportedly told regional leaders to “increase sales by 10% in other regions.” A local report this week claimed Hyundai was temporarily pausing production of the IONIQ 5 and Kona EV at one of its plants in Korea due to slowing sales.

What about the US?
In April, Hyundai launched its “Customer Assurance” program, promising not to raise vehicle prices in the US until June 2. The program has since been extended until July 7.
Although Hyundai is expected to hike prices following the window, the company denied the rumors, saying no decision has been made yet.
Several automakers have already announced plans to raise vehicle prices in the US, including Toyota, Ford, and Jeep maker Stellantis.

About 24% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles sold last year were in the US, making it a priority to protect prices. Although 60% of them were exported from Korea in 2024, Hyundai is ramping up local production to mitigate the blow.
After celebrating the grand opening of its new EV plant in Georgia, Hyundai kicked off production of its first three-row electric SUV, the IONIQ 9.

The larger electric SUV joins the updated 2025 IONIQ 5, which Hyundai has been building at the facility since last year.
Once up and running, the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is expected to have an annual production capacity of 300,000 units. If necessary, the output can be expanded to approximately 500,000.
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim | EV Powertrain | Driving Range (miles) | Starting Price* | Monthly lease price June 2025 |
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | 168-horsepower rear motor | 245 | $42,500 | $179 |
IONIQ 5 SE RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $46,550 | $199 |
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $49,500 | $209 |
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD | 225-horsepower rear motor | 318 | $54,200 | $309 |
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $50,050 | $249 |
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 290 | $53,000 | $259 |
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor AWD | 320 horsepower dual motor | 259 | $55,400 | $359 |
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD | 320-horsepower dual motor | 269 | $58,100 | $299 |
After Hyundai cut lease prices again in June, the 2025 IONIQ 5 is now listed starting at just $179 per month. The three-row 2026 IONIQ 9 is available to lease starting at just $419 per month with up to $13,000 in discounts. Kia is currently offering up to $12,500 off its three-row EV9.
Hyundai is even throwing in a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 charger with the purchase of any new 2026 IONIQ 9 or 2025 IONIQ 5 until the end of the year.
Looking to take advantage of the savings? We can help you get started. You can use our link to find Hyundai and Kia’s electric vehicles in your area.
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Environment
Want to drive 6,000 miles for just $160? You actually can. Here’s how
Published
3 hours agoon
June 26, 2025By
admin

I know, it sounds like clickbait math, but it’s real: you can cover 6,000 miles for just $160 in fuel. There’s a catch, though. It’s not gasoline. Oh, and it’s not even in a car. You’ll need to trade in your four wheels for two. Specifically, you’ll need something like the Ryvid Anthem, a lightweight, street-legal electric motorcycle that was purpose-built for efficient urban commuting.
I’ve been in the market for a light electric motorcycle for my sister for a while now. And as I was perusing Ryvid’s site, I noticed a catchy graphic claiming that the bike could cover 6,000 miles (9,600 km) for just $160 in electricity.
It sounded too good to be true, so the engineer in me made me instantly bust out a pencil and start scribbling away on some scrap paper on my desk. And I’ll be damned – the math holds up. In fact, they were being extremely conservative with their numbers.
There are a few short paragraphs of math to follow here, but stick with me. It’s pretty simple, and the result is actually really impressive.
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The Anthem’s 4.3 kWh battery offers up to 75 miles of city range, depending on riding style (whiskey throttling at every green light may ding your range, of course).
That works out to around 57 Wh/mile (35 Wh/km), which is impressively efficient, even compared to an electric car. (Electric cars usually consume around 220-270 Wh/mile at city speeds, or nearly 5x as much energy to go the same distance as the Ryvid Anthem).
Multiply the Ryvid’s consumption over 6,000 miles, and you’re looking at about 344 kWh of electricity consumed. At the national average residential electricity rate (roughly $0.16/kWh), that’s just $55 of electricity to travel 6,000 miles. That’s less than one cent per mile. Of course, electricity rates are vastly different around the country. In California, that much electricity would cost you double at $110. In North Dakota, it would be nearly half, costing you $35 to travel 6,000 miles at city speeds.
All of these are well below the $160 originally quoted by Ryvid for 6,000 miles of travel, likely because the company is being realistic and not trying to sneak by on “optimal conditions” figures to tout even lower charging costs. So let’s handicap ourselves and use worse efficiency numbers. Let’s say we don’t stick to city speeds. Let’s have some fun. If we instead use Ryvid’s constant 55 mph (88 km/h) range of 46 miles (74 km), that would rework the math to bring the cost up to $89 at the national average electricity prices. In California, it’d be $180. Back in Bismarck? $57 flat. Still under one penny per mile… if you’re cool with the Bismarck, North Dakota scene.
Anyway you slice it, and even with the most expensive electricity in the US, these are insanely affordable commuting figures. To put the numbers in perspective, even the most efficient electric cars, like the Tesla Model 3, average closer to 220 Wh/mi at city speeds (135 Wh/km). That same 6,000-mile journey would cost you about 1,320 kWh, or $211 at the national average. And that’s before factoring in significantly higher purchase prices for electric cars, costlier maintenance, registration fees, and all the other higher financial costs and headaches of owning a full-size vehicle.




The Ryvid Anthem, by comparison, is a techy-yet-minimalist commuter bike that’s packed with some really clever features. It’s got an easily removable battery that you can roll inside like carry-on luggage to charge at a standard wall outlet, or you can plug the bike in directly for Level 2 charging, which gets you to 80% in just over an hour thanks to its large 3.3 kW built-in charger. The seat height is electronically adjustable (even while riding!), a huge benefit for riders closer to the ends of the height bell curve or those who share a bike with someone else. When I reviewed the motorcycle, I even found it nice for keeping the seat higher while riding and then dropping it down with the push of a button at red lights to more easily flat-foot it. And at just 313 lbs (142 kg), it’s lightweight and approachable, far less intimidating than many full-size motorcycles.
Performance-wise, the Anthem isn’t a long-distance highway cruiser, but with a top speed of over 75 mph (121 km/h), it’s more than capable of commuting on any highway or interstate, as long as you don’t need to go too far. Remember, this isn’t a sport bike and it’s not designed for long touring trips – it’s a super fun commuter.
The 4.3 kWh battery may sound small compared to an electric car, but it’s designed for efficiency. While 75 miles (121 km) is doable at city speeds, you’ll still be north of 40 miles (64 km) even when cruising at a constant 50+ mph (80+ km/h). Again, it’s for getting to work, not for getting to Sturgis. And since the battery can be rolled inside with you, riders could even bring it right into the office and charge it from a wall outlet during the day at work. Why not let your boss pay for your riding?!
For new riders who don’t want to deal with the maintenance associated with combustion engine motorcycles, regenerative braking and a simple belt drive system keep things quiet, simple, and low-maintenance. The bike even comes with a full-color LCD dash and an optional integrated mount for your smartphone. It even has reverse – an important feature missing on most electric motorcycles, including my fancy-shmancy LiveWire S2 Del Mar (a bike that also costs twice as much as the Ryvid and makes me feel like I skipped every leg day of my life when I need to back it up a 0.01% grade into my parking spot).

Sure, making the switch from a car to an electric motorcycle isn’t just a financial decision, it can be a lifestyle change. You’ll need to get comfortable with no longer commuting from inside a box, occasionally using rain gear (you know, like you also do when walking on a rainy day), and the rhythm of two-wheeled commuting.
But for many riders, the benefits quickly outweigh the trade-offs. An $8,000 electric motorcycle sure sounds easier to swing than a $35,000 electric car, not to mention the considerably lower monthly cost of ownership. And beyond just the financial benefits, other advantages like easier parking, more enjoyable ride, and yes, massively lower energy consumption, make bikes like the Ryvid Anthem a compelling alternative to car ownership for urban and suburban commuters alike. And if you happen to live in a state that allows lane splitting or filtering, then the ability to cut your commute time down to a fraction of its former self and never wait in long lines of traffic again is something that feels too good to describe in words.
Yes, there are a few small barriers to entry. You’ll still have to get your motorcycle license and a good helmet. I’d also recommend some quality riding gear like a breathable mesh jacket. But after that? You’re looking at one of the cheapest and smartest ways to travel 6,000 miles without burning a drop of gas, and barely touching your wallet.
Oh, and if you want to push things to the limit and instead go 60,000 miles for $160, can I introduce you to an electric bicycle?

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