Huck Cycles Overland is a US-made Mad Max-style electric moped proving popular in big cities

Published

4 months ago

September 25, 2022

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Huck Cycles, a North Carolina electric moped maker, is finding that its off-road-optimized electric moped is actually proving quite popular for city riders as well.

It’s a surprising finding, considering the bike was originally designed for hunters, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts that wanted a powerful but (relatively) lightweight electric two-wheeler.

The bike was inspired by the classic Honda Motra, itself a popular recreational mini-bike from the 1980s.

Far from a heavyweight electric adventure bike, the 145-pound (65 kg) Huck Overland is a smaller and more nimble ride. It comes with a 3 kW nominal and 6 kW peak-rated motor, and carries a 3 kWh battery rated for 40 miles (64 km) of range.

As founder and CEO Brett McCoy explained to Electrek, it’s not just hunters and fisherman that have taken to the Overland:

I’ve been shocked at how many people in larger cities like NYC, LA, and Miami have jumped on this model as a daily commuter. Apparently, the rugged Mad Max look is in for city riders too.

Like Huck Cycles’ other models, the Overland is street legal and comes with a VIN and manufacturer’s certificate of origin. That’s one of the advantages of handling manufacturing locally in North Carolina, starting from welding up the bare frames and handling every step of the assembly. As the manufacturer, Huck Cycles can ensure regulatory compliance.

Not everyone will need to register the bikes, as they have a speed-limited “moped mode” that lets them classify as a 49cc scooter or moped in many states. In other states, a motorcycle endorsement may be required, and the bikes may need to be registered as motorcycles. In that case, unlocking the higher-speed capability lets riders make the most out of the bikes after registering them as full motorcycles.

It’s a move we’ve seen other companies like ONYX explore as well, making it easy for riders to stay legal and operate their bikes responsibly within the confines of varying state laws.

With multiple speed modes, Huck’s bikes can hit speeds of “45+ mph,” with that plus sign likely doing some heavy lifting. Owners have reported exceeding that 45 mph figure with room to spare.

As urban rides, these approximately $5,800 machines offer a legal upgrade over 28 mph electric bicycles without entering full heavyweight electric motorcycle territory. They’re essentially a re-imagination of the 1970s heyday of 50cc mopeds.

As popular as the Overland has proven for city riders, the Huck Rebel remains the company’s best seller after debuting several years ago.

With a more traditional moped design, it uses a top-tank style frame with the contents of the “tank” being replaced by a 3 kWh battery. The more recognizable styling is likely better suited for riders that aren’t seeking out that Mad Max vibe offered by the Overland.

The $5,400 Rebel actually has footpegs instead of pedals, meaning many of my more pedantic readers will be blowing up my comments section soon to chastise me about misusing the “ped” part of the word “moped.”

As it happens, most states have moped laws that include what we sometimes call “nopeds,” or bikes like these that are moped-sized but feature pegs instead of pedals. And thus the word moped has grown and evolved over time, now largely used for a class of vehicles between heavyweight e-bikes and lightweight electric motorcycles, with or without pedals.

Whatever you call them, Huck’s electric two-wheelers certainly capture the classic moped charm while applying a 21st-century twist.

But for those that want something a bit bigger, the Huck Stinger pushes the brand into light electric motorcycle territory with a larger and more capable bike.

Expected to be priced in the $6,500 to $9,500 range depending on the loadout, the Huck Stinger will be arriving in Q4 of this year.

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Norway just greenlit this vertical-axis floating wind turbine

Published

5 hours ago

January 27, 2023

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Norway just greenlit this vertical-axis floating wind turbine

Swedish wind turbine maker SeaTwirl got the go-ahead to test its 1 megawatt (MW) S2X vertical-axis floating offshore prototype in Norway.

Vertical-axis floating wind turbine pilot

In March 2022, Norway’s Ministry of Energy gave approval to SeaTwirl and Norwegian offshore wind test center Marine Energy Test Centre to pilot the vertical-axis floating wind prototype for five years at a former fish farm in Boknafjorden, northeast of Lauplandsholmenoff, 700 meters (2,297 feet) from the coast.

But four groups – the Norwegian Environmental Protection Association, the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, and two campaign groups – appealed against SeaTwirl’s permit, and so the project was put on ice.

Yesterday, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate rejected the appeal, so SeaTwirl’s S2X pilot can now proceed, and no further appeals will be considered.

CEO Peter Laurits said:

Our main focus is the commercialization of large turbines, SX, in floating wind farms. The outcome provides freedom to choose and plan the installation of S2x in the way that best supports that goal.

How S2X works

SeaTwirl says that “multiple S2xs can be placed in a dense pattern for increased output.” The company’s reasoning for building vertical (instead of horizontal) axis floating turbines is this:

The simplicity of the design and low center of gravity are the big advantages. All moving parts and electrical systems are easily accessible [and] close to the water’s surface, lowering maintenance costs.

The S2X prototype is 55 meters (180 feet) above sea level, and it’s around 80 meters (262 feet) below sea level. The turbine diameter is 50 meters (164 feet). Its rotor blade height is around 40 meters (131 feet). Its optimal operating depth is 100 meters (328 feet) and deeper.

SeaTwirl isn’t the only company testing vertical-axis wind turbines off the Norwegian coast – earlier this month, aluminum and energy giant Hydro and floating wind specialist World Wide Wind announced that they’re going to test a vertical-axis wind turbine made out of aluminum.

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Audi hints at luxury electric 4×4 to compete with Mercedes Benz and Land Rover

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5 hours ago

January 27, 2023

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Audi hints at luxury electric 4x4 to compete with Mercedes Benz and Land Rover

The luxury electric 4×4 you’ve been waiting for is set to emerge in 2027, and no, it’s not the Mercedes Benz G-Class or Land Rover Defender. It’s a new secret project from Audi.

A luxury electric Audi 4×4 coming in 2027

In a first from Audi, the German automaker is showing interest in the luxury 4×4 segment. The secret new electric SUV will feature a top-notch interior with the ability to perform its best on and off the road.

Audi unveiled its new activesphere concept Thursday, a four-door crossover coupe that doubles as a truck. The concept combines a luxury SUV, sports car, and off-roading pickup into one versatile EV.

Although this is a separate concept from the planned electric Audi 4×4, the off-road EV gives us an impression of where the automaker is headed.

In an interview with Autocar, Audi’s head of design, Marc Lichte, hinted at the idea of a new 4×4, saying:

I think there is space [for a rugged SUV in Audi’s lineup]. There is potential because there are only two premium players, and I think there is space for a third one.

Lichte didn’t give up details other than mentioning it will ride on one of Volkswagen’s platforms other than the Audi-Porshce co-developed PPE platform like the activesphere concept.

Since Volkswagen’s next-gen SSP platform designed for all segments has been delayed until at least 2028, there’s a good chance Audi’s new 4×4 will share technology with VW’s recently revived Scout off-road brand of vehicles.

electric-Audi-4x4-2 — Audi activesphere concept, a separate project from the 4×4 (source: Audi)

Following Volkswagen’s announcement last year that it would revive the Scout brand for an all-electric lineup and bring rugged SUVs to the United States, reports surfaced VW was considering Canadian parts manufacturer Magna (which also builds the Mercedes Benz G-Class) to help build the vehicles.

The initial plans called for Audi to build Scout models in a new US facility but were later scrapped. According to Autocar, the two brands may still benefit from each other.

Audi is already working with Magna to develop electric vehicle batteries for the Scout brand. With VW reportedly leaning toward having the part supplier build 100,000 Scout EVs, there could be room for an additional 50,000 electric Audi 4×4 models to be built alongside.

Audi is already familiar with electric off-road technology with its beastly RS Q e-tron rally car (and Quattro four-wheel drive tech) and is well known for its premium luxury interior. It seems like a match made in heaven to me.

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Environment

VW will install up to 25,000 EV chargers globally in 2023

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6 hours ago

January 27, 2023

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VW will install up to 25,000 EV chargers globally in 2023

The Volkswagen Group announced today that it will install up to 25,000 EV chargers globally along with its partners this year.

How many VW EV chargers are coming

At the end of 2022, Volkswagen Group had installed more than one-third of the 45,000 EV chargers that it intends to install by 2025 – that’s around 15,000 EV chargers with a charging capacity of up to 350 kW.

Geographically, the total of 45,000 will break down to 10,000 EV charging stations in North America, 18,000 in Europe, and 17,000 in China.

VW is planning for around 10,000 of its EV chargers – what it calls “high-power charging points,” in corporate speak – to be online in Europe, and up to 25,000 in total globally by the end of 2023.

Who’s installing them and where

Electrify America (EA) is in charge of VW Group’s electric infrastructure in the US. EA’s website says it currently has 3,551 fast and Level 2 EV chargers online and that 90 are “coming soon.” So it’s going to take quite an effort for VW and EA to reach its North American goal of 10,000.

In Europe, IONITY, a joint venture between Audi, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, and Porsche are doing the EV charger installations.

The VW Group launched Ewiva with the Enel X Way in Italy last year to install EV chargers, and it’s going to install around 8,000 of those 10,000 European chargers with BP and Iberdrola. The latter will focus on the main traffic arteries in Spain.

In China, the EV charger installation work is being performed by the joint venture CAMS.

Electrek’s Take

OK, I admit it: I’ve got skin in the game here. My 2023 VW ID.4 comes with three years of free Electrify America charging. But I’ve got just one EA fast charger near me, in New Hampshire, and really annoyingly, there are ZERO EA chargers in the state of Vermont.

If you think about it, 25,000 EV charger installations globally in what is now just 11 months is a monumental effort. If they reach their target of 40,000 by the end of this year, they’d only need to install another 5,000 to reach their 2025 target. Hopefully they’ll bump up that 45k number.

Photo: Electrify America

Click here to find a local dealer that may have the VW ID.4 EV in stock.

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