Rad Power Bikes launches its best sale ever with electric bikes starting at $499
Rad Power Bikes, the largest electric bicycle company in the US, is currently running a major sale with some of the best prices it has ever offered on many of its popular e-bike models.
We’ve seen some impressive sales from the company in the past, but this recently launched promotion seems to top any previously published sales on record.
The most affordable model for sale is the RadMission, a single-speed urban e-bike designed for city riders.
RadMission for $499
The RadMission normally carries a $1,199 price tag, but it is currently on sale for just $499. That’s a whopping $700 off!
The bike offers a 500W motor, has a 500Wh battery with around 20-40 miles of range on throttle or pedal assist, and hits a top speed of 20 mph.
It’s a no-frills bike because of its lack of a shifter, suspension, and even a kickstand. But it has everything else most urban riders need, including decent power, good city tires, built-in LED lights, and a choice of several colors across two frame styles.
Despite being the “simplest” e-bike in Rad’s lineup, it’s one of my favorites. Check out my review to see why.
RadCity 3 and RadCity 4 for $1,399
For urban riders who want to add a bit more to their bikes than the RadMission offers, the RadCity 3 Step-Thru and RadCity 4 Step-Over e-bikes are both marked down from $1,599 to $1,399.
Both these models hit the same 20 mph top speed as the RadMission but add in suspension, gears, fenders, a rear rack, and an LCD screen, giving riders more features as standard equipment.
These are the last bikes in Rad’s lineup to offer the larger direct drive motors, as the company has switched all of its other models to geared motors.
RadRover 6 Plus for $1,299
If the RadMission sale wasn’t so good, I might say this was the headliner event. And it may still be. The RadRover 6 Plus is normally priced at $1,999 but is marked down to $1,299 during the sale.
That makes this 750W fat tire electric bike with dual displays, hydraulic disc brakes, front suspension, and 7-speed gearing one of the best-priced fat tire e-bikes in existence right now.
When you add in the included semi-integrated battery, fenders, lighting, and more, this is one heck of a sweet deal.
What’s happening here?
Buried somewhere in this super sale saga is a burning question, “What’s going on at Rad?”
No company does things purely altruistically, even as much as Rad is pursuing its goal of replacing more cars with e-bikes. So where’s the rub? How is the money talking?
My two best guesses are that we’re either looking at an overstock issue — perhaps as a result of heavy purchasing during the springtime parts uncertainties — or that some new models are coming and Rad is moving out the old stock.
The RadCity 3 and RadCity 4 are already fairly old, so those make sense. The RadMission is over two years old now too, so that one could stand a refresher. The RadRover 6 Plus bikes aren’t really that old, though, so those really surprise me. What’s the reason for such a generous sale? Could they be that overstocked, or is there something else going on?
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Shares of USA Rare Earth jumped in extended trading Thursday, after CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC that the rare earth miner is “in close communication” with the White House.
Humpton’s comment comes after the Trump administration took a 5% equity stake in Lithium Americas this week. The Defense Department took a 15% stake in rare earth miner MP Materials in July.
“We are in close communication with the administration,” Humpton told CNBC’s Morgan Brennan when asked whether USA Rare Earth was interested in a deal with the Trump administration.
USA Rare Earth stock year to date.
USA Rare Earth shares were last up about 8% after hours. Its stock gained 23% in regular trading Thursday and has nearly doubled this year.
“This is a field where it will not be a zero sum game,” Humpton said of the rare earth supply chain. “It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace.”
USA Rare Earth is developing a mine in Sierra Blanca, Texas, and a magnet production facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Humpton said she supports the Trump administration’s deals with MP and Lithium Americas.
“What we’re doing is keeping the administration informed of our own plans,” she said.
The adminstration has said it is making the investments to help support the industry and break U.S. dependence on China.
Environment
Tesla applies for patent to make Cybertruck look even more ridiculous but more efficient
Tesla has applied for a new patent that would make the Cybertruck look even more ridiculous than it already does, but it would also make towing more efficient.
The Cybertruck is one of, if not the most, polarizing vehicles of all time, and its design is primarily to blame.
Much of the design is due to the use of stainless steel panels and the attempt to make pickup trucks more aerodynamically efficient.
Tesla has managed to improve on the drag coefficient of the average pickup truck.
However, it doesn’t help much with towing a trailer, which is going to catch a lot of that drag.
Tesla has now applied for a new patent on a device that would help push wind over a trailer towed by the Cybertruck.
The American automaker wrote in the abstract of the patent application:
An inflatable aerodynamic deflector to reduce drag and enhance efficiency. Constructed from drop stitch material, it forms one or more air chambers between parallel skins. The component includes a pressure regulation mechanism and diverse attachment interfaces such as rail systems, magnetic fasteners, and quick disconnect clips, distributed along the vehicle for secure mounting. This component acts as an aerodynamic deflector, optimizing airflow around conveyances, especially combination vehicles like tow vehicles and trailers.
In short, Tesla is working on an inflatable device that could sit on the bed of the Cybertruck and rise to close the air gap between the truck, thereby extending the angle of the windshield over the trailer.
Here are some of the drawings from the patent application
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, companies often apply for patents on products that they don’t have concrete plans to bring to production, and this could easily be the case here.
That’s especially true for the Cybertruck.
The program is so much smaller than Tesla anticipated, and with smaller volumes, it makes less sense to launch accessories.
That said, I’m pro everything that makes driving more efficient, regardless of whether it makes a vehicle silly.
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The 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup will be offered in a single trim, but at least it’s the most affordable one.
Here’s the new 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric lineup
With the IONIQ 5 stealing the spotlight, Hyundai is downsizing the 2026 Kona Electric to just one trim — the base SE model.
Hyundai didn’t provide prices, but the 2025 Hyundai Kona Electric SE was the brand’s most affordable EV, starting at just $32,975. The SEL, Limited, and N Line trims will not be offered for the 2026 model year.
In another blow, Hyundai is also dropping the Long Range battery, meaning the 2026 Kona Electric will only be available with the Standard Range battery.
The Long Range 64.8 kWh battery offers a driving range of up to 261 miles, while the Standard Range 48.6 kWh battery delivers a driving range of just 200 miles. The only other change is that the SE trim will now include a larger console tray.
With new models arriving, like the 2026 Nissan LEAF and the 2027 Chevy Bolt EV, the Kona Electric will no longer be one of the few EVs starting under $35,000.
Nissan claims the 2026 LEAF “has the lowest starting MSRP for any new EV currently on sale in the US” at just $29,990. The new LEAF also offers significantly more range, with over 300 miles, and features a NACS port for recharging at Tesla Superchargers.
While it’s cutting the Kona Electric lineup, Hyundai appears to be focused on its top-selling EV for 2026, the IONIQ 5.
Following the expiration of the federal EV tax credit, Hyundai reduced prices on the 2026 IONIQ 5 by up to nearly $10,000 on certain trims. The 2026 IONIQ 5 now starts at just $35,000. It’s also extending the $7,500 credit for 2025 models.
Is the Kona Electric on its way out with the IONIQ 5 now available for about the same price? Either that, or Hyundai will have to cut prices on the Kona EV to stay competitive.
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