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Prices in the electric bike industry spent years with relative stability until the pandemic’s many ripple effects wreaked havoc on the industry. Over the last few years we’ve watched prices rocket up and then plunge back down again in a matter of months, only to repeat. Many riders had hoped to see 2023 bring with it a return to normalcy in the industry. Based on the several recent price changes across many companies, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

It looks like while some manufacturers are dropping prices, others are seeing major increases.

For example, ONYX Motorbikes just launched a special sale to kick off the new year, with prices reduced by up to $1,000 on some of the company’s most popular models.

The RCR electric moped, which is admittedly closer to light electric motorcycle specs than true electric bicycle territory, sees the largest discount of the bunch. The street model dropped from $5,479.99 to $4,479.99. The pricier dirt model dropped from $5,922.99 to $4,922.99.

The company is also reducing prices on its LZR series, which are the company’s true electric bicycles that were just unveiled earlier this year. Those get $600 price reductions, with the LZR Standard 500W dropping from $2,299 to $1,699 and the LZR Pro 900W dropping from $2,799 to $1,999.

ONYX has limited the discounts to just 50 models of each style, so it’s unlikely that this pricing will last long and unfortunately it probably doesn’t represent a larger industry trend.

Other companies haven’t reduced prices in 2023 but have kept some of their impressive Black Friday and holiday sales running into the new year. San Diego-based Ride1Up has multiple models of city, trail and cruiser electric bikes with sale prices close to or matching the company’s best holiday sales from 2022.

That’s another trend we noticed near the end of last year, that the often too-good-to-be-true Black Friday deals from many e-bike companies extended well into the holiday seasons and even into the new year in some cases, instead of being quickly reset to standard pricing like we’ve seen in past years.

ride1up cafe cruiser electric bike

On the other side of the price flipping sit several e-bike companies that have already announced price increases.

The largest electric bicycle company in North America, Rad Power Bikes, increased its pricing on several models.

The RadRover 6 Plus spent a long time at $1,999 before recently being bumped past the $2k mark to $2,099. That still isn’t Rad’s most expensive e-bike though, as the newly released RadTrike took that title with its $2,499 MSRP.

The RadRunner Plus is now up to $1,999 and the recently released RadExpand 5 has a new price of $1,649.

Rad has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in VC funding over the last few years, and some believe that the company may be feeling pressure from its investors to demonstrate healthier profit margins. The company has also invested significantly in new product developments too, with R&D spending likely seeing an increase as well.

SUPER73, another highly visible electric bike company, has also announced price increases for 2023.

Unlike Rad Power Bikes which operates on the more value-oriented end of the e-bike spectrum, SUPER73’s e-bikes offer higher power and punchier performance that has helped drive prices higher.

The company has one of the most dedicated communities of riders though, fueled by a culture of customization and riding culture that has brought motorcycle club vibes to the e-bike world.

The company announced that its SUPER-73RX Mojave e-bike would increase by $300 to $3,995. The SUPER73-R Brooklyn bumped its price by $200 to $3,695, while the mid-level SUPER73-S2 increased by $300 to $3,295. Even the company’s more affordable SUPER73-ZX saw a $200 jump to $2,395.

In addition to inflation and other factors that have been blamed for the rise in e-bike prices over the last year or so, sky high freight costs from Asia played a major role in the soaring cost of e-bikes.

However, we’ve seen those ocean freight prices plummet in the last few months, which fueled hope that e-bike prices would catch a break as well.

Despite some small downward movements we’ve seen in the industry, reduced prices haven’t become a larger trend. Most e-bike companies have either stayed stable or slowly walked their prices up even as shipping prices have reduced.

Of course other factors such as a rising and falling exchange rate between the US dollar and Chinese Yuan have also played a role in the rollercoaster ride of e-bike prices.

With only a week into 2023 and no stability in sight, don’t expect to count on this being the year that prices drop back to normal for good.

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

Tesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees.

It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years.

In 2020, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian over allegedly stealing trade secrets by hiring former Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian has denied the allegations.

When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks.

The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian.

A year later, Tesla expanded the lawsuitclaiming more specifically that Rivian was “stealing the core technology for its next-generation batteries.”

At first, the companies tried to settle out of court, but it didn’t work out, so the lawsuit was moved to court last year.

Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via Bloomberg):

Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms.

Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement.

While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights.

And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation.

Electrek’s Take

The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used.

The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack.

Rivian is expected to use a taller 4695 battery from LG Energy Solutions for its next-generation vehicles.

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.

By installing its high-powered charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into a solid metal pipe, Kempower and Proviridis have been able to make room for high-powered charging points in an existing truck depot that didn’t have enough space to install either conventional EVSE or overhead “drop lines.”

For the pilot, the metal pipe is painted in a striking yellow color to make it easier to see while maneuvering the lot, and keeping the dispensers themselves more protected than conventional concrete bollards. The 600 kW power cabinet is positioned a few yards away – a typical space-saving Kempower solution – and connected to the charge points by underground cable.

Proviridis believes their solution provides enough of a competitive advantage that fleet buyers looking to electrify will be eager to give it a try.

“The product is durable across a wide spectrum of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can cater for a wide range of customer needs,” explains Olivier Verdu, Technical Director at Proviridis. “These are features which perfectly place the Kempower solution for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.”

Electrek’s Take

While traditional charging equipment can cause up to 20% of an existing truck depot’s parking capacity to be lost, the Kempower products have already gained recognition for the efficient size footprint of its overground Satellites. If this underground version proves to be even better, you can expect to see a lot more Kempower installations near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Kempower.

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For a limited time, save $500 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

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For a limited time, save 0 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.

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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal

Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.

The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.

The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.

By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.

But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.

Buzz Bicycles

The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all

The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.

When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.

You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.

Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.

Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.

The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.

With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:

  • 10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
  • 2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
  • 6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Buzz Bicycles

Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200. That’s a $500 discount in total!

Don’t wait, because this deal only runs through 11:59 PM on December 8, 2024.

We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you. 

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