Remember that little seated electric scooter that looked almost like a toy, yet could do a solid 34 mph (54 km/h)? Well it’s back, in an even higher performance version. The new RoadRunner Pro from VoroMotors answers the question, “What happens if we took the already ridiculous RoadRunner and tricked it out even more?!”
That’s exactly what the RoadRunner Pro is: a significantly upgraded version of the original VoroMotors Emove RoadRunner.
It keeps the all-wheel-drive, but replaces the 500W and 350W motors with a pair of 2,000W motors. The two motors are powerful enough to offer a top speed of 51 mph (82 km/h); the only question is whether you’re brave enough to reach those speeds on 14″ wheels.
Fortunately, you’ll have a good set of stoppers if you want to come down from that speed quickly. The RoadRunner Pro is outfitted with a pair of dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes. They’re perfect just in case you want to nope out shortly after hitting 50 mph.
Another piece of good news is that you’ll have dual suspension beneath you, with a hydraulic suspension fork up front and dual coilover shocks in the rear. Hitting a pot hole at 50 mph on a hard tail bike or scooter could feel like you’re being catapulted into the stratosphere, so rear suspension is a key upgrade over the original RoadRunner we previously tested.
I described the original RoadRunner as basically a scooter built around a massive battery. And the RoadRunner Pro – in keeping with its theme so far – has yet an even larger battery. The new pack is a whopping 60V and 30Ah battery. It uses 21700-format battery cells and offers 1,800Wh of capacity. That’s more than just about any light electric two-wheeler we’ve seen and is apparently enough for over 50 miles (80 km) of range per charge.
At what speed is that range measured? It’s not clear, but considering that equates to 36 Wh/mile (22 Wh/km), I’d guess that the range is calculated at an average speed of around 25-28 mph (40-45 km/h).
Other new gear gracing the RoadRunner Pro is an updated twist throttle and a new full color 3.5″ TFT VoroMotors display. The display shows battery status, motor temperature, speedometer, mode and time, and even features colored-coded rings around the speed to remind riders of which mode they’re in with a quick glance.
New 14″x2.75″ tires get tubeless treatment, with rims more akin to automotive-style wheels that don’t require an inner tube like conventional bicycle and scooter wheels.
That’s a key feature that should considerably improve both the handling and the user experience for maintenance of the scooter. As the company explained:
We custom designed these new split rim wheels with tubeless tires, so it’s easier to repair a flat – if you ever have to. The 14” x 2.75” tubeless pneumatic tires have a flatter, wider profile that works well for street riding, and doesn’t get squirrely at high speeds. With tubeless tires, you never have to carry or replace inner tubes again – since the tire seals directly to the rim. If you get a flat, the split rim design makes it easier to swap tires. Simply disconnect the plug-and-play motor, remove six screws from the hub, swap in a new tire, re-inflate, and you are back on the road. Literally re-inventing the wheel was an important goal at VoroMotors, as everyday transportation should be easy to maintain and repair.
The saddle also received a significant upgrade. It’s now larger and more comfortable, measuring 20” long by 7.9” wide and 3.5” thick (51 x 21 x 9 cm) and is wrapped in a wear-resistant and heat-resistant material. The goal was to ensure it would last longer and also not heat up as much when parked in the sun.
The electrical system was also heavily upgraded to support the extra power. The discharge circuit uses 8 AWG wires, which are ridiculously thick (and expensive) wires designed for high power delivery. Even the charging wires for the battery are quite large at 16 AWG. For comparison, many lower power e-bikes and e-scooters will use 16 AWG for discharge, meaning the RoadRunner Pro has as much copper just for charging use as some other light EVs use for actual driving.
The BMS and battery are rated for a massive 120A of discharge current, which is more than enough for the two power hungry 45A speed controllers powering the front and rear motors.
To put it another way, it’s got speed and power profiles similar to something like a Sur Ron or ONYX light electric motorcycle, yet in a much smaller and more portable package. Well, smaller for sure. The weight isn’t exactly svelte, considering it tips the scales at 114.4 lb (51.9 kg). But that’s a lot lighter than most 50 mph light electric motorcycles!
The RoadRunner Pro has just gone on sale today with an MSRP of $2,895. Considering that a Sur Ron will set you back another $1,500 or so, that’s pretty darn fair.
VoroMotors attributes the lower cost to their ability to self-develop the scooter:
The RoadRunner Pro is easily a $4,000 scooter, but our ability to develop and produce electric scooters in-house is how we can offer this brand new model at such an insane price.
Electrek’s Take
This is pretty awesome. I’m loving just about all the upgrades here, except perhaps that we lost the folding handlebars. That was a cool addition to the original RoadRunner, especially for folks that parked it against a wall, behind a couch or in another narrow area. But I guess when you’re doing 50 mph, you want to rigidity of fixed handlebars.
The question of legality will certainly be an issue in some areas, and I’d recommend that you check your local laws if you plan to use this on public roads. But if you’re taking it to your local drag strip and racing for pinks, then I don’t think street legal status will matter quite as much.
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Three years after the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) became law, Rewiring America is rolling out a new effort to make sure homeowners don’t miss out on major savings.
The Save on Better Appliances campaign is designed to help families take advantage of federal energy tax credits before they expire at the end of 2025, while also showing how modern electric appliances can cut long-term energy costs.
With utility bills climbing, the group is highlighting the benefits of heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, rooftop solar, and other upgrades that can keep homes comfortable while protecting against future price spikes. For many households, energy-efficient appliances are one of the few ways to bring bills under control – and that value remains even after federal incentives are gone.
Right now, homeowners can still access the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) and Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D). On top of that, thousands of state, local, and utility-level incentives are available to help offset upfront costs.
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Ari Matusiak, CEO of Rewiring America, pointed out that the IRA incentives were never meant to last forever:
Congress’s decision to repeal them prematurely means households should act fast. But the savings, comfort, and long-term value of these upgrades remain. For homeowners ready to act, we have the tools to help. And for those who need more time, we’re working to expand your options and ensure that these upgrades make financial sense whenever the moment is right.
What the campaign offers
The Save on Better Appliances campaign runs through October and includes:
A central hub where homeowners can learn about the expiring credits, check out state, local, and utility incentives, and connect with vetted contractors.
Weekly Zoom drop-in sessions with Certified Electric Coaches, starting September 3, to answer questions about home upgrades.
Contractor tools, including Rewiring America’s Contractor Finder, soon to be integrated with the BetterHVAC directory for more trusted installer options.
A new Single-Project Personal Electrification Planner to help homeowners map out common projects like heat pumps, energy audits, and electrical upgrades.
“I’ve been doing HVAC installations for the past 40 years, and I can tell you that I’ve seen firsthand how the 25C tax credit has made heat pumps, the most efficient HVAC technology, more affordable and accessible for homeowners,” said Scotty Libby, owner of Maine-based Royal River Heat Pumps. “Homeowners should talk to their local contractors now if they want to upgrade their HVAC, take advantage of the tax credit, and lock in the potential long-term energy savings a heat pump would provide.”
Beyond tax credits
Rewiring America is also working with manufacturers, contractors, and lenders to make upgrades more affordable, even without federal help. In Rhode Island and Colorado, families can already access specially priced heat pump packages, with more states on the way. These deals will expand in 2026 and beyond, lowering upfront costs no matter what happens in Washington.
Across the country, state agencies, utilities, and local nonprofits are already leading creative programs to help families save money, find trusted contractors, and begin electrifying their homes. Rewiring America says this campaign is about amplifying that work and making it easier for households to take the first step.
“Tax credits may expire, but the benefits of better HVAC – lower bills, healthier homes, and lasting comfort – are here to stay. That’s why we’re supporting Rewiring America’s campaign,” said Bill Spohn, Sr., president of the Better HVAC Alliance.
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Oil-funded groups are engaging in strategic harassment to stop scientists from revealing the nature of their politically-linked disinformation networks – in what should be a surprise to nobody.
The study focuses on several examples of law firms with connections to anti-wind groups, the fossil fuel industry, and the American political right wing. These fossil-funded groups have spread disinformation to slow the adoption of clean and cheap wind power, in order to keep America addicted to the poison that the fossil fuel industry wants to keep selling us.
The lab is headed by J Timmons Roberts, but the research was done by various students and faculty at at the lab. The new report builds on former research by the CDL cataloguing extensive connections between these groups and the dark money networks that fund the anti-wind movement.
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Why the East Coast needs offshore wind
Offshore wind, especially in the North Atlantic, is a cheap and abundant form of energy that is heretofore relatively untapped in the US. It also has very little environmental cost, given that its carbon emissions and land use are both zero, and wind tends to be quite consistent over the ocean, making it more reliable as a power source.
Many other countries have successfully implemented offshore wind projects to bring this cheap and clean power to their populaces, with particular booms in China, the UK, Vietnam, Germany and several other Northern European countries (like Denmark, where many large wind power companies are based).
And wind is important for the global transition to renewable energy and the fight against climate change. As a zero-emission power source, it’s essential for meeting the US East Coast’s climate and renewable energy goals, and could provide a huge chunk of the power needs for the entire US Eastern seaboard, where the country’s population is clustered.
However, offshore wind has recently encountered setbacks due to the spread of disinformation from fossil-funded networks, which has made its way into the popular conception and into right-wing politics. (Nevertheless, Americans of all political stripes still support greater deployment of offshore wind)
How and why fossil fuel companies oppose wind
Fossil fuel companies oppose wind power because it would help to wean America off of fossil fuels, displacing coal and methane generation for electricity and enabling greater electrification of the vehicle fleet to wean us off of oil. All of these would result in air quality improvements, cost reductions, health improvements and avoidance of climate change – which are all anathema to the most deadly industry the world has ever seen.
So, fossil fuel companies have developed and funded a complicated network of fake public interest groups, politicians and lawyers to oppose wind power by spreading disinformation. And the CDL’s report highlights how certain legal firms have received funding from fossil fuel companies and/or given support to these fake public interest groups in attempts to sue wind projects out of existence.
While many of these lawsuits have been unsuccessful, they can still add delays to a project, making it more expensive and slower to deploy (which then makes your electricity more expensive). In some cases, the delays can result in project cancellation, like when oil billionaire William Koch sued Cape Wind out of existence via a fake public interest group called the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound.
In the report, five specific legal networks are highlighted in particular, showing how each is related to fossil fuels and science denial. The networks have provided representation, written comments, filed lawsuits and otherwise spread disinformation in an attempt to stop the public good that offshore wind power represents.
The nature of the disinformation
The disinformation largely focuses on the North Atlantic Right Whale, a whale whose population is currently experiencing an “unusual mortality event” due to changing climate and Atlantic shipping and fishing.
Anti-wind groups have invoked laws like the Endangers Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act, despite the fact that the products of the industry they are funded by are the deadliest thing for marine life.
Burning oil raises both the temperature and acidity of our oceans, disrupting marine ecosystems in profound ways. For example, North Atlantic krill populations have dropped by 50% due to ocean warming driven by fossil fuel use. Krill are the main food source for the North Atlantic Right Whale, which anti-wind groups claim to be interested in protecting, but are in fact aiding the decline of.
Further, whale populations are directly harmed by vessel strikes, which are the leading direct cause of death for North Atlantic Right Whales in recent years. And 29% of those vessels are carrying oil across the globe – shipments that would be unnecessary if transportation were powered by clean renewable energy instead of deadly oil. Not only that, but some of the exact same groups that oppose wind also opposed draft regulations to reduce vessel strikes, showing that they are actually interested in continuing to harm whales, not protecting them.
Law firm responds to the truth by pressuring university to hide it
One of the law firms highlighted in the report, Marzulla Law, sent a letter threatening its authors. Marzulla Law said it would complain to Brown’s funding sources, including the US Department of Energy which a former oil executive is currently squatting as the head of, in an attempt to get the entirety of Brown University’s funding pulled if the CDL doesn’t self-censor its research findings.
The CDL itself is not funded by the Department of Energy, Roberts said to Bloomberg, so the threat isn’t even related to CDL’s funding sources, but to Brown University’s as a whole.
Marzulla Law represented one of the disinformation groups which the CDL has highlighted before, the deceptively-named “Green Oceans.” Green Oceans opposed the Revolution Wind project, which was halted on Friday over fake national security concerns by a convicted felon who is Constitutionally barred from holding office in the US, despite the project already being 80% finished, costing the US billions in waste and increased utility bills.
Mike Herr, a spokesman for Green Oceans said “these oft-repeated lies are designed to discredit the messenger while preventing the public from absorbing the substance of our valid and well-researched concerns,” which is itself an example of the very thing he’s wrongly accusing the researchers of.
Herr’s organization lies about offshore wind, and their attack on science (through their law firm) is designed to discredit the messenger while preventing the public from absorbing the substance of valid and well-researched concerns: the connection between fossil fuels, the republican party, and disinformation that keeps us from embracing superior forms of cheaper, cleaner energy like wind.
Roberts called Marzulla’s response “strategic harassment to shut me up and waste my time and make me more cautious,” which is a common reaction faced by truth-tellers in this day and age, particularly when funding from the largest and most deadly industry on the planet, which has repeatedly shown its interest in propaganda, is involved.
For its part, Brown University did not comment on Marzulla’s demands, but did state that “Scholars shape their own research and course of instruction at Brown. One principle that is core to research at Brown is the ability for scholars to discuss contested topics and themes and to have those topics openly debated.”
However, Brown is one of the universities which recently kowtowed to the idiotic demands of an inept moron, making its words about academic independence ring somewhat hollow. We’ll have to see if they step up to defend truth this time around, or bow the knee to one of the dumbest people on the planet once again.
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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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The Optiq is Cadillac’s most affordable electric SUV, and it’s already winning over drivers from other brands. Cadillac claims the new entry-level Optiq EV has “segment-best” rear cargo space, but how does it compare to other popular electric SUVs?
Cadillac Optiq EV SUV cargo space comparison
Cadillac has become the “luxury EV leader” in the US, according to GM’s CEO Mary Barra. However, that doesn’t include Tesla, apparently due to its “pricing structure,” a company spokesperson clarified.
In the second quarter, Cadillac was the leading luxury electric vehicle brand by market share and ranked fifth overall.
Cadillac’s surging presence in the luxury EV space is thanks to its growing lineup of electric SUVs. The company now offers an electric model in every segment, including the entry-level Optiq, midsize Lyriq, three-row Vistiq, and even bigger Escalade IQ and IQL.
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According to Barra, nearly 80% of Optiq buyers are new to the brand. The low starting price of under $55,000, over 300 miles of driving range, and tech-heavy interior are big draws. However, the Cadillac Optiq also delivers several “segment-best” features, including rear cargo space.
Cadillac Optiq “segment-best” rear cargo area (Source: Cadillac)
How much space does the Optiq really have? To see how it stacks up, Edmunds put it to the test. GM says the 2025 Cadillac Optiq has segment-leading 26 cubic feet of rear cargo space.
The Optiq is smaller than the Lyriq, which has 28 cu ft. It offers about the same amount of space as the Chevy Equinox and Blazer EVs and other electric SUVs priced similarly.
Compared to the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Edmunds said the Optiq offers a more functional rear luggage space thanks to its open design.
Cadillac Optiq rear cargo area with seats folded flat (Source: GM)
Like other GM’s other electric SUVs, the Optiq offers an underfloor storage space. However, it is the smallest one in the group.
Although the Optiq “seems to be the worst,” among GM’s other electric SUVs, Edmunds added, it was “only a teensy bit so compared to the Equinox and Blazer EVs.” The Lyriq, on the other hand, offered considerably more space, as expected from a bigger, more premium EV.
Electric SUV
Rear Cargo Volume (cubic feet)
Cadillac Optiq
26
Chevy Equinox EV
26.4
Chevy Blazer EV
25.5
Hyundai IONIQ 5
27.2
Tesla Model Y
29
Cadillac Lyriq
28
Cadillac Optiq vs other electric SUVs rear cargo space comparison
Compared to luxury rivals, it offers much more space than the Audi Q4 E-tron, but significantly less than the Mercedes-Benz EQB. It’s closer to that of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 or Kia EV6.
The 2025 Cadillac Optiq starts at $54,390 and offers up to 302 miles of driving range. At 190″ in length, 75″ in width, and 65″ in height, the Cadillac Optiq is about the same size as the Tesla Model Y (187″ in length x 76″ in width x 64″ in height).
2025 Cadillac Optiq EV (Source: Cadillac)
Cadillac is currently offering Optiq leases as low as $439 per month for 24 months for those with a competitive luxury brand vehicle.
Like most deals, this one will end at the end of September, which is when the $7,500 federal EV tax credit is also set to expire.
If you’re looking to try one for yourself, you can use one of our links below to find deals on electric vehicles in your area.
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