Specialized launches its most affordable electric bike yet, the 28 mph Globe Haul ST utility bike
Specialized, one of the leading manufacturers of high-end bicycles and e-bikes, has launched its first-ever value segment of e-bikes under the Globe line. The company’s launch model is an electric cargo bike known as the Globe Haul ST.
While Specialized calls it a cargo bike, the shorter wheel-base that keeps it in “normal bike” proportions helps put it into a class we often refer to as utility e-bikes. These are e-bikes with extra cargo capacity for hauling extra cargo or passengers, but without the extra bulk and length often associated with oversized electric cargo bikes.
The Globe Haul ST is priced at US $2,700, which might seem to be a bit higher than most budget-oriented e-bikes yet is positively low-cost for a premium brand like Specialized.
The company is pitching the Globe Haul ST as an affordable car-replacing electric bike that can handle many of the daily tasks that many people accomplish with a much larger vehicle.
As the company explained:
The Globe Haul ST represents a new category of e-bike for Specialized, one that fills the gap between a commuter e-bike and a car. The Globe line is designed with increased load capacity and a versatile accessory mounting system allowing riders to travel comfortably around the suburbs and exurbs as well as the off-the-beaten paths of their outdoor adventures.
Compared to many of Specialized’s electric bicycles that lean more toward European-style e-bike designs, the Globe Haul ST is rather Americanized.
That means a powerful 700W hub motor, a massive 772 Wh battery touting 60 miles (96 km) of range, large tires in a 20×3.5″ size, and a massive weight capacity of up to 419 lb. (190 kg).
Oh yeah, and the Class 3 top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h).
That being said, it’s missing one major piece of kit loved by the majority of North American riders: a throttle option. When we first got a look at teaser pics, I called out a thin wire tracing its way up to the right handlebar end. As it didn’t terminate in the brakes and thus couldn’t have been a common brake sensor, I suggested that it may be a giveaway for a throttle. Unfortunately I was a bit too optimistic, as it turns out it’s the switch for the ultra-bright 1,500 lumen headlight.
However, one of the many accessories option includes a plug-in throttle, so it sounds like the company is prepared to offer that option to those that prefer the ability to put their legs on autopilot for a period.
In true Specialized fashion, the bike is outfitted with some very nice parts compared to today’s mid-level e-bikes. Microshift’s 9-speed transmission makes an appearance, as do hydraulic disc brakes on massive 203 mm brake rotors, and there’s even a torque sensor for ultra-smooth and responsive pedal assist.
There’s a telescoping seat post that drops down ultra low for riders as short as 4’5″ (135 cm) or as tall as 6’4″ (193 cm). The rear rack is dual level to create enough space for panniers to clip on while potentially leaving the top bars unencumbered for extra cargo loading.
That rack seems to be a central part of several accessory options, as the company explained:
To further separate itself from the pack, the bike comes with a versatile mounting system and ecosystem of specifically-engineered accessories that allow riders to personalize with the storage and seating configuration best suited to their needs. The Globe Haul ST launches with an accessory line that includes front and rear pannier adaptors, a rear passenger seat, handlebars, and foot pegs, an MIK-ready front rack, rear wheel cover, and plug-in throttle. A rack customization kit also provides various hardware to bolt on just about anything to the front.
Even less critical parts like the included brass bell appear to be nicer quality than the typical accessories slapped on a lot of direct-to-consumer e-bikes.
Priced at US $2,700, the Specialized Globe Haul ST is available in dark and light colorways of Satin Obsidian and Gloss White Mountains. The bike is currently only available in the US, but Specialized representatives have told Electrek that there are still plans to expand international distribution “in the future.”
Electrek’s Take
I’m pretty darn impressed with the Globe Haul ST, and I’m glad to see a throttle option, even if it’s an up-charge. I can already tell you that the lack of a throttle would have considerably cut into the bike’s potential sales in the US. It’s not that all e-bikes have to come with a throttle – I love pedal assist as well. But there are so many US e-bike riders that simply won’t look at an e-bike that doesn’t at least give them the option of throttling when they’re tired.
I think it’s hard to talk about these step-through utility bikes without mentioning the RadRunner, especially since they borrow heavily from the setup popularized by Rad Power Bikes a few years ago. Even the nicest $2,500 RadRunner 3 Plus is still a bit more affordable than the Globe Haul ST, though I doubt Rad can compete with the quality of a brand like Specialized.
I’m loving the loadout here. And I’m loving the fact that you’re basically getting Specialized quality and attention to detail at a more direct-to-consumer price. In fact, the packaging and owners manual alone speak volumes about this e-bike and the company behind it. Most direct-to-consumer e-bikes expect you to say thanks for including a couple Ikea-quality hex wrenches produced out of a steel-butter alloy. But the Globe Haul ST comes with a full tool kit including a freakin’ torque wrench to make sure you not only assemble the bike properly but also torque all the bolts to spec. Mmmm, I love that.
Though for those that don’t want the hassle of self-assembly, Specialized also offers an option to have the bike shipped to their local dealer for professional assembly.
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Tesla has started offering leases of certified pre-owned cars, which is relatively rare in the industry, with $0 down as it desperately tries to move vehicles before the end of the quarter.
With the federal tax credit for electric vehicles set to expire at the end of the quarter, automakers in the US are all trying to optimize EV sales, as demand is being pulled forward.
This also applies to used EVs, as the $4,000 federal incentive for used electric vehicles will also expire on September 30th.
Now, leasing used vehicles is much less common than leasing new cars, but some automakers, or mainly dealers, do offer it.
Tesla is getting into this business for the first time.
In California and Texas, Tesla is now offering leases on certified pre-owned (aka used) Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.
These are reasonably priced and can be as low as $215 per month with $0 down for a 24-month lease and 10,000 miles per year.
Tesla also offers a 12-month lease and up to 15,000 miles annually. While there’s no down payment needed, there’s an “Acquisition Fee” of $695.
That, and the first month, is all you need to get in a used Tesla for the next year or two.
This is undoubtedly the cheapest way to get into a Tesla vehicle right now.
Tesla is trying to sell as many vehicles as possible in the US this quarter, as demand for EVs has been pulled forward due to the end of the tax credit. This is expected to result in a record quarter in the US, but it also going to create a few difficult ones in the future.
With demand being pulled forward and future buyers feeling like they missed out on EV discounts, the US EV market is expected to experience a significant slowdown over the next 12 to 18 months.
Tesla sales are down about 13% globally so far this year. While this quarter is expected to be better, many analysts still anticipate Tesla’s year-over-year performance to be down.
This year alone, Tesla added more than 50,000 electric vehicles to its inventory.
Used cars have also been piling up.
Tesla owners rushed to sell their vehicles as Tesla’s brand perception dived following its CEO’s involvement in politics.
We previously reported that the average used Tesla sale price has recently dipped below the overall average used car sale price in the US.
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Danish equipment makers HG build job site dumpers that help move sand, rocks, debris, construction waste, and building supplies across rugged, uneven urban job sites. And with the introduction of their newest E3000 model, they’re helping move more than three tons of that stuff without emissions and — just as crucially — without noise.
HG announced the E3000 electric site dumper just this week, adding the new 3 tonne capacity to its growing lineup of 1 and 2 tonne dumpers (that’s over 6,600 lbs., in “landed on the Moon” units). With a 180° swivel tip on the bucket as standard equipment and an optional high tip version available at launch, it should be able to handle just about anything a hard working construction crew can throw at it.
“With the HG E3000, we once again prove that electric dumpers are not only better for people and the environment. They are also more efficient, cheaper to operate, and can run more than a full working day on a single charge,” explains Nikolaj Birkerod, CEO of HG, told Power Progress. “With 3 tonne dumpers, we are proving, as we already have with 2 tonne dumpers, that we can deliver on both performance and reliability while enabling customers to save 15% per operating hour compared to a diesel dumper.”
Exact specs haven’t been released, but HG claims the E3000’s 29 kWh is good for 12 full hours of continuous, loaded operation, and that it can be fully recharged on a “standard” 220 charger (L2) in about four hours. If you’re curious about what has been released, I’ve got all that for you right here:
The only all-electric dumper on the market that gives you 12 working hours while carrying 3 tonnes payload.
Our latest addition to accelerate 100% machinery:
- 3-ton payload for high-capacity material handling
- 12-hour working – a full day’s work without recharging
- Optional high tip for quick and flexible unloading into containers and trucks
- 180° swivel tip as standard for precise placement of loads
- Fast charging: 0–100% in approx. 4 hours with the integrated charger
- Lithium 29 kWh battery with automatic heating for all-season use
- One-pedal drive for smooth and intuitive operation
The E3000 is built for contractors and rental companies who demand maximum productivity without compromising on environmental responsibility.
With a carrying capacity of 3 tonnes and an industry-leading 12 hours of effective runtime on a single charge, it’s proof that heavy-duty work and zero emissions can go hand in hand.
At the heart of the E3000 is HG’s patented articulated drivetrain with four independent in-wheel motors. This unique design delivers the most energy-efficient power transfer in the industry, using significantly less power than conventional electric system. This translates directly into lower operating costs and more hours on site between charges.
No word yet on pricing or whether or not the new dumper will eventually be sold outside the European market, but we do know that HG plans to deliver the first examples of its new machine to customers by early 2026.
Electrek’s Take
While there are a lot of people outside the urban construction space who may scoff at environmental concerns, the quest for improved efficiency and cost reduction among commercial fleet managers knows no political ideology. Add in more restrictive noise regulations and the side benefits of improved job site safety and fewer sick days, and electric equipment is a no-brainer.
Simply put: If it’s better or cheaper, fleets will buy it. If it’s better and cheaper, they’ll buy two — and battery powered equipment is proving to be consistently better, in a broader scope of use cases, than diesel.
SOURCES | IMAGES: HG Machines, Power Progress.
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For just $129 per month, the Volkswagen ID.4 might be the best EV lease deal right now. At that, it’s almost half the cost of a new Jetta.
Volkswagen ID.4 is cheaper to lease than a Jetta
After the 2025 model year went on sale, the ID.4 raced out to become the third-best-selling EV in the US in January.
With ultra-low lease prices starting at just $129 per month, it’s no wonder Volkswagen’s electric SUV is flying off the lots.
For a $45,000 SUV, any lease under $200 a month is a steal nowadays. It’s even cheaper than leasing a new Jetta S, despite costing nearly twice as much.
The deal is for a 24-month lease with a $2,499 due at signing, resulting in an effective monthly cost of $233. To put that into perspective, the 2025 VW Jetta S is listed for lease at $269 for 36 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is $380, making the ID.4 a significantly better deal.
Volkswagen’s deals vary by region. The $129 offer is available in California and a few other West Coast states. In others, it’s listed at $329 for 24 months with $4,499 due at signing.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is available in five different trims: Pro, AWD Pro, Pro S, AWD Pro S, and AWD Pro S Plus. The base 2025 ID.4 PRO RWD starts at $45,095 with up to 291 miles of driving range.
Although the ID.4 lease offer is tempting, Hyundai may still have it beat with the 2025 IONIQ 5 available to lease from $179 per month nationwide.
Volkswagen’s offer ends on September 30, when the federal EV tax credit is set to expire. After that, much of the savings will disappear unless the company steps in with its own incentives.
Ready to snag the savings while they are still available? You can use our link to find and view offers on the 2025 Volkswagen ID.4 in your area (via a trusted affiliate link).
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