Himiway launches 3 new electric bikes including a silly little $499 model
Electric bicycle brand Himiway just ran a flashy Apple-like product launch to announce three new e-bikes models. The new members of the family include the Himiway Pony electric micro-bike, the Himiway Rambler hybrid/city e-bike and the Himiway Rhino & Rhino Pro dual battery fat tire e-bikes.
The Himiway Pony is perhaps the most eye-catching of all of the launches, not due to a massive frame or giant tires – but rather, quite the opposite.
Instead of going with a “bigger is better” attitude that many e-bike companies seem to be exploring right now, the Himiway Pony is a member of the micro-bike class and is down right pint-sized.
It’s also a downright rip-off, if we’re being honest. Himiway’s designers obviously looked at the Jackrabbit micro e-bike and said “let’s just build that, but in white.”
I’d say they ripped off the small animal name too, but at least on that note it’s fair to say that Himiway has been using animal names for its e-bikes for a few years now. But the design, well, that’s a straight up Jackrabbit copycat.
That design includes an ultra-short wheelbase, a pair of small 20″ wheels, a mini hub motor in the rear wheel and a tiny battery for power. Pedals are replaced by folding foot pegs, further helping to shrink the wheelbase and reduce weight.
In fact, that technically prevents the Himiway Pony from being considered a “bike” in the typical sense since it doesn’t have a manual drivetrain. Instead, it’s perhaps better defined as a seated scooter.
But just like the Jackrabbit that it owes its design to, the Himiway Pony rides more like a bicycle than a scooter thanks to the bicycle-specific parts including the saddle, handlebars and wheels.
With a 300W hub motor and a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), the Pony is designed for light duty local transportation. The 35 lb (16 kg) bike is light enough to easily lift and toss in a car to use for local errands. The options of either a 180Wh or 360Wh battery provide a range of up to 22 miles (35 km).
Just like the Jackrabbit, there’s only a single rear disc brake. I found that the single brake was plenty when I tested the Jackrabbit, and the lack of a front brake keeps the incredibly short bike from doing a flip if the rider accidentally grabbed too much front brake.
It’s an odd little micromobility device, but for $499, it’s not a bad price. And at $599 for the 22 mile range version with the larger battery, it’d be a cheap way to get yourself on a lightweight and nimble little bike-like machine.
The Himiway Rambler fills a gap that has long existed in Himiways lineup: An e-bike with simple, normal tires. Unlike all the fatties we’ve seen from Himiway, the Rambler finally brings us a normal-looking city e-bike with Himiway badging.
Interestingly, Himiway is producing this commuter e-bike in both a hub motor and mid-drive motor setup. The hub motor is more economical, while the mid-drive motor offers a better weight balance and the ability to power the e-bike through its bicycle gears, which can be a major advantage on hills. Both motors provide 500W of power and are fed by the bike’s 48V 15Ah battery.
On the lowest pedal assist level, Himiway says that the Rambler can achieve up to 55 miles (88 km) of range on a single charge.
The entry-level version with mechanical disc brakes and a hub motor starts at $1,299. Riders can upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes for an extra $200. To get the mid-drive motor version with hydraulic brakes, though, that will cost a good bit more at $2,199.
Lastly, Himiway unveiled the new Rhino and Rhino Pro as what it is referring to as dual battery electric mountain bikes, though I’d call these more of a fat tire trail bike. However you classify them, the bikes are fairly well outfitted for hitting excursions beyond paved roads.
With a pair of removable, frame-integrated batteries rated at 48V and 15Ah each, the bike packs in 1,440 Wh of total capacity. That’s enough for up to 100 miles (160 km) of range, according to Himiway.
The bike rolls on 4.5″ fat tires and hides a 1,000W hub motor in the rear wheel, at least on the standard Rhino. The Rhino pro swaps that hub motor for a Bafang Ultra 1,000W mid-drive motor.
Both bikes have hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension, though the 10-speed transmission on the Rhino Pro offers one more gear than the 9-speed setup on the Rhino.
The Rhino is priced at $2,999 while the Rhino Pro is a bit pricier at $3,999.
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Massachusetts is launching a first-of-its-kind statewide vehicle-to-everything (V2X) pilot program. This two-year initiative, backed by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), aims to deploy 100 bidirectional chargers to homes, school buses, municipal, and commercial fleet participants across the state.
These bidirectional chargers will enable EVs to serve as mobile energy storage units, collectively providing an estimated 1.5 MW of new storage capacity. That means EVs won’t just be getting power – they’ll be giving it back to the grid, helping to balance demand and support renewable energy use. The program is also focused on ensuring that low-income and disadvantaged communities have access to this cutting-edge tech.
The Massachusetts pilot is one of the largest state-led V2X initiatives in the US and is designed to tackle key challenges in deploying bidirectional charging technology. By strategically placing these chargers in a variety of settings, the program aims to identify and resolve barriers to wider adoption of V2X technology.
Massachusetts EV owners and fleet operators enrolled in the program will get bidirectional chargers capable of both vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and backup power operations at no cost. Here’s what they stand to gain:
- No-cost charging infrastructure: Bidirectional charging stations and installation are fully covered for participants.
- Grid resilience: With an estimated 1.5 MW of new flexible and distributed storage assets, the program strengthens Massachusetts’ energy infrastructure.
- Clean energy integration: V2G technology allows EVs to charge when renewable energy is available and discharge stored energy when it’s not, supporting the state’s clean energy goals.
- Backup power: EV batteries can be used as backup power sources during outages.
- Revenue opportunities: Some participants can earn money by sending stored energy back to the grid.
Clean energy solutions firm Resource Innovations and vehicle-grid integration tech company The Mobility House are leading the program’s implementation. “With the charging infrastructure provided through this program, we’re eliminating financial barriers and enabling school districts, homeowners, and fleets to access reliable backup power,” said Kelly Helfrich of Resource Innovations. “We aim to create a scalable blueprint for V2X programs nationwide.”
“Bidirectional charging benefits vehicle owners by providing backup power and revenue opportunities while strengthening the grid for the entire community,” added Russell Vare of The Mobility House North America.
The program is open for enrollment now through June 2025. For more details, visit the MassCEC V2X Program webpage. A list of eligible bidirectional vehicles can be found on that page.
Read more: Cambridge’s new solar VPPA is the largest ever by any US city
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Compton, California, has unveiled 25 new electric school buses – the school district’s first – and 25 Tellus 180 kW DC fast chargers.
Compton Unified School District (CUSD) in southern Los Angeles County is putting 17 Thomas Built Type A and eight Thomas Built Type C electric school buses on the road this spring. In addition to working with Thomas Built, CUSD also collaborated with electrification-as-a-service provider Highland Electric Fleet, utility Southern California Edison, and school transportation provider Durham School Services.
Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program awarded funds for the vehicles in the program’s first round. EPA also awarded CUSD funds for the third round of the program and anticipates introducing an additional 25 EV school buses in the future.
“I can’t stress enough how vital grants like these are and the need for continued support from our partners in government at the state and federal level to fund additional grants for school districts and their transportation partners that are ready to deliver and operate zero-emission buses,” said Tim Wertner, CEO of Durham School Services.
CUSD, which serves Compton and parts of the cities of Carson and Los Angeles, currently serves more than 17,000 students at 36 sites. The district has a high school graduation rate of 93% and an 88% college acceptance rate. One in 11 children in Los Angeles County have asthma, which makes the need for emissions-free school transportation that much more pressing.
Read more: Thomas Built Buses debuts its next-gen electric school bus
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After cutting lease prices by $200 this month, the Rivian R1S is now surprisingly affordable. It may even be a better deal than the new Tesla Model Y.
Rivian cuts R1S lease prices by $200 per month
Rivian’s R1S is one of the hottest electric SUVs on the market. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out.
With some of the best deals to date, now may be the time. Rivian lowered R1S lease prices earlier this month to just $599 for 36 months, with $8,493 due at signing (30,000 miles). The offer is for the new 2025 R1S Adventure Dual Standard, which starts at $75,900.
Before the price cut, the R1S was listed at $799 per month, with $8,694 due at signing. The electric SUV now has the same lease price as the R1T, despite costing $6,000 more.
The 2025 R1T Dual Motor starts at $69,900, essentially making it a free $6,000 upgrade. At that price, you may even want to consider it over the new Tesla Model Y.
Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series arrived with lease prices of $699 for 36 months. With $4,393 due at signing, the effective rate is $821 per month, or just $13 less than the R1S at $834. However, the 2025 R1S costs nearly $15,000 more, with the Model Y Launch Series price at $59,990.
Rivian is also offering an “All-Electric Upgrade Offer” of up to $6,000 for those looking to trade-in their gas-powered car, but base models are not included.
| Starting Price | Range (EPA-est.) |
|
| 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard | $75,900 | 270 miles |
| 2026 Tesla Model Y Launch Series | $59,990 | 327 miles |
To take advantage of the Rivian R1S lease deal, you must order it before March 15 and take delivery on or before March 31, 2025.
The 2025 Rivian R1S Dual Standard Motor has an EPA-estimated range of up to 270 miles. Tesla’s new Model Y Launch Series gets up to 327 miles.
Which electric SUV would you choose? Rivian’s R1S or the new Tesla Model Y? If you’re ready to check them out for yourself, you can use our links below to find deals on the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model Y in your area.
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