Aventon launches new Pace electric bikes with torque sensors, turn signals, & more
Aventon’s Pace 350 and Pace 500 e-bikes have long been the brand’s main commuter models for budget-minded riders still looking for a quality electric bike for riding to work or running errands. Now the company has launched its third-generation models known as the Pace 350.3 and Pace 500.3. And they’re better than ever.
At least, that’s if you like added features.
But since most everyone enjoys getting more bang for their buck, the Pace 350.3 and 500.3 are sure to impress with their updated designs and components.
Perhaps the biggest of the updates is actually invisible at first but makes a big impact on the pedaling experience. The models received a new torque sensor to engage the pedal assist, meaning that when riders push on the pedals, the motor’s assist is delivered at precisely the right moment and at the right power level based on how hard the rider pedals. Cheaper cadence sensor based e-bikes typically provide a set amount of motor power when the pedals begin to move, regardless of whether the rider is cranking hard or simply trying to roll forward a few feet.
This new torque sensor setup is sure to win over riders who depend on smooth pedal assist for a workout while still enjoying the benefits of an electric motor to take the edge off startups and hill climbs.
But of course the bike still comes with a throttle for times when riders are a bit tired or just want to let the motor do all the work.
Both models are produced using 6061 aluminum frames with integrated batteries that can be locked on the bike or removed for charging off the bike.
The Pace 500.3, which is priced at $1,699, falls in the Class 3 category with its 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed on pedal assist (though the speed drops to 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only riding). The 500W continuous-rated motor in the rear wheel draws its power from a 48V 12.8Ah battery with 614 Wh of capacity.
Riders who keep the bike in lower power mode can enjoy up to 60 miles (96 km) of range from that battery, though using higher power or riding with only the throttle will quickly eat into that range, reducing it to around 30 miles (48 km). For those that do make use of the pedals, an 8-speed drivetrain will help riders dial in their desired pedal cadence and will also be a welcome relief on hill climbs, though the 500W motor tends to flatten out hills as well. Nothing can quite flatten out the downhill sections but at least you’ll have some grippy hydraulic disc brakes for safe and secure stops.
The Pace 500.3 also features Aventon’s new turn signals that we first saw on the Aventure.2 earlier this year. The new turn signals are mounted along with the bike’s tail lights on the seatstays, or the parts of the frame that extend down from below the seat to the rear wheel’s axle. They keep the tail light and turn signals visible from the sides and rear of the bike, and they also spread the turn signals far enough apart to make the signaling more clear to drivers.
Aventon’s color LCD screen is also included on the bike, which gives the Pace 500.3 app integration for recording rides, making customizations to the bike’s performance and more.
Aventon’s new Pace 350.3 is a retail exclusive model that has a slightly lower power 350W motor and a slightly smaller battery, but still comes with many of the same features such as the torque sensor, app connectivity, and a 60-mile range.
Both bikes are outfitted like city bikes but actually fall somewhere in the city/cruiser spectrum thanks to their relaxed geometry and adjustable sweptback handlebars.
Electrek’s Take
Both of the new Pace 500.3 and Pace 350.3 models impress me, and I love to see major additions like torque sensors and good turn signals. I usually pan turn signals that are only a couple of inches apart since they do nothing more than confusingly flash in the middle of the bike. But with a solid foot or so between these turn signals, they’re spread about as far as they can be on the bike and are much more likely to get the point across to drivers.
I would have loved to see Aventon make these models a bit more commuter-friendly out of the box with an included rack and fenders, but I understand that not everyone wants or needs that equipment, so leaving it off isn’t the end of the world (and is actually an advantage for some riders).
Seeing two options for sizes and two frame styles (step-over and step-through) is also great, since not everyone is built the same and one-size-fits-most e-bikes tend to alienate the ends of the rider height range.
It’s also interesting to see Aventon take the Pace 350.3 offline as a retail-only model. While that would seem limiting at first, Aventon has quietly expanded its dealer network across the country and you probably have a bike shop near you that carries them.
All in all, I’d say Aventon did a great job here with these updates. I’m looking forward to getting some saddle time and trying the bikes myself.
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EV and battery supply chain research specialists Benchmark Mineral Intelligence reports that 2.0 million electric vehicles were sold globally in November 2025, bringing global EV sales to 18.5 million units year-to-date. That’s a 21% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
Europe was the clear growth leader in November, while North America continued to lag following the expiration of US EV tax credits. China, meanwhile, remains the world’s largest EV market by a wide margin.
Europe leads global growth
Europe’s EV market jumped 36% year-over-year in November 2025, with BEV sales up 35% and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales rising 39%. That brings Europe’s total EV sales to 3.8 million units for the year so far, up 33% compared to January–November 2024.
France finally returned to year-to-date growth in November, edging up 1% after spending most of 2025 in the red following earlier subsidy cuts. The rebound was led by OEMs such as the Volkswagen Group and Renault, a wider selection of EV models, and France’s “leasing social” program, aimed at helping lower-income households switch to EVs.
Italy also posted a standout month, logging record EV sales of just under 25,000 units in November. The surge followed the launch of a new incentive program designed to replace older ICE vehicles. The program earmarks €597.3 million (about $700 million) in funding for the replacement of around 39,000 gas cars.
The UK expanded access to its full £3,750 ($4,400) EV subsidy by adding five more eligible models: the Nissan Leaf (built in Sunderland, with deliveries starting in early 2026), the MINI Countryman, Renault 4, Renault 5, and Alpine A290.
US market slows after federal tax credit’s premature death
In North America, EV sales in the US did tick up month-over-month in November, following a sharp October drop after federal tax credits expired on September 30, 2025. Brands including Kia (up 30%), Hyundai (up 20%), Honda (up 11%), and Subaru (232 Solterra sales versus just 13 the month before) all saw gains, but overall volumes remain below levels when the federal tax credit was still available.
Policy changes aren’t helping. In early December, Trump formally “reset” US Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, lowering the required fleetwide average to about 34.5 mpg by 2031. That’s a steep drop from the roughly 50.4 mpg target under the previous rule. Automakers can now meet the standard largely through gas vehicles, reducing pressure to scale BEVs and PHEVs.
Those loosened rules are already reflected in investment decisions, such as Stellantis’ $13 billion plan to expand US production by 50%, with a heavy focus on ICE vehicles. Earlier this year, Trump’s big bill set fines for missing CAFE targets to $0, further weakening the incentive for OEMs to electrify.
That’s some foolish policymaking, considering the world reached peak gas car sales in 2017. The US under Trump will be left behind, just as it will be with its attempts to revive the coal industry.
China still dominates, exports surge
China remains the backbone of global EV sales, even as growth slows. The Chinese market grew 3% year-over-year and 4% month-over-month in November. Year-to-date, EV sales in China are up 19%, with 11.6 million units sold.
One of the biggest headlines out of China is exports. BYD reported a record 131,935 EV exports in November, blowing past its previous high of around 90,000 units set in June. BYD sales in Europe have jumped more than fourfold this year to around 200,000 vehicles, doubled in Southeast Asia, and climbed by more than 50% in South America.
Global snapshot
Global EV sales from January to November 2025 vs January to November 2024, YTD %:
- Global: 18.5 million, +21%
- China: 11.6 million, +19%
- Europe: 3.8 million, +33%
- North America: 1.7 million, -1%
- Rest of World: 1.5 million, +48%
The takeaway: EV demand continues to grow worldwide, but policy support – or the lack thereof – is increasingly shaping where this growth shows up.
“Overall, EV demand remains resilient, supported by expanding model ranges and sustained policy incentives worldwide,” said Rho Motion data manager Charles Lester.
Read more: EV sales *still* have not fallen, cooled, slowed or slumped. Media is lying to you.
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The Elexio is Hyundai’s first electric SUV custom-tailored for the Chinese market, but now it’s headed overseas.
Hyundai is bringing the Elexio electric SUV overseas
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV was spotted on a carrier truck in Melbourne, Australia, alongside a few of its other vehicles.
Although the Elexio is built by Hyundai’s joint venture with BAIC Motor, Beijing-Hyundai, “tailor-made for Chinese consumers,” we had a feeling it would be sold overseas.
A few months ago, Don Romano, CEO of Hyundai Australia, hinted that the midsize electric SUV could arrive in The Land Down Under. Romano told journalists during an IONIQ 9 launch event that the Elexio’s launch in Australia was “under evaluation,” calling it “a promising vehicle.”
Hyundai confirmed the rumors shortly after, saying the new midsize electric SUV would launch in Australia in early 2026.
According to CarsGuide, the Elexio was caught on a car carrier in Melbourne on Wednesday morning ahead of its official launch.
Powered by an 88.1 kWh battery, the Elexio delivers up to nearly 450 miles (722 km) CLTC range. It’s based on the E-GMP platform, which underpins all IONIQ models and Kia’s EV lineup, with single and dual-motor (AWD) powertrain options. The electric SUV can also recharge from 30% to 80% in about 27 minutes.
The interior is packed with advanced Chinese tech, including Huawei’s advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip that powers the massive 27″ 4K widescreen display.
The Elexio is 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,698 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, which is a bit shorter than the Tesla Model Y. It’s closer in size to the BYD Yuan Plus, sold overseas as the Atto 3.
Hyundai’s midsize electric SUV is expected to compete with some of Australia’s top-selling EVs, including the Tesla Model Y and Geely EX5.
Prices have yet to be announced, but given the IONIQ 5 starts at $76,200 (AUD), before on-road costs, the Elexio should be slightly cheaper.
In China, the Elexio is available in three trims: Fun, Smart, or Tech, with pre-sale prices starting at RMB 119,800 ($16,900).
Although the electric SUV is launching in Australia and possibly other overseas markets like New Zealand, it’s not expected to be a true global vehicle. Hyundai designed it specifically for Chinese buyers, leveraging local tech and design elements.
For those in the US, if you’re looking for a midsize electric SUV, the IONIQ 5 is worth a look with 300+ miles of range, fast charging, and a spacious, tech-filled interior. With leases starting at just $189 a month, the IONIQ 5 is cheaper than most gas-powered cars in its class. You can use our link to find the Hyundai IONIQ 5 models closest to you.
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Iron-sodium battery makers Inlyte Energy just crossed an important line from lab to grid reality. The company has completed a factory acceptance test of its first field-ready iron-sodium battery energy storage system with reps from a major US utility in attendance.
Iron-sodium battery storage
The test took place at Inlyte’s facility near Derby in the UK, and was witnessed by representatives from Southern Company, one of the largest electric utilities in the US. The goal was to prove the performance and integration readiness of the whole system, which combines sodium metal chloride battery cells with inverters and control electronics. By Inlyte’s account, the system performed as expected and is ready for field deployment.
The energy storage market is growing fast, and utilities are looking beyond lithium‑ion. Iron-sodium battery storage systems are emerging as a compelling alternative to lithium-ion batteries for grid-scale use, as they rely on abundant, low-cost materials and offer strong safety and long-duration performance.
While lithium-ion batteries excel at fast response and short-to-medium-duration storage, iron-sodium systems are better suited for multi-hour to multi-day grid applications where cost, thermal stability, and long service life matter more than energy density.
The global energy storage market is projected to grow from approximately $70 billion in 2025 to over $150 billion by 2030. The US Department of Energy estimates the grid will need more than 225 gigawatts of long‑duration energy storage by 2050.
Inlyte is betting that iron‑sodium batteries can help fill that gap. The system tested in the UK utilizes what the company claims are the world’s largest sodium metal chloride battery cells and modules ever built, each capable of storing more than 300 kilowatt-hours of energy. The chemistry is designed to be lower-cost, safer, and longer-lasting than lithium-ion – key traits for grid-scale storage.
During the factory test, Inlyte’s battery system hit 83% round‑trip efficiency, including auxiliary loads. That puts it in the same range as high-performance lithium-ion systems and well above the roughly 40% to 70% efficiency typical of many other long-duration energy storage technologies. Southern Company’s R&D team observed the test in person, a step that helps clear the way for real‑world deployment.
The commercial plan
Next up: the field. Inlyte says its first energy storage systems will be installed at Southern Company’s Energy Storage Test Site in Wilsonville, Alabama, in early 2026. Those deployments will allow the utility to study how the iron‑sodium batteries perform under real grid conditions.
With technical readiness now demonstrated, Inlyte is turning its focus to US manufacturing. The company plans to finalize a site for its first domestic factory in 2026. To help speed that process, Inlyte has partnered with HORIEN Salt Battery Solutions, the world’s largest producer of sodium metal chloride batteries. HORIEN brings over 25 years of commercial experience across applications like critical power, remote industrial sites, and battery energy storage.
The plan is to combine HORIEN’s manufacturing know‑how with Inlyte’s system integration work to bring sodium‑based grid batteries to the US market. If all goes according to plan, Inlyte expects commercial deliveries of domestically produced systems to begin in 2027.
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