Swedish mobility company Vässla has become well known over several years for its electric scooters and mopeds, but last year it joined the e-bike party when it launched a highly acclaimed electric bike known as the Vässla Pedal. Now the company has brought that model to the US with a combination of direct purchase and subscription plans.
The Vässla Pedal is available as a direct-to-consumer electric bike, meaning you can hop on the company’s website, click a few buttons, wave your credit card, and have a shiny new US $2,690 Scandinavian e-bike show up at your front door.
But perhaps even more interestingly, the company has embraced a subscription model as well. For as little as $109 per month, you can be rolling around on your own Vässla Pedal.
The subscription is only available in New York City, where Vässla set up its US headquarters, but founder and CEO Rickard Bröms thinks that it’s a perfect city to start:
The average speed for cars in NYC is 7.5 mph, which is half the speed of e-bikes and slower than the horse and carriage we used 200 years ag. Replacing cars, ride shares and taxis with an e-bike for short urban trips is by far the easiest way to improve CO2 emissions and noise-pollution in cities.
Anyone interested in a Scandinavian e-bike but who doesn’t call themselves a New Yorker can still enjoy getting a Vässla Pedal the old-fashioned way.
The bike’s design is both minimalist and striking, lacking exposed wires or buttons and using a single frame tube instead of a conventional front triangle.
A 250W nominal and 45 Nm rear hub motor sheds gears in exchange for a Gates carbon belt drive system. The single-speed operation won’t be ideal for ultra-hilly areas, but should work great in relatively flat cities. Modest hills can still be conquered relatively easy thanks to the electric assist.
While the EU version of the Vässla Pedal came with a 25 km/h (15 mph) top speed, the US version gets a speed boost to max out the Class 1 e-bike limit of 20 mph (32 km/h).
The 24″ wheels and unisex frame were designed to be as accessible as possible, while the lightweight setup at just 42 lb. (19 kg) makes the bike easier to lug around or carry up the stairs into an apartment. And in case you’re worried that someone will try to make off with such a fancy-looking bike, a built-in GPS tracker will keep constant tabs on the bike’s location.
“With the Pedal we have created a new type of electric bicycle,” says designer Christian Zanzotti. “The goal was to create a modern masterpiece with a high level of performance, and more inclusive than any bike on the market. The Pedal stands for the new urban era, and is an amazing product that I am very proud of.”
The Vässla Pedal’s 5-pound (2.3 kg) removable battery offers up to 62 miles (100 km) of range on pedal assist, though higher power levels will cut into that range figure.
The bike includes a torque sensor for a more intuitive and refined pedaling experience. Hydraulic disc brakes offer strong stopping power as well as a low-maintenance solution.
Commuters will be happy to see that integrated LED lights and included fenders are both standard features.
Between the lack of gears, mechanical brakes, or a chain, there’s almost nothing to maintain other than the tires and the brake pads. Depending on how much you ride, that might mean performing maintenance just once or twice a year. Though with the subscription model, even that gets taken care of for you.
Electrek’s Take
I like the bike, but I can already tell you that reactions will be mixed. Those that understand what goes into European designed e-bikes with higher-quality parts and a focus on daily usability will see the value. Americans that for some reason think an e-bike’s price should be solely determined by its motor power will be disappointed.
For true commuters though, this seems like a good quality, nearly maintenance-free electric bike. And that subscription model is seriously enticing. Rarely can you get such a nice e-bike for barely more than a Benjamin per month. Of course you’ve got to live in NYC to enjoy that benefit, but it doesn’t seem like Vässla is going to be able to saturate that massive market too quickly.
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The Tesla Semi program is gaining momentum with another major logistics player officially joining the fleet. German logistics giant DHL confirmed that it has taken delivery of its first Tesla Semi.
For a long time, PepsiCo was the only company operating the Tesla Semi in any meaningful volume outside of the automaker itself. But as we move closer to volume production in Nevada, we are seeing more units land in the hands of major customers like Walmart, Costco, and Sysco.
Now, DHL is officially on board.
In a press release issued last week, the logistics giant confirmed the delivery of its first all-electric Tesla Semi to be integrated into its US operations. This follows a pilot program in Livermore, California, where DHL tested the truck’s capabilities on real-world routes.
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According to the official announcement, during a 390-mile long-haul route, the Tesla Semi averaged 1.72 kWh per mile while hauling a gross combined weight of 75,000 pounds (34 metric tons). We previously reported on the successful pilot program last year.
Jim Monkmeyer, President, Transportation, DHL Supply Chain North America, commented on the performance:
“Our pilot of the Tesla Semi exceeded expectations, proving its ability to efficiently haul a typical DHL freight over long distances on a single charge. Integrating the Tesla Semi into our fleet is an important step toward achieving our decarbonization goals and delivering more sustainable solutions for our customers. With its range of up to 500 miles, the Semi unlocks opportunities that were previously beyond the limits of heavy-duty EVs, and we’re excited to partner with Tesla to make that a reality.”
This efficiency of 1.72 kWh/mile is critical. When Tesla first unveiled the Semi, they promised consumption of “less than 2 kWh per mile.” Many skeptics doubted this figure for a fully loaded Class 8 truck, but DHL’s real-world data confirms that Tesla is not only hitting that target but beating it significantly, even with a 75,000 lb load.
The truck is now operating out of Central California. Interestingly, DHL notes that for its current daily operations, the truck travels about 100 miles per day and only requires charging “about once per week.”
Dan Priestley, Director of the Tesla Semi program at Tesla, commented on the partnership:
“DHL has been a great partner to work with, and we appreciate their early and longstanding support for the Semi program. We are excited to support their deployment in North America, and their experience as a trusted logistics provider will help us make the product even better for future global markets.”
DHL says this delivery expands its fleet of Class 8 electric vehicles in North America to over 150 units. The company plans to add more Tesla Semi trucks in 2026 “as Tesla begins its volume production.”
For years, we’ve heard arguments from legacy truck makers and industry analysts claiming that battery-electric trucks can’t handle long-haul duties because the batteries are too heavy and the efficiency is too low.
DHL just proved them wrong.
Getting 1.72 kWh per mile with a 75,000 lb gross combined weight is impressive. To put that in perspective, at typical commercial electricity rates, that’s a fuel cost of roughly $0.20 to $0.25 per mile. Diesel trucks often cost $0.60 to $0.80 per mile in fuel alone.
The economics are undeniable.
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Lectric Christmas Holiday Sale offers up to $893 savings on e-bike bundles + multiple price cuts, more – all from $999
Lectric has officially switched gears from its previous Black Friday/Cyber Week event to its latest Christmas Holiday Sale, continuing many of the offers with up to $893 savings and 25% accessory discounts, alongside some new change-ups, including price cuts on more models than we’ve seen at once before. Of course, across all your options from this brand, my personal pick for holiday scores is the XP4 Folding Utility e-bike with $227 in FREE gear at $999 shipped or the XP4 750 Folding Utility e-bikes with $514 in FREE gear at $1,299 shipped. Without the usual discounts on the bundles themselves, you’d be paying $1,226 and $1,813 for these packages at full price, with the standard models seeing a shrunk-down bundle that still beats the usual $79 package we’ve mostly seen over 2025, and the 750 model continuing over its previous bundle size which has been the largest we’ve seen since it released in early summer. Head below to browse the full lineup of deals across all models from this brand – and you have until December 15 to get orders in to receive them ahead of Christmas.
Whether you’re shopping for a loved one or treating yourself, you really can’t go wrong with Lectric’s XP4 e-bikes, which I have not only incorporated into my life (and loving), but also raved about in my hands-on review here. Your choice primarily depends on how much power and travel range you need, with the standard XP4 e-bike equipped with a 500W brushless geared hub motor (1,092Wh peak) and a 10.4Ah battery that delivers up to 50 miles of pedal-assisted travel. On the flip side, the XP4 750 e-bike boasts a more powerful 750W motor (with a greater 1,310W peak) and larger 17.5Ah battery to give you up to 85 miles of travel range. Both models’ motors also sport upgraded Stealth M24 tech to perform at quieter levels, all while providing up to 20/28 MPH top speeds that depend on what your state laws allow.
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They share features from there, especially the new upgrades, including a zero-degree stem, detachable TFT display, repositioned side key and charging port, and also keyless riding to meet fan expectations/asks. Your riding also benefits from hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant mixed-terrain tires, an integrated brake-activated taillight with turn signaling, an 8-speed Shimano Altus derailleur, and more.
Lectric Christmas Holiday Sale XP4 e-bike bundles:
EcoFlow’s final Cyber Week flash sale offers Power Pulse EV charger + Smart Home Panel 2 at new $1,199 low (Save 57%), more
As part of the final day of its Cyber Week Sale before transitioning into its winter holiday seasonal events, EcoFlow has launched a 24-hour flash sale on four different bundles – three of which are add-on accessory packages, while one is a first-time inclusion of the Power Pulse EV Charger with a Smart Home Panel 2 at $1,199 shipped. Normally carrying a $2,798 MSRP, we’ve been mainly seeing it keep down at $2,199 since September, un-budged to lower rates even during major holiday events like Black Friday. That’s changing today, as this flash sale is not only including it in the lineup for the first time since its release, but also providing a larger-than-ever 57% markdown that cuts $1,599 from the tag for a new all-time low price.
Segway Navimow’s i series + newest X3 series robot lawn mowers up to $500 off at second-best prices from $699
Through its official Amazon storefront, Segway is offering its Navimow i105N Robot Lawn Mower at $699 shipped, while the Navimow i110N Robot Lawn Mower is down at $909 shipped, which both match their direct website pricing. Not only these, but you can also find the latest X3 series of models at their second-best prices collected for you here. Segway’s i series of robots would normally run you $999 and $1,299 at full price, which we’ve seen taken as low as $664 and $864 this year back during last month’s Black Friday event. If you missed out on those lows, you can score them here at their second-best prices (the all-time low for the i105N and the second-best annual price for the i110N), saving you up to $390 while upgrading your lawn care routine with smarter functionality. You can also shop Segway’s latest Christmas Holiday Sale deals on EVs right now, too.
Save $151 on Autel’s MaxiCharger AC Lite 40A level 2 EV charger with voice controls back at $319 low
Coming at us through the official Autel Amazon storefront, you can pick up the brand’s MaxiCharger AC Lite Home 40A Smart AI Level 2 EV Charger back at $319 shipped right now in both colorways, matching the price directly from the Autel Website (where you have a choice between a J1772 or NACS connector). Normally fetching $470 in full, discounts over the year mostly kept costs between $399 and $376, though it did drop as low as $352 until Black Friday when this same rate first appeared. Now, you’re getting another shot at this all-time low price, complete with a $151 markdown. If you want to go with a more powerful EV charging station, you can still find the MaxiCharger Home Level 2 50A EV Chargers starting from their $398 lows.
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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After falling behind in China, Toyota’s new electric vehicles are starting to find their footing. Now, it’s about to launch a new flagship model.
Keeping pace in an intensifying EV market
Although nearly every global automaker has struggled to keep pace in China’s fast-moving auto market, Toyota has been one of the hardest hit.
After its sales in China dropped by 7% in 2024, Toyota blamed the shift to new energy vehicles and “severe market conditions”, including an intensifying price war.
The Japanese automaker has been notoriously slow in the transition to fully electric vehicles, standing by its multi-pathway strategy that still includes hybrids and gas-powered vehicles.
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In China, Toyota has had no choice but to adapt. As part of its China R&D 2.0 strategy, Toyota has tapped China’s biggest tech giants, including Huawei, Xiaomi, and Momenta, to help it compete with domestic brands like BYD.
So far, it seems to be paying off. Through October 2025, Toyota’s sales in China are up 3.5%. Now, Toyota is crediting strong demand for its new EV, the bZ3X, for the growth.
Toyota bZ3X electric SUV during winter testing (Source: GAC Toyota)
Toyota’s new EVs help boost sales in China
Toyota’s joint venture, GAC-Toyota, announced that bZ3X sales topped the 10,000 mark for two consecutive months.
The bZ3X is Toyota’s “first 100,000 yuan-level pure electric SUV,” starting at just 109,800 yuan, or roughly $15,000.
Toyota bZ electric vehicles in China (Source: Toyota)
It’s about the size of a RAV4 at 4,645 mm long, 1,885 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall, but it looks and feels very different from the Toyota models we’re used to, with advanced ADAS features, an intelligent voice assistant, smart storage, and much more.
Now, the Japanese automaker is preparing to launch its new flagship EV, the bZ7. According to Toyota, the bZ7 “possesses a higher level of intelligence than any of Toyota’s offerings in global markets.”
The Toyota bZ7 flagship electric sedan (Source: GAC-Toyota)
GAC-Toyota claimed the new flagship EV “generated significant interest” at the Guangzhou International Motor Show last month, thanks to advanced tech and features.
Like the bZ3X, the flagship electric sedan features a minimalistic interior with a floating infotainment screen, a smaller driver cluster, and a head-up display.
The interior of the Toyota bZ7 (Source: GAC-Toyota)
The bZ7 is the brand’s first vehicle to feature Huawei’s HarmonyOS intelligent driving system, which controls everything from the infotainment to navigation and climate control.
It’s also equipped with Momenta 5.0, providing nearly 50 new ADAS features, including Navigation on Autopilot in cities and on highways.
The interior of the Toyota bZ7 (Source: GAC-Toyota)
With Xiaomi’s “Human x Car x Home” smart ecosystem, drivers can manage smart home devices directly from the vehicle’s infotainment or smartphone.
The bZ7 is about the size of the Tesla Model S and the BYD Han L, measuring 5,130 mm in length, 1,965 mm in width, and 1,500 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,020 mm.
Toyota’s new flagship EV will be available with 71.35 kWh and 88.13 kWh battery packs, offering a CLTC range of up to 600 km and 710 km, respectively.
Official prices and more information will be revealed closer to its official launch in early 2026, but GAC-Toyota said the bZ7 is “a top choice among 200,000 RMB [$28,000] luxury pure electric sedans.” The company added that the flagship EV is “poised for a strong start, aiming to achieve one million units in production and sales.”
Can it compete with BYD, Tesla, and others in China? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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