There are plenty of affordable electric bikes out there these days to fit just about any budget. But if you’ve been hoping to snag a free electric bike, it’s never been easier. Now all you have to do is move to Arizona. Or more specifically, to Culdesac Tempe, a car-free rental apartment community in Tempe, Arizona.
The community is billed as the first car-free neighborhood built from scratch in the US.
The design of the neighborhood prioritizes biking, walking, and transit over cars and parking. Culdesac, which is actually a real estate developer and property manger, partners with mobility companies to deliver convenient and affordable transportation services designed to create a vibrant urban lifestyle without the need for a private vehicle.
The developer’s latest partnership is with Phoenix-based electric bike maker Lectric eBikes.
Lectric, which began in 2018 with the launch of its Lectric XP 1.0 folding e-bike, has shown meteoric growth to the point where its size likely now rivals the largest e-bike company in the US.
Culdesac explained that as part of this partnership, the first 200 residents of Culdesac Tempe will receive a Lectric XP 2.0 e-bike for free (though they’ll need to cover a “small” service charge).
The Lectric XP 2.0 carries an MSRP of $999 and is considered a leading budget-friendly electric bike along with its successor, the Lectric XP 3.0.
The e-bike has a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist or 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only operation. It includes a lockable and removable 48V lithium-ion battery, mechanical disc brakes, and a front hydraulic suspension fork.
For Culdesac Tempe residents who would like a different Lectric e-bike model, such as the company’s new electric trike or electric cargo bike, they will receive a $300 credit toward an e-bike of their choice. They will also receive a 5% discount on all Lectric e-bikes purchased from the local on-site e-bike shop.
We’re so excited to announce our partnership with @lectricebikes! Through this partnership, our founding residents will receive a Lectric XP 2.0! Freedom and ease of mobility are one of the many things that make our neighborhood someplace better. pic.twitter.com/GRKVrTCP4o
Archer’s Bikes, the local e-bike shop that will be built in Culdesac Tempe, will unbox and tune the XP 2.0s for the community’s residents. The e-bikes will be covered by standard resident support and benefits from Archer’s Bikes, including instructions on how to use their new bike, a free 30-day health check, free anti-puncture sealant installation, a one-year local warranty, and free annual health checks for the lifespan of the bike.
To commemorate this new partnership with Lectric, Culdesac has named the pathway off the light rail stop between The Hub and Cocina Chiwas “Lectric Avenue.”
This partnership is one of the many ways the company says it is striving to expand mobility options and make car-free living easier, more accessible, and fun for its residents.
Culdesac Tempe plans to offer 44,000 square feet of amenities for residents that live in over 700 apartment units. The site, which covers 17 acres, has over 50 shared courtyards for residents.
The lack of sprawling parking lots has allowed Culdesac Tempe to use the space more efficiently with parks and other public areas for people — not cars. In fact, the company claims there are over two miles (3.2 km) of bike lanes but zero asphalt.
The community is still undergoing construction but the pace appears to be rapid. Images from early and late 2022 show significant building activity at the site.
Left: The Culdesac Tempe work site in early 2022; right: One year of construction progress at the site.
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On today’s extreme episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got the most affordable new EV in America packing 255 miles of range, sub-30 minute charging, V2H support, and more – all that for a price about $10,000 LESS than that new “affordable” Tesla.
We’ve also got specs for the all-new, all-electric Ferrari Elettrica and a world’s first, hydrogen-powered autonomous farm tractor from Kubota.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. The nonprofit just kicked off its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.
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If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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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Momentum, the lifestyle-focused urban bike brand under Giant Group, has just launched the latest version of its popular Vida E+ electric bike – and this one’s all about making e-biking smoother, safer, and more accessible to riders of all experience levels.
The updated Vida E+ features a new 500W SyncDrive Move S motor offering 60Nm of torque and pedal assist up to 28 mph, designed to provide natural-feeling power whether you’re cruising to work or just exploring around town. The system uses a combination of sensors to analyze torque, speed, and cadence, automatically adjusting power output to match your pedaling effort.
According to Momentum, the motor engages with as little as 4Nm of pedal pressure and just 10° of crank movement, giving riders what they describe as an ultra-smooth and effortless start every time.
A new optional throttle adds another layer of convenience, letting riders cruise at speeds up to 20 mph without pedaling, which should be perfect for hills, traffic-heavy starts, or when you just want to relax and take it easy on the way home. The bike’s EnergyPak 700 battery provides up to a claimed 55 miles (88 km) of range on pedal assist or 43 miles (69 km) on throttle-only riding.
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The Vida E+ also leans hard into comfort and safety. It sports a low-step aluminum frame for easy on-and-off, an 80 mm suspension fork, and wide 26×2.4-inch tires for stability and plushness. Four-piston hydraulic disc brakes ensure solid stopping power, while a new automatic motor cutoff feature stops assistance as soon as the brakes engage. The bike is UL 2849 certified, meaning it meets top-tier safety standards for batteries and electronics, which is a growing priority in the e-bike world as more cities and states consider requiring safety certification as a prerequisite.
With support for up to 300 pounds (136 kg) total load and optional racks front and rear, the Vida E+ is also built for everyday utility. And on the tech side, momentum’s RideControl app lets riders fine-tune speed and assistance, lock or unlock the bike electronically, and monitor battery health.
VW’s US EV lease deals just went from hero to zero. Federal tax credits are now dead, the automaker has wiped out up to $12,000 in lease incentives on the ID.4, and ended $10,500 in discounts on the ID. Buzz. The move bucks the trend as other brands continue to sweeten their EV lease offers.
As of September 30, 2025, Volkswagen offered up to $12,350 in lease cash on the ID.4, depending on configuration. That included a $7,500 federal lease tax credit for lessees as Bonus Customer Cash, plus $3,500 to $4,850 in Dealer Lease Cash. It made the ID.4 one of the top EV lease deals around.
On October 1, those incentives vanished. While the ID.4 still has a 0% APR equivalent lease rate, drivers lost more than $12,000 in savings overnight. The ID. Buzz took a similar hit. Last month, the 2025 ID. Buzz offered $10,500 off MSRP between the $7,500 tax credit and $3,000 Dealer Lease Cash. Now, almost all lease cash is gone. VW Credit is offering just $750 in Dealer Lease Cash, and weirdly, not on models with two-tone paint. According to CarsDirect’s lease calculator, the lowest-priced ID. Buzz trim now carries an effective monthly cost topping $1,000 — a considerable jump.
For comparison, the ID. Buzz Pro S was previously advertised at $589 a month for 36 months with $5,999 due at signing, or an effective monthly cost of $756.
The ID.4 lease once cost just $233 a month, making it one of the cheapest EVs to lease. According to updated estimates, that figure is now north of $800 – that’s hair-raising.
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Meanwhile, VW’s rivals are going in the opposite direction. Ford extended its Mustang Mach-E lease deals through early January. Subaru’s updated 2026 Solterra still qualifies for the $7,500 lease credit, and Jeep replaced the expiring EV lease credit with equivalent bonus cash.
If you really want a Volkswagen, though, there’s some good news: financing deals haven’t changed. The 2025 ID.4 continues to offer 0% APR for 72 months, and buyers of the ID. Buzz can still get up to $3,250 in Bonus Customer Cash through November 3, a perk unavailable to lessees.
It kinda seems like VW doesn’t want to lease their EVs anymore…?? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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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