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Denago sent us a review copy of the step-through model of its $1,799 Commute bike, and we’ll take you through what we thought of this big, well-equipped, and comfort-focused bike.

The Denago Commute is a bike that puts a premium on rider comfort and has quite a few built-in features that won’t leave you wanting for much. At $1,799, it’s not quite a budget bike, but it’s still reasonably priced compared to the field given all of its extras, though there are still a few different decisions we wish they would have made.

Denago Commute Step-Thru tech specs

  • Motor: 500 W rear geared hub motor with 50 Nm torque
  • Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) throttle, 28 mph (45 km/h) pedal assist (Class III)
  • Range: 45 mi (72 km) est.
  • Battery: 48V/13.6Ah (652.8 Wh), frame-integrated, removable, included 3 amp charger
  • Drivetrain: Microshift 8-speed, chain
  • Max load: 280 lb. (127 kg) max rider weight, 55 lb. (25 kg) load limit on rear rack.
  • Frame & Fork: 6061 aluminum
  • Weight: 66 lb. (30 kg)
  • Suspension: Fork & seatpost suspension
  • Brakes: Zoom Hydraulic disc brakes, 180 mm rotors
  • Extras: Monochrome LCD display with speedometer, battery gauge, PAS level indicator, odometer/tripmeter and PIN code lock; left-side thumb throttle; cadence sensor; metal front and rear fenders; rear rack; kickstand; integrated headlight; rear reflector with battery operated tail light (2x AAA)

I mentioned above that the bike is big, and I don’t say that lightly. Denago’s size chart suggests S/M size for riders 5’0″-5’9″ and L/XL for 5’9″-6’4″. But I’m 6′ and still wished the saddle could go lower than its lowest position (38″ from the ground) on the L/XL bike. I wasn’t able to test whether the S/M size would feel better for me on the whole, but definitely consider test-riding if you’re on the borderline of Denago’s sizing chart. And if you’re too big for most bikes, this might be just what you’re looking for.

This size does make for a smooth and comfortable ride, along with the bike’s large 27″ x 2.6″ tires, suspension in both the seatpost and fork and its wide padded saddle. The bike does have a “walking mode” activated by holding a handlebar button, which helps if trying to push the huge bike up an incline, etc.

Denago says that despite the bike’s name and target market (commuters), it has actually been surprisingly popular among older customers due to its comfort, large size, and upright seating position from the swept-back handlebar and adjustable stem. I can certainly see how this could be the case. It’s quite a cushy ride. And the step-through design makes the bike easier to mount, even if it is quite big.

The bike comes well-equipped with lots of nice features, like metal front and rear fenders, monochrome digital display, adjustable stem, hydraulic disc brakes, rear rack, headlight, and a sturdy kickstand (rear-mounted, so don’t forget to kick it up like I always do).

Two extras we’d like to see are some sort of water bottle/drink holder (you’ll have to find your own way around this, there are no built-in mounts on the frame) and a taillight integrated into the bike’s battery. It does come with a taillight, but it requires 2x AAA batteries to operate, and needs to be turned on manually separate from the bike/headlight.

The bike’s cadence sensor and pedal assist can lead to some quirky movement. Neither throttle nor pedal assist can be used from a complete dead stop, both require you to get moving first. So if you happen to be on a hill or any sort of strange terrain, it takes effort to get this big 66 lb. bike moving before the electro-motion kicks in (though the aforementioned “walking mode” can be used in these circumstances).

And cadence sensors are tough for group rides too, because it’s hard to exactly pace whoever you’re riding with (unless everyone is on the same bike model). Throttle could be used in these cases, but the thumb throttle doesn’t really allow for precise speed control either.

But then, this is a matter of taste. Some prefer cadence sensors because they can “ghost pedal,” without having to put even a small amount of force into pedaling, which can help for those with injuries or bad joints (see: the aforementioned elderly). But the throttle already allows for that, so I find cadence sensors somewhat redundant. I’d prefer throttle for no pedaling, torque sensor for pedaling, and different pedal-assist levels for different speeds.

If I’m already spending $1,799 on a bike, I feel like I’d rather have a torque sensor for ~$100 more, since in my opinion a torque sensor just gives a much better experience. Denago’s fat tire bike has a torque sensor on a $1,799 bike (with bigger battery, motor and tires, but not as many extras), so it can certainly be done.

The same goes for a belt drive, which would cost more to add than a torque sensor, but which I also prefer. Especially for a commuting bike, where commuters might put additional emphasis toward avoiding the risk of chain grease on their business clothes.

Part of this is because I particularly disliked the MicroShift 8-speed shifter. It felt like I could never get into and stay in the gear I wanted to be in, and the configuration of the shift levers is simply not intuitive. Perhaps I’ve just been spoiled by belt drives.

For a bike that is otherwise so well equipped, these are two pretty big headline features that I think would be nice to have. $1,799 isn’t in the “expensive bikes” category yet, but it’s definitely not the cheapest bike out there, so as long as I’m spending a bit more on a bike with lots of extras, I’d like these to be a couple of those extras, even if it knocked the price up another couple hundred dollars.

To keep an eye on things, the bike has a somewhat plain monochrome display with all the basic information you’d expect – speed, battery, odometer, and so on – and also includes a PIN code lock. The display is serviceable, but if you wear polarized sunglasses like I do, it becomes much less readable:

You can’t turn on the screen while the bike is plugged in, so if you want to check charging mid-charge, you’ll have to rely on the red/green/blue LEDs on the battery itself, or LEDs on the rather large external 3 amp charge brick (which gets you a full charge in ~4.5 hours).

The battery on the Denago Commute impressed me with its range and durability. While e-bike range is a difficult topic because riding situations vary so widely – terrain, speed, rider weight, and how much pedaling they like to do (I’m a 155 lb. lightweight and a compulsive pedaler, which both extend my range) – it felt like this bike has more than enough range for its commuting audience. Denago says this bike has 45+ miles of range, though with my average riding patterns I would get around 60. But again, I can’t stop myself from pedaling, so if you just like to sit back and use the throttle, you will get a lot less distance than me.

The battery is removable, so can be charged at home or while attached to the bike. The battery weighs just under 8 lb. (3.6kg) and is pretty easy to carry in one hand.

But I mentioned durability – right after I got this review bike, I sustained an injury that made me unable to ride for several months. So I also happen to know that this bike will maintain a charge for several months with little to no vampire drain. Not bad! Not a common point that we get to review, but here we are.

At $1,799, the Denago Commute is a reasonably well-priced bike compared to the competition. There are a few other features we’d like to see on it, but those would add to the price and perhaps take it out of the sub-$2,000 tier, or would have to replace some of the other long list of features already included on the bike. As is, the bike does include a laundry list of most of the features you’d want on a bike this price, which makes it a good buy for someone looking for a big, exceptionally comfortable bike with a big battery.

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Americans losing more choice due to tariffs as Kia EV4 is delayed indefinitely

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Americans losing more choice due to tariffs as Kia EV4 is delayed indefinitely

The Kia EV4 will be “delayed until further notice” in the US, according to a Kia rep and reported by InsideEVs. Kia said the change is because “market conditions for EVs have changed.”

The EV4 was expected to be released in 2026 at a price in the ~$30k range, entering Kia’s model like alongside the existing EV3 as the smaller, more affordable electric models below the EV6 and EV9. The EV4 will have the style of a boxy sedan, while the EV3 is a small SUV.

The EV3 is already available in Korea, Europe and other territories, but has not made it to the US (and may not ever).

The EV4 is not on the roads yet, but its release is imminent. And it seemed likely to make its way to the US. We saw the concept EV4 at the LA Auto Show in 2023, and the model was officially unveiled in the US at the New York Auto Show this April.

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Bringing that car to a US auto show with an official reveal suggested that the US would get access to this smart, more affordable Kia. And Kia said that the car would hit US roads in early 2026, which would have been just a few months from now.

Kia abruptly “delays” EV4’s introduction to the US

But now, a Kia rep has confirmed that the car won’t come to America after all, at least until further notice. Kia gave a statement to InsideEVs, saying:

“Kia’s full range of vehicles offers meaningful value and inspiring performance to customers. However, as market conditions for EVs have changed, the release of the upcoming EV4 electric sedan will be delayed until further notice.” 

We reached out to Kia to confirm, and received the same statement back.

The reversal is a bit of a surprise, and we’re not sure why we’re hearing this today in particular. Heck, we wrote a story about the EV4 GT’s interior just a couple hours ago.

So, unfortunately it looks like Americans will have one less potential choice to get away from the land-yacht disease currently infecting our populace. For what it’s worth, the EV4 is still listed as “coming 2026” on Kia Canada’s website.

We’ve seen models get delayed suddenly before, and while Kia did not directly say that the model will never come to the US, the fate of other “delayed” EV models in the past does not give us significant hope. Usually, a “delay” like this ends up meaning that the car just won’t ever make it to US roads (see: VW ID.7, Gen 2 Kia Soul EV, Ram 1500 EV, and others).

While Kia did not state a specific reason for the reversal, it’s not hard to guess what some of the influences are.

Electrek’s Take – EV4 likely delayed due to US policy changes favoring higher costs, dirty air

Since the EV4’s April reveal, republicans have continued their all-out assault on clean air, as in July a republican Congress passed a $4 trillion giveaway to wealthy US elites which also inflated the price of EVs by $7,500. Regulatory changes focusing on raising your costs and making your air dirtier are in progress, trying to force more gasoline and pollution on Americans and restricting access to cleaner, better EVs.

In addition to these actions opposing clean air, republicans are raising your costs in other ways as well. Unwise tariffs on basically every country in the world, which have been haphazardly implemented (due to the ignorance of the person unconstitutionally implementing them) and seem to change day-by-day, have increased prices for Americans and made business more difficult.

These tariffs would apply to the EV4. While Kia just started EV4 production in Europe, the US model would have come from Kia’s Korean factories. The ignoramus squatting in the US Oval Office did just ink a trade deal with Korea today, but given the lack of follow-through on previous trade deals, we wouldn’t be surprised if the terms of that change.

The difficulty of doing business in America has been in focus especially for South Korean firms, after a high-profile ICE raid at a Hyundai plant in construction in Georgia, which saw South Korean businessmen with visas detained and resulted in delayed construction on the plant and a swift popular pushback against US products in Korea. Kia and Hyundai are partner companies with a complex corporate relationship, so it stands to reason that Kia’s business decisions would be intertwined with Hyundai’s.

Many companies have recently cited a claimed but not substantiated lack of EV demand in the US as reasons for delaying their EV ambitions. To be clear, EVs have seen a long string of consistent sales growth in the US, stretching back more than a decade (with only a few interruptions to that growth, the largest being the start of COVID).

In the meantime, gas car sales peaked globally in 2017, and will never again reach that level of sales. This fact has been consistently underreported by media, alongside false headlines claiming EV sales are falling.

However, despite the record EV sales quarter the US just went through, it’s expected that the next year or so will see drops in EV demand. This is because of the pull-forward in sales experienced due to tax credit expiration, which caused a sales rush in Q3. Although, as has happened in other countries that suddenly ended purchase incentives, we’d expect perhaps a year of depressed sales before they begin to rise again.

But this likely drop in demand is hitting right around the same time the EV4 was supposed to launch in the US, so it’s not unreasonable for Kia to look at a market in a temporary downswing, especially when considering all the other factors laid out above (and the country’s current hostility to foreign investment, specifically investment from Kia’s partner company Hyundai), and wonder why they’ve gotten cold feet right now of all times.

While Kia didn’t lay out these reasons above in its statement, it sure seems likely that each of them could have had an effect on this decision.


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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US reshores entire solar supply chain – as Trump puts $31B at risk

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US reshores entire solar supply chain – as Trump puts B at risk

New data from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) shows that the US solar supply chain has been fully reshored, with manufacturing capacity growing across every part of the solar and storage sector.

A US solar system from start to finish

With Hemlock’s new ingot and wafer facility coming online in Q3 2025, the US can now produce every major solar component domestically, from polysilicon to modules. According to SEIA, 65 new or expanded solar and storage factories have come online this year, bringing $4.5 billion in private investment to US communities.

However, SEIA warns that more than 100 factories and $31 billion in the pipeline could be at risk if the Trump administration continues its attacks on solar energy.

Solar manufacturing is booming – for now

The SEIA Solar & Storage Supply Chain Dashboard reports major capacity growth across every segment since late 2024. As of October 2025, US module production capacity has surpassed 60 gigawatts (GW), a 37% increase from December 2024. Solar cell production has more than tripled, jumping from 1 GW to 3.2 GW.

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Battery cell manufacturing for stationary storage has climbed to over 21 gigawatt-hours (GWh), which SEIA says is enough to power the city of Houston from sunset to sunrise.

“This growth is a testament to the power of American innovation,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “We’re building factories, hiring American workers, and showing that solar energy means made-in-America energy.”

Inverter manufacturing, which converts solar power into usable electricity, has jumped nearly 50% since the end of 2024, rising from 19 GW to 28 GW of capacity. Mounting system production is also up 14%, with 23 new factories added since 2024.

A pipeline under political threat

The US solar pipeline remains strong, with 23 GW of new module capacity, 34 GW of cell capacity, 25 GW of inverter capacity, and 95 GWh of battery cell capacity either under construction or announced. But SEIA says that Trump administration policies, regulations, and trade actions are creating uncertainty that could hurt progress.

“We’re seeing strong growth today, but that momentum isn’t guaranteed,” Hopper said. “If the administration continues down this path, they risk driving investment overseas, stifling job creation, raising costs on consumers, and handing America’s manufacturing advantage to our competitors.

“If the administration does not reverse its harmful actions that have undermined market certainty, energy costs will rise even further, and the next wave of factories and jobs could be at risk.”

Read more: The Trump administration just killed the US’s largest solar project


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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The Kia EV4 GT’s interior looks a little too familiar [Video]

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The Kia EV4 GT's interior looks a little too familiar [Video]

Kia’s electric hot hatch will be here before you know it. After getting a sneak peek of the EV4 GT’s interior for the first time, it looks a bit familiar.

First look at the Kia EV4 GT’s interior

Kia’s bringing the hatchback back in style. The EV4 is Kia’s first all-electric hatchback, also available as a sedan or fastback.

Although it’s already pretty cool-looking with Kia’s new design elements like the Digital Tiger Face grille, Star Map Lighting, and aggressive stance, the GT version promises even more style, performance, and fun features.

Kia revealed the electric hot hatch for the first time earlier this week, showcasing its new GT Wrap. The new foil design “infuses models in development with the energy and attitude that define Kia’s GT production models.”

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By reimagining the Gran Turismo for a new generation of drivers, Kia said it’s bridging the gap between its heritage and future innovation. The GT Wrap will be used for a new generation of Kia performance vehicles. It still features the signature neon color, which has become a “symbol of electricity,” Kia said.

Now, we are getting our first look at the interior. The video from HealerTV offers a closer look at the EV4 GT’s interior, free of camouflage.

Right off the bat, you can see this is clearly a Kia GT. It has about the same setup as the EV9 GT and EV6 GT, including the steering wheel, infotainment, and seat design.

Kia-EV9-GT-interior
Kia EV9 GT interior (Source: Kia)

The EV4 GT’s interior is essentially a blend of the regular EV4 and the EV9 GT. One slight difference is that the GT’s armrest has storage space rather than just a flat surface.

The back seats also look about the same as Kia’s other GT models. It appears to include ambient lighting on the door panel and back of the driver’s seat, like the EV9 GT.

Kia-electric-hot-hatch-GT-Wrap
Kia EV4 GT prototype with “GT Wrap” design (Source: Kia)

Although it has similar features, HealerTV noted that the EV4 GT still has a unique interior and decent design, which should help differentiate it. According to Autocar, which saw it firsthand, the interior “received a significant makeover” with lower-sitting seats, neon green accent colors throughout, and an added GT Mode button on the steering wheel.

Like Kia’s other GT vehicles, the electric hot hatch will be equipped with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain with around 400 horsepower.

The EV4 GT will launch in 2026, joining the EV6 GT and EV9 GT in Kia’s expanding performance EV lineup. Looking ahead, the EV3 and EV5 are also in line for a GT upgrade.

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