Ford Performance is literally and figuratively gearing up for the 101st Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and is using the 4,725 foot climb to showcase the power of all-electric design. This year, the American automaker is sending a souped up E-Transit donned the “Ford SuperVan 4.2.” Spoiler alert! By that, I mean… it has a huge spoiler. Take a look.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) is an annual event held in Colorado in which vehicle from around the world try to snag the fastest time winding through 156 turns during the 12.42 mi route that climbs 4,725 feet. The finish line sits at over 14,000 feet above sea level, eliciting the climb as “the race to the clouds.”
As long as the Pikes Peak Climb has existed, Ford vehicles have competed, including a Model T during the inaugural event back in 1916. In recent years, we’ve seen current generation vehicles like the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500SE compete at Pikes Peak.
However, this year, Ford Performance is bringing all-electric speed to Pikes Peak with what it calls “one of the world’s most powerful electric powertrains ever developed.” This past February, Ford Performance announced its SuperVan 4 would be competing at this summer’s event in Colorado.
Today, however, we learned that Ford Performance and longtime collaborator Stohl Advanced Research and Development (STARD) have been refining the modified E-Transit, cutting weight and optimizing aerodynamics to achieve the best possible time on the mountain. Behold! The Ford SuperVan 4.2.
Ford significantly upgrades its SuperVan for Pikes Peak
For the 101st Hill Climb at Pikes Peak next weekend, Ford Performance is unleashing a beast of an electric van that is a redesign if its SuperVan 4 predecessor, further optimized for competition. Ford Performance and the experts at STARD explained that they increased the aerodynamics of the SuperVan 4.2, while also increasing its downforce (over 4,400 lbs. at 150 mph).
The custom-built Ford E-Transit underwent a weight reduction to improve its balance and agility around the abundant number of turns up Pikes Peak. The motorsport specialists also leaned down the SuperVan’s powertrain system, eliminating one of the four STARD UHP 6-phase motors, while optimizing the EV’s power-to-weight ratio using STARD’s Li-Polymer NMC pouch battery cells with new 600 kW regeneration performance – all while maintaining AWD. Despite dropping a motor, Ford’s SuperVan 4.2 will take off up Pikes Peak with over 1,400 horsepower (1,050 kW). Here are some additional upgrades:
Revised regenerative braking system with carbon ceramic brake discs
Magnesium forged wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero race tires
Upgraded driveshafts
Perspex windscreen
Minimalist race interior to remove any additional, unnecessary weight (see images above)
Ford Performance and its team of experts believe they’ll not only be able to remain competitive at Pikes Peak this year, but demonstrate the unmatched capability of the automaker’s EV technologies. Ford Performance Motorsports global director Mark Rushbrook elaborated:
Together with our STARD partners, we have built the E-Transit SuperVan 4.2 to be a truly competitive machine focused on getting to the top of the mountain quickly. The Pikes Peak Hill Climb presents the perfect opportunity to showcase Ford’s electric vehicle technology and bring light to EV Performance.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will take place this coming Sunday, June 25 and will be broadcast live on YouTube.
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Climate XChange’s Annual EV Raffle is back for the 10th year running – and for the first time ever, Climate XChange has two raffle options on the table! The nonprofit has helped lucky winners custom-order their ideal EVs for the past decade. Now you have the chance to kick off your holiday season with a brand new EV for as little as $100.
About half of the raffle tickets have been sold so far for each of the raffles – you can see the live ticket count on Climate XChange’s homepage – so your odds of winning are better than ever.
But don’t wait – raffle ticket sales end on December 8!
Climate XChange is working hard to help states transition to a zero-emissions economy. Every ticket you buy supports this mission while giving you a chance to drive home your dream EV.
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Here’s how Climate XChange’s 10th Annual Raffle works:
Image: Climate XChange
The Luxury Raffle
Grand Prize: The winner can choose any EV on the market, fully customized up to $120,000. This year, you can split the prize between two EVs if the total is $120,000 or less.
Taxes covered: This raffle comes with no strings – Climate XChange also pays all of the taxes.
Runner-up prizes: Even if you don’t win the Grand Prize, you still have a chance at the 2nd prize of $12,500 and the 3rd prize of $7,500.
Ticket price: $250.
Grand Prize Drawing: December 12, 2025.
Only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle.
The Mini Raffle (New for 2025)
Grand Prize: Choose any EV on the market, fully customized, up to $45,000. This is the perfect raffle if you’re ready to make the switch to an EV but aren’t in the market for a luxury model.
Taxes covered: Climate XChange pays all the taxes on the Mini Raffle, too.
Ticket price: $100.
Only 3,500 tickets will be sold for the Mini Raffle.
Why it’s worth entering
For a decade, Climate XChange has run a raffle that’s fair, transparent, and exciting. Every ticket stub is printed, and the entire drawing is live-streamed, including the loading of the raffle drum. Independent auditors also oversee the process.
Plus, your odds on the Luxury and Mini Raffles are far better than most car raffles, and they’re even better if you enter both.
Remember that only 5,000 tickets will be sold for the Luxury Raffle and only 3,500 for the Mini Raffle, and around half of the available tickets have been sold so far, so don’t miss your shot at your dream EV!
Climate XChange personally works with the winners to help them build and order their dream EVs. The winner of the Ninth Annual EV Raffle built a gorgeous storm blue Rivian R1T.
How to enter
Go to CarbonRaffle.org/Electrekbefore December 8 to buy your ticket. Start dreaming up your perfect EV – and know that no matter what, you’re helping accelerate the shift to clean energy.
Who is Climate XChange?
Climate XChange (CXC) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies because they’re critical in accelerating the transition to a zero-emissions economy. CXC advances state climate policy through its State Climate Policy Network (SCPN) – a community of more than 15,000 advocates and policymakers – and its State Climate Policy Dashboard, a leading data platform for tracking climate action across the US.
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The CSC Monterey – one of the most charming little electric scooters on the US market – has dropped to a shockingly low $1,699, down from its original $2,899 MSRP. That’s nearly half off for a full-size, street-legal electric scooter that channels major Honda Super Cub energy, but without the gas, noise, or maintenance of the original.
CSC Motorcycles, based in Azusa, California, has a long history of importing and supporting small-format electric and gas bikes, but the Monterey has always stood out as the brand’s “fun vibes first” model. With its step-through frame, big retro headlight, slim bodywork, and upright seating position, it looks like something from a 1960s postcard – just brought into the modern era with lithium batteries and a brushless hub motor.
I had my first experience on one of these scooters back in 2021, when I reviewed the then-new model here on Electrek. I instantly fell in love with it and even got one for my dad. It now lives at his place and I think he gets just as much joy from looking at it in his garage as riding it.
You can see my review video below.
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The performance is solidly moped-class, which is exactly what it’s designed for. A 2,400W rear hub motor pushes the Monterey up to a claimed 30 mph or 48 km/h (I found it really topped out at closer to 32 mph or 51 km/h), making it perfect for city streets, beach towns, and lower-speed suburban routes.
A 60V, roughly 1.6 kWh removable battery offers around 30–40 miles (48-64 km) of real-world range, depending on how aggressively you twist the throttle. It’s commuter-ready, grocery-run-ready, and campus-ready right out of the crate.
It’s also remarkably approachable. At around 181 pounds (82 kg), the Monterey is light for a sit-down scooter, making it easy to maneuver and park. There’s a small storage cubby, LED lighting, and the usual simple twist-and-go operation. And it comes with full support from CSC, a company that keeps a massive warehouse stocked with components and spare parts.
My sister has a CSC SG250 (I’m still trying to convert her to electric) and has gotten great support from them in the past, including from their mechanics walking her through carburetor questions over the phone. So I know from personal experience that CSC is a great company that stands behind its bikes.
But the real story here is the price. Scooters in this class typically hover between $2,500 and $4,500, and electric retro-style models often jump well above that.
At $1,699, the Monterey is one of the least expensive street-legal electric scooters available from a reputable US distributor, especially one that actually stocks parts and provides phone support.
If you’ve been curious about swapping a few car errands for something electric – or you just want a fun, vintage-styled runabout for getting around town – this is one of the best deals of the year.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss a big Tesla Robotaxi setback, the new Mercedes-Benz CLA EV, Bollinger is over, and more.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Climate XChange, a nonpartisan nonprofit working to help states pass effective, equitable climate policies. Sales end on Dec. 8th for its 10th annual EV raffle, where participants have multiple opportunities to win their dream model. Visit CarbonRaffle.org/Electrek to learn more.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
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After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.
Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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