Revolve’s stylish 60 mph electric cafe racer takes a few turns
Beyond the well-known aesthetics of a cafe racer, which include features like lowered handlebars for a sportier riding position, the spirit of a cafe racer is fast, nimble, and inexpensive, which the Revolve Electric Café Racer has managed to embody.
While it may not be the fastest electric motorcycle – not by a long shot – it does strike a unique balance between style, speed, and price. For those unfamiliar with the cafe racer story, in the early 1950s to 1960s, young riders in England desired more excitement, speed, and style. However, since there wasn’t a market offering fast bikes at a low cost, the youth of the 1950s had to be resourceful. They modified bikes like Nortons and Triumphs to make them as fast as possible in the most affordable way, then used these bikes to race from cafe to cafe, hence the name cafe racer. Fast forward to today, those of us seeking fast and relatively inexpensive electric motorcycles find ourselves in a similar situation, searching diligently for low cost, decent speed, and a touch of style.
While the electric cafe racer is not a speed demon by any means, it does offer an aggressive riding position, weighs only 240 pounds, and can sustain a top speed of 60 mph, all for a price tag of $6,500. Besides a few special features – such as Bluetooth battery, regenerative braking, temperature sensors, and a reverse feature (which is not likely to be needed frequently due to its low weight) – the electric cafe racer strongly reminds me of the older classic cafe racers. It prioritizes speed, cost, and style over having the most expensive parts. The 72v 50 ah battery, combined with the 5000W/15000W peak motor, provides a range of up to 70 miles and makes for an overall fun ride in sport mode.
With its low seating and forward-leaning riding position, paired with decent-sized tires, the ride feels fast, even without exceeding the speed limit of around 60 mph. There’s something inherently enjoyable about riding lightweight motorcycles; they instill confidence when maneuvering, allowing for fun, intentional rear wheel skids, and quick weaving around obstacles. Although you won’t be able to outrun cars on this bike, light motorcycles like the Revolve Electric Café Racer offer a unique sense of forgiving playfulness.
While aspects such as suspension, brake system, and pegs may not be as high-quality as those seen on higher-end bikes, they still contribute to a comfortable and safe ride. I found the regenerative braking on the bike to be strong enough to stop about 70 percent of the time. It also proves especially useful when braking during sharp turns since applying rear brakes on such a lightweight bike can cause the rear wheel to lock up and skid faster than one might like in a turn. As for the riding stance, the bike sits quite low to the ground, making it effortless to maneuver and lean into curves. In my opinion, the bike’s easy handling and stability at speeds of 60 mph make it quite enjoyable to race around town without the worry of accidentally applying too much throttle.
Although the electric cafe racer looks the part of a street-legal motorcycle, it is still very much in a legal gray area with its Chinese VIN. The bike includes many of the parts required to officially become a street-legal bike in the United States, and while there are many people who have successfully registered this bike using the VIN that the bike comes with, those are usually cases where the local DMV doesn’t check as much as they should and simply issues a plate with the VIN. I certainly wouldn’t count on being able to get this bike registered by just any DMV, but for those willing to try their luck, it just might work.
Regarding the turn signals, they consist of minimal-profile bullet-style lights, similar to those seen on classic cafe racers. Overall, there are plenty of details on this bike that give it a strikingly similar appearance to old-style cafe racers, such as rear drum brakes, rear dual spring shocks, small fenders, and an analog-styled speedometer.
The only minor changes I would suggest for this bike are the ability to raise the kickstand slightly higher, allowing for greater clearance when leaning on curves, and perhaps adding bar end mirrors. However, mods like bar end mirrors may cause legal issues depending on your location and are more of a personal aesthetic preference. Although the bike is named the Revolve Electric Café Racer, it certainly bares more than a passing resemblance to the Chinese Denzel.
Electrek’s Take
The Resolve Electric Café Racer’s strongest attribute lies in its faithfulness to the original cafe racer look. If you’re seeking a classic-looking motorcycle to enjoy around town or as a steppingstone from electric bicycles to more powerful motorcycles, the electric cafe racer is a great option. However, if you’re looking for a motorcycle capable of commuting with ease on highways, the top speed of 60 mph might be a stretch. One thing to note is that while the bike looks like a classic cafe racer, it does not come with the high-end finishes and parts commonly seen on modern custom cafe racers, where a single directional light can cost up to $100. Overall the bike prioritizes decent high speed and a relatively affordable price for a motorcycle.
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Subaru is the latest Japanese automaker to announce it will “re-evaluate” its EV plans. The company is rethinking its strategy with slowing sales and a potential multi-billion-dollar hit from Trump’s auto tariffs. The tariffs might not even be Subaru’s biggest threat.
Subaru and other Japanese automakers adjust EV plans
Within the past week, Japanese automakers, including Nissan, Honda, Toyota, and now Subaru, have announced major adjustments to their EV plans.
After releasing fiscal year financial results on Wednesday, Subaru’s CEO, Atsushi Osaki, said, “We are re-evaluating our plans, including the timing of investments.” Osaki added that the move is due to “today’s rapidly changing environment” and other external factors.
Like most of the industry, Subaru is bracing for a shift under the Trump administration, which could cost it billions. With around half of its vehicles sold, the US is key for the Japanese automaker.
Subaru said Trump’s new auto tariffs could cost the company up to $2.5 billion this year. The automaker is looking at ways to boost US production, but it won’t be easy.
Tomoaki Emori, Subaru’s senior managing executive director, said (via Automotive News), “Under the current circumstances, there is probably no way not to expand in the US. We must think about how to go about that.”
Emori added that the company still has the production capacity, “so we would like to mitigate the impact of tariffs while making use of it.”
Subaru joins a growing list of automakers in pulling its earnings forecast, citing “developments in US tariff policy” make it hard to forecast.
The company’s global sales fell 4.1% to 936,000 units over the past year. In North America, deliveries also fell 4.1% to 732,000 vehicles. Subaru anticipates global sales will continue dropping to around 900,000 this year, or another 4% drop. A part of the forecast is due to downtime at its Yajima plant as Subaru prepares to produce EV batteries.
Osaki said Subaru is “making various preparations for a BEV-dedicated plant,” but added it may add a mix of gas-powered vehicles.
Subaru unveiled its second EV for the US at last month’s NY Auto Show, the 2026 Trailseeker. The Outback-sized electric SUV will go on sale in 2026, joining the smaller Solterra in Subaru’s EV lineup in the US.
Since “It is becoming more difficult to decide how to incorporate electrification into our production mix,” Emori said, Subaru is “thinking about how to incorporate hybrids and plug-in hybrids.”
Electrek’s Take
Subaru and other Japanese automakers are quickly falling behind Chinese EV leaders like BYD in some of their most important sales regions, like Southeast Asia.
Delaying new EV models and other projects will only set them further behind in the long run. Nissan is in crisis mode after scrapping plans to build a new battery plant in Japan. The facility was expected to produce lower-cost LFP batteries, which could have helped Nissan compete on costs with BYD and others.
Last week, Toyota’s President, Koji Sato, said the company will be “reviewing” its goal of selling 1.5 million electric vehicles by 2026. And just yesterday, Honda announced plans to pause around $15 billion in planned EV investments in Canada.
BYD and other EV leaders are expanding overseas to drive growth after squeezing foreign brands, especially Japanese automakers, out of China.
Next year, BYD is launching its first kei car, or mini EV, that’s expected to be a big threat to Japanese automakers. A Suzuki dealer (via Nikkei) warned, “Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan.”
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Porsche Cars North America has integrated over 97,000 more charging stations into its app, streamlining its Porsche Charging Service.
That brings the total number of EV charging stations available to Porsche Charging Service customers in the US to 102,000, with more scheduled to be added in 2025. That means Porsche drivers can now use the My Porsche app as a one-stop shop to easily find, use, and pay at most J1772 and CCS charging stations.
“This is a significant milestone for Porsche and the electric vehicle journey,” said Timo Resch, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “We know flexibility and choice are important.”
Customers in the Porsche Charging Service inclusive period – that’s the year after you buy your EV – or who sign up for Porsche Charging Service Premium can now access the ChargePoint, EV Connect, EVgo, Flo, EvGateway, and Ionna networks, in addition to chargers in the Electrify America network.
Customers in the Porsche Charging Service Base plan will receive access later this summer.
Read more: ChargePoint unveils ‘revolutionary’ V2X EV charger tech that can double Level 2 speeds
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Tesla’s (TSLA) board is reportedly exploring a new CEO pay deal for Elon Musk, who might not get back his $55 billion 2018 compensation package.
According to a new Financial Times report, Tesla’s board created a new “special committee” to explore a new CEO pay package for Musk.
The report points to the committee looking at new stock options and “alternative ways” to compensate Musk if Tesla fails to reinstate his 2018 compensation package, which was rescinded by a judge who found that Musk negotiated the deal with a board under his control and then misrepresented it to shareholders.
Musk is Tesla’s largest shareholder and therefore, he stands to benefit the most when the company does well. However, he doesn’t take a salary for his role as CEO.
Historically, He has received stock compensation packages, with the one secured in 2018 being the controversial one currently under contention.
Since then, no new CEO compensation package has been approved, and Tesla has not suggested another one as it tried to appeal the judge’s decision on the 2018 package.
The company is currently attacking the decision on two fronts with an appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court and a new legislation in Delaware to try to circumvent the decision altogether.
FT reporting that the board is working on a new compensation package with backpay could point to Tesla anticipating not being able to reinstate the original compensation package.
Robyn Denholm and Kathleen Wilson-Thompson are the board members reportedly on the new committee.
Denholm took over from Musk as Tesla’s chair, and she has recently made headlines for selling her Tesla stock options for more than $530 million over the last few years.
Electrek’s Take
It increasingly looks like Tesla won’t be able to distance itself from Musk and separate its fate from his.
Musk has masterfully convinced Tesla shareholders that the destruction of its core business, selling electric vehicles, doesn’t matter because the company is on the verge of solving self-driving – something he has claimed every year for the last 6 years and has been wrong every time.
Now that they don’t care about EVs, there’s no point in blaming Musk for killing demand and delivering a single new vehicle in 5 years, the Cybertruck, a commercial flop.
Therefore, the only thing that will make Tesla shareholders stop wanting Musk as CEO is if they stop believing his self-driving and humanoid robot claims.
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