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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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Workhorse electric delivery vans arrive in Canada this spring

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Workhorse electric delivery vans arrive in Canada this spring

Following approval from Transport Canada, EV startup Workhorse will be bringing the W56 and W750 model electric delivery vans to commercial truck dealers in Canada as early as this spring.

Workhorse first showed its W56 medium-duty electric truck at Indiana’s Work Truck Week in 2023, and has sold the trucks to logistics and delivery companies like FedEx and Pride Group – which ordered more than six thousand of the electric vans in 2021, and continues to expand its fleet.

“This is a major step forward for Workhorse,” says Josh Anderson, Workhorse’s chief technology officer in a press statement. “Pre-clearance from Transport Canada opens up a large new market for our products throughout Canada, including with fleets that operate across borders in North America.”

As part of the approval process, Workhorse completed its registration as a foreign manufacturer under Transport Canada’s Appendix G clearance program. Transport Canada confirmed the vans’ compliance with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) for both vehicles – but it remains to be seen if and how the latest tariff-driven trade war between the Trump Administration’s US and Canada will impact Workhorse’s plans to expand throughout North America.

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Despite that uncertainty, Workhorse execs remain upbeat. “We’re excited that our electric step vans can now reach Canadian roads and highways, providing reliable, zero-emission solutions that customers can depend on,” added Anderson.

Canadian pricing has yet to be announced.

Electrek’s Take

FedEx Places First Order for 15 Workhorse W56 Step Vans to Grow Zero-Tailpipe Emission Fleet
FedEx electric delivery vehicle; via Workhorse.

There’s no other way to say it: the Trump/Musk co-presidency is disrupting a lot of companies’ plans – and that’s especially true across North American borders. But in all this chaos and turmoil there undoubtedly lies opportunity, and it will be interesting to see who ends up on top.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse, via Electric Autonomy Canada.

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Liebherr developing giant, 140-ton Segway-style autonomous haulers [video]

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Liebherr developing giant, 140-ton Segway-style autonomous haulers [video]

The new Liebherr S1 Vision 140-ton hauler is unlike any heavy haul truck currently on the market – primarily because the giant, self-propelled, single-axle autonomous bucket doesn’t look anything like any truck you’ve ever seen.

Liebherr says its latest heavy equipment concept was born from a desire to rethink truck design with a focus only on core functions. The resulting S1 Vision is primarily just a single axle with two powerful electric motors sending power to a pair of massive airless tires designed carry loads up to 131 tonnes (just over 140 tons).

The design enables rapid maintenance, as important components easily accessible for quick servicing. Wear parts can be replaced efficiently, and the electric drive significantly reduces maintenance work. This helps to minimise downtimes and increases operational efficiency.

LIEBHERR

Because of its versatility, durability, and ability to perform zero-turn maneuvers that other equipment simply can’t, the Liebherr S1 Vision can be adapted for various applications, including earthmoving, mining, and even agriculture. There’s also a nonzero chance of this technology finding applications supporting other on-site equipment through charging or fuel delivery.

The S1 accomplishes that trick safely with the help of an automatic load leveling system that ensures maximum stability, even on bumpy or rough terrain. The company says this technology significantly reduces the risk of tipping while providing smooth and secure operation across various environments.

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Liebherr will show the S1 Vision at this year’s bauma equipment exhibition in Munich, Germany. The design has already been nominated for the bauma Innovation Award in the Mechanical Engineering category – and my money’s on it winning.

Electrek’s Take

This is such goofy, stupid fun that if it was wheelbarrow-sized I’d have three of them. I can’t imagine the insanity of watching one of these things roll across a job site with 100 tons of granite in the bucket – and will have nightmares about the kind of damage it could do if it flipped out like a poorly made Chinese hoverboard clone whipping a toddler across a living room … which, in fairness, would probably get a billion views on Instagram or TikTok or whatever.

I can’t wait.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Liebherr.

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Meet the newest EV from Hyundai – new HX19e electric excavator

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Meet the newest EV from Hyundai – new HX19e electric excavator

The HD arm of Hyundai has just released the first official images of the new, battery-electric HX19e mini excavator – the first ever production electric excavator from the global South Korean manufacturer.

The HX19e will be the first all-electric asset to enter series production at Hyundai Construction Equipment, with manufacturing set to begin this April.

The new HX19e will be offered with either a 32 kWh or 40 kWh li-ion battery pack – which, according to Hyundai, is nearly double the capacity offered by its nearest competitor (pretty sure that’s not correct –Ed.). The 40kWh battery allows for up to 6 hours and 40 minutes of continuous operation between charges, with a break time top-up on delivering full shift usability.

Those batteries send power to a 13 kW (17.5 hp) electric motor that drives an open-center hydraulic system. Hyundai claims the system delivers job site performance that is at least equal to, if not better than, that of its diesel-powered HX19A mini excavator.

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To that end, the Hyundai XH19e offers the same 16 kN bucket breakout force and a slightly higher 9.4 kN (just over 2100 lb-ft) dipper arm breakout force. The maximum digging depth is 7.6 feet, and the maximum digging reach is 12.9 feet. Hyundai will offer the new electric excavator with just four selectable options:

  • enclosed cab vs. open canopy
  • 32 or 40 kWh battery capacity

All HX19es will ship with a high standard specification that includes safety valves on the main boom, dipper arm, and dozer blade hydraulic cylinders, as well as two-way auxiliary hydraulic piping allows the machine to be used with a range of commercially available implements. The hydraulics needed to operate a quick coupler, LED booms lights, rotating beacons, an MP3 radio with USB connectivity, and an operator’s seat with mechanical suspension are also standard.

Like its counterparts at Volvo CE, the new Hyundai excavator uses automotive-style charging ports to take advantage of existing infrastructure at fleet depots and public charging stations. More detailed specifications, dimensions, and pricing should be announced by bauma.

Electrek’s Take

HX19e electric mini excavator; via Hyundai Construction Equipment.

The ability to operate indoors, underground, or in environments like zoos and hospitals were keeping noise levels down is of critical importance to the success of an operation makes electric equipment assets like these coming from Hyundai a must-have for fleet operators and construction crews that hope to remain competitive in the face of ever-increasing noise regulations. The fact that these are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to operate is just icing on that cake.

SOURCE | IMAGES: HD Hyundai; via Construction Index, Equipment World.

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