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From the land of lifted trucks comes something a bit more reserved, the AYRO Vanish electric mini-truck. The sub-13 ft. (3.9) mini-truck with a bigger bed than many full-size pickup trucks hails from AYRO’s factory in Round Rock, Texas. And now the small electric utility truck is embarking on a statewide tour to prove its mettle.

The design looks like a modern twist on a classic kei truck, using a cab-over design with a long and modular flatbed in the rear.

And while the Vanish may be smaller than a typical pickup truck, its hauling performance of 1,200 lb. (544 kg) is still quite impressive. In fact, it’s nearly identical to the hauling capacity of a new Ford F-150 High-output 3.5L EcoBoost V6. And believe it or not, the bed on the Vanish is actually longer than the F-150’s.

The Vanish is currently undergoing street-legal homologation as an LSV (low-speed vehicle) in the US, which limits its speed to 25 mph (40 km/h). However, a non-street-legal version designed for private land use is also available, and it actually offers a 50% higher hauling capacity.

AYRO recently began taking pre-orders for the Vanish, which is priced at $33,990. While that price is more expensive than several other imported electric mini-trucks, the Vanish’s modular design (and soon-to-be-street-legal status) is a key differentiator. The company also says that the Vanish should result in 50% lower operating costs when compared to a gasoline-powered counterpart.

AYRO expects the Vanish to be popular with commercial operators who are seeking an electric truck with more cargo space than a typical electric pickup, yet that can be easily operated around cramped venues, indoors at warehouses and factories, and for those that need more modular cargo options.

With the rear bed coming in three setups of flatbed, pickup-style bed (with three fold-down gates), and box truck configuration, the Vanish is more versatile than a typical pickup truck. Its lower deck height also makes it easier to load and unload.

The 25 mph (40 km/h) limit may be limiting for higher speed roads, but the vehicle isn’t intended for that kind of use. Instead, it’s meant for urban and utility work where a smaller vehicle that can carry more will excel. Potential applications include utility roles in medical, corporate, and education campuses; hotels and resorts; stadiums and arenas; governments and municipalities; airports; industrial parks and more.

Now the company is taking the truck on the road, touring across Texas to demonstrate its abilities.

Starting August 2, AYRO will be traveling to cities across Texas to offer potential and current partners, dealers, and customers the chance to experience the electric mini-truck in person with hands-on demos.

As AYRO CEO Tom Wittenschlaeger explained:

AYRO’s design of the award-winning Vanish has been hailed for its functionality, creativity, and innovation, all without sacrificing sustainability. This roadshow is an opportunity for current and potential partners and select customers to meet our team, ask questions, and experience our cutting-edge design first-hand.

If you’re in Texas and want to see the Vanish in action, you can meet the team at the following stops. Check AYRO’s site for exact event locations.

Wednesday, August 2 San Antonio, Texas
Wednesday, August 9 Houston, Texas
Tuesday, August 15 Dallas, Texas
Wednesday, August 16 Fort Worth, Texas
Tuesday, August 22 Waco, Texas
Wednesday, August 23 College Station, Texas
Thursday, August 24 Austin, Texas

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Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

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Past classic that deserves the electric update: Buick Electra Grand National

The current EV era is ripe with revered classic car designs and iconic nameplates that are being reborn as battery-powered rides – and the success of cars the Renault 5 proves it can be a winning formula. Today, I’m suggesting another 1980s classic that deserves a modern electric update: the Buick Grand National.

I want to start this off by saying: yes, I know there was never a Buick Electra Grand National. The storied, turbocharged Buick GNX of yore was based on Buick’s Regal model, not the more ponderous Electra – but this is my article, and I think the “Electra” nameplate belongs on a US-market EV significantly sooner than later.

As for the “Grand National” part, the timeslip will solve that.

Why it would work


Cadillac CELESTIQ; via GM.

Thanks to the nearly $300,000 Cadillac CELESTIQ ultra-luxury car, we’ve already seen GM put a low-slung sedan body on its EV skateboard. That car uses a pair of electric motors, one on each axle, for a 655 hp all-wheel driving experience capable of launching the big sedan from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

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Putting those same motors under a shorter, lighter two-door sedan body would put my proposed all-electric Buick Electra at just under 6,000 lbs., and make the new car more than quick enough to earn the Grand National badge with a 3.5-second dash to 60 on its way to an 11.25 (ish) second quarter mile at about 120 mph. As for cost? You could almost name your price, but keeping it just under the Chevy Corvette’s $74,780 base price would make it a winner.

Limit production to 1987 units, make them order-only so dealers can’t ruin the party with obscene markups, and Buick can watch the money roll in … possibly.

You guys are smart, so I’m sure you’ll be able to find all the problems with this particular take – and I can’t wait to hear them! Should it be RWD only? A plug-in hybrid? Scroll on down to the comments and let me know what you think it would take to make a battery-powered Buick GNX revival make sense.

Original content from Electrek.


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Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

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Ride farther, climb higher, smile wider – meet the Cikada Touring e-Bike

If you’ve been dreaming about hitting the open road on two wheels with serious power, comfort, and style, the Cikada Touring e-Bike might just be your perfect ride. Designed for modern explorers who want adventure without compromise, this premium e-bike blends high-end performance with thoughtful design.

Smooth power that takes you everywhere

At the heart of the Cikada Touring e-Bike is a BaFang M410 350W motor that packs a punch with 80Nm of torque and provides assisted speed of up to 20 mph.

Mounted at the bike’s center, the motor’s placement creates ideal weight distribution, boosting traction and handling on everything from steep climbs to winding trails. Its compact design integrates seamlessly into the frame, keeping the center of gravity low for a more stable, confident ride that feels naturally in sync with your movements.

You’ll climb hills like a pro and accelerate with ease. It’s efficient, reliable, and perfect for riders who want consistent power for touring, commuting, or weekend adventures. Plus, it’s got walk assistance for when you’re not riding.

Go the distance

Worried about running out of juice? Don’t be. The 720Wh LG 21700 removable battery delivers a range of up to 75 miles (121 km) on a single charge. That’s plenty of power for long scenic routes, daily commutes, or even multi-day rides when you want to explore more and charge less. And when it’s time to juice up again, it only takes six to eight hours to reach full charge.

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Built for comfort and confidence

No matter where the road takes you, the Cikada Touring e-Bike is ready. Its 27.5 x 2.8-inch Kenda anti-puncture tires with reflector strips keep you rolling smoothly and safely, while the suspension fork absorbs bumps across various terrains. Add an ergonomic design and 6061 aluminum frame, and you’ve got a bike that feels stable, balanced, and built to last.

Hydraulic disc brakes give you confident stopping power, and with 8-speed Microshift gearing, you’ll have full control over every incline and descent.

Everything you need, built in

The Cikada Touring e-Bike comes fully equipped for adventure. With integrated rear rack, lights, and mudguards, it’s road-ready right out of the box. No extra accessories needed – just hop on and ride.

Plus, the integrated Bafang system means your motor, sensor, and display all work seamlessly together for a smooth, intuitive riding experience.

Take it to the next level with the Cikada app

Plan, manage, and customize your next adventure with the Cikada app. Available on Android and iOS, it pairs your smartphone to your e-bike via Bluetooth so you can dive into real-time performance data, service tools, and smart ride features that make every journey smoother and more connected. You can track your progress, analyze past rides, fine-tune your ride settings, check your bike’s status, and even share your location or ride stats with the Cikada community, all from one easy-to-use dashboard.

Why riders love it

The Cikada Touring e-Bike is more than just a good-looking ride. It’s a thoughtful blend of power, endurance, and comfort – ideal for riders who want to explore new places, tackle longer distances, or simply enjoy every mile with confidence.

Plus, Cikada offers a 30-day trial period on all its e-Bikes. If you’re not happy, Cikada refunds your purchase, no questions asked.

Ready to tour farther, climb higher, and ride in style? Check out the premium Cikada Touring e-Bike and start your next great adventure.

Follow Cikada on Facebook and Instagram.

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Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

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Target picks Chevy Brightdrop for your next Frontdoor delivery

It looks like retail giant Target has been reading our posts about the Chevy Brightdrop being the best deal in the commercial EV business, because the company has picked GM’s electric box van to pilot a new, dedicated last-mile delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth.

The new pilot program will see 50 new Chevy Brightdrop vans deployed in a collaboration between Target, Circuit EV Solutions, and a last-mile logistics startup called the Frontdoor Collective that relies on its franchise owners to make its deliveries instead of outsourcing that delivery work to independent contract carriers gig workers.

“We’re building the infrastructure backbone that makes high-volume electric delivery possible nationwide,” said Adam Greenberg, CEO at Circuit EV Solutions. “By ensuring fleets have the charging support they need, we’re removing the final barrier to true EV scalability in last-mile logistics.”

Circuit EV Solutions provides the backbone of the highly-visible Target collaboration, delivering the fleet management and charging software to monitors vehicle health, schedule depot charging, and ensure that every Chevy Brightdrop van leaves the hub with an optimally full battery and a fully optimized delivery route, eliminating range anxiety among the vans’ operators.

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Chevy Brightdrop


Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.
Chevrolet BrightDrop ZEVO; via GM.

Chevrolet Brightbrop electric vans were designed with last-mile delivery efforts in mind, and offers a best-in-class 272 miles of combined range, large, squared-off cargo hold for maximum capacity, and lower maintenance and fuel costs than the ICE-powered competition.

For independent delivery service providers, that’s a killer combination that can help translate to higher margins and more time back in their busy days to spend with their families – which is something I think we can all get behind.

Click here to find out if your business can take advantage of special tax incentives with the purchase of a new electric van, and click the link, below, to check out a new Brightdrop van near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Circuit EV, via Freightwaves.


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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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