The CSC RX1E is a rare breed of electric motorcycle in the US. It’s fast and powerful enough to hang with the big boys, yet it doesn’t come with an over-the-top price.
How well can a budget-priced highway-capable electric motorcycle ride? That’s what I set out to find out in this complete review of the CSC RX1E.
To be fair, I had test-ridden one last year for a couple of hours in the foothills over Los Angeles, having a blast while canyon carving on the bike.
But since this is really more of a mixed-commuter/street bike (despite the adventurous appearance), I knew it was going to be important to test it out in an everyday utility role as well.
So now that I’ve had several weeks on the bike, I can give you my complete thoughts on the CSC RX1E. And you can also check out my experience in my video review below. Or if you’re more of the reading type, keep on scrolling down for all of my thoughts on this fun electric motorcycle.
CSC RX1E Video Review
CSC RX1E tech specs
Motor: 8 kW nominal, 18 kW peak midmounted liquid-cooled motor
Top speed: 80 mph (130 km/h)
Max City Range: 112 mi (180 km)
Battery: 96V 64Ah (6,144 Wh)
Typical refueling cost: $1.40
Full charge time: 6 hours on Level 1 (110VAC wall plug), 20-80% in under 3 hours
Curb weight: 469 lb (212 kg)
Max load: 331 lb (150 kg)
Brakes: Hydraulic brakes with Bosch ABS
Suspension: Inverted hydraulic fork with 4.7” travel, rear monoshock with 4.3-inch travel
Wheels: 17-inch cast aluminum
Extras: Large glove compartment, rear pillion seat, LCD instrument display with analog speedometer, included crash bars and cargo boxes, USB port for phone charging, center stand
All the performance, fraction of the cost
CSC’s claim to fame with its electric motorcycles has always been finding an attractive balance between performance and cost. That usually sees CSC’s bikes landing at several thousand dollars below the competition, yet still coming with admirable specs and features.
That’s the case here too. With a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h), a city range of 112 miles (180 km), and a peak motor power of 18 kW (24 hp), it’s fairly comparable in performance to a Zero FXE. But the $8.5K CSC RX1E saves some serious coin compared to the $13K Zero FXE.
Plus, CSC is kindly offering a $500 off discount when using the coupon code ELECTREK, making the bike even more affordable.
A deeper look at the specs comparison shows that they both have similar top speeds, battery capacities, and ranges. The Zero FXE has nearly twice the power and is around 130 pounds (55 kilograms) lighter, though. Both of those mean sportier acceleration, which will make the FXE more thrilling off the line. But the RX1E’s comfort and easy riding are its calling card, not its extreme power.
It’s got many of the standard features that come with most nicer electric motorcycles, such as Bosch anti-lock braking, adjustable brake lever, multiple ride modes, backlit display, and a spacious glove box for storage. But it also comes with several other features that many competitors lack, such as a reverse mode for maneuvering in a parking lot and a water-cooled motor to keep the bike working under sustained high-power situations, like long hill climbs and repeated hard acceleration.
A street bike in an adventure bike clothing
Don’t be fooled into thinking that this is an adventure bike. It sure does look like one at a passing glance, largely thanks to the included cargo boxes and crash bars. But this is really more of a street bike than anything else.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t benefit from the adventure bike exterior. The stance has you riding up tall in what feels like a much more comfortable riding position for me. I do enjoy adventure bikes and feeling less cramped, so I appreciate the geometry here.
The tall windscreen helps guide the air stream around your meat sail of a body too, meaning you don’t pay as high of an aerodynamic price for sitting up tall and pretty. Between the large windscreen and a full-face helmet, you actually slip through the air more aerodynamically than you might expect.
The cargo boxes are great for running errands, food shopping, and general utility. They’re not amazing quality, though, so I wouldn’t trust them for actual security. Sure, they’re locking boxes. And CSC even takes the added step of making sure that all three cargo boxes share the same single key profile with the glove box and the key start, meaning you only have one key to deal with despite five lock cylinders on the bike. But the boxes are made from molded plastic instead of metal, and they feel like you could pry them open with a Harbor Freight screwdriver. So you should think of them more like saddle bag storage for carrying things with you, not as a high-security locking system for long-term storage. I can fit nearly a week’s worth of groceries on the bike, though, so they are a big plus.
The only downside is the top box makes it hard to swing a leg over. I’m only 5’7″ or 170 cm, and so I have to spear my leg over the center to mount the bike since there’s no way I’m going over the tail box without needing to ice my groin afterward. It’s fine, and it works to just spear a leg over the center, but you may wind up removing the top box if you prefer to swing a leg over easily. My sister tested the bike out too, and she’s only 5’3″ (160 cm), so it’s fine for shorter riders as long as you have the hip flexibility to get your leg over. Taller riders will naturally be fine.
The 30.9-inch seat is also low enough that you aren’t up on your tip-toes. I am able to flat-foot it in my riding boots, which isn’t true on all motorcycles I’ve tested.
If you want to remove the crash bars and cargo boxes, you’ll end up with a more street-looking bike that weighs around 33 pounds less. Considering the stock weight is 469 pounds (212 kilograms), dropping down to 436.5 pounds (198 kilograms) might be worth it for some.
What’s the real range?
The speed is plenty fast, and I GPS-clocked it at a true 80 mph (130 km/h). But it’s the range that most people will really be interested in. They claim a max range of 112 miles (180 km) at city speeds, and that checks out if you’re truly riding around at 25-30 mph (40-50 km/h). There are plenty of cities where it’s hard to get up above 30 mph, so I get it. But when you have a bike like this, you’re going to want to ride faster.
When I put it in Sport mode (you also have Eco and Comfort), I can blast right up to 80 mph, but the range takes a hit. I generally keep it in the middle mode (Comfort Mode), which lets me get up to around 70 mph or so and is easier on the battery. Once, after going too many exits at top speed on the interstate, I was getting a bit worried about range. So I put it in Eco Mode, and I got home just fine.
When I cruise at an average speed of 50 mph or so, meaning mixed city and highway, the range seems to drop to between 50-60 miles (80-95 km). Sustained purely highway riding will drain the battery even quicker, so this isn’t the best bike if you want to do long-distance highway trips. The battery is less than half the size of flagship electric motorcycles like the LiveWire One or the Zero SR/S. Of course, the price is also a third of those flagship models, so you get what you pay for.
What would I like to see improved?
Three areas irked me from the start. The first was that the weather stripping for the glovebox was cut too long, meaning it would lift up sometimes, and I’d have to push it back down into place. I eventually cut it to the correct length myself, which helped, but it still sometimes slips off when I pull something big out of the glove box. But then again, I’ve seen fit and finish issues on $20,000 motorcycles too.
Second, and this is a minor complaint, but I would have LOVED for the bike to include a helmet hook under the saddle. These are quite common and make it easy to lock your helmet on the bike. Since this is a commuter e-moto that is perfect for utility riding, meaning you could be on and off several times while riding through the city and making stops, being able to leave your helmet locked on the bike would be a big advantage. All of my scooters have this, and many motorcycles have it. It would have been a simple addition, just a metal hook welded to the frame under the saddle or even a plastic extrusion molded in. But alas, it doesn’t have a helmet hook for locking your brain bucket. That’s a shame.
Lastly, the center stand requires some serious muscle to use. I love to see a center stand included since it makes parking on an incline much safer and is also incredibly useful if you ever need to do some work on the bike. Many bikes and scooters are balanced such that it doesn’t take too much effort to rock the bike back on the center stand. But damn, the RX1E doesn’t do you any favors there. My 100-pound sister would never in a million years be able to do it. I can knock out 20 pullups in a row, but the first time I put this bike on the center stand, I still had to reset and brace for it with a second attempt. It’s certainly doable, but it ain’t easy.
The fact that I have to reach so far to find complaints, though, is a testament to the fact that the bike is actually really well designed. I can always nitpick about small details, but the big stuff is all spot on.
What is the CSC RX1E good for?
The RX1E is an awesome electric motorcycle and a great addition to the marketplace. But the somewhat limited range at high speeds means it’s important to keep in mind what the CSC RX1E is meant for. If you need to commute 60 miles on the interstate and then still have battery left for cruising the city once you get there, this is the wrong bike for you. You’ll cut it too close. But if you have a 20-mile interstate commute and then need to do another 5-10 miles of city riding, that’s a better use case and will leave you plenty of extra battery for “just in case.” If you have a 110V plug near work that you can use, you can, of course, double your effective range by charging while you’re at work.
The RX1E can also be a fun recreational bike, as I discovered in the canyons outside of LA. But then again, it’s not going to give you all day riding. The charger is a quite nice-looking unit that plugs into 110V AC, like your basic garage outlets, but it’s still going to need a good four hours or so to give you an almost complete recharge. So remember that this is a commuter motorcycle, not a long-distance tourer.
This is a motorcycle for anyone who wants to commute to work or school on a route that requires highway or interstate riding and who also wants a bike that looks good while being fun to ride hard. It’s got good power and great utility. The liquid-cooled motor and belt drive are an excellent setup for the drivetrain, and it’s even got plenty of battery capacity when used within its element.
Will it ever replace a LiveWire S2 Del Mar? No, but it’s not trying to. That bike can go from a standstill to 60 mph in three seconds flat. The RX1E does it in closer to eight seconds. That is acceptable for a highway on-ramp, but it’s just not a powerhouse for a thrill ride. As long as you’re looking for a dependable commuter e-moto and not a flagship bike, the RX1E is likely going to be a great option for you.
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Is it an electric van or a truck? The Kia PV5 might be in a class of its own. Kia’s electric van was recently spotted charging in public with an open bed, and it looks like a real truck.
Kia’s electric van morphs into a truck with an open bed
The PV5 is the first of a series of electric vans as part of Kia’s new Platform Beyond Vehicle business (PBV). Kia claims the PBVs are more than vans, they are “total mobility solutions,” equipped with Hyundai’s advanced software.
Based on the flexible new EV platform, E-GMP.S, Kia has several new variants in the pipeline, including camper vans, refrigerated trucks, luxury “Prime” models for passenger use, and an open bed model.
Kia launched the PV5 Passenger and Cargo in the UK earlier this year for business and personal use. We knew more were coming, but now we are getting a look at a new variant in public.
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Although we got a brief glimpse of it earlier this month driving by in Korea, Kia’s electric van was spotted charging in public with an open bed.
Kia PV5 electric van open bed variant (Source: HealerTV)
The folks at HealerTV found the PV5 variant with an open bed parked in Korea, offering us a good look from all angles.
From the front, it resembles the Passenger and Cargo variants, featuring slim vertical LED headlights. However, from the side, it’s an entirely different vehicle. The truck sits low to the ground, similar to the one captured driving earlier this month.
Kia PV5 open bed teaser (Source: Kia)
When you look at it from the back, you can’t even tell it’s the PV5. It looks like any other cargo truck with an open bed.
The PV5 open bed measures 5,000 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 2,000 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,000 mm. Although Kia has yet to say how big the bed will be, the reporter mentions it doesn’t look that deep, but it’s wide enough to carry a good load.
Kia PV5 Cargo electric van (Source: Kia)
The open bed will be one of several PV5 variants that Kia plans to launch in Europe and Korea later this year, alongside the Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab configurations.
In Europe, the PV5 Passenger is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo variant is rated with a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Kia PBV models (Source: Kia)
Kia will reveal battery specs closer to launch for the open bed variant, but claims it “has the longest driving range among compact commercial EVs in its class.”
In 2027, Kia will launch the larger PV7, followed by an even bigger PV9 in 2029. There’s also a smaller PV1 in the works, which is expected to arrive sometime next year or in 2027.
What do you think of Kia’s electric van? Will it be a game changer? With plenty of variants on the way, it has a good chance. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Senate Republicans are threatening to hike taxes on clean energy projects and abruptly phase out credits that have supported the industry’s expansion in the latest version of President Donald Trump‘s big spending bill.
The measures, if enacted, would jeopardize hundreds of thousands of construction jobs, hurt the electric grid, and potentially raise electricity prices for consumers, trade groups warn.
The Senate GOP released a draft of the massive domestic spending bill over the weekend that imposes a new tax on renewable energy projects if they source components from foreign entities of concern, which basically means China. The bill also phases out the two most important tax credits for wind and solar power projects that enter service after 2027.
Republicans are racing to pass Trump’s domestic spending legislation by a self-imposed Friday deadline. The Senate is voting Monday on amendments to the latest version of the bill.
The tax on wind and solar projects surprised the renewable energy industry and feels punitive, said John Hensley, senior vice president for market analysis at the American Clean Power Association. It would increase the industry’s burden by an estimated $4 billion to $7 billion, he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s a new tax in a package that is designed to reduce the tax burden of companies across the American economy,” Hensley said. The tax hits any wind and solar project that enters service after 2027 and exceeds certain thresholds for how many components are sourced from China.
This combined with the abrupt elimination of the investment tax credit and electricity production tax credit after 2027 threatens to eliminate 300 gigawatts of wind and solar projects over the next 10 years, which is equivalent to about $450 billion worth of infrastructure investment, Hensley said.
“It is going to take a huge chunk of the development pipeline and either eliminate it completely or certainly push it down the road,” Hensley said. This will increase electricity prices for consumers and potentially strain the electric grid, he said.
The construction industry has warned that nearly 2 million jobs in the building trades are at risk if the energy tax credits are terminated and other measures in budget bill are implemented. Those credits have supported a boom in clean power installations and clean technology manufacturing.
“If enacted, this stands to be the biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country,” said Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, in a statement. “Simply put, it is the equivalent of terminating more than 1,000 Keystone XL pipeline projects.”
The Senate legislation is moving toward a “worst case outcome for solar and wind,” Morgan Stanley analyst Andrew Percoco told clients in a Sunday note.
Trump’s former advisor Elon Musk slammed the Senate legislation over the weekend.
“The latest Senate draft bill will destroy millions of jobs in America and cause immense strategic harm to our country,” The Tesla CEO posted on X. “Utterly insane and destructive. It gives handouts to industries of the past while severely damaging industries of the future.”
Is Nissan raising the red flag? Nissan is cutting about 15% of its workforce and is now asking suppliers for more time to make payments.
Nissan starts job cuts, asks supplier to delay payments
As part of its recovery plan, Nissan announced in May that it plans to cut 20,000 jobs, or around 15% of its global workforce. It’s also closing several factories to free up cash and reduce costs.
Nissan said it will begin talks with employees at its Sunderland plant in the UK this week about voluntary retirement opportunities. The company is aiming to lay off around 250 workers.
The Sunderland plant is the largest employer in the city with around 6,000 workers and is critical piece to Nissan’s comeback. Nissan will build its next-gen electric vehicles at the facility, including the new LEAF, Juke, and Qashqai.
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According to several emails and company documents (via Reuters), Nissan is also working with its suppliers to for more time to make payments.
The new Nissan LEAF (Source: Nissan)
“They could choose to be paid immediately or opt for a later payment,” Nissan said. The company explained in a statement to Reuters that it had incentivized some of its suppliers in Europe and the UK to accept more flexible payment terms, at no extra cost.
The emails show that the move would free up cash for the first quarter (April to June), similar to its request before the end of the financial year.
Nissan N7 electric sedan (Source: Dongfeng Nissan)
One employee said in an email to co-workers that Nissan was asking suppliers “again” to delay payments. The emails, viewed by Reuters, were exchanged between Nissan workers in Europe and the United Kingdom.
Nissan is taking immediate action as part of its recovery plan, aiming to turn things around, the company said in a statement.
The new Nissan Micra EV (Source: Nissan)
“While we are taking these actions, we aim for sufficient liquidity to weather the costs of the turnaround actions and redeem bond maturities,” the company said.
Nissan didn’t comment on the internal discussions, but the emails did reveal it gave suppliers two options. They could either delay payments at a higher interest rate, or HSBC would make the payment, and Nissan would repay the bank with interest.
Nissan’s upcoming lineup for the US, including the new LEAF EV and “Adventure Focused” SUV (Source: Nissan)
The company had 2.2 trillion yen ($15.2 billion) in cash and equivalents at the end of March, but it has around 700 billion yen ($4.9 billion) in debt that’s due later this year.
As part of Re:Nissan, the Japanese automaker’s recovery plan, Nissan looks to cut costs by 250 billion yen. By fiscal year 2026, it plans to return to profitability.
Electrek’s Take
With an aging vehicle lineup and a wave of new low-cost rivals from China, like BYD, Nissan is quickly falling behind.
Nissan is launching several new electric and hybrid vehicles over the next few years, including the next-gen LEAF, which is expected to help boost sales.
In China, the world’s largest EV market, Nissan’s first dedicated electric sedan, the N7, is off to a hot start with over 20,000 orders in 50 days.
The N7 will play a role in Nissan’s recovery efforts as it plans to export it to overseas markets. It will be one of nine new energy vehicles, including EVs and PHEVs, that Nissan plans to launch in China.
Can Nissan turn things around? Or will it continue falling behind the pack? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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