Affordable sub-$900 electric trike lowers cost of ultra-stable e-bikes in the US
Electric tricycles have become a quickly growing segment of the e-bike market, especially prized by older riders seeking more stable bikes that don’t require a keen sense of balance. And now an entry into the market from Viribus promises even lower pricing to make electric trikes more affordable than ever.
The Viribus electric tricycle, which is priced at just $889, offers a surprisingly budget-friendly option for a motorized three-wheeler.
It’s a low-power design best suited for flat areas, featuring a 250W hub motor in the front wheel. The motor carries a peak power rating of 500W, so it may handle modest inclines but likely won’t be as impressive of a climber as other e-trikes we’ve tried.
The 36V and 10Ah battery is also rather small, but the top speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) means that it won’t draw power too quickly from that 360 Wh battery. The company estimates the max range as 30 miles (51 km) on pedal assist or 20 miles (32 km) on throttle-only operation. Pedal assist requires the user to work the pedals as it contributes additional motor power, while the throttle-only operation mode lets users ride the Viribus electric tricycle while treating the pedals like foot rests.
The 70 lb. (32 kg) electric trike features a rim brake in the front and drum brake in the rear. Standard accessories that come packaged with the Viribus e-trike include a rear basket, LED lighting, fender set, and outer wheel guards.
Six different color options are available, and riders have the choice between 24″ and 26″ wheels for a shorter or taller ride.
It looks like the Viribus electric tricycle is even more affordable on Amazon right now, with its $889 MSRP reduced even further when you clip the $45 coupon.
Electric trikes offer many of the same advantages as e-bikes, yet in a more balance-friendly design. They’re a quick and easy way to get around town or just cruise the neighborhood, provide an adjustable and comfortable level of exercise (when not used in pure-throttle mode), and are more fun than most mobility devices like handicap scooters.
Older riders often prefer electric trikes due to the enhanced stability and balance they offer, reducing the risk of falls compared to two-wheeled e-bikes. Trikes allow riders to enjoy cycling without the constant need to maintain balance, making the ride more leisurely and less physically demanding. This is particularly beneficial for seniors who might have age-related balance issues or health conditions affecting their mobility.
Additionally, trikes like the Viribus electric tricycle have a lower step-through design, making them easier to mount and dismount. They also frequently come with cargo baskets that are practical additions for everyday errands.
Despite e-trikes often being associated with older riders due to their stability and ease of use, they also hold appeal for younger riders for a variety of reasons.
For one, tricycles offer an alternative cycling experience that can be both fun and practical. The stability of three wheels allows riders to navigate confidently through crowded city streets and busy bike lanes, and doesn’t require putting your feet down at red lights or stop signs. There’s also a fun go-kart style feel to them, especially when taking turns quickly (though this can also be more dangerous on trikes, so older riders and anyone unfamiliar with trike handling should take turns more slowly).
The ample storage space in cargo baskets often found on trikes makes them ideal for commuting and utility jobs like grocery runs. Rear bench seats can even be added to carry several small children to day care.
And as a nod to environmental consciousness, e-trikes provide a sustainable mode of transport, much like e-bikes, but with added stability and cargo capacity.
Several major electric trike launches have occurred so far this year, including the highly refined Rad Trike from Rad Power Bikes and the budget-minded Lectric XP Trike from Lectric eBikes.
Electrek’s Take
There’s no way the Viribus is going to rival the major players when it comes to performance or features. But there are plenty of seniors living on fixed incomes that can’t afford even a low-cost $1,499 Lectric XP Trike, much less a $2,499 RadTrike. And when you’re just planning to cruise around the neighborhood and slide down to the shuffleboard court, an ultra-low-cost option like the $889 Viribus electric tricycle might be just what the doctor ordered.
Its low power and smaller battery don’t make it great for hillier areas, but I think it’d work fine on flat ground for basic rides. That’s something I’ll be finding out soon for sure though, as I’m going to try to get my hands on one of these and see if a super-cheap e-trike is any good.
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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.
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
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]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/operational-area-earth-moving-copy.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
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.
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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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.
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
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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