High-end brand Priority Bicycles launches its lowest-priced belt-drive e-bike yet
Each time we’ve tested out an e-bike from Priority Bicycles, we’ve been impressed with the quality and craftsmanship. Now the company is bringing that commitment to bike shop build quality to a new model at a lower price point. Meet the $1,699 Priority e-Classic Plus.
Priority Bicycles began as a pedal bike company and has slowly grown its portfolio of high-quality e-bikes alongside its acoustic collection. The new e-Classic Plus follows the same game plan as the company’s other models like e-Coast: taking their popular pedal bike models and adding electric assist for more “oomph.”
The $1,699 Priority e-Classic Plus, which is launching with a promotional discount bringing it down to just $1,399, features a number of high-end parts rarely seen at this price point.
As Priority Bicycles founder and CEO David Weiner explained:
When we originally designed the Classic nine years ago, we set out to make a durable, everyday bicycle that was easy to own, ride, and maintain. With the rise in e-bikes, we wanted to deliver on that same promise with this new release. The e-Classic Plus has become my favorite daily rider because, like the original Classic, it is comfortable, lightweight, low maintenance, and just a joy to ride. If you want an easy-to-operate e-bike that can take you on errands, to the park with kids, or simply get you out of the car and off your feet, the e-Classic Plus is the right choice.
Priority prides itself on a low-maintenance design approach, and the e-Classic Plus incorporates both a belt drive and hydraulic disc brakes to help reduce its required maintenance.
Belt drives are more efficient than chain drives over the lifetime of the drive, and they don’t require oiling to perform well. They don’t squeak, rust, or jam like a chain, but rather simply continue to work smoothly and quietly. Low-cost belt drive e-bikes are often single speeds due to the fact that a belt drive can’t hop between gears like a chain can. But Priority has fitted the e-Classic Plus with a Nexus 3 internally geared rear hub to give it a three-speed transmission.
Hydraulic disc brakes, unlike their mechanically operated cousins, don’t suffer from cable stretch and thus require significantly reduced maintenance. They’re largely maintenance-free until the brake pads eventually wear all the way down and need to be replaced. The hydraulic lines scarcely need to be bled outside of rare cases such as where the bike has been damaged in a crash. For most users, they’re a “set it and forget it” type of solution.
Between the belt drive and hydraulic brakes – the two areas of a bike normally known for the most maintenance – the Priority e-Classic Plus is nearly maintenance free.
With much of the bike’s budget going toward higher-quality components, the electric side isn’t quite as impressive. It’s still fine for commuters, but it’s not going to win any stoplight races.
The 250W front hub motor is paired with a 374 Wh removable battery. The duo offers speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h) and a range of between 20-60 miles (32-96 km) depending on conditions. That longer range is possible because the Class 1 e-bike doesn’t have a throttle, meaning it only operates with more efficient pedal assist.
We’re used to seeing a battle of watts with many new e-bike manufacturers, especially Asian importers whose e-bikes have begun blurring the lines with mopeds. But the Priority e-Classic Plus takes a more European approach, offering modest power and battery designed for commuting around the city instead of laying down rubber snakes on the asphalt.
The bike includes fenders, LED lighting, extra-stable dual kickstand, and upright frame geometry with comfort saddle, and comes in both a diamond frame and step-through options.
Electrek’s Take
I’ve been a huge fan of Priority Bicycles since I tested their first e-bike back in 2018. The company simply operates under a different model, focusing on the bike part first instead of just trying to build flashier, faster electrics. That means they always perform great as bikes, plus have the added benefit of electric assist. It’s a nice change in an industry that sees so many low-end offerings that look great at first but can turn into creaky rust wagons after one season.
I’ve been riding around on the Priority e-Coast as well (pictured below and review coming soon!) and it’s simply a dream of an e-cruiser. The new e-Classic Plus basically looks like a similar approach yet now in a comfort commuter (and with the added benefit of an internally geared hub in the rear). This is going to be a great competitor in the commuter market for anyone who values quality over mere performance figures. If you don’t mind a 250W motor taking a few more seconds to get you up to 20 mph, then you’ll have a much higher-end bike under you while you get there.
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Nexamp just pulled off something that could speed up clean energy deployment across the US – and potentially lower costs for everyone. The Boston-based solar developer just finished building three new solar farms in Maine and Massachusetts. But instead of waiting on the utility to handle all the grid hookup work, Nexamp did it themselves.
That might not sound groundbreaking at first, but in the world of renewable energy, it’s a pretty big deal. Normally, utilities are in charge of any grid upgrades and interconnection work needed before a new solar project can start sending power to homes and businesses. That process can be very slow and expensive.
Nexamp’s new approach, called “self-performance,” flips the script. It lets developers take on some of that work, like ordering and installing equipment, so they don’t have to sit around waiting for the utility to schedule it. That means solar farms can get online faster, which gets clean power to the grid sooner and keeps project costs in check.
The three projects that kicked off this self-performance effort are:
- Hartland Solar – 1.2 MW DC in Hartland, ME
- Barre Road Solar – 1.3 MW DC in New Braintree, MA
- Summit Farm Solar – 2.6 MW DC, also in New Braintree
Nexamp didn’t go rogue – they worked closely with Central Maine Power and National Grid on the interconnection designs, safety standards, and technical specs. But by handling the actual procurement and construction, Nexamp had way more control over cost, timing, and supply chain headaches.
“Self-performance lets us take much greater control over interconnection procurement and construction,” said Daniel Passarello, Nexamp’s lead consulting engineer for grid integration. “We can move much of the interconnection work forward at the same time as the solar farm build instead of treating them as separate. That helps us bring projects online faster and stay closer to budget.”
It also helps that Nexamp already has solid relationships with suppliers. Instead of going through multiple layers of utility procurement, they can go straight to the source, fast.
That kind of streamlining is exactly what the solar industry needs right now. Community solar is booming – as of the end of 2024, nearly 8 gigawatts of it have been installed across the US, according to the the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and that number is expected to almost double by 2030. But bottlenecks in the interconnection process slow things down.
Sara Birmingham, VP of state affairs at SEIA, called Nexamp’s move a step in the right direction. “We must modernize and streamline the interconnection process to keep pace with fast-growing demand,” she said. “Self-performance is one of several innovative approaches that can accelerate project timelines and lower costs, which benefits all ratepayers.”
Read more: Walmart and Nexamp are rolling out 31 solar farms in 5 states
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When Genesis first previewed its full-size electric SUV, the coach doors were one of the biggest highlights. It looks like it will actually make its way into the production vehicle. A Genesis GV90 model was spotted in the US for the first time with coach doors, offering a glimpse of the upcoming ultra-luxury SUV.
Genesis GV90 spotted with coach doors in California
We got our first look at the full-size luxury SUV after Genesis unveiled the Neolun concept at the NY Auto Show last March.
Genesis said the concept was its “ultra-luxe vision of luxury SUVs,” and it wasn’t kidding. When it arrives, it will be sold as the GV90 as the brand’s new flagship vehicle.
The GV90 is not just a pretty-looking luxury SUV. It’s also loaded with Hyundai’s most advanced software and tech. According to Luc Donckerwolke, Genesis’ head of creative design, “it’s the epitome of timeless design and sophisticated craftsmanship.
Last month, we got a sneak peek of the interior after a production-ready GV90 was caught in California. Although somewhat toned down from the original concept, the cabin still featured many of the same elements.
Another Genesis GV90 was recently spotted in California, with actual coach doors. The new images from KindelAuto (via TheKoreanCarBlog) show a camouflaged vehicle with a hinge at the rear, where the coach doors will open.
Genesis said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles, like the GV90. However, don’t expect it to come standard on all models.
The feature will likely be reserved for higher-priced trims. We’ve seen other variants, featuring traditional doors, that are being tested in the US and Korea.
Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. We will learn prices and final specs closer to launch, but the flagship electric SUV is set to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform.
Hyundai said the platform is designed for EVs across all segments and will “provide a 50 percent improvement in driving range” compared to current EVs. It will also support Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities and OTA software updates.
Source: KindelAuto, TheKoreanCarBlog
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Elon Musk has finally confirmed that Tesla’s new ‘affordable’ electric car is just going to be the Model Y in a cheaper format.
Musk has ended months of speculations and misinformation, which he partly created, about Tesla’s upcoming cheaper electric vehicle model.
Since last year, Tesla has guided “launching new affordable models” in the first half of 2025.
We are past the first half of 2025, but Tesla confirmed yesterday that the “first build” of the new model was produced in June, and it will launch later this year.
During the shareholders’ call following the earnings results yesterday, Tesla was asked about what the new affordable model would look like. Tesla’s CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, initially stated that they wouldn’t disclose details about the design, but then Musk interrupted him and said, “It’s a Model Y.”
It’s hard to hear exactly on the call because he talked over Taneja, but he said, “the cat is out of the bag” and confirmed that the new vehicle is simply a Model Y.
Electrek has been reporting on this fact all year. We have known for months that Tesla’s upcoming “new affordable models” are Model 3 and Model Y with a stripped-down interior with fewer features, like no rear screen, and cheaper materials:
However, this fact was not accepted in the Tesla community because CEO Elon Musk falsely denied a report last year about Tesla’s “$25,000” EV model being canceled.
The facts are that Musk canceled two cheaper vehicles that Tesla was working on, commonly referred as “the $25,000 Tesla” in early 2024. Those vehicles were codenamed NV91 and NV92, and they were based on the new vehicle platform that Tesla is now reserving for the Cybercab.
Instead, Musk noticed that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y production lines were starting to be underutilized as the Company faced demand issues. Therefore, Tesla canceled the vehicle programs based on the new platform and decided to build new vehicles on Model 3/Y platform using the same production lines.
Now, only the new Cybercab is going to be based on the new unboxed platform.
During the conference call last night, Musk stated that the primary goal of the more affordable Model Y is to expand the market by making the vehicle more accessible to a broader audience. He suggested that it will go on sale in Q4.
Electrek’s Take
Finally, we can put this to rest. I think we can expect something similar to what Tesla did with the Model 3 in Mexico.
I think we can expect changes, such as using cloth materials instead of vegan leather, no rear display, no ambient lighting, and a lesser audio system.
In the case of the Model Y, Tesla may consider dropping some exterior lighting features, such as the light bars.
I wouldn’t be surprised also to see some powertrain changes. Maybe a less powerful RWD motor.
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