This electric kayak is an e-boat that’s really an e-bike in disguise
We’ve seen electric bicycle drivetrains in a number of small-format vehicles, but the Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 brings e-biking to the kayak market. The ePDL+ 132 is basically a pedal-assist system for a kayak, though it also offers pedal-free operation that effectively turns it into a tiny electric boat.
The 13-foot (4-meter) Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 is effectively a pedal kayak, meaning boaters can use their legs to spin bicycle-style pedals that, in turn, operate a small propeller below the boat.
Pedal kayaks are highly efficient, allowing users to power the boat through their more muscle-dense legs instead of paddling by hand. My father has a pedal kayak, and the thing really flies when you get cranking on those pedals. He is 68 and can leave a decent little wake behind him on leg power alone.
But the Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 steps that pedal drive up a notch with the incorporation of a mid-drive motor built into the pedal assembly. Along with the battery, it offers pedal-assist operation so that boaters don’t have to work as hard to move the kayak on their own.
There’s a manual mode that switches off the motor entirely (and works with the battery removed as well). That’s good for when you don’t want to burn any battery and prefer to do all the pedaling yourself.
When you’re ready for a boost, there’s a pedal assist mode that multiplies the boater’s pedaling power with the motor and battery. And for those that want to go full “cruise control,” there’s also a fully electric mode similar to throttle control on an e-bike that lets users motor along without pedaling at all.
The kayak weighs 143 pounds (68kg) but can support a payload of up to 357 pounds (162kg).
There are five power levels, and just like we’ve seen on other small electric boats, the power level drastically affects the run time of the battery.
At full power in level 5, the 36V 20Ah (720 Wh) lithium-ion battery lasts for around three hours. Dropping down to level 1 will sip away much more slowly at the battery, with the company claiming 46 hours of run time. You should probably bring snacks.
Priced at $5,999, the Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132 is available through the company’s dealer network.
Electrek’s Take
I love seeing all of these new electric boats coming to the market, and electric kayaks make the sport even more accessible.
Sure, there will probably be naysayers doing the old “just pick up a paddle!” thing, just like the equivalent “just pedal!” folks in the e-bike community. But they’re simply missing the point in the same way. The whole idea here isn’t laziness but rather being able to push farther.
If you’re kayaking for adventure, then you’ll be able to stay out on the water longer and explore more places along the river or bay than you could with a paddle or by leg power alone. If you’re an angler, you’ll be able to reach spots that are further out or just explore more fishing areas in the same trip.
There’s also a safety aspect to consider here in terms of the ability to use motor power to help get back home or self-rescue in an emergency. Several years ago, I bought a new (to me) kayak on Craigslist and tossed it in the river the next day. I was having such a blast exploring the mangroves that I made it all the way out into the bay and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. It was over a decade ago, but I still vividly remember watching the water turn from brown brackish river water to green bay water to blue ocean water. A school of dolphins joined me for a few minutes, and I paddled my heart out to keep up with them for as long as I could. It was freakin’ majestic, I tell you.
In fact, it was so amazing that I had forgotten to keep my own energy levels in mind. By the time I headed back in, I knew I was past my halfway point. To make matters worse, the tide was going out now, and the river was currently flowing out much faster. I don’t know how I did it, but I paddled 18 miles back, long since having run out of granola bars to keep me going. Just as I remember that blue water to this day, I also remember deliriously dragging my boat up onto the bank where I had put it in at the start of the day, collapsing next to it in the sand. What I wouldn’t have given for a little electric motor then…
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California-based B2U Storage Solutions is building a new battery energy storage facility east of San Antonio, Texas – and it’s going to be powered by used EV batteries.
The Bexar Corrilla project in Bexar County is B2U’s third grid storage site and its first in Texas. When complete later this year, it’ll have 24 megawatt-hours (MWh) of capacity and plug directly into San Antonio utility CPS Energy’s distribution system. B2U will repurpose around 500 end-of-life EV battery packs, housed in 21 modular cabinets, to store and dispatch power to the Texas grid.
The company has already deployed over 40 MWh of used EV batteries as battery storage in California. Its tech skips the expensive and energy-intensive remanufacturing process, thanks to a patented plug-and-play system that connects the batteries directly to the grid. The system’s certified to UL 9540 safety standards and uses AI to manage real-time power trading.
So why Texas? The state’s grid is notoriously volatile, and demand for backup is rising fast with more renewables and people plugging in. Batteries like these can help stabilize things when transmission can’t keep up.
B2U’s CEO Freeman Hall says the Texas expansion “is a significant strategic milestone” and shows how repurposed EV packs are becoming a go-to solution for grid and industrial-scale energy storage.
Over the next year, the company plans to build three more projects in Texas, bringing its total footprint in the state to 100 MWh. Add in its California solar + storage sites, and B2U expects to hit 150 MWh of repurposed EV batteries on the grid by mid-2026.
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Honda’s luxury brand is teaming up with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to electrify its fleet of vehicles. Acura donated 75 electric ZDX SUVs, its largest vehicle donation to date, to support the mission. The new EVs will be used to get to and from remote conservation sites.
Acura donated 75 ZDX EVs to The Nature Conservancy
Acura is donating 75 ZDX SUVs to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) this year through its dealership network across the US.
The fleet will be used to support the organization’s missions, including fieldwork, community engagement, and conservation efforts in rural and remote areas.
As part of their +30-year partnership, Honda is donating another $1 million to expand charging options and support TNC’s transition to EVs.
Over 30 years ago, Honda and TNC collaborated for the first time to preserve the Big Darby Creek. Since then, the automaker has invested over $1 million to protect the aquatic system.
“The donation of these vehicles has significantly accelerated our efforts to electrify our fleet, reducing our carbon footprint and setting a powerful example of climate leadership,” Daniel Salzer, director of sustainability at The Nature Conservancy, said after receiving the donation.
The ZDX is the luxury brand’s first all-electric vehicle, and it’s been a surprise hit so far in the US. It’s currently one of the best-selling premium EVs in the US.
Through the first half of 2025, Honda has sold 10,355 Acura ZDX models, surpassing the Cadillac Lyriq, which is also based on the same Ultium platform.
The company is selling even more than it expected. Mike Langel, Acura’s president of national sales, told Automotive News earlier this year that the luxury brand expected to sell around 1,000 ZDX models a month in 2025.
Acura has offered some of the most generous discounts of any electric vehicle, reaching nearly $30,000 off in some states.
According to CarsDirect, the electric 2024 Acura ZDX A-Spec AWD is available to lease for as low as $299 per month.
The offer is for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing, but is limited to California, New York, Oregon, and other select states. The A-Spec AWD variant offers a range of 313 miles, while the RWD model has an EPA range rating of 304 miles. Honda’s electric SUV, the Prologue, is listed for lease starting at just $259 per month.
Looking to test one out for yourself? We can help you get started. You can use our links to find Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue models in your area.
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The new and improved IONIQ 6 is smarter, more stylish inside and out, and can drive even further. With nearly 350 miles of driving range, the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 now leads as Korea’s longest-range domestic EV.
Hyundai’s new IONIQ 6 leads Korea’s longest-range EV
Hyundai’s electrified streamliner is back and better than ever. The IONIQ 6 has received its first refresh since its launch three years ago in September 2022.
The new IONIQ 6 features Hyundai’s 4th-generation batteries, unlocking nearly 350 miles (562 km) driving range on a single charge. That’s the longest among domestic electric cars in Korea, beating the Kia EV4, which has a range of up to 341 miles (549 km).
Hyundai fine-tuned the exterior fastback design for maximum efficiency. With a drag coefficient of just 0.21, it’s the most aerodynamic of any Hyundai, Kia, or Genesis vehicle.
Although still based on Hyundai’s “Mindful Cocoon” concept, the interior has been improved based on customer feedback. It now features a refined center console and incorporates “luxurious materials” into the three-spoke steering wheel and door trim.
Hyundai added new features, including a new Air Conditioning Occupancy Detection function. The system, a first for a Hyundai vehicle, can detect passengers and adjust the AC system.
Another new feature is Smooth Mode, designed to reduce motion sickness by providing less sensitive acceleration and deceleration.
The new IONIQ 6 is available with two battery options: 63 kWh and 84 kWh. With a range of up to 272 miles (437 km), the updated standard range model offers over 43 miles (70 km) more driving range. The extended-range battery is rated at 349 miles (562 km) range.
A Hyundai Motor Company official said, “The New Ioniq 6 is equipped with a 4th generation battery, securing the longest driving range among domestic electric vehicles.”
Despite the larger battery, the IONIQ 6 can still recharge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes with a 350 kW fast charger.
Hyundai launched the updated EV in Korea on Monday, priced from 48.56 million won ($35,000). That’s for the base E-Value+ standard range model.
The long-range Exclusive trim starts at 55.15 million won ($40,000) while the flagship Prestige N Line variant will run you 61.32 million won (61.32 million won). With government and local subsidies, Hyundai said the actual purchase price will be lower.
To celebrate the ultra-long-range capabilities of the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai is launching an ad campaign titled “the beginning of a new trend” in Korea.
For those in the US, Hyundai is expected to launch the new IONIQ 6 in early 2026. The current model is already rated with an EPA-estimated range of 342 miles.
With the updates, we could see it top 350 miles EPA-estimated range. Like the 2025 IONIQ 5, it’s also expected to arrive with a built-in NACS port to charge at Tesla Supercharger.
What are your thoughts on the updated model? Do you like the changes or does the IONIQ 6 still need some tweaking? Let us know in the comments.
Looking to test out Hyundai’s EV for yourself? With new models on the way, Hyundai is offering some sweet deals on its current lineup. The 2025 IONIQ 6 is available for lease starting at $169 per month. The 2025 IONIQ 5 may be an even better bet at just $179 per month. You can use our links below to find Hyundai’s electric vehicles near you.
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