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At Electrek, we cover plenty of new electric cars and other EVs as part of an overarching goal of shifting transportation towards a more sustainable future. But it’s important to keep in mind that electric cars aren’t the only answer – sometimes a vehicle much smaller than a car is an even better tool for the job.

But to use that tool to its fullest, it can help to have a few other tools along the way. As someone who gets around almost entirely on two-wheels, here’s my list of the coolest gear I’ve tested on my e-bikes so far this year.

As a point of housekeeping, let me note that some of this gear was purchased and some was given to my by companies hoping I’d say something nice about their product. Throughout the year several things show up on my desk that never make it to these lists because frankly they aren’t good enough. So in summary, if I say I bought something here, I bought it. Anything else was given to me as a media sample and was truly good enough for me to want to honestly write about it.

Woowind electric bike pump

I’ve used a few electric pumps over the years, but this is one I bought a few months ago to have as a spare and I’ve been super happy with it.

It claims to go up to 120 PSI, though I never run my tires that high so I’ve only used it up to around 40 PSI. But I can confirm that the battery lasts a long time, it feels well made with an aluminum case, and it’s even bright red so it doesn’t get lost in a pile of black bike gear.

I’ve never actually run it empty, but I tend to charge it every ten uses or so and it’s never made me feel like it was about to run out of battery.

It came with a bunch of attachments I’ve since lost, but I only ever use the Schraeder valve anyway so I don’t worry too much about the Presta adapter or the sports-ball tips.

At $42, it’s not cheap. But it’s also infinitely nicer than using a manual hand pump. And as a bonus, its battery lasts long enough that you can use it to top up car and motorcycle tires too!

Cycplus mini electric pump

While the pump above is great for having a larger battery, the Cycplus mini electric pump is incredible for being so tiny. I can literally carry it around in my pocket and forget that it’s there. As an emergency pump to carry on your bike, you’ll never notice the few extra grams and it won’t take up much space in your limited on-bike storage.

It gets quite hot while you use it, but it has a silicone condom thing for it that I assume is there to prevent you from burning your fingers. It also probably helps protect the unit in case you drop it.

The main downsides are that there’s no screen to let you know how much pressure you’re at, and the small pump only has enough battery for two tires. But I can just pinch the tire to get a feel for pressure (this is more of an emergency pump anyway) and two tires is exactly how many tires I have on my bike, so it’s perfect!

It’s a bit pricey at $89. But like many things, the best pump is the one you have with you. And a pump this tiny is easy to bring it along.

XNITO helmet

I’ve tested a lot of helmets over the years, but the XNITO helmet impressed me as one that is quite comfortable while still feeling like it gives me good wraparound protection.

It doesn’t look like a big egg on my head, it doesn’t feel too nerdy and it doesn’t look like I’m qualifying for the olympic cycling team. It just looks like a nice urban helmet, which is what I’m going for.

The quick-release clasp is also great for one handed removal, and it’s hard to go back to a normal two-handed buckle systems when I’m not wearing the XNITO.

The integrated front and rear LED lights are key, and it they’re especially important if you’re on a bike, scooter or skateboard that doesn’t already have integrated lighting. But even on my e-bikes that do have lights, I like knowing I’ve got one more bright red light up high to make me extra visible to distracted car drivers coming up on my six.

The forward-facing light isn’t really bright enough to light up your way like a headlamp, but it’s perfect for being seen. When you roll up to an intersection, drivers will definitely see your bright white spot on top of your forehead.

For $120, I’d have loved to see a MIPS safety lining, but otherwise I’m very happy with this helmet. It looks good, feels good, works well – what’s not to like?!

Foldylock Forever

I know this is going to be a bold statement, but I think I’ve found the best folding lock in the world. The Forever from Foldylock is a veritable BEAST of a lock. I used to think ABUS was the name to beat for folding locks, but having tried both theirs and Foldylock’s, the Foldylock Forever is definitely top of its class.

Its link joints are so tight that there’s no room to get a tool in anywhere. Its pivot where the lock connects back into its housing actually wraps around 360 for the most freedom when locking, unlike other leading brands that only bend up around 90 degrees. It’s also weirdly quiet. I’m used to the many links in a folding lock resulting in lots of rattling. But the Forever has such tight tolerances that it doesn’t move around or rattle. Even the bike holder keeps it secure from moving and making noise.

The only bummer is its a bit short at just 90cm, though the company is apparently going to be releasing a longer version soon, which I’ll probably want to upgrade to.

For just over $100, it’s not even that expensive compared to most high-security bike locks. And ever since I had a $3,000 e-bike stolen, I’ve rethought just how much it’s worth it to buy high quality locks.

Folding bike travel bag

I recently bought a CamGo travel bag for a 16″ folding bike that I wanted to bring with me on an international flight. I didn’t want to pay extra for “sports equipment” or have an oversize bag fee, so I was looking for a folding bike bag that didn’t look very bike-ish. This one was perfect.

And at $26, you can’t beat the price.

The bag has absolutely zero protection built into it, unlike other big bike travel bags I’ve tested, and so just be sure to toss a bunch of styrofoam or other protection around the bike. I saved a few styrofoam sheets from the last e-bike box I opened. Even some sheets of cardboard from some amazon boxes will at least spread out the impact from any big bumps along the way.

It’s not a fancy bag, but for a cheap price it worked great!

JackRabbit travel bag

This travel bag is very specific since it will only fit the JackRabbit micro e-bike, but their Air Land Sea travel bag is a pretty awesome addition to their bike.

I used it on a trip that covered around 5 or 6 cities by plane, and it meant I always had a small yet capable little e-bike (technically scooter) to ride around.

jackrabbit travel flying bag

It has some minimal protective plates built in, and the fact that the bag is specifically designed for that bike means they can put the protection in only the places where it’s needed. That makes the bag super small and lightweight, yet effective.

I was even able to put a week’s worth of laundry in the bag at the end of the trip, which helped serve as even more padding around the bike.

Dynaplug tubeless repair tool

Last year I was surprised to see this Dynaplug tool show up in my mailbox. It’s a nifty little repair kit for tubeless tires.

It’s about the size of a space pen, which itself is around half the size of a typical ballpoint pen. Basically, it’s tiny.

The only problem is that I’m not fancy enough to own any tubeless bikes. So I gave it to a lycra friend of mine and forgot all about it. Fast forward nearly a year or so and I received this text message from him recently:

Hey, so a while back you gave me a tire plug in a small stainless steel pen shaped tube. On my way home this evening I’m barreling down the trail, pssssssss, tire sealant goes everywhere…I have one hand stopping the air from coming out of the tire, the other hand reaches to the bottom of my saddle bag, as if placed by an angel from heaven your tire plug contraption falls out as I am fumbling around to see what’s in the bag. I untwist the sucker with my mouth, stab the it into the hole in the tire, pull it out aaand I hear the trees swaying into the wind, the train rattle by and my tire sealed.

I guess it works pretty well.

CyMoto GPS locator

Airtags are nice for a bit of peace of mind if your bike gets stolen, but they have their limitations. For true pinpoint accuracy of location regardless of whether or not there are iPhone users nearby, you want a real GPS location device. And that’s exactly what the Cycloop is.

It’s a bit bulky, but it’s designed to be tamper-resistant as it attaches onto your bike’s frame to give you a GPS tracker that works directly from your phone.

The downside is you have to pay for the service ($49 per year on top of the $99 device price), but if you’ve got a several thousand dollar e-bike then that might not sound too bad.

A neat little added bonus is that it has LED lighting built into the unit to give you a little more visibility when riding at night.

More to come!

If there’s one thing I love more than riding e-bikes, it’s testing gear to go along with them.

Actually, that’s not true. I don’t know why I said that. The riding is the best part.

But gear is fun too. And I’m exciting to keep exploring to find the next batch of cool bits and pieces that I’ll be carrying with me in the future.

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China powers up the world’s largest open-sea offshore solar farm

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2 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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China powers up the world's largest open-sea offshore solar farm

China offshore solar
Image: China Energy

China’s CHN Energy has connected the first solar units from its 1-gigawatt (GW) offshore solar farm – the world’s first and largest of its kind – to the grid.

The massive project is located off the coast of Dongying City in Shandong Province, eastern China.

Developed by CHN Energy’s Guohua Energy Investment Co., it aims to serve as a benchmark for future large-scale offshore solar farms.

The project sits 8 km (5 miles) off the coast and spans an impressive 1,223 hectares (3,023 acres). It uses 2,934 solar platforms that rest on large-scale offshore steel truss foundations, each platform measuring 60m (197 feet) by 35m (115 feet).

It’s the first time in China that a 66-kilovolt offshore cable paired with an onshore cable has been used for high-capacity, long-distance electricity transmission in the solar sector.

Once completed, this offshore solar farm is expected to generate 1.78 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough to power around 2.67 million urban homes. It could also help save about 503,800 tons of standard coal and cut down carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 1.34 million tons annually.

The project also includes fish farming, making better use of the marine space by integrating renewable energy with aquaculture.

Read more: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens

To limit power outages and make your home more resilient, consider going solar with a battery storage system. In order to find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and you share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisers to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate link*

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here’s what to expect

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3 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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Kia is teasing a new EV model for the US: Here's what to expect

Kia-new-EV-US

At least one new Kia EV model will be revealed at next week’s LA Auto Show. Kia is teasing the new EV ahead of the event, claiming it wants to make “it very clear” that the company is charging ahead in the US.

After shattering its October US sales record last month, Kia said new models are “generating significant foot traffic” into showrooms.

The company expects the momentum to continue with a slate of new models debuting next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show. Kia will unveil five new vehicles across ICE, HEV, PHEV, and EV powertrains.

Kia’s new models will feature its latest design theme, shown in its next-gen EV models like the three-row EV9 and compact EV3 electric SUVs.

“With five vehicles to unveil at next week’s Los Angeles Auto Show, we want it to be made very clear that Kia is driving forward on all fronts,” Kia America’s EVP and COO, Steven Center, said Thursday.

Center said Kia will pull the sheets of some of its most important models yet and believes “our customers will be delighted at what’s coming to our showrooms in the very near future.”

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia teases new vehicles that will debut at the 2024 LA Auto Show (Source: Kia)

Which EV model is Kia teasing for its big US debut?

So, what EV will Kia debut for the US market? It will likely be the smaller EV3 electric SUV. Kia launched the EV3 in Korea this summer, starting at around $30,000 (KRW 42.08 million). Earlier this week, Kia said the compact electric SUV is now available in Europe with a “segment-leading” range of up to 375 miles.

In Europe, the EV3 starts at around 36,000 euros ($38,000), while UK prices (where it’s been on sale since August) start at £32,995 ($42,000).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s vice president, Jeong Won-Jeong, is already calling the smaller electric SUV a “game changer” in Korea, with strong demand for the low-cost EV model.

Will it have the same impact in the US? At 4,300 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, the EV3 is about the size of the Chevy Bolt EUV (4,306 mm length x 1,770 mm width x 1,616 mm x height).

Kia-new-EV-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

The Bolt was GM’s top-selling EV over the past few years until the company ended production at the end of 2023.

GM announced it sold its 300,000th EV in the US last month since 2016. Over 212,000 of them were Bolt EV models. According to GM’s president, Mark Reuss, a new model is due out next year as part of the “family of Bolts.”

Kia-EV3-interior
Kia EV3 interior (Source: Kia)

The 2024 Chevy Bolt EUV started at $27,800. Can Kia match (or undercut) the price? Kia is expected to build the EV3 in Mexico to take advantage of the US EV tax credit. With prices expected to start between $30,000 and $40,000, the tax credit could lower the price tag to around $22,500 and $32,500.

A US-spec Kia EV3 was spotted in California earlier this year testing on public streets, and its debut is expected soon.

Next year, Kia will launch the EV4, its version of an entry-level electric sedan. The company promises it will be an “entirely new type of EV sedan.”

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Save $700 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

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4 hours ago

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November 14, 2024

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Save 0 on new & old Rad Power e-bikes in Black Friday sale, Segway ZT3 Pro e-scooter deals, GoTrax Everest dirt bike, more

We’ve got some great Green Deals for you today, led by Rad Power’s official 2024 Black Friday sale that is running through the rest of the month and offering up to $500 discounts on veteran e-bikes, free extra battery promotions on the newest models, and plenty of accessory discounts up to 30% – all starting from $1,099. Right behind it is Segway’s latest ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter that has two differing offers – the first being a $200 discount while the second gives you a free Lumina power station, starting from $1,100. We have the return of the all-time lowest price on GoTrax’s Everest Electric Dirt Bike at $4,000 for today only, as well as new low prices on Worx’s M 20V and L 20V Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers that start from $540. Lastly, Walmart’s early Black Friday sale has discounted a selection of Greenworks equipment, with the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw hitting a new $139 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s $600 off Black Friday deal on Heybike’s Cityrun e-bike, or the other low prices from ENGWE, Segway Ninebot, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Rad Power has launched its official 2024 Black Friday sale through December 4, offering up to $500 in discounts on e-bikes, as well as free extra battery promotions on its newest models (worth $599), 30% off accessory deals, 25% off vehicle racks, and more. The biggest cash discount during this event is on the RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike that is down at $1,099 shipped – plus, you’ll also be getting a free accessory under $200. Normally priced at $1,599, we’ve seen it as the focus of a few different sales so far in 2024, with most of them cutting the price down to $1,299, though some took things lower to $1,249. With this sale, though, you’re looking at a bigger-than-ever $500 in savings that beats out the former low price by $150 and marks a new all-time low going forward – even beating out last year’s Black Friday sale too.

Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 e-bike makes the perfect addition to homes that need a well-rounded utility model that can also save you on storage space when you’re not on the saddle thanks to its folding frame. The 750W brushless geared rear-hub motor arrives powered by a 672Wh battery, providing a 20 MPH top speed with four pedal assistance levels (yes, there’s a throttle too) and supporting you through your commute, errands, and more with 45+ miles of travel range on a full charge.

Along with its performance, there’s a solid collection of stock features like the LED headlight and the integrated taillight with brake lighting – plus, they both sport automatic functioning, turning on when surrounding light levels drop low enough. There’s also the integrated cargo rack (which has a 55-pound weight limit), fenders to go over both 20-inch by 4-inch fat tires, a water-resistant wiring harness, a 7-speed MicroShift derailleur, and an LED display.

More of Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday e-bike deals:

  • RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,499)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
  • RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free Ballard Cargo Bag
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount
  • RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike: $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
    • 20 MPH for up to 45+ miles
    • comes with free accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic accessory discount

Rad Power’s 2024 Black Friday free battery deals:

  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday accessory discounts:

Rad Power 2024 Black Friday vehicle rack discounts:

Rad Power Black Friday

Score $200 off Segway’s new ZT3 Pro all-terrain e-scooter or get it with a free power station starting from $1,100

We’re still waiting for Segway to officially drop its Black Friday savings, though we are seeing one early access opportunity in the S2 Smart Self-Balancing Scooter at its all-time lowest rate and matching at Amazon. In the meantime, the brand is offering two separate deals on its new ZT3 Pro All-Terrain eKickScooter, with the first being a discount to $1,099.99 shipped. Down for the first time since officially launching last month, it comes in as the second-lowest price overall considering the pre-order special that had costs down at $950. You’ll still be saving a solid $200 on this all-new model though, or you can buy it at full price to take advantage of the alternative deal (more on that below).

Segway’s new ZT3 Pro electric scooter cruises across any terrain your journeys take you at top speeds of 24.9 MPH thanks to the 1,600W brushless motor that provides enough torque to conquer inclines up to 25% with ease. The 597Wh battery here is supported by RideyLong tech with an advanced controller algorithm that extends its travel capacity “by up to 20%,” lending to the 43.5 miles it carries you on a single 4-hour charge while in Eco Mode (18.6 miles when kicked into its high-powered Sport mode). Segway has even taken sudden needs to travel into consideration, giving it the ability the provide 6.2 miles off just 30 minutes of charging if you really need to get going.

Rider safety, stability, and comfort have been one of the main focuses of this model too, as it has been given plenty of features to support smoother and more controlled riding, like the full suspension frame, 6 inches of clearance from the ground, a pair of 11-inch all-terrain tubeless tires, as well as a Segride stability enhancement system that works alongside its Traction Control System. It boasts an IPX5 waterproof designation (with the battery rated IPX7) and even eco-friendly ASA thermoplastic that is easy to replace if damaged – plus, tons of smart features, like Apple Find My, and lighting too, which you can check out in full by reading our in-depth launch coverage.

Segway is also offering an alternative deal on this new model if you choose to buy it at full price – which, along with the scooter, gives you a free Lumina 500 Portable Power Station (valued at $400). This model has a more compact form factor than the brand’s other power stations, offering a 512Wh capacity (peaking at 1,200W) and being able to dish out power at 600W speeds – with a full battery only taking one hour to get when plugged into a wall outlet. All-in-all, there are eight ports to charge your devices and power small appliances – two ACs, two USB-Cs, and four USB-As.

GoTrax Everest electric dirt bike

Second chance at landing GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike with massive $2,000 discount at $4,000 low (Today only)

Coming to us through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the GoTrax Everest Electric Dirt Bike down at $3,999.99 shipped through the rest of the day. It normally keeps to its recent $6,000 price tag most of the time after falling from the original $6,500 rate months ago, with very few discounts dropping costs further since it released last year. In 2024, we’ve mainly seen three previous one-day sales like this one, the first two only taking the price down to $5,500, while September saw the first fall to the $4,000 low. It’s returning again here today, giving you the chance to score it at $2,000 off and the lowest price we have seen to date.

GoTrax’s Everest electric dirt bike races onto the tracks and trails with a monstrous 4,000W rear-drive motor that conquers terrain effortlessly, peaking up to 8,000W. It tops out at speeds of 53 MPH, and the removable 72V battery provides a 50-mile travel distance on a single four-hour charge. There are a bunch of features here that only enhance your electric motocross adventures, with multiple riding modes, dual-shock suspension paired with hydraulic disc brakes, and deep-tooth off-road tires. You’ll also be getting dual headlights, a taillight with braking and turn signal functionality, mudguards, and an LED digital display to control its settings. It also weighs in on the lighter side of dirt bikes, even for an electric model – coming in at just 172 pounds.

Worx robotic lawn mower

Get the lowest prices yet on Worx’s Landroid robotic lawn mowers for 1/4 and 1/2-acre yards from $540

Amazon is giving us two of the best rates yet on the Worx Landroid Robotic Lawn Mowers ahead of official Black Friday sales, with the M 20V model down at $539.99 shipped, while the L 20V model is hitting $631.13 shipped. These two models would normally run you $900 and $1,150 more recently since they fell from higher $1,200 and $1,500 MSRPs earlier in the year. We’ve only been seeing the M 20V version keeping above $719 throughout the year, with the S 20V often getting the bulk of the savings, but today, we’re seeing a 40% markdown that takes things lower than ever before, saving you $360 and landing it at a new all-time low price – right alongside the new all-time low on its L 20V counterpart.

You can now get autonomous support outdoors in your yards with these Worx Landroid robotic lawn mower models, with the M 20V covering up to 1/4 acres while the L 20V handles lawns up to 1/2 acres in size. The advanced AI here keeps it on the most efficient path, raising and lowering its floating blade whenever it needs added clearance through more uneven sections of the terrain. You’ll be getting the full detail of smart controls through its companion app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and as a bonus, the batteries that run them are also part of Worx’s PowerShare ecosystem, meaning you can switch them out with other tools from the brand that you may already have.

greenworks 60V 16-inch chainsaw

Walmart drops the Greenworks 60V 16-inch cordless electric chainsaw to new $139 low

As part of its ongoing early Black Friday sale, Walmart is offering some significant discounts on Greenworks lawn care and outdoor equipment, like the 60V 16-inch Cordless Electric Chainsaw that comes with a 2.5Ah battery, charger, and a bonus chain for $139 shipped. Down from its usual $268 pricing, the closest model you can find to this one over at Amazon is sitting $80 higher in price, at the moment. While we’ve been seeing this model bounce around in price all year, costs never fell below $200 before today’s deal, which is giving folks the opportunity at a 48% markdown that saves you $129 for the new all-time lowest price we have tracked. On top of the cash savings, you’ll also be getting a little bonus savings in the form of the included extra chain that comes with the battery and charger.

Those of you stocking up on firewood or are in need of a reliable method to cut up damaged limbs and trees from possible heavy snowfalls and winter storming will get just what you need with this 60V cordless electric chainsaw from Greenworks. The included 2.5Ah battery ensures 90 consecutive cuts on a single 50-minute charge, while the bonus 16-inch chain gives you a backup should anything happen to damage the stocked chain. It makes a conveniently lightweight and quieter addition to home arsenals, replacing gas-guzzlers with the same power to rival a 38cc model.

More Walmart early Black Friday Greenworks deals:

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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