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As electric bicycles surge in popularity, many parents are considering them as viable transportation alternatives for their teenagers. From getting to school or practice on their own to riding around with friends, e-bikes are a great way to give teenagers freedom without tossing them the family car keys.

Electric bicycles offer an eco-friendly solution, merging traditional cycling with an added boost. If you’re contemplating buying an e-bike for your teen, here are some crucial tips to guide your purchase.

Consider whether your teen is ready for an e-bike

Far be it for me to parent your kid, but suffice to say that not all teenagers are ready for an electric bike. Heck, anyone whose been on the road lately can probably attest to the fact that not all adults are ready for a car driver’s license.

Consider whether your teenager is responsible enough to make important decisions like where to ride, how fast to travel, and how to ride with friends. If they’ve never taken driver’s education, consider enrolling them in some type of course to learn the rules of the road. There are several new options for e-bike specific road training courses online. Also consider planning out routes to school or other common areas with your teen first to find the best, safest roads and bike lanes for a journey.

Additionally, make sure your teenager is responsible enough to correctly lock their e-bike each time they park, as electric bike theft is rampant in many parts of the country.

teenagers on super73 electric bikes

Safety first!

Ensure the e-bike has robust safety features. Some budget-level electric bikes skimp on parts like lighting and quality brakes. Look for models equipped with bright LED lights and good reflective materials (many tires now have reflective sidewalls so riders can be quickly seen when a car’s headlights approach from the side). Keep in mind that most direct-to-consumer electric bikes that are ordered online and delivered to your home don’t come with their reflectors installed, as these can break off in shipping. Many people will forget to install the reflectors, but make sure you fish them out of the bottom of the box and put them on the bike. E-bikes are required by law to have reflectors, but they don’t necessarily have to come installed.

Also, check for effective braking systems. Many riders prefer hydraulic disc brakes for their lower maintenance and higher stopper power compared to mechanical disc brakes, though mechanical brakes can be just fine as well. Rim brakes are rarely seen on e-bikes anymore and are usually a sign of a cheap e-bike.

And remember, a helmet should be a non-negotiable accessory. When your kid pays the bills one day, they can make that decision for themselves. For now, it should be a requirement that comes with the responsibility of riding an e-bike.

You wouldn’t let them ride in a car without a seatbelt. So why would a helmet be optional?

Which style of e-bike is right?

There are literally hundreds of models of e-bikes available in the US, each with its own features and styles. Consider what your teenager needs most.

If he or she is commuting to school on roads and bike lanes, 2-3″ tires and a basic triangle or step-through frame is plenty.

If off-road riding is on the table, consider the potential of fat tires or more suspension.

If you’ll need to pick your teen up on occasion, a folding bike can be tossed in the trunk on one-way rides. This is great for times you need to meet your teen somewhere to head out together but they had already ridden there on their own. No need to head back for the bike when you can take it with you.

If this all seems like too much to think about, then a safe bet that will work for 95% of riders is a utility or folding e-bike with 20″ x 3″ or 20″ x 4″ tires. Think something like a RadRunner, Lectric XP, or Super73 ZX.

While electric cargo bikes are a great option for carrying lots of stuff, they’re not as ideal for teens due to their larger size that sometimes requires more calculated and careful riding. And on that note, while passenger packages that allow some e-bikes to carry a second rider are very useful tools, keeping one teenager per bike is probably a good idea to reduce distractions. I love riding two-up, but there’s a time and a place.

electra ponto go

Don’t get bogged down on figures like range and battery

You might naturally try to get into the weeds when it comes to comparing ranges, but you shouldn’t. And the reason is because most e-bikes these days are pretty darn similar in that regard.

If you really like data and numbers, look for the battery capacity measured in watt-hours (Wh) instead of the company’s claimed range figures. Almost all e-bikes worth considering will have somewhere between 450 to 700 Wh of battery capacity, which is going to result in somewhere around 20-30 miles (29-48 km) of range per charge. There are a few exceptions of nice bikes with tiny little batteries, but for the most part, don’t get bogged down on range comparisons. Just make sure it’s got a battery of roughly 500Wh and your teen should have plenty of battery for getting around most towns. And if they ever find that they’re running low, just tell them to ride slower. Or pedal.

E-bike classifications: Which one is best?

Most states in the US use the three-class system for e-bikes. Class 1 e-bikes can hit 20 mph (32 km/h) and only engage the electric motor when the pedals are turning. Class 2 e-bikes are the same except that they can have a hand throttle like a motorbike that activates the motor without any pedaling necessary. Class 3 e-bikes are like Class 1 e-bikes but are allowed to hit speeds up to 28 mph (45 km/h). Class 3 e-bikes generally aren’t allowed to have throttles. All three classes limit motor power to 750W (one horsepower). As a side note, there are many e-bikes that blur the line between Class 2 and 3, as they have throttles but the throttle cuts out at 20 mph, meaning the rider has to pedal to push further up to 28 mph. While this doesn’t fit most strict interpretations of the rules, they seem to slip by in many areas as fulfilling the spirit of the law, if not the letter of the law.

All three of these e-bikes are generally allowed on all public roads and bike lanes where bicycles are allowed, though many trails and off-road areas will limit to Class 1 e-bikes only.

Your teenager will almost certainly want a Class 2 e-bike or one of the gray-area hybrids between Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes. Basically, they will want a throttle because their friends’ e-bikes will have a throttle. Throttles are great for getting rolling at the bottom of a hill or just helping return home after a long day when you’re tired and don’t feel like pedaling. But consider that a Class 1 or true Class 3 e-bike might be more appropriate for your teenager as it will require some level of effort on their part and prevent them from treating the e-bike like a small format motorcycle.

I say this as someone who predominately rides throttle-controlled e-bikes and prefers to have a throttle, but I still know there’s a time and a place for pedaling. And when you’re a healthy young kid who might benefit from not being able to zoom down a sidewalk at top speed, not having a throttle might just be a good thing sometimes.

One thing to consider though is that in the US it is much harder to find pure Class 1 e-bikes, in part because they simply don’t sell as well. But many – if not most – Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes can be limited to Class 1 performance in their settings. If you think your kid might just change the settings back to “fun” mode, you can usually just unplug the throttle also. Check with the vendor of the e-bike to see if their throttles can be unplugged and removed, if that’s something you’d like control over. Just know that your kid is going to be annoyed. But hey, a Class 1 e-bike is a lot better than a Class 0 e-bike, kiddo!

ride1up 700 series
A little pedaling is always a good thing!

Test ride, if you can

There are lots of gifts that make great surprises. Electric bikes, much like puppies, are not one of them. There are so many different styles of e-bikes out there that it is much better to test the bike out first to make sure it feels right. Try and put your teenager on an e-bike to ensure he or she is comfortable with the size and handling.

This used to be more difficult, but many e-bike companies have expanded their dealer network and put their models in hundreds of brick-and-mortar stores. If you can, take your teen to test them out.

Another option is to borrow an e-bike from a friend or have them test out some of their buddies’ electric bikes.

Going in blind used to be the norm when most electric bikes were ordered sight unseen, but these days you can often find a way to test them out first.

Consider a reasonable budget for a teen’s e-bike

I’m not saying don’t get your teenager a nice e-bike, but consider that depending on how old they are, they might only have it for a year or two before heading off to college. It’s also likely going to be treated somewhat rougher than the way you’d probably handle it. And they’re probably going to be parking all over town, increasing the risk of theft.

For that reason, a teenager’s first e-bike probably shouldn’t be an ultra-premium electric bike. That doesn’t mean cheap out either though. Below $500-$600, you’re usually (but not always) looking at low-quality parts, cheap batteries, and poor construction. There are plenty of good e-bikes in the $1,000 to $1,500 range, and lots of better options under $2,500. If you move up to $3,000-$4,000, you get into some really high-quality stuff, and if you can swing that much on your teen’s e-bike then that’s great. But for many people, $1,000-$2,000 is the sweet spot for a good bang-for-your-buck e-bike that will balance safety and quality with cost.

We’ve got a great breakdown of the best electric bikes in every price range, if you want more guidance on specific models and prices.

You don’t have to spend a fortune for a decent e-bike. This $999 Lectric XP 3.0 is a great bang-for-your-buck option

Don’t be afraid of reviews

There’s never been a time in history when online reviews were less helpful than right now. What was originally a helpful tool has turned into a manipulated system of spite and revenge. Look no further than online e-bike communities like those on Reddit or Facebook, where you can type in any e-bike company name followed by “nightmare” and find some horror story about something going wrong or some bad customer service experience.

I basically live rent-free in these communities for several hours a day, and I constantly see new horror stories followed by a bunch of replies from people saying they’ve only had an amazing experience with that company. Who do you believe? Is Company XYZ the best or the worst? Many of these reviews are true. Some are from spiteful customers who didn’t get the answer they wanted from a company. Many others are from bots. Some are paid for by the company’s competitors. It’s a clusterduck of unhelpfulness. Well, unless there are several pictures of people’s bikes breaking in half. That’s pretty solid, so to speak.

So try this as an alternative. Instead of being scared off by reviews, look for companies that maintain large US workforces and customer support teams. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but companies like Aventon, Lectric eBikes, Rad Power Bikes, Ride1Up, Super73, and others may all sell Asian-built electric bikes, but they are US-based companies with local support teams. They all surely have horror stories online about “bad service” but also have tens of thousands of happy customers who rely on that local support. Ultimately, put more emphasis on warranty and support options.

There are even some companies that make their e-bikes locally and offer super-long warranties, such as Electric Bike Company, though we don’t have time here to wade into the locally “built” vs. “assembled” argument.

The point is, research a company’s record but also consider their warranty, their local customer support, and other issues beyond just a few nightmarish reviews online, since all companies have them.

electra ponto go with teenager

In conclusion, buying an e-bike for your teenager can be an empowering decision, fostering independence and environmental responsibility. It’s a great opportunity to teach accountability, timeliness, and personal responsibility to your teen while also freeing up your own schedule instead of being the family chauffeur.

Hopefully by following these tips, parents like you can ensure that you’re making a sound investment for your teen’s mobility needs while also keeping them safe and protected.

Good luck!

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 lose the $7,500 EV tax credit: Here’s how you can still get it

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January 21, 2025

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Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 lose the ,500 EV tax credit: Here's how you can still get it

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit

In a sudden reversal, Hyundai’s new IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 EVs no longer qualify for the $7,500 US tax credit. Although this is a major blow to one of the top-selling EV brands in the US, there is still a way you can get the credit. Here’s how.

Hyundai EVs lose US federal tax credit in 2025

After setting another new US retail sales record last year, its fourth straight, Hyundai expected 2025 could be even bigger.

“With exciting new models like the IONIQ 9 and increased US production ramping up at our new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia, I’m confident this momentum will continue,” Hyundai Motor North America CEO Randy Parker said.

Earlier this month, Hyundai announced its new 2025 IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, both made in the US, qualified for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.

This was significant news because it was the first time Hyundai qualified since the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed in 2022.

The upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5 and Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9 were among 25 EVs that qualified for the credit in early January.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 XRT (Source: Hyundai)

According to the updated list from the Department of Energy (DOE) last week, Hyundai no longer has eligible EV models. The only Hyundai Motor Group (including Kia and Genesis) electric cars that qualify are the 2025 Kia EV6 and 2026 Kia EV9. Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, also lost eligibility.

Hyundai began production at its new $7.6 billion EV plant in Georgia in October. The new 2025 IONIQ 5 was the first to roll off the assembly line, which will be joined by Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 (Source: Hyundai)

Last year, Hyundai said it expected US-built models would qualify for a partial $3,750 credit until its battery unit with SK On came online, which was expected sometime in 2025.

Kia builds the new 2025 EV6 and three-row EV9 at its West Point, GA plant, enabling it to still qualify for the credit.

Meanwhile, Hyundai is still passing the $7,500 EV tax credit on through leasing. With leases starting as low as $199 per month, the new 2025 IONIQ 5 is still cheaper than a new Toyota RAV4.

Hyundai-EV-tax-credit
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 (Source: Hyundai)

With a bigger 84 kWh battery, the 2025 IONIQ 5 has a driving range of up to 328 miles, up from 303 miles in the outgoing model, which had a 77.4 kWh battery. It also gains noticeable design upgrades and now includes an NACS port for charging at Tesla Superchargers.

The IONIQ 5 was already the fourth-top-selling electric vehicle in the US last year. With more range, an upgraded design, and a Tesla NACS port, it will be even more attractive in 2025.

2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 Trim EV Powertrain Driving Range (miles) Starting Price* 
IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range 168-horsepower rear motor 245 $42,500
IONIQ 5 SE RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $46,550
IONIQ 5 SEL RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $49,500
IONIQ 5 Limited RWD 225-horsepower rear motor 318 $54,200
IONIQ 5 SE Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $50,050
IONIQ 5 SEL Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 290 $53,000
IONIQ 5 XRT Dual Motor  AWD 320 horsepower dual motor 259 $55,400
IONIQ 5 Limited Dual Motor AWD 320-horsepower dual motor 269 $58,100
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 prices and range by trim (*includes $1,475 destination fee)

Hyundai launched a new promo last week. It offers those who buy or lease the new 2025 IONIQ 5 a free ChargePoint Level 2 EV charger. Alternatively, you can choose a $400 charging credit.

Are you ready to test Hyundai’s new electric vehicles for yourself? We can help you get started. Check out our links below to find deals on Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs at a dealer near you today.

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Tesla points to diner integration in app, insurance discount with Full Self-Driving, and more

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January 21, 2025

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Tesla points to diner integration in app, insurance discount with Full Self-Driving, and more

Tesla update points to the automaker’s upcoming diner in Los Angeles being integrated into its app, insurance discount for using (Supervised) Full Self-Driving, and more.

The latest update to Tesla’s mobile app has given us some insights into upcoming features.

First off, Tesla is getting closer to finishing its LA diner/Supercharger station, and according to a new in-app render found by Tesla App Updates, Tesla is going to integrate it into its app:

Obviously, Supercharger stations are already integrated in Tesla’s app, but there could be more with the diner, like in-app food ordering.

They also found an interesting new line in the Tesla app:

“safety_score_miles_and_miles_percent/safety_rating_discount_screen/safety_score_fsd_discount_experience_fsd”

It points to Tesla giving discounts to its insurance customers if they use Full Self-Driving (FSD) more when driving their vehicles.

Another alert message added to the vehicle points to something interesting:

Your vehicle must be connected to the internet to calculate the expected range based on age and mileage.

This would mean you could know if your range estimation is based purely on vehicle data or if it uses outside data, like weather around your route.

The Tesla app update also gives us a few hints about what’s coming with the RWD Cybertruck. The cheaper version of the Cybertruck won’t only have one motor instead of two and a smaller battery, but according to some updates in the app, it will also have a manual tonneau cover and optional outlets in the truck’s bed.

The cheaper Cybertruck is expected to launch later this year.

Finally, the app update also shows that Tesla will now tell you how much time it will take to heat the vehicle battery before charging starts.

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Hiboy winter sale takes 50% off EVs from $200, Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike $1,499, EcoFlow DELTA 2 $449, Greenworks, more

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January 21, 2025

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Hiboy winter sale takes 50% off EVs from 0, Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike ,499, EcoFlow DELTA 2 9, Greenworks, more

Today’s Green Deals are headlined by Hiboy’s latest winter sale with up to 50% being taken off its EV lineup, like the popular S2 Pro Electric Scooter that is down at $450, among others. Close behind is Rad Power’s switched-up sale that is still offering extra battery discounts, accessory packages on its newest models, and continued discounts like on the RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike that is down at $1,499. We also spotted EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 Portable Power Station skidding lower than the brand’s ongoing New Year sale’s pricing, with it down at $449 for an unknown time. At the end of things we have a 1-day discount on Greenworks’ 80V 22-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower with a 4.0Ah battery at 50% off for $400 – and even an additional discount on a secondary 4.0Ah battery that can fit right into the snow blower’s additional slot. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s 5-day Jackery sale with select low power station pricing, Velotric’s Go 1 Utility e-bike hitting $999, 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.

Hiboy has launched a winter sale that is giving e-riders up to 50% in continued savings on its lineup of EVs, with one of the best affordable commuters from under the flag, the S2 Pro Electric Scooter, down at $449.99 shipped. This model would normally cost you $736 outside of the discounts, with the biggest we saw in 2024 being a drop to the $380 low during Cyber Monday sales. Today, you’re looking at a 39% markdown that slashes $286 off the going rate and lands it down among its lowest prices – matching its Christmas and New Year pricing. You’ll also find it matching in price over at Amazon right now too.

One of the best models for new and veteran riders looking for an affordable commuter, Hiboy’s S2 Pro arrives equipped with a 11.6Ah battery that powers the 500W hub motor and delivers a 25-mile travel distance on one charge at top speeds of up to 19 MPH. It features both downhill and regenerative braking to recycle energy for prolonged travels, recharging the battery whenever riders use the brakes or coast down hills. It comes with an IPX4 water-resistant build with a standard folding body, as well as an LED headlight, taillight, and sidelights. There’s also a full array of smart controls through the companion app, including setting adjustments and remote locking when you’re not riding.

If your commute is a shorter distance and you’d prefer saving a bit more, you can grab the 17-mile S2 Electric Scooter at $309.99 shipped, down from $600, or for longer commutes, consider the upgraded S2 Max Electric Scooter for $519.99 shipped while it’s down from $885.

More Hiboy winter sale e-scooter deals:

Hiboy winter sale kids EV deals:

Hiboy winter sale e-bike deals:

You can browse the entirety of Hiboy’s winter sale on the landing page here.

Rad Power RadWagon 4 cargo e-bike

Rad Power’s flash sale offers have ended, with the brand shifting its sale to now end January 29 – and keeping a few previous offers just without the extra battery promotion attached. A notable continuation is the brand’s RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike dropping to $1,499 shipped. Normally priced at $1,799 after falling from its original $1,999 price tag back in 2024, it usually spends sales at $1,599 or higher, we haven’t seen it fall lower since 2023 though, with its $1,399 rate last seen summer 2023 and its $1,299 pre-order low not seen since it first hit the market years before. As it currently stands, this is the best rate we’ve seen in over a year.

One of the most popular Rad Power models I’ve seen in NYC (right beside the RadRunner 2), especially when it comes to parents and nannies in need of a way to shepherd kids around the city, the RadWagon 4 e-bike is hands-down my favorite cargo-hauling model. The 672Wh battery provides you with up to 45+ miles of travel via its five levels of pedal assistance (25+ miles using only the throttle), topping out at 20 MPH speeds.

It comes stocked with some solid features that make it ready for your e-mobility needs, like the integrated taillight that activates when braking, the obvious integrated rear cargo rack that boasts versatility, custom 22-inch by 3-inch tires with fenders over each, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, a 200-lumen headlight, a water-resistant wiring harness for weather protection, and a backlit LCD display that has a USB port to charge your phone with.

Rad Power’s extended e-bike savings:

Rad Power’s newest e-bikes with accessory deals:

  • RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike: $1,899
    • 20 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $2,199
    • 28 MPH for up to 65+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount
  • RadWagon 5 Cargo e-bike: $2,399
    • 28 MPH for up to 60+ miles
    • comes with any accessory under $200
    • add both to cart for automatic discount

***Note: With the following battery pack discounts – be sure to check compatibility with your existing model before ordering. Discounts will be automatically applied in the cart.

Rad Power e-bike accessory savings:

EcoFlow DELTA 2 power station

Take EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 portable LiFePO4 power station traveling with you at $449

EcoFlow’s official Amazon storefront is beating out its direct New Year sale pricing on the DELTA 2 Portable Power Station that is being offered for $449 shipped. Costing $999 at full price, it spent most of 2024 keeping above $549, with gradual falls lower until Cyber Monday saw it land at the $399 low. It is currently priced at $499 in the brand’s direct New Year sale, and even with the two sitewide discount options, this deal here still comes in $15 to $25 lower at the second-lowest price we have tracked, saving you a total of $550. It’s 220W solar bundle option is also beating out its New Year pricing at $699, down from $1,299.

A great companion for travels, EcoFlow’s DELTA 2 power station offers an expandable LiFePO4 capacity starting at 1,024Wh (just the station) and ramping up to 3,072Wh (with added expansion batteries). Your devices and most appliances are covered through any of its 15 port options, with the unit providing a 1,800W output that surges up to 2,200W thanks to the station’s X-Boost tech, which also reduces its own charging times. In just 50 minutes you can have its own battery back to 80% via a wall outlet, with a full charge taking a little longer at 80 minutes. You can also refill the battery fully in six hours with the 220W solar panel bundle option, with that time shrinking as you add more solar input up to its maximum 500W.

Greenworks 80V 22-inch cordless electric snow blower

For today only save 50% on Greenworks’ 80V 22-inch cordless electric snow blower with a 4.0Ah battery at $400

Coming to us through its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 22-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower with a 4.0Ah battery for $399.99 shipped through the end of the day. Normally you’d be shelling out $800 for this package at full price, with 2024 mostly seeing drops between $450 and $570, though we did spy it hitting the $330 low in a similar one-day early Christmas sale. This limited-time deal comes in to cut a massive 50% off the going rate, giving you the second-lowest price we have tracked.

This 80V snow blower’s digitally controlled brushless motor comes powered by the single 4.0Ah battery (with an additional slot for a second battery, if preferred) to provide enough juice to clear out a 6-car driveway on one full charge. Able to clear out a 22-inch wide path after a pass, with a 10-inch depth, the snow will be tossed out of your way by up to 20 feet through its 180-degree rotating chute. The auger-assist system on this model delivers more support to break through heavier snow and ice that hasn’t been too tightly packed down, with the LED headlights giving you the visibility you need in low-light hours, as well as a foldable handle design for storage needs.

Also sitting in the one-day pool of deals is Greenworks’ 80 Volt 4.0Ah battery (without a charger) for $159.99 shipped. This deal cuts $70 off a $230 price tag to give you the second-lowest rate ($12 above all-time low) and a great opportunity to add a secondary battery to the above snow blower if you don’t have another already lying around. This doubles your available runtime, letting you clear out even more snow.

Best New Year EV 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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