![Too Much Power: STARRUN S20 Folding, Dual-Suspension [Sponsored]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/09/starrun-s20-main.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Too Much Power: STARRUN S20 Folding, Dual-Suspension [Sponsored]
In the ever-evolving world of electric bicycles, the Starrun S20 has emerged as a true powerhouse, redefining the boundaries of what a folding bike can achieve. This dual suspension folding electric bike has set a new standard for thrilling rides up steep hills and long-distance adventures. There is a lot going on in such a small package: folding capability, battery and motor, performance, control and safety, gearing, and cadence assist, and more.
Display and Design
The Starrun S20 immediately catches the eye with its sleek orange and black design. Unlike conventional folding bikes designed for short commutes, the S20 is built for the challenge of conquering steep hills and covering substantial distances. With a weight of approximately 80 pounds and an impressive carrying capacity of 300 pounds, this bike is a true workhorse. Its wide rack and easy mounting options push the boundaries of what folding bikes are expected to do.
One standout feature is the S20’s vibrant and user-friendly display. Most folding bikes have a simple and monochrome display, but not here. With easy to read colors and graphics, the display is also equipped with a convenient remote switch, allowing riders to effortlessly adjust settings on the go, enhancing the overall riding experience.
Folding Feature
Perhaps one of the most enticing features of the Starrun S20 is its folding capability. This innovation allows the bike to fold its frame, handlebars, and pedals, making transportation and storage incredibly convenient. Whether you’re a daily urban commuter or a weekend explorer, the S20’s versatility is a game-changer.
Battery and Motor
At the heart of the Starrun S20 lies its impressive powertrain. With a 52-volt, 16-ampere-hour battery and a robust 750-watt geared motor, this bike is designed for those who crave power and performance. It effortlessly tackles steep inclines, making hill climbs feel like a breeze.
Dual Suspension for Practicality
With so many features packed in, the headliner is the dual suspenion. Having the capability of absorbing about 800lbs, the comfort for the rider, and the control it can provide is great for staying cool, or staying balanced while carrying a load. The front suspension is adjustable and has a lockout to meet your preference, and combined with the wide footprint of the rear rack, I’m sure this bike can do more than meets the eye.
Performance
During testing on challenging terrain, the Starrun S20 exhibited lightning-fast throttle response and an unwavering ability to conquer inclines with ease. Its powerful motor feels like having a superhero sidekick, propelling you up even the steepest hills.
Control and Safety
Safety is paramount when riding a bike capable of speeds up to 28 miles per hour. The Starrun S20 features hydraulic brakes that provide precise stopping power, ensuring rider safety even during high-speed rides. Additionally, the front and rear lights, including a tail light function, keep riders visible and secure during nighttime adventures.
Gearing and Cadence Assist
While the electric system delivers impressive power, the inclusion of a Shimano Tourney derailleur supported by the cadence-based pedal assist function adds another layer of convenience. This feature reduces rider effort and optimizes gearing for a smooth ride, making the S20 suitable for various terrains.
Convenience
The Starrun S20 excels in terms of convenience. Its locking and removable battery simplifies recharging, allowing riders to bring the battery inside or charge it on the bike. This design maintains optimal weight distribution, crucial for maintaining balance in challenging terrain.
Conclusion
In summary, the Starrun S20 is a game-changing electric bike that seamlessly combines power, style, and convenience. It is the ideal choice for thrill-seekers who crave exhilarating rides up steep hills without breaking a sweat. With its folding capability, top-tier power, and eye-catching design, the S20 stands out as a true innovator in the electric bike world.
Special thanks to Starrun for sponsoring this review! You can show for your own Starrun with the promo code “electrek15”, and check out this link:
https://starrunbikes.com/products/s20-electric-bike
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Solar panel giant Qcells announced today that it’s temporarily furloughing 1,000 US workers – 25% of its workforce – and reducing pay and shifts at its factories in northeast Georgia due to supply chain delays caused by US Customs.
Qcells furloughs 1,000 workers
The supply chain delays are hindering the company’s ability to import components to build its solar panels. This has resulted in Qcells’ two factories in Cartersville and Dalton being unable to operate at full capacity for several months.
Qcells spokeswoman Marta Stoepker shared the following statement in an exclusive with Channel 2 Action News in Atlanta:
The company says the furloughed workers, who were notified this afternoon, will retain full benefits and won’t be laid off. However, Qcells will no longer be using staffing agency employees in Georgia “at this time.”
As Qcells introduced new supply chains to support its growing solar panel manufacturing facilities in Georgia, the company was recently forced to scale back production while our shipments into the US were delayed in the customs clearance process.
Although our supply chain operations are beginning to normalize, today we shared with our employees that HR actions must be taken to improve operational efficiency until production capacity returns to normal levels.
Stoepker said it expects to bring the furloughed workers back “in the coming weeks and months.” She continued:
Our commitment to building the entire solar supply chain in the United States remains. We will soon be back on track with the full force of our Georgia team delivering American-made energy to communities around the country.
Electrek’s Take
In January 2023, the Seoul-headquartered Qcells announced it would invest more than $2.5 billion to build a solar supply chain in Georgia – the largest-ever investment in clean energy manufacturing in the US to date. That included expanding the Dalton solar factory and building a fully integrated solar supply chain factory in Cartersville, Georgia, that will manufacture solar ingots, wafers, cells, and finished panels.
It’s not quite there yet, because that takes time. In the meantime, it’s being penalized by Customs. The US government under Trump says it’s keen on boosting domestic manufacturing. Why would it work against a company that’s onshoring an entire solar supply chain, including recycling?
Dalton and Cartersville employ nearly 4,000 people. Its total output will reach 8.4 GW of solar production capacity per year, which is equivalent to nearly 46,000 panels per day – enough to power approximately 1.3 million homes annually.
It’s ludicrous that it has been forced to furlough a quarter of its workforce due to the ineptness of the Trump administration’s US Customs policies. This is right up there with the ICE arrests at Hyundai’s plant in Georgia. Bravo.
Read more: Georgia gives US solar panel manufacturing a big boost with a new factory
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you 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. It has 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 share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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The breakthrough EV batteries Toyota says will double driving range and cut charging times are facing another setback. The company is once again delaying plans for a new battery plant in Japan.
Why is Toyota delaying its EV battery plant this time?
Earlier this year, Toyota bought a 280,000-square-meter plot of land in Fukuoka, Japan, where it planned to build a plant to produce the more advanced EV batteries.
A location agreement was expected to be signed by April, but Toyota pushed back construction by several months, blaming slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles.
The agreement was expected to be finalized this Fall, but that will no longer be the case. According to Nikkei, Toyota is delaying the EV battery plant for the second time. Toyota will review and adjust plans over the next year.
Fukuoka governor, Seitaro Hattori, confirmed the news with reporters on Friday following a meeting with Toyota’s president, Koji Sato. Hattori also shut down claims that Toyota was planning to scrap the battery plant altogether.
Toyota again blamed slowing EV demand for the delay. The decision comes despite Keiji Kaita, president of Toyota’s Carbon Neutral Advanced Engineering Development Center, confirming at the Japan Mobility Show just last week that it’s “sticking on the schedule” to introduce its first solid-state battery-powered EV by 2028.
Last month, Toyota said it aimed to “achieve the world’s first practical use of all-solid-state batteries in BEVs” after securing a partnership with Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. to mass-produce them. It’s also working with Japanese oil giant Idemitsu.
The company recently revealed a solid-state battery pack prototype that it claims can deliver 747 miles (1,200 km) range and 10-minute fast charging, but will we ever see it actually in production?
Electrek’s Take
Toyota has been making empty promises about EV batteries for almost a decade now. It initially planned to introduce solid-state EV batteries in 2020, then pushed it to 2023, then 2026, and now it’s saying it will be around 2028.
Mass production is likely closer to the end of the decade, if Toyota doesn’t delay it again. While it’s blaming the slowing demand, global EV sales are still on the rise. According to Rho Motion, global EV sales topped 2 million for the first time in a single month in September 2025. Through the first nine months of the year, EV sales are up 26% compared to the same period in 2024.
Even with the US ending the $7,500 federal tax credit and other policies designed to promote electric vehicles, global adoption will continue building momentum over the next few years.
Is it a demand issue, or is Toyota just looking for another excuse? With rivals like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, BMW, and Honda advancing next-gen EV batteries, Toyota will only fall further behind if it continues delaying key projects.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss how Tesla is now Elon’s after the shareholders’ meeting, Xpeng going all-in on AI, Rivian’s earnings, and more.
The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.
As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.
After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:
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Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:
Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:
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