Lectric XPeak e-bike launched as new best bang-for-your-buck adventure electric bike
Just when you thought that value-based electric bike brand Lectric Ebikes had revealed it all, they drop one more awesomely-priced e-bike into the mix. Meet the Lectric XPeak, a new adventure-style e-bike with some seriously good bang-for-your-buck.
Adventure electric bikes can be tricky to define but are generally considered to be a class of full-size fat tire e-bikes. Too big for the mountain bike class but too all-terrain for purely commuter use, these fat tire e-bikes split the difference and offer either an ultra-comfy street ride or a fun and diverse trail ride.
In this case, the Lectric XPeak takes a lot of the same design components – 4-inch fat tires, front suspension, powerful motor, and equally powerful braking – and wraps it all up in a pretty bow with an amazing price tag of just $1,399.
And that’s to be expected, as Lectric Ebikes didn’t land the best selling e-bike in the US, the $999 Lectric XP 3.0, by resting on its laurels. The company has constantly worked to rollout new models, expanding into cargo bikes, trikes and other designs along the way. And that’s the same energy that Lectric is bringing to the XPeak, as cofounder and CEO Levi Conlow explained at the company’s recent Media Day:
I’m only interested in going in and being number one in this category, just like we did with the XP 3.0, and the XPedition and the XP Trike. Number two is just the first loser, and we’re not interested in that!
Even though the XPeak won’t officially begin taking orders until next week on Tuesday, November 1, taking a look at the specs and pricing shows that rising to the top of the category once again is a pretty safe bet for Lectric.
Let’s jump into the specs of the XPeak to see what this e-bike is packing.
The rear motor is a 750W continuous and 1,310W peak-rated hub motor. It provides up to 28 mph (45 km/h) of speed, though the bike can be programmed to operate in Class 1, 2, or 3 operation modes. Lectric is also calling this their Stealth M24 motor, as it’s the quietest motor they’ve offered yet.
The removable, frame-integrated battery is a 48V 14Ah unit with 672 Wh of capacity. It provides power to the rear wheel either through a thumb throttle or Lectric’s wattage-based pedal assist. That pedal assist uses a cadence sensor but as part of a current-limiting system that creates pseudo-torque sensor performance. The lag is still there, but the bike doesn’t shoot up to a set speed like most simple cadence sensor bikes. It’s something of the “poor man’s torque sensor.”
For stopping power, the bike gets a set of hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors, a feature normally seen on more expensive bikes but has recently begun working its way into value e-bikes as well. The company recently updated its Lectric XP 3.0 to use hydraulic brakes, which has been widely praised for bringing higher performance braking to budget-level rides.
Other features on the XPeak include front and rear LED lighting, a 7-speed pedal drivetrain and puncture-resistant 26″ x 4.0″ tires.
Interestingly, Lectric actually went above and beyond the required safety testing by using a US-based bicycle testing lab to rate the bike to ISO M4210-10, a standard we normally see on much higher end electric mountain bikes.
The EMTB safety standard ISO M4210-10 tests the frame, fork, and other areas for ruggedness required of true off-road bikes. It’s a standard that is required in Europe but only recommended in the US, and Lectric elected to undergo that testing. To pass it, they explained that there was only one fat tire fork that would work for them and could withstand the torture testing. As Conlow added, “You have to make the investment in the fork to be able to pass this testing. In this space right now, the only solution is the RST Renegade fork. That fork retails for $400, and it meant we would have to put a $400 fork on our bike to pass the test. And so we put a $400 fork on the bike. That makes this the only e-bike under $3,000 that uses this Renegade RST fork.”
In another nod to rugged design, the front wheel also makes use of a quick release thru-axle, unlike a narrow quick release skewer axle seen on most budget e-bikes. That means that you can still pop your front wheel out easily to put the bike in a car, but that it can’t come out accidentally while riding, and it doesn’t rely on a thin 5mm axle that can bend or break under rough off-road conditions.
Lectric has a wide range of accessories that are compatible with the XPeak as well, ranging from racks and bags to fenders and locks. In fact, if you order through here when the bike launches after November 1, you’ll get $450 of accessories as part of the Launch Package, including front and rear racks with baskets, a fender set, a folding lock, and an Elite headlight.
Electrek’s Take
How many more rabbits can Lectric Ebikes pull out of this same hat?
As I’ve said before, the company has one move and one move only – to look at what other e-bike companies are building and just do that, but for a better price. And they’ve perfected that move.
The result may not always be the sexiest. It’s not always the highest quality. In fact, it’s rarely either. You can find flashier e-bikes with fancy carbon frames and top shelf derailleurs out there. But I’ll be damned if the XPeak isn’t the best value on the market for this class of e-bike. If you’re a value shopper and you don’t need bells and whistles, this is the ticket.
I’m really impressed to see the extra effort that the team at Lectric put into the frame and fork. Many of the electric components on e-bikes, such as motors and batteries, are largely off the shelf parts that are fairly common between companies, so doubling down on frame design can be a major differentiator. Using a thru-axle for the front wheel is also a big upgrade, and that’s something that always jumps out at me when I inspect a new e-bike. While skewer axles have been common for a long time, thru-axles are starting to replace them when companies want to ensure they’ve got a stronger and more rugged front end designed to last for many more miles of hard riding.
All told, I’d say Lectric has done a very impressive job here. Even without considering the price, this looks like a great design. But when you add that $1,399 price tag (or $1,299 at the launch next week), it’s even better!
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Mammoth Solar, a 1.3 gigawatt (GW) solar farm in northern Indiana, is now powering into its biggest construction phase yet, cementing its place as one of the largest solar projects in the US.
The solar farm is set to increase Indiana’s solar capacity by more than 20% once it’s fully online. And with construction ramping up this month, developer Doral Renewables has given Bechtel Full Notice to Proceed on the design, engineering, and construction of three major phases of the project: Mammoth South, Mammoth Central I, and Mammoth Central II. Together, these phases will generate 900 MW of clean energy.
That’s enough electricity to power around 200,000 homes with clean energy, helping Indiana shift away from fossil fuels while boosting the local economy.
Construction is already underway, and over the next two years, Bechtel will install around 2 million solar panels, with about half of them made in the US. The company is also handling all engineering, procurement, and construction work, using its digital project management tools and autonomous tech to keep everything on track.
At the peak of the buildout, Mammoth Solar is expected to create over 1,200 jobs, with at least 15% of those set aside for apprenticeships.
Bechtel says its success will hinge on strong collaboration with local trades and vendors. The company is working closely with craft professionals and is committed to being a reliable community partner throughout construction.
Once the solar farm is complete in 2027, Doral Renewables plans to roll out agrivoltaics across the site. That means livestock grazing and crop cultivation will happen right alongside energy production, giving farmers in the area a way to keep working their land while supporting clean energy development.
Read more: Solar adds more new capacity to the US grid in 2024 than any energy source in 20 years
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BYD is about to launch an even smaller EV, but this one’s a little different. It’s BYD’s first kei car. You know, those tiny vehicles that dominate Japan’s city streets? BYD’s mini EV was just spotted out in public, giving us our first real look at the upcoming kei car.
BYD’s first mini EV was spotted in public
Last week, rumors surfaced that BYD was developing its first kei car, which would compete with top-selling models from Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi, and other Japanese brands.
Kei cars, or “K-Car,” as they are sometimes called, are a class of ultra-compact vehicles that cannot be longer than 3.4 meters (134″). To put that into perspective, BYD’s smallest EV currently, the Seagull (called the Dolphin Mini overseas), is 3,780 mm (148.8″) long.
The mini vehicles are ideal in Japan because they are so small, making it easy to get around tight city streets. They are also more affordable and efficient than larger vehicles.
BYD’s mini EV was spotted for the first time during a road test this week by IT Home (via CarNewsChina), revealing a familiar look. It has that boxy, compact look of a typical kei car with sliding side doors.
According to reports, BYD is developing a new platform for the model. It will reportedly include a 20 kWh battery, good for 180 km (112 miles) WLTC range. By using its in-house Blade LFP batteries, BYD is expected to have a cost advantage.
BYD’s upcoming mini EV is expected to start at around 2.5 million yen, or about $18,000. That’s about the same as the Nissan Sakura (2.59 million yen), Japan’s best-selling EV last year.
既出ですがBYDの日本向けEV軽自動車と言われているフロントとリアからのスパイショット。 pic.twitter.com/CcV5pihpWc
— 主夫まぬか (@syufumanuka) May 16, 2025
Last year, around 1.55 million kei cars were sold in Japan, accounting for roughly 40% of new vehicle sales. Honda’s N-Box was the top-selling kei car (EV or gas) for the third straight year.
As Nikkei reported, some are already calling BYD’s electric kei car “a huge threat.” A Suzuki dealer said, “Young people do not have a negative view of BYD. It would be a huge threat if the company launches cheap models in Japan.”
BYD already sells several electric cars in Japan, including the Atto 3 SUV, Dolphin, and Seal. Last month, the company launched the new Sealion 7 midsize electric SUV, starting at 4.95 million yen ($34,500).
Although Japan isn’t really an EV hot spot, with sales falling 33% in 2024 to just under 60,000 units, BYD sees an opportunity.
By making virtually every car component in-house, including batteries, BYD can offer EVs at such low prices while still making a profit. BYD’s cheapest and best-selling electric car, the Seagull, starts at under $10,000 (69,800 yuan) in China.
With new smart driving and charging tech rolling out, BYD’s electric cars are getting smarter and even more efficient.
Can BYD’s mini EV compete with Japanese brands? At the right price, it may have a chance. Check back soon for more on the upcoming kei car. We’ll keep you up to date with the latest.
Source: Sina, CarNewsChina
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Ford’s electric pickup truck is back at the top. The F-150 Lightning is once again the best-selling electric pickup in the US after overtaking the Tesla Cybertruck in the first quarter.
Ford’s F-150 Lightning is the best-selling electric pickup
After launching in 2023, Tesla’s Cybertruck quickly outpaced the Lightning to become America’s top-selling EV pickup last year.
Since Tesla doesn’t break down regional sales, registration data gives us our best estimate. The latest registration data from S&P Global Mobility (via Automotive News) shows that the F-150 Lightning retook the title in March and the first quarter of 2025.
Ford’s electric pickup notched 2,598 registrations in March, topping the Tesla Cybertruck with 2,170. In the first quarter, the F-150 Lightning remained ahead with 7,913 registrations, compared to the Cybertruck’s 7,126.
Although the Cybertruck was the fifth top-selling EV in the US last year, it didn’t even crack the top ten in March. It placed ninth through the first three months of 2025, behind the Volkswagen ID.4.
While Tesla and Ford remained the leaders in the electric pickup market, several new models are gaining momentum. According to the most recent numbers from Cox Automotive, GM sold 2,383 Chevy Silverado EVs and 1,249 GMC Sierra EV models in Q1. Meanwhile, Rivian sold 1,727 R1Ts during the quarter.
Earlier today, Electrek reported that new models, including the Honda Prologue and Chevy Blazer EV, helped drive EV registrations up 20% in the US in March.
Although the Lightning reclaimed the crown from Tesla, Ford’s electric pickup isn’t exactly flying off the lot. Ford reported Lightning sales fell 16% to just 1,740 units in April. Through April 2025, Ford has sold 8,927 electric trucks, down 9% from the 9,833 it handed over last year.
Electrek’s Take
To be fair, Tesla is still ahead by a wide margin in the US. The S&P numbers show Tesla had over 51,000 registrations in March, up 1% after two months of lower YOY growth.
GM’s Chevy surpassed Ford to become the second-best-selling EV brand with nearly 8,500 registrations, an increase of 274% from last year. Ford dropped to third with 7,361 registrations.
Although it’s just one quarter, it’s starting to show how Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s political antics are likely impacting sales. After the Cybertruck’s initial hype, it appears many buyers are opting for traditional pickups, like the F-150 Lighting.
Meanwhile, Ram is delaying its first electric pickup, the 1500 REV, again. Ram is pushing production back until summer 2027, saying it’s “extending the quality validation period.” The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ramcharger will also be delayed until the first quarter of 2026.
After pulling the Ramcharger ahead of the fully electric version last year, Stellantis blamed weak demand for EV pickups in the US.
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