The Priority E-Coast is fascinating as a cruiser bike, especially considering the beach cruiser category normally sees rather barebones and simplistic designs. The NYC-based bike brand Priority Bicycles has never skimped on its bicycles though, and the E-Coast is no different. That means you’re looking at a high-end beach cruiser e-bike for a better-than-reasonable price.
I won’t bury the lede here; the Priority E-Coast is priced at US $1,999. That’s on the higher end of the spectrum for beach cruiser e-bikes, but you’re about to see why. [Note: For the next five days you can save $300 with the Black Friday sale by using code MOBF15 at checkout].
I’ve spent several months testing out the Priority E-Coast, and I can tell you that they approached this e-bike with the same design ethos as all of their top-shelf bicycles: with a keen eye toward quality design intended for daily riders.
The result is nothing short of an electric beach cruiser that you can be proud to ride every day of the week, knowing it will last (and not need maintenance every week or two to stay in good running condition).
Check out the video below to see my testing in action!
Priority E-Coast Video Review
Priority E-Coast quick specs
Motor: 500W rear geared hub motor
Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph)
Range: Up to 32-96 km (20-60 mi)
Battery: 48V 12Ah (576 Wh)
Brakes: Dual-piston disc brakes on 180 mm rotors
Extras: LCD display, LED head and tail lights, right-side half-twist throttle, heavy-duty center kickstand, cruiser saddle, platform pedals, 3″ balloon tires, custom paint selection
A different type of cruiser
We’ve seen some very nice electric cruiser bikes before, but this is the first time I’ve seen a brand known for its high-end pedal bikes approach the category. That resulted in the type of attention to detail that only true bike nerds can reach. This isn’t some cheap Walmart cruiser.
And that expertise really shines through on the bicycle component side of things. The electric half of the e-bike is also pretty nice, but let’s start with the bike side.
First of all, this isn’t Priority’s first cruiser. In fact, the E-Coast is largely just an electrified version of the brand’s Coast beach cruiser. That means they’ve already spent years working out what makes this bike work well.
You’ll find all the great low-maintenance parts that you’d expect on a high-end bike. That means hydraulic brakes for punchy, responsive stops. That means a Gates carbon belt drive for a smooth, silent, and maintenance-free drivetrain. And that means corrosion-resistant components like sealed bearings and a rust-free frame.
Of all those nice features, the belt drive is probably the most standout component. Gates is a leader in the belt-drive market for a reason – these things are bulletproof. They last longer than chains, don’t require oiling, never get rusty or squeaky, and are even more efficient over the bike’s lifetime (chains start out more efficient, but that drops quickly as they wear down).
The fact that a belt drive is silent and maintenance-free is just such a beautiful thing for owners who want to spend more time enjoying their ride and less time taking care of their ride.
I’m also a big fan of the 3″ balloon tires. These are classic beach cruiser tires that really make the bike what it is. They’ve got a solid inch or so on traditional hybrid tires, yet aren’t as cumbersome as 4″ fat tires. They’re just big enough to give a good, squishy ride yet narrow enough to still feel like a normal bike tire. They can handle a bike lane just fine or roll over dense beach sand, all on the same ride.
This is also a good time to note that there’s no suspension in the bike, which means the extra air volume in those tires is helpful for pseudo-suspension.
They simply did a great job with the bike’s design. It’s even available in both a step-through and a step-over (and four different colors!) so that lovers of either style can find exactly what they want.
Both frame styles give you an upright and relaxed riding position that beach cruiser riders have come to love. There’s no hunched-over city ride here, it’s all relaxed cruising!
But what about the electronics side?
So the bicycle side of things looks great, and the E-Coast obviously had a leg up there with Priority’s legacy of bicycle design. But what does that mean for the e-side of things?
Well this isn’t Priority’s first rodeo. Or its second. Priority Bicycles has been building e-bikes for years, and so they came into this with a good background there too, even if it doesn’t quite match their pedal bike legacy.
So I’d say Priority did a decent job on the electric side, though it’s certainly not the star of this bike show.
At 500W, the rear hub motor is powerful enough for the bike’s main job: cruising. It’s got some decent torque for hill climbing, but the single-speed drivetrain means you won’t be able to drop into low gear for super stand-on-the-pedals ascents. Even so, I’d say power isn’t an issue here, even if it’s not as punchy as the ultra-powerful bikes we’ve tried before.
The 576Wh battery is similarly adequate. It’s not huge, but this also isn’t a power-hungry bike and so it lasts nicely.
They claim 20-60 miles (32-96 km) of range per charge, with the longer end of that range coming from using the lower power pedal assist option. If you’re heavy on the throttle and ride at top speed, expect the lower end of the range.
The only thing I don’t like about the battery is how high it is mounted. It’s way up there in the rear rack, which is necessary to preserve the classic cruiser frame, but it just means the bike feels a bit top-heavier than it needs to. The upside is you get a nice big rear rack, so there are benefits, too. And for those that are used to riding around with a milk crate full of beach gear on the back of their bike, you’re probably already accustomed to a few extra pounds up high on the bike anyway.
Now let’s talk speed, which is another interesting issue. Out of the box, you’re limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), making it a Class 2 e-bike. But you can use the settings in the display to open it up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist, making it a Class 3 e-bike (if you ignore the throttle). While higher speeds are fun, I did find that the single-speed nature meant that your feet are spinning quite fast once you blow past 20 mph. So, while you CAN hit Class 3 speeds, it’s not ideal.
But then again, this is a beach cruiser… it’s meant for those who enjoy taking life at a slightly more relaxed pace. The kind of people who like to enjoy the world around them and not just see it blow past in a blur.
Lastly, that brings me to the final rider-facing piece of the electronics: the display. It’s a bit basic and small, but it gets the job done. It’s plenty readable though, so I can’t complain much about it, even if it’s not as beautiful or in-your-face as some of the fancier displays out there.
Wrap it all up
Ultimately, I’d say the Priority E-Coast scores top marks from me on the bike side and still quite high marks on the electric side.
For $1,999, it’s a great way to slide into a high-end electric cruiser bike, and I’ll praise components like the Gates belt drive and hydraulic brakes all day and night. Saving $300 with the Black Friday sale makes this even sweeter.
I’d have loved to see a torque sensor for those who enjoy lower-speed pedal assist that is extra-responsive, but it still feels good as-is. And the other components that are included really help seal the deal. Parts like the dual kickstand for stable parking as well as the included rear rack and fenders really help make this a complete package of an electric cruiser bike.
As a comfortable, relaxed ride that still features bike shop-quality parts, I’d call this a major win for the category.
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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin bids farewell to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 9, 2024.
Gavriil Grigorov | Via Reuters
Russia on Tuesday weighed into the growing spat between India and the U.S., with the Kremlin saying New Delhi is free to choose its own trading partners.
Washington and India’s leadership are at loggerheads over imports of Russian oil, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening New Delhi with much steeper tariffs if it continues to purchase the commodity from Russia.
The Kremlin, an important trading partner of India’s and one which had stayed silent as the spat erupted in the last few days, commented that Trump’s tariff threats are “attempts to force countries to stop trade relations with Russia.”
“We do not consider such statements to be legitimate,” Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov continued, speaking to reporters Tuesday.
“We believe that sovereign countries should have, and have the right to choose their own trade partners, partners in trade and economic cooperation. And to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country.”
The dispute between Trump and New Delhi is being closely watched by investors after Trump threatened on Monday that he would be “substantially raising” the tariffs on India, although he did not specify the level of the higher tariffs. The president had threatened a 25% duty on Indian exports, as well as an unspecified “penalty” last week.
He also accused India of buying discounted Russian oil and “selling it on the Open Market for big profits.”
India hit back at the U.S. later on Monday, accusing it and the European Union of hypocrisy.
“It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion [for them],” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Western countries have used sanctions and import restrictions as a way to stifle Moscow’s oil export-generated revenues that fund its war machine against Ukraine. However, some of Russia’s trading partners, particularly India and China, have continued their purchases of discounted Russian crude that their economies largely rely on.
India and Russia’s trade relationship has grown since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022; Russia became India’s leading oil supplier after the war began, with imports increasing from just under 100,000 barrels per day before the invasion — 2.5% of total imports — to more than 1.8 million barrels per day in 2023 — 39% of overall imports, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said earlier this year.
— CNBC’s Lim Hui Jie contributed reporting to this story.
Electric motocross just got another serious upgrade. Stark Future has unveiled its latest evolution of the VARG MX platform – meet the VARG MX 1.2. With more powertrain efficiency, longer range, and a tech-infused new onboard computer that moonlights as a military-grade Android phone, this bike is maintaining the Stark VARG playbook of doing more than keeping up with gas-powered competition, it’s burying them.
Stark Future is flying high, both literally with impressive performance that has helped riders to expand their options so aggressively that it’s gotten itself banned from the X-Games, to proverbially with the company already touting profitability so early in its operations.
At the heart of the VARG MX 1.2 is the same 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor that made the original VARG such a monster on the dirt, easily outgunning traditional 450cc gas bikes. But this time around, riders get even more customization. The power output can be adjusted anywhere from 10 to 80 hp (7.5-60 kW) on the fly, with refined control over the power curve and motor braking. Basically, it’s like having a garage full of bikes in one, and all of them are really impressive!
Helping riders tap into all that performance is a new handlebar-mounted smart device called the Arkenstone. This isn’t your average LCD screen, it’s a full-fledged, ruggedized Android smartphone that connects wirelessly to the bike. Want to change power modes mid-lap? Done. Want to track your lap times and get real-time GPS data? Also done. Stark even partnered with a major map provider to make sure the new “Laps” feature delivers real course splits and terrain data without the need for external apps or gear.
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And of course, performance is still king here. The new 7.2 kWh battery tucked into a lightweight magnesium honeycomb case delivers up to 20% more range than before. That means longer rides, harder pushes, and fewer recharge breaks. Oh, and it still puts out 973 Nm of torque at the rear wheel. Not a typo. That’s insane torque.
The updated chassis is no slouch either. Stark redesigned the frame using a stronger, lighter steel alloy, shaving off nearly a kilogram while improving flex and feedback. Suspension was also retuned with KYB components offering 310mm of travel and selectable spring rates based on rider weight – a level of adjustability that’s unheard of from most OEMs.
Motocross legend Kevin Windham, after testing the bike, didn’t hold back: “I’ve ridden everything there is to ride, and this is the future.” He praised the natural feel, instantaneous response, and how quickly it felt like home, even after decades on gas bikes.
But the VARG MX 1.2 isn’t just a lab project. It’s been relentlessly race-tested under the leadership of two-time World Champion Sébastien Tortelli, who now heads up Stark’s racing program. “Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven,” says Tortelli. “Every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build.”
Other upgrades include a new overmolded wiring harness for extreme durability, a lighter and more efficient gearbox, new tires (Dunlop or Pirelli, your call), and even a reinforced skid plate made from biodegradable materials. Optional titanium hardware can shave off another 900 grams if you’re counting grams like trophies.
Maintenance? Practically nonexistent. With no pistons, clutches, or filters to fuss over, Stark says its riders can save up to $5,000 over 100 hours of use compared to a traditional gas bike. And in an industry notorious for limited warranties, Stark is backing the entire bike for two years.
Those cost savings are going to be important considering that electric motorcycles usually have higher up-front sticker shock. But with the new Stark, pricing is surprisingly competitive for something this high-end.
The 60 hp (45 kW) standard model starts at US $12,490, while the full-fat 80 hp (60 kW) Alpha comes in at $13,490 (plus a $1,000 tariff charge for US buyers). Bikes are available now through Stark’s global dealer network or directly from the company’s site.
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Trowbridge in Somerset, England, on March 15, 2025.
Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images
BP CEO Murray Auchincloss on Tuesday leaned into the growth potential of the company’s recent oil and gas discoveries, as the struggling energy major contends with takeover questions and a major turnaround plan.
“Inside the upstream, we’ve had tremendous performance, along with record operating efficiency [and] along with starting up five new major projects,” BP’s Auchincloss told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe“, just after the release of the company’s second-quarter results.
He added that he was “very optimistic” about the company’s latest exploration discovery in the Bumerangue block in Brazil’s Santos Basin, just over 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) from Rio de Janeiro. BP is currently carrying out tests to further analyze the block’s potential.
The Bumerangue discovery, announced Monday, is the firm’s 10th since the start of the year and reflects a potentially significant boost as BP continues to double down on hydrocarbons.
After underperforming its peers in recent years, the firm has shifted gears by way of a fundamental strategic reset that will see BP prioritize fossil fuels and slash renewable spending.
Earlier on Tuesday, the energy major reported underlying replacement cost profit, used as a proxy for net profit, of $2.35 billion for the three months through June — comfortably beating analyst expectations of $1.81 billion, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus.
Ramping up investor returns, the company also said its quarterly dividend will increase to 8.32 cents from 8 cents and that it will maintain the pace of its share buyback program at $750 million for the second quarter.
Shares of the company were last seen trading 1.6% higher during morning deals.
Takeover speculation
The downturn of recent years has turned BP into the subject of intense takeover speculation, with some questioning a potential future merger with domestic rival Shell. For its part, Shell in late June said that it had “no intention” of making an offer.
UAE oil giant ADNOC, as well as U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron, are among some of the names that have also been touted as possible suitors.
Asked whether the company had been approached by any potential merger partners amid ongoing takeover speculation, Auchincloss said BP is focused on growth.
“That’s what is going to drive the share price up for shareholders,” he added.
CEO of BP Murray Auchincloss speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 2024.
Mark Felix | AFP | Getty Images
Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said BP’s earnings were the company’s first positive quarterly results “in a very long time,” noting that “what is perhaps most encouraging” was the firm’s outperformance came despite a period of lower oil prices.
“The management team has clearly started delivering on the strategy reset announced a few months ago. There has been huge speculation of late on the fate of BP and whether or not a rival will look to take them out with a merger,” Carulli said.
“If positive results like this continue to be delivered, that speculation may just end up being a blip in BP’s long and storied history,” he added.
Asset review
BP, which is under intense pressure to improve profitability from the likes of activist investor Elliott, noted that it would initiate a further cost review of its assets — mere weeks before Albert Manifold joins BP’s board from Sept. 1 and as chair from Oct. 1.
Asked for further details of this strategic review, Auchincloss told CNBC: “If you think back to 2020, we reduced our costs by 25%, and in 2024 we announced another program to reduce our costs by another 20%. That’s the $4-5 billion that I referenced earlier.”
“If we can achieve that, that will take us to around top quartile in the sector, but I don’t think that is enough,” Auchincloss said.
BP’s net debt came in at $26.04 billion at the end of the second quarter, down from nearly $27 billion compared to the first three months of the year.
“We need to keep driving safely to be the very best in the sector we can be. And that’s why we’re focused on another review to try to drive us toward best in class inside the sector,” Auchincloss added.