Electric Bike Company Model J review: A literally one-of-a-kind e-moped
Electric Bike Company was once the go-to source for US-built electric beach cruiser bikes. Now that they’ve expanded into folders, adventure-style e-bikes, and e-mopeds (like the Model J here), EBC seems like the go-to source for a much wider range of locally-assembled e-bikes.
But the even bigger differentiator, outside of the Southern California-based assembly, is that you can customize the bike with thousands of color customizations on every part, plus a huge array of accessories.
That’s exactly what I tried to do this time, as I played around with the EBC Customizer. If you haven’t seen it yet, definitely check it out. You can take any model they offer and completely customize it. We’re talking paint colors, component colors, tire colors and styles, number of batteries, baskets, and just about everything else on the bike.
That’s the beauty of having LA-based manufacturing – since they build the bikes locally they can also build them specifically to each customer’s desires.
In my case, I whipped up a blue and white Model J with a BMX handlebar and a pair of batteries for extra long range. To see it in real life, check out my review video below. Then keep reading for my complete thoughts on the bike.
Electric Bike Company Model J Video Review
Electric Bike Company Model J tech specs
These are the base model tech specs, but keep in mind that many options are customizable, such as adding more batteries, a 7-speed drivetrain, add-on torque sensor, etc.
- Motor: 750W peak-rated geared hub
- Top speed: 45 km/h (28 mph) on pedal assist, 32 km/h (20 mph) on throttle
- Range: Up to 80 km (50 mi)
- Battery: 48V 14 Ah (672 Wh)
- Brakes: Quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Color LCD display with speedometer, wattmeter, battery meter, PAS level indicator, odometer and tripmeter, front and rear LED lights with turn signals, choice of thumb or half-twist throttle, lockable battery, extremely wide range of accessories
- Price: $1,499 MSRP (currently on sale for $1,299)
It starts with the delivery
The first experience you get with the bike is the delivery, which already illustrates how different this e-bike is than most others.
It comes fully assembled in the box. All you have to do is tilt the handlebars up and you’re ready to go.
There’s no handlebar installation, no screwing on pedals, no mounting wheels, no nothing. It’s all ready just ready to go. Remove the foam and ride.
From there, you get to experience the fun riding that this bike offers. Now let’s not beat around the bush, this is obviously a Super73-inspired electric bike. Many companies have come out with electric moped-style bikes designed to grab a slice of that market that has proven popular with teen and young adult riders. And the Model J does exactly that: it offers moped-vibes in an affordable e-bike.
But Electric Bike Company puts their own flair on the bike. From corrosion-resistant hardware all over the bike (learned from their roots as a beach-side cruiser bike company) to the massive 58t chainring to allow comfortable pedaling even on single-speed setups, EBC’s fingerprints are all over this bike design.
In fact, I found this single-speed bike to be quite comfortable to pedal even at higher speeds. You can get a 7-speed transmission for it, but the single-speed feels plenty for flat cruising like I mostly do. And the giant dinner plate-sized 58t chainring up front makes it possible to pedal up to high speeds even on the single-speed setup.
If you’re big on pedal assist, you get the choice of either a cadence sensor or a torque sensor. In fact, you get lots of ‘this or that’ choices. You can get either a half-twist throttle or a thumb throttle. You can get either a rigid or suspension fork. You can get either black or silver trim on the metal components (rims/chain ring/handlebars/stem/etc.). You can get either black or brown seat/grips. You can get either black or brown tires. You can get either rubber or leather bar ends.
The list of choices goes on and on!
Some parts have even more options, like four different styles of handlebars. It’s wild!
But other things stay the same, like the long bench seat that gives this e-bike its signature moped or mini-bike feel. The lack of height adjustability means you’re not going to get proper leg extension and this isn’t going to pedal as well as a commuter bike, but I was still surprised by how well it worked under pedal assist and even leg power alone. Even so though, I wouldn’t want to pedal it under only my own power for very long.
When it comes to power and range, it’s got more of one than the other. The range is selectable based on how many batteries you want to add. One battery is good for 25 miles of throttle-only range or 50 miles of pedal assist. You can double or triple that with more batteries, which is a really cool feature not normally available on most e-bikes.
But with power, I was a bit surprised that there wasn’t more ‘oomph’ right off the line. The controller seems programmed to ease the power on in the first second or two, resulting in a slightly more relaxed launch experience from rest. On the one hand, that’s a bit of a bummer compared to some cheaper e-bikes that just dump all their power at once. Immediately unleashing peak torque is not terribly sophisticated, but releasing full power at the slight touch of the throttle is definitely fun for the initiated. On the other hand, the way EBC does it is probably both safer and easier on the bike in the long run, putting less wear and tear on the drivetrain. You still get good power and can of course climb hills, but you aren’t going to be laying down any rubber snakes on the asphalt due to the easy ramp-up of power they’ve programmed into the controller.
Maybe that’s why they can offer a 10-year motor warranty, because they’ve got the throttle ramping designed to offer better longevity for the parts.
The only other complaint I have is about the suspension. I opted for a suspension fork, which is a nice way to take some vibration out of the front end.
But since you sit so far back on this model, your tush is basically right over the bike’s rear wheel, meaning your spine doesn’t get much help from the suspension fork.
I find that if you drop the tire pressure a bit, it definitely helps with a softer rear, though you don’t want to go too low or you’ll impact your handling.
So just be aware that while suspension up front is nice to include, don’t expect to it to help too much with the rear wheel when you hit a pothole or ride off a curb.
Oh and one other thing: I definitely recommend checking out EBC’s custom helmets. They are super comfortable and I LOVE the front and rear LED lights for safe riding at dawn, dusk, or anytime you just want to be more visible.
They can paint it up the same color scheme as your bike, or you can go wild with whatever colors you desire. And you can even customize other aspects like the trim color and strap color.
It’s mind-blowing just how much customization they offer riders, both on their bikes and on their helmets!
Sum it up for me
All told, the bike rides great. It doesn’t have the off-the-line power of a Super73, but it has the looks, the feel, and the fun of that breed of moped-style electric bikes. The bike is well made from quality parts and comes with just about every single piece of it being customizable in some way.
The ability to design your own bike from the ground up and have it assembled in your own country is a thrill that no other company can even come close to matching. And the fact that Electric Bike Company can do it at prices that rival the rest of the industry is a testament to just how well they’ve designed and built their operation.
As far as moped-style electric bikes go, the EBC Model J is one of the most interesting options out there for its great ride and unbeatable levels of customization. And at its current sale price of $1,299, it’s a no-brainer!
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
If you’ve been eyeing the all-electric G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz just sweetened the deal – but only for a limited time.
According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology – AKA the electric G-Wagon – now comes with $9,500 in lease cash, up from last month’s $7,500. That’s a 27% jump in savings. The move comes just weeks before the $7,500 EV lease tax credit loophole closes on September 30.
Like most EVs leased in the US, the G-Class has been able to qualify for the credit even though it’s excluded from purchase incentives. That benefit is about to disappear, which likely explains why Mercedes is boosting the offers now.
The electric G-Wagon doesn’t come cheap. With a base price of $162,650, the $9,500 incentive amounts to only a 5.8% discount. The SUV also carries a steep advertised lease: $1,869 per month for 36 months with $14,613 due at signing. Factor it all in, and you’re really paying about $2,275 a month for 10,000 miles a year. Current Mercedes deals run through September 2.
For context, the 2025 G 580’s lease money factor now sits at 0.00180, which works out to around 4.3% APR – lower than the standard rates previously on offer.
Performance-wise, the electric G-Wagon earns an EPA rating of 62 MPGe and an electric range of 239 miles. Not groundbreaking numbers, but for buyers who want the iconic G-Wagon experience with zero tailpipe emissions, this is it.
With federal lease credits ending soon, Mercedes appears to be betting that drivers looking for a last chance at big EV savings will jump now rather than later.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology in stock. –trusted affiliate
Thanks to CarsDirect for digging up this dealer offer.
Read more: From $129 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in August
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The Honda Prologue is a surprise hit. It was the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y in the second half of 2024. Now, used models are in high demand.
Honda Prologue leads used EV sales growth in July
After it delivered the first customer models last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the most popular EVs in the US.
Throughout the second half of the year, Honda sold an average of over 5,000 Prologues every month. In November, it was the third best-selling EV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Honda’s electric SUV continues to be a top seller this year. Last month, it outsold the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5. Since delivering the first Prologue model last March, Honda has now sold 52,500 units in the US.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, used Honda Prologue EVs are selling faster than expected.
Used EV sales rose sharply in July to 36,670, up 23.2% from June and 40% compared to last year. Honda had the biggest increase in used EV sales, more than doubling (+103%) month-over-month. Hyundai (+61.3%) and Rivian (60.5%) ranked second and third.
Tesla led used EV sales last month, selling 15,903 vehicles, up 18% year-over-year. GM’s Chevy (3,499 units, +28.6%), Ford (1,967 units, +25.7%), Mercedes-Benz (1,724 units, -12.3%), and Nissan (1,659 units, +19.9%) rounded out the top five.
Although its market share slipped to 43.4% from 45.2%, Tesla remained the leader by a wide margin. Other luxury brands, including BMW and Audi, reported higher used EV sales in July, with increases of 43.87% and 38%, respectively.
According to the report, used EV listing prices reached $35,263 last month, a 1.9% decrease from June. With a price gap of just $1,266, a record low, used electric vehicle prices are closing in on ICE vehicles.
New EV sales also picked up in July. With over 130,000 EVs sold, up 26% from June, the electric vehicle market share reached 9.1%, the second-highest to date.
Ahead of the $7,500 federal tax credit deadline, set to expire at the end of September, 11 brands posted their best EV sales of the year. The top five included Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. Volkswagen surged to sixth after electric vehicle sales surged 454% last month.
The Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the credit, you can snag one for under $40,000 right now. Honda is also offering monthly leases as low as $159 in California and other ZEV states. In other regions, it’s still listed for as low as $229 per month.
| 2025 Honda Prologue trim | Starting Price* | Starting Price After Tax Credit* |
EPA Range (miles) |
| EX (FWD) | $47,400 | $39,900 | 308 |
| EX (AWD) | $50,400 | $42,900 | 294 |
| Touring (FWD) | $51.700 | $44,200 | 308 |
| Touring (AWD) | $54,700 | $47,200 | 294 |
| Elite (AWD) | $57,900 | $50,400 | 283 |
Even Honda’s luxury brand, Acura, is selling more electric vehicles than expected. Through the first half of the year, the Acura ZDX outsold the Cadillac Lyriq, and it’s based on the same GM Ultium platform.
Sales are expected to continue picking up ahead of the deadline. As Cox Automotive highlighted, “July’s performance sets a strong precedent, and as policy support winds down, the market’s ability to respond to real-time demand and brand-level dynamics will be critical in shaping the next phase of growth.”
Ready to take advantage of the savings while they are still here? We’re here to help. You can use our link to find deals on the Honda Prologue in your area (trusted affiliate link).
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The waste management experts at Republic Services are committed to cleaning up the Chicagoland area — and now, that includes the air Chicagoans breathe, thanks to the deployment of new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks in the heart of America’s Second City.
Republic Services executives and partners from local utility ComEd gathered yesterday, 14AUG, to celebrate the deployment of Chicago’s first electric refuse fleet, featuring two new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks paid for, in part, by ComEd’s commercial EV rebate program.
“The Mack LR Electric is purpose-built for refuse applications, delivering zero local emissions while maintaining the durability and performance Mack trucks are known for,” reads the official Mack press release. “The electric powertrain provides quieter operation for early morning routes and helps fleet operators meet sustainability goals while supporting cleaner air quality in urban communities. With its low cab-forward design and tight turning radius, the LR Electric maintains the maneuverability essential for residential and commercial waste collection routes.”
The big Class 8 Mack Trucks are powered by a pair of electric motors putting 400 combined kW (about 536 hp) through a 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission that offers a whopping 4,051 lb-ft of peak torque output. That’s over 40% more power than the first generation Mack LR Electric released in 2019, and this iteration can charge the 376 kWh Samsung-sourced batteries fully in under two hours at 150 kW.
Real money, real results
While Washington continues to threaten America’s economic security and position as a global technology leader by toying with the idea of killing the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, the ENERGY STAR program, and other energy efficiency incentives, the private energy sector is stepping up with massive investments in battery storage, charging infrastructure, and commercial EV rebates – and Chicago is leading that charge (pun very much intended), with EV adoption outpacing the rest of the nation by 4:1 in Q1.
“ComEd is proud to support Republic Services in advancing zero emissions transportation for Chicago’s neighborhoods,” explains Melissa Washington, our senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives. “As more customers take advantage of our EV rebate programs, we are helping empower customers to realize the air quality and energy savings benefits of EVs, and moving our communities closer to their goals for a more sustainable future.”
The new HD electric vehicles will be powered up nightly by equally new 150 kW DC fast charging stations from BP pulse, which are installed at Republic’s vehicle yard in the Little Village neighborhood. Part of the ComEd rebate money awarded to the company helped fund the make-ready infrastructure portion (effectively from the transformer to the stub) of that project, as well as at least one Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
And, if these trucks look familiar, it might be because Republic Services also handles refuse collection for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, and added two Class 8 electric trucks to their garbage fleet last year in the form of a pair of similar Mack Electric LR HDEVs.
Electrek’s Take
Look, you know me. There is absolutely ZERO chance that I’ll be able to remain objective about anything that’s putting down more than four thousand lb-ft of torque. Make that thing quieter, cleaner, and generally better for me and my community, and there’s even less of a chance of me saying anything critical about it.
Here’s hoping more cities go electric rather sooner than later.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Mack Trucks, Republic Services, via LinkedIn.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. 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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike