Propella MINI MAX launched as $899 electric utility bike, finally with a throttle
Propella has long been known for its eye-catching blue and black commuter e-bikes that prioritize a simple and lightweight design over flashy features and bulky accessories. They’ve also always been pedal assist-only bikes, at least until now. The company has just launched the Propella MINI MAX as a throttle-enabled electric utility bike.
It might not look like most of the utility bikes we’re used to seeing, largely due to its streamlined and lightweight design.
At just 38 lbs (17 kg), it’s a serious lightweight next to most of the 60+ lb utility e-bikes out there.
But unlike many of Propella’s former e-bike models, the MINI MAX still comes packed with several interesting features and components.
For example, the 20 mph (32 km/h) e-bike fits into Class 2 designation thanks to an included throttle – a first for Propella.
There’s also an included rear rack for utility use and the bike sports both front and rear LED lights.
The frame uses a mid-step design with a lower downtube, which makes it easier to get on and off the bike when cargo is piled high on the rear rack.
The integrated battery is rather small at just 355 Wh, but at least it is UL-compliant (certified by SGS). While the battery can’t be removed quickly with a key like many e-bike power packs, it can be removed for replacement by opening a cover hidden at the bottom of the downtube. It’s not something you’d do each day, but it does mean the pack is fairly easily accessible for servicing.
The company claims up to 40 miles (64 km) of range per charge, though that is likely while using the lowest of the five pedal assist power levels. Opting for higher assist or relying on the throttle will reduce the total range per charge. The company claims a range of 20 miles (32 km) on throttle-only riding, though even that figure will likely take a hit on less-than-ideal terrain. A relatively high-power charger is included though, and it will get you rolling with a full battery again in just three hours.
Disc brakes are mounted on the 20″ wheels, each wearing a 2.25″ tire. The bike is a single-speed, helping reduce complexity and cost, though that will also likely position it as a better flat land rider than steep hill climber – especially considering the 350W nominal motor (550 W peak-rated).
The Propella MINI MAX is currently on pre-order, with customers able to put down a $100 deposit towards the $899 pre-order price. Deliveries are expected to begin in May 2024.
Electrek’s Take
I don’t have one of these in my hands (at least not yet), but I can tell you my thoughts from looking at the specs.
The bike definitely has some real pro’s and con’s, here. On the upside, the $899 price and 38 lb weight are two of the lowest figures you’ll find in this part of the e-bike market. Both of those are huge winners. I also like the streamlined design, nearly theft-proof battery, and the inclusion of lights/rear rack on a budget-level bike. And of course, finally seeing a throttle is a great addition, too.
But on the downside, the 355 watt hour battery is rather small – especially once riders start mashing that throttle and find their bike isn’t nearly as efficient as the previous Propellas were on pedal assist. Plus the lack of a quickly removable battery will be a deal breaker for some riders who want to either swap in a spare battery to double their range or carry the battery inside for charging while the bike remains in a garage or locked out on the street.
If you don’t mind the lack of a swappable battery (or even prefer it due to the theft-resistance that it offers), and if you don’t plan to ride further than 15-ish miles on throttle or 25-ish miles on pedal assist, then this looks like an awesome deal. I actually love lightweight, simple single-speed electric bikes like these and I can see this being a real winner for folks that don’t want the heft of a heavy e-bike for local errand running and commutes.
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Credit where credit is due: in a massive, 32-car multinational independent test, Tesla’s Autopilot ADAS came out on top, the new affordable Tesla turns out to be a corner-cutting Model Y, and one of the company’s original founders compares the Cybertruck to a dumpster. All this and more on today’s episode of Quick Charge!
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by a super cute, super affordable new EV from China with nearly 150 miles of range for less than $5,000 USD.
PLUS: listeners can get an extra 10% off by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!
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Tesla is again teasing the new Roadster, which is now five years late, as “the last driver’s car” before self-driving takes over.
The chicken or the egg. Is Tesla delaying the Roadster to match the development of self-driving technology, or is it delaying the development of self-driving technology to match the delayed release of the Roadster?
The prototype for the next-generation Tesla Roadster was first unveiled in 2017, and it was initially scheduled to enter production in 2020; however, it has been delayed every year since then.
It was supposed to achieve a range of 620 miles (1,000 km) and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 1.9 seconds.
It has become a sort of running joke, and there are doubts that it will ever come to market despite Tesla’s promise of dozens of free new Roadsters to Tesla owners who participated in its referral program years ago.
Tesla used the promise of free Roadsters to help generate billions of dollars worth of sales, which Tesla owners delivered; however, the automaker never delivered on its part of the agreement.
Furthermore, many people placed deposits ranging from $50,000 to $250,000 to reserve the vehicle, which was initially scheduled to hit the market five years ago.
When unveiling the vehicle, CEO Elon Musk described it as a “halo car” that would deliver a “smack down” to gasoline vehicles.
That was almost eight years ago, and many electric hypercars have since launched and delivered this smackdown.
Tesla has partly blamed the delays on improving the next-gen Roadsters and added features like the “SpaceX package,” which is supposed to include cold air thrusters to enable the vehicle to fly – Musk has hinted.
Many people don’t believe any of it, as Tesla has said that it would launch the new Roadster every year for the last 5 years and never did.
Now, Lars Moravy, Tesla’s head of vehicle engineering, made a rare new comment about the next-generation Roadster during an interview at the X Takeover event, an annual gathering of Elon Musk cultists, last weekend.
He referred to Tesla’s next-gen Roadster as the “last best driver’s car” and said that the automaker did “some cool demos” for Musk last week:
We spent a lot of time in the last few years rethinking what we did, and why we did it, and what would make an awesome and exciting last best driver’s car. We’ve been making it better and better, and it is even a little bit more than a car. We showed Elon some cool demos last week and tech we’ve been working on, and he got a little excited.
The timing matches Musk’s recent claim that Tesla is going to have ‘the most epic demo ever, ’ but we heard that one before.
We suspected that the comment might be about the Tesla Roadster, as the CEO made the exact same comment about Roadster demos in 2019 and 2024. You will not be shocked to hear that these demos never happen.
Electrek’s Take
The “last best driver’s car” before computers are going to drive us everywhere. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy if you continue to delay the car. It might literally be the last car ever made that way. How would we ever know?
The truth is that the Roadster was cool when it was unveiled in 2017, but that was a long time ago. Tesla would need to update the car quite a bit to make it cool in 2025, and I don’t know that cold air clusters are it. You will have extreme limitations using those.
The Roadster is almost entirely in the “put up or shut up” category for me at Tesla. They need to stop talking about it and make it happen; otherwise, I can’t believe a word.
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The PV5 is already available in several markets, but will Kia launch it in the US? After Kia’s electric van was spotted testing in the US again, a US debut could be in the works.
Is Kia’s electric van coming to the US?
Kia launched the PV5, the first dedicated electric van from its new Platform Beyond vehicle (PBV) business, in South Korea and Europe earlier this year, promising it will roll out in “other global markets” in 2026.
Will that include the US? Earlier this year, Kia’s electric van was caught charging at a station in Indiana. Photos and a video sent to Electrek by Alex Nguyen confirmed it was, in fact, the PV5.
Kia has yet to say if it will sell the PV5 in the US, likely due to the Trump Administration’s new auto tariffs. All electric vans, or PBVs, including the PV5, will be built at Kia’s Hwaseong plant in South Korea, which means they will face a stiff 25% tariff as imports.
Following another sighting, a US debut cannot be ruled out. The PV5 Passenger model was spotted by Automotive Validation Engineer Chris Higa (@Chrisediting) while testing in Arizona.
There’s no denying that’s Kia’s electric van, but it doesn’t necessarily confirm it will launch in the US. But it could make sense.
Despite record first-half sales in the US, Kia’s EV sales have fallen significantly. Sales of the EV9 and EV6 are nearly 50% less than in the first half of 2024.
To be fair, part of it is due to the new model year changeover, but Kia is also doubling down on the US market by boosting local production. Earlier this year, Kia said the EV6 and EV9 are now in full-scale production at its West Point, GA, facility.
The PV5 Passenger (shown above) is available in Europe with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh, rated with WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo variant has the same battery options but offers a WLTP range of either 181 miles or 247 miles.
During its PV5 Tech Day event last week, Kia revealed plans for seven PV5 body types, including an Open Bed (similar to a pickup), a Light Camper, and even a luxury “Prime” passenger model.
Kia is set to begin deliveries of the PV5 Passenger and Cargo Long variants in South Korea next month, followed by Europe and other global markets, starting in Q4 2025. As for a US launch, we will have to wait for the official word from Kia.
Do you want Kia to bring its electric van to the US? Drop us a comment below and let us know your thoughts.
Source: Chris Higa, TheKoreanCarBlog
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