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MOD BIKES, the Austin, Texas-based maker of a wide range of electric bikes (including an impressive sidecar electric bike that I tested last year), is announcing today its 2024 lineup full of new models and impressive upgrades. In an unveiling at the South By Southwest Expo, the new e-bike models are taking center stage to show off their new features and tech, including upgraded performance, components, safety equipment, and accessories.

The new 2024 lineup includes updates to many of MOD BIKES’ existing models, such as its cargo e-bike, folding city e-bike, and commuter-ready Berlin e-bike, as well as new models like a full-suspension MOD Black adventure e-bike for off-road excursions.

The standout feature added across MOD’s new 2024 lineup is the inclusion of a new torque sensor, which marks a major upgrade over the previous cadence sensor-based pedal assist. While all of the e-bikes also feature hand throttles for powered riding without pedaling, the torque sensor makes pedaling the bikes much more natural feeling. The intuitive control method means that motor power is applied proportionally to how hard the pedals are pressed, resulting in a riding experience where the e-bike feels more like an extension of the rider’s own body.

The new 2024 e-bikes also come with UL-certified 720Wh e-bike batteries. The 48V 15Ah Samsung batteries are said to be capable of up to 50 miles (80 km) of range per charge on pedal assist, though throttle operation and riding at higher speeds will reduce that range.

A new color LCD screen includes the release of five new pedal assist levels designed for different types of riding experiences. The modes of Fit, Eco, Cargo, Sport, and Turbo adjust various parameters such as power and efficiency, offering everything from a fitness-style ride to a full-power cruise. All of MOD BIKES’ models include 750W rear hub motors, providing plenty of power in those higher-performance riding modes.

The bikes can hit 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist or 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle, allowing for Class 2 or Class 3 operations. However, a new off-road mode can be activated that removes the limits and permits throttle operation at higher speeds, which can be suitable for riders on private property who want to get the most performance out of the e-bike.

All of MOD BIKES’ new models also come with the company’s Snap-On accessory integration, which allows for various racks, baskets, bags, and other items to be quickly and easily mounted onto the bikes. The wide range of accessories will enable riders to carry additional cargo or even other passengers, all with easy installation.

The dual battery design of the bikes makes it easy to add a second battery to double the range up to 100 miles (160 km) on pedal assist. The bikes are wired to intelligently use the batteries by switching from one battery to the next when necessary.

In a “one more thing” styled announcement, the company also shared a new partnership with Lumos, makers of a smart cycling helmet with built-in wirelessly-controlled LED lighting.

The Lumos helmets pair with the MOD BIKES’ controllers, allowing riders to turn on and off the LED lighting on the helmet directly from the bikes’ handlebars. The helmet’s turn signals can also be activated by the bike’s turn signal buttons, giving drivers behind the bike an early warning about the rider’s braking or turning intentions. The helmet’s intelligent design also powers off the lights as soon as the bike turns off, saving charge as well.

Electrek is on-site at the SXSW event to see the unveiling and test the new e-bike models. We’ll be sure to update with more on our experience with the bikes first hand after the unveiling.

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All the EVs you can buy for less than Cadillac CELESTIQ’s $60,000 price hike

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All the EVs you can buy for less than Cadillac CELESTIQ's ,000 price hike

Cadillac wants to live up to its “standard of the world” tag line so bad they can taste is – but adding $60K to the CELESTIQ’s MSRP might not be the flex the marketing team might think. To teach them a lesson, we’re going to ignore the CELESTIQ and list every new EV you can buy for less than that $60K price hike, instead. Enjoy!

Cadillac is on the verge of an electric renaissance, with nearly 40% of all new Caddies sold last quarter being electric and historic votes of confidence coming from the international motoring press. That said, a $60,000 price hike on the company’s hand built, ultra-luxury flagship CELESTIQ sedan feels especially like a cynical cash grab in today’s economy.

So, instead of talking about the now $60,000 pricier Cadillac CELESTIQ, I’ve decided to give you a list of all the new EVs you can buy (in the US, at least) for less than that $60K. Take a look at the list, below, then let me know if I missed any in the comments.

If you’re curious about what those vehicles are actually selling for, what rebates and special rates are out there, or even just want to take one for a test drive, click on one of the links and you’ll be directed to a local dealer who can walk you through it all (trusted affiliate link).

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Original content from Electrek.


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Nissan has global ambitions for its affordable plug-in pickup truck [update]

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Nissan has global ambitions for its affordable plug-in pickup truck [update]

Zhengzhou Nissan has launched a new, plug-in pickup in the Chinese market called the Z9. It’s the same size as the Nissan Frontier Pro, offers over 35 miles of all-electric range, and pricing starts at just $16,600.

UPDATE 04NOV2025: more details and more markets for 2026.

The rebuilding of Nissan started to pick up earlier this year with the launch of the brand’s first plug-in pickup truck in China this past summer. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model offers 410 hp and an 84 mile electric-only range – more than enough for it to meet the everyday needs of most drivers with easy access to liquid fuel when needed.

It seems like a neat truck, but since it was designed and developed specifically for the Chinese market, its great specs and nearly impossible $24,800 starting price (on the entry-level Frontier Pro model) meant it would have limited impact – and limited interest – in other markets.

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Until now, that is! CarScoops is reporting that Nissan now has plans to export a tweaked version of the hybrid Frontier to international markets, and speculates that, “a different version of it could well be built in the US, [since] Nissan’s CEO recently confirmed that a hybrid Frontier is in the works for the North American market.”

You can read the original post, first published back in June, below, then let us know what you think of Nissan’s plans to export its plug-in pickup to other markets in the comments.


Positioned as the electrified sibling of the domestically-built Nissan Frontier Pro, the Zhengzhou Nissan Z9 is essentially a Chinese-market version the Frontier Pro, and it’s spec’ed and priced accordingly, with the as-yet undisclosed price of the Frontier Pro expected to come in a bit higher than the Z9.

That’s less interesting. What’s more interesting is that the Z9 offers 35 miles (60 km) of range on the base, 17 kWh battery, at a price that significantly undercuts even the Slate EV’s $28,000 pre-$7,500 incentive price tag – and that incentive is far from a sure thing.

What’s more, if you feel like spending a bit more, you can get a Zhengzhou Nissan Z9 equipped with a 32.85 kWh battery that’s good for almost 85 miles (135 km) of all-electric range. And even that extended-range model, at ¥168,900 (about $23,400) is still price-competitive with the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate EV.

In short, it’s bound to be a winner.

It’ll sell, but it won’t sell here


Nissan-Frontier-EV-pickup
US-market Nissan Frontier.

With excitement surrounding the Kia Tasman, Slate, and other, similarly affordable light-duty pickups building on the success of the Ford Maverick hybrid, it should come as no surprise that Nissan has international ambitions for its newest electrified pickup.

“In alignment with our ‘In China, For China, Toward the World’ strategy for electrification and smart transformation, Nissan will fully support ZNA’s ‘off-road strategy,’” explained Stephen Ma, Chairman of Nissan (China) Management Committee and President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. “We are working to strengthen our research and manufacturing capabilities, further advancing our presence in the core markets of pickups and off-road vehicles, with the ultimate goal of achieving global expansion.”

It’s exciting stuff, but with all the recent troubles it’s been experiencing, it’s doubtful that Nissan will bring either of its new, Chinese-built mid-size pickups to the US (electrified or otherwise).

“The mission of the new generation of Chinese automotive professionals is clear – to ensure that made-in-China cars are driven across the world. ZNA will utilize its dual-brand and dual-channel advantages to expand its global footprint,” Mr. Mao Limin, Executive Vice President of ZNA, at the Z9’s launch. “We aim to be one of the top exporters of pickups within three years and to reach a sales milestone of 100,000 units.”

That said, Nissan Hardbody fans shouldn’t lose hope quite yet. If Nissan is able to find a new savior in Toyota, a Taco-based BEV pickup with a new LEAF/Ariya-type front fascia might make more sense than you think.

Electrek’s Take


Nissan’s New Chinese Frontier Costs Half of America’s Frontier
Zhengzhou Nissan; via Carscoops.

I’ve already written out my own comeback plans for Nissan, and this new Chinese-market pickup truck doesn’t really fit into them. Like many of you, I’m of the belief that a PHEV isn’t an EV – but I do see their value as “lilypad” cars, and the two Lightning owners I know? Their previous Ford F-150s were hybrids.

SOURCES: Zhengzhou Nissan; side-by-side image via Carscoops.


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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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MASSIVE Australian battery project will store 5.5 GWh of total power

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MASSIVE Australian battery project will store 5.5 GWh of total power

Finnish energy giant Wärtsilä has announced the latest addition to its massive network utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Australia: a record-breaking 1.5 GWh deployment that brings the company’s total energy storage capacity in the nation to 5.5 GWh.

The future of large-scale energy projects in Australia is looking increasingly DC-coupled thanks to Wärtsilä, which just announced plans to build the largest BESS of its kind in the National Electricity Market (NEM). The massive hybrid battery project that marks the company’s ninth site down under, and pushes its total capacity to a formidable 5.5 GWh.

The company says its latest, “record-breaking” energy storage plant is a blueprint for how to efficiently combine solar generation and storage to create a more resilient and decarbonized grid.

“This project is significantly larger than our earlier DC-coupled project, underscoring the need for this type of technology in expanding at scale,” said David Hebert, vice president of Global Sales Management at Wärtsilä. Hebert called the DC-coupled technology, “a breakthrough for hybrid renewable plants and a critical step towards establishing a financially viable renewable energy future.”

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Hebert believes projects like this one play a hugely important role in stabilizing Australia’s grid while, at the same time, advancing the country’s ambitious net-zero emissions targets from the energy sector by 2045.

With a 20-year service agreement already in place and the order set to be booked this quarter, this project is a working prototype for the next generation of global renewable assets. As nations worldwide grapple with the challenge of moving beyond fossil fuels, the success of this massive DC-coupled system will provide a real-world model for how to build a grid that is cleaner, smarter, and more resilient than ever before.

Electrek’s Take Explainer


If you’re not familiar with DC-coupling, it’s an efficiency game-changer. Unlike traditional AC-coupled electrical systems that require converting solar-generated direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for use by the grid, and then back to DC to use in a battery, a DC-coupled system connects the solar array and battery directly. This architecture cuts energy losses that occur during conversion, capturing more solar power and significantly improving project economics and overall system efficiency.

In other words: it saves money, and shores up the grid. Wins all ’round!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Wärtsilä, via Power.


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