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Italian luxury automaker Maserati is now entering its fourth year of its 100% electric strategy and sits on the precipice of launching its second BEV model – the Grecale Folgore SUV. I got invited to Southern Italy to take the Grecale Folgore to the road (and off the road) to see if the famed automaker’s niche for power and luxury translates to the all-electric age.

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Background on a legacy Italian automaker

Maserati S.p.A is celebrating 110 years in automotive later this year, and during its run, it has stayed true to its Italian roots. Founded in Bologna and currently headquartered in Modena, the “Trident” brand operates under the Stellantis umbrella.

Following suit with its parent company, Maserati has made firm commitments to electrification (we love to see it), especially as many of its Italian sports car competitors drag their feet on the matter. In 2020, Maserati shared a five-year strategy to transition to BEVs, developing and selling all-electric versions of each one of its models.

Maserati called these variants “Folgore,” which is Italian for “lightning,” donning a “rame” (copper) badge that epitomizes a vital material in BEV components. That initial strategy began with the announcement of two all-electric models – the GranTurismo Folgore and the Maserati Grecale Folgore.

The GranTurismo arrived first, launching in late 2022 before hitting the market in 2023. Simultaneously, Maserati began teasing its all-electric follow-up, the Grecale Folgore – a bespoke electric version of combustion SUV that initially launched as a 2023 model and has found a large audience of female drivers (over 40%).

As the Grecale Folgore approaches the start of sales soon, Maserati invited media out to its native Italy to test out the SUV first-hand. Here are my thoughts.

Electric Maserati Grecale Folgore features and specs

As the first all-electric SUV, a lot is riding on the success of the Grecale Folgore, but it should fare relatively well. First, I want to share what I was working with in my travels around the Mediterranean in Italy.

I drove a dual-motor AWD in Folgore’s signature “Rame” paint, a shimmery matte that looks grey in darker lighting, then shines in a brighter copper in the sun (see above). I found all three exterior shades stunning in the Italian sun but was partial to the Rame tint, especially with the copper accents throughout the SUV you can see above and below.

Alright, let’s start with the specs before I share my thoughts. The Grecale Folgore is the first model to sit atop Maserati’s all-electric Giorgio platform, consisting of 33 modules housing lithium-ion cells. Those translate to a whopping 105 kWh pack (97 kWh usable) weighing 1,500 pounds. This is by no means a light and nimble EV, but Maserati aimed to deliver the power it has been celebrated for over the last century.

Two 205 kW electric drive motors provide 820 Nm (~604 lb-ft) of torque and propel the SUV to 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.1 seconds. It’s not exactly “Folgore”-fast on the straightaway, but it certainly gets the job done. More on that in a bit.

Giorgio is a 400V platform, so its charging capabilities are unfortunately limited. The Grecale Folgore can reach a top DC charge rate of 150 kW. That equates to a 20-80% charge in about 29 minutes (again, 400V platform). We plugged it in on an IONITY pile and got as high as 122 kW, which reflects the charger itself, not the BEV.

AC charging can reach 22 kW, almost double the rate of your average 400V EV, which is a big plus, especially when you figure most owners will be charging primarily at home. Speaking of which, each all-electric Grecale Folgore comes with an AC cable and a Maserati-branded Level 2 charger included—a big perk.

Let’s move inside this copper-clad bad boy next. Here are some pics of the interior:

Maserati branded luxury, with a modern-day spin

While the Grecale Folgore may not be the fastest all-electric SUV on today’s roads, it’s still a Maserati, and the automaker skipped no steps in ensuring its customers experience comfort, class, and quality during every drive.

The cockpit screams quality, starting with the unique ECONYL seats that feature a black/copper combination separated by a superb lasering technique you can view above. The texture is unique, comfortable, and most importantly (to me) sustainable – utilizing recycled materials like plastic bottles and fishing nets for a second life. The design also allows for impressive ventilation plus heat and AC. You KNOW I love an air-conditioned seat. I kept that setting on the entire day and loved it.

Maserati opted away from a head-up display on the electric Grecale in favor of a crystal clear cluster screen flush in the dashboard that was easily visible while driving. The Grecale Folgore is also the first Maserati to feature a digital version of its signature clock in the center of the dash.

The center display was easy to navigate and didn’t require much tap-through. Especially since you can adjust regenerative braking and drive modes directly from the steering wheel, some customers will prefer more physical buttons, especially with the HVAC controls Still, I dug them and had no trouble using them, even while driving.

The park/drive settings are physical buttons in the center display, which I was not a fan of. I admittedly got in the driver’s seat to start the day and had to ask my ride partner how the hell to put the thing into drive. I didn’t see them at first. I can’t speak to the nav system because Maserati had us use Google Maps from a phone. Still, I’d probably go that route (literally and figuratively, anyway) because most infotainment maps suck.

The software was sometimes a little buggy, lagging or giving a black screen for a second, but nothing major. Overall, the vehicle stats and diagnostics were superb in real-time. You can monitor many interesting metrics from the center display, including things like consumption rate, efficiency, and the regen functions. Check it out:

I have more thoughts on the regen below. Lastly, the interior of the electric Grecale was roomy. It’s a relatively small-looking SUV from the outside, but its 2,903 mm wheelbase and completely flat Giorgio platform offer a lot of space for passengers and cargo. The backseat has ample legroom, and the trunk is sneaky big. Especially when you put the seats down. No frunk though. Not a huge loss, but it would be nice to have that extra space for luggage, tools, or all the seafood I consumed during my visit (SO much fish).

After getting a feel for the all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore (say that five times fast), I was off, putting it through its paces around the countryside and quaint towns around Southern Italy; here are my thoughts.

Grecale Folgore is a decent start in electric Maseratis

The first impression behind the wheel of the Grecale Folgore is a feeling of comfort and quietness. The laminate windows keep the outside world out, although some wind noise can be heard at higher speeds, which is to be expected.

The four drive modes (Max Range, GT, Sport, and Off-Road) were easy to switch through, although I noticed little differences. The regenerative braking is available in four levels, from an ICE-esque roll to a stiffer D- setting. As I always say, I’m a massive proponent of one-pedal driving, and this SUV did not suit my preferences. Even the highest regen required plenty of braking.

Sport mode was the most fun as we got out onto open, windy roads along the Italian coast, away from speed traps, stiffening the suspension a bit with a polarizing feature – simulated engine noises. That’s right, Maserati, no strangers to boisterous engines, added speakers inside and out of the Grecale Folgore to give it a more powerful feel audibly – the most prominent in Sport mode.

I’m personally indifferent since I’m usually blasting Blink-182 anyway, but I can see why some people would want the revving noises and some wouldn’t. Here’s the kicker, though: you can’t turn the sound off. Keep the feature for sure, but give customers the option to silence it if they want.

Aside from Sport Mode, we also got the opportunity to take the Grecale Folgores off-road… which, in my opinion, was more like “off-the-road.” We trekked through large puddles and mud on a dirt road to showcase the SUV’s versatility at a lifted height. It’s a nice feature and good to have for unpaved terrain, but the suspension was still pretty bumpy, so it felt a little gimmicky to me. I wouldn’t take this EV true off-roading because it probably couldn’t handle it, it’s also just too pretty to get all muddy.

While on paper, the acceleration of the all-electric Maserati Grecale is just average, its power can’t be looked over, and it’s still a well-designed vessel for overtaking slow drivers or whipping around hairpin turns. It didn’t feel as sporty of a ride as you’d imagine when you think of the Trident brand, but its makers describe the SUV as a well-rounded, versatile EV, and I won’t disagree.

Overall, the quality of the Grecale Folgore shines, especially in its interior. I’m personally indifferent to the exterior design and found it a little boring from a side profile, but that copper paint is a winner on this one. Its 426 km (264 miles) WLTP range leaves a bit to be desired for the average consumer, but most of those customers likely won’t need more than that driving to and from work.

That heavy battery pack certainly plays a significant role, but Maserati really wanted to deliver full AWD power, but that’s at the cost of efficiency. I would have liked to see a dynamic motor function that automatically turns off the front motor when appropriate to maximize range, but that’s easier said than done.

We don’t have official pricing for the electric Maserati Grecale Folgore yet, but I’d surmise it starts at an MSRP between $90,000 and $100,000. Considering the specs you get, it’s too rich for my blood, but most Maserati customers are buying for the logo and the luxury; this is also an SUV, after all. If you want speed, go for one of the electric coupes.

Overall, the Grecale Folgore is a step in the right direction for Maserati, but efficiencies could be improved in future models to really max out range and performance. They’ve got the look and feel down for sure, though. I was also quite impressed at the brand’s dedication to BEVs in the future. It’s refreshing to see a company rooted in loud, combustion sports cars tout the foresight to get with the times and adapt its ethos to fit that future.

I’m looking forward to the official debut of the GranCabrio Folgore next month, as well as some other surprises that may or may not be coming to light later this year. I plan to keep you in the loop on all that as soon as I can, so be sure to check back with Electrek soon. Catch you on the next one.

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Here’s what to expect when Lectric XP 4.0 e-bike becomes next best-seller in the US

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November 26, 2024

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Here's what to expect when Lectric XP 4.0 e-bike becomes next best-seller in the US

Lectric Ebikes has long set the standard for other companies to follow in the budget electric bicycle space, continuously rolling out new models that offer never-before-seen value. A new cargo e-bike with more features? They did it. A new off-roader with better components? They did that, too. But what about the company’s best-selling model, the Lectric XP 3.0 folding fat tire e-bike? It’s due for an update, and here’s what you can expect.

Believe it or not, it’s been over two years since the Lectric XP 3.0 was launched in early November 2022. That model has since dominated the industry, giving riders with an under $1,000 budget better bang-for-their-buck than ever before as it rose to the top of the US bestselling e-bikes list.

With 28 mph (45 km/h) speeds, hydraulic disc brakes, suspension, built-in rear rack, heavy-duty cargo/passenger capabilities, and multiple battery sizes, it’s become the go-to $999 electric bike for thousands of new riders every month. It’s even a personal favorite of mine. I’ve put my family members on XP 3.0s, I’ve bought multiple XP 3.0s to donate to the underprivileged, and it’s the model I chose when I went undercover as a food delivery worker to see the world through e-bike couriers’ eyes.

But nothing lasts forever, and two years is a long time in the electric bicycle industry. We don’t yet know quite when a Lectric XP 4.0 will come to replace the US’ current best-selling electric bike model, but you’d better believe that Lectric’s designers in Phoenix have been whiteboarding ideas for a while now. And I’d bet dollars to donuts that these are some of those ideas.

Upgrades in component quality

With every new launch this year, we’ve watched Lectric eBikes flex its purchasing power by bringing us higher quality components than we deserve at these price levels. The XPeak routinely gets oddly high-tier forks. The Lectric One received a transmission that probably costs as much as the whole bike if you were to try to buy it retail. And the Lectric XP Lite 2.0 offers a Gates belt drive for under $900. This is all absurd, or at least it used to be until Lectric started waving its wallet around at the offices of higher-end component makers that aren’t used to seeing customers in this affordable price range.

That means the Lectric XP 4.0 is likely to benefit from that same purchasing power. I can foresee major upgrades including a higher-end suspension fork, better hydraulic disc brakes, and likely even a torque sensor for improved pedal assist. I don’t imagine the derailleur will make a huge jump in quality (maybe just an 8-speed Shimano Tourney?), but a color screen is likely in the cards, as are nicer bolt-on grips and other comfort enhancements. We may even see better suspension seat posts and nicer tires.

But for the love of all things holy in this world, if those do-gooders on Utopia Rd even think about touching that right side half-twist throttle, then by the beard of Zeus we’re going to have words…

Touch my half-twist and I’ll come for you…

More power?

There’s a real chance that the XP 4.0 could be more powerful, especially since Lectric has become quite fond of its M24 electric motor, which has graced models like the XPeak 2.0 and XPedition 2.0. That 750W motor puts out just over 1,300W of actual electrical power, due in no small part to Lectric’s assistance on using higher current electronic speed controllers than most of its competitors.

In fact, the Lectric XP 3.0 is probably the most powerful “500W” e-bike around right now, but that doesn’t mean it will always remain in the five hundred club.

A power increase isn’t a given, and Lectric may still reserve that higher-power motor for its more premium models. After all, they can’t just give us all the good stuff at such a low price. Or can they?

No price change

Speaking of price change, I find it incredibly hard to believe that the XP 4.0 would launch at anything other than US $999. Lectric has only ever changed the price of this model once, increasing it from the original $899 of the XP 1.0 to the $999 of the XP 2.0. Ever since, they’ve steered clear of price increases on the XP line.

Lectric’s Co-founder and CEO Levi Conlow recently explained at the Micromobility America 2024 conference that whenever the company’s increasing efficiency causes the margins to creep “too high” (a foreign concept to most brands), they either lower the price or release a new version of the bike with more features. And so that’s likely exactly what the 4.0 will prove to be – another $999 e-bike, but this time with even more features.

Design and build

I don’t expect we’ll see any huge design changes to the structure of the bike. Sure, there will be a new frame. But I expect the company to retain the same boxy tube structure they’ve used ever since the brand’s first XP bike rolled out in late 2019. They even use it on their XPedition cargo bike despite there being no real reason for it (the batteries aren’t housed inside the frame) other than design continuity with the Lite, XP, and XP Trike lines.

What we are likely to see in the design department are minor updates for improved strength and ruggedness. Lectric has been investing more heavily in third-party certifications, including both structural frame testing and electronic certifications like UL compliance. That’s likely to continue with the XP 4.0, meaning we could see improved certification indicating even more confidence in the bike’s ability to haul cargo and passengers.

The color scheme is unlikely to change heavily. Black and white have been the XP’s MO for years now, and even that’s an improvement from when they were only available in white. We’ve of course seen splashes of Lectric’s blue accent color on most of the brand’s models, and the XP 4.0 is unlikely to be different in that regard. But expect it to be more along the lines of the new XPedition 2.0’s color swatch design, not a radical color departure.

lectric xp change battery

Fancy features?

This one is a bit of a wild card, and I don’t expect Lectric to go overly nuts with fancy features. I don’t think we’re going to be getting any crazy phone apps or wireless charging through the kickstand anytime soon. But we just might see the inclusion of value-added features like tracking for anti-theft.

This could be done fairly easily through the use of existing technology like the Apple FindMy network – something that Lectric’s competitor Velotric has leveraged beautifully. Such a feature would likely add little cost but could be of major value. In fact, I recently tried to plant that exact bug in Lectric Co-founder Robby Deziel’s ear. Robby has been wrist-deep in the design of these e-bikes since as early as 2019, when he personally helped me with the wiring on one of the first Lectric XPs ever. So let’s see if he listens on the integrated tracker idea.

Do it. It’s not like you guys haven’t looked left and right for ideas before

When is the Lectric XP 4.0 coming?

I pride myself in having a bit of a crystal ball for the electric bike industry, but even I have no idea when Lectric is planning on releasing the XP 4.0. From everything I can gather, it’s not imminent.

I may have teased you with all the cool things Lectric could do on XP 4.0, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing any of those updates anytime soon.

Suffice it to say that if you’ve been wanting to join in on the XP fun and somehow you’re one of the few Americans who doesn’t yet have an XP 3.0, that’s still a killer e-bike for an amazing $999 price. One day the XP 4.0 will likely make us all “ooh” and “ahh” again, but it doesn’t appear to be in the cards yet.

micah toll lectric xp 3.0
I’m ride or die with my XP 3.0, at least until there’s a 4.0!

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Hyundai doesn’t care what Trump does, California does it anyway, big Texas solar

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11 hours ago

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November 26, 2024

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Hyundai doesn't care what Trump does, California does it anyway, big Texas solar

On today’s episode of Quick Charge, Hyundai doesn’t care if incoming President Trump kills the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, California’s planning to offer an EV tax credit of their own, and there’s a massive new solar project in Texas prairie land.

We’ve also got Tesla hoping to meet its Q4 sales goals by throwing all the EV demand levers in China while, at the same time, looking to hire remote drivers for its so-called “autonomous” robotaxis.

Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations sitewide. Learn more by clicking here.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news!

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show!

Read more: E-quipment highlight | Palfinger FLS 25 eDRIVE truck mounted forklift.

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Banana auction billionaire’s $30 million investment in Trump’s crypto token highlights new ways to enrich president-elect

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13 hours ago

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November 26, 2024

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Banana auction billionaire's million investment in Trump's crypto token highlights new ways to enrich president-elect

Justin Sun, founder of blockchain platform Tron, poses for a photograph in Hong Kong, China, on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Calvin Sit | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Tron blockchain founder Justin Sun has invested $30 million into Donald Trump’s crypto project, World Liberty Financial, he announced Monday.

“We are thrilled to invest $30 million in World Liberty Financial @worldlibertyfi as its largest investor,” Sun wrote in a post on X.

Sun recently made national headlines when he spent $6.2 million at a Sotheby’s auction for a banana duct-taped to a wall.

World Liberty Financial, the Trump-branded crypto platform, aspires to be a sort of digital asset bank, where customers will be encouraged to borrow, lend and invest in digital coins. 

Trump has licensed his name and promotional considerations to the venture through an LLC, with no assumption of liability. In exchange, Trump’s LLC received billions of tokens and the right to 75% of revenues above a $30 million threshold.

The platform launched a WLFI token last month, and said in a roadmap that it was looking to raise $300 million at a $1.5 billion valuation in its initial sale. 

Before Sun’s investment, $21.2 million worth of the token had been sold. As of Monday afternoon, $51.2 million worth of the token had been sold, according to its website. Sales now appear to have crossed the $30 million threshold to trigger revenue distribution to Trump’s LLC.

“The U.S. is becoming the blockchain hub, and Bitcoin owes it to @realDonaldTrump ! TRON is committed to making America great again and leading innovation. Let’s go!” added Sun.

WLFI co-founder Zachary Folkman has said “well over 100,000 people” are on the whitelist to invest in the token. But as of Monday afternoon, only about 20,400 unique wallet addresses hold the token, according to blockchain data tracked by Etherscan, representing roughly 20% of the total number of people who registered.

“There have been a number of similarly significant purchases in recent weeks, and we are confident about future success and building out something that helps to make finance freer and fairer,” Folkman said in a statement. “We expect more such developments to happen in the coming weeks and months.”

Duct tape banana sells for $6.2 million

While Trump does not take office until January, Sun’s investment in WLFI, and the revenue it appears to direct to Trump’s LLC under the terms disclosed, highlights the way Trump’s newer business ventures, like his social media company Trump Media Technology Group and this crypto venture, could offer more direct opportunities for individuals to enrich the president-elect than Trump’s hotels and office buildings did.

During Trump’s first term in office, there were near constant questions about whether foreign governments’ lavish spending on rooms and banquets at Trump’s Washington, D.C. hotel amounted to violations of the Constitution’s “emoluments clause.”

The clause bars federal office holders from accepting payments or things of value from foreign governments and their representatives.

But Trump’s hotel rooms and office space have relatively fixed prices, and costs that cut into total profits.

By contrast, the investors in Trump’s newer ventures — as demonstrated by Sun’s token purchase — can inject tens of millions of dollars, instantly, with little to no cost to Trump.

Spokespeople for the Trump presidential transition, World Liberty Financial and Sun’s Tron did not immediately reply to requests for comment.

Sun’s purchase comes as Trump actively works to assemble his list of appointees. The president-elect wrapped up cabinet appointments over the weekend and has since moved on to other agency and department leaders.

How crypto and fintech may perform under the second Trump administration

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong reportedly met with Trump to discuss appointments on Nov. 18. Within a day, conversations swirled about the potential for Trump to create the White House’s first crypto czar.

By the end of the week, longtime crypto foe and SEC chairman Gary Gensler, whose term doesn’t expire until June 2026, announced he would be retiring on Inauguration Day.

Trump has yet to select a nominee to lead the SEC in Gensler’s place. Under new leadership, the securities regulator could choose to drop some of its enforcement actions against major crypto ventures. It’s unclear how Tron’s case could be impacted.

In March 2023, the commission unveiled fraud and unregistered securities charges against Sun, alongside separate violations against the celebrity backers of his Tronix and BitTorrent crypto assets, which included Jake Paul, Lindsay Lohan and Soulja Boy.

The SEC alleged that Sun engaged in fraud by manipulating the trading activity of the two tokens, creating the appearance of active trading when it did not exist. The unregistered offer and sale charges, on the other hand, are similar to charges the SEC has unveiled against other crypto offerings and exchanges, including Genesis, Gemini, Coinbase, Binance, and Kraken.

The crypto industry showed up in force this election cycle. Several notable sector leaders including Gemini co-founders Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, as well as multiple C-suite executives from crypto firms battling the SEC, donated to PACs supporting the Trump campaign.

Trump’s coin sale misses targets as crypto project’s website crashes

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