How professional thieves stole $1 million worth of unreleased e-bikes in seven minutes
When my high-end electric bike was stolen last year, the intense combination of feelings ranging from violation to anger was hard to describe. But that is nothing compared to what one innovative electric bike maker is going through after $1M worth of unreleased new e-bikes was stolen in one fell swoop.
Biktrix, the Canadian e-bike maker behind several impressively designed, high-power models, shared the devastating news that a container of new Juggernaut FS ST e-bikes was stolen from the company’s Delta, BC warehouse. There were also several prototype models Biktrix is developing for release next year in the container.
It’s a huge setback for Biktrix, which has grown from humble beginnings a decade ago as a garage startup into a major e-bike maker with a 20,000-strong customer base.
The new Juggernaut FS ST e-bike model was recently announced, with Biktrix preparing to begin shipments to fulfill pre-orders. This was the first batch of these new e-bikes produced.
Unlike many white-labeled electric bikes that use a combination of à la carte components and frames chosen from a catalog of OEM parts, the Juggernaut FS ST is Biktrix’s own in-house design. It also features a unique frame with a hidden rear shock assembly, making it easy to identify.
The bike includes a powerful mid-drive motor that puts out 1,200 watts of power, as well as an industry-leading 1,300 Wh battery. That’s roughly twice the size of the average e-bike battery on most models these days.
With a combination cadence and torque sensor for pedal assist as well as throttle control, it’s quite unique among today’s high-powered full-suspension e-bikes, especially for an easy-to-mount step-through e-bike.
Its eye-catching design should make the bike easily identifiable. To further help identify the bikes, should they make it onto the secondary market, Biktrix shared that they include serial numbers in the range from BK2CE30001 to BK2CE30140.
Biktrix also shared security footage showing the suspected thieves arriving at the warehouse with a Ryder semi-truck used to pull the container. The container appears to have been mounted on a container chassis, likely from its recent delivery at the warehouse. The thieves broke the lock securing the container chassis, connected it to the semi-truck, and drove off into the night with one million dollars worth of unreleased new e-bikes in tow. They were on site for just seven minutes.
What likely would have been a fairly simple case for the police in a country with stronger public surveillance turned out to be a nightmare for Biktrix. The company discovered after talking to police that traffic cameras in Canada don’t actually record video unless a car is speeding or runs a red light. The company also provided the license plate number of the thieves, but the police could legally only surveil them for two days. As the company’s CEO explained, the vehicle didn’t go near the bikes in those two days, and so the police had to end the surveillance and effectively release the thieves.
“This container wasn’t just metal and contents, this container was like a treasure chest of our dreams, our entire team’s hard work, and considerable market value worth $1M—comprising all of our savings,” explained Biktrix Founder and CEO Roshan Thomas.
The container was insured with a standard ship to shore policy, commonplace in the ocean freight industry. However, the container had already reached Biktrix’s receiving warehouse, meaning it would typically no longer be covered under the policy.
While it is looking increasingly unlikely, the company hopes that the Canadian police will be able to locate the container before the bikes are lost. They also urge anyone who sees the container or the Juggernaut FS ST bikes to contact their local authorities. These are the only Juggernaut FS ST bikes in North America.
In the meantime, Thomas and the rest of the company are trying to keep their spirits up, explaining “We’re determined not to let this set us back. Instead, we’re using it as fuel to push harder, innovate more, and keep believing in what we do.”
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We are finally getting a look at Kia’s sporty new electric SUV. With starting prices under $30,000, the 2025 Kia EV5 GT Line looks ready to compete with the best in China.
Kia unveils the new 2025 EV5 GT Line electric SUV
Kia unveiled the new 2025 EV5 GT Line at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, giving the already impressive electric SUV a stylish upgrade.
After introducing the EV5 last summer, Kia claimed it “brings a new era of electric mobility to the compact SUV sector.” The smaller electric SUV includes much of the advanced new tech and software in Kia’s flagship EV9 but in a more affordable package.
At 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall, the EV5 is a direct rival to Tesla’s Model Y (4,760 mm long x 1,921 mm wide x 1,624 mm tall).
Kia launched the EV5 in China last November, starting at just $21,000 (149,800 yuan), undercutting top-selling rivals like the Tesla Model Y.
Powered by a BYD Blade battery, the base EV5 is rated with 329 miles (530 km) CLTC range. The longer-range model, with an 88.1 kWh battery, gets up to 447 miles (720 km) CLTC range.
Now, we are finally getting a look at the upgraded 2025 EV5 GT Line model. As you can see, the GT Line treatment includes a sleek blacked-out exterior design with 20″ aluminum alloy wheels.
The AWD powertrain boasts up to 316 hp (233) kW for a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/hr) sprint in about six seconds. Kia’s new GT Line model gets up to 360 miles (580 km) CLTC driving range with fast charging (30% to 80%) in 27 minutes.
Kia upgraded the interior with a leather-wrapped two-tone steering wheel and other blacked-out elements. It also includes Kia’s next-gen ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ center and driver display screens.
What do you think of the new EV5 GT Line? Should Kia launch it in the US? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, AutoSpy
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As part of Zero Motorcycles’ new approach to affordability, the California electric motorcycle maker is increasingly relying on strategic partnerships in the industry to help lower costs and leverage production experience. Now we’re getting word that one of the company’s key partners, Hero MotoCorp, is closing in on its first Zero-enabled electric motorcycle model.
It’s giving a whole new meaning to “from Zero to Hero.”
Last year, Zero joined forces with India’s largest motorcycle maker, Hero MotoCorp, to develop a new electric motorcycle model. Zero obviously eyed Hero’s massive manufacturing footprint and decades of production experience, and it looks like that partnership is closer than ever to revealing the fruits of its labor.
“As far as EV motorcycles, as we have talked about, that we are developing in partnership with Zero Motorcycles. And that’s something that while we have not given out the timeline, but the work is in progress. And it will be coming in the middle-weight segment. I would say it’s in the advanced stage. We haven’t announced the timeline as yet, but we would be looking at something which would not be too far off,” explained Hero MotoCorp CEO Niranjan Gupta during the company’s Q2 earnings call with analysts.
While targeting the more sought-after middleweight market, Hero confirmed that the company would also produce a version for the more performance end of the motorcycling market.
Hero has massive production chops to its name, but the company is relatively inexperienced with electric two-wheelers. Hero has just two models of electric scooters currently available under its Vida brand, and no fully-fledged electric motorcycles of the style for which Zero is known.
Zero and Hero have yet to provide specifics about where such a motorcycle might land in the international market, but recent moves by the company could provide a few clues.
Last month, Zero announced that it had partnered with Chinese motorcycle maker Zongshen to produce its new Zero XE and XB electric motorcycles. The move comes as part of Zero’s recently announced “All Access” initiative, which is built around adding more affordable models to the Zero lineup. Priced at just US $6,494 and $4,195, the Zero XE and XB are the most affordable Zero bikes we’ve seen yet.
There’s more where those came from, too. Zero claims that it will have six unique models, all priced at under US $10,000, in the next two years.
Based on the advanced state of the Hero partnership bike, it’s likely that such a model could be revealed as part of Zero’s All Access program.
via Fortune
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California has proposed offering $7,500 state EV tax rebates to residents if Trump kills the federal EV tax credit, Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) announced today.
Trump has repeatedly said that he would eliminate the $7,500 EV tax credit for new vehicles and $4,000 for used vehicles created by the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act if he won the election.
In response, Newsom today proposed creating a new version of the state’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which launched in 2010 and was phased out in 2023. California started with a $5,000 rebate for EVs and increased to $7,500. During its lifetime, the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program funded more than 594,000 vehicles and saved more than 456 million gallons of fuel.
Newsom’s announcement says that funding for the state EV tax rebates could come from the “Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which is funded by polluters under the state’s cap-and-trade program.”
Newsom said in a statement:
We will intervene if the Trump administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California.
We’re not turning back on a clean transportation future – we’re going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don’t pollute.
Newsom’s announcement didn’t say how the rebates would work, but he’s expected to share more details during an appearance today. The governor would need the backing of the state legislature to revive the rebate program.
California continues to lead the US in zero emissions vehicle adoption, surpassing 2 million electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles sold across the state. By 2035, all new cars and light trucks sold in California must be zero-emissions vehicles, along with 50% of all new heavy trucks.
Read more: New CA smart grid law will help solar and fix the grid by… simply replacing wires
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