Velotric Discover 2 review: The new gold standard in value commuter electric bikes
Velotric has been on a winning streak lately, spending the last year or more rolling out a series of impressive new reasonably-priced electric bike models with features and performance that handily beat the competition in several key categories. And by all indications, the company has no plans to slow down. The latest new update to the Velotric line comes in today’s announcement of the Discover 2 commuter e-bike. And you better believe we’ve been testing one out in secret to give you our early impressions.
The Velotric Discover 2 has a surprising number of new features and innovations that seem to check nearly every box for commuters. The company has definitely been paying attention to feedback from riders and seems to have implemented just about everything we’ve wanted in the newest edition of the Discover.
From the new torque sensor to the upgraded display, from the Apple Find My bike tracking to the hydraulic suspension, the bike is better than ever.
See what I mean in my video review below, then keep reading for all of my thoughts on the new model!
Velotric Discover 2 Video Review
Velotric Discover 2 Tech Specs
- Frame: Aluminum step-through
- Motor: 750W continuous (1,100W peak) with 75 Nm of torque
- Battery: 48v 14.7Ah (705 Wh) with certified Samsung/LG battery cells
- Top Speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist or 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle
- Max Range: Up to 75 miles (120 km) on pedal assist
- Transmission: Shimano Altus 8-speed derailleur
- Brakes: 180mm hydraulic disc brakes
- Tires: Kenda 27.5 x 2.4″
- Certification: UL2849 & UL2271 for battery and e-bike system, plus 150% of ISO 4210 test
- Price: $1,699
- Additional features: 80 mm travel hydraulic suspension fork, included rear rack, front and rear fenders, integrated front and rear lights including brake light and rear turn signals, locking battery, color display with USB-C phone charger, 3A charger, kickstand, Apple Find My geolocating tracker, adjustable handlebars, thru-axle front wheel, and included assembly toolkit.
There are a LOT of new upgrades on the Discover 2, and they start with the performance.
The new motor is not only a 750W continuous-rated motor, meaning it puts out more power than most commuter bikes, but it has a true peak wattage of around 1,100W. That’s the real power you feel when climbing hills or accelerating hard. And with 75 Nm of torque, it’s also one of the torquiest hub motors on the market – especially among commuter e-bikes. But even so, the power still feels nicely controllable, it’s not lurchy or jumpy.
That’s likely because of good power ramping programming as well as the included torque sensor, which gives the pedal assist a comfortable and natural feeling right when you start pedaling. Unlike cadence sensors, torque sensors are a much more refined way to control the motor and simply give a better user experience that makes the e-bike feel like a part of you, not a machine that starts and stops beneath you.
Those who spend less time pedaling and more time using the throttle will likely enjoy the paddle-style thumb throttle. To me, it feels like a better way to control a thumb throttle than the more common “push down” style, as the forward push gives less thumb fatigue and feels more comfortable. And the ramping is nicely designed to give you good power off the line when engaging the throttle, yet not overwhelm you with sudden lurching.
On the bike components side, we’re looking at excellent hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm disc rotors. That’s important since the bike can reach speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist, or 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only riding.
When you’re going that fast, having strong and consistent braking isn’t just a comfort consideration – it’s a necessity! So I’m glad to see that Velotric put quality hydraulic disc brakes on the Discover 2.
The 8-speed Shimano shifter is also an upgrade over most entry-level transmissions on basic commuter e-bikes, though to be honest I think a lot of people will end up leaving it in a higher gear thanks to the handy throttle. But I definitely enjoyed keeping the power level lower and using pedal assist with the comfortable torque sensor, so the gear shifting came in handy there.
If you’re someone who does enjoy pedaling (and I recommend you try, even if you’re normally a throttle fan!), then that transmission will be a welcome feature.
Plus, there are now 15 (yes, you read that right, fifteen!) pedal assist levels. We’ve still got the typical levels 1-5, but there are three profiles of Eco, Trail, and Boost modes. They modify the power and delivery, giving you different feels and responsiveness for different types of riding. With 15 pedal assist levels, you’re never going to struggle to find the right power level for the situation.
The front suspension comes from an 80mm travel hydraulic fork. Not only is that more travel than you’ll generally find in most commuter e-bikes (many have zero suspension), but it feels better because it’s true hydraulic suspension instead of a cheap spring.
There’s no rear suspension, but I did notice that the seat tube ends quite low, which means you have a lot of the seat tube left extending out, leaving room for swapping in a nice suspension seat post if you’d like some extra suspension in the rear. The other benefit there is that it also means you can drop the seat nice and low for shorter riders, though you’d probably run out of room for swapping in a suspension post if you’re a shorter person.
Shorter riders also likely have shorter arms, which means they’ll enjoy the adjustable handlebar stem that lets you dial in the handlebar position to something that is most comfortable for you.
The whole bike just feels like thought was put into the ergonomics and it wasn’t just slapped together willy-nilly like a lot of e-bikes these days. Features like the adjustable brakes help dial in the fitment even better. And considering Velotric has their own frame design, plus tests the bike to 150% of the ISO 4210 standard, you can tell it’s built to handle more than it’s rated for. Features like the thru-axle front hub instead of weaker, cheaper axle skewers show just how rugged the bike is designed to be.
Speaking of which, with a 440 lb (200 kg) max weight capacity, the bike is built to handle a lot of weight! The rear rack alone can even support a small child, though it looks robust enough that I feel like I could ride on the back with a friend pedaling. Please don’t try that at home. In fact, don’t try that at all, Velotric definitely doesn’t endorse it. But that’s a seriously solid rack, and it looks so much stronger than its 66 lb (30 kg) weight limit rating.
Somewhat amazingly, the battery for the Velotric Discover 2 is actually IPX7 rated, meaning it can be submerged in several feet of water. I literally dunked it in a tub of water, pulled it back out, shook the water off the connector in the bottom of the battery, and started the bike back up to ride it. You can’t do that with just about any other e-bike battery!
The rest of the bike is IPX6 rated, meaning it can withstand high-pressure water jets. In fact, you can even pressure wash the bike (something many manufacturers explicitly say not to do, since it can damage other e-bikes that aren’t as highly waterproofed as the Velotric Discover 2).
Most people won’t end up pressure washing their bike, but it’s nice to know it can handle it. That peace of mind is also great for anyone who rides in the rain, since a battery that can be dunked and connections that can be pressure washed will simply laugh in the face of rain!
Of course no e-bike is perfect and I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you where the Velotric Discover 2 struggles, too.
At 63 lb (28.5 kg), the Velotric Discover 2 isn’t lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. I lifted it a couple times to put it in the back of a truck and it was definitely doable, but still not easy. I preferred to lift the front wheel first, get it in the bed, then lift the rear. That means you’re only lifting around half the bike’s 63 lb weight at any one time, and it makes it easier. But it’s still not a lightweight bike!
The bars are also a bit wider and backswept, which may feel new to dedicated commuter riders who are more used to narrower straight bars. As someone who often rides between cars, I tend to favor those narrow urban bars. I’ll admit, these are more comfortable (and almost give me slight cruiser vibes that match the upright and comfortable seating posture), but they’re wider than some may expect.
All in though, I’m super happy with what Velotric has put together here. The Discover 2 is a powerful yet controllable e-bike that can handle any commuter or recreational riding needs. It’s ruggedly built, has plenty of range, and can survive for years of faithful riding with a design that prioritizes quality construction.
That’s exactly what I want to see in an e-bike that I depend on for my daily rides!
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File this under “wishful thinking” if you want, but a fresh trademark filing for the Buick Electra name could mean that the storied nameplate is set for a return to US shores.
GM Authority reports that Buick parent company General Motors has renewed its trademark for the Buick Electra name in the US in a filing from 09DEC2025 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), and received an assigned serial number 99538079. The application carries a Goods and Services of, “Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles.”
Electra a nameplate that holds a long history with the near-luxe Buick brand and has generally been believed to be one that’s especially relevant to Buick’s electrification strategy in the US. That’s a notion that seems especially true when you consider the following two facts:
- the Buick Electra nameplate is already featured on a number of hugely successful GM products being sold in the ultra-competitive Chinese market
- 2027 is the fortieth anniversary of the Buick Grand National, and GM’s marketers are way too smart to let that moment slide
It’s worth noting, of course, that this most recent renewal for the Buick Electra trademark is a long, long way from a confirmation of a new all-electric Buick for the US market and even further from a confirmation that we’re getting the hot, sexy Electra GM sells in China. If anything, it’s likely just a matter of course legal thing that GM needs to protect its IP in China while, at the same time, preventing some kind of disastrous Sierra Mist scenario from playing out at home (which– yeah, I get that it’s not true, but you got the idea).
That said, I want to believe.
Electrek’s Take
I’m a huge fan of GM, GM’s EVs, and the way Mary Barra has managed the General over the past several years. I also think a big, sexy sedan is sorely missing from GM’s lineup, and the fast, flashy electric sedan formula might play better at the Buick store than at the Cadillac brand.
Combine that with an overwhelming desire to see a new-age Buick Grand National parked in my garage next Christmas and you can see that I’m not to be trusted. So, what say you? Head on down to the comments and let us know what you think of an American Electra revival just in time for the 2027 model year.
SOURCE | IMAGES: GM Authority; GM.
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Heavy equipment giants Caterpillar have signed an agreement with Vale that will see the company dramatically expand its fleet of autonomous haul trucks deployed at iron ore operations in the Carajás region of Brazil over the next three years.
Vale’s Northern System mining operation currently has 14 CAT, 320-ton autonomous haul trucks in service. With this new deal, sold by Caterpillar’s Brazilian dealer, Sotreq, the autonomous haul truck fleet will expand to some ninety (!) of the massive, self-driving trucks by 2028. The big yellow trucks will be operated by CAT®, MineStar™ Command for hauling, and ship with a payload capacity of between 240 to an almost unimaginable 400 (!!) tons.
“We’re proud to introduce Cat Command for hauling at Vale’s Carajás site,” says Marc Cameron, Senior Vice President at Caterpillar. “By equipping Vale’s haul trucks with our autonomous technology, we will be delivering scalable solutions that meet their needs across a mixed fleet.”
CAT says this new deal represents, “a transformational leap,” citing the fact that autonomous trucks remove workers from hazardous areas and enable safer and more inclusive environments for mine employees – and more efficient operations for Vale.
That fact is backed by results from other Vale operations that have deployed large numbers of autonomous vehicles, which saw gains of up to 15% in operational performance and a 7.5% reduction in fuel use (more with electric drive), contributing to the reduction of the company’s carbon emissions. And, because this is end-stage capitalism 2025, they’re crediting AI for discovering those efficiencies.
“By integrating autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and advanced data analysis, we are modernizing our mining operations in the Northern Corridor, becoming a global benchmark in smart mining, promoting the transformation of the industry, and connecting us to international best practices,” says Rafael Bittar, Vale Vice President, Technical.
The trucks will be delivered over the next three years, and are expected to be in full operation and up to speed by 2030.
Electrek’s Take
As I’ve said before, EVs and mining to together like peanut butter and jelly. In confined spaces, the carbon emissions and ear-splitting noise made by conventional, ICE-powered mining equipment can create dangerous circumstances that can lead to serious injuries (or worse), and that’s just going to make it even harder for a mining operation to keep people working and minerals coming out of the ground.
By working with companies like Caterpillar to prove that forward-looking electric equipment can do the job as well as well as (if not better than) their internal combustion counterparts, Vale will go a long way towards converting what’s left of the ICE faithful.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Vale, Caterpillar.
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Electric medium-duty startups Motive and Workhorse have logged millions of miles across their customer fleets — and by joining forces, they’re out to prove, once and for all, that electric vehicles can get the job done.
Following shareholder votes last month, Ohio-based Workhorse and San Francisco-based Motive are merging to form one of the largest commercial electric vehicle and last-mile delivery telematics solutions companies in the industry.
The all-stock transaction, announced last week, values the combined company at approximately $105 million and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, subject to Workhorse shareholder approval.
Under the terms of the agreement, Motiv’s controlling investor will become the majority owner with approximately 62.5% of the combined company, while Workhorse shareholders will maintain a significant equity stake of approximately 26.5%.
The move is intended to combine Workhorse’ manufacturing capabilities and nationwide dealer network with Motiv’s proven product portfolio and existing fleet relationships to serve the growing $23 billion medium-duty truck segment with a full range of Class 4-6 electric vehicles that plays to the strengths of both companies while, at the same time, proving them with economies of scale they’ll need to survive the next wave of fake “the EV market is dead” headlines.
“Bringing together two leading OEMs in the medium-duty space strengthens our ability to reduce the cost of electric trucks and make the total cost of ownership even more compelling,” said Scott Griffith, CEO of Motiv, who will lead the combined company. “We believe this is a coming-of-age moment — not just for Motiv and Workhorse, but for the industry as a whole.”
The companies anticipate a minimum of $20 million in cost synergies by the end of 2026 through reductions in redundant R&D, G&A, and facility costs (and, of course, the associated layoffs).
Workhorse’s Union City facility has the capacity to eventually produce up to 5,000 trucks per year — a significant manufacturing scale for the merged operation and light years ahead of what Motiv’s existing facilities can crank out.
“This transaction represents a significant milestone for Workhorse, our customers, our stakeholders and our shareholders,” Rick Dauch, CEO of Workhorse and advisor to the new, combined company told FreightWaves. “We believe Motiv is the right partner to support the advancement of our combined product roadmap and capture new growth opportunities.”
The new, combined electric box van company will being life with 10 of the largest medium-duty fleets in North America as existing customers, and hopes to expand their line of offerings into the electric bus and RV markets in the years to come.
Electrek’s Take
Workhorse and Motive can spin this merger however they like — but this move is as much about survival in the new, incentive-lite era of Trump 2 than it is about anything else. That doesn’t mean it’s not a smart move, as each of the parts of this new whole has eliminated a very strong competitor while, at the same time, gaining all at least some of their best features.
As cynical as I am about corporate consolidation and layoffs (especially during the holidays), I can’t help but think this could be a winning move.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Workhorse; via FreightWaves.
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.
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