Connect with us

Published

on

They say there’s no better test of a relationship than riding a tandem bike with your partner. But I propose that whoever penned that axiom never tried the go-kart equivalent. Who’s ready to step right up and pop a squat into this dual-steering wheel go-kart for some around-the-track fun with your better half?!

This fun little electric runabout sits a pair of riders side-by-side, each with their own steering wheel. And if there was ever a top contender for Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week, this is it!

Based on the slight size difference of the wheels though, I’m unfortunately forced to conclude that one of them might be just for show. But don’t worry, that won’t stop me from imagining a complicated system of drive-by-wire control that sees the two steering inputs battling each other for command of the machine. Perhaps a setup where whoever grips the wheel harder or screams louder gets temporary control. Yea, that sounds right.

Considering that each of the two rear wheels is powered by its own 750W (1 hp) electric motor, you could have some serious fun with this thing if you eventually win out the dominance display and regain power over the vehicle. Compared to those cute little 250W ride-on toys we’ve seen before, a full two-horsepower is almost a ludicrous amount of power for what looks like an overgrown child’s toy meant for driveway shenanigans.

Just make sure you get your cheap thrills in quickly. A rather small 24V and 14Ah battery means that this go-kart is here for a good time, not a long time. That 336 Wh pack is going to run dry fairly quickly, even at the fairly limited top speed of just 10 mph (16 km/h). But hey, when you’re battling for control with your better half (which in my case our graphics guy seems to think is my own alter ego), 10 mph may seem pretty zippy.

And in case things get a little out of hand, you can rest easy knowing that the go-kart comes with its own “front anti-collision beam”, which seems just to be the bumper. I’m not sure it’s anti-collision as much as collision-mitigation technology, but I guess it’s better than leaving yellow paint everywhere you go.

One of my favorite features though is the “drift button”, which I have no idea how it works but it just sounds too cool to pass up. My best guess is that they’re either referring to a hand brake lever or a temporary current over-limit button that gives you a burst of power to break the tires free. Both of those technologies seem a bit advanced for this plastic yellow affront to racing, so perhaps it’s something more benign than what I’m imagining.

The best part of this whole endeavor though, as it often is, proves to be the price. For just a measly $280, you could be piloting your own dual-steering go-kart. When you split that per person and realize it’s just $140 per head for you and your wife to get some high-banked track counseling sessions in, the deal certainly becomes hard to pass up.

But make no mistake, you should absolutely pass it up. As usual, these Alibaba finds are fun to look at but problematic to consider taking the plunge on. Do what I say and not what I do here folks, don’t try to order hilarious electric vehicles from China’s largest online shopping center. Instead, just imagine a little me and me time on the track as you drift this thing into the sunset in your dreams.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Ford has a new ‘electrified’ Mustang in the works, and it’s not the Mach-E

Published

on

By

Ford has a new 'electrified' Mustang in the works, and it's not the Mach-E

Ford is testing a new electrified Mustang that may not be as electric as it seems. The next-gen Mustang is apparently already in development. Here’s what we know about it so far.

Is Ford launching an electrified Mustang Hybrid?

After postponing around $12 billion in planned spending on electric vehicles in 2023, Ford’s CEO Jim Farley said the company would lean more into hybrids.

Farley told investors and analysts on the company’s Q3 2023 earnings call that he’s “so thankful we have kept our foot on the gas to freshen our ICE and HEV products as we enter a changing market.”

Ford’s CFO, John Lawler, reaffirmed the company’s plans later that year, saying the company would use hybrids as a bridge to fully electric vehicles.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

“With EV adoption slower, hybrids are going to be a bigger part,” Lawler said, adding that Ford “became a little bit complacent” on hybrid tech. Last year, Ford said it would introduce a hybrid version for every gas-powered vehicle in its lineup by 2030.

Ford-new-electrified-Mustang
2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E (Source: Ford)

Ford is apparently making good on its promise with a new Mustang hybrid in development. According to a new report from Ford Authority, the Mustang hybrid, internally code-named S650E, is in development, and prototypes are already being tested.

The report claims the new Mustang has entered the Technology Prove-Out stage, suggesting it will be electrified to some degree.

Ford-new-electrified-Mustang
Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally (Source: Ford)

Whether it will be a traditional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) remains unclear. Although the company has yet to confirm it, Farley said that a “partially electrified Mustang coupe” was a strong possibility, and Ford’s Performance unit is already testing hybrid powertrains.

Electrek’s Take

Will the new Mustang hybrid sit alongside the Mach-E in Ford’s lineup? Ford’s electric crossover SUV remains one of the top-selling EVs in the US, so it’s unlikely to go anywhere, but it is due for a refresh with so many new rivals entering the market.

Through August, Ford sold 34,319 Mustang Mach-Es (+6.7% YOY) in the US. The gas-powered Mustang continues to fall out of favor, with 31,015 units sold in the first eight months of 2025, 8.3% fewer than during the same period in 2024.

With Hyundai, Stellantis, Honda, and several other global OEMs planning to launch new hybrid models in the US, the Ford Mustang hybrid doesn’t come as a total surprise. We will still have to wait for the official word from Ford, but a new electrified Stang seems more than likely.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Offshore driller Transocean plunges after offering shares at a discount

Published

on

By

Offshore driller Transocean plunges after offering shares at a discount

Transocean Barents, an oil platform passes through Canakkale Strait as vessel traffic suspended in both directions in Canakkale, Turkiye on November 12, 2024.

Enishan Keskin | Anadolu | Getty Images

Shares of Transocean plunged Thursday after the offshore driller announced the sale of a large number of shares at a discount.

Transocean is planning to sell 125 million shares at a price of $3.05, significantly lower than Wednesday’s close of $3.64. It is offering 25 million shares more than it originally planned.

The Swiss company’s stock was last down 14.8% premarket. The offering is expected to close on Friday.

Transocean expects to book about $381 million from the sale. It will use the proceeds to pay off debt.

(Correction: Updates with correct share offering price.)

Continue Reading

Environment

NYC’s new 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes goes into effect next month, but cars still get a pass

Published

on

By

NYC’s new 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes goes into effect next month, but cars still get a pass

New York City’s new 15 mph speed limit for electric bikes is officially set to take effect next month, in what city officials claim is a move to improve street safety. But not everyone is convinced the crackdown is targeting the real threat on the roads.

The new limit, approved earlier this year, applies to e-bikes, mopeds, and other micromobility vehicles operating in city bike lanes. Riders caught exceeding 15 mph could face warnings or citations, though the exact enforcement strategy remains murky. The NYPD says it will focus on “education first,” but given the city’s track record, that could just be the calm before the ticket storm.

The rule comes amid growing concerns from some residents and officials about rising speeds among e-bike riders, especially delivery workers who often rely on throttle-equipped bikes to meet tight deadlines. But while the new speed cap is aimed at micromobility vehicles, there’s a noticeable omission: cars, trucks, and SUVs, which continue to be allowed to travel at 25 mph – and in practice, often much faster – even though they pose exponentially more risk to vulnerable road users and are responsible for orders of magnitude more deaths each year.

It’s a move that raises eyebrows and has resulted in thousands of publicly-submitted comments that the New York Department of Transportation has seemingly ignored.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

After all, the majority of traffic fatalities in New York City don’t involve e-bikes. They involve cars. And while some e-bike riders certainly ride irresponsibly, the blanket limit nearly cuts in half the more widely accepted e-bike speed limits used around the US, and doesn’t even apply to pedal bikes, which can easily exceed such speeds despite nearly identical average weights when factoring in the vehicle and rider. Not to mention, it ignores the critical role that e-bikes play in reducing traffic congestion and emissions, especially in the delivery and commuting sectors.

So while New York is slowing down its most efficient and sustainable form of urban transport, it’s letting the real heavyweights keep their speed. If the goal is safety, then it’s fair to ask: why aren’t cars being asked to go 15 mph too?

Because once again, it seems the rules are written for the powerful – not the vulnerable.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Trending