NYC congestion pricing is coming. Here’s how to get out of it
New York City is on the brink of implementing congestion pricing, a bold move aimed at reducing traffic in Manhattan’s most congested areas. While this initiative promises to alleviate gridlock and generate funds for public transportation, it also means drivers will face additional costs to navigate through certain parts of the city. But what if I told you there’s a way to avoid these fees entirely?
Starting on June 30, 2024, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan, which includes local streets and avenues below 60 Street, will be charged a new entry toll.
According to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the move is designed to help with NYC’s infamous congestion considerably. “The toll will result in 100,000 fewer vehicles entering the zone every day, relieving crowding in what is today the most congested district in the United States.”
Daily tolls to enter Manhattan will vary based on the vehicle and time of day, but most passenger cars will be charged $15 to enter during the day, and motorcycles will be charged $7.50.
But there’s an easy way to enter Manhattan and avoid paying the toll: just ride a bike. Or better yet, an electric bike. Using bike lanes across the bridges or taking a bike on the subway are both easy ways to get into Manhattan without paying congestion pricing, and still ensuring you’ve got your own wheels to navigate the city.
Bikes are a great way to get around NYC. According to the MTA, the average speed of cars in Manhattan is around 7 mph (12 km/h). But bicycle riders can easily surpass that speed and slice past traffic by using the bike lanes. To go even faster with less sweat, electric bikes make the ride even more efficient.
Why e-bikes are the perfect solution
There’s no getting around the congestion pricing if you’re in a car. Your options to avoid paying congestion pricing are either start driving an ambulance or get a bike. And these days, getting a bike quite often means getting an e-bike, since e-bike sales are through the roof. Pedal bikes are still an amazing option, but e-bikes make it easier to go longer distances without the same exhaustion, especially for riders who haven’t been on a bike in years. Electric bikes are not just a trend; they are a revolution in urban transportation. Here’s why they are the best way to bypass congestion pricing in NYC:
1. No congestion fees
This one is obvious. E-bikes, like traditional bicycles, are exempt from congestion pricing. This means you can zip through Manhattan’s busiest streets without worrying about paying extra fees. As the city gears up for congestion pricing, this exemption becomes a significant financial advantage for daily commuters.
2. Speed and efficiency
NYC traffic can be notoriously slow, with cars often moving at a crawl, if moving at all. E-bikes offer a swift and efficient alternative, especially with their ability to navigate through traffic with ease. Most e-bikes can reach speeds of up to 20 mph on throttle only (meaning no pedaling necessary), and others can reach 28 mph with pedaling, making them a viable option for quick commutes across the city.
3. Eco-friendly
Reducing your carbon footprint has never been more critical. We’re in a race against the clock here. If we’re to hope that we can still save our planet and maintain a habitable climate into the future, we’ve all got to play a part. E-bikes are one of the greenest modes of transportation, producing zero emissions during use. By opting for an e-bike, you contribute to a cleaner environment, supporting NYC’s goal of becoming a more sustainable city.
And yes, without going down the rabbit hole on this subject too deeply, you’re correct that there is a carbon price tag associated with manufacturing an e-bike. But the average amount of emissions offset by e-bikes is so much larger than the emissions generated from their production and use that it’s not even worth giving more than a paragraph to that flawed argument.
4. Health benefits
Riding an e-bike is not only good for the environment but also for your health. Even with the motor assist, you can still get a decent workout, which can improve cardiovascular health and reduce stress levels. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of wind in your hair as you cruise through the city.
5. Cost-effective
Beyond avoiding congestion fees, e-bikes are cost-effective in other ways. They require less maintenance than cars, and you won’t have to worry about parking fees or fuel costs. Over time, the savings can be substantial, making e-bikes a smart financial choice. Some riders have found that switching to an e-bike from a car has saved tens of thousands of dollars over the years.
Making the Switch
If you’re convinced that an e-bike is the way to go, here are a few tips to get you started:
Choosing the Right E-Bike
- Consider your commute: Think about the distance and terrain of your daily commute. Different e-bikes offer various ranges and power levels, so choose one that fits your needs. That’s an issue my wife recently grappled with when she switched to e-bike commuting each day.
- Test ride: Before making a purchase, test ride a few models to find one that feels comfortable and suits your riding style.
- Check local regulations: Familiarize yourself with NYC’s e-bike regulations to ensure your new ride is compliant. For example, UL-compliant batteries are required to sell an e-bike in NYC.
Safety First
- Wear a helmet: There is a hot debate about helmet usage, but especially for new riders in a city where pedestrian and cycling injuries and deaths are on the rise due to heavier cars and distracted drivers, a helmet is an important piece of safety gear. Safety should always come first. A good-quality helmet can protect you in case of accidents.
- Follow traffic rules: E-bikes are subject to the same traffic laws as traditional bicycles, and these rules are even often the same as cars. Obeying traffic signals and signs is crucial for your safety and the safety of others.
- Be visible: Equip your e-bike with lights and reflective gear, especially if you plan to ride at night.
Maintenance
- Regular check-ups: Keep your e-bike in top condition with regular check-ups. Simple maintenance tasks, like keeping the tires inflated and the brakes checked, can ensure a smooth ride.
- Professional servicing: For more complex issues, don’t hesitate to take your e-bike to a professional. Regular servicing can extend the lifespan of your e-bike and avoid small issues turning into larger issues. For folks that commute daily on their bikes, this is even more important. E-bikes require significantly less maintenance than cars, but it is still important to do routine checks.
As NYC prepares to roll out congestion pricing, now is the perfect time to rethink your daily commute. E-bikes offer a practical, cost-effective, and eco-friendly alternative to driving, allowing you to navigate the city with ease and avoid extra fees. Embrace the future of urban transportation and join the e-bike revolution today.
By making the switch, you’ll not only save money but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable city. So, what are you waiting for? Hop on an e-bike and ride your way out of congestion pricing as you blow past all of those suckers on the bridges!
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The Hyundai IONIQ 5 got a raft of upgrades and sporty, rally-focused XRT trim level for 2025 – but the biggest upgrade for the Made in America Hyundai might be this: the 5 has regained eligibility for the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit!
Despite being assembled at Hyundai’s Georgia meta plant for the last four month, the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 was nowhere to be found on the EPA’s list of rebate-eligible vehicles. But that was then – with a fresh updated to the list coming online May 1st, Hyundai’s new-age electric hot hatch is back in the rebate game.
It’s worth noting that lease customers had been able to access the incentive under some circumstances, but this latest update to the EPA list makes it possible for cash and payment buyers to take advantage of the full Federal incentive, too – as long as they earn less than $300,000 as a married couple filing jointly, less than $225,000 as a head of household, or less than $150,000 as an individual.
With the $7,500 federal tax credit in the equation, you can get a new 2025 IONIQ 5 for somewhere in between $36,575 and $49,475, well under the $80,000 Federal MSRP cap.
Victory lap
As if to celebrate, Hyundai announced that it was taking on the celebrate One Lap of America road rayy and race event in a factory collaboration with the track-focused enthusiasts at Grassroots Motorsports this week with One Lap veterans Andy Hollis and Tom Suddard campaigning a stock, 601 hp 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N in the Alternative Fuels class.
“After winning our class in a gutted, caged race car last year, we wanted to compete in the best-of-all worlds this year: A vehicle that’s incredibly fast, incredibly comfortable on a road trip, and incredibly capable on a racetrack,” explains Suddard. “Electrification means it’s finally possible to have huge power without huge compromises in a street car, and the IONIQ 5 N promises to pair that huge power with the durability and capability to survive a week of racing.”
One Lap is widely regarded as one of the toughest street-legal motorsports events in the world, pitting amateur and professional drivers alike compete in stock and heavily modified vehicles of every description, battling it out in a series of scored challenges, including timed events at road courses, drag strips, skid pads, and autocross courses.
In between tracks, competitors safely travel thousands of miles around the country, proving the mettle and durability of the vehicles and the teams that drive them. This year, 86 teams from all over the country will compete in 17 scored events over the course of eight days at tracks like Virginia International Raceway and NCM Motorsports Park.
The Tire Rack One Lap of America is currently underway – you can track the Hyundai’s progress here, then let us know what you think of this new tax development in the comments.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Hyundai, One Lap of America; FuelEconomy.gov.
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With the launch of the first-ever Class 8 vocational EV in the North American market, PACCAR Kenworth is raising the battery-electric bar and underscoring just how far the market has come since the Tesla Semi made its debut nearly a decade ago.
When Tesla pulled the wraps off its all electric Semi truck all the way back in November of 2017, the rest of the industry was hardly thinking about BEVs. Nearly a decade later, the world is still waiting for the Semi to begin regular production, and PACCAR is launching its second generation of HDEVs with the debut of this, the all-new Kenworth T880E vocational truck.
“The Kenworth T880E marks a groundbreaking milestone in Kenworth’s history as we bring to market the first Class 8 battery-electric solution built for vocational applications,” explains Kevin Haygood, Kenworth assistant general manager for sales and marketing. “The T880E is engineered to meet the evolving needs of operators and vocational fleets while still providing the durability, reliability and customization our customers expect.”
The new electric K-whopper is motivated by PACCAR’s in-house ePowertrain platform, capable of putting up to 605 hp and 1,850 lb-ft of peak torque to work, while delivering the same levels of drivability and dependability fleets expect from a Kenworth – but power and torque are only part of the T880E’s work-ready résumé.
Open to work
In addition to a stout, Class 8 electric chassis fitted with heavy-duty Kenworth brakes and axles, the T880E’s central drive eMotor allows for significant wheelbase flexibility so fleet buyers can spec out exactly the machine they need to get the job done. The T880E was also designed to enable lift axle installations from trusted Kenworth upfitters for a vocational-friendly BEV integration.
Additionally, the T880E features a wide selection of factory-installed options that include both high- and low-voltage ePTO (electric Power Take Off) ports, mechanical ePTOs, and the same wide array of body configurations as the ICE version.
Speaking of the ICE version, the electric T880E also can also be had in the same set-back front axle and set-forward front axle configurations with the same multi-piece hood construction. Inside the cab, the latest in driver-focused technology includes the Kenworth SmartWheel and a new 15″ DriverConnect digital touchscreen. Dash and vocational features like RAM Mounts and factory-installed PTO switches are available. The T880E is also offered with Kenworth ADAS packages for customers interested in DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion, and Lane Keeping Assist.
It’s so big, you guys
The T880E was on static display at last week’s ACT Expo in Anaheim, California. Check with your local Kenworth dealer for availability.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Kenworth.
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The tire-blistering SU7 Ultra has been the Xiaomi brand’s flagship super sedan since its launch, but a controversial software setting has limited the car to “just” 900 hp in regular driving – resulting in an outcry from owners who ponied up for the big boy numbers. With its latest software update, that missing 648 hp is back on tap!
The SU7 Ultra made waves throughout the performance car world when a bright yellow striped example lined up alongside a white quarter mile king, the 1,000+ hp Tesla Model S Plaid, and promptly smoked it.
That wasn’t all. A preproduction SU7 Ultra prototype lapped the legendary Nürburgring circuit in just 6 minutes and 46.874 seconds, firmly stamping the 1,500+ hp Xiaomi’s alphanumeric into the track’s record books with a time nearly fifteen seconds quicker than a Rimac Nevera or, on the ICE front, either a Corvette ZR1, Viper ACR, or Porsche 918 (take your pick).
It’s hardly any wonder, then, that the customers who signed up – in droves, too – were disappointed to learn that the SU7 they were allowed to buy had been neutered by the safety nannies to the tune of nearly 650 hp. (!)
We’re so back
The outrage from SU7 Ultra owners was immediate. And, facing mounting pressure online and on social media, Xiaomi ultimately decided to withdraw the performance-limiting features while acknowledging the need for more transparent communication about future software updates they messed up, saying in a statement, “we appreciate the passionate feedback from our community and will ensure better transparency moving forward.”
So, rich people can rocket themselves down the road in 9 second hypercars again and all is right with the world. A happy ending – but one that sort of illuminates a fresh set challenges for automakers peddling “software-defined vehicles” to a market that still thinks of their cars as very much hardware defined products.
That’s evidenced by the resistance to pay for features by subscription and complaints by more informed customers that “software locked” range and convenience features just subsidize the cost of more expensive trim levels and pad profits for manufacturers and suppliers.
The new reality is playing out in real time now, and the Jeff Bezos-backed $20,000 electric compact pickup from Slate Auto is going the other way entirely – time will tell whether more, or less tech is the answer.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Xiaomi, via CarNewsChina.
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