MOD Cargo: I tested the new Texas-based cargo electric bike for the whole family

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2024

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MOD Bikes is a bit of a different type of electric bike maker, marching to the beat of its own drum, which helps the company stand out in a sea of newly released e-bikes. Look no further than the company’s popular sidecar electric bike or their own in-house designed street chargers for e-bikes. It’s obvious that MOD isn’t using the same playbook as everyone else.

But when I recently took a trip to Texas to visit the company and see their SXSW unveiling, my focus this time was on one of their more utility-based models: The newly released MOD Cargo electric bike.

Part of the company’s new 2024 launch of e-bikes, first unveiled at this year’s SXSW Festival, the Mod Cargo adds several new features to MOD’s feature list.

Chief among those features are the new color display, torque sensor, vertical parking frame, turn signal helmet integration, and more.

Check out what I mean in my test riding video below, then keep reading for even more!

MOD Cargo test ride video

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MOD Cargo tech specs

Motor: 750W (1,000W peak) geared rear hub motor
Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h)
Range: Claimed up to 90 miles (144 km) with dual batteries
Battery: 48V 15Ah (720 Wh) or dual batteries for 1,440 Wh
Bike Weight: 62 pounds (28 kg)
Battery Weight: 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg)
Bike Max load: 400 pounds (181 kg)
Tires: 20″x3″ semi-fat tires
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes, 180mm rotors
Extras: 7-speed Shimano shifter, large color LCD screen, LED headlight and tail/brake light, thumb-throttle, up to two removable batteries, included fenders and built-in long rear rack, snap-on system for accessory mounting, and more.

Testing out the new e-bike

I love e-bikes that can do more than just take you from point A to point B. I prefer e-bikes that can be used for several roles, from mere transportation to utility and even hauling. And the MOD Cargo is definitely one of those multi-role bikes.

The design incorporates a long built-in rear rack, making it an essential part of the frame and ensuring a strong, rigid design. It can handle up to 400 lb (181 kg) of payload distributed around the bike, meaning you can easily carry two kids or some serious gear with you.

The bike also uses a snap-on system to easily mount and remove various attachments such as cargo baskets, child safety seats, and more.

Plus the vertical parking design (which, I should note, is obviously borrowed from Tern’s glorious rear rack design), means you can park the bike vertically in your garage or the corner of your living room, taking up barely more space than a coat rack. Actually, you could probably use it as a coat rack when it’s parked. Those handlebars do double duty!

Speaking of those bars, they also fold down, which is great for loading the bike in the back of a car with step-thru seating like a mini van. You just slide the bike down the center aisle, made possible thanks to the bars dropping down so low.

In addition to the rugged design, I was impressed with the comfort of the ride. Cargo bikes are known for a lot of things, but comfortable riding isn’t usually one of them. They generally use smaller wheels to help increase cargo space, but that can impact their ride quality. With the MOD Cargo though, the combination of 20×3″ semi-fat tires as well as a suspension fork and suspension seat post, I was able to comfortably ride nature trails in the park that include dirt and gravel surfaces.

This definitely isn’t going to be the bike you take on rutted-out single track, but being able to stay in the saddle on dirt roads is still a nice feature to have.

You’re not going to get true rear suspension on a cargo bike unless you’re willing to shell out more than the cost of a decent used car, but seat post suspension helps to complement the suspension fork to give your tush some extra cushioning when you need it.

And the last feature I want to point out regarding the bike design is the inclusion of a super sturdy center kickstand. I’ve noticed that a lot of cargo e-bike makers are cheaping out on kickstands recently, so I’m glad to see that MOD put a serious, heavy-duty center stand on their bike.

This is what you want underneath you when you got kids or heavy cargo on back. You want a wide center stand that keeps the bike parked stably, not precariously pitched over to one side. Side stands work fine on a normal city bike, but a heavy-laden cargo bike needs to stand straight up when carrying that much weight.

I’m also glad to see some key components like hydraulic disc brakes and a torque sensor for better pedal assist.

The hydro brakes are important on heavy bikes that need more stopping power when loaded down, especially if trying to come to a quick stop on a downhill. And the torque sensor simply provides nicer, smoother pedal assist than a cadence sensor. There’s nothing wrong with cadence sensors, but torque sensors generally just give a nicer experience.

The inclusion of both parts helps differentiate the bike further from the lower-tier competition out there.

So the bike’s design is impressive already, but then the electronics sweeten the pot even further.

The rear motor is rated at 750W of continuous power, maxing out the legal limit in the US for street-legal e-bikes. But the peak power is even higher at 1,000W. I was able to easily hit speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h), though you can also limit the bike to 20 mph (32 km/h) if you want to keep it in Class 2 settings.

The motor also claims a torque rating of 69 Nm. Nice!

The bike’s single battery is a 48V 15Ah (720 Wh) unit, but you can double it to a maximum of 1,440 Wh. Depending on whether you double up, you’ll have 45 or 90 miles (72 or 144 km) of range. I tested the dual battery version, and if you use the throttle a lot or just want to have extra range, I’d recommend the second battery.

Rounding out the electronics are the new LED color display with USB charge port to charge your phone, LED headlight and tail light, and that torque sensor I mentioned above.

The last cool electronics feature is that they’ve designed the bike to work with the Lumos LED helmet, meaning you get wireless turn signals built right in. You can connect your helmet over Bluetooth in the bike’s display, and then your turn signal buttons on the bike control the helmet’s turn signals. They even power down together, so when you turn off the bike, the helmet’s lights turn off too. That’s pretty cool, and I definitely haven’t seen this feature on any other bikes in this class!

What are the downsides?

I’m a pretty positive guy, so I always have to remind myself to look for the downsides on e-bikes as well. And in this case, I have to look pretty hard. There’s not much to dislike here. Even the 70 lb weight with a single battery isn’t that bad, considering that many cargo e-bikes these days are between 80-90 lbs).

The main downside I keep coming back to is just the price, starting at $2,590. And that’s before adding all the fun accessories that make use of the cool Snap-On mounting system.

That’s a serious price tag for a direct-to-consumer electric bike. But then again, you’re getting a lot for it, including a premium design. The bike also comes with a much longer warranty period than most, offering a five-year limited warranty and free returns.

But that’s still quite expensive compared to other direct-to-consumer electric cargo bikes out there. I’d argue that you get features you don’t find elsewhere (or that you do find on e-bikes that are twice this price like Tern’s vertical parking), but you’re still paying some top dollar here. I believe the price is worth it if you’re using the bike as a car replacer for your family, or perhaps to replace a second car. But it’s the one thing that keeps coming back to me when I think about what would give me pause here, when considering the more affordable cargo e-bikes out there.

Wrap it up

So there’s what we’re working with, the MOD Cargo is a well designed e-bike with a very nice loadout of parts and features.

It’s a bit pricey, but I do believe you’re getting a heck of a lot of features and a great design for the price. There are cheaper ways to get your cargo solution solved, but they won’t do a lot of what this bike can.

So I recommend it, but only if you’ve got the extra cash to spend.

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Environment

Toxic Pennsylvania mineland is about to become a big solar farm

Published

17 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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Toxic Pennsylvania mineland is about to become a big solar farm

Pennsylvania mineland solar — Photos of the existing contaminated minelands that will be converted to solar under the recently approved Black Moshannon solar project in Rush Township, Centre County PA (Photo: PennEnvironment)

Rush Township supervisors in Centre County, Pennsylvania, voted this week to greenlight a key permit for the Black Moshannon Solar project – a large solar development that would turn toxic former mineland into a major source of clean power.

If built, the Pennsylvania solar project would generate 265 megawatts of electricity – enough to power about 200,000 homes annually – on nearly 2,000 acres of toxic mineland. Developers deliberately chose the site, as the project is designed to reclaim land left behind by mining and fold environmental cleanup into the solar buildout.

According to project plans, the site would be restored with pollinators and pollinator-friendly ground cover planted beneath the solar panels. Developers have also committed to ongoing water quality and soil testing during construction and operations, along with soil improvements such as applying lime to help neutralize mining-related contamination and support vegetation growth.

Beyond the environmental cleanup, the project is expected to deliver a financial boost to the region. Black Moshannon Solar is projected to generate more than $5 million in tax revenue for the Phillipsburg-Osceola Area School District, along with more than $700,000 in direct tax payments to Centre County.

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Environmental and energy advocates praised the township’s decision. David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment, called the vote a model for other communities across the state. “We are hopeful that other local government officials across Pennsylvania will follow Rush Township’s lead and implement similar, much-needed solar projects all across the Keystone State.”

Jim Gregory, executive director of the Conservative Energy Network-Pennsylvania, also applauded the approval. “In 40 years, their forward-thinking decisions will be recognized as catalysts for environmental protection, public health improvements, and economic prosperity.”

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Environment

Genesis GV90 leaks as breathtaking ultra-luxe SUV with coach doors [Video]

Published

20 hours ago

December 12, 2025

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Genesis GV90 leaks as breathtaking ultra-luxe SUV with coach doors [Video]

Genesis is gearing up to launch the stunning new flagship SUV. Ahead of its official debut, the GV90 leaked during an internal presentation, revealing our first look at the ultra-luxe electric SUV.

Genesis GV90 leak reveals coach doors and more

The GV90 is arriving as the largest, most luxurious Genesis SUV to date. Based on the Neolun Concept, the new flagship SUV will sit above the GV80 as Genesis expands into new segments.

As Genesis calls it, the “ultra-luxe, state-of-the-art SUV” stole the spotlight at the New York Auto Show last March.

It wasn’t the stunning, reductive design inspired by Korea’s moon-shaped porcelain jars or the premium Royal Indigo and Purple silk materials that caught most people’s attention at the event, but the B-pillarless coach doors.

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The SUV was showcased with Rolls-Royce-like coach doors, offering a new level of luxury for Genesis. Although we’ve seen the GV90 spotted out in public testing a few times now with coach doors, we wondered if they would make it to the production model.

After the full-size SUV reportedly leaked during an internal presentation, it looks like we’ve found our answer. The Genesis GV90 leak reveals two versions: a standard model and a coach-door model.

The leaked images from our friends at ShortsCar offer our first look at the production version in full. Earlier this month, a GV90 prototype was spotted out in public with the coach doors wide open, providing a sneak peek of the interior.

From what was shown, the cabin will feature a similar layout to the concept, with high-end purple and indigo materials. The GV90 was also caught with an all-black interior, which is expected to be the standard version.

A new video from the folks over at HealerTV offers a closer look at the breathtaking interior ahead of its official debut.

The GV90 appears to retain the gear selector located near the top of the steering wheel from the Neolun concept.

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Another report, from TheKoreanCarBlog, confirms the new gear selector after the first interior spy shots surfaced.

From what we’ve seen so far, the GV90 is shaping up to be a near replica of the ultra-luxe Neolun concept. Genesis has yet to announce a launch date for the GV90, but it is expected to make an official debut by the end of the year with sales starting in mid-2026.

Prices and final specs, like driving range, will be revealed closer to launch, but the Genesis GV90 is rumoured to be the first vehicle to ride on Hyundai’s new eM platform.

Hyundai said the new platform will deliver a 50% improvement in range compared to its current E-GMP-based EVs, such as the IONIQ 5. It’s also expected to offer Level 3 autonomous driving as well as other advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features.

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Environment

Battery storage hits $65/MWh – a tipping point for solar

Published

21 hours ago

December 12, 2025

admin

Battery storage hits /MWh – a tipping point for solar

solar battery storage — Photo: Enel North America

Turning cheap daytime solar into electricity you can actually use at night just got a lot cheaper. A new analysis from energy think tank Ember shows that utility-scale battery storage costs have fallen to $65 per megawatt-hour (MWh) as of October 2025 in markets outside China and the US. At that level, pairing solar with batteries to deliver power when it’s needed is now economically viable.

Battery storage costs have fallen dramatically over the past two years, and the decline continues. Following a steep decline in 2024, Ember’s analysis indicates that prices continued to fall sharply again in 2025.

The findings are based on real-world data from recent battery and solar-plus-storage auctions in Italy, Saudi Arabia, and India, as well as interviews with active developers across global markets.

According to Ember, the cost of a whole, grid-connected utility-scale battery storage system for long-duration projects (four hours or more) is now about $125 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) as of October 2025. That figure applies to projects outside China and the US. Core battery equipment delivered from China costs around $75/kWh, while installation and grid connection typically add another $50/kWh.

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Those lower upfront costs have pushed down the levelized cost of storage (LCOS) to just $65/MWh. Ember’s calculation reflects real-world assumptions around financing costs, system lifetime, efficiency, and battery degradation.

Cheaper hardware isn’t the only reason storage costs are falling. Longer battery lifetimes, higher efficiencies, and lower financing costs, helped by clearer revenue models such as auctions, have all contributed to the sharp drop in LCOS. Ember has published a live calculator alongside the report, allowing users to estimate LCOS using their own assumptions.

Why this matters comes down to how solar is actually used. Most solar power is generated during the day, so only a portion needs to be stored to make it dispatchable. Ember estimates that if half of daytime solar generation is shifted to nighttime, the $65/MWh storage cost adds about $33/MWh to the cost of solar electricity.

With the global average price of solar at $43/MWh in 2024, adding storage would bring the total cost to about $76/MWh, delivering power in a way that better matches real demand.

As Ember global electricity analyst Kostantsa Rangelova put it, after a 40% drop in battery equipment costs in 2024, the industry is now on track for another major fall in 2025. The economics of battery storage, she said, are “unrecognizable,” and the industry is still adjusting to this new reality.

“Solar is no longer just cheap daytime electricity; now it’s anytime dispatchable electricity. This is a game-changer for countries with fast-growing demand and strong solar resources,” Rangelova added.

Together, solar and battery storage are increasingly emerging as a scalable, secure, and affordable foundation for future power systems.

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