Rattan, a long-time player now seeing increased penetration in the entry-level e-bike market, has rolled out new electric bicycle models for the 2024 riding season. And believe it or not, it’s the little guy that’s getting most of the attention. That’s right, it’s time to check out the company’s latest small format 20″ folding e-bike. Say “Hello” to Rattan’s new Pinus.
Sure, it’s a bit of a unique name, the Pinus. Chinese e-bike companies operating in the US are known for occasionally choosing quirky monikers, often creating a bit of a letter jumble that helps avoid copyright infringement in a field crowded with competition and already-taken names. But Pinus certainly stands tall among the unique names.
I’m not even sure if that’s how you pronounce it. Maybe it’s a long ‘i’? But then it just sounds like a southern belle, “I believe it’s time for my afternoon Pinus ride, I do declare…“.
Though ultimately, what’s in a name? Wouldn’t a Pinus by any other name ride as well? In this case, I have to imagine it would. So let’s cut it with the jokes and move on. Take my hand as we enter into the specs together.
The Pinus has a form most of us are quite familiar with by now, featuring thick 4″ tires and a step-through frame. With its unisex design, hopping on a Pinus is sure to be a fun experience for men and women alike.
Just a couple of guys and their Pinuses
While some might be surprised by the frame’s significant girth, it won’t come as a shock to those who have spent years in the industry. That’s because the removable battery is inserted from below the downtube, slipping inside the frame for a smoother and sleeker appearance.
There’s no word on any UL certification for that battery, and so while it’s always advisable to use protection, that might be doubly so here for overnight charging. In fact, it’s usually considered better to charge during the day when riders are more attentive—a little afternoon delight, if you will.
That 48V 20Ah battery is significantly larger than average, providing 960Wh of capacity. I know everyone claims theirs is bigger, but I can actually confirm for Rattan on this one. Most other batteries in this size class are closer to the 600-700Wh ballpark, for comparison, meaning Rattan’s Pinus is packing around 50% more. But hey, who’s counting?
And for any of the more seasoned riders out there who want the biggest option they can fit, they’re in luck. There’s actually a double battery version available that provides 1,920 Wh of capacity.
That second battery can piggyback on the downtube, allowing the bike to simultaneously take one from underneath and another one from on top. Doubling the capacity also doubles the range, meaning the Pinus can probably go for longer than you can. Rattan tells us the dual battery option has a maximum range of 150 miles (241 km), though that number seems a bit lofty.
Look, we get it Rattan. It’s already huge. You don’t have to exaggerate even further.
A Pinus out in the wild
Equipped with a torque sensor instead of a less responsive cadence sensor, the Pinus can sense how hard you’re pushing it and respond instantly, delivering more power the harder you ride. For those who prefer it slow and easy, the torque sensor also means that a gentle push of the pedals results in a softer and less dynamic experience, unlike cadence sensors that can sometimes result in a less comfortable lurching or jerky ride. With a torque sensor, a slow push gets an easy response and a hard push gets the full monty.
Of course, most riders like the extra vigor, and the Pinus doesn’t disappoint. The 750W rear hub motor actually packs more heat than it first appears, offering 1,200W of peak performance. That translates into a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), the highest allowable by law on public roads in most states. Of course, what you do in the privacy of your own property is no one’s business but your own.
Though don’t let today’s media fool you; it’s not all about pushing hard and going fast. Slowing down sometimes is important too, and the Pinus comes with hydraulic disc brakes that allow riders to pull back in an instant. As any seasoned rider will tell you, going fast is fun but knowing when to stop is every bit as important.
That Pinus is a bit too close to the fire for comfort
Weighing in at 83 lb (37.6 kg), the Pinus is significantly heavier than most others in its class. But that extra bulk does come with a serious advantage.
Rattan tells us that the Pinus can support smaller and larger riders alike, claiming a maximum operating capacity of up to 400 lb (181 kg) on it at any one time.
In fact, speaking of its impressive rigidity, Rattan tells us that the frame on the Pinus is twice as thick as others, as seen in the entirely real graphic below from the sales page.
Did anyone really ask for it to be twice as thick?
Other nice-to-see additions include the rear rack, LED lighting with turn signals, wide saddle, 8-speed transmission, color LCD display, and USB charging for your devices on the handlebars. With the Pinus going for as long as this, your phone definitely might start running low partway through the ride, especially if you like to film during it.
The Pinus is priced at US $1,699 and available in two colorways of Lava Red and Sky Blue. There’s no word from the company on whether Eggplant Purple was considered.
Electrek’s Take
Thank you, I’ll be here all week! [angry audience members proceed to throw objects at stage]
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Lectric Ebikes appears to be preparing for a major new product launch, teasing what looks like the next evolution of its wildly popular folding fat tire electric bike. Based on the clues, it looks like a new Lectric XP 4 could be inbound.
In a social media post released over the weekend, the company shared a minimalist graphic reading “XP4” along with the message “Tune in 5.6.2025 9:30AM PT.” That date – this Tuesday – suggests we’re just hours away from the big reveal of the Lectric XP 4.
If true, this would mark the next generation of the most successful electric bike in the U.S. market. The current model, the Lectric XP 3.0, has become an icon of accessible, budget-friendly electric mobility. Starting at just $999, the XP 3.0 offers a foldable frame, fat tires, a 500W motor, a rear rack, lights, and hydraulic brakes – all packed into a highly shippable design that arrives fully assembled. It’s the kind of package that has helped Lectric claim the title of best-selling e-bike brand in the U.S. for several years in a row.
With the XP 3.0 still going strong, the teaser raises plenty of questions. Will the XP 4.0 be a modest update or a major leap forward? Could we see new features like torque-sensing pedal assist, a location tracking option, or upgraded performance? Or is Lectric preparing a more comfort-oriented variant, maybe even with upgraded suspension or even more accessories included standard?
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The teaser image, which features stylized stripes in grey, blue, and black, may hold some clues. One theory is that the colors represent new trim options or component upgrades. Another possibility is that Lectric is preparing multiple variants of the XP 4.0 – perhaps targeting commuters, adventurers, and off-road riders with purpose-built versions. We took the liberty of a bit of rampant speculation late last year, so perhaps that’s now worth a revisit.
At the same time though, Lectric’s penchant for launching new models at unbelievably affordable prices has never run up against such strong pricing headwinds as those posed by uncertainty in the current US-global trade war fueled by rapidly changing tariffs for imported goods.
Previous versions of the Lectric XP e-bike line have seen sky-high sales
Whatever the case, Lectric’s knack for surprising the industry with high-value, customer-focused e-bikes means expectations will be high. The brand has built a loyal following by delivering reliable performance at a price point that few can match, and any major update to the XP lineup is likely to ripple across the market.
As a young and energetic e-bike company, Lectric is also known for throwing impressive parties around the launch of new models. It looks like I may need to hop on a red-eye to Phoenix so I can see for myself – and so I can bring you all along, of course.
Be sure to tune in Tuesday at 9:30AM PT to see what Lectric has in store – and you can bet we’ll have all the details and first impressions as soon as they drop.
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Logo of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Andrey Rudakov | Bloomberg | Getty Images
U.S. crude oil futures fell more than 4% on Sunday, after OPEC+ agreed to surge production for a second month.
U.S. crude was down $2.49, or 4.27%, to $55.80 a barrel shortly after trading opened. Global benchmark Brent fell $2.39, or 3.9%, to $58.90 per barrel. Oil prices have fallen more than 20% this year.
The eight producers in the group, led by Saudi Arabia, agreed on Saturday to increase output by another 411,000 barrels per day in June. The decision comes a month after OPEC+ surprised the market by agreeing to surge production in May by the same amount.
The June production hike is nearly triple the 140,000 bpd that Goldman Sachs had originally forecast. OPEC+ is bringing more than 800,000 bpd of additional supply to the market over the course of two months.
Oil prices in April posted the biggest monthly loss since 2021, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs have raised fears of a recession that will slow demand at the same time that OPEC+ is quickly increasing supply.
Oilfield service firms such as Baker Hughes and SLB are expecting investment in exploration and production to decline this year due to the weak price environment.
“The prospects of an oversupplied oil market, rising tariffs, uncertainty in Mexico and activity weakness in Saudi Arabia are collectively constraining international upstream spending levels,” Baker Hughes CEO Lorenzo Simonelli said on the company’s first-quarter earnings call on April 25.
Oil majors Chevron and Exxon reported first-quarter earnings last week that fell compared to the same period in 2024 due to lower oil prices.
Goldman is forecasting that U.S. crude and Brent prices will average $59 and $63 per barrel, respectively, this year.
In a bid to keep up with the rapid growth of EVs, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT is currently seeking public feedback on a plan called “Chicago Moves Electric Framework.” The city’s first such plan, it outlines initiatives that include a curbside charging pilot through the city’s utility, ComEd, and expanded charging access in key areas throughout the city.
Unlike other such plans, however, the new plan aims to focus on bringing electric vehicle charging to EIEC and low income communities, too.
“Through this framework, we are setting clear goals and identifying solutions that reflect the voices of our residents, communities, and regional partners,” said CDOT Commissioner Tom Carney. “By prioritizing equity and public input, we’re creating a roadmap for electric transportation that serves every neighborhood and helps drive down emissions across Chicago.”
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Neighborhoods on the south and west sides of Chicago experience a disproportionate amount of air pollution and diesel emissions, largely due to vehicle emissions according to CDOT. Despite that, most of Chicago’s public charging stations are clustered in higher-income areas while just 7.8% are in environmental justice neighborhoods that face higher environmental burdens.
“Too often, communities facing the greatest economic and transportation barriers also experience the most air pollution,” explains Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By prioritizing investments in historically underserved areas and making clean transportation options more affordable and accessible, we can improve both mobility and public health.”
The Framework identifies other near-term policy objectives, as well – such as streamlining the EV charger installation process for businesses and residents and implementing “Low-Emission Zones” in areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution by limiting, or even restricting, access to conventional medium- and heavy-duty vehicles during peak hours.
The Chicago Moves Electric Framework includes the installation of Level 2 and DC fast charging stations in public locations such as libraries and Chicago’s Midway Airport, “supporting not only personal EVs but also electric taxis, ride-hail and commercial fleets.”
Chicago has a goal of installing 2,500 public passenger EV charging stations and electrifying the city’s entire municipal vehicle fleet by 2035.
Electrek’s Take
ComEd press conference at Chicago Drives Electric, 2024; by the author.