Rattan’s newest electric bike has a name you can’t say in polite company
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.
Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.
These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.
The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.
Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:
Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.
In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.
The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.
Read more: The US reaches milestone of 200,000+ public EV charging ports
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Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.
The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.
During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.
Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.
The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.
Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US
Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.
The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.
Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).
Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.
The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.
Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.
We will learn official prices closer to launch, but the EV4 is expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.
Kia is teasing five new vehicles for the US, at least one being a new EV, that will debut at the LA Auto Show next week. Will it be the EV3? EV4?
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