Velotric Summit 1 E-Bike review: The fast, lower-cost torque sensor eMTB I’ve wanted
I’ve been on the hunt for an electric mountain bike that would give me much of the performance of the fancier, high-priced models, yet without their major downside: that higher price. The Velotric Summit 1 rolled in at the perfect time, and while the bike itself isn’t perfect, it’s darn near exactly what I’d want from an eMTB that focuses on keeping prices down.
The bright orange e-bike is even more fun to ride than it is to look at. But you’ll want to watch too, so make sure you take a gander at my riding video below to come along with me. Then keep reading for even more, below!
Velotric Summit 1 Video Review
Velotric Summit 1 tech specs
- Motor: 750W (1,300W peak-rated) rear hub motor with 90Nm of torque
- Top speed: 28 mph (50 km/h)
- Range: Claimed up to 70 miles (up to 112 km)
- Battery: 48V 14.7Ah (705.6 Wh)
- Weight: 62 lb (28 kg)
- Load capacity: 440 lb (200 kg)
- Frame: Triple-butted aluminum alloy
- Tires: Kenda 27.5×2.6″ fat tires
- Brakes: Dual-piston Shimano hydraulic disc brakes
- Extras: Color display, 15 pedal assist levels, front and rear LED light with brake light, front suspension, kickstand, internally routed cables, removable battery, Apple FindMy, torque sensor, UL-compliant battery and e-bike system
What does this e-bike offer
First of all, since Velotric is known more as a street-focused brand, the Summit 1 retains a lot of what makes the brand’s other models great for cruising the roads. That means you still get features like built-in LED lighting, Apple FindMy location tracking, and the ability to add fenders/racks for city and utility riding.
But of course, the main purpose of Summit 1 is trail riding, and that’s where the bike feels most at home.
The 750W rear motor puts out a peak power figure of closer to 1,300 watts, which along with the 90 Nm of torque is where your true hill-climbing potential comes from. For those of you with flat terrain like me, that also translates into powerful off-the-line starts, so it’s not wasted on us coastal sea levelers.
The battery is rather average-sized at 700 Wh, but is easily removable for charging either on or off the bike. Since the bike weighs 68 lb, you also might want to take that battery out when you lift the bike, such as into the back of a truck.
And another note on the battery: it’s UL-compliant. In fact, the entire e-bike is UL-compliant also, giving riders added peace of mind.
When it comes to range, Velotric says you’ll get 60 miles (100 km) on throttle or 70 miles (112 km) on pedal assist.
That pedal assist range sounds about right, considering the 15 levels of pedal assist can provide either powerful or soft assist, and that lower power end of the spectrum is where your best range will come from.
But the 60-mile throttle range seems quite lofty unless you’re cruising around at leisurely speeds of 10-12 mph. And if you’re riding off-road nature trails, there’s a chance you will be. But suffice it to say that with 700Wh of capacity, the bike has roughly average battery capacity and will hang with or surpass just about any other eMTB in its class when it comes to range.
Torque sensor for the win!
On bikes that are designed to be pedaled frequently, such as electric mountain bikes, a torque sensor is a beautiful piece of equipment to have. As we’ve talked about before, the torque sensor basically makes the power delivery a lot more natural and intuitive by giving you more or less power based on how hard you pedal instead of how fast you pedal.
On a bike designed for cruising in the bike lane, the lack of a good torque sensor is less noticeable. But when you’re trying to climb up a steep mountain bike trail, having instantaneous power on tap is a great advantage to have.
I’m also glad to see the bike is well-made, including using a strong through-axle for the front wheel and frame welds that look solid.
The bike is tested to exceed standard ISO tests used for electric mountain bikes, which is how the company can claim that higher weight capacity for a type of bike that is expected to live a rough life handling tough trails and bumpy rides.
The battery is even IPX7-rated, which means it can be submerged in water. I tested that very claim by tossing a Velotric battery in a tub of water, and lo and behold, it worked just fine when I took it out. So if the storm clouds move in during your ride, you may have to worry about traction, but you won’t have to worry about the safety of your battery.
And if I’m being a bit superficial, I’m also glad to see the nice, vibrant color options there are. Obviously that’s not a key performance differentiator, but since many people like to choose a bike color that matches their personality, having bright oranges and blues in addition to the more muted grayscale is nice to see.
What are the downsides?
Look, the bike rides great. The 120mm hydraulic suspension fork does a great job on the bumps and the bike is comfortable to flick around a trail. But no bike is perfect, and it’s fair to say that Velotric had to cut some corners compared to the fancier “true eMTBs” you’ll see in the bike shops.
For one, there’s no mid-drive motor, which the more lycra-minded riders often tout as the pinnacle of eMTB drives. Yes, mid-drives give great balance and usually mean a fancy German motor, but they also come with fancy German prices. So you’re giving up that mid-drive in favor of a rear-heavy hub motor, but saving a lot of green!
Next, the 8-speed derailleur is a simple Shimano Altus. It’s not bad, but it’s not a great piece of kit, either. It’s fine for recreational riders, but it won’t take the same beating or have the same lower maintenance as higher-end derailleurs.
And those tires? They’re Kendas, not something fancier like Maxxis. But here again, it feels fine for normies like me. I was hitting sandy singletrack without any traction issues, and I haven’t gotten a single flat… yet.
So sure, there are some modest parts mixed in here to help keep the price down to just $1,999, compared to the higher dollar eMTBs out there. But I think the right compromises were made in the right places, saving areas like safety and build quality as the main points where Velotric invested more heavily.
Sum it up for me!
The Velotric Summit 1 is a great riding e-bike that can handle mountain bike trails the way they’re meant to be ridden, but doesn’t carry the same $4-6k price tag of many more pro-level electric mountain bikes. At just $1,999, it’s a lot easier for a casual rider to justify.
I’ve had a blast riding trails on it the way I’d use a fancier hard-tail electric mountain bike. Sure, a mid-drive motor and higher-end transmission would upgrade the bike, but I’m happy to make those sacrifices in favor of more recreational-focused components that get the same job done at a fraction of the price.
With the build quality and safety that’s been engineered into the bike, I’m giving this one a solid recommendation for newer riders and enthusiasts alike. Just don’t think you’ll catch big air on the massive jumps you see $8,000 full suspension eMTBs handling.
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If you’ve been eyeing the all-electric G-Wagon, Mercedes-Benz just sweetened the deal – but only for a limited time.
According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology – AKA the electric G-Wagon – now comes with $9,500 in lease cash, up from last month’s $7,500. That’s a 27% jump in savings. The move comes just weeks before the $7,500 EV lease tax credit loophole closes on September 30.
Like most EVs leased in the US, the G-Class has been able to qualify for the credit even though it’s excluded from purchase incentives. That benefit is about to disappear, which likely explains why Mercedes is boosting the offers now.
The electric G-Wagon doesn’t come cheap. With a base price of $162,650, the $9,500 incentive amounts to only a 5.8% discount. The SUV also carries a steep advertised lease: $1,869 per month for 36 months with $14,613 due at signing. Factor it all in, and you’re really paying about $2,275 a month for 10,000 miles a year. Current Mercedes deals run through September 2.
For context, the 2025 G 580’s lease money factor now sits at 0.00180, which works out to around 4.3% APR – lower than the standard rates previously on offer.
Performance-wise, the electric G-Wagon earns an EPA rating of 62 MPGe and an electric range of 239 miles. Not groundbreaking numbers, but for buyers who want the iconic G-Wagon experience with zero tailpipe emissions, this is it.
With federal lease credits ending soon, Mercedes appears to be betting that drivers looking for a last chance at big EV savings will jump now rather than later.
Click here to find a local dealer that may have the 2025 Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology in stock. –trusted affiliate
Thanks to CarsDirect for digging up this dealer offer.
Read more: From $129 a month: 5 of the best EV lease deals in August
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The Honda Prologue is a surprise hit. It was the second-best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y in the second half of 2024. Now, used models are in high demand.
Honda Prologue leads used EV sales growth in July
After it delivered the first customer models last March, the Honda Prologue quickly became one of the most popular EVs in the US.
Throughout the second half of the year, Honda sold an average of over 5,000 Prologues every month. In November, it was the third best-selling EV, trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Honda’s electric SUV continues to be a top seller this year. Last month, it outsold the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai IONIQ 5. Since delivering the first Prologue model last March, Honda has now sold 52,500 units in the US.
According to Cox Automotive’s latest EV Market Monitor report, used Honda Prologue EVs are selling faster than expected.
Used EV sales rose sharply in July to 36,670, up 23.2% from June and 40% compared to last year. Honda had the biggest increase in used EV sales, more than doubling (+103%) month-over-month. Hyundai (+61.3%) and Rivian (60.5%) ranked second and third.
Tesla led used EV sales last month, selling 15,903 vehicles, up 18% year-over-year. GM’s Chevy (3,499 units, +28.6%), Ford (1,967 units, +25.7%), Mercedes-Benz (1,724 units, -12.3%), and Nissan (1,659 units, +19.9%) rounded out the top five.
Although its market share slipped to 43.4% from 45.2%, Tesla remained the leader by a wide margin. Other luxury brands, including BMW and Audi, reported higher used EV sales in July, with increases of 43.87% and 38%, respectively.
According to the report, used EV listing prices reached $35,263 last month, a 1.9% decrease from June. With a price gap of just $1,266, a record low, used electric vehicle prices are closing in on ICE vehicles.
New EV sales also picked up in July. With over 130,000 EVs sold, up 26% from June, the electric vehicle market share reached 9.1%, the second-highest to date.
Ahead of the $7,500 federal tax credit deadline, set to expire at the end of September, 11 brands posted their best EV sales of the year. The top five included Tesla, Chevy, Hyundai, Ford, and Honda. Volkswagen surged to sixth after electric vehicle sales surged 454% last month.
The Honda Prologue starts at $47,400, but with the credit, you can snag one for under $40,000 right now. Honda is also offering monthly leases as low as $159 in California and other ZEV states. In other regions, it’s still listed for as low as $229 per month.
| 2025 Honda Prologue trim | Starting Price* | Starting Price After Tax Credit* |
EPA Range (miles) |
| EX (FWD) | $47,400 | $39,900 | 308 |
| EX (AWD) | $50,400 | $42,900 | 294 |
| Touring (FWD) | $51.700 | $44,200 | 308 |
| Touring (AWD) | $54,700 | $47,200 | 294 |
| Elite (AWD) | $57,900 | $50,400 | 283 |
Even Honda’s luxury brand, Acura, is selling more electric vehicles than expected. Through the first half of the year, the Acura ZDX outsold the Cadillac Lyriq, and it’s based on the same GM Ultium platform.
Sales are expected to continue picking up ahead of the deadline. As Cox Automotive highlighted, “July’s performance sets a strong precedent, and as policy support winds down, the market’s ability to respond to real-time demand and brand-level dynamics will be critical in shaping the next phase of growth.”
Ready to take advantage of the savings while they are still here? We’re here to help. You can use our link to find deals on the Honda Prologue in your area (trusted affiliate link).
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The waste management experts at Republic Services are committed to cleaning up the Chicagoland area — and now, that includes the air Chicagoans breathe, thanks to the deployment of new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks in the heart of America’s Second City.
Republic Services executives and partners from local utility ComEd gathered yesterday, 14AUG, to celebrate the deployment of Chicago’s first electric refuse fleet, featuring two new Mack LR Electric garbage trucks paid for, in part, by ComEd’s commercial EV rebate program.
“The Mack LR Electric is purpose-built for refuse applications, delivering zero local emissions while maintaining the durability and performance Mack trucks are known for,” reads the official Mack press release. “The electric powertrain provides quieter operation for early morning routes and helps fleet operators meet sustainability goals while supporting cleaner air quality in urban communities. With its low cab-forward design and tight turning radius, the LR Electric maintains the maneuverability essential for residential and commercial waste collection routes.”
The big Class 8 Mack Trucks are powered by a pair of electric motors putting 400 combined kW (about 536 hp) through a 2-speed Mack Powershift transmission that offers a whopping 4,051 lb-ft of peak torque output. That’s over 40% more power than the first generation Mack LR Electric released in 2019, and this iteration can charge the 376 kWh Samsung-sourced batteries fully in under two hours at 150 kW.
Real money, real results
While Washington continues to threaten America’s economic security and position as a global technology leader by toying with the idea of killing the $7,500 Federal EV tax credit, the ENERGY STAR program, and other energy efficiency incentives, the private energy sector is stepping up with massive investments in battery storage, charging infrastructure, and commercial EV rebates – and Chicago is leading that charge (pun very much intended), with EV adoption outpacing the rest of the nation by 4:1 in Q1.
“ComEd is proud to support Republic Services in advancing zero emissions transportation for Chicago’s neighborhoods,” explains Melissa Washington, our senior vice president of customer operations and strategic initiatives. “As more customers take advantage of our EV rebate programs, we are helping empower customers to realize the air quality and energy savings benefits of EVs, and moving our communities closer to their goals for a more sustainable future.”
The new HD electric vehicles will be powered up nightly by equally new 150 kW DC fast charging stations from BP pulse, which are installed at Republic’s vehicle yard in the Little Village neighborhood. Part of the ComEd rebate money awarded to the company helped fund the make-ready infrastructure portion (effectively from the transformer to the stub) of that project, as well as at least one Ford F-150 Lightning pickup.
And, if these trucks look familiar, it might be because Republic Services also handles refuse collection for the City of Madison, Wisconsin, and added two Class 8 electric trucks to their garbage fleet last year in the form of a pair of similar Mack Electric LR HDEVs.
Electrek’s Take
Look, you know me. There is absolutely ZERO chance that I’ll be able to remain objective about anything that’s putting down more than four thousand lb-ft of torque. Make that thing quieter, cleaner, and generally better for me and my community, and there’s even less of a chance of me saying anything critical about it.
Here’s hoping more cities go electric rather sooner than later.
SOURCES | IMAGES: Mack Trucks, Republic Services, via LinkedIn.
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