In first ever documented case, Talaria electric dirt bike goes up in flames in US
The new Talaria MX5 Sting Pro electric dirt bike may have just celebrated the one-week anniversary of its launch in the US, but it’s already marking another less-joyous occasion: the first documented major battery fire in a Talaria.
Videos on social media show what is reported to be a Talaria MX5 engulfed in flames as the rider details how he had managed to put only 20 miles (32 km) on the new bike before it caught fire underneath him.
The fire was confirmed by Eric Hicks, the founder and owner of Luna Cycle, which is well known as the main US-based supplier of Talarias and other light electric dirt bikes as well as high-power electric bicycles. Luna Cycle is often credited with introducing Talaria-style electric motorbikes into the US, long serving as Sur Ron’s exclusive distributor in the country and introducing several Talaria models in recent years.
According to Luna Cycle, which sold the Talaria MX5 bike in question, “This is the first major Talaria fire, of any model, reported in the USA. We take this very seriously, and plan to address this concern with the utmost priority.”
Hicks explained that Talaria normally only uses a well-respected battery maker known as Greenway Batteries. Greenway is one of the main suppliers for many electric bicycle brands in the US and around the world.
In fact, Greenway Battery has been the primary supplier for Talaria and Sur Ron electric motorbikes for years, and Luna Cycle has been a distributor and authorized repair center for Greenway Batteries in the US for eight years.
As Hicks continued, “In those eight years we have not seen a Greenway pack cause a fire and it is a big reason Surron and Talaria products have been so safe.”
However, due to a “clerical error made by the Talaria team,” some Talaria MX5 electric motorbikes that were shipped to the US included a battery produced by another supplier known as Scud.
“After investigating the incident and the bike involved in this fire, Luna verified the MX5 that caught fire last night unfortunately had a Scud battery installed in it from Talaria,” continued Hicks. “We are not sure of the cause of this fire and would prefer not to speculate at the possible causes, whether faulty or due to external factors. Regardless of the cause, Luna stands behind every bike and product it sells, and this incident is unacceptable for both Luna, and our customers.”
Luna Cycle has since announced a series of steps intended to address concerns regarding these Scud batteries. The company will replace the batteries in any Talaria MX5 bikes that shipped with Scud batteries and has since cancelled or reversed shipments on orders currently being processed that contain Scud batteries. Those bikes will have their batteries swapped and will ship in the next few days.
Not all Talaria MX5 Sting Pro bikes shipped from Luna Cycle in the past week have Scud batteries, but those customers who did receive an MX5 with a Scud battery will be contacted directly by Luna to receive a replacement Greenway battery.
While lithium-ion battery fires are known in the electric bicycle industry, they are relatively rare in the US compared to the millions of e-bikes already on the road. Such fires are even rarer in the case of more premium models, both premium electric trail bikes like these Talarias and high-end electric bicycles.
The few documented cases of electric bike battery fires in the US are usually related to inferior quality batteries used in bottom-tier budget-class e-bikes.
Several cities and institutions have begun initiating rules and regulations requiring safety certifications such as UL-compliance for micromobility vehicles features lithium-ion batteries, furthering a growing trend towards higher safety in the industry.
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Fall is here, and so is Amazon’s Prime Day on October 8-9 – your chance to snag up to 50% off BLUETTI’s portable power solutions! Exclusive Electrek reader discounts are up for grabs, but just like Halloween candy, they’re gone by October 31. Don’t miss out! Keep reading for all the details.
BLUETTI AC50B Portable Power Station
The AC50B power station is a compact powerhouse, weighing just 14.8 pounds and packing a personal-sized 448Wh capacity with 700W output (peaking at 1,000W). With six ports – two AC, two USB-C, one USB-A, and a car port – it’s ready to charge all your essentials.
Built to last, it features an ultra-safe LiFePO4 battery with 3,000+ life cycles, and it’s rated for at least 10 years of continuous use, making it a solid investment for road trips, camping, or any adventure. The Turbo Charging mode gets you back to 80% power in just 45 minutes with a wall outlet or fully charged in three hours using a 200W solar panel. Plus, you can easily monitor and control everything via the BLUETTI app on your smartphone or tablet.
The AC50B’s list price is $399, but the Prime Day deal price is $279, saving you $120 – that’s a 30% discount! Buy it on Amazon here.
BLUETTI is also offering Portable Power Station AC50B with 120W Solar Panel included. Ordinarily $598, the Prime Day deal price is $449, saving you $149 – a 25% discount. Buy the bundle on Amazon here.
BLUETTI AC70 Portable Power Station
The grab-and-go AC70 Power Station is your budget-friendly energy solution for everything from powering a campsite kitchen to setting up a remote workspace. With 950W Turbo Charging, it powers up fast—hitting 80% in just 45 minutes.
It weighs a mere 22.5 pounds, but the BLUETTI AC70 packs a punch when it comes to power. Its 768Wh capacity and DC, AC, and USB inputs support all your devices, whether it’s a 120W car fridge, a projector, or an induction cooktop.
The AC70 delivers 1,000W of continuous power to connect various appliances simultaneously. It also comes equipped with a “Power Lifting” function you can activate from the BLUETTI App. This feature can handle high-power resistive loads up to 2,000W, allowing you to power energy-intensive devices such as hair dryers, electric kettles, and heaters.
The AC70’s list price is $699, but the Prime Day deal price is $379, saving you $320 – that’s an impressive 46% discount! Buy it on Amazon here.
The AC70 also comes with an optional 120W solar panel so you’ll always have access to power if you’re headed off-grid.
BLUETTI AC180 Portable Power Station
Looking for a power solution that can keep up with your adventurous lifestyle? Meet the BLUETTI AC180 portable power station—your go-to energy source for everything from camping trips to home backup. With a robust 1,152Wh (or 1,440Wh for the AC180P) capacity and a powerful 1,800W output (up to 2,700W with Power Lifting Mode), this portable station can handle everything from charging your phone to running high-powered devices like space heaters and kettles. Its compact, grab-and-go design makes it easy to take wherever your adventures lead.
The AC180 is built for versatility. With 11 output ports – including AC, USB-A, USB-C, a 12V DC outlet, and even a wireless charging pad – it’s perfect for off-grid living, road trips, or home use during power outages. And when you’re out in the wild, simply hook it up to 200W solar panels to recharge in just a few hours. Plus, with the BLUETTI app, you can control and monitor everything from your phone.
The AC180 uses ultra-reliable LiFePO4 batteries, giving you over 3,500 life cycles. It even comes with a five-year warranty for that extra peace of mind. And with four flexible recharging options – AC, solar, car, or generator – you’ll never run out of power.
The AC180’s list price is $999, but the Prime Day deal price is $499, saving you $500 – that’s 50% off!! Buy it on Amazon here.
BLUETTI is also offering Portable Power Station AC180 with 200W Solar Panel included. Ordinarily $1,598, the Prime Day deal price is $799, saving you $799 – also a fantastic 50% discount! Buy the bundle on Amazon here.
BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200L is a portable power station that’s built to handle anything. With a powerful 2,400W AC output and a 3,600W Power Lifting Mode, it starts with a 2,048Wh capacity but can expand to a massive 4,096Wh with a B230 battery, or up to 8,192Wh with two B300 batteries (or 6,348Wh with two B210 batteries). Whether you’re prepping for an outage or hitting the road for an off-grid adventure, this portable powerhouse is ready for it all. Pair it with a 200W solar panel for easy, clean energy on the go.
Thanks to its LiFePO4 battery and advanced Battery Management System, you can count on the AC200L for efficient, quiet, and long-lasting performance – perfect for everything from daily electricity needs to outdoor adventures. Its versatility lets you power multiple devices, whether you’re cooking at camp or staying connected during a blackout.
One of the standout features of the AC200L is its solar capabilities. Supporting up to 1,200W of solar input, you can fully charge in just two hours with the right setup. No more stressing about losing power on long road trips or during extended camping stays – this station is designed to keep you powered up and ready for whatever comes next.
The AC200L’s list price is $1,999, but the Prime Day deal price is $1,199, saving you $800 – that’s a 40% discount. Buy it on Amazon here.
- BLUETTI Portable Power Station AC200L + 200W Solar Panel included was $2,499, Fall Prime Day deal price is now $1,299. That’s $1,200 in savings, or 48% off. Buy it on Amazon here.
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BLUETTI Fall Prime Day discount codes for Electrek readers
Here are the exclusive discount codes for Electrek readers:
- To save an extra 3% on the AC70 Portable Power Station, use the code BLUETTI3OFF at checkout.
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The codes are only valid on Amazon until October 31.
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Minnesota’s only public school district located within a sovereign tribal nation has added two new electric school buses to its fleet.
This makes Red Lake School District #38 one of the first public school districts in the US with a predominantly Indigenous population (98%) to tap into funding from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which granted the district $790,000 to buy electric school buses and chargers. The school district’s curriculum includes teaching the Ojibwe language, Ojibwemowin, and Ojibwe traditions.
Tim Lutz, superintendent of Red Lake Schools, said, “As an educational institution, our priority is to provide learning opportunities for students and community members in as many ways as we can. We do this not only through our curriculum but also by embracing best practices in energy and sustainability while preparing our students for future careers. We’re proud to have acquired these two electric school buses, and we believe they will serve us well.”
The sovereign tribal nation’s district, which serves 1,560 students, partnered with Highland Electric Fleets, a company that provides Electrification-as-a-Service for school bus fleets in North America, to procure two Blue Bird Type C Vision Electric school buses and two EV chargers for its bus depot. The Vision Electric charges in six to eight hours and has a range of up to 130 miles. It has a Cummins PowerDrive 7000 propulsion system and a 155 kWh Li-ion NMC/ G cell battery.
Each of the new electric buses will transport about 50 students, and with the charging infrastructure in place, the electric buses will have an average range of 110 miles per day with a full midday charge. Together, the two buses are expected to cover around 10,000 miles per year.
Duncan McIntyre, CEO and founder of Highland Electric Fleets, told me in a video call, “School bus transportation is hyperlocal, and this project gave us the opportunity to meet Red Lake Nation where they are and help them further their mission of bringing safe, reliable electric school bus service to their community.”
Read more: Blue Bird just delivered its 2,000th electric school bus
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On today’s episode of Quick Charge, rumors about a new Tesla van join the hype surrounding the Robotaxi reveal, and full self driving might be coming to the Tesla Semi. What’s more, Tesla is bringing back 0% financing on new Model Ys … if you buy FSD, that is.
We also explore BYD’s plans to sell 100,000 new EVs in North America next year, ZEEKR’s Europem [sic] expansion, and Texans’ take on government meddling in their solar rights. Enjoy!
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