Electric scooter industry giant NIU is back with another pair of new electric standing scooters just in time for college students headed back to school. The NIU KQi 100P and KQi 100F are laser-focused on portability and affordability, dropping the power level to create compact and budget-priced commuting tools.
Just how low-cost are we talking here?
The NIU KQi 100P debuts with a US $349 MSRP, while the even more compact KQi 100F carries an MSRP of US $449.
Despite the unique monikers and prices, both of NIU’s new electric scooters feature largely similar specs.
They both offer front suspension forks, 48V 252 Wh battery packs, 600W peak-rated rear motors, speeds of up to 28 km/h (17.4 mph), and maximum ranges on a charge of 29 km (18 miles). The scooters ride on 9″x2.3″ pneumatic tires and are said to be capable of climbing inclines up to 15%.
The main difference appears to be the KQi 100F’s folding handlebars, as well as its availability at BestBuy, Amazon, and Target, compared to the KQi’s 100P marking the company’s debut at Kohl’s in addition to continuing NIU’s Walmart availability.
“By bringing these two new electric kick scooters to market and partnering with retail giants like Best Buy, Kohl’s and Walmart to ensure widespread availability, we are not only enhancing convenience for customers but also setting a new standard for the e-mobility industry,” explained Ben McGill, Head of North America of NIU. “The KQi 100 series performs better than many mid-tier scooters, while being hundreds of dollars less than others in the market. We are one of the only companies making a sub-$500 scooter with the capabilities that this product offers. For 10 years, NIU has led the world in lithium-ion battery EVs that remain an affordable option for urban mobility and the KQi 100-Series further demonstrates our commitment to innovative technology at competitive pricing.”
It’s fair to say that the scooters offer rather small batteries and somewhat lower top speeds than we often see in the North American electric scooter market, but these NIUs are also priced at a fraction of most scooters we’ve covered this year.
In exchange for a slightly shorter range and reduced top speed, riders get that ultra-affordability that is increasingly sought after, especially among younger riders heading off to college.
But just because NIU has targeted budget pricing doesn’t mean the company has skimped on the features. Both scooters use NIU’s smart app that includes connected features like anti-theft provided by a built-in GPS tracker. Riders can also use the app to adjust parameters like the maximum charge level (to extend the lifespan of the battery) as well as modify the regenerative braking strength).
The 17.5 kg (38.5 lb) scooters are rated for riders up to 120 kg (264 lb) and feature robust aluminum frames and IP55 water resistance. LED lighting is included in the front and rear, as well as with built-in turn signals.
Both scooters are available now, and we look forward to getting the chance to put some miles on them soon to report back on our own opinion of NIU’s latest electric ridables.
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.