Velotric Fold 1 review: A 28 MPH folding e-bike that looks good and rides better!
Velotric continues to impress me with each new launch, and the Velotric Fold 1 has no plans to ruin that streak. Having spent some solid saddle time with the bike now, I can tell you that this is one of the best electric folders out there right now for e-bike shoppers on a budget.
Don’t believe me? You’ll understand when you see it in action. Check out my video review below to see what I mean. And then continue on below for my complete thoughts on this impressive e-bike.
Velotric Fold 1 video review
Velotric Fold 1 tech specs
- Motor: 750W (1,050W peak-rated) rear hub motor with 70Nm of torque
- Top speed: 28 mph (50 km/h)
- Range: Claimed up to 55 miles (up to 88 km)
- Battery: 48V 608Wh
- Weight: 63 lb (28.6 kg)
- Load capacity: 440 lb (200 kg)
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Tires: 20×3.0″ semi-fat tires
- Brakes: Dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes on 180mm rotors
- Price: US $1,149
- Extras: LCD display, 5 pedal assist levels, front and rear LED light with brake light, front coil spring suspension, kickstand, internally routed cables, removable battery, cadence sensor, UL-compliant battery and e-bike system
In one word: Impressive
This e-bike definitely impressed me, plain and simple.
It’s a fairly unassuming bike and doesn’t outwardly look like it should be that special, but it hides away several key features that have definitely won me over. And that’s coming from someone who has tested literally hundreds of e-bikes over the last few years.
First of all, let’s talk about safety. The bike is certified for UL 2849, which covers the battery, motor, controller, wiring, charger, and basically everything else in the electrical system. The bike is also certified to the ISO 4210 standard, which includes all of the mechanical tests associated with e-bikes. So they’ve covered their bases more than most companies on the mechanical and electrical side of things.
Next, the bike just rides really nicely. The 28 mph is nice, but so many e-bikes are Class 3 these days that you need more than just a 28 mph speed to impress me.
The bike actually feels good at those speeds, partly due to the choice to include 3.0-inch semi-fat tires. These are more nimble than full 4.0-inch fat tires, yet offer better cushion than common 2 or 2.5-inch tires. When combined with the front suspension fork (which is alright but not exactly a showstopper component), the bike has some quite good shock absorption underneath it. The geometry also keeps the bike from feeling too squished in the cockpit, which can happen with some folding e-bikes.
Now let’s keep in mind that this is a $1,149 e-bike here, and so I’m not saying these are fancy Maxxis tires or high-end RockShox suspension – neither is true. But for the price, the ride and the feel impressed me right out of the gate. The bike just rides smoothly and feels wonderful underneath me.
Continuing on, the touch points all feel good. The saddle is comfortable for me, the buttons for the controls are easily accessible for a quick thumb jab, and the LCD screen is super bright. I had gotten used to Velotric’s nicer color screen on the company’s higher-end e-bikes, so I was worried at first about “downgrading” back to a simple black-and-white LCD screen. But I was amazed at how bright and easy to read the screen is.
You can see from my riding footage (screenshot below) that even in direct sunlight while barrelling down the road, the display is vivid and not washed out.
Many LCD screens are difficult to read unless you’re in the shade or have overcast skies. But this screen’s big digits and bright backlight make it incredibly visible.
Is the Velotric Fold 1 a Lectric XP 3.0 competitor?
Velotric doesn’t explicitly state this the way some other e-bike companies do, but yes, this e-bike is meant to compete against the Lectric XP 3.0, which is currently the best-selling e-bike in the US. And I’d say it gives that bike a serious run for its money.
Not only does it look nicer with the beautiful blue color option (though I guess the gray and white options from Velotric are alright too), but it has some real advantages on the use side. It’s easier to fold and you can take the battery out without folding the bike, which is great for anyone who wants to charge the battery off of the bike. I love the XP 3.0, but pulling the battery out when you don’t plan to completely fold the bike is a bit of a pain.
The Velotric Fold 1 still costs $100 more than the base XP 3.0, but it’s got some compelling advantages, not to mention the bigger battery. And as someone who loves bright e-bike colors, that shiny blue is worth something right there!
What would I improve?
No e-bike is without fault in my eyes, and so I can always find room for improvement. On the Velotric Fold 1, I’d have loved to see a slightly larger battery and a torque sensor for smoother pedal assist. But I can understand that both of those would be tricky while maintaining the current price tag.
I also wish they had included the Apple FindMy feature that they have in their higher-dollar e-bikes, though again, I certainly understand that some sacrifices must be made to keep this e-bike so affordable.
What’s the summary?
While the Velotric Fold 1 isn’t perfect, I find that when it is judged within its price class, it’s a serious top contender. The bike is equal parts fast yet comfortable, peppy yet controllable, and simple yet refined.
It’s easy to fold and not overly heavy (though it’s hard to call a 63-lb e-bike “lightweight”), and it’s pretty darn easy to toss it in the back of a car when you want to take it with you on a trip.
With hydraulic brakes, included rack and fenders, and full LED lighting, it’s got all the components I want to see on my everyday commuter e-bikes, yet is ready for more than just commutes. It can carry cargo and serve as a fun urban adventure bike, too.
The bike does make a few sacrifices to reach its attractive US $1,149 price tag, but I’m ok with those small compromises because the sum here is greater than the parts. And that’s what I’m always looking for: an e-bike that adds up to something that can meet my needs and feels good while doing it.
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EV charging veteran ChargePoint has unveiled its new charger product architecture, which is described as a “generational leap in AC Level 2 charging.” The new ChargePoint technology designed for consumers in North America and Europe will enable vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities and the ability to charge your EV in as quickly as four hours.
ChargePoint is not only a seasoned contributor to EV infrastructure but has established itself as an innovative leader in the growing segment. In recent years, it has expanded and implemented new technologies to help simplify the overall process for its customers. In 2024, the network reached one million global charging ports and has added exciting features to support those stations.
Last summer, the network introduced a new “Omni Port,” combining multiple charging plugs into one port. It ensures EV drivers of nearly any make and model can charge at any ChargePoint space. The company also began implementing AI to bolster dependability within its charging network by identifying issues more quickly, improving uptime, and thus delivering better charging network reliability.
As we’ve pointed out, ChargePoint continues to utilize its resources to develop and implement innovative solutions to genuine problems many EV drivers face regularly, such as vandalism and theft. We’ve also seen ChargePoint implement new charger technology to make the process more affordable for fleets.
Today, ChargePoint has introduced a new charger architecture that promises to bring advanced features and higher charging rates to all its customers across residential, commercial, and fleet applications.
ChargePoint unveils maximum speed V2X charger tech
This morning, ChargePoint unveiled its next generation of EV charger architecture, complete with bidirectional capabilities and speeds up to double those of most current AC Level 2 chargers.
As mentioned above, this new architecture will serve as the backbone of new ChargePoint chargers across all segments, including residential, commercial, and fleet customers. Hossein Kazemi, chief technical officer of hardware at ChargePoint, elaborated:
ChargePoint’s next generation of EV chargers will be revolutionary, not evolutionary. The architecture underpinning them enables highly anticipated technologies which will deliver a significantly better experience for station owners and the EV drivers who charge with them.
The new ChargePoint chargers will feature V2X capabilities, enabling residential and commercial customers to use EVs to power homes and buildings with the opportunity to send excess energy back to the local grid. Dynamic load balancing can automatically boost charging speeds when power is not required at other parts of the connected building structure, enabling efficiency and faster recharge rates.
ChargePoint shared that its new charger architecture can achieve the fastest possible speed for AC current (80 amps/19.2 kW), charging the average EV from 0 to 100% in just four hours. That’s nearly double the current AC Level 2 standard (no pun intended).
Other features include smart home capabilities where residential or commercial owners can implement the charger within a more extensive energy storage system, including solar panels, power banks, and smart energy management systems. The new architecture also enables series-wiring capabilities, meaning fleet depots, multi-unit dwellings, or even residential homes with multiple EVs can maximize charging rates without upgrading their wiring configuration or energy service plan.
These new chargers will also feature ChargePoint’s Omni Port technology, enabling a wider range of compatibility across all EV makes and models. According to ChargePoint, this new architecture complies with MID and Eichrecht regulations in Europe and ENERGY STAR in the US.
The first charger models on the platform are expected to hit Europe this summer followed by North
America by the end of 2025.
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Environment
Tanking oil prices could more than double Saudi Arabia’s deficit to $75 billion and threaten spending plans: Goldman Sachs economist
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Johnnygreig | E+ | Getty Images
Crashing oil prices triggered by waning demand, global trade war fears and growing crude supply could more than double Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit, a Goldman Sachs economist warned.
The bank’s outlook spotlighted the pressure on the kingdom to make changes to its mammoth spending plans and fiscal measures.
“The deficits on the fiscal side that we’re likely to see in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries, especially big countries like Saudi Arabia, are going to be pretty significant,” Farouk Soussa, Middle East and North Africa economist at Goldman Sachs, told CNBC’s Access Middle East on Wednesday.
Spending by the kingdom has ballooned due to Vision 2030, a sweeping campaign to transform the Saudi economy and diversify its revenue streams away from hydrocarbons. A centerpiece of the project is Neom, an as-yet sparsely populated mega-region in the desert roughly the size of Massachusetts.
Plans for Neom include hyper-futuristic developments that altogether have been estimated to cost as much as $1.5 trillion. The kingdom is also hosting the 2034 World Cup and the 2030 World Expo, both infamously costly endeavors.
Digital render of NEOM’s The Line project in Saudi Arabia
The Line, NEOM
Saudi Arabia needs oil at more than $90 a barrel to balance its budget, the International Monetary Fund estimates. Goldman Sachs this week lowered its year-end 2025 oil price forecast to $62 a barrel for Brent crude, down from a previous forecast of $69 — a figure that the bank’s economists say could more than double Saudi Arabia’s 2024 budget deficit of $30.8 billion.
“In Saudi Arabia, we estimate that we’re probably going to see the deficit go up from around $30 to $35 billion to around $70 to $75 billion, if oil prices stayed around $62 this year,” Soussa said.
“That means more borrowing, probably means more cutbacks on expenditure, it probably means more selling of assets, all of the above, and this is going to have an impact both on domestic financial conditions and potentially even international.”
Financing that level of deficit in international markets “is going to be challenging” given the shakiness of international markets right now, he added, and likely means Riyadh will need to look at other options to bridge their funding gap.
The kingdom still has significant headroom to borrow; their debt-to-GDP ratio as of December 2024 is just under 30%. In comparison, the U.S. and France’s debt-to-GDP ratios of 124% and 110.6%, respectively. But $75 billion in debt issuance would be difficult for the market to absorb, Soussa noted.
“That debt to GDP ratio, while comforting, doesn’t mean that the Saudis can issue as much debt as they like … they do have to look at other remedies,” he said, adding that those remedies include cutting back on capital expenditure, raising taxes, or selling more of their domestic assets — like state-owned companies Saudi Aramco and Sabic. Several Neom projects may end up on the chopping block, regional economists predict.
Saudi Arabia has an A/A-1 credit rating with a positive outlook from S&P Global Ratings and an A+ rating with a stable outlook from Fitch. That combined with high foreign currency reserves — $410.2 billion as of January, according to CEIC data — puts the kingdom in a comfortable place to manage a deficit.
The kingdom has also rolled out a series of reforms to boost and de-risk foreign investment and diversify revenue streams, which S&P Global said in September “will continue to improve Saudi Arabia’s economic resilience and wealth.”
“So the Saudis have lots of options, the mix of all of these is very difficult to pre-judge, but certainly we’re not looking at some sort of crisis,” Soussa said. “It’s just a question of which options they go for in order to deal with the challenges that they’re facing.”
Global benchmark Brent crude was trading at $63.58 per barrel on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in London, down roughly 14% year-to-date.
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