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For years I’ve followed progress of the STREEK cargo trike, a fascinating-looking electric cargo carrier from Japan. This utility-focused electric bike relies on a tilting-frame design with a rare tadpole trike setup, which is a more stable design that we rarely see in the electric trike market. And now this uniquely Japanese creation is making the long journey across the Pacific to the US, thanks in part of to the e-bike brand Vvolt.

The STREEK cargo trike is the brainchild of Envision Incorporated, a “forward-thinking design firm based in Yokohama, Japan, dedicated to developing innovative mobility solutions that blend utility and sustainability.”

It’s not a stretch to call them forward-thinking, as you can see how unique the STREEK appears in the market. Its innovative design has lent itself to jobs in a wide range of applications for diverse industries that all rely on rapid mobility.

With a fully-suspended front end that also tilts in the turns, the STREEK cargo trike is much more stable feeling than most other cargo trikes on the market.

In fact, it is designed to ride more like a two-wheeled bike, yet offers the advantages of stability and storage that come with larger three-wheeled designs.

The bike features a modular design that includes a single or dual-tier storage system, ensuring a large cargo capacity while maintaining a compact form factor. Intended for urban use, the small wheels and tighter turning radius make it ideal for navigating complex areas where mobility is critical.

Its unique “surround loop frame” allows for flexible cargo arrangements, enabling users to both load items onto the lower platform and suspend them from the upper frame. 

“STREEK’s unique design, with features that make it ideal for use in Japan’s cities and for adventures outside, has attracted attention all over the world. This partnership with Vvolt is an exciting opportunity to bring STREEK to e-mobility fans in North America,” said Harry Uden, president of Envision Incorporated.

Vvolt is excited for the opportunity, as the company’s Founder and CEO Kyle Ranson explained. “We’re thrilled to work with Envision Incorporated to adapt their innovative STREEK design for the US market. Its tilting suspension and multi-level cargo storage make it perfect for the growing demand for sustainable and efficient urban mobility, and it’s an incredibly unique design with huge potential,” said Ranson.

While the Japanese version of the e-bike uses a 250W-rated mid-drive motor and is limited to under 25 km/h (15 mph), it’s not yet known if the US version could be upgraded to take advantage of less restrictive e-bike regulations.

We’ll have to wait and see for more information on the specifications of the US version and potential pricing.

Until then though, let us know what you think of the STREEK cargo e-trike in the comments section below!

Images via: @streek_ecargo

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New cars from Volvo, VW, Cadillac, and more – plus 0% on Model 3 as Tesla sales fall

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New cars from Volvo, VW, Cadillac, and more – plus 0% on Model 3 as Tesla sales fall

It’s been a big day for big reveals with the all-new Volvo ES90, a new compact electric city car from Volkswagen, plus a pair of new, over-the-top EVs from General Motors that perfectly exemplify American excess. All this and maybe the dawn of the long-awaited “Tesla Killer” on today’s revealing episode of Quick Charge!

GM is practically daring the competition to build a bigger, badder EV with a new, bigger $133,000 Cadillac Escalade and 1,100 hp off-road special in the form of the new Chevrolet Silverado EV ZR2. Finally, you guys are never happy … try to enjoy this episode, anyway!

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (and sometimes Sunday). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.

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Tesla to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston

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Tesla to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston

Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.

At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:

Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.

Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.

Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:

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Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.

Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.

Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.

It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.

In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”

Unlike its automotive business, Tesla’s energy business has been growing at an impressive pace – although prices and margins have come down last year.

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Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]

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Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]

Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.

The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.

Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.

The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.

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Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.

Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan

With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.

Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.

Genesis GV60 testing alongside a Porsche Taycan, Hyundai IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N (Source: CarSpyMedia)

Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.

Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.

Horsepower 0 to 60 mph
(seconds)
Starting Price
Genesis GV60 Performance 429 3.7 $69,900
Genesis GV60 Magma ? ? ?
Porsche Taycan 402 4.5 $99,400
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT
(with Weissach Package)
1,092 2.1 $230,000
Tesla Model S Plaid 1,020 1.99 $89,990
Genesis GV60 Magma vs Porsche Taycan vs Tesla Model S Plaid

In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.

Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?

Source: CarSpyMedia

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