Review: The AWD Fucare Gemini X electric moped has dual batteries and attitude
The Fucare electric bikes I’ve tested in the past have largely been fast and powerful machines, but always within the realm of reason. Apparently, that streak has come to an end with the new Fucare Gemini X Sport Dual Motor Dual Battery electric bike, which throws reason to the wind with so much power and speed that you can’t really call it much of an electric ‘bicycle’ anymore.
What I mean is that any two-wheeled EV that can hit 35 mph (56 km/h) is so far beyond the standard e-bike regulations in the US that it can’t even pretend to be in the grey area anymore.
This is a certifiable electric moped, at least in a hyperbolic sense. Good luck getting actual certificates like trying to register it as a motorbike.
But that’s a future problem. Let’s talk about the present, which means it’s time to jump into a review of how this crazy powerful e-moped actually rides.
Fucare Gemini X Sport Video Review
Fucare Gemini X Sport tech specs
- Motor: Dual 750W continuous (total of 2,400W peak) geared hub motors
- Top speed: 50-56 km/h (32-35 mph)
- Range: Claimed up to 120 km (75 mi) on throttle
- Battery: Dual 48V 15Ah for a total of 1,440 Wh
- Max load: 181 kg (400 lb)
- Brakes: Hydraulic two-piston disc brakes
- Extras: LCD display, LED head and tail lights, kickstand, suspension fork, 4″ fat tires, and included fenders & rear rack
Double the trouble, twice
Double batteries usually means double the range. But in this case, doubling the motors keeps the usual range closer to a standard single-battery/single-motor bike, unless you’re choosing to limit that power or only use one motor for casual riding.
Even without getting the double-range benefit, you’re getting a lot of extra power and the ability to supply that power. The pair of supposedly UL-compliant batteries gives us nearly 1.5 kWh of capacity, which is a veritable ton of battery on an e-bike.
I’m glad to see that both batteries get tucked away inside that rather neat-looking trellis frame too. Fucare scores some bonus points in my book for their novel frame designs, which help them look interesting and unique compared to the same old e-bike designs we see from many different companies.
On the other hand, the frame also has its problems, including that the rear chainstays (the tubes on either side of the rear motor) splay out so far that I get heel strike as I pedal. I’ve learned to spread my heels out to avoid it, but it’s not something you should have to adapt to – it should just be designed well to begin with.
There are other compromises too, such as the extreme weight of the bike, pushing 99 lb (45 kg). I had to set up a hanging scale just to check that figure, as you’ll see in my video review above. That is a lot of bike!
And it should be no surprise where all of that weight is coming from. Those dual motors and dual batteries are chunky, of course. That’s a major contributor. But the bike also has a hefty dual crown suspension fork, wide (and heavy) 4″ tires, and a bunch of other add-ons like fenders, rear rack, LED lights, big and visible display, hydraulic disc brakes, etc.
Each of these components add to the usability of the bike, and so I’m glad they’re there. But they each also add to that weight, leaving us just one pound shy of triple digits.
Of course most people are going to treat this bike more like a motorcycle anyway, and so I don’t see a lot of folks attempting to lift this into their car or carry it up a flight of stairs. This is very much a moped or motorbike replacement. It gets well over 30 mph on throttle (with a full battery and a tucked riding posture, you can get close to 35 mph). It’s got a motorcycle-style fork and enough rubber on the road to hug those turns with confidence. And the whole thing just screams motorbike, not electric bicycle. So it’s obvious that weight savings were the last thing on the designer’s minds.
Ultimately, the price is what makes or breaks a lot of these direct-to-consumer electric bikes, and Fucare seems to know that very well. At $1,699, it’s hard to fault the company on performance-to-price ratio.
There aren’t many e-bikes with 1,500W of power, 30+ mph speeds, dual motors, dual batteries, and a slick-looking frame for this price. In fact, most don’t even get close to this price. So I commend Fucare in that sense.
On the other hand, you’re basically taking a risk every time you ride this bike on the road and pretend to be an e-bike, since it is obviously so far outside of Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike specs in most states in the US. So as an off-road only bike, go for it. But for on-road use, you should either adjust the settings appropriately for your local laws or at least ride respectfully of others around you, especially when sharing bike lanes and other areas with vulnerable road users.
This is a lot of bike, and it’s fun to know you can get these performance specs at this price. But you better know going in that this is a vehicle that requires some serious responsibility, too. And a good helmet. And probably a good jacket, while you’re at it.
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On today’s festive episode of Quick Charge, Tesla steps up for its owners by calling in mobile charging stations to cut down on wait time. Meanwhile Hyundai has some extra goodies for your stockings and Texas is cleaning up its act.
We’ve also got big savings for Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra shoppers, as well as some good environmental news in the form of new solar and wind projects coming online at a record clip, and a dirty Texas mine that’s cleaning up its act.
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Dodge is rolling out a hefty discount on the 2025 Charger Daytona EV even though it hasn’t officially hit the market yet. According to a dealer bulletin, the 2025 Daytona EV qualifies for a juicy $3,000 discount, but you won’t see it advertised anywhere. Here’s how you could snag this deal and save big.
On December 13, Stellantis introduced the BEV Dealer Cash Coupon Program, an incentive program designed to sweeten the deal on electric Dodge models. Under this program, dealers get a $1,000 cash coupon for the Charger Daytona – and here’s the kicker – they can stack up to three of these coupons for a total of $3,000 in savings. Unlike traditional rebates that go directly to the buyer, dealers have the option to keep the incentive as extra profit.
The program covers both the 2024 and 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona EVs for purchases and leases. But there’s more: if you’re leasing, you can stack that $3,000 dealer cash with a $7,500 lease incentive tied to a commercial tax credit (unavailable when buying). Add it all up, and you could score a whopping $10,500 in savings. This deal is slated to end on April 30, 2025, so there’s time to plan your move.
For some context, the 2024 Dodge Charger EV starts at $61,590, including destination fees. With $10,500 in potential savings, that’s an impressive 17% discount off MSRP—and that’s before you factor in any additional dealer discounts. Interestingly, Dodge has a higher-than-usual difference between invoice and MSRP pricing on the Daytona, meaning there’s room for negotiation if you’re savvy.
Of course, there are a few things to watch out for. Dealer participation varies, so your results may depend on where you shop. Plus, Dodge hasn’t released pricing for the 2025 Charger Daytona yet, so there’s some guesswork involved. Still, if you’re hunting for a bargain, the 2024 Charger EV stands out as one of the best financing deals right now, offering 0% interest for up to 72 months.
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Source: Stellantis via CarsDirect
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Toyota’s electric SUV may soon get a fresh start. After a rocky debut, the Toyota bZ4X is reportedly due for a rebrand, with a new name coming as soon as 2026.
Is Toyota giving the bZ4X a new name?
After launching the bZ4X in 2022, Toyota’s first electric SUV had a bumpy market debut. In June 2022, all bZ4X models were recalled over concerns that the wheels could fall off.
Since then, Toyota has struggled to gain traction. Through the first nine months of 2024, Toyota sold 13,577 bZ4X models in the US. Although that’s double the roughly 6,500 sold through Q3 2023, it’s still less than 1% of its over 1.7 total vehicles sold through September.
As Toyota looks to turn things around, the bZ4X is due for a complete rebrand. Speaking at a recent auto press event in Quebec, a regional director for Toyota Canada said the company is preparing to change the bZ4X name.
According to Motor Illustrated, Patrick Ryan, Toyota’s regional director for Quebec and Atlantic Canada, said the name change will occur over the next year.
Toyota just revealed the 2025 bZ4X last week, so it will likely be for the 2026 model year. Prices for the 2025 Toyota bZ4X start at $37,070 in the US, or $6,000 less than the outgoing model. The FWD model has an EPA-estimated range of up to 252 miles, while the AWD trim has a range of up to 222 miles.
Toyota promotes its bZ branding as “beyond Zero” in reference to EVs cutting emissions. Meanwhile, the “4” determines its format (think RAV4), and the X tells us it’s a crossover.
In the US, all Toyota vehicles are badged with an actual name other than the RAV4 and bZ4X. A new name may make sense since bZ4X is a bit of a tongue twister and had a less-than-favorable reception.
After unveiling its new Urban Cruiser electric SUV earlier this month, will Toyota follow a similar route with the bZ4X? Although its first three-row electric SUV is now delayed until 2026, we could see a completely different naming system rollout.
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