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Royal Enfield’s biggest announcement at EICMA 2024 – the Milan Motorcycle Show – was undoubtedly the drop of its new electric motorcycle, the Flying Flea C6 and S6.

“Flying Flea” turned out to be the name of not just the new bike but the entire electric sub-brand launched by Royal Enfield, designed to encompass a range of light to middleweight urban electric motorcycles.

The first two models, the classicly-styled Flying Flea C6 and scrambler-styled Flying Flea S6, set the direction for the brand while positioning the type of rider and the type of ride that Royal Enfield has envisioned for its electric future.

One look at the new bike shows that it fits with Royal Enfield’s design heritage, borrowing several design cues and mixing them with the modern opportunities afforded by electric motorcycle design work freed from the traditional bounds of conventional frames and engines.

At the same time, a nod to history in the design mimics several now vestigial features, including an electric motor case that looks like a crankcase and bodywork that mimics a fuel tank.

We can see the obvious inspiration from the original Royal Enfield Flying Flea motorcycle of the 1940s, famously airdropped into WWII alongside paratroopers to provide lightweight and speedy battlefield mobility. From the girder fork to the vintage-style saddle, it’s a slick-looking ride. But appearances, however eye-catching, can only take Royal Enfield so far. For the new Flying Flea to become a commercial success, it will have to be backed up by the right specs at the right price.

And the team at Royal Enfield has an answer for that too. They just aren’t telling us yet.

While the unveiling was big on pomp and highlighted the brand’s focus on bringing accessibility to the commuter electric motorcycle market, the company isn’t quite ready to spill the details on specifics. Nearly the entirety of the bike’s spec sheet remains shrouded in mystery. The company doesn’t expect the bike to go on sale until Q1 2026, so we’ve got some time to get there.

However, we can still glean a lot from looks alone. The battery itself is rather small, physically, meaning it is unlikely to offer a terribly long range on a single charge. The narrow battery case likely implies a single row of cylindrical battery cells, limiting its total capacity. Perhaps two rows of cells could fit, but it’d be a tight squeeze. Either way you slice it, there’s just not a ton of space in between your knees for batteries. And that’s ok, as long as Royal Enfield has positioned the bike properly for its role. The company has repeatedly referred to the Flying Flea C6’s role as “city+”, meaning it’s designed primarily for urban commuting, with occasional excursions further out and onto faster roads.

This isn’t going to be a long-range highway commuter, but it will likely be sufficient for hopping on local highways for an exit or two. That’s peak commuter bike, right there.

Secondly, the motor isn’t all that large either. Physical size isn’t the only indication of power in an electric motor, but it’s usually a good corollary. This isn’t going to be laying down LiveWire-like 0-60 mph times of 3.0 seconds, which again, isn’t something a commuter bike is meant to do. If I were a betting man, I’d put the battery capacity at between 4-5 kWh and the peak motor power at under 15 kW (20 hp). I imagine the battery will be slightly smaller than most of us would want, but the power level is likely perfectly adequate for commuter-level requirements. With small batteries comes limited peak power, that’s just physics.

To put it simply, the specs are likely to be fine, but not breathtaking. And that’s ok. In fact, it’s what the market needs right now.

We’ve all watched as high-performance electric motorcycle companies have struggled, even gone bankrupt, trying to chase high speed and long range. That pursuit of performance is often a nearly impossible balancing act without seeing the price skyrocket. The current size and expense of batteries simply make it nearly impossible to shoehorn enough of them into a motorcycle-sized package and have something that looks good, let alone remains affordable.

Left: Royal Enfield Flying Flea C6; right: Royal Enfield Flying Flea S6

So instead of racing for the top, Royal Enfield has chosen the path less traveled these days: comfortably nestling into the sensible section of the market. With modest power and range figures comes modest pricing, and that’s Royal Enfield’s key to success. The company has long prided itself on building bikes that are accessible. And as many other companies have seen their sales stagnate or shrink, Royal Enfield has continued to grow in the last few years, reaching nearly a million units sold last year alone.

That combination of an eye for design mixed with sensible accessibility hasn’t just kept Royal Enfield afloat; it has helped the company prosper. And it just so happens that that’s exactly what the electric motorcycle market needs right now.

Fortunately – or more likely by design – this comes at a time when Royal Enfield is ready to take the risk. In candid discussions we had throughout the launch, it was underscored multiple times that Royal Enfield isn’t betting the farm on this. The company waited until they thought the time was right, but if the Flying Flea isn’t an immediate commercial success, we were assured that it wouldn’t drag the company down. That doesn’t mean the Royal Enfield team isn’t expecting success, but only that they’re not watching the world go by through rose-colored riding goggles either.

How much will the Flying Flea electric motorcycle cost?

This is the big question. More than “how fast?” and more than “how far?”, people want to know how much the Flying Flea C6 and S6 will cost.

And just like the performance specs, Royal Enfield isn’t ready to tell us. Depending on who I asked, they either know and aren’t saying yet, or they don’t even know it themselves.

But one thing is for sure, every member of Royal Enfield I questioned seemed to understand that pricing was going to be the critical factor here. They can see which machines have succeed and which have failed over the last few years. People went gangbusters over a $5,000 Metacycle (even if that bike proved too good to be true) and laughed in Can-Am’s face at their $14,000 commuter electric motorcycles.

If I had to guess, I can see Royal Enfield bringing the Flying Flea to market at between US $6,500 to $8,000. Discussions with leaders at Royal Enfield seemed to imply that the company is targeting multiple battery capacities and power levels to create various options for riders, meaning the entry-level model could be quite attractively priced, even if it must give up some range and top end to get there.

Ultimately, we don’t have much substance to judge the Flying Flea on yet. The bike looks great, at least in this journalist’s opinion. But once we can learn what’s going on under the hood and how many paychecks it will set us back, we can get a better idea of how well Royal Enfield can do on its first electric shot.

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Used electric car deals are coming as lease returns expected to surge

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November 7, 2024

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Used electric car deals are coming as lease returns expected to surge

used EV prices

We might start to get some great used electric car deals starting in 2026 as EV lease returns are expected to surge in a big way.

While the EV revolution has been going on for over a decade now, the used EV market is still quite immature because EVs have only been delivered in large volumes for the last few years.

2026. That is going to be the year of the used EV.

J.D. Power is out with a new report that states an expected 230% increase in electric vehicle lease return in 2026:

Lease volumes for new EVs surged 355% throughout 2023 and 88% through September 2024. Franchise-only (excluding Tesla) EV lease volumes were even higher, rising 438% throughout 2023 and 109% through September 2024. As a result, returning EV lease volumes are projected to dip slightly in 2025 before spiking 230% in 2026. This trend runs counter to what’s happening industry-wide where total lease volumes for gas-powered vehicles have been lower than pre-pandemic levels, creating a likely shortage in used-vehicle availability in 2025 and 2026. 

After projections for a roughly flat year in 2025, the report expects a massive increase in 2026 based on current lease data:

The reason for the surge is quite simple. The highly reported “lease loophole” to get access to the tax credit has resulted in a surge of EV leases:

Due in large part to a provision in the federal Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, which allows auto dealers to pass along a $7,500 tax credit to all EV lessees, nearly half (46%) of all franchise EV sales and 21% of total EV sales (including Tesla) in 2023 were leases. That trend continued throughout the first nine months of 2024, with the lease share of total franchise and Tesla EV volume reaching 30%. Meanwhile, lease volumes for gas-powered vehicles have been lower than pre-pandemic levels. Industry-wide, just 2.4 million gas-powered vehicles were leased in 2023. While that represents a 17% increase from 2022, it is still considerably lower than the pre-pandemic average of more than three million leases annually, which will likely create a shortage in used-vehicle availability in 2025 and 2026. 

While some of those leasers are going to keep their vehicles, many are going to give them back and upgrade, resulting in a surge of used EVs available for sale.

Used EV prices have already come down greatly, partly due to Tesla slashing prices in order for demand to keep up against its rapidly growing production capacity between 2020-2023.

Now, these fresh “new” used EVs to hit the market in 2026 are likely going to put a lot of pressure on used EV prices.

Electrek’s Take

I am excited for more mature used car markets even if it means that EV value will drop in 2026.

Most people buy used cars and so far, they have been quite limited in their EV options. It does sound like 2026 will be the year when the used EV market will expand into something more impactful, and lower-income people will be able to get off of gas.

It’s going to be a big step in the EV revolution.

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Jackery Black Friday 50% off, Rad Power e-bike sale, exclusive EcoFlow DELTA Pro bundles $2,400 off, more

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November 7, 2024

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Jackery Black Friday 50% off, Rad Power e-bike sale, exclusive EcoFlow DELTA Pro bundles ,400 off, more

Leading today’s Green Deals is Jackery’s early Black Friday sale that is taking up to 50% off power stations – both directly from its site and through its Amazon storefront – with prices starting from $90. Following right behind is the next iteration of Rad Power’s November sales, which is offering up to $300 in savings, and has its errand-running sidekick, the RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike at $1,699 with a free accessory promotion, among others. Next, we have two exclusive EcoFlow DELTA Pro solar generator bundles that are beating out EcoFlow’s own Black Friday rates while they last, starting from $1,899. We also have the best one-day sale to date on Greenworks’ 80V 21-inch Mower, 13-inch String Trimmer, and 730 CFM Lear Blower combo that is down at a new $570 low. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s early access Black Friday sales from Bluetti, Electric Bike Co., and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Jackery early Black Friday sale takes 50% off power stations, solar and home backup bundles, accessories, more from $90

Jackery’s early Black Friday savings event has begun and continues through November 20, with the brand taking up to 50% off on a huge collection of its power stations, bundle packages, and accessories. Alongside the ongoing launch specials for the new Explorer 5000 Plus unit, which you can learn about here, one offer that caught my eye immediately is the Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station which comes along with two 200W solar panels for $1,899 shipped, after using the on-page coupon. This package would normally run you $3,299 most days, with most discounts over the year mostly keeping costs above $2,479, though we did spy the first drops to the $1,899 low during the recent Prime Day sales. Now, with this sale, you’re getting another chance to score one of the best solar generator bundles at the all-time lowest price we have tracked anywhere.

Boasting a 2,042.8Wh capacity, Jackery’s Explorer 2000 Plus offers massive expansion possibilities for your campsite, nomad setup, or even home backup power. It can support up to five expandable batteries that bump its capacity to 12,000Wh, or you could connect two Explorer 2000 Plus stations, each with five batteries, and further increase the capacity to 24,000Wh. With a max solar input of 1,200W, this station can be fully charged in up to two hours by connecting it to six SolarSaga 200W panels or via wall outlet (this does not account for any expandable combinations you may be using). You’ll have 10 output ports to cover devices and appliances – plus, complete control to monitor and adjust settings through the Jackery app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

There are two alternative bundle packages that you may want to consider for more backup power – especially if you plan to use it for home backup or supporting larger gatherings with its expandable capacity. The first gives you the power station, two 200W panels, as well as an extra battery (reaching 4,085.6Wh) for $2,599, down from $4,999. The second takes the above bundle and adds a second extra battery (6,128.4Wh) for $3,299, down from $6,599.

Best early Jackery Black Friday on-the-go power station deals:

Best early Jackery Black Friday on-the-go solar bundle deals:

Best early Jackery Black Friday home backup power station deals:

Best early Jackery Black Friday home backup bundle deals:

  • Explorer 3000 Pro (3,024Wh) with two 200W solar panels and transfer switch: $2,499 (Reg. $4,199)
  • Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh) with two 500W solar panels and smart transfer switch: $4,999 (Reg. $5,999)
    • comes with free protective cover

Jackery early Black Friday accessory deals:

Jackery early Black Friday

Get a reliable sidekick for errands and fun alike with Rad Power’s RadRunner Plus e-bike at $1,699 + free gear, more

Rad Power has begun its second seasonal sale through November 13, with up to $200 taken off e-bikes alongside some additional free accessory promotions. The discount is going to the RadRunner Plus Utility e-bike that is down at $1,699 shipped – plus, you’ll be getting a free accessory under $200 too. Normally priced at $1,799, we’ve seen this model go as low as $1,599 in 2024. You’ll get a nice little $100 shaved off the tag here today, dropping things to the second-lowest price we have tracked this year, and it’s a nice bonus to balance out the lower discount with the accessory promo too. You can browse all the eligible accessories on the landing page here, and keep in mind that the discount will be automatically applied in your cart before checkout.

The RadRunner Plus arrives ready to be your faithful commuting and errand-running sidekick throughout the days ahead, which comes fully loaded with some solid features. The 750W brushless geared hub motor comes powered by the 672Wh battery and is supported by five levels of pedal assistance (and a bonus zero-level for manual pedaling). You’ll be cruising around at 20 MPH top speeds for up to 45+ miles on a single charge with this model, with the body itself being well-made and highly durable.

The stocked features include Kenda K-Rad 20-inch tires with fenders over each, Tektro Aries mechanical disc brakes, an LED Headlight that can be set to automatically turn on in lower light settings, an integrated taillight with brake lighting and a flash mode, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, an integrated rear cargo rack with a 120-pound carrying capacity, a half-twist throttle, and a backlit LCD display with a USB port to charge your devices.

More Rad Power e-bike deals:

exclusive DELTA Pro solar generator bundles

Save up to $2,400 on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station with a 160W or 400W solar panel from $1,899 (Exclusive deals)

We’ve got two 9to5Toys-exclusive power station deals coming to us from Wellbots, which is offering a pair of EcoFlow DELTA Pro solar generator bundles at significantly reduced rates. The first of these delivers a DELTA Pro Portable Power Station with a 160W solar panel for $1,899 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5EARLYBF200 at checkout for an additional $200 off the price tag. This bundle would normally run you $3,998 at full price, but you’re getting a nice $2,099 slashed off the tag that not only drops it to a new all-time low but along with the second offer (more on that below), both are beating out EcoFlow’s current Black Friday pricing (with the 160W panel not being offered at all direct from their site).

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro power station delivers a reliable 3,600Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity (expandable up to 25kWh with additional equipment) that will be able to support you on trips out of the home and even power devices and appliances at home when emergencies strike. It dishes out power up to 3,600W, surging to 7,200W, and sports 14 output ports for versatile coverage. Recharging the station’s own battery is fairly quick too, as plugging it into a standard wall outlet will refuel it back to full in just 1.8 hours, or you can get a full recharge in 2.8 hours when utilizing the maximum 1,600W of solar input. All the usual remote smart controls you’ve expected from EcoFlow are available here and can be accessed through the companion app when connected by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

The second of these exclusive offers from Wellbots gives you the DELTA Pro power station with an even bigger 400W solar panel for $2,399 shipped, after using the promo code 9TO5EARLYBF200 at checkout for an additional $200 off the price tag. This means you’re getting the increase of 240W of solar input at so much less of a cost than buying it direct from EcoFlow, with the same bundle there running you $4,898 in total, with discounts having brought costs down as low as $2,799.

Greenworks 3-tool lawn care combo

For today only save $530 on Greenworks’ 80V mower, trimmer, and blower combo at new $570 low

Courtesy of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 21-inch Mower, 13-inch String Trimmer, and 730 CFM Blower Combo for $569.99 shipped through the rest of the day. Normally this bundle is priced at $1,100, but we’ve been regularly seeing it brought down between $600 and $700 throughout 2024, with the lowest it’s gone being the drop to $579 during Best Buy’s Labor Day sale. Today though, you’re looking at the best price to date, as it beats out the former low by $10 and lands it at a new all-time low price – ultimately saving you a full $530.

This 3-tool bundle from Greenworks is a perfect way to update and upgrade your lawncare routine while getting some major savings over buying tools one by one. The mower comes equipped with an 80V brushless motor, housed inside the 21-inch steel deck and powered by the included 4.0Ah battery (which can be switched out among all three tools here). You’ll get enough power to cover 1/2 acre of mowing on one charge, with seven positions of cutting height adjustment and a simple push button start over annoying pull strings. The string trimmer delivers a 13-inch wide cutting path and can run for up to 80 minutes with the battery while on its lower power setting – plus, it has the brand’s dual bump feed head. The leaf blower sports a variable speed trigger with cruise control while being capable of producing 730 CFM of airflow that reaches up to 170 MPH. Head below for more.

Best Black Friday e-bike deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Hyundai’s three-row IONIQ 9 SUV inches closer to big debut after revealing new US sighting

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November 7, 2024

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Hyundai's three-row IONIQ 9 SUV inches closer to big debut after revealing new US sighting

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-sighting

We will finally see Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV later this month. Ahead of its big day, The Hyundai IONIQ 9 SUV was spotted in California wearing barely any camouflage. The new sighting gives us our closest look yet.

It’s been almost three years since Hyundai revealed its first three-row electric SUV concept to the world.

Hyundai unveiled the SEVEN concept at the 2021 LA Auto Show, a larger electric SUV to sit above the IONIQ 5 and 6 models. Since then, the company confirmed the new SUV will actually go by the IONIQ 9 when it arrives.

The name change from the expected IONIQ 7 (SEVEN) to IONIQ 9 signals the upcoming SUV’s status as Hyundai’s new flagship model.

During Investor Day in August, Hyundai’s CEO, Jang Jae-hoon, said the IONIQ 9 will be built alongside the updated 2025 IONIQ 5 at its massive new Metaplant America (HMGMA) manufacturing plant in GA, which opened last month.

Ahead of its debut, we’ve seen the larger electric SUV out for testing several times, revealing its big body and sleek new design.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-electric-SUV-teaser
Hyundai IONIQ 9 teaser (Source: Hyundai)

Last week, Hyundai released its first official teaser for the three-row model. With its big day approaching, a new sighting in California gives us a better look at the Hyundai IONIQ 9.

US sighting reveals new Hyundai IONIQ 9 design

The new image from KindelAuto reveals the extended rear end and updated taillight design. The IONIQ 9 is also more curvy and has smoother lines than the concept shown three years ago.

Hyundai IONIQ 9 US sighting (Source: KindelAuto)

Hyundai said the IONIQ 9 is “the company’s inaugural venture into the realm of large SUV EV models.”

Based on its advanced E-GMP platform, the same underpinning its popular IONIQ 5 and 6 models, Hyundai claims the SUV boasts a “spacious and comfortable interior.”

The company said its new “Aerosthetic” design blends aerodynamic performance and aesthetic design. With an extended wheelbase and single-curved roofline, the IONIQ 9 will have “ample space for all passengers, including those in the third row,” the company said.

Hyundai-IONIQ-9-interior
Hyundai-IONIQ-9-sighting

Although you can’t see it in the new photo, Hyundai’s IONIQ 9 will also feature its signature parametric pixel front headlight design.

We will find out all the details when Hyundai officially unveils the IONIQ 9 later this month. It’s expected to debut at the 2024 LA Auto Show, starting November 22, 2024. Hyundai also said to watch for more teasers as it approaches its big day.

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