JackRabbit OG2 review: Hey everyone, come look at my micro e-bike!
In a world where every new e-bike launch seems to be bigger and more powerful than the last, there’s a certain comfort to feeling something nice and small between your legs again. I’m talking, of course, about the JackRabbit OG2 micro e-bike. It’s the latest update to JackRabbit’s original (literally OG) tiny format electric two-wheeler, and by God, it’s better than ever!
More than most of the models I review, this is absolutely one you need to see being ridden. Pictures of the bike simply don’t do it justice, especially since this model has somewhat strange proportions compared to most other e-bikes on the market.
To see it in action, check out my video review below. Then keep reading afterward!
JackRabbit OG2 Video Review
JackRabbit OG2 Tech Specs
- Motor: 300W geared rear hub motor
- Top speed: 32 km/h (20 mph)
- Range: 16+ km (10+ mi) per battery (can carry extra batteries in very little space)
- Battery: 151 Wh battery, plus the option to replace with 360Wh RangeBuster batteries
- Max load: 125 kg (275 lb)
- Bike weight: 11.3 kg (25 lb)
- Brakes: Rear mechanical disc brake
- Wheels: 20″ front and rear
- Price: $1,249
- Extras: Thumb throttle, rotatable handlebars, foldout foot pegs, bell, LED dot display, kickstand, optional fenders and other accessories
What makes the JackRabbit OG2 special?
This is an incredibly special e-bike because of how unique it is – there simply isn’t anything quite like it on the market. In fact, its so unique that other companies have tried – and failed – to rip off the awesome design.
And that design is basically a super stubby bike-like setup, yet with a distinct lack of pedals.
Without worrying about pesky things like pedals, the JackRabbit can simply be much shorter and more compact. That short wheelbase is complemented by the narrow design, especially considering the special handlebar mechanism that can spin 90 degrees to create a super flat bike that slips behind a couch or under a bed.
Despite its smaller size, though, the JackRabbit OG2 still rides more like a bicycle than a scooter. Most people prefer the seated format of e-bikes since they offer a more stable feeling and larger wheels for better safety. Sure, standing scooter lovers exist. But by and large, the common sentiment is, “Why stand when you can sit?”
That’s exactly what the JackRabbit OG2 gives riders. And at the same time, it makes a number of major improvements over the original JackRabbit OG. The frame is more bike-like, almost BMX in its design, creating a more rigid structure that can support more weight. The foot pegs are improved, the display is more detailed, and the tires are better suited for urban riders.
The entire bike is also UL-compliant, including its battery. In fact, the battery is one of the coolest parts of the JackRabbit OG2. It’s a mere 151 Wh, which is just below the maximum 160 Wh limit of many US airlines for carry-on batteries – though you may still need advance permission from the airline. Combining that carry-on battery ability with the special travel bag that is built specifically for the JackRabbit OG2, this is one of the only e-bikes you can actually fly to your destination with. It’s also become popular with boat owners, private pilots, and RV drivers who all prize the convenience of a small but peppy little e-bike for traveling around their destination.
But what about performance?
The performance of the JackRabbit OG2 is what I would call, “good, but not exhilarating.”
This just isn’t a rocket of a micro e-bike, which you probably guessed by the 300W motor. On flat ground it is totally acceptable, but it’s not going to climb a hill quickly. For heavy riders, it’s also going to have slower acceleration.
That being said, it gets my 165 pounds of meat and backpack up to 20 mph (32 km/h) quickly enough, and I’m not really left wanting too much more. Sure, high power sounds nice, but I know that small battery would drain quickly if they let me rip this thing like a rented mule.
That brings me to range. The 10 miles (16 km) of range is fairly accurate, though if you’re climbing hills or just a heavy person, you could easily find yourself coming up a few miles short. This is a small battery, literally and figuratively. So you have to know that going in.
However, the small size of the battery is a plus when you consider how easy it is to stick a second battery in your pocket. It would disappear in a cargo shorts pocket, and would easily get lost in the bottom of a backpack. That’s how small these batteries are. We’re talking power tool battery-sized batteries. So carrying a second one isn’t really a big deal. And if you only want to worry about a single battery, there’s of course the RangeBuster battery that offers 24 miles of range, which is more than most people will ever need on a small e-bike like this.
In fact, if you jump on the Black Friday deal that’s currently live at the time of this review, you can even get a free RangeBuster battery with your order. That’s a pretty awesome deal!
What’s the takeaway?
At $1,249, this is not the cheapest way to get into a small e-bike. But it’s probably the smallest way to get into a small e-bike. And for some, that’s the most important thing. Portability is key for many riders, and it simply doesn’t get any more portable than a JackRabbit.
There are literally hundreds of e-bike models out there to choose from, and so I’m glad that we have options like this on the smaller end of the spectrum. For those who want more power or more cargo space, there are other options. Don’t choose this one. You wouldn’t grab a pocket umbrella for typhoon rains.
There are different tools for different jobs. But if your job is getting around an urban area with a comfortable, compact little e-bike, then this is a great option. And the fact that it’s fun and neat-looking is simply shoveling cherries on top!
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The Escape Solar and Storage project in Lincoln County, Nevada, will send clean power to big resort customers on the Las Vegas Strip.
Reno-based Estuary Power, Escape’s developer, closed a $340 million financing package for the solar and storage project in late December 2024.
Escape includes 185 megawatts (MW) of JinkoSolar PV capacity and 400 megawatt-hours (MWh) of Tesla battery storage capacity.
Escape will supply 115 MW of solar and 400 MWh of battery energy storage to MGM Resorts International, 25 MW to Caesars Entertainment, 20 MW to Wynn Las Vegas, and 25 MW to Overton Power District under long-term agreements.
MGM Resorts International has set a goal to source 100% of its energy from renewables by 2030. Las Vegas resorts are required to comply with Nevada’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which aims to increase the percentage of renewable energy to 50% by 2030. However, many resorts have already exceeded the 40% renewable energy requirement set by the state. The Venetian and Sands Expo and Convention Center partnered with NV Energy to procure renewable energy certificates to cover 100% of its electricity use.
Jill Daniel, CEO of majority woman-owned Estuary Power, said, “We look forward to supplying renewable energy to the iconic Las Vegas Strip and to our valued partner Overton Power District. We are thankful for the support of our financing partners in making the Escape project a reality.”
The project is the first utility-scale solar project to be developed in Lincoln County, just north of Las Vegas, where it will generate nearly $80 million in tax revenue for the county over its life span. It’s currently under construction and will begin operating in 2025.
Las Vegas is second in the US for solar capacity per capita.
Read more: This Florida solar farm is supplying clean energy to 12 cities
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Aptera has signed a memorandum of understanding with LG Energy Solutions to supply batteries for its solar EV, which it says will start deliveries later this year.
Aptera is at CES this week, showing off it’s production-intent solar EV. We stopped by the booth for a few pictures, but beyond that, there wasn’t a lot new to announce.
But that changed today, as Aptera has now officially announced that it’s partnering with LG Energy Solutions as the exclusive supplier for battery cells for the Aptera solar EV, and CTNS for battery pack assembly.
Aptera said this partnership accomplishes three goals:
- Enhance Aptera’s production capacity through a reliable and scalable battery supply chain.
- Solidify LG Energy Solution’s market presence as a trusted supplier.
- Strengthen CTNS’s reputation as a key manufacturing partner in the U.S. market.
The agreement runs from 2025 to 2031, with LG supplying 2170-format cylindrical cells for battery modules and packs that will be assembled by CTNS and designed by Aptera.
The agreement covers 4.4GWh of battery capacity supply. Given that the Aptera has a 44kWh, 400-mile battery pack (at least at launch, other options might be available at some point), that’s enough for a total of 100,000 vehicles – quite a lofty goal for a rather small company that is relying on crowdfunding and has not yet shipped a car.
“This partnership represents a significant milestone in bringing our solar electric vehicles to market with the reliability and performance our customers expect. LG Energy Solution and CTNS bring unparalleled expertise, and we’re excited to work together to power the future of sustainable transportation.”
-Chris Anthony, Co-CEO of Aptera Motors
LG is one of the largest EV battery cell manufacturers in the world, and the largest outside China. The largest is CATL, but that company has found itself on a US blacklist.
As part of Aptera’s CES announcements, it reaffirmed that it plans to deliver its first vehicles by the end of this year, showed off the production configuration of its solar panels covering the hood, dash, roof and hatch of the vehicle, and said that it drove the car for 20 miles on a Las Vegas winter day and ended up with more charge than it had when it started. You can read more about Aptera’s CES show presence on our previous coverage here.
Aptera says it has 50,000 reservations for its vehicle, at $100 a pop (or $70, if you use our Aptera referral link). You can reserve an Aptera over at Aptera’s website.
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The electric Mazda 6 predecessor is headed for Europe this summer. Mazda’s EV starts at around $20,000 in China, but prices are expected to be significantly higher in Europe. Here’s what we know about the Chinese-made EV so far.
When will Mazda launch its $20,000 EV overseas?
Mazda unveiled the EZ-6 at the Beijing Auto Show alongside the Arata SUV last April. The EZ-6 is the all-electric predecessor to the Mazda 6 sedan.
Mazda’s Chinese joint venture, Changan Mazda, has been selling the EZ-6 in China since October. The electric sedan, which starts at just 139,800 yuan, or around $19,200, is already off to a hot sales start.
With nearly 2,500 models sold in November, its first sales month, Changan Mazda said the EZ-6 was among the top three mid-size new energy vehicle (NEV) sedans of joint ventures sold in China. According to Nikkei, Mazda will export the $20,000 EV to Europe starting this summer.
Based on Changan Auto’s hybrid platform, the EX-6 is available in EV and extended-range configurations in China. The all-electric version has a CLTC range of up to 600 km (372 miles).
The electric Mazda EZ-6 is 4,921 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,485 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,895 mm, or about the size of a Tesla Model 3 (4,720 mm long, 1,922 mm wide, and 1,441 mm tall with a 2,875 mm wheelbase).
Inside, the EZ-6 has a modern cabin setup with 14.6″ infotainment and 10.1″ driver display screens. It also includes premium features like a 50″ AR head-up display and zero-gravity reclining seats.
The imported model will feature improved stability and control for high-speed driving on European roads. Mazda will showcase the updated EZ-6 at the Brussels Motor Show, which kicks off on Friday.
Like many automakers, Mazda is looking to meet the EU’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates and avoid heavy fines. However, after the EU increased tariffs on Chinese EV imports to as much as 45.3%, Mazda will still have to pay the price.
China’s SAIC was hit the hardest with an extra 35.3% duty, while Geely (18.8%) and BYD (17%) were at the lower end. Other cooperating companies are subject to a 20.7% tariff, while non-cooperating automakers will have a duty of 35.3%.
Earlier this week, we learned Mazda will build a new module battery plant in Japan to supply its first dedicated EV. Although no details were revealed about the dedicated EV, Mazda said it will be powered by a new electric vehicle platform. The company aims to launch the new platform in 2027. Stay tuned for more.
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