If you’ve been hoping to snag a new Rad Power Bike electric bicycle for a discount – and if you happen to have another older e-bike to trade in – Upway has a deal for you. The electric bicycle marketplace known for selling used and overstock e-bikes at steep discounts has partnered with Rad Power Bikes to turn the brick-and-mortar RadRetail locations into physical trade-in points for older e-bikes.
“We’re excited to partner with Rad Power Bikes to bring Upway’s innovative Trade-In Program to select RadRetail locations nationwide,” explained Maxime Renson, General Manager at Upway. “The partnership simplifies the e-bike upgrade process for RadRetail customers while extending the life cycle of e-bikes and reducing waste. By refurbishing e-bikes and offering a 1- ear warranty on traded e-bikes, we are able to offer premium brands at a discounted price and give access to electric mobility to an even larger group of people. The program represents another step forward in Upway’s commitment to sustainability and a circular economy, where certified e-bikes are resold instead of disposed of, cutting down on the environmental impact associated with production and disposal. By reducing demand for new resources, Upway is helping to conserve energy, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and lead the way toward a more sustainable future.”
Upway’s Trade-In Program uses a proprietary pricing algorithm to deliver valuation estimates for over 200 brands within seconds, simplifying the trade-in process and enhancing customer service. And now Upway’s business model is meshing with Rad’s retail footprint.
At select RadRetail locations, customers can bring in their current e-bike, and Rad staff can use Upway’s real-time pricing tool to quickly determine its value. Customers can either sell their e-bike on Upway’s website or trade it in for an instant discount on a new Rad e-bike at the store. The traded bikes are then transported to an UpCenter for refurbishment and resale, promoting a circular economy while making e-bike upgrades more convenient and cost-effective.
Rad seems just as eager as Upway to launch the new partnership, which it hopes will drive more customers into its retail stores to snag a more affordable e-bike by trading in their older model.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Upway to bring the Trade-In Program to our eight U.S. RadRetail locations,” said Pete Boudreaux, Vice President of Customer Operations and Supply Chain at Rad Power Bikes. “With more than 15 years of e-bike industry leadership and 650,000 riders and counting, delivering safe and high-quality e-bikes backed by an exceptional customer experience has always been our top priority. This partnership empowers us to offer more riders a seamless, efficient, and accessible way to upgrade their e-bikes using Upway’s cutting-edge tools and resources.”
The trade-in program will be supported at the following RadRetail locations:
Seattle, WA
Berkeley, CA
Santa Barbara, CA
Huntington Beach, CA
San Diego, CA
Salt Lake City, UT
Denver, CO
St. Petersburg, FL.
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Honda is set to pull the covers off a new electric motorcycle on September 2, teasing the upcoming reveal with camouflaged images on the brand’s social media. The upcoming unveiling is sparking speculation that this could be one of the first models in Honda’s long-promised push into more powerful motorcycle electrification.
The teasers show the shape of a motorcycle with fairly conventional proportions, including a two-up seat, standard riding posture, single-sided rear swingarm, and no visible foot-forward scooter ergonomics, which suggests this will be an honest-to-goodness motorcycle rather than an e-scooter. The bodywork looks sporty but subdued, lacking the aggressive fairings of a supersport, which may point to a street-oriented commuter or naked bike. In fact, it looks a lot like the EV Fun Concept unveiled by Honda last October in Milan, seen above.
Street commuter bikes are common among electric motorcycle makers. They capitalize on the strengths of electric drivetrains without requiring the long range associated with touring motorcycles. It’s a move we’ve seen play out time and again among brands like Can-Am, Kawasaki, Ryvid, and others who have produced smaller, urban-focused electric motorcycles in the last few years.
This aligns with Honda’s previously stated plans. The company announced years ago that it would introduce at least 10 electric motorcycle models by 2025, ranging from commuter vehicles to high-performance machines. So far, its progress has been modest, with small-scale launches focused around electric scooters and prototype testbeds like the CR Electric motocross bike.
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Whispers from Honda have hinted at an upcoming street bike, and some observers believe this new model could be the production version of that EV Fun Concept from EICMA Milan Motorcycle Show. Whether it uses Honda’s swappable batteries like the EM1 e: remains to be seen, but it’s likely to target daily riders in urban markets rather than aiming for long-range touring or high-speed sport performance.
Honda has been characteristically cautious in its entry into the electric space, especially compared to startup rivals and brands like Zero, LiveWire, and Ryvid. But the September 2 reveal may signal a new chapter as the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer finally takes electric motorcycles more seriously.
We’ll be watching closely to see what Honda brings to the table, especially as legacy brands start feeling pressure from both regulators and riders to electrify their lineups.
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With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.
CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.
The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.
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The new electric benchmark
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Fiorano; via Weibo user Piniluoshan.
In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.
Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.
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We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.
Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”
Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.
Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.
I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.
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