Xtracycle Hopper review: A better cargo e-bike at a better price
More people are shifting from car-focused lifestyles to a mix of cars and bikes—or even going mostly car-free. While switching to a bike or e-bike might seem limiting, the cycling industry offers a wide range of categories to suit various needs.
Take cargo e-bikes, for example. These are basically the SUVs or pickup trucks of the electric bike world. And having spent many good miles on the Xtracycle Hopper cargo e-bike, the newest offering from the most famous cargo bike maker in the US, I can tell you that this family truck in an e-bike form is capable of a lot more than many people would expect.
This is not Xtracycle’s first spin around the block. The company traces its roots back to 1998 when it pioneered the concept of longtail cargo e-bikes, which feature a stretched rear end. Until that time, the most popular version of cargo bikes were Dutch-style bakfiets, often called “box bikes” at the time due to their large wooden box that sat on the stretched front end.
Long-tail cargo bikes were lighter and rode more like traditional bicycles, despite having an elongated design perfect for carrying more cargo or passengers.
Over the years, Xtracycle has introduced several high-end cargo e-bikes, though they’ve traditionally had lofty price tags in the $4k-$5k range. Last year, a revamp with a new model saw the brand recently introduce the new Xtracycle Hopper, which draws upon the same high-end design and componentry influences from Xtracycle’s roots yet drops the price to a mere US $2,999 – a rarity in the premium cargo e-bike space.
To see what it’s like to get around on the Xtracycle Hopper, check out my review below. Or keep reading for the full story!
Xtracycle Hopper Video Review
Xtracycle Hopper tech specs
- Motor: 750W hub motor with torque sensor
- Top speed: 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist or 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle
- Range: 20-50 miles (32-80 km)
- Battery: 720 Wh frame-integrated and removable battery
- Weight: 38.5 kg (85 lb) with all cargo accessories installed
- Frame: Aluminum alloy with cargo-rated suspension fork
- Tires: Kenda Kwick 20″ x 2.25/2.40″ front/rear (on triple-wall tubeless-ready rims)
- Brakes: 174 Hudson dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes with electric cutoffs
- Extras: Shimano 8-speed shifter, KMC 8-speed chain, fenders, included front and rear racks, child cage on rear rack, running boards, bright LED display, front and rear LED lights, dropper seat post (with dual telescoping latches for more height adjustment), and touch-up paint included
A little big cargo bike
Despite Xtracycle being considered somewhat of the grandfather of longtail cargo bikes, the Hopper model here is arguably more of a mid-tail model than a true longtail. That’s because it’s actually somewhat compact, at least by cargo bike standards. It’s still got a longer rear rack than you’ll find on a traditional bike, which means you can easily fit two kids or a bunch of cargo, but it’s not the crazy long cargo bikes we’ve seen in the past.
That’s nice for apartment dwellers like me, and I was able to fit it fairly easily into my elevator, even if I still had to rock it up on its tail for the elevator doors to close. However, I have to do that for my regular-sized commuter e-bike also, so that should tell you how small the elevator is.
The Hopper may be more compact than a traditional longtail cargo e-bike, but it still hauls a ton of stuff. It comes standard with that rear child cage (called the Hooptie), which is designed to provide a safer area for children. It even has dual side-bars so the kid can hold onto the inner bar and not get their fingers pinched if the outer bar rubs on an obstacle.
I took my two nephews on the bike with me, and based on how much they liked to squirm around and dance on the back of the bike (as you probably saw in the video above), it’s a good thing that the bike comes with that Hooptie accessory to hold the kids in. For even younger passengers, like my friend’s toddler, we added a child safety seat to the rack.
The front of the bike is adorned with another rack, which is also great for adding more cargo. In fact, the bike’s frame is rated to 500 lb total, the rear rack alone is rated to 242 lb, and the front rack is rated to 55 lb, so you’ve got a lot of cargo-carrying options.
I let my friend borrow the bike for a week so that he could try bringing his kid to daycare every day with it. He found it to be a fun way to spend more quality time with his son as well as get some fresh air and exercise each day. He was even able to put his son’s stroller in the back behind the child safety seat so that the babysitter could pick the kid up on a day he had to stay later at work.
I also tested out the Porterpack, a front bag for easily accessible cargo, and a set of CargoBay bags, expandable pannier bags that fit on either side of the rear rack. They’re rain-resistant, adjustable in size, and covered in reflective material to make the bike stand out even more at night.
With all those bags, I found it easy to use the Hopper as my grocery-getter vehicle, doing a week’s worth of grocery shopping with just the three bags on the bike. Not only was I using a cargo e-bike to go get my groceries, but I was also getting a little exercise on the way there and back.
That’s another big benefit of using a cargo e-bike like this, is you have the opportunity to sneak a little exercise into your day. The Hopper does have a traditional thumb throttle, meaning you won’t have to work very hard if you don’t want to. But it’s also got a torque sensor-based pedal assist system that makes it a pleasure to actually pedal the bike. The 750W rear hub motor is powerful so you can use a large amount of assist for just a small workout, or you can leave the assist in low power and get more of a workout. The choice is yours, and yours alone!
With a big battery measuring 720 Wh, even if you use the higher power settings, you’ll still have plenty of energy left for longer rides. You could likely get over 50 miles (80 km) if you stick to lower power pedal assist, but even cruising around on throttle will still likely net you at least 25 miles (40 km).
The entire electrical system is certified to UL2849, meaning that the motor, controller, wiring, and other electric parts have all been tested to safely operate together. The battery is certified to UL2271, giving peace of mind and full compliance in locations that require UL certification.
At the same time, the bike isn’t quite as premium as the $4k-5k models in Xtracycle’s lineup, as evidenced by the more entry-level Shimano derailleur and the hub motor instead of a mid-drive motor. But other than those two components, pretty much everything else feels like it came straight from a premium, bike shop-level cargo e-bike.
Really nicely designed and outfitted
The Xtracycle Hopper walks a nice line, balancing the brand’s premium roots with the goal of affordability for more families. The bike is obviously premium-leaning, which you can see from a wide selection of quality parts. There are the 174 Hudson dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes, the wide and super-stable Y-kickstand, the mesh safety covering over the rear wheel to protect children’s feet, the nicely designed running boards and rear rack, the built-in LED lighting, and the dropper seat post to allow riders to drop into a lower position for mounting and dismounting the bike, then return the seat post back up to a better pedaling position once they’re up in the saddle, all with one finger.
Unlike dropper posts you may be familiar with from the mountain biking world, which usually have a button on the handlebars, this dropper post is wireless and instead has its button underneath the saddle. It’s a bit less convenient and also looks like you’re trying to get to second base with yourself, but you get used to the button placement quickly. Plus, you deserve a little fun. Treat yourself!
The cargo-rated Suntour Mobie suspension fork is a quality piece of kit that adds to the comfort without compromising the bike’s strength or ruggedness.
The 20″ tires are wide enough to offer even a bit of off-road ability, though more in the direction of a smooth nature trail.
My buddy took the bike on a trail with his kid in back, and the two had a wonderful time, so the Hopper certainly seems capable of excursions outside the typical bike lane commute.
With full UL compliance on the electrical system, a powerful motor that provides a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) if unlocked from the standard 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limit, and great cargo-carrying accessories that come standard, it’s frankly kind of surprising that it’s priced at just $2,999. This undercuts the more premium cargo e-bike brands on the market while still offering much nicer build quality than the budget models.
Oh yeah, and it even comes with a little bottle of touch-up paint, which is a small detail but just one more differentiator compared to the more budget-level cargo e-bikes out there!
It won’t compete against cargo e-bikes twice its price, but it offers a heck of a lot nicer build quality and better components than the budget cargo e-bikes we’re used to seeing.
What are the downsides?
Every e-bike is ultimately a series of compromises. More range means heavier. More speed means chunkier motors. Higher-end components mean higher price tags. Everything is a tradeoff, and how those tradeoffs are balanced results in how well the bike fits into the market.
On the Xtracycle Hopper, I think the company did a great job finding a comfortable balance to produce a more premium bike that still carries an affordable price. But even so, that means there are still a few things I can complain about.
The rear tail light is nicely integrated into the fender, which is great for ruggedness and reliability since there aren’t any external wires to snag. But it also means the light can be more obscured when looking from a rear side-angle as compared to directly from the rear, as the wheel guards slightly hide it at wider angles. You could add a second tail light onto the child cage or the back of the rear rack, which is probably a good idea for extra nighttime visibility.
The throttle requires the bike to be slightly rolling before it kicks in, which is better for component longevity but is a bit annoying if you want to blast away from a standstill. It means you need to give a quarter or half turn of the pedals before you can use the throttle.
And lastly, the bike is quite heavy at 85 lb with all the accessories installed. There’s not a lot that can be done about that though. It’s already got an aluminum frame, and when you build a bike that can carry three people for long distances at high speeds, it’s just going to get heavier.
So I can complain about the nitty gritty, but the major components, features, and design of the bike are all incredibly well done.
Sum it all up
Basically, the Xtracycle hopper feels like a great in-between cargo e-bike, both in the sense of fitting in between the smaller and larger sizes on the market, as well as fitting in between the value brands and the premium brands.
It’s not going to rival the bang-for-your-buck of something like a Lectric XPedition at half the price, but it’s going to give a much nicer riding experience and last a lot longer.
It’s not going to be as high-end as a top-shelf Tern or Riese & Müller, but it costs half as much as those more premium models.
So basically, it falls in the Goldilocks zone for a lot of people. It’s premium enough to get those nicer parts, the bigger battery, the dropper seat post, etc. But it’s not so fancy that it costs most people several paychecks. It’s the cargo bike for when you don’t want to cheap out on the thing you’re carrying your kids on, but you also don’t need the fanciest thing out there, either. And that’s the sweet spot for me!
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The U.S. Army has confirmed that the Tesla Cybertruck can’t be imported into Europe and cannot obtain an exemption for army personnel because the electric pickup truck “deviates significantly” from EU regulations.
When deployed overseas, U.S. Army personnel are permitted to import their personal vehicles with them through Army logistics, rather than purchasing or renting one locally.
However, the vehicles must comply with local laws and regulations.
The U.S. Army Customs Agency issued a notice this week that it can’t import the Tesla Cybertruck in Europe.
In the notice, the customs agency explained why:
The Cybertruck has no type-approval from the European Union (EU) due to significant passive safety concerns. Several specifications of the Cybertruck, particularly the sharp-edged, stiff stainless-steel body, violate EU safety standards, primarily for the protection of vulnerable road users.
EU safety standards do not only focus on the safety of the vehicle occupants but also on the safety of other road users and in particular of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. These standards require, for example, passive safety features such as impact protection zones prohibiting sharp edges on the vehicle body and speed limiters on vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons – requirements clearly violated by the Cybertruck.
The agency says that it nonetheless tried to get authorization from the German Federal Ministry of Transport for an exemption for US military, but it was denied.
They wrote:
After a legal review, the German Ministry of Transport denied the request, because the Tesla Cybertruck not only fails to meet the EU legal requirements but deviates significantly from them.
The U.S. Army Customs Agency has confirmed that it will not issue import certificates for Tesla Cybertrucks, and army personnel importing Cybertrucks must do so at their own risk.
Here’s the full notice from the U.S. Army Customs Agency:
No Cybertrucks on German Roads
By Astrid Glockner, Customs Translator/Operations Specialist, Customs Executive Agency
WIESBADEN, Germany
It might come as a surprise to U.S. citizens, but it is true: Tesla’s Cybertrucks are currently not allowed to be imported or registered in Germany (or the EU).
The Cybertruck has no type-approval from the European Union (EU) due to significant passive safety concerns. Several specifications of the Cybertruck, particularly the sharp-edged, stiff stainless-steel body, violate EU safety standards, primarily for the protection of vulnerable road users.
EU safety standards do not only focus on the safety of the vehicle occupants but also on the safety of other road users and in particular of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. These standards require, for example, passive safety features such as impact protection zones prohibiting sharp edges on the vehicle body and speed limiters on vehicles weighing over 3.5 tons – requirements clearly violated by the Cybertruck.
Nevertheless, the U.S. Forces submitted an inquiry to the German Federal Ministry of Transport (FMoT) about the possibility for members of the U.S. forces to import and register Cybertrucks in the USAREUR-AF system.
After a legal review, the German Ministry of Transport denied the request, because the Tesla Cybertruck not only fails to meet the EU legal requirements but deviates significantly from them. This means that a Cybertruck could also not receive national individual vehicle approval. According to the FMoT, a safe operation in German public road traffic, which is a prerequisite for registration of a privately owned vehicle by the U.S. Forces in accordance with the Supplementary Agreement to the NATO SOFA, is not ensured.
Another concern is that the Cybertruck would attract a lot of attention when operated in public traffic. This would defeat the purpose of issuing USAREUR-AF cover plates for force protection. It is commonly known that the Cybertruck cannot be registered and operated in Germany.
For the above reasons, U.S. Army Customs Agency will not issue import certificates for Tesla Cybertrucks. Personnel who nevertheless decide to import a Cybertruck, risk having to ship the vehicle back to the US at their own expense.
Electrek’s Take
This is something we have known since Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck in 2019.
Tesla took reservations from all over the world, but it was clear that the vehicle would need significant modifications to comply with many markets.
Given the current low demand for the Cybertruck, I doubt Tesla will go to the trouble of doing that.
Instead, the automaker has focused on launching the electric pickup truck in a few overseas markets that allow it as is, such as South Korea and the UAE.
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![Clanker alert! Meet Dot: DoorDash's new autonomous food delivery robot [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Doordash-robot-Dot.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Delivery service DoorDash has unveiled a new autonomous delivery robot called Dot, which was developed entirely in-house and is currently rolling out early access testing in one state. This bug-like “clanker” may be cute, but it also appears quite well designed for commercial operations and safe, timely food and grocery deliveries. Check out Dot in action in the video below.
In its twelve years of existence, DoorDash has become a household name in food delivery services and currently operates the largest platform with the most significant US market share in its segment. In a world of fiber internet, same-day order deliveries, and next-generation computers in our pockets, the “want it now” mentality has become increasingly common. Services like Uber Eats, Grubhub, and DoorDash continue to invest in, develop, and utilize technology to deliver to customers what they want faster.
We’ve seen autonomous robotaxi networks partner with food delivery services, but what has emerged as an even more viable option is the deployment of autonomous delivery robots. These tiny electric vessels do not require a human driver. Better yet, they can navigate sidewalks and bike lanes – again getting college students or remote workers their coffee, lunch, or groceries even faster.
Today’s robot news from DoorDash is by no means novel, as the delivery service is a bit late to the party. Over the past two years, we’ve covered the rollout of similar autonomous vessels from a slew of competitors, including Starship Technologies, Vayu, and Serve Robotics, as well as drone deliveries with Wing and Uber Eats deliveries in bespoke vehicles developed by Nuro.
While DoorDash is not the first to deploy delivery robots, it has unveiled an impressive new clanker it calls “Dot,” designed entirely in-house by DoorDash Labs. Check it out.
DoorDash begins early testing of Dot robots in Arizona
DoorDash unveiled its new Dot robot design this morning, hailing it as the first commercial autonomous bot designed to traverse bike lanes, roads, sidewalks, and driveways. Again, most of the robots mentioned above have been doing this for years. Well, DoorDash’s Dot has digital eyeballs that move though (So does Serve Robotics’, sorry).
All jokes aside, Dot does look like a viable delivery robot from what we’ve seen in videos also posted by DoorDash today (one of which we’ve embedded below). According to DoorDash, Dot is one-tenth the size of a car and can travel at speeds of up to 20 mph.
It was designed to specifically support local businesses by offering nearby customers a quicker and more seamless delivery solution for food services, and a natural next step in the commercial goods delivery industry. Per DoorDash cofounder and head of DoorDash Labs, Stanley Tang:
You don’t always need a full-sized car to deliver a tube of toothpaste or pack of diapers. That’s the insight behind Dot. The breakthrough wasn’t just making it autonomous, but in making it reliable and efficient to serve the needs of local businesses and consumers. Dot is purpose-built for the millions of deliveries we facilitate every day. It is small enough to navigate doorways and driveways, fast enough to maintain food quality, and smart enough to optimize the best routes for delivery. Every design decision, from its compact size to its speed to the sensor suite, came from analyzing billions of deliveries on our global platform and understanding what actually moves the needle for merchants and consumers.
Dot is merely one piece of DoorDash’s new Autonomous Delivery Platform – a developed system designed to help coordinate and monitor various delivery methods at scale. DoorDash described the approach as a multi-modal delivery system that will consist of human “Dashers”, robots, and even drones. Per the release:
The Autonomous Delivery Platform serves as an AI dispatcher, matching each order with the optimal delivery method based on factors like speed, cost, location, and experience. Whether that’s a Dasher, a Dot on the road, a drone in the air, or a sidewalk robot, the platform orchestrates these decisions in real-time to optimize across our entire global network
To begin, DoorDash has deployed its Dot delivery robots in Mesa and Tempe, Arizona, as part of an early access program. There is no word yet on where the robots might be expanded to next, but if you live in Arizona, keep an eye out for red robotic bugs donning a DoorDash logo. As promised, you can see more of the DoorDash Dot in the video below:
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![The Porsche Cayenne EV interior is a luxury oasis packed with massive screens [Images]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Porsche-Cayenne-EV-interior.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
With its official debut just around the corner, we are finally getting our first look at the interior of the Cayenne EV, which Porsche promises will offer more luxury, features, and screen space than ever.
Here’s our first look at the Porsche Cayenne EV interior
Porsche unveiled the first undisguised look at the Cayenne Electric on Tuesday, starting with the interior. The brand is known for its luxurious, sports-car-like interiors, but the electric SUV will take it to the next level.
At the center of it all is the new Innovative Flow Display, offering more screen space than any Porsche vehicle to date.
The curved OLED display features nearly 42″ of combined screen space, including a 14.25″ digital driver cluster, 12.3″ infotainment, and an optional 14.9″ passenger display.
For the first time, the Cayenne EV will be available with a head-up display (HUD) featuring augmented reality (AR) capabilities. The immersive 87″ display projects navigation, lane guidance, and more directly on the windshield in front of the driver.
The redesigned display is designed to create “an even more immersive and intense connection between driver and sports car,” Ivo van Hulten, Director Driver Experience at Style Porsche, said.
Don’t worry, Porsche still kept plenty of physical buttons and knobs to control various functions. It also maintains the three-spoke steering wheel found in current Porsche models.
The “tailor-made” Cayenne EV will offer more customization options than ever, “creating virtually unlimited possibilities to tailor the cabin to personal taste – from understated and elegant to distinctively sporty,” Porsche said.
You will be able to choose from 13 interior color combinations, four packages, and five accent packages, making it truly one of a kind.
If you’re looking for even more customization, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur can bring it to life, the company said, “right down to one-off creations.” According to Porsche, “the Cayenne Electric offers a level and breadth of personalization opportunities that have never been seen in a Porsche SUV.”
The electric SUV also offers significantly more space and comfort features than the current gas and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models. However, Porsche has yet to reveal specifics.
Another new feature is what Porsche calls “Mood Modes,” which adjust the light, climate, sound, and seat functions to create a unique driving experience for relaxing, focusing on road trips, and more.
A new surface heating function has also been added, which warms the seats, armrests, and sections of the door handle.
Like many new vehicles nowadays, the electric SUV will feature an AI-powered voice assistant. However, Porsche promises that the added gaming, streaming, and other functions will elevate the Cayenne Electric’s digital experience to a new level.
After unveiling the interior, Porsche confirmed the Cayenne EV will debut by the end of the year. It will join the current gas and PHEV models, redefining the interior experience.
What do you think of the new Porsche interior? With massive screens, ambient lighting, and AI voice assistance, it looks pretty close to what Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and other luxury automakers are transitioning to in their next-generation vehicles.
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