LiveWire Alpinista unveiled as newest electric motorcycle from Harley offshoot

Published

10 months ago

January 16, 2025

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LiveWire, the electric motorcycle brand spun out of Harley-Davidson, has just announced its latest electric motorcycle model. The new LiveWire S2 Alpanista is built on the same platform as the brand’s last two models, leveraging the Arrow platform as a versatile foundation for several diverse bikes.

The Arrow platform first received its debut with the LiveWire S2 Del Mar, which was then followed by the S2 Mulholland.

LiveWire announced that a high-performance electric maxi-scooter would be produced on the Arrow platform, but not before the company rolled out the S2 Alpinista. “The Alpinista is LiveWire’s first sport standard,” explained the company, “equipped with 17” wheels and tires, blending the best of street, sport, and hyper-tourer characteristics.”

The recently unveiled S2 Alpinista is mechanically quite similar to the two previous models sharing the platform. The 10.5 kWh battery that serves as the main structure of the bike will offer a maximum range of 120 miles (193 km) per charge under city riding conditions. It can be recharged with a Level 2 charger from 20-80% in just 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The 433 lb (196 kg) bike can achieve a 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time of just 3.0 seconds, thanks to its powerful 63 kW (84 hp) motor. The S2 Alpinista can also reach an electronically limited top speed of 99 mph (159 km/h).

Priced at US $15,999 and already available at LiveWire dealerships in North America and Europe, the S2 Alpinista officially becomes the most affordable LiveWire electric motorcycle available to date, undercutting the $16,249 S2 Del Mar electric street tracker and the $16,499 Mulholland electric sport cruiser.

“Alpinista reimagines the S2 by combining the urban agility of a supermoto with the do-it-all nature of a touring bike, creating a practical and thrilling sport standard,” explained the brand.

The smaller 17″ wheels help reduce the seat height of the bike, and combined with the Dunlop Roadsmart IV tires, the street-optimized bike is ideal for “both daily commutes and spirited rides through winding roads.”

The S2 Alpinista comes with 6-axis IMU from Bosch providing cornering-enhanced antilock braking and cornering-enhanced traction control systems, in addition to four preset ride modes and two custom modes.

Now the third model launched on the Arrow platform, the S2 Alpanista underscores the versatility of LiveWire’s workhorse. The approach was intended to allow the e-motorcycle offshoot to quickly innovate with multiple styles of motorcycles all sharing key structural and drivetrain components. The move has largely been seen as an engineering success, with three models hitting the road in under three years. However, sales have yet to reach targets set by LiveWire as the more premium electric motorcycle industry has experienced a rocky few years.

As a LiveWire S2 Del Mar owner myself, I can attest to both the performance and enjoyable experience of bikes built on the platform, though I do find myself in a somewhat smaller community than LiveWire had likely hoped for. With the backing of its powerful older brother H-D, which retains a controlling stake in the company, LiveWire has enjoyed the relative freedom to cruise for its first few years and focus on motorcycle development and rollouts, with profitability hopefully coming over the horizon in due time.

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Environment

What now for peak oil? Unpacking a surprise twist in the fossil fuel feud

Published

2 hours ago

November 13, 2025

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What now for peak oil? Unpacking a surprise twist in the fossil fuel feud

A worker inspects the outdoor gas pipes at the underground gas storage facility operated by Gas Storage CZ AS, in Haje, Czech Republic, on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.

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The International Energy Agency’s latest outlook signals that oil demand could keep growing through to the middle of the century, reflecting a sharp tonal shift from the world’s energy watchdog and raising further questions about the future of fossil fuels.

In its flagship World Energy Outlook, the Paris-based agency on Wednesday laid out a scenario in which demand for oil climbs to 113 million barrels per day by 2050, up 13% from 2024 levels.

The IEA had previously estimated a peak in global fossil fuel demand before the end of this decade and said that, in order to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, there should be no new investments in coal, oil and gas projects.

The concept of peak oil refers to the point at which global crude production reaches its highest point, before subsequently entering an irreversible decline.

The IEA’s end-of-decade peak oil forecast kick-started a long-running war of words with OPEC, an influential group of oil exporting countries, which accused the IEA of fearmongering and risking the destabilization of the global economy. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright, meanwhile, labeled the IEA’s peak oil demand assumption as “nonsensical.”

The IEA’s latest forecast of increasing oil demand was outlined in its “Current Policies Scenario” — one of a number of scenarios outlined by the IEA. This one assumes no new policies or regulations beyond those already in place.

The CPS was dropped five years ago amid energy market turmoil during the coronavirus pandemic, and its reintroduction follows pressure from the Trump administration.

Earlier this month, the IEA said that now that the world has passed through the pandemic and global energy crisis, “there is merit in revisiting the CPS.”

The agency said increasing oil demand would be primarily driven by demand for petrochemical products and jet fuel, alongside a slowdown in the growth of electric vehicles.

Gregory Brew, an analyst at Eurasia Group’s Energy, Climate and Resources team, said the IEA’s retreat on peak oil demand signified “a major shift” from the group’s position over the last five years.

“The justifications offered for the shift include policy changes in the U.S., where slow EV penetration indicates robust oil [consumption], but is also tied to expected increases in petrochemical and aviation fuel in East and Southeast Asia,” Brew told CNBC by email.

“It’s unlikely the agency is adjusting based on political pressure — though there has been some of that, with the Trump administration criticizing the group’s supposed bias in favor of renewable energy — and the shift reflects a broader skepticism that oil demand is set to peak any time soon,” he added.

A misguided notion?

In an apparent thawing of tensions between two major players in the energy industry, OPEC welcomed what it described as the IEA’s “rendezvous with reality.”

In a statement published on its website, OPEC said: “We hope that the IEA’s World Energy Outlook represents a return to the fold of analysis grounded in energy realities and that we have passed the peak in the misguided notion of ‘peak oil.'”

Alongside its CPS, the IEA also laid out projections under its so-called “Stated Policies Scenario” (STEPS), which reflects the prevailing direction of travel for the global energy system.

In this assumption, the IEA said it expects oil demand to peak at 102 million barrels per day around 2030, before gradually declining. Global electric car sales are much stronger under this scenario compared to the CPS.

The IEA said its multiple scenarios explore a range of consequences from various policy choices and should not be considered forecasts.

Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), at the World Nuclear Exhibition (WNE) conference in Paris, France, on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. The conference gathers key figures of the international nuclear sector from Nov. 4-6.

Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Grant Hauber, an energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said the IEA’s CPS appears to be the U.S. administration “capitulation” scenario, which sees some sort of flattening of current energy market trends.

“This leads to what almost appears to be a false dawn of LNG demand that could provide encouragement to those investing in the U.S. LNG export boom. CPS ‘creates’ enough global LNG demand to justify build-outs through 2035,” Hauber said.

“However, one only need look at the STEPS scenario to see how fragile that outlook is. Demand-Supply matching evaporates quickly over that same timeframe leading to LNG surplus. This occurs even with STEPS’ more moderated additions of renewables, efficiency and electrification measures,” he added.

Climate crisis

In all of the IEA’s scenarios, the energy watchdog predicted that global temperatures will rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that global average temperatures must not increase by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst of the climate crisis.

This threshold is recognized as a crucial long-term target because tipping points become more likely beyond this level. Tipping points can lead to dramatic shifts or potentially irreversible changes to some of Earth’s largest systems.

Extreme temperatures are fueled by the climate crisis, the chief driver of which is the burning of fossil fuels.

Lars Nitter Havro, head of energy macro at Rystad Energy, said the IEA’s reintroduction of its CPS represents “a tonal shift,” but shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a “wholesale reversal” on peak oil.

Environment

ChargePoint just gave its EV charging software a major AI upgrade

Published

2 hours ago

November 13, 2025

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ChargePoint just gave its EV charging software a major AI upgrade

ChargePoint software — Image: ChargePoint

ChargePoint just rolled out a huge AI update to its EV charger software, and it’s a big deal for anyone managing EV chargers, whether it’s a handful of stations or a sprawling network.

The newly re-engineered ChargePoint Platform is designed to support any charging infrastructure, while simplifying the process of monitoring, controlling, and optimizing operations. It’s now being deployed by customers like Verizon, which says the system’s new AI tools have already made analyzing charging data faster and more intuitive.

“Features like the AI data assistant, enhanced search, and instant session details have made data analysis faster and more intuitive,” said Mitch Johnson, Verizon’s senior manager of global real estate, energy, and sustainability.

Smarter, faster, more open

ChargePoint says its updated platform was re-engineered from the ground up to manage everything from EV fleets and workplace charging to public fast-charging hubs. Key new features include AI-driven analytics that can predict maintenance needs and optimize energy use in real-time, along with a redesigned dashboard that provides operators with live insights on charger health and usage.

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The ChargePoint Platform can now manage any OCPP-compliant charger, regardless of make or model. The platform’s real-time load balancing and dynamic pricing tools help reduce energy costs during peak hours. It also has a new Waitlist feature that helps prevent queues from clogging up by automatically notifying drivers when a spot becomes available.

ChargePoint says the refreshed platform can scale easily and includes enhanced data security, new mobile-friendly controls, and accessibility features for global teams. The update is rolling out to customers now.

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Environment

Tern launches next-gen Vektron folding e-bike in the US – now with belt drive

Published

4 hours ago

November 13, 2025

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Tern launches next-gen Vektron folding e-bike in the US – now with belt drive

Tern’s popular Vektron folding e-bike just got a big upgrade for the US market. The urban mobility brand has announced the launch of the fourth-generation Vektron, now available in two models, including a long-awaited belt-drive option that promises lower maintenance and a cleaner ride.

The Vektron has been a fan favorite for years, appealing to city riders, multi-modal commuters, and travelers who want a premium e-bike that folds quickly and stores easily. The new version retains its fast-folding frame, Bosch mid-drive motor, and compact portability, but introduces key improvements in comfort, ride quality, and drivetrain options – most notably the new Vektron P5i with a Gates Carbon Belt Drive. While the new version came to other markets a few months ago, the US is finally getting a chance to ride the new model.

“The Vektron has been a solid favorite of Tern riders, whether they are multi-modal commuters, urban dwellers in need of an e-bike that stores in minimal space, or campers looking to easily include an e-bike in their travels, ” explained Steve Boyd, General Manager at Tern USA. “This 4th generation introduces several important improvements while retaining its category-leading combination of Bosch mid-drive power, superior ride quality, and incredibly fast and easy folding action. We’ve also added a belt drive model and, through careful component choices, managed to deliver competitive pricing despite cost increases due to tariff pressures.”

Paired with a Shimano Nexus 5 internally geared hub, the Vektron P5i is designed for ultra-low maintenance and daily convenience. For those who prefer a traditional derailleur setup, the Vektron P10 is still available with a 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain and a more aggressive geometry.

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But it’s not just the drivetrain that got a refresh. Tern borrowed design elements from its popular GSD and HSD cargo bikes to give the Vektron a more upright and comfort-focused cockpit. Riders get a taller stem, swept-back handlebars, and better weight distribution, offering a more relaxed riding posture ideal for urban cruising.

Despite its compact size, the Vektron delivers big design features. Reinforced frame components, including Tern’s robust OCL+ folding joint, give it a stable and confidence-inspiring ride that the company says sets it apart from other folders on the market.

Folding takes less than 10 seconds, and once compacted, the bike rolls easily on its own wheels – no awkward lifting required. It tucks neatly under a desk or next to a workstation, offering a secure indoor parking solution for city riders wary of bike theft.

Importantly, both new Vektron models are UL 2849 and EN 15194 certified, ensuring the electrical systems meet rigorous safety standards – a welcome reassurance in a market increasingly crowded by low-cost, uncertified imports.

The Vektron P10 will retail for $3,699 USD, while the belt-drive P5i model comes in at $4,099 USD. Both are expected to land in North American bike shops by the end of the year.

Electrek’s Take

Tern definitely deserves its place as one of the leaders in premium folding e-bikes that don’t compromise on ride quality. The addition of a belt-drive model is a major win for commuters and anyone tired of greasy chains and derailleur tune-ups. And in a market where safety certifications are becoming more critical, it’s good to see Tern doubling down on UL compliance. With the new Vektron, it looks like the Goldilocks of folding e-bikes just got even better.