There’s no denying how popular high-power electric bikes have become. And a quick way to get more power without having to go with a ridiculously large motor is to simply double up, putting one motor in each of a bike’s wheels. That’s what Wallke did with the Wallke H7 AWD, and the result is a fast e-bike that is as powerful as it is chunky – which is to say, very.
To see my testing of the Wallke H7 AWD, check out my video review below.
Or keep reading below the video for my full written review on this high power e-bike!
Range: Unlisted (pretty darn far based on the massive battery)
Battery: 48V 60 Ah (2,880 Wh)
Weight: 130 lb (59 kg)
Max load: Claimed 400 lb (181 kg)
Brakes: Quad-piston hydraulic disc brakes
Extras: Large color LCD display, LED head/tail light, half-twist throttle, removable battery, padded rear rack, fenders, kickstand, and companion app
Purely and simply over the top for an e-bike
The Wallke H7 AWD is so overspec’d that in many jurisdictions, you wouldn’t even be able to call it an electric bicycle. This is more of an e-moped in the truest sense. In fact, the bike can reach speeds of up to 33 mph on throttle operation, no pedaling needed, meaning it truly is well outside of the 3-class electric bicycle system.
That may be an issue for some people, but it will be a selling point for others. Many riders want something they can ride fast without needing to pedal, but keep in mind that such a feature usually means you’ll have issues trying to pass this off a street-legal electric bicycle. If that matters or not in your jurisdiction is an important disticintion that you’ll want to look up. Some states are cracking down, while others don’t seem to care.
A big part of the crazy high speed in the Wallke H7 AWD is thanks to its dual motor design. The pair of 1,000W motors make a solid 2,000W of continuous power, and closer to 3,200W of peak power. That gets transferred through a set of 20×4.0″ fat tires and is enough to sling gravel in any direction you choose. Again, that’s some serious power that requires some serious responsibility, so the rider has been warned.
To back up that power is a commensurately large battery. The 48V 60Ah battery pack is still removable, but it’s one of the largest I’ve ever seen on a retail e-bike. They don’t publish a range figure, but based on my testing, reasonable throttle speeds should net riders at least 75 miles of range. Pedal assist can take the bike much farther, if you actually want to pedal a 130 lb e-bike.
How does it ride?
The Wallke H7 AWD rides decently well, but it’s a bit janky at top speed. There’s some weird flutter that I would get in the rear end at around 31-33 mph. I could never quite place it, as it’s a bit hard to feel around behind you at such speeds, but I think it’s likely either the rear fender or the kickstand. Either could be slightly resonating with vibrations or fluttering in the wind, but I can’t be sure it really is either. Suffice it to say that something was slightly dancing around for me at the top end.
The suspension is also welcome but not exactly top-notch either. Hitting bumps results in a symphony of sounds originating from the bike’s center, likely resulting from a combination of the battery, suspension, fender, and perhaps the kickstand. The suspension does help the ride, but this is a heavy bike, and you’re going to feel the bumps even with 4″ of air-filled rubber and a few springs underneath you.
I’ll also say that while the bike can be pedal-assisted, the gearing only makes it comfortable up to around 20 mph or so. I can reasonably pedal up to 25 mph, but any faster and I just can’t comfortably keep up – the gearing just isn’t high enough in top gear.
So while there are some issues like the ones I discussed above, there are some great features, too.
The color screen is quite attractive, and probably better than most would expect on a direct-to-consumer e-bike. The brakes are also very punchy, which is important for a fast and heavy e-bike. The quad-piston hydraulic disc brake loadout is a welcome addition.
The LED lights are quite good, and the headlight was sufficient for night riding, illuminating the bike lane in front of me so I could spot obstacles in my path. However, the headlight does vibrate a bit at higher speeds, meaning your lighted area can shake up and down a bit.
And then there’s the price. At the current sale price of US $2,199, this is a lot of bike for a fairly reasonable price. Remember, you’re getting an out-of-class moped here, more or less, so it’s hard to compare directly to most ‘normal’ electric bikes. But consider that you’re getting around 4x the amount of power and battery as a ‘normal’ e-bike, and the price isn’t all that much higher.
That being said, you can get nicer, more comfortable e-bikes for lower figures elsewhere. So the reason someone would buy the Wallke H7 AWD is pretty much for the power and the range, and not much else. In that regard, it delivers on what it promises. This bike will take you far and it will knock your socks off while doing it.
Just make sure you ride responsibly and where appropriate. Fast and powerful e-bikes are fun, but they aren’t for everyone and they aren’t for everywhere.
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Tesla has filed a new patent that strongly suggests the automaker is preparing to integrate Starlink satellite receivers directly into its vehicles.
The reason why is still unclear.
Tesla vehicles are already some of the most connected machines on the planet, relying heavily on cellular networks for everything from Autopilot data collection to over-the-air software updates and streaming features.
But cellular coverage has limits.
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Now, a new patent filing reveals Tesla’s solution.
The patent, titled “Vehicle Roof Assembly with Radio Frequency Transparent Material,” describes a new roof structure designed specifically to allow satellite signals to pass through.
The filing notes that traditional automotive glass and metal roofs often block or attenuate satellite signals, making it difficult to hide an antenna inside the cabin. Tesla’s solution is to use specific polymer blends, such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile styrene acrylate, that are “radio frequency (RF) transparent.”
The patent explicitly mentions that this assembly allows for the integration of “antennae directly into the roof structure, facilitating clear communication with external devices and satellites.”
Here is a drawing from the patent showing the multi-layer roof structure designed to hide the antenna while maintaining structural integrity:
While the patent doesn’t name “Starlink” directly (patents rarely name specific commercial products), the implications are obvious. Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation, is a high-bandwidth, low-latency satellite network capable of supporting the kind of data Tesla vehicles consume.
We have already seen some Tesla owners retrofit Starlink Mini dishes onto their cars for off-grid camping, but this patent suggests a factory-integrated solution where the antenna is completely invisible, hidden inside the roof lining.
This would allow a Tesla to seamlessly switch between 5G cellular networks and the Starlink satellite network, depending on coverage, ensuring the car is always online.
Electrek’s Take
Cars don’t necessarily need satellite connections.
For a while, some thought it could be needed for autonomous driving by enabling constant connectivity, but it is generally accepted that you can’t rely on any kind of internet or in-car communication for self-driving. The risk is too high.
For the most part, a cellular connection is perfectly fine for a car.
However, I wouldn’t mind this if it’s offered as an option for people who are looking to stay connected in more remote areas. It could make sense for that.
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U.S. crude futures rose more than 1% Wednesday as Trump ordered “a total and complete” block of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela.
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Crude oil prices bounced back from near four-year lows Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said the U.S. will block sanctioned tankers from entering and leaving Venezuela.
U.S. crude oil rose $1.03, or 1.86%, to $56.30 per barrel by 7:52 a.m. ET. Global benchmark Brent was trading at $59.96, up $1.04 or 1.77%.
The U.S. benchmark had fallen to the lowest levels since early 2021 on Tuesday, as traders see a potential peace agreement in Ukraine bringing Russian crude back to a well supplied market.
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Oil, 5 years
But Trump’s pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has lifted prices from those lows. The president said he ordered a “total and complete” blockade of sanctioned oil tankers leaving and entering Venezuela.
Trump’s blockade comes after the U.S. seized a sanctioned oil tanker off Venezuela’s coast last week in a major escalation.
Venezuela is a founding member of OPEC and has the largest proven crude oil reserves in the world. It is exporting about 749,000 barrels per day this year, with at least half that oil going to China, according to data from Kpler.
Through the Exelon Foundation, local utility Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) has granted $250,000 to Civic Works’ Baltimore Shines solar initiative to support no-cost rooftop solar installations for low- and moderate-income homeowners.
Exelon-owned BGE is working with Civic Works to ensure that up to thirty (30) qualifying homeowners will be able to receive no-cost rooftop solar installations as part of a BGE-funded initiative to add more clean, renewable, and affordable energy to the Baltimore grid.
“BGE is committed to investing in solutions that make energy more affordable and help our customers manage their bills. Baltimore Shines is making a real difference by helping families lower their energy costs while expanding access to clean, renewable power,” explains Tamla Olivier, president and CEO of BGE. “Today’s completion of the 50th solar installation brings affordable energy where it is needed most. Thank you to Civic Works for helping us build a more equitable, sustainable Baltimore.”
Each selected home will get the roof and electrical upgrades needed to go solar, along with a 20 year maintenance plan to make sure the systems continue to cut fossil fuel dependence, support BGE’s clean energy goals, and deliver real progress on environmental justice and energy equity for years to come.
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“We are also deeply appreciative of this new grant from BGE and the Exelon Foundation, which will expand access to clean energy and allow us to provide no-cost solar installations to additional limited- and moderate-income households,” says Eli Allen, senior program director of Civic Works. “Together, we are reducing monthly expenses for families and strengthening resilience across Baltimore neighborhoods.”
Once completed, those thirty homes are expected to generate more than 180,000 kWh of electricity per year, and cut more than 275,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, annually. This solar initiative is also supported by the Maryland Energy Administration and the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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