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On my most recent trip to China, I had the pleasure of visiting NIU’s factory and showroom to see the wide range of electric mopeds, scooters, e-bikes, and more produced by one of the world’s leading smart electric mobility companies. As an electric mobility journalist and enthusiast (and as an owner of my own NIU e-moped since 2020), it was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to peek behind the curtain and see where the magic happens.

And now after such an eye-opening visit, I’m even more excited to share that experience with you!

My visit included a full day at NIU’s factory, starting in the showroom to see a range of the company’s products. NIU essentially has two main markets: the local Chinese market and everywhere else in the world.

China is the company’s largest market, not only because of the home-field advantage but because no other place in the world has jumped into electric mopeds and scooters with both feet like China has.

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To get a sense of the breadth of NIU’s vehicles, and to see deep inside the production floor, check out my video tour below. Or keep reading for the written version of my trip!

Walking through the showroom revealed that reality firsthand, with so many models I’d never seen before. As it turns out, as wide-ranging as the international lineup we’ve come to know is, NIU’s domestic lineup is even wider!

Because of local regulations that encourage people to commute by e-bike, the mopeds are true mopeds, as in they have actual pedals. I doubt many people use the pedals, but you’ll find these cute little pedals on most of the models. Many are single-seaters, but you’ll also see plenty of pillion seats as rack add-ons. These are popular with parents who carry their children on the back for school drop-offs.

Many of these domestic scooters use lead acid batteries, which are more cost-effective for budget-minded riders, but I learned something new about those batteries.

While we often think of lead acid batteries as older technology, NIU has brought a lot of its technology for battery monitoring and BMSs (battery management systems) from its lithium battery models over to its lead acid battery models.

This means the batteries are smarter, better protected, last longer, and generally provide better performance than what many of us are used to from older-style lead acid batteries.

In addition to the many domestic market models, NIU also has plenty of larger models with higher performance, many meant for the international market, ranging from their seated electric scooters to fully-fledged electric motorcycles.

The company even has a new electric dirt bike, full-size electric bicycles, and standing electric scooters, though those are primarily designed for the European and North American markets.

As a special treat, I even got to see the sole NIU TQi still remaining. It was a leaning, covered, three-wheeler concept that never quite made it to production – perhaps as a casualty of the pandemic years that shook up the industry. But with any luck, it could be eclipsed by a new four-wheeled concept that the company seems pretty gung-ho about.

Like any self-respecting vehicle maker, NIU performs all of its own R&D, developing its products and testing their components to ensure they can meet the demanding specifications required by long-life on-road vehicles.

The R&D center I explored had everything from underwater button-mashing machines (in case you want to know if your hazard lights button can be pressed tens of thousands of times while your scooter is submerged in a tank of water) to rapid temperature-changing machines and UV aging apparatuses.

Full-size test benches vigorously shake scooters and mopeds with weight plates attached to them, simulating the weight of a rider and the violence of real-world commuting on less-than-perfect roads. If something is going to break, this is the test that would tell you. It looks pretty aggresive and makes me feel a lot better about the scooter that I ride nearly every day on the highway.

From there, we moved to the sprawling factory floor. The process begins with the inspection area, where orange-clad employees go through all the incoming components to perform quality inspections and ensure the subcontractors are producing the components properly to NIU’s specs.

The walls are covered with detailed images and diagrams reminding the employees of what to keep an eye out for, often with examples of what would disqualify a component from progressing to the assembly lines.

Just like the components that checked all the boxes, we passed along to the assembly line area too. We began in the pre-assembly area. Here, hanging racks are pre-loaded with various components that will be needed at various stages of moped assembly. These racks are carried off on a flying conveyor system and then lowered down next to workers on the assembly lines at the correct point for each component’s assembly stage.

I had to take the non-flying route, walking from the pre-assembly area to one of the many assembly lines. Here I got to see those racks dropping down as employees plucked off key switches, handlebars, wiring harnesses, body panels, fenders, and other parts like they were eating at a revolving sushi conveyor belt restaurant. It was really neat to see how each part landed in the right spot of the assembly line at the right time, like an engineering ballet all coming together.

As rolling chassis were slowly moved down the assembly line, they were transformed in a matter of minutes from bare tubular frames to shiny, sleek-looking electric mopeds. If you walked too quickly down the line, you’d have missed major steps completely. That’s how fast the ballet comes together as the skilled employees work together like a well-oiled machine.

Each assembly line saw a different model of moped rolling down the ending ramp towards a waiting group of inspectors. The inspection checkpoint is manned by quality verification employees who run through a many-point checklist in a well-lit tunnel to find imperfections or assembly mistakes.

Once the bikes pass those checks, they move on to the riding test, where still more employees take a hot lap around the factory before handing the moped off to the next stage. Some scooters even go through water testing with a rain simulator, though it seems like this is part of the R&D verification stage – not something that gets performed on every scooter. And based on how well my own NIU has held up when I’ve had to leave it out in pouring rain from time to time, those rain tests at the factory that help NIU’s engineers ensure good water protection seem to be working!

From here, the mopeds are rolled off to the warehouse, where they’re organized by model and prepared for trucks that will either deliver them to shops and dealers around the country or be prepped for international customers who distribute them all over the world.

But just one assembly area wouldn’t be enough to get a true sense of the scale at NIU, especially since the company makes so many unique products. Next, we headed to the standing electric scooter assembly area. These smaller rides have shorter assembly lines thanks to the generally more simple design and reduced number of components.

The test area seems to be a bit more varied though, including sections of rocks and gravel as well as ramps and bumpers. The testing takes place right next to the assembly area, with a custom designed test track right there on the factory floor.

Once the scooters pass their inspection station and fly through the test track, they’re sent off for packaging. Because these are largely built for export, the scooters are individually packaged instead of being bulk-loaded onto trucks. The packaging line prepares each scooter, folds it, surrounds it in protective foam, and seals its box. When you buy a NIU scooter online, these are the last hands to touch it before yours when you pop open the box.

Similarly, I also saw how the packaging is performed for the NIU XQi3 electric dirt bike. Since this model is also designed for export, these are individually packaged as well. But instead of a simple cardboard box, they get a steel frame for better protection of the heavy bikes. The models I saw were being packaged for the Canadian dealer who is probably receiving them around the time that this article is being published.

After getting the chance to tour many different areas of the production floor, we visited the test-riding area of the complex. Here, a team of riders performs long-term testing of different models. While every NIU product gets a cursory ride before its final inspection sheet can be completed, the company ensures that several of each model undergo long-term testing with tens of thousands of actual road kilometers. There are NIU employees whose job is simply to ride all day and look for issues. It’s that kind of testing that truly reveals anything that could be a hidden systematic issue, the types of things that wouldn’t show up on a five-minute end-of-line test ride.

While I wasn’t going to be doing anywhere near that level of riding, I still got a partial experience by getting to borrow several of those vehicles for my own short test rides. From cute little low-power electric mopeds to the highest-power and fastest models in the company’s lineup, I spent the next hour or two throwing my leg over (or through) them all. This was also my first chance to ride the RQi electric motorcycle, which is a real, honest-to-goodness electric motorcycle. It won’t nearly throw you off like a Zero or Energica (RIP), but it has some fun power that I’m not used to getting out of usually tamer NIU mopeds.

The same could be said for the XQi3 electric dirt bike, which is a major upgrade over something like a Sur Ron. In fact, the bike is even street-legal as an electric motorcycle in North America, where it can be registered for on-road use, too! And with its high torque letting me pop the front wheel up even accidentally, this is definitely a model that you can have some serious fun with just about anywhere.

As an added treat, at the end of the day, they let me explore the engineering area upstairs, though I had to be specially key-swiped into those floors.

I wasn’t allowed to film or take photos in the engineering area. There were dozens upon dozens of test mule scooters and bikes scattered throughout the floors, most with a team of engineers huddled around them with diagnostic tools and armfuls of scooter components. The whole place had a real “senior design project” feel to it that I remember vividly from engineering school.

I also noted what looked like a few models that had quite obviously been covered by black sheets before I was invited in. Despite my questions, the NIU team was valiantly tight-lipped about those. It certainly makes me wonder what could be coming next. Based on the high-energy feeling of the engineering department, like standing in the middle of a beehive with hyper-focused worker bees all buzzing around you, the engineering team seems hard at work on some interesting new models for the next few years.

The whole experience was eye-opening from several angles. As someone who has ridden an NIU electric moped for years, often as my wife and I’s daily driver, I never knew how much went into its design and production. I always felt good about it from the consumer side, but now I know just how much effort goes into the safety and longevity aspect of the design, which is all the more comforting.

At the same time, I gained insight into the factory that I wouldn’t have ever known. While the repetitive work of an assembly line is probably not the most exciting job ever, many of the employees seemed to actually be having fun. I’d often see them chatting and laughing together while assembling different components. There may have been a language barrier, but some things are universal. I’ve worked enough service and labor jobs to know what bantering with your coworkers looks like, and laughter doesn’t even have an accent.

So for me, the experience was illuminating and informative, opening a window into a world I never get to see. For most of us, our experience with the micromobility products we ride each day starts at purchase. But the story really begins much earlier, with years of design work culminating in many skilled hands bringing those ideas and materials to life in the form of something that helps us navigate our world. It’s a reminder that every scooter, bike, or board carries not just its rider, but the work and vision of countless people who made it possible.

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Preorder Segway’s new Ninebot F3 smart eKickScooter at $250 off, Anker SOLIX flash sale takes 45% off units, Greenworks, LG, more

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April 2, 2025

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Preorder Segway's new Ninebot F3 smart eKickScooter at 0 off, Anker SOLIX flash sale takes 45% off units, Greenworks, LG, more

Headlining today’s mid-week Green Deals is the early-bird preorder savings you can score on Segway’s new Ninebot F3 eKickScooter through April 14 that drops the price down to $600, with similar smart features to last month’s Max G3 model, including Apple Find My and autonomous locking/unlocking, among others. Next, Anker has launched another SOLIX weekend flash sale that is offering up to $2,898 in savings on a selection of varying backup power solutions, including the F2000 Portable Power Station with a 400W solar panel for $1,599, as well as some C800 Plus and F3800 offers. Next, we have a roundup of Greenworks electric pressure washers for your spring cleaning needs, with the brand’s GPW2003 2,000 PSI model hitting a new $135 low. Bringing up the rear is LG’s WashCombo All-in-One Electric Washer/Dryer with Ventless Inverter Heat Pump that is down at $1,999. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s EcoFlow Easter Sale offers, the collection of EGO lawn care savings, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Score $250 in preorder savings on Segway’s new Ninebot F3 smart eKickScooter at $600

Segway is launching preorders on its newest commuting option, the Ninebot F3 eKickScooter that will be down at $599.99 shipped through April 14 before opening for general purchases on April 15. This all new model will carry an $850 price tag once these pre-sale discounts are over, with this being the very first chance at cash savings. Taking advantage of this deal saves you 29% off its MSRP, putting $250 back in your pocket and giving us an idea of what future discounts may bring us. Head below to learn more about this new e-scooter and its features.

Joining the lineup alongside last month’s flagship Max G3 release and January’s GT3 SuperScooter, Segway’s new Ninebot F3 eKickScooter also sports many similar smart features that will surely have riders excited – especially at this lower rate.

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The designers of Segway’s Ninebot F3 eKickScooter have kept daily commutes in mind, giving it a brushless motor that can max out at 1,000W of power to tackle up to 20% inclines, while it pairs with the 477Wh battery to provide up to 44 miles of travel on a single charge at top speeds of 20 MPH. Aside from its smart innovations, you’re commute will be further enhanced by the 10-inch self-sealing jelly tires, a larger footboard, front hydraulic and rear elastomer suspension, a 6W auto-on headlight, brake lighting, turn signals, a front mechanical disc brake, as well as a rear electronic brake, and a 2.4-inch TFT smart display with navigation and caller ID – plus, the whole thing sports an IPX6 water-resistance rating.

Of course, the biggest of these new features has to be the Apple Find My capabilities and Airlock proximity locking/unlocking which can both be accessed via its companion app, with the distance for the latter feature being adjustable through the smart controls. It’s also been given the brand’s SegRange optimization that improves travel range by 20%, as well as the SegRide Stability Enhancement System that improves handling by making it far more resistant to disturbances you ride over and slipping on wet roads, even at its top speeds.

“As leaders in the personal transportation space, we’re not only innovating for the future, but innovating for every day. The F3 is the latest in our popular commuter scooter series. With each iteration of our scooters, we hope to make every ride a little bit better. Whether commuters riding to work, college students riding to class, or anyone just looking for some fun, our new F3 will deliver greater comfort, convenience and efficiency.”Tom Hebert, VP of Sales at Segway

If you’re interested in the brand’s Ninebot Max G3 eKickScooter, specifically, you’ll find the best current price on it coming from Amazon right now, where it’s $400 off over Segway’s direct $300 off discount.

Anker SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station

Anker SOLIX weekend flash sale drops F2000 solar generator with 400W panel to $1,599

Anker is having a SOLIX weekend flash sale that is continuing some of the flash deals we saw last weekend along with some additional savings. Aside from the F3800 bundle discounts, a notable bundle is the F2000 Portable Power Station which comes along with a 400W solar panel for $1,599 shipped. These flash savings are bringing costs down from its usual $2,898 rate, with things only beaten out by the discount from Christmas sales that dropped things $100 lower. You’re looking at the second-lowest price here, which saves you $1,299 while also equipping you with a reliable means of backup power for trips and emergencies. It’s also beating out Amazon where it sits $24 higher in price.

A solid mid-tier option for keeping devices and appliances running, Anker’s SOLIX F2000 power station provides a 2,048Wh LiFePO4 capacity that can deliver up to 2,400W of output on average with the ability to surge to 3,600W for larger appliance needs. Its 12 output ports give you a versatile range of coverage, including a TT-30 port to connect to your RV while out on the road and beyond. You can regain 80% of its battery in 1.4 hours by plugging it into a standard wall outlet, with it also boasting a 1,000W max solar input that would yield the same amount in 2.5 hours (and a little over 5 hours for the included 400W panel). There’s also the option to connect it to your car’s auxiliary port, as well as the usual array of smart controls available through its companion app.

Anker’s other SOLIX weekend flash sale offers:

You can check out all Anker’s SOLIX weekend flash sale offers, as well as the usual power deals on the landing page here.

Greenworks 2,000 PSI electric pressure washer

Clean off winter grime with Greenworks’ 2,000 PSI electric pressure washer at a new $135 low

Amazon is now offering up to 33% discounts on a selection of Greenworks electric pressure washers, just in time to jump into your outdoor spring cleaning. Among the featured models, you’ll find the largest of these markdowns being on the GPW2003 2,000 PSI Electric Pressure Washer for $134.99 shipped. The 33% markdown here is taking a significant chunk off its usual $200 price tag, with all the past discounts we’ve seen only going as low as $140. You’ll be saving $65 while the savings last here, giving you a more eco-friendly means to get outdoor cleaning done at a new all-time low price.

Spring has sprung and now there is cleaning to be done – whether that entails cleaning the grime off your home, walkways, driveway, patio furniture, and more – and this 14A Greenworks pressure washer is ready to help. It provides you with up to 2,000 PSI alongside a 1.2 GPM flow rate to efficiently clean – plus, there’s no gas or oil required, meaning no emissions. A nice little addition here is the onboard soap tank that lets you easily switch between a standard power wash to using the cleaning detergent of your preference. The device also comes with 25 feet of kink-resistant hose and four nozzle attachments.

More Greenworks electric pressure washer deals:

If you are looking for an affordable means to remove thatch and aerate your lawn’s soil to get it back to health after this winter, Greenworks’ 13A 14-inch Corded Dethatcher/Scarifier is down at $128 right now.

LG WasCombo all-in-one electric washer/dryer with ventless heat pump inverter

Score $1,050 in savings on LG’s all-in-one electric washer/dryer combo with a ventless heat pump design at $1,999

Right now you can find LG offering its WashCombo All-in-One Electric Washer/Dryer with Ventless Inverter Heat Pump for $1,999 shipped. You’d normally be shelling out $2,999 for this model, which would be bumped up to $3,049 would it not be for the free delivery, installation, and haul-away services. We’ve mostly seen it come down to $2,000 on average, with today’s rate only beaten out by the $1,500 low that dropped during the brand’s July 4th sale last year. You’ll be getting $1,050 in savings here at the second-lowest price we have tracked, complete with additional savings options in the form of possible trade-ins, as well as discounted premium care plans. You’ll find it sitting $1 higher at Best Buy right now, though there are more costs to be considered, as delivery and installation would cost you an extra $65.

The LG WashCombo arrives as an ENERGY STAR-certified all-in-one model that brings more intelligence to your laundry routine. It offers an array of smart controls through its companion app while also having been given a built-in smart system that not only recognizes the soil levels of any fabrics thrown inside but then adjusts its settings to provide optimal cleaning. You won’t have to stress over perfectly memorizing what cycles/settings work best for each. It’s also worth noting that due to its 2-in-1 design, you could double up to replace your separate washer and dryer units to do double the laundry loads at the same time – washed and dried simultaneously in each.

There are two standout features that take this model to more convenient heights, with the first of them being the ventless design, allowing you to install it anywhere with access to a standard 120V plug – plus, there’s the inverter heat pump that increases efficiency “using up to 60% less energy with every load” over other models. There’s also the ezDispense reservoir that holds up to 31 loads worth of detergent so you can just load and go, there’s even an option to split its capacity between detergent and fabric softener. You’ll also find available accessories that you can bundle to expand its functionality, all on the same landing page, including a pedestal washer or the storage drawer.

Best New Year EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Check out Honda’s funky new electric SUV and Prelude on the road for the first time [Video]

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April 2, 2025

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Check out Honda's funky new electric SUV and Prelude on the road for the first time [Video]

Honda's-SUV-on-road

Honda’s next-gen EVs are finally coming. On Wednesday, a Honda 0 prototype made its global debut in Tokyo, giving us our first look at the electric SUV in action. Honda’s new electric SUV and the upcoming Prelude were shown on public roads for the first time. Although still a prototype, the new SUV looks pretty… boxy?

Honda’s new electric SUV hits the road for the first time

The 0 SUV will be the first of its upcoming “0 Series” lineup, kicking off a new generation of Honda EVs. We got our first look at the electric SUV and Saloon in concept form last January.

Dubbed the “Space-Hub” concept, Honda’s electric SUV is just that. Earlier this year, Honda unveiled the 0 Series SUV and Saloon EV prototypes at the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), giving us a closer look at what we can expect to see when they actually hit the street.

On Wednesday, a prototype of the Honda 0 SUV was shown on a public road for the first time at a Formula One event in Tokyo.

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Honda used a specific wrap with geometric lines, calling it “a visual representation of the company’s new approach to EV development.”

Honda-new-electric-SUV-on-road
Honda-new-electric-SUV-on-road

Although the prototype has a slightly better shape, what’s up with the rear? The initial concept shown last year looked like a minivan from space. Now, the Honda 0 has more of an SUV-like shape, but it still seems out of proportion.

Honda said it aims to offer more value with its upcoming 0 Series EVs as a “space” rather than just a way of getting from point A to point B. Love it or hate it, the chunky backside on Honda’s electric SUV is designed to maximize interior space.

The production model is expected to launch in North America next year. It will be built at Honda’s EV Hub in Ohio (which we got to tour).

After that, Honda’s new electric SUV will roll out to other global markets, including Japan and Europe. Later this year, a hybrid electric Prelude will join Honda’s lineup.

What do you think of the electric SUV prototype? Would you buy one over its current Prologue? Let us know in the comments.

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NYC to sue Tesla over Elon Musk’s alleged breach of fiduciary duties

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April 2, 2025

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NYC to sue Tesla over Elon Musk's alleged breach of fiduciary duties

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has asked the city, which is a major Tesla shareholder, to sue Tesla and CEO Elon Musk over alleged breaches of fiduciary duties.

Lander asked the New York City Law Department to pursue securities litigation against Tesla on behalf of the New York City pension systems, which owns 3 million shares in Tesla.

The comptroller said:

“Ever since Elon Musk took over DOGE and became best-friend-in-chief with President Trump, Tesla—where Musk is supposed to be CEO—has suffered financially, causing enormous losses for Tesla shareholders. In less than three months, Tesla stock has lost nearly 40% of its value, with losses over $300 million for the New York City pension systems. We have long expressed concerns that the Tesla board has failed to provide independent oversight, or to require that Musk – or someone else – serve as a full-time CEO. Now, it appears that material misstatements from Tesla misled investors about his role at the company. That’s why I’m calling on the Law Department to file securities litigation: because Elon Musk is so distracted that he’s driving Tesla off a financial cliff and taking down shareholder value with it.” 

It echoes other recent concerns regarding Musk’s fiduciary duties to Tesla shareholders.

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Last summer, Tesla shareholders sued Tesla over an alleged breach of fiduciary duty regarding Musk’s AI funneling threats.

In the lawsuit, the shareholders argue that Musk has breached his fiduciary duties to Tesla shareholders by funding xAI, a private AI company, poaching Tesla employees, threatening not build AI products at Tesla unless given more control over the company, and for funneling resources from Tesla to his private companies.

Now, the NYC comptroller is piling on by adding that Tesla and Musk have been misleading about the CEO’s role at the company over the last year:

Despite stating in Tesla’s December 2024 SEC filing that “We are highly dependent on the services of Elon Musk, Technoking of Tesla and our Chief Executive Officer” and claiming that he “spends significant time with Tesla,” Musk has clearly abandoned Tesla in favor of DOGE and President Trump’s MAGA mission. By wreaking havoc on the Inflation Reduction Act, he is taking actions that are harmful to the market for electric vehicles. In addition, he alienated Tesla’s consumer base, causing Tesla’s vehicle sales to severely decline. Since 2017, the New York City pension systems have put the Tesla Board of Directors on notice over concerns regarding corporate governance and leadership, including the lack of a full-time CEO.  

As a representative of a major shareholder in Tesla, Lander has officially asked New York City’s law department to file “a 10b-5 shareholder lawsuit against Tesla, on behalf of the New York City pension systems, for their material misrepresentations regarding the leadership of the company.”

Electrek’s Take

If there’s still justice in the US, I think it’s inevitable that Musk will be found in breach of his fiduciary duty to Tesla shareholders.

There are so many examples from poaching Tesla employees for his private companies, to threatening not to build AI products, which he claimed were critical to Tesla, to literally funneling resources from Tesla to xAI.

And now he makes this deal with himself for xAI to buy X.

I expect that he will push for Tesla to invest in xAI at Tesla’s upcoming shareholders meeting right after he artificially inflated the price with an overpriced acquisition of Twitter – for a second time.

It’s all madness. I would think that the breach of fiduciary duties would be fairly clear, but with the lack of checks and balances in the US these days, I’m not sure justice will prevail.

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