We recently covered the launch of the JackRabbit OG2 Pro and XG Pro electric bikes, which added more range and power to the existing micro e-bike lineup from JackRabbit. Having spent a few weeks testing the XG Pro myself, I can attest to just what that means from the perspective of someone with saddle time doing things you wouldn’t have thought possible on a micro e-bike.
To get a sense of what I mean, check out my video review of the JackRabbit XG Pro below.
Or keep reading for my full written thoughts on this fun, high-performance ride stuffed into the body of a much smaller-than-expected micromobility device.
JackRabbit XG Pro video review
JackRabbit XG Pro tech specs
Motor: 749 geared rear hub motor
Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h) – or faster 24 mph (39 km/h) in off-road mode
Extras: Thumb throttle, 90-degree fold-flat rotatable handlebars (in high-rise format), foldout Mega Metal footpegs, bell, LCD display, kickstand, LED lights that run off the main batteries, plus plenty of optional accessories
What’s new and different?
Don’t forget to check out my article on the launch to see what makes this model so different from the original JackRabbit XG. But to summarize, the XG Pro gets a more powerful motor, larger brakes, high-rise handlebars, wider tires, faster top speed, bigger batteries, and just generally feels like a major upgrade in simply every way.
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A lot of those upgrades go a long way towards turning this into a highly competitive bike on more than just convenience. Now, the XG Pro competes on performance as well.
Previously, JackRabbit’s big claim to fame was that its bikes were more convenient. They were smaller and lighter while still offering 20 mph speeds, and that was the big advantage. However, you paid for it with limited range and lower power. Now, however, the JackRabbit XG has massively upgraded the range to over 48 miles (77 km) with the inclusion of not just one but two of JackRabbit’s RangeBuster big-boy batteries. These have nearly 2.5x the capacity of the standard airline-friendly batteries offered by JackRabbit and the resulting range is more than you’d find in many heavier e-bikes with similar battery capacities.
JackRabbit XG Pro: Seriously powerful and torquey
I don’t have a lot of hills to test when I do my riding in Florida, but I can say that the 749W motor will easily wheelie me if I’m not careful (no doubt aided by the short wheelbase), and so the torque is appreciable.
I can also tell you that I towed nearly 100 pounds (45 kg) of kayak and camping gear for around 10 miles, including up sandy berms that might not have been crazy steep but were a serious test of the bike’s ability to climb an off-road grade at slower speeds (i.e. without the benefit of momentum).
So let’s just say that the power and torque are there, and you’re not going to struggle to climb a medium-sized hill.
At the same time, the small footprint and lightweight (for an e-bike) 37-lb design meant that I could strap it to my kayak and take it camping on an uninhabited island that is inaccessible by motorboat. That’s a whole other story, though. Maybe I should write a separate article on that adventure?
The 20 mph (32 km/h) top speed of the previous JackRabbit models also got a boost on the XG Pro up to 24 mph (39 km/h), though only in the new Off-Road Mode. To access this, you can’t simply pop into the display menu and choose the “More speed, please” option. You have to first reach out to JackRabbit and sign a waiver that also includes confirming that you are over 18 and pledge to only use the mode on true closed course, off-road scenarios. From there, you get access to the unlock, which is so convoluted that no one will ever discover it on accident. If you are explicitly told how to do so (which I’m not sure how it won’t eventually leak online), you wouldn’t be able to figure it out from mere button-mashing.
In unlocked mode, the JackRabbit XG Pro’s 24 mph top speed gives higher-performance riders more of what they are looking for, truly unleashing those 749 watts for peak performance.
How well does it ride?
There’s no suspension on the bike (unless you opt for the add-on suspension seat post), but you do get 2.8 inch tires that put more air volume between you and the road. That results in a better ride that isn’t as jarring as you’d expect on a small, non-suspension bike.
If you’re doing actual off-roading, which I highly recommend because of how fun it is on the JackRabbit XG Pro, then you’ll be rising out of the saddle anyway much of the time. In the same way that you drop the seat on the mountain bike because you won’t be using it much of the time anyway, you stand on the pegs and let your bent legs serve as suspension when you approach bigger obstacles.
With the knobbier off-road tires, you also get better grip, though the little bike wants to turn so hard that I am still worried about losing it in a few corners on loose gravel and sand. In my own testing, I covered plenty of different types of terrain, finding grassy fields to be my favorite place to ride the XG Pro. It did fine on gravel and sand too, but the looser terrain also had me feeling a bit squirrely, and the short wheelbase likely contributed to that. But back on grassy pasture to hold the loose soil together, I could fly around at nearly top speed and feel solid.
Who is the JackRabbit XG Pro for?
With its off-road credentials spoken for, I still think the XG Pro has plenty of room left for on-road riding. As a commuter, I can see the XG Pro being a fast, long-range option for a super convenient micromobility device. The included LED lights make it highly visible to other road users at night, and the small size means it can fold up and stow away in an office or apartment.
In fact, I really love the sideways-turning handlebars that spin 90-degrees for even more compact storage. With the bars turned and footpegs folded, the entire bike is a mere 7 inches (18 cm) wide, something you could never claim with an e-bike.
So in my opinion, the XG Pro is great for anyone who wants to enjoy the trails on the same bike they use to get to work or class, and doesn’t have the space in their life for anything bigger. You’ve got to enjoy looking different though, as it’s always going to be a unique and somewhat weird-looking ride compared to what most of us consider a ‘normal’ bike or scooter.
Is it an e-bike?
That brings me to a common question regarding all of the JackRabbits. Are they even truly e-bikes? By definition, probably not. JackRabbits don’t have pedals, instead opting for lighter and more compact foot pegs. That means that the JackRabbit is technically in the class of seated electric scooters.
However, the company refers to it as a micro e-bike, and I’m inclined to agree largely on the basis that it rides and feels like a bike, especially considering that most Americans use their throttles on their e-bikes almost all the time anyway. The pedals on most e-bikes these days are just glorified footrests that have the ability to spin, so JackRabbit basically said, “Enough with the charade,” and took away that rarely used ability.
The fixed footrests on the Jackrabbit remove the bicycle definition, but I can attest to the JackRabbit still feeling like a bike, even if you can’t pedal it. It leans into turns like a bike and feels like a bike when riding over obstacles because it uses a bike’s handlebars and wheels instead of the smaller scooter handlebars and wheels common among scooters.
So much like the Romeo and Juliet cliche, this is basically the rose by any other name situation. It still smells as sweet, and it still rides as good.
Is the JackRabbit XG Pro worth it?
I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: If you’re looking for the best dollar-per-watt bargain, then move on. JackRabbit will never be the answer for you. These bikes cost a premium. The XG Pro is the new flagship model and is priced at an eye-watering US $2,249. The OG2’s $1,249 looks downright fiscally responsible by comparison.
But then again, JackRabbit isn’t trying to compete on price. Despite now matching other popular e-bikes on power, speed, and range, it will always be a more expensive alternative due to the company’s unique design that requires them to invest in building their own major components. They don’t benefit from off-the-shelf frames and batteries. Instead, they’ve invested the hard work in engineering new designs, not to mention paying for the tooling to make that happen. You can’t ask for innovation at the price of mediocrity.
For anyone on a budget, there are cheaper ways to get the same speed, power, and range. But there aren’t lighter ways to do it, or more convenient ways, or (in my opinion) cooler-looking ways. And that’s the whole point of JackRabbit. These bikes were originally designed as the perfect solution for college students getting around campus. And after many years and many new models, the company has grown into a fun solution for so many different types of people who share the same basic needs: a small yet potent e-bike-like vehicle for getting around without taking up too much space. Now, everyone from students to professionals ride them, and they’ve become a favorite among RVers, boat owners, private plane pilots, and anyone who needs a super-compact ride.
So in my opinion, the question of whether or not the JackRabbit XG Pro is worth it comes down to whether you want these capabilities in this form factor. You can find it for cheaper, but it’s not going to be as small or lightweight or slick. That’s the magic sauce at JackRabbit, and when you ride it, you damn well feel that magic.
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The Louisville assembly plant is scheduled for an extensive retooling starting later this year to produce a new Ford EV model. After the Escape is phased out, Ford will upgrade the facility to introduce an all-new EV.
What new EV will Ford build in Louisville?
Since 2022, Ford has had the same three electric vehicles available in the US. The Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, and E-Transit. However, that could change soon.
According to Todd Dunn, president of UAW Local 862, Ford’s Louisville plant will likely see some major changes later this year.
Dunn told The Courier Journal that the retooling could take upwards of 10 months. Ford is expected to begin the upgrades in December when the Escape and Lincoln Corsair, which are made at the plant, are phased out.
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Although Ford has yet to confirm the retooling, according to Dunn, the downtime will impact around 2,300 workers at the plant. They are expected to be temporarily laid off during the retooling, but Dunn said they will qualify for supplemental unemployment benefits and will also be able to draw unemployment.
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)
The upgrades are part of a 2023 UAW and Ford agreement to make the Louisville plant one of three due for a future EV model.
As to which EV, Dunn still doesn’t know, or when Ford will officially announce it. Since Ford already scrapped plans for a three-row electric SUV, that’s out.
Ford’s electric Explorer for Europe (Source: Ford)
Ford is planning to launch the first model on its long-awaited low-cost EV platform, a midsize electric pickup, in 2027. But this is expected to be built in Tennessee. A new “digitally advanced” electric van that will be built in Ohio is also due out next year.
2025 Ford F-150 Lightning (Source: Ford)
So, what mysterious new EV is Ford planning for Louisville? Ford spokesperson Jess Enoch told The Courier-Journal last year that the company is “committed to an all-new electric vehicle” at the plant but said, “We will share details closer to launch.”
The news comes after Ford’s Mustang Mach-E notched its highest first-quarter sales since its launch, with 11,607 units sold in the first three months of 2024. F-150 Lightning sales, on the other hand, fell 7%.
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Eric Trump says his family was “the most canceled company, probably on Earth.”
That was then.
With his dad, President Donald Trump, back in the White House, he sees a new money-making opportunity.
“It actually is what drove us toward cryptocurrency,” the president’s middle son told CNBC, referring to the Trump family’s latest business endeavors. “You realize that cryptocurrency was a lot faster, it was a lot more pragmatic, it was a lot more transparent, it was exponentially cheaper.”
In 2022, about two years after the end of President Trump’s first term, two subsidiaries of the Trump Organization were convicted by a jury in New York of multiple crimes, including tax fraud, falsifying business records and conspiracy. The guilty verdicts on all 17 charged counts came three weeks after Trump declared his 2024 candidacy.
Last month, the Trump Organization suedCapital One in Florida over allegedly “unjustifiably” closing more than 300 of the company’s bank accounts following the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuit claimed Capitol One was acting on “unsubstantiated, ‘woke’ beliefs that it needed to distance itself from President Trump and his conservative political views.”
Prior to Trump’s return to the White House, the Trump Organization unveiled a new ethics plan that said it would limit the president’s involvement in management decisions and other aspects of the business while he’s in office.
President Donald Trump (2R), flanked by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick (L), US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent (2L) and White House AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks (R), attends a the White House Crypto Summit in Washington, DC, March 7, 2025.
Jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images
But crypto is another matter. President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump launched meme coins just before the new term, adding billions of dollars of paper wealth to the family’s net worth.
Eric Trump and older brother Donald Trump Jr. are going even bigger. They recently announced plans to launch a U.S. dollar–backed stablecoin through their new venture, World Liberty Financial, and a new bitcoin mining company called American Bitcoin, co-founded with Hut 8 CEO Asher Genoot.
Eric Trump described his entry into crypto not as a financial bet, but as a form of resistance, and said the move began during what he calls the “war on the industry.” Banks were closing accounts, the SEC was cracking down on exchanges, and crypto users were being “debanked” for simply holding coins, he said.
“They were going after people,” he said. “They were suing everybody. Banks were closing down people that just wanted to own bitcoin.”
That’s when Eric Trump said he started associating with like-minded people in and around crypto.
“At this point, I know almost everybody in the industry in some way, shape or form,” he said. “I fell in love with the industry, you know, a few years ago, and really dove head in.”
At World Liberty Financial, the Trump brothers are backing a stablecoin play aimed at competing with players like Tether. Eric Trump didn’t have a specific answer when asked how the project would stand out in a crowded field, saying only, “We’re gonna do it better, cheaper, faster, and we’re gonna do it with a lot of passion.”
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Meawhile, he’s working with Genoot to stand up American Bitcoin, a new mining venture that aims to scale quickly, and possibly go public.
Genoot told CNBC he connected with the Trump kids through mutual friends and began trading stories about their paths into crypto, leading to a business alliance.
Genoot said the company is being separated from Hut 8’s broader energy and artificial intelligence infrastructure platform.
“We’re actually carving out the majority of our assets,” Genoot said. “We’re putting them into American Bitcoin.”
Eric Trump, who is co-founder and chief strategy officer of American Bitcoin, said “every single sophisticated country is using their excess power to mine bitcoin.”
Though his family is closely linked to the current administration’s pro-crypto stance, Eric Trump said he has no role in policy and no contact with the White House. His dad’s presidency was heavily funded by the crypto industry and, since returning to the White House, President Trump has rewarded his backers, signing an executive order to create a strategic bitcoin reserve, and pardoning Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht as well as the three co-founders of the BitMEX crypto exchange.
“I don’t have anything to do with government, and frankly, I don’t want anything to do with government,” Eric Trump said.
But he made clear that the U.S. needs a regulatory framework that allows crypto to thrive.
“You better believe that China is running very hard at this. The entire Middle East is running very hard,” he said. “We won the space race. We better win the crypto race.”
The charging network developer is now integrated into Volvo’s Open Charge service, which gives Volvo customers streamlined access to Greenlane’s public chargers. This collaboration makes Greenlane the first official Charge Point Operator (CPO) in North America to partner with Volvo.
Greenlane is a joint venture between Daimler Truck North America, NextEra Energy, and BlackRock. It’s building a US-wide charging network for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, aiming to reduce costs and simplify switching to electric fleets.
Through Volvo Open Charge, Volvo customers now have real-time access to Greenlane’s network, which means easier access to public charging, centralized billing, and special perks. Fleets won’t have to spend big money on their charging infrastructure. Instead, they can plug into Greenlane’s growing network, which will help cut costs and operational headaches while extending range.
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Patrick Macdonald-King, Greenlane’s CEO, called the partnership “a first-of-its-kind collaboration to deliver public charging solutions tailored to the needs of medium- and heavy-duty fleets.” He said it’s all about making the shift to electric trucks smoother and keeping goods and services moving while progressing toward zero-emissions freight.
Greenlane’s flagship charging site is set to open in Colton, California, in April, with more than 40 publicly accessible chargers for everything from heavy-duty trucks to smaller electric vehicles. It’s part of a larger plan to build a network along the I-15 corridor, with stations roughly 60 to 90 miles apart. Future California locations are planned for Long Beach, Barstow, and Baker.
Greenlane and Volvo will continue integrating new membership features into Volvo Open Charge, such as booking reservations. By letting fleets tap into an existing public network, Greenlane’s services can make the transition to electric trucking less about building infrastructure and more about just getting trucks on the road.
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