Trump’s massive tariffs – and sudden backtrack – bring chaos to e-bike prices
The e-bike market in the US, and the broader micromobility industry consisting of e-bikes, e-scooters, and other ridables, is feeling the rollercoaster effects of the Trump administration’s recent move to impose sweeping new tariffs on global imports, only to swiftly reverse course just days later.
The abrupt policy changes have sent shockwaves through the micromobility industry, leaving companies scrambling to adjust and consumers uncertain about future pricing.
Tariffs are nothing new for the e-bike industry. Back in 2018, the first Trump administration announced hefty tariffs of up to 25% on a wide array of products imported from China, including e-bikes and electric scooters. The rationale cited involved protecting American manufacturing and pressuring China to address trade imbalances. While the tariffs targeted broader categories, the electric bicycle industry – already heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing – stood poised to bear significant financial strain.
Years of tariff exclusions and then a snapping back of tariffs led the e-bike industry to develop a strong stomach while prompting a shift from Chinese manufacturing to other lower-tariffed Asian countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia. But nothing could prepare the industry—or consumers—for what would come in the form of steep new tariffs from the second Trump Administration.
February of this year saw 20% tariffs added to Chinese imports on top of the existing 25% tariffs already in place on electric bicycles. Then April’s “Liberation Day” tariffs stacked another 34% tariffs on top of those, which quickly ballooned into 84% tariffs on Chinese imports. Financial markets in the US and around the world tumbled.
At the same time as China stood up to what it referred to as Trump’s “unilateral bullying” with its own reciprocal tariffs, and as Trump’s advisors eyed a quickly developing US bond crisis, the president ultimately backed down and announced a 90-day pause on tariffs above 10% – except for China, whose new tariff rate he raised to 125%. When factoring in the original 25% tariffs on e-bikes from Section 301, that puts a 150% tariff rate on e-bikes and e-scooters imported to the US from the world’s largest maker of e-bikes and e-scooters. In other words, an e-bike that costs a company $500 to produce in China now costs them $1,250 to bring across the border into the US – and that’s before any other costs such as ocean freight or the operating expenses of running a business in the US.
Almost immediately, panic has rippled through the industry. Companies faced with these steep new import duties have to contemplate rapid price increases, shifting manufacturing bases, or absorbing massive cost hikes themselves. Electric bicycles and scooters, already growing in popularity as affordable alternatives to cars and public transit, risk becoming less accessible to the average consumer. For example, a notice on Velotric’s website, posted several days ago when the tariff rates on Chinese e-bikes were half what they are today, explained that “Due to the implementation of new Tariffs, pricing on select models may increase starting April 15th, 2025. This decision is necessary to ensure that we can continue to provide the high-quality e-bikes you love, while meeting the new tariffs.”
With electric bikes imported from China now costing companies over twice what they did a week ago, huge uncertainty hangs over the market. In the past, we’ve seen some companies raise prices when tariffs have floated their costs, while others have absorbed up to 25% tariff increases, shaving their margins to keep prices affordable for consumers. But no e-bike company can afford to absorb a sudden doubling of their costs.
Several e-bike companies have spent the last few years preparing to move their manufacturing out of China. Lectric Ebikes, for example, has almost entirely relocated its manufacturing, moving to other Asian countries with lower US tariff rates. The company’s CEO, Levi Conlow, explained at the Micromobility America 2024 conference last November that the move was part of a longer strategy to seek out manufacturing in countries that had traditionally been spared the wrath of Trump’s smaller trade wars.
In a twist of irony though, Vietnam, one of the key alternatives for e-bike manufacturing, was hit with even higher tariff rates than China when the “Liberation Day” tariffs were announced on April 2, at least until the Trump Administration ratcheted up China’s tariff rate to a figure even higher than Vietnam’s.
Experts argue that such unpredictable tariff policies are harmful in an industry that thrives on consistency and predictable costs. E-bike development cycles often take a year or more, and pricing strategies are key considerations when developing new models that require months to design, produce, and ship to the US. Import-dependent companies, which constitute almost the entirety of the U.S. micromobility sector, seek clarity to confidently grow their operations and meet consumer demand for e-bikes. Meanwhile, domestic manufacturing alternatives, though slowly gaining momentum, remain a drop in the bucket compared to imports.
US-based manufacturers like Electric Bicycle Company, which assembles its e-bikes in California, aren’t able to support the vast demand for e-bikes across the entire US. Even those few US-based e-bike builders still import nearly all of their components from overseas, with China remaining the key supplier of e-bike components. From bicycle frames to motors and batteries, the minimal number of e-bikes built in the US use almost exclusively foreign-made components, as the US lacks the manufacturing capabilities to produce these components at any reasonable scale to replace the massive production volume available from China.
While the broader markets breathe a tentative sigh of relief after the majority of tariffs were quickly withdrawn from all countries except China, the damage of uncertainty remains, not to mention the extreme price increases that are all but inevitable on Chinese-produced electric bikes that dominate the market. Advocates and business leaders continue to urge policymakers to prioritize consistent and clear trade policies. In the fast-growing world of electric bikes and scooters, stability is critical to sustaining the momentum of eco-friendly and accessible transportation.
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Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC, later this year. With its official debut just around the corner, Mercedes revealed a few new details, offering an exclusive first look at the new EV.
Mercedes offers an exclusive look at the new electric GLC
Although we got a sneak peek of the electric SUV in March during winter testing in Northern Sweden, Mercedes is giving us a better idea of what to expect.
“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said on Thursday.
Mercedes promises the electric GLC “sets new standards” with a sleek new design, advanced tech, and its new MB.OS operating system.
The new GLC EV is an upgrade over the current model, offering significantly more space and improved ride quality. Since the wheelbase is 3.1″ longer than the current gas-powered SUV, the electric version has more legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers.
With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space. The gas-powered model features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, you get an extra 4.5 cu ft of space in the trunk (front trunk).
Källenius said that with Mercedes’ new 800V electric architecture and latest batteries, the electric GLC can regain around 260 km (161 miles) WLTP range in just ten minutes. He added that DC fast charging at over 320 kW is possible.
The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology will arrive with impressive towing capability of up to 5,291 lbs. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Added features, such as ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assistant, make it even easier to tow with optimized stability and control.
Källenius also teased the new electric GLC design, calling it the start of a “new era” and “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles.”
The inside is just as impressive, providing a holistic experience. A “majestically floating next generation MBUX Hyperscreen” is optional, providing a spatial experience powered by the new MB.OS supercomputer.
Mercedes will unveil the new electric GLC at the 2025 International Motor Show in Munich on September 7, 2025.
Although official range figures will be revealed at the event, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, Mercedes said it expects the new GLC to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles, or slightly more than 300 miles on the EPA scale, from a 94.5 kWh battery.
Prices will also be announced in due time, but given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the electric model to be priced slightly higher, at around $65,000.
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Tesla (TSLA) announced its 2025 annual shareholders meeting at the very last minute, and it pushed it all the way to November, the latest it has ever held the meeting.
Tesla generally holds its annual meeting in the summer and announces it way ahead of time.
Today, the automaker announced that the meeting will be held on November 6:
The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).
This is highly unusual for Tesla. Here are the dates of Tesla’s last 5 annual meetings:
- 2020: September 22, 2020
- 2021: October 7, 2021
- 2022: August 4, 2022
- 2023: May 16, 2023
- 2024: June 13, 2024
At those meetings, shareholders vote on several matters, including the reelection of directors and shareholders’ proposals.
Tesla has not released any yet, but they are expected to be in the upcoming proxy statement, which Tesla should release in the coming weeks.
Why does Tesla need more time?
Electrek’s Take
I think Tesla is working on some proposals that are going to take time to put together and then to sell to shareholders – hence why the meeting is set for November.
There are two suspects: a new CEO compensation package for Musk or a merger/acquisition of xAI.
It could also be both, but I think that would be harder to swallow for some shareholders as both initiatives have a clear aim of giving Musk a bigger stake in Tesla.
I think sane investors should not want that, but Tesla shareholders don’t fit in that category. Much of Tesla’s value is attached to Musk’s lies and ridiculous predictions. The value will have to come down to reality at some point, but they are a bunch of gamblers who are enjoying the ride in the meantime.
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A three-row electric SUV for less than $30,000? Sign me up. NIO (NYSE: NIO) opened pre-orders for the new Onvo L90 on Thursday, starting from 193,900 yuan, or about $27,000.
NIO kicks off Onvo L90 pre-orders in China
NIO claims the Onvo L90 is the lightest full-size three-row SUV in its class, with a curb weight just under 5,000 lbs (2,250 kg). In comparison, the Lucid Gravity has a curb weight of 5,966 lbs (2,712 kg).
The new flagship model is designed as a family-friendly SUV, offering ample interior space and advanced technology.
At 5,145 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, and 1,766 mm tall, the Onvo L90 is slightly bigger than the Lucid Gravity. In China, it will go head-to-head with higher-end electric SUVs like Li Auto’s L9.
However, the L9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and starts at around 409,800 yuan ($57,000), more than double the price of the Onvo L90.
The low price of 193,900 yuan ($27,000) applies only to those who rent the battery. Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) costs 899 yuan ($125) a month. With the battery included, the Onvo L90 still starts at just 279,900 yuan ($39,000).
Nio’s new electric SUV is offered in six and seven-seat configurations. The interior features a massive 17.2″ floating infotainment screen at the center.
Other interior highlights include a three-zone climate control system, massage, heating, and ventilation for every seat, as well as an additional entertainment screen for rear passengers. And like many new vehicles in China nowadays, it even comes with a built-in refrigerator.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery, the Onvo L90 offers a CLTC range of 605 km (367 miles). It’s also based on NIO’s next-gen 900V platform, unlocking class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 100 km.
Buyers can choose from single and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The AWD version boasts up to 590 hp (440 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 4.7 seconds.
NIO is offering an incentive for early pre-order holders. Those who place an order with a 2,000 yuan deposit will receive a 5,000 yuan credit off the vehicle and an extra 5,000 yuan for optional features and more. Nio plans to begin delivering Onvo L90 to customers, starting on August 1.
The L90 is the second Onvo-branded EV to arrive in China, following the smaller L60, launched last September.
Source: CarNewsChina, NIO Onvo
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