The new Aventon Pace 4 is getting closer to a theft-proof electric bike
Aventon has officially announced its latest electric bicycle, the Pace 4, adding advanced smart bike technology and enhanced rider comfort to its popular line of urban-friendly e-bikes. The Pace 4 builds upon Aventon’s successful formula of accessibility and ease of use, now augmented with new connectivity and security features that make it harder to steal and easier to get back.
At the heart of the Pace 4 is Aventon’s latest innovation: the Aventon Control Unit (ACU). The ACU significantly upgrades the bike’s intelligence and security capabilities, bringing GPS tracking, geofencing, and remote locking to the Pace 4.
With the addition of the ACU, riders gain the ability to monitor their bike’s location in real-time, set virtual boundaries that trigger alerts if the bike leaves a specified area, and remotely lock the rear wheel, helping to improve security and peace of mind. A startup passcode can also be enabled to further improve theft deterrence, ensuring the bike can only be activated by authorized users.
The remote locking and passcode can help deter some theft, but the GPS tracking makes it easier to get the bike back if it ever does find itself in the wrong hands. The GPS feature and the 4G data communication both require a 4G data subscription, which is provided complimentary for one year at the time of purchase.
Of course, there’s no such thing as a theft-proof bicycle, but these types of smart features help riders get closer to that goal. Plus, as bike thieves become more aware of which e-bikes include built-in GPS or other theft deterrence features, hopefully those models will become less attractive targets.
The Pace 4 doesn’t only upgrade its intelligence. Its performance and comfort have also received their own improvements.
Powered by a 500W rear hub motor rated for a peak output of 864 watts and 60 Nm of torque, the Pace 4 provides decent power for smooth urban commuting and enjoyable leisure rides. According to Aventon, riders can expect consistent and reliable performance across various terrains and riding conditions.
It may not match the 750W continuous-rated motors we often see in the North American market, which usually output peak power in the low four figures of watts, but it should still provide good power and climbing performance on moderate hills.
The Pace 4 features a 36V 20Ah battery, which Aventon states can deliver a range of up to 70 miles (112 km) when ridden in ECO mode. Of course, few people actually ride solely in the lowest power mode, and so the real-world range is likely to be somewhat lower – especially for riders who make ample use of the throttle. But with just over 720 Wh of battery capacity, the Pace 4 is likely still ideal for extended city commutes, recreational rides, and weekend exploring. And with the included torque sensor, the pedal assist is more responsive, giving riders more reason to let go of the throttle and enjoy the pedal assist performance.
The 27.5×2.1″ urban tires will be most at home on pavement but can likely still handle fairly smooth trails. Whether for daily commuting or leisurely outings, the bike seems outfitted for a variety of use cases.
The Pace 4 lacks traditional suspension but the bike does include a suspension seat post offering 2 inches (50mm) of travel. This feature absorbs shocks and vibrations from rough roads, preventing them from traveling up through the saddle and into the rider’s rear, enhancing the riding experience. Complementing this is an ergonomic handlebar design aimed at promoting a relaxed, upright riding posture, reducing rider fatigue on longer trips and increasing overall comfort.
Neither of these can replace true front or rear suspension, but they go a decent way toward adding more comfort to the ride.
Aventon has also emphasized accessibility with the Pace 4. It features a step-through frame design that makes getting on and off the bike much easier than swinging a leg over the rear, helping the bike cater to riders of all ages and abilities. Available in two frame sizes and three colors of Flint, Mica, and Blue Steel (grey, black, and light blue), the Pace 4 also offers a bit of variation to help riders dial in the size and style closer to their tastes.
Priced at $1,799, the Pace 4 is entering the market at a time when new tariffs are hammering e-bike prices. The model is now available for purchase through Aventon’s official website and Aveneton’s wide network of authorized dealers.
Electrek’s Take
The new Aventon Pace 4 sticks with the company’s recent drive to push the boundaries of e-bike technology, combining smart connectivity, enhanced security features, modest performance, and some nods toward comfort. I’d imagine the bike would appeal to a broad range of riders if it wasn’t for the price, which feels fairly high to me. Plus, the base model doesn’t include a rack, fenders, or other commuter staples that will only elevate the price further. That being said, the Pace 4 launches at a time when e-bike prices are expected to arrive across the board, either slightly for models built in various Asian countries or significantly for models built in China.
But ignoring the price (as hard as that may be), I do like what I see here. It’s hard to compare to Class 3 e-bikes with more powerful 48V systems, but this isn’t designed to compete with those models. It’s a more modest, easier-going model. But for its intended audience, it comes with some nice features that we don’t often see elsewhere.
I really hope features like built-in tracking become more common across the board, as they’re hugely valuable for riders.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
BMW Motorrad’s futuristic electric scooter just got its first real refresh since beginning production in 2021. The BMW CE 04, already one of the most capable and stylish electric maxi-scooters on the market, now gets a set of upgraded trim options, new aesthetic touches, and a more robust list of features that aim to make this urban commuter even more appealing to riders looking for serious electric performance on two wheels.
The BMW CE 04 has always stood out for its sci-fi styling and high-performance drivetrain. It’s built on a mid-mounted liquid-cooled motor that puts out 31 kW (42 hp) and 62 Nm of torque. That’s enough to rocket the scooter from 0 to 50 km/h (31 mph) in just 2.6 seconds – quite fast for anything with a step-through frame.
The top speed is electronically limited to 120 km/h (75 mph), making it perfectly capable for city riding and fast enough to hold its own on highway stretches. Range is rated at 130 km (81 miles) on the WMTC cycle, thanks to the 8.9 kWh battery pack tucked low in the frame.
But while the core performance hasn’t changed, BMW’s 2025 update focuses on refining the package and giving riders more options to tailor the scooter to their taste. The new CE 04 is available in three trims: Basic, Avantgarde, and Exclusive.
The Basic trim keeps things clean and classic with a Lightwhite paint scheme and a clear windshield. It’s subtle, sleek, and very much in line with the CE 04’s clean-lined aesthetic. The Avantgarde model adds a splash of color with a Gravity Blue main body and bright São Paulo Yellow accents, along with a dark windshield and a laser-engraved rim. The top-shelf Exclusive trim is where things get fancy, with a premium Spacesilver metallic paint job, upgraded wind protection, heated grips, a luxury embroidered seat, and its own unique engraved rim treatment.
There are also a few new tech upgrades baked into the options list. Riders can now spec a 6.9 kW quick charger that reduces the 0–80% charge time to just 45 minutes (down from nearly 4 hours with the standard 2.3 kW onboard charger). Tire pressure monitoring, a center stand, and BMW’s “Headlight Pro” adaptive lighting system are also available as add-ons, along with an emergency eCall system and Dynamic Traction Control.
BMW has kept the core riding components in place: a steel-tube chassis, 15-inch wheels, Bosch ABS (with optional ABS Pro), and the impressive 10.25” TFT display with integrated navigation and smartphone connectivity. The under-seat storage still swallows a full-face helmet, and the long, low frame design means the scooter looks like something out of Blade Runner but rides like a luxury commuter.
With these updates, BMW seems to be further cementing the CE 04’s role at the high end of the electric scooter market. It’s not cheap, starting around €12,000 in Europe and around US $12,500 in the US, with prices going up from there depending on configuration. However, the maxi-scooter delivers real motorcycle-grade performance in a package that’s easier to live with for daily riders.
Electrek’s Take
I believe that the CE 04’s biggest strength has always been that it’s not trying to be a toy or a gimmick. It’s a real vehicle. Sure, it’s futuristic and funky looking, but it delivers on its promises. And in a market that’s still surprisingly sparse when it comes to premium electric scooters, BMW has had the lane mostly to itself. That may not last forever, though. LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric spin-off brand, has teased plans for a maxi-scooter-style urban electric vehicle in the coming years, but as of now, it remains something of an undefined future plan.
Meanwhile, BMW is delivering not just a concept bike but a mature, well-equipped, and ready-to-ride electric scooter that keeps improving. For riders who want something faster and more capable than a Class 3 e-bike but aren’t ready to jump to a full-size electric motorcycle, the CE 04 hits a sweet spot. It delivers the performance and capability of a commuter e-motorcycle, yet with the approachability of a scooter. And with these new trims and upgrades, it’s doing it with even more style.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when you combine a fruit cart, a cargo bike, and a Piaggio Ape all in one vehicle, now you’ve got your answer. I submit, for your approval, this week’s feature for the Awesomely Weird Alibaba Electric Vehicle of the Week column – and it’s a beautiful doozie.
Feast your eyes on this salad slinging, coleslaw cruising, tuber taxiing produce chariot!
I think this electric vegetable trike might finally scratch the itch long felt by many of my readers. It seems every time I cover an electric trike, even the really cool ones, I always get commenters poo-poo-ing it for having two wheels in the rear instead of two wheels in the front. Well, here you go, folks!
Designed with two front wheels for maximum stability, this trike keeps your cucumbers in check through every corner. Because trust me, you don’t want to hit a pothole and suddenly be juggling peaches like you’re in Cirque du Soleil: Farmers Market Edition.
To avoid the extra cost of designing a linked steering system for a pair of front wheels, the engineers who brought this salad shuttle to life simply side-stepped that complexity altogether by steering the entire fixed front end. I’ve got articulating electric tractors that steer like this, and so if it works for a several-ton work machine, it should work for a couple hundred pounds of cargo bike.
Featuring a giant cargo bed up front with four cascading fruit baskets set up for roadside sales, this cargo bike is something of a blank slate. Sure, you could monetize grandma’s vegetable garden, or you could fill it with your own ideas and concoctions. Our exceedingly talented graphics wizard sees it as the perfect coffee and pastry e-bike for my new startup, The Handlebarista, and I’m not one to argue. Basically, the sky is the limit with a blank slate bike like this!
Sure, the quality doesn’t quite match something like a fancy Tern cargo bike. The rim brakes aren’t exactly confidence-inspiring, but at least there are three of them. And if they should all give out, or just not quite slow you down enough to avoid that quickly approaching brick wall, then at least you’ve got a couple hundred pounds of tomatoes as a tasty crumple zone.
The electrical system does seem a bit underpowered. With a 36V battery and a 250W motor, I don’t know if one-third of a horsepower is enough to haul a full load to the local farmer’s market. But I guess if the weight is a bit much for the little motor, you could always do some snacking along the way. On the other hand, all the pictures seem to show a non-electric version. So if this cart is presumably mobile on pedal power alone, then that extra motor assist, however small, is going to feel like a very welcome guest.
The $950 price is presumably for the electric version, since that’s what’s in the title of the listing, though I wouldn’t get too excited just yet. I’ve bought a LOT of stuff on Alibaba, including many electric vehicles, and the too-good-to-be-true price is always exactly that. In my experience, you can multiply the Alibaba price by 3-4x to get the actual landed price for things like these. Even so, $3,000-$4,000 wouldn’t be a terrible price, considering a lot of electric trikes stateside already cost that much and don’t even come with a quad-set of vegetable baskets on board!
I should also put my normal caveat in here about not actually buying one of these. Please, please don’t try to buy one of these awesome cargo e-trikes. This is a silly, tongue-in-cheek weekend column where I scour the ever-entertaining underbelly of China’s massive e-commerce site Alibaba in search of fun, quirky, and just plain awesomely weird electric vehicles. While I’ve successfully bought several fun things on the platform, I’ve also gotten scammed more than once, so this is not for the timid or the tight-budgeted among us.
That isn’t to say that some of my more stubborn readers haven’t followed in my footsteps before, ignoring my advice and setting out on their own wild journey. But please don’t be the one who risks it all and gets nothing in return. Don’t say I didn’t warn you; this is the warning.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Sports2 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike