I’ve been using the pickup truck of electric bikes and it’s pretty amazing
You can call it a cargo bike. You can call it a passenger trike. You can call it a rickshaw. You can call it a lot of things. But after spending the last few weeks with the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus, I think the most accurate description is this: it’s the pickup truck of electric bikes.
I’ve used this thing for just about everything. I’ve packed it with kids – my nephews and niece giggling in the roomy rear section, either sitting happily on the fold-down bench with their feet planted firmly on the integrated footrests, or hay-ride style in the cargo-carrying rear bed with their full-size golden retriever along for the ride in there too.
I’ve carted around my adult sister. I even gave my dad a lift, and there was still room for more. Honestly, I think it could fit two modestly trim adults back there if you really wanted it to.
But the Conductor Plus is not just a people-mover. I also used it like a rolling cargo hauler. One day, I rode it to Target and came back with a full-size shelving unit strapped into the back. Another day, I turned it into a literal rolling booth for a neighborhood Purim carnival – decorated it with signs that said “Free Balloons,” a helium tank in the rear bed, and a chair for me to hand out balloons to kids (and fun-loving adults) around the neighborhood. The rear bed fit that helium tank, a chair for me, and my years of balloon animal-making skills. Whether balloon dogs or real dogs, that rear bed can hold a lot. (Theoretically there’s a 465 lb or 211 kg weight limit for the whole bike, but I don’t think I got close to testing that fully).
Sure, there are other heavy-hauling electric cargo bikes out there, but two-wheelers just don’t offer the same kind of stability at low speeds or massive volume of cargo that a trike provides.
The secret to all this versatility is that unique rear end. The Conductor Plus uses a fold-up/fold-down bench setup with an open cargo bed area that can be reconfigured on the fly. It’s like a bench-seat pickup in e-bike form.
Combined with a stable frame, fat tires, and a beefy 176-pound (80 kg) curb weight, the whole thing feels planted and secure no matter who (or what) you’re carrying.
I’d bet a lot of that stability comes from that weight – it’s definitely not light, but it keeps the ride steady even when you’re fully loaded. And even while riding over hilly inclines, it still felt plenty stable during turns.
I wouldn’t want to have to lift it into a truck, but as long as you’re planning on keeping all three wheels on the ground, the weight seems to be a benefit, not a detriment.
Performance-wise, it’s plenty peppy. The 750W motor has all the torque I needed, even with three extra kids onboard. Dual batteries (on the higher-end version) gave me long range – realistically over 50 miles (80 km) with a mix of throttle and pedal assist.
The good news is that a trike is usually ridden a bit slower, meaning the range ends up being longer than you’d expect. It can still hit 20 mph (32 km/h), and I definitely tested that on straightaways when I was by myself, but with cargo or passengers, I tended to ride a bit slower.
And it stops just as well as it goes, thanks to a total of three dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes for safety, each with their own parking brake. That’s an underrated feature, especially when you’re loading up kids or dogs and don’t want the bike rolling away on you. I’ve tried electric trikes before that had no parking brake, and they will literally just roll away from you when dismounting on even the slightest hill, since there’s no kickstand on the ground to “anchor” yourself.
And speaking of safety, the battery (or batteries, on the dual battery model) are UL-certified for extra peace of mind.
There are a few downsides to note. It’s heavy, like I said, which makes it hard to transport in a vehicle unless you’ve got a full-on ramp to get it in the back of a truck. You’re not throwing this on a bike rack or carrying it upstairs to your apartment. You’re definitely going to need a dedicated garage to park it in (and it will take up more room than a typical bicycle in your garage).
And it’s not cheap, either. The single-battery version runs $3,800, while the dual-battery model climbs to $4,250. But honestly, for what it replaces (second car, cargo bike, grocery-getter, dog hauler, mobile balloon stand…), it starts to make sense. And if it means your family can get around without needing a second car, then it probably pays for itself in literally just a couple of months when you factor in the savings on car payments, gasoline, insurance, etc.
I honestly think this would be an ideal vehicle for dropping the kids off at school, doing large grocery runs, or all sorts of other utility style tasks – the things many Americans use a pickup truck or an SUV for every day.
In my opinion, the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus is one of the most versatile electric bikes I’ve tested in a long time. Whether you’re hauling humans, dogs, shelving units, or helium tanks, this bike just says “yes.” And isn’t that what a good pickup truck or SUV should do – actually serve for utility tasks?
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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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