
This is the fun electric moped Harley‑Davidson designed and almost built
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2 months agoon
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Sleek, street-legal, and brimming with potential, it was a concept that looked like the perfect entry point into urban electric mobility for youthful riders and city commuters alike. With Harley’s branding, a slick removable battery for easy charging, and design filings that showed a nearly production-ready machine, this could’ve been a breakout moment in light electric vehicles. But instead, it was shelved, leaving a gaping hole in a market that’s now bursting with demand for just this kind of ride.
The concept first surfaced in mid-2018, teasing a future of lightweight electric urban mobility under Harley’s storied banner. I remember it well; I was the one who broke the news nearly seven years ago today. As a young, fresher-faced electric mobility journalist, I could already see the coming wave of young riders who would flock to this thing.
Unlike the hulking powerhouse that was the LiveWire electric motorcycle that preceded it, this was a nimble, city-friendly ride, complete with removable battery, belt drive, comfortable floorboard, and inverted motorcycle front fork.
It was an instant hit, at least on paper. The media and the public alike adored it. So Harley moved forward. In early 2019, H-D brought a proof-of-concept to the X-Games, giving the world our first look at a small yet awesome electric Harley moped. Sure, it was a bit prototype-y, equal parts garage build and senior design project. But it was obvious that Harley’s engineers were going full tilt in their skunkworks department, and a real-life electric moped with a Harley badge was rolling around the crowds in Aspen.
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R&D continued, and the company submitted multiple EU design patents by 2020, showing highly refined styling cues, an impressive belt-driven motor housing in advanced stages of design, and a slick removable battery handle that helped drop the battery right into the motor housing for a sleek appearance. It was all evidence that they were quite far along in their designs for a production-worthy vehicle.
Fast forward to 2021: In a big shakeup that drastically rewrote Harley’s electric plans, LiveWire was officially spun off as a separate electric motorcycle brand. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic threw extreme uncertainty into the supply chain logistics for building light electric vehicles, with the e-bike industry somehow simultaneously booming and in complete disarray.
The sexy little Harley electric moped soon quietly faded from view.
H-D no longer talked about it, LiveWire didn’t appear to pick it back up, and its digital trail essentially went cold.

But if you’ll allow me to beat this dead horsepower just one more time, I’d argue that the idea hasn’t lost its appeal – especially now. Today’s electric moped and light electric motorbike market is heating up, with riders increasingly opting for nimble, street-legal, electric two-wheelers.
Teens and young adults are flocking to light electric motorbikes and mopeds like Sur-Rons and Talarias, valuing affordability, simplicity, and urban practicality. Harley – or LiveWire – could’ve positioned this concept right in the sweet spot. In fact, I’d argue that if this moped existed now, plenty of young riders would prefer its relaxed and comfortable ride compared to a Sur Ron’s high saddle and off-road geometry (not to mention that Sur Rons aren’t even street legal).
Many have long bemoaned the lack of a cruiser option in the e-motorcycle market. Consider this the cruiser of the e-moped market. Relaxed yet capable. Comfortable yet powerful. It’s what everyone wanted, even if they didn’t know it yet.
A built-and-branded electric moped from Harley or LiveWire would have carried serious cachet, too. LiveWire would have been the right brand, free from the storied yet heavy legacy of its bar-and-shield parent company. Sure, LiveWire’s sales aren’t doing great right now, but that doesn’t appear to be brand-related. Marketing seems to be doing everything right, but for a company that is selling $17,000 electric motorcycles. Impressive bikes in their own right, yet unaffordable to their young target market.
To paraphrase, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him finance it.
But a $4,000 electric moped from a company like LiveWire, whose branding department feels like it’s run by the rare breed of millennials that are fluent in Gen Z – that could sell. They already speak the language. They just need to be armed with the right product.








And I really don’t think it would just be for nostalgic fans, especially not under a new brand like LiveWire. I bet that if you asked most anyone under the age of 25 today, they wouldn’t even know LiveWire was born in a Harley-Davidson boardroom.
And considering how approachable the electric bicycle market has made electric two-wheelers, a moped like this might have served as a gateway to even larger electric two-wheelers as riders age up. An electric moped in high school and college, then an electric motorcycle once they get a real job – talk about upward mobility!
The future was there. The market was just down the road. And with those now ghostly design filings showing a mature, nearly production-ready design, it’s clear the company had almost all the pieces in place. All that was missing was the final green light.

So why didn’t it happen?
Harley, then under financial pressure, prioritized the LiveWire electric motorcycle as its 100 mph+ high-performance e-motorcycle. It made sense. If you’re Harley-Davidson and you’re trying to go electric at a time when almost no one else has seen the electric scribbles on the wall, you’re going to have to impress. And a scooter, however fun it looks, doesn’t shout at the same volume. Moped concepts didn’t align with the bold “electric muscle bike” image they were shaping. Meanwhile, spiking development costs and supply chain delays likely pushed lighter, cheaper models farther down the priority list.
That’s unfortunate, because the current micromobility landscape is fertile ground for a brand-backed electric moped. Look around: E-moped startups – many powered by Chinese OEM parts – are booming, but few carry legitimacy or heritage, not to mention a nationwide sales and servicing network. Imagine a LiveWire-branded moped, street-legal, reliable, and backed by US customer support and parts. Suddenly, that moped becomes more than a novelty – it becomes a credible step into electric commuting for a new generation.
Even without ever making it to production, the concept made an impact. In 2021, I highlighted a Chinese company that ripped off Harley’s design, complete with low-slung battery and retro-modern styling. It was a surprisingly true-to-form imitation. Not a perfect clone, but close. And it was proof that Harley’s vision was both compelling and practical enough to inspire wannabes who were prepared to profit from a good idea. The Chinese were that one kid pointing at the other’s untouched lunch and asking, “You gonna eat that?”.

What they should have done
Sure, hindsight is 20/20. But here is where things should have gone.
Harley – or rather LiveWire– should have brought two versions of this moped to market. The first should have been a purpose-built light electric moped, designed explicitly for street-legal travel at either 30 or 35 mph (the two most common speed limits for individual US states’ moped-class vehicles). The second could have offered a higher top speed, perhaps 45-50 mph, and would be a motorcycle-class vehicle in nearly all of the US.
The former would have been fast enough for real urban commuting, but slow enough to avoid license and registration headaches in many states, or at least reduce them to something cheaper and easier to manage. And with more US states insisting on throttle e-bikes being limited to a true 20 mph, the extra speed of a 30-35 mph throttle moped would be a real differentiator. The second, higher-spec model would allow riders to hang with cars on faster roads while still keeping performance muted enough to allow modestly-sized (and modestly priced) battery and motor choice.
A removable battery, belt drive, LED lighting, and modular accessories would’ve made these things flexible and affordable, perhaps priced at around US $3,499 to $3,999 for the moped-class bike and perhaps $4,999 for the motorcycle-class bike. These two models would have been perfect for urban dwellers, campus life, and younger riders who wanted something more than an electric bicycle (which is why kids beg their parents for a Sur Ron), but it wouldn’t have been as intimidating or powerful as an honest-to-goodness motorcycle. The smaller model would have competed in price against a Sur Ron, been nearly as fast, plus be much more comfortable and have the added benefit of passenger capability.
And considering Harley’s model includes making a significant portion of profits from selling accessories (hmmm sounds like something else I’ve heard of… oh right, a local bicycle shop), there would have been ample room for fat margins from tons of cool accessories. Look no further than the cult of Super73 accessorizing to see how much young riders spend to turn their e-mopeds into one-of-a-kind rides. That battery compartment is also perfectly designed to allow different-sized batteries. The drop-in nature means you could upsell a taller battery with more range. Just like you can buy a 2Ah or 6Ah battery for your power drill, you could do the same with these batteries, keeping the purchase price lower and letting riders decide how much they want to spend on upgrades.
To its credit, Harley had actually teed this one up for itself almost flawlessly. It was right there, perfectly designed and positioned, waiting for that swing that simply never came.

To be fair, LiveWire isn’t completely ignoring the smaller end of the market. Or rather, they’re approaching it in their own way. We’ve been told that we’ll still get LiveWire electric maxi-scooters in 2026 via a KYMCO partnership. These big scooters will offer style and performance – but they’ll still almost certainly cost well over US $10,000. Meanwhile, that silent, fun-branded moped remains unbuilt, stuck in the concept archives.
If Harley or LiveWire ever reconsider, the timing has never been better. The youth are ready, the charging infrastructure is fully developed (hint: it’s the wall plug by your ankle), and consumers crave practical, street-legal light vehicles. Now, it’s time to revisit that vision – or let someone else pick up the torch.
Imagine boarding that LiveWire moped on your first ride, feeling the ease, the heritage, and the promise of what could have been. That’s an entry-level electric future we’re still waiting for.

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Environment
Anker SOLIX Fan Fest Sale takes up to 63% off power stations, Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with free $217 bundle $1,599, Bluetti, more
Published
5 hours agoon
September 10, 2025By
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Leading today’s march of Green Deals is Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale that has increased savings on power stations from Labor Day up to 63%, with offers like the new SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station starting at $1,649, among others. We also have Tenways’ End of Season Sale that is offering an increased $217 in FREE gear on its CGO600 Pro Lightweight Commuter e-bikes at $1,599, as well as the first discount hitting Bluetti’s new Elite 30 V2 Power Station bundled with a carrying case for $259. From there, EGO has given folks a return low price on an advanced pole saw alongside its Nexus power station, with three one-day only deals from Greenworks and Worx, and more waiting for you below. Plus, there are all the hangover deals collected at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s EcoFlow Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale, the $799 promotion on Vanpower’s City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike, 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.
Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale increases savings on power stations as high as 63% with deals starting from $120
Anker has launched its SOLIX Fan Fest Sale running through September 21, with up to 63% discounts on its massive power station and accessory lineup – which is an increase from the brand’s Labor Day event. Alongside the low prices we spotted on the EverFrost 2 electric coolers, as well as the launch deals on the new C1000 Gen 2 station, we also noticed the brand’s other recent release, the SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station dropping to $1,649 shipped during this sale, which sits $1 under Amazon’s pricing. It fetches $2,599 at full price, with discounts having mostly gone as low as $1,699, unless the sales offered bonus savings that saw the cost drop to $1,614 or the one-time $1,599 rate we saw during Prime Day. The deal here is the third-best we have tracked, saving you $950 off the going rate and bringing you one of the latest, upgraded backup power solutions from the Anker flag.
Unlike the new C1000 Gen 2 station, which is a more compact backup option, Anker’s SOLIX F3000 power station brings a whole lot more punch to its game, as it starts with a 3,072Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity that can expand up to 24kWh with investments into the compatible expansion batteries (bundles available below). There are 11 output ports to connect devices/appliances (including a TT-30R AC port for RV backup), which will receive up to 3,600W of power that can be doubled to 7,200W when two stations are connected together.
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One of the SOLIX F3000 power station’s notable upgraded features is the addition of passthrough charging, which it can receive from a generator for up to 3,600W of input, bringing extra versatility to emergency power failures. You’ll also have to options to plug into a standard AC outlet or even charge from an EV. There’s also the max 2,400W solar input that can have it fully recharged in under two hours with optimal sunlight.
***Note: Some of these power stations – particularly the F3800 models, which also get free protective covers – have automatic 5% extra savings that will be added in your cart. Those differences have not been factored in to bracket prices.
Anker’s Fan Fest F3000 deals:
- SOLIX F3000 (3,072Wh) Power Station: $1,649 (Reg. $2,599)
- SOLIX F3000 (3,072Wh) with 400W solar panel: $1,999 (Reg. $3,498)
- SOLIX F3000 (6,144Wh) with expansion battery: $2,799 (Reg. $4,398)
- SOLIX F3000 (3,072Wh) with four 410W rigid panels: $3,099 (Reg. $4,597)
- Two SOLIX F3000 (3,072Wh each) power stations with double power hub: $3,397 (Reg. $5,397)
- SOLIX F3000 (6,144Wh) with expansion battery and two 410W rigid panels: $3,699 (Reg. $5,497)
- SOLIX F3000 (9,216Wh) with two expansion batteries: $4,597 (Reg. $6,397)
- And much more…
If you want to browse the entirety of Anker’s SOLIX Fan Fest Sale, which includes the above SOLIX F3000 power station discounts, be sure to check out our original and curated coverage of those deals here.

Tenways End of Season Sale drops 37-pound CGO600 Pro e-bikes to $1,599 with $217 in FREE gear ($2,116 value)
Tenways is continuing most of its Labor Day savings within its newly launched End of Season Sale, which is taking up to $500 off select e-bikes, while also offering an additional $200 discount when buying two. Among the lineup, Tenways’ popular CGO600 Pro Lightweight Commuter e-bikes (both the chain-drive and belt-drive variants) are dropping back down to $1,599 shipped, while also coming with $118 in free gear and a complimentary gift box (a $99 value). Coming down off its $1,899 full tag price, things have been taken lower in the past, though since March we’ve been seeing tariff hikes keep the price up at $1,599, with occasional falls lower to $1,499. You’re still getting a solid $517 savings package with this deal, not to mention the additional savings you can get buying two together and/or verifying your status as a medical provider, first responder, teacher, or military member (giving you an extra $150 off).
If you want to learn more about this lightweight commuter, or browse the other e-bike deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this sale here.

Bluetti’s new Elite 30 V2 power station bundled with a carrying case gets first discount to $259, more from $219
Through its official Amazon storefront, Bluetti is offering the first chance at savings on its new Elite 30 V2 Portable Power Station bundled with a carrying bag at $259 shipped, after clipping the on-page $140 off coupon, which is unavailable directly from the brand’s website and has no option to buy the bag separately. This bundle package just hit Amazon five days ago, carrying a $399 price tag, with today’s deal being a first-ever chance to save on it. All-in-all, you’re getting $140 in total savings that sets the bar for future discounts down the road.
If you want to learn more about this station’s capabilities, as well as browse the other bundles, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

Grab EGO’s carbon fiber telescopic pole saw with an LED guide light and 2.5Ah battery at its $299 low
Amazon is offering the EGO Power+ 56V 10-inch Cordless Carbon Fiber Telescopic LED Cut Line Indicator Pole Saw with 2.5Ah battery at $299 shipped. It’s been recently fetching around $389 at full price, with the discounts we’ve seen this year having dropped the costs to this same low rate twice before. It’s coming back around for a $90 markdown, letting you expand your outdoor arsenal at the best price we have tracked.
If you want to learn more about this pole saw, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

EGO’s modular Nexus power station with two 7.5Ah batteries can also refuel your arsenal at $899
At Amazon, you can currently find the EGO Power+ Nexus Portable Power Station with two 7.5Ah batteries at $899 shipped. This bundled package usually runs for $1,099 without discounts, which we’ve mostly seen keeping down near $999 with discounts. While these drops to $899 are usually rare sightings, the price has been holding out strong since mid-August, with no telling how much longer it may last. Aside from the $838 low we saw once back during Black Friday, you’re otherwise looking at the best tracked price, which saves you $200 off the going rate. If you already have a collection of EGO ARC batteries, you can pick the station up on its own for $593.
If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Greenworks’ framed 1,900 PSI electric pressure washer back at $120 while the 12-inch cleaner attachment is at $23 (Today only)
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 1,900 PSI Electric Framed Pressure Washer at $119.99 shipped (currently unavailable on Amazon and beating the brand’s direct website by $30), which is running parallel to the one-day-only discount we’re also seeing on the brand’s 12-inch Surface Cleaner Attachment at $22.99 shipped. That pressure washer would normally run you $200 at full price, with discounts mostly taking it to this rate or higher, more often as a one-day-only deal, which has only been beaten out by a one-time discount to $118. For the rest of the day, you can pick one up at $80 off to tackle your outdoor cleaning needs at the next-best price we have tracked – landing just $2 above the all-time low.
If you want to learn more about the pressure washer or cleaner attachment, be sure to check out our original coverage of these one-day-only deals here.

Gain more portable workspace with Worx’s Pegasus 2-in-1 folding table & sawhorse at $95 (Today only)
As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Worx Pegasus 2-in-1 Folding Work Table & Sawhorse at $94.99 shipped, which beats out Amazon’s pricing by $42. It usually fetches $140 to $150 at full price across various marketplaces, with discounts over the last year having mostly kept costs above $110, though we have spied some short-term falls as low as $90. For the rest of the day, you can pick it up here with a $55 markdown that lands it at the second-best price of the last 12 months – just $5 above the low we last saw in January.
If you want to learn more about this work table/sawhorse, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.
Best Summer EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Aventon Ramblas Electric Mountain Bike: $2,599 (Reg. $2,899)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive Gates Belt CVT e-bike: $2,595 (Reg. $2,795)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 DRT Off-Road Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Ride1Up Revv 1 Full Suspension Moped-Style e-bike: $2,395 (Reg. $2,595)
- Segway Xafari Red e-bike: $2,000 (Reg. $2,400)
- Velotric Nomad 2 All-Terrain e-bike with $120 bundle (new): $1,999 (No price cut)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $654 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,653)
- Ride1Up Prodigy v2 Brose Mid-Drive 9-Speed e-bike: $1,995 (Reg. $2,495)
- Tenways AGO X All-Terrain e-bike with $307 bundle: $1,899 (Reg. $2,499)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Rad Power RadRunner Plus Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,799 (No price cut)
- Aventon Abound SR Smart Cargo e-bike (new, first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $493 preorder bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,292)
- Velotric Breeze 1 Cruiser e-bike with $150 bundle (new, first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Pace 4 Smart Cruiser e-bike (new, second-ever discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,799)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $505 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,204)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $434 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,133)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike (first discount): $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $227 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,726)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $242 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,741)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Tenways CGO600 Pro e-bikes with $118 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Velotric Nomad 1 Plus All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Electric Bike Co. Model J e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,849)
- Electric Bike Co. Model C e-bike (code LABOR150): $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Sinch 2 Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,699)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $326 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,725)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Ride1Up Roadster V3 Lightweight Premium e-bike: $1,395 (Reg. $1,495)
- Velotric T1 ST Plus Lightweight e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,649)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,299 (Reg. $1,599)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $336 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,665)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with $404 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,703)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $316 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,415)
- Ride1Up Portola Folding e-bike with BOGO accessory promo: $995 (Reg. $1,095)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Aventon Soltera 2.5 Lightweight Commuter e-bike (first discount): $999 (Reg. $1,199)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with up to $316 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,315)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike: $999 (Reg. $1,599)
- Vanpowers City Vanture Urban Commuter e-bike (code VANVIP): $799 (Reg. $1,749)

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.
- EcoFlow’s Home Backup/Hurricane Preparedness Sale takes up to 62% off power stations + extra savings from $90
- Commute up to 50 miles on the 34-pound Vanpowers City Vanture urban commuter e-bike at $799 (Reg. $1,749)
- Save up to $770 on Anker’s three SOLIX EverFrost 2 electric coolers/bundles starting from a new $599 low
- Anker’s new SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 LiFePO4 power station arrives with launch discounts starting from $429 (Reg. $799)
- Haul precious cargo up to 90+ miles with Rad Power’s RadWagon 4 extra battery e-bike bundle at $1,599 ($2,248 value)
- EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour flash sale drops DELTA Pro 440W solar bundle to new $1,899 low (Reg. up to $4,997), more from $709
- Shape and clear weeds with EGO’s 56V cordless 15-inch trimmer and 670 CFM blower combo at $320 low (Reg. up to $410)
- Building decks, fences, and more can start with Greenworks’ 82V cordless earth auger at a new $326 low (Reg. $600)
- Electrified Weekly – Rad Power extra battery e-bike bundles from $1,499, exclusive and promotional new lows from EcoFlow, Anker, more
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Environment
Hyundai’s EV plant raided by ICE, ‘hundreds’ taken into custody [Live Updates]
Published
6 hours agoon
September 10, 2025By
admin![Hyundai's EV plant raided by ICE, 'hundreds' taken into custody [Live Updates]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/09/Hyundai-EV-plant-raided-ICE.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)

The massive new Hyundai EV plant outside of Savannah, Georgia, was raided by ICE last week. Federal agents took hundreds of people into custody at the site, including executives from LG Energy Solution, Hyundai’s battery partner and co-owner of the plant.
Update 09/10/2025: A charter plane was shown taking off from the Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, headed for the US.
According to reports (via The Associated Press), the plane landed in Atlanta, but cannot depart the US just yet due to unknown reasons on the US side.
The detainees are currently being held at an immigration detention center in Georgia. They are expected to be released and transferred to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where the charter plane is waiting to bring them home.
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The battery plant site that was raided is one of over 20 that South Korean companies are currently building in the US.
As the largest workplace raid by the US Homeland Security, the event is quickly spreading backlash among South Koreans.
Charles Kuck, an immigration attorney from Atlanta who represents several of the detained citizens, told The Associated Press that no other company in the US makes the machines used at Hyundai’s plant. So, they had to come from overseas to install or repair equipment at the plant. He added that many were doing so under various visa programs legally.
Why was the Hyundai EV plant raided by ICE?
After celebrating the grand opening of its new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia earlier this year, the Korean automaker said it’s “building the future of mobility with America, in America.”
On September 4, a construction site for a new battery plant was raided by US immigration authorities. Up to 475 people were arrested as part of an investigation into undocumented individuals. It was the US Department of Homeland Security’s largest single-site enforcement operation to date.
The South Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Friday, September 5 (via Yonhap News), claiming that the individuals were mistreated.
“The economic activities of our companies investing in the US and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated,” South Korean ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said.

The ministry’s spokesperson added that “We conveyed our concern and regret through the US Embassy in Seoul today.” Korea sent officials to Washington and to the Hyundai plant to establish an on-site task force to deal with the matter.
Update 09/08/25: South Korea reached a “broad agreement” on September 7 to release the roughly 300 Korean citizens detained in the US.
A foreign ministry official confirmed on Monday (via Yonhap News) that “We have agreed on a plan to bring all our citizens back home safely via a chartered flight.” The official added that the citizens will head home voluntarily rather than facing deportation.

Backlash is erupting in Korea after video footage circulated on social media showing the detained workers shackled before being loaded onto buses and DEA agents armed with guns outside the facility.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is in talks with Washington to discuss ways to prevent similar incidents from happening again, including increasing the visa quota for South Korean workers.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump still believes the US and South Korea have “a great relationship.” Trump told reporters after a visit to the US Open tennis final on September 8 that “we have a great relationship with South Korea, really good relationship.”
Trump later posted on Truth Social that the US will “make it quickly and legally possible” to bring foreign battery experts to the US, adding, “What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers.”

Hyundai’s site in Georgia spans nearly 3,000 acres total and includes an assembly facility, two battery plants, a weld shop, and several others for training, logistics, and more.
As the largest economic project in Georgia, the plant, including Hyundai’s suppliers, is expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs while drawing $12.6 billion into the state.
Hyundai currently builds the new 2025 IONIQ 5 and 2026 IONIQ 9, its first three-row electric SUV, at the Georgia facility.

The ICE raid came just days after US President Trump hosted South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. It’s part of the administration’s aggressive crackdown on immigration. Lee has committed to investing another $150 billion in the US, including a new EV battery plant, as it seeks to ease trade tensions.
Check back soon for the latest information, as this is still an ongoing story. We’ll keep you updated with the latest.
Source: The New York Times, Yonhap News
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Environment
Joby Aviation and Uber to add Blade flights to Uber App, paving way for electric air taxis
Published
7 hours agoon
September 10, 2025By
admin

Less than two weeks after completing its acquisition of aerial mobility business Blade, eVTOL air taxi developer Joby Aviation has expanded an ongoing partnership with Uber, Inc. to bring those flights to the popular rideshare app.
Regarding eVTOL development news, Joby Aviation ($JOBY) is a regular on the Electrek homepage. Joby is one of dozens of aerial mobility developers seeking certification to begin commercial air taxi operations worldwide with passengers on board.
However, Joby only began eVTOL test flights in the US with a pilot on board two years ago, followed by test flights in Japan in front of long-standing partner Toyota last November, and most recently, piloted flights in the United Arab Emirates this past June.
On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Joby Aviation’s bespoke eVTOL took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport and performed an exhibition flight across New York City ahead of plans for full commercial air taxi operations led by Joby in 2025.
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That has yet to happen, but it moved closer than ever to reality last month, when Joby successfully acquired Blade, an established network of terminals and existing customers in markets like New York and Southern Europe.
Blade will continue its aerial and heliport operations as a subsidiary of Joby. However, the eVTOL developer is immediately implementing those air taxi services into the Uber App through a global partnership with the rideshare behemoth.

Joby to expedite eVTOL air taxi rides with Blade and Uber
Per Joby Aviation, it is expanding its global partnership with Uber Technologies to integrate the recently acquired Blade passenger business into the Uber App as early as next year. Joby and Uber have been working together since 2019, and in 2021, the former even acquired Uber’s Elevate division, which was focused on developing on-demand urban air transportation and eVTOL air taxi systems.
The eVTOL developer explained that the growing partnership with Uber “lays the foundation” for introducing its zero-emissions air taxis in key markets. Joby founder CEO JoeBen Bevirt elaborated:
We’re excited to introduce Uber customers to the magic of seamless urban air travel. Integrating Blade into the Uber app is the natural next step in our global partnership with Uber and will lay the foundation for the introduction of our quiet, zero-emissions aircraft in the years ahead. Together with Uber’s global platform and Blade’s proven network, we’re setting the stage for a new era of air travel worldwide.
Joby’s new air travel business from Blade flew over 50,000 passengers in 2024, operating from heliports in Manhattan to JFK airport and Newark Airport, or the Hamptons. In Europe, Blade offers flights from Nice to Monaco and Cannes and operations in St. Tropez and the French Riviera.
Through the acquisition, Joby intends to utilize Blade’s existing infrastructure and experience to accelerate its own launch of electric air taxi services. Currently, those planned markets include Dubai, New York, Los Angeles, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
Following its latest deal, Joby’s pending air taxi flights will be accessible through the Uber app. Uber president and COO Andrew Macdonald also spoke:
Since Uber’s earliest days, we’ve believed in the power of advanced air mobility to deliver safe, quiet, and sustainable transportation to cities around the world. By harnessing the scale of the Uber platform and partnering with Joby, the industry leader in advanced air mobility, we’re excited to bring our customers the next generation of travel.
So next year, you may be able to open the Uber app, order a robotaxi to a Manhattan heliport, then take an eVTOL air taxi to the airport for your flight. That’s pretty cool.
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