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America’s two best-known flagship electric motorcycle brands are making a bold pivot – opening their business models up to include smaller, more affordable bikes – and the timing couldn’t be better. Zero Motorcycles and LiveWire have each unveiled new, budget-conscious models aimed at expanding the mainstream appeal of electric two-wheelers.

Zero’s new XE and XB go into production

Back in mid-June, Zero confirmed production had begun on its XE and XB models, part of its “All Access” initiative to attract a wider customer base. These bikes, priced at between $4,395 to $6,495, position Zero squarely into the light EV dirt-bike segment dominated by brands like Sur‑Ron and Talaria.

Unlike its flagship $15–$25k street and dual-sport motorcycles, these new models are smaller, simpler, and much more affordable. That’s exactly what younger or less-wealthy riders have been waiting for.

That said, there’s a catch: neither the XE nor XB is currently street-legal in the US, limiting US sales to off-road or private-property use. Europe will see fully homologated versions, but US customers must wait, at least unless legislation or business priorities change.

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Zero is leaning heavily on Asian manufacturing partnerships, most notably with China’s Zongshen, to hit these price points, while still leveraging its Californian brand identity to keep the bikes feeling as Western as possible.

LiveWire’s street-legal approach

Days ago, LiveWire unveiled two new small-format electric bikes – one built for the street and one for trails – positioned well under their premium S2 series. It’s not yet known if the platform these smaller bikes are built on is the much-awaited S3 platform, but it does look like a scaled-down version that could help LiveWire push out several interesting new models at more affordable price points.

Though final pricing remains unknown, these models are expected to cost well under the $16K‑$17k range of LiveWire’s current offerings. With performance targeting 125cc combustion bike levels (yet without all the muss and fuss of combustion engines), a pricetag falling well below half of current LiveWire sticker shock levels is a likely ballpark.

The fact that one model appears to be designed as street-legal right out of the gate sets LiveWire apart from Zero, at least in the US market. This urban-ready motorcycle could immediately serve commuters, hobby riders, and riders new to the brand – a group that’s been largely alienated by high-end pricing. While the trail version caters to off-road enthusiasts, the road-ready variant suggests LiveWire intends to disrupt the small-displacement market with premium build quality and dealer support, perhaps giving the Honda Grom some electric competition.

Why now?

Several industry trends are converging to make these smaller bikes a timely bet.

Affordability is becoming ever more essential as inflation squeezes motorcycle riders who are often buying something seen more as a recreational choice than a daily necessity. But with many young adults eschewing car ownership and instead opting for two wheels, an affordable price could open the door to an easier-to-justify sale.

With rising battery production and falling parts costs, sub‑$7K electric motorcycles are now viable. We’ve seen startups like Ryvid jump into this affordable commuter motorcycle market while being met with open arms from a market starved for affordable electric motorcycles.

Changing rider demographics are also putting more pressure on the market for new types of bikes. Younger, urban riders and first-time buyers want reliability and practicality, yet without premium prices. Spoiled by electric bikes that “just work” without breaking the bank, riders are looking for electric motorcycles with a maintenance schedule closer to a toaster than a Triumph.

Regulatory and branding momentum are also moving the needle. OEMs now have legacy street-legal systems in place, European homologation channels, and global production partnerships that make scaling even easier. Zero has been building street-legal bikes for over a decade, and LiveWire’s parent company (good ol’ H-D) has been building street-legal bikes since before our grandparents were just a twinkle in someone’s eye. They know how to do it, and now they can apply it to their partnerships with Asian companies that can produce these bikes more affordably.

And lastly, the competition is already here. Small EV dirt bikes from Sur‑Ron, Talaria, NIU, and others are filling demand and supplying the roving gangs of teenagers already throwing money at these companies for the chance to terrorize their neighborhoods on silent wheelie machines. While those companies lack major name-brand backing and significant dealer networks, they’ve still been able to flood the market with bikes. Imagine if the more established companies could do the same.

    The market is starting to look ripe, and Zero and LiveWire can both see it. However, the two companies appear to be deploying distinct strategies to meet these market needs. Zero aims for cost leadership with off-road models that can compete directly with Sur Ron and others, while LiveWire emphasizes immediate street credibility with a mini-bike that can commute on day one. But despite the design differences, both are banking on Asian partnerships to drive down cost without sacrificing quality or brand consistency – hopefully.

    Zero seems to have an edge on timing, with its models already starting deliveries. But without a street-legal offering, they’re playing in a different league and could cede ground to LiveWire if the latter can produce a street-legal model quickly enough.

    Regardless of the company though, as these new models launch, riders will finally see electric alternatives for everyday motorcycling – not just for premium performance segments. Zero’s affordable dirt bikes could grow into street-legal versions, while LiveWire’s street model could provide the first compelling commuter e-moto from a major US brand with a nationwide dealer and service network.

    American electric motorcycling is at a tipping point. With both brands aiming at entry-level price points, the next 12 months could reshape what it means to start riding electric. Though having been walked right up to the edge of this promised land before without being allowed to finally enter, this could also be just another false start for the industry. Either way, the next year is going to be mighty interesting!

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Waymo outlengths Tesla: Elon’s phallic Robotaxi map backfires in Austin’s expansion battle

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July 17, 2025

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Waymo outlengths Tesla: Elon's phallic Robotaxi map backfires in Austin's expansion battle

Tesla started a dick measuring contest with Waymo, and it is losing. The Alphabet company is expanding its service area in Austin beyond Tesla’s recently updated penis-shaped service area.

Waymo is taking a few shots at Tesla in the announcement, too.

Last month, Tesla launched its ‘Robotaxi’ service in Austin.

As we have often reported in the last few months, the service is primarily for optics after years of being wrong about Tesla launching unsupervised self-driving in its consumer vehicles, CEO Elon Musk needed a “win” and therefore, Tesla launched a limited service in a small area of Austin, Texas with Tesla employees being in the cars at all-times ready to stop the vehicles.

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The service falls short of the promise that all Tesla vehicles built since 2016 would achieve unsupervised self-driving capabilities, and it’s also not comparable to Waymo’s service, which operates in Austin and several other cities without supervisors inside the vehicles.

Despite the situation, Tesla shareholders are hoping that the automaker is going to be able to scale faster than Waymo and eventually catch up.

They claimed victory when Tesla expanded its service area in Austin this week, but we noted that the expansion, which Tesla intentially made penis-shaped without any practical benefit, did more to illustrate the seriousness of the effort than anything else.

With the joke, Tesla inadvertently start a dick measuring context that it is now losing.

Today, Waymo announced its own service area expansion in Austin and it now covers 90 square miles:

After a successful four months serving riders together, Waymo and Uber are expanding our service territory in Austin – spanning North Austin to South Austin. Starting tomorrow, riders can take fully autonomous rides across 90 square miles of the city, including new neighborhoods like Crestview, Windsor Park, Sunset Valley  Franklin Park, and more, as well as popular destinations like The Domain and McKinney Falls State Park.

Waymo’s service area (blue) is now much bigger than Tesla’s (black):

But more importantly, Waymo’s service operates completely autonomously without any supervisor with a finger on a killswitch inside the vehicle like Tesla.

Waymo is well aware of the difference and poke Tesla in its announcement of the service area expansion:

We’re proud to offer the only fully autonomous, 24/7 experience for anyone in Austin, and are excited to offer more destinations across the city – no waitlists or caveats. In Austin, customers have been enjoying their experience, giving their Waymo trips 4.9 out of 5 on average. There are more than 100 Waymo vehicles on Uber in Austin, and that number will continually grow to hundreds over time.

By “fully autonomous”, Waymo means that it doesn’t have employees inside the vehicles. It also mentions “24/7” as Tesla’s service closes at midnight and also doesn’t operate in some weather conditions.

Waymo now serves more than 700 sq mi across the US, and it continues to expand fast.

Electrek’s Take

Waymo keeps doing its thing. It’s going to take some time, but at one point, Tesla shareholders are going to have to admit that Tesla has the same limitations in expanding its robotaxi service as Waymo does.

The main difference is that Waymo is already way ahead as it completed the phase with in-car supervisors years ago and already operates in a 10x bigger area than Tesla in the US.

It also has about 100x more vehicles.

The idea that Tesla will catch up by mid next year, which is what CEO Elon Musk claimed, is completely ludicrous.

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Exclusive $2,038 savings on EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra station at new $3,761 low + four 48-hour flash sale offers, Rad Power, more

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33 mins ago

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July 17, 2025

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Exclusive ,038 savings on EcoFlow's DELTA Pro Ultra station at new ,761 low + four 48-hour flash sale offers, Rad Power, more

Leading our Green Deals today is an exclusive deal we’ve secured for our readers with $2,038 savings on the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station at a new $3,761 low. We’ve also got a spotlight back on Rad Power’s RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike at its $999 low, as well as EcoFlow’s final four 48-hour flash sale offers that are apart of the soon-to-end Phase 3 Prime Day Sale, with units like the DELTA 2 Max station bundle that comes with an 800W alternator charger and protective bag at its $1,049 low. Lastly, we have a one-day-only sale on the Greenworks 80V 10-inch Cordless Pole Saw kit at $218, which comes in under its Prime Day pricing. Plus, there’s all the hangover Prime Day savings in our Prime Day Green Deals hub at the bottom of the page, as well as yesterday’s ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE power station preorder launch, 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.

Our readers can score EcoFlow’s most expansive DELTA Pro Ultra station with $2,038 in exclusive savings to new $3,761 low

We’ve secured a great new exclusive deal from Wellbots for our readers on the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra Portable Power Station for $3,761.10 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5DPU10 at checkout. While it normally goes for $6,098 in full direct from EcoFlow, its starting rate at Wellbots is lower at $5,799. We last secured a similar exclusive cut to $3,799 back in April, which is getting beaten out by the combined $2,038 markdown here, landing down at a new all-time low price for this expansive whole-home backup solution from one of the most popular brands in the game.

EcoFlow’s DELTA Pro Ultra power station is the brand’s best option to gain whole-home backup support due to its modular design that allows you to bolster its capabilities with expansion over time. This unit starts with a 6.1kWh LiFePO4 battery capacity and max 7,200W output ability, which can be expanded upon with added equipment up to a massive 90kWh capacity and 21.6kW output. For context on what this starting setup can do – you’ll get up to two days of essential appliance backup power, which can climb up to 15 straight days when its been invested into a full expanded setup – and that’s not even taking solar charging equipment into mind, which only extends its coverage for even longer with regular sunlight exposure. There’s also the smart home integration that comes once you’ve added the brand’s Smart Home Panel 2 to your home setup, allowing for smart power analysis and roof panel connections.

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The DELTA Pro Ultra station’s solar input is also an expandable feature, as it can go from 5.6kW to 16.8kW, or you can recharge it to full via a wall outlet in just two hours, while also having hook-ups for EV piles and generators too. As a note for future plans, investing in its fully expanded system (three Ultra Pro stations + expansion batteries) while also having the maximum solar setup recharging it would give you the power you need to run your entire home for a single day off just one hour of sunny conditions. It also comes with a dust-proof and splash-proof IP54 construction, as well as the durability to stand against severe temperatures from -4 degrees to 113 degrees, making it ready for travel plans to campsites, on RVs, and more.

woman approaching e-bike with coffee in hand

Don’t miss Rad Power’s space-saving RadExpand 5 folding e-bike while at its $999 low

As part of Rad Power’s extended Prime Day promotions running through July 23, which include the ongoing second-ever savings on its new Radster Road Commuter and Radster Trail Off-Road e-bikes, we wanted to shine a spotlight on the continued low pricing on its RadExpand 5 Folding e-bike at $999 shipped. Before June saw the pricing come down this low, it was regularly keeping to its $1,599 full price and only dropping regularly to $1,299 during sales. Of course, since Father’s Day, we’ve been seeing this massive $600 markdown hang on so fans can score it at the best price to date, giving you a solid commuting option and versatile utility companion for errands and such.

If you want to learn more about this model, be sure to check out our original coverage here, as well as our full coverage of the Rad Power Sale running through July 23 here.

EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max power station sitting on countertop next to toaster oven

Save up to 59% on four EcoFlow flash bundles like the DELTA 2 Max with alternator charger and bag at $1,049 low

As part of its ongoing Phase 3 Prime Day Sale, EcoFlow has launched the last of its 48-hour flash sales that are taking up to 59% off four different bundle offers. Among the units we’re seeing included – three of which give you power stations and one allows you to expand an existing setup – things start with the DELTA 2 Max Portable Power Station bundle that includes an 800W Alternator Charger and a free protective bag for the station at $1,049 shipped, which you won’t currently find in stock at Amazon. It’s coming down from its full $2,577 price tag, with this same flash offers having appeared in last week’s Phase 2 Sale. Through July 18, you’ll have another chance at the biggest savings of $1,528, landing the costs back at the best price we have tracked. Head below for more on this bundle and the others we’re seeing discounted in this sale.

If you want to learn more about this power station’s capabilities, as well as the three other flash offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of the sale here.

Greenworks pole saw cutting through tree branch

You’ll get 14.5-feet of reach with Greenworks’ 80V 10-inch cordless pole saw at $218 (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Greenworks 80V 10-inch Cordless Pole Saw for $217.99 shipped, which currently beats out Amazon where it’s sitting at full price. Normally going for $300, for the rest of the day, you can pick it up here with $82 taken off the tag. After spending January and the first half of February at $225, we’ve mainly seen discounts dropping the costs between $240 and $270 since then, with last week’s Prime Day event dropping things to $220. While we have seen it go lower in the past, you’re looking at a solid 27% markdown to one of the lowest prices we’ve spotted this year.

If you want to learn more about this electric lawn care solution, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

Best Summer EV deals!

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.

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Rivian announces new East Coast Headquarters coming to Atlanta, Georgia

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35 mins ago

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July 17, 2025

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Rivian announces new East Coast Headquarters coming to Atlanta, Georgia

Rivian headquarters

American automaker Rivian has shared its second release outlining expanded offices this week. Earlier today, Rivian shared plans for a new East Coast Headquarters coming to Atlanta, Georgia. The headquarters will operate near its massive new EV production facility being erected outside the city.

We’re almost having déjà vu on the Rivian news beat this week.

Just yesterday, we shared news that Rivian was planning to open a new international office in London, UK, which will become an AI-centric development hub.

At the time, we pointed out that Rivian currently operates out of a headquarters in Palo Alto, California, alongside its main production facility located in Normal, Illinois. Furthermore, the American automaker is currently in the process of building a second production footprint capable of housing 7,500 employees, located about 40 minutes outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

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Other US locations currently include offices in Irvine and Carson, CA, Wittmann, AZ, and Plymouth, MI. Outside of the US, Rivian operates out of offices in Vancouver, BC, Canada, Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Belgrade, Serbia.

Today, Rivian announced a further investment in Georgia, making Atlanta the new home of its East Coast Headquarters.

Rivian headquarters
Rending of Rivian’s future East Coast headquarters / Source: Rivian

Rivian’s new headquarters to open in late 2025

Rivian’s second headquarters was announced this afternoon alongside Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The new office space, which is expected to support 500 employees, will occupy the lobby and top floor of the Junction Krog District building, located at 667 Auburn Ave NE, near the Eastside Trail of the Atlanta Beltline. The new headquarters will enable Rivian to operate closer to its pending production facility in Stanton Springs North, outside Atlanta.

With a growing footprint and investment in the Peach State, Rivian has already shared intentions to develop relationships and partnerships with universities, technical colleges, and local, regional, and state institutions. Governor Kemp spoke:

Georgia is a prime location for any company headquarters, and we’re glad to see Rivian will soon join the growing list of brands not only operating in our state but also wholly or partially based in our capital city. They recognize the unmatched value of Georgia’s talent and the location of their East Coast Headquarters in Atlanta is the latest demonstration of their commitment to the Peach State. I look forward to that commitment translating to new jobs and opportunities for hardworking Georgians.

Per Rivian, the new East Coast Headquarters is expected to officially open in late 2025 and employ around 100 people before expanding to 500 employees when fully built and operational.

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