Why single-speed electric bikes are awesome (and you should probably get one)
Let’s get one thing out of the way early: single-speed electric bikes aren’t perfect. If you live in the hills of San Francisco, they’re not going to be your best friend. But if you’re like the majority of city riders around the world – rolling through mostly flat neighborhoods, navigating stop-and-go traffic, and hopping on and off curbs – then a single-speed e-bike might just be the smartest and most underrated option on the market.
Yes, hill climbing is the elephant in the room. A single gear ratio means you’re stuck with whatever mechanical advantage the manufacturer decided was a good middle ground between acceleration and top speed. But here’s the kicker: most urban environments around the world are built on flat terrain.
Yes, not all of them. Please don’t blow up my comments section with “…But my city has hills!”. It may, but you’re in the minority.
There’s a reason why most cities are relatively flat. Historically, cities have often developed along rivers, coasts, and plains – places that are easier to build on and navigate with early transportation infrastructure. Cities were also built in relatively flat areas that were easier to expand as the cities grew. Flatter areas were also easier to build on, everything from structures to roads and railroads. While there are certainly exceptions (I see you Lisbon, San Francisco, Wellington, Jerusalem, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, and countless others), a huge number of the world’s densest urban centers are either completely flat or gently rolling at most. So while it’s true that single-speed e-bikes don’t climb well, it’s also true that in most cities, there’s not much climbing to be done.
Which brings us to the real strengths of single-speed e-bikes. And they’re worth celebrating.
Simplicity that just works
Single-speed electric bikes are an ode to simplicity in a world of overcomplication.
The first and most obvious benefit is the sheer mechanical simplicity. No derailleurs, no shifters, no multi-sprocket cassettes to adjust or tune. Just hop on and go.
There’s something incredibly liberating about never needing to think about which gear you’re in.
For a lot of riders, especially newer ones, gears are a source of confusion and intimidation. Single-speeds remove that entirely. You’re literally always in the right gear.
There are fewer parts to maintain, fewer things to break, and fewer distractions while riding. That’s a win all around.
Lighter and more efficient
Without all the extra drivetrain hardware, single-speed e-bikes are often a few pounds lighter than their multi-gear counterparts. That might not sound like much, but it’s noticeable when you’re carrying the bike up stairs, lifting it onto a rack, or just maneuvering it through tight urban corners.
Plus, without derailleur drag or chain line inefficiencies, power transfer from your legs (and the motor) to the wheel is just more direct. In stop-and-go city riding, that translates to snappier acceleration and a more responsive feel.
Single-speeds are perfect for belt drives
Here’s where single-speed e-bikes really shine: they make belt drives possible – and belt drives are awesome!
Because belt drives require a tensioned system and can’t easily accommodate derailleurs, they’re a natural fit for single-speed setups. That’s why most belt drive e-bikes are single-speed.
And once you ride a belt-drive e-bike, it’s hard to go back. My daily rider e-bike is a belt drive and I absolutely LOVE it. No grease, no rust, virtually zero maintenance, and whisper-quiet operation. They last way longer than chains and don’t stretch or skip under torque. For commuters or anyone who doesn’t want to think about chain maintenance ever again, belt drives are a dream come true.
More affordable and easier to maintain
Fewer components mean a lower price point. That’s true for both upfront costs and long-term maintenance. No derailleur adjustments, no worn-out cassettes, no shift cables to replace. And if something does go wrong, you’ve got way fewer moving parts to troubleshoot.
This makes single-speed e-bikes especially appealing for riders who want an ultra-reliable, low-fuss ride, whether that’s for a daily commute, food delivery shifts, or just errands around town.
In fact, when people tell me they are on an extremely tight budget and want an e-bike recommendation, I tell them to check out the Lectric XP Lite 2.0, which is a $799 e-bike that is too good to cost that little. It’s a single-speed, which is part of what keeps it so lightweight and inexpensive, but it’s so darn good!
Urban-optimized performance
Electric assist makes a huge difference here. On a non-electric single-speed bike, your legs have to make up for the lack of gears. But with a hub motor or mid-drive giving you a boost, that burden is lifted. A well-tuned single-speed e-bike with decent torque can handle city stops and starts just fine, especially in areas with mild inclines or flat routes.
When your commute is five miles of flat pavement and a couple of red lights, you don’t need twelve gears. You need reliability, simplicity, and a bike that gets out of the way and lets you ride.
If I’m being honest, for a lot of multi-speed electric bikes, I end up just leaving them in top gear since I’ll frequently throttle up through the lower speeds quickly. Even with me pedaling along, it doesn’t strain my legs very much because I’m only spending a few seconds at lower speeds and pedal cadences until I’ve reached cruising speed, at which point the higher gear ratio makes sense. A commenter on one of my previous articles about a single speed e-bike said it well, “the power band on an e-bike motor is much wider than the power band of your legs.”
The honest downsides of single-speed bikes
Okay, back to that elephant. Single-speed electric bikes are great, but they are not for everyone. Single-speed e-bikes are not ideal for steep hills or heavily loaded riding. If you regularly carry cargo or ride in mountainous terrain, a geared setup is going to serve you better. And because the gear ratio on a single-speed e-bike is fixed, you may occasionally find yourself ghost pedaling on long descents or pushing harder than you’d like up a rare incline.
They also offer less flexibility overall. Want to tinker with your drivetrain setup or optimize for cadence? Not much room to play with unless you want to swap sprockets, and even then, you’re still stuck with a single gear ratio, albeit a different single ratio.
If you’re one of those riders who just has to have gears, and there’s no shame in that, I’d recommend looking for an e-bike with an internally geared hub. These systems offer many of the same benefits as single-speeds: low maintenance, no exposed derailleur to get knocked out of alignment, and a clean, minimalist look. But they also give you multiple gear ratios hidden inside the rear hub, often allowing you to shift while stopped, which is perfect for city riding with lots of starts and stops. It’s a great middle ground for riders who want the convenience and durability of a single-speed but still need a bit more flexibility to tackle occasional hills or heavy cargo.
But still… they just make sense
Despite those limitations of single-speeds, for the majority of city riders, especially those in flat to mildly hilly urban areas, a single-speed e-bike is not just good enough. It’s better. Lower cost, lower maintenance, cleaner lines, quieter ride, and less to think about.
In a world where electric bikes are becoming more complex by the day, sometimes less really is more. If your daily rides don’t include a mountain pass, you might want to consider going single-speed. You might just find it’s everything you need, and nothing you don’t.
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![It's time to start recommending some Tesla Powerwall alternatives [update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/05/Tesla-Powerwall.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
For years, Tesla Powerwall has been the go-to recommendation for “normals” looking for a painless, low-effort experience from their first home solar and battery backup solutions. Its CEO’s recent involvement in controversial politics, however, means that people are now distancing themselves from the once-trailblazing company.
It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there?
UPDATE 26JUL2025: added more options, put everything in alphabetical order.
Electricians and contractors often praise the sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn’t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that’s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand’s solar battery offerings as well – here are some of the best options out there.
As I was putting this list together, I realized there were plenty of ways for me to present this information. “Best batteries ..?” Too opinion-based. “Cheapest batteries ..?” Too much research and a quick descent into Temu-grade nonsense. In the end, I went with the same solution I’ve been using on my 0% EV financing lists: alphabetical order, by brand. Enjoy!
Bluetti EP800 + B500
If you’re in a smaller space or renting and can’t (or don’t want to) add a hardwired battery solution to your home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a sweet “middle ground” option that combines the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the company’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be used without a solar roof but also plays well with most rooftop PV options.
The basic EP800 + B500 package offers about 9.9 kWh of capacity for under $9,000 as I type this, and the system can scale up to nearly 20 kWh by adding more B500 packs. The system puts out 7.6 kW of power – more than enough, in other words, to keep some lights on and your fridge and foods (and meds) cold.
What’s more, it works great with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you want an option that’s a bit more portable if you move a lot or plan on moving soon.
EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro
Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.
| Battery | Usable capacity (kWh) | Continuous power output (kW) | Roundtrip efficiency | Average price per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro | 11.44 | 10.24 | 99% | $786 | DC |
“The EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it’ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won’t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.”
Enphase IQ Battery 10
If you’re looking for a one-brand solution for EV charging and whole-home battery backup but don’t want to be “locked in” to GM or Tesla’s ecosystem, Enphase offers a full line of Made-in-the-USA solutions that could be right for you.
“Energy systems developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.”
Franklin WH aPower 2
If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek styling and beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That’s nearly a full day of keeping a modern refrigerator running.
The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).
GM Energy Home System
Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more flexibility – whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home’s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.
GM Energy and GM’s car dealers list Qmerit as their installation partner, and they’re great, but if you “already have a guy,” you can order the Home System directly from GM Energy’s website for $12,700 (as I type this).
The GM Energy Home System system includes:
- GM Energy PowerBank
- GM Energy PowerShift Charger
- GM Energy Home Hub & Inverter
StorEn vanadium flow BESS
If lithium-ion’s ten-year cycle life or overhyped fire risk makes you nervous, StorEn Technologies is developing a consumer-focused battery solution based on vanadium flow chemistry. Their system promises to last 25 years or more with no capacity loss, so you can charge and drain the battery fully each day and without stressing about wear … but there are a couple of downsides.
First, they’re not yet available to the general public – only to StorEn’s early investors in (what I understand to be) a sort of quasi-Kickstarter deal.
Second, the StorEn batteries are significantly bulkier than a Powerwall. That said, if you’ve got the room and you’re old enough to realize that 25 years isn’t actually a super long time, the StorEn solution might to be a super compelling, nearly maintenance-free setup that might outlast both your solar panels and the roof they’re mounted on.
So, remember how I started this off saying that I wouldn’t turn this into a “best batteries” post? That’s partly driven by the fact that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or someone who’s researched thousands of end-user experience surveys to come up with whatever metrics I’d need to confidently and correctly call one battery “the best.”
Our friends and solar industry experts at EnergySage, though? They’ve got all three of those things on staff, and they really, really like the Villara VillaGrid+.
“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the best battery on the market, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Equipment Rating System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That said, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is not necessarily the best Tesla Powerwall alternative. It’s a very different (and much pricier) battery.”
What puts the VillaGrid+ on top? According to Zagame, it all comes down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Unlike more traditional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has better recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t contain any carbon, which makes it extra safe. The only downside is you’ll definitely shell out more money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”
That extra money will also buy some additional peace of mind, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year warranty compared to Tesla Powerwall and its (and just about everyone else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t find a price, but Villara’s other products, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, come in at nearly double Powerwall’s per kWh cost. Check out the specs, below, then let us know if you think the novel chemistry and additional warranty are worth it in the comments.
| Battery | Usable capacity (kWh) | Continuous power output (kW) | Roundtrip efficiency | Average price per kWh* | Coupling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Powerwall 3 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 97.5% | $926 | DC or AC |
| Villara VillaGrid+ | 11.5 | 10 | 98.5% | Get quote | DC or AC |
Original content from Electrek.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.
The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.
The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.
“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”
Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.
The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.
Electrek’s Take
Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Vertical Aerospace.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.
Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.
“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”
The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.
Electrek’s Take
It’s important to note some of the key differences between Honda’s insurance offering and Tesla’s. Honda isn’t offering discounts, they’re not bundling insurance premiums into the vehicle financing, and they’re not building their insurance offerings into their dealerships’ checkout/F&I offices. Not yet, anyway.
What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.
It’s a smart play. And, once Honda figures out a way to cut franchise dealers out entirely and go to a direct sales model, it’ll look even smarter.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Honda.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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