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Velotric, one of several prolific e-bike makers in the US electric bike market, has announced the launch of its first-ever electric trike. The new Velotric Triker sees the brand enter the rapidly heating e-trike industry, with a growing number of seniors and other riders flocking to the more stable e-bike format. But unlike many e-trike makers, Velotric has ratcheted up the performance and the technology in their e-trike, giving us more of just about everything.

At a glance, the Triker looks like a relaxed cruiser with an extra wheel. But under the hood, Velotric has packed this three-wheeler with serious tech and thoughtful design meant to turn hesitant riders into confident ones. From a high-torque motor to smart sensors and UL-certified safety features, this isn’t your grandma’s beach trike – though she’ll probably love it too.

“Triker is for the riders left behind in the e-bike movement,” said Adam Zhang, Velotric’s CEO and co-founder. “It’s about dignity, independence, and connection. We built this to bring the joy of riding back to people who need it most.”

Built for comfort, control, and cruising

The Triker’s frame geometry and components were clearly designed with aging or mobility-limited riders in mind. Its ultra-low 370 mm (14.5 inch) step-through height makes it easy to mount, while the extended 680 mm (26 inch) seat-to-handlebar reach, an adjustable 180° folding stem, and 80mm hydraulic front suspension create an ergonomic, cushy riding posture.

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Perhaps most importantly for a trike, it’s designed to avoid the classic pitfall of awkward or tippy cornering. A differential rear axle allows each rear wheel to rotate independently, which helps the Triker lean and corner more safely than traditional rear-solid-axle trikes. It’s not unheard of these days, as more e-trikes are adopting rear differential designs, but it’s a welcome feature.

Combined with 3-inch-wide tires and a low center of gravity, this setup gives riders a feeling of real control, even on uneven surfaces.

Of course, as with any three-wheeler, traversing slopes should still be done with caution, as cutting across a steep slope could still cause the trike to lean further than its wide triangular footprint can handle.

Power where you need it

The Velotric Triker is powered by a 90Nm high-torque motor paired with a 7-speed gear system and a thumb throttle for pedal-free cruising. Cruise control comes built-in as a feature that can be turned on or off, making it easier to maintain a steady pace on long stretches.

The 750W motor has a peak output of 1,300W, meaning it is significantly more powerful than a lot of the entry-level e-trikes on the market. And with 90 Nm of torque, it can climb hills up to 15º (an approximately 27% hill grade).

Riders can choose between cadence or torque sensor-based riding using the handlebar remote, offering two different styles of ride to better suit individual needs. Cadence sensor pedaling is easier, while torque sensor pedaling provides a more natural-feeling response from the motor. Of course, the easiest method is to just use that thumb throttle to cruise.

And with an adjustable top speed up to 20 mph (though the trike comes programmed for 8 mph in Beginner Mode out of the box), riders who spend more time on long straight paths will be able to go faster than most other e-trikes on the market.

For those new to electric bikes – or electric trikes – Velotric added that Beginner Mode to limit top speed to 8 mph and simplify pedal assist down to just three levels. It’s designed to help new or nervous riders ease into the experience without feeling overwhelmed. A green “Beginner” icon on the display lets you know when the mode is active, making it clear when the trike is operating in its most user-friendly settings.

The Velotric Triker includes a 48V 16.75Ah battery with around 800 Wh of capacity. That’s one of the larger battery capacities on the market for e-trikes, and should allow for extra-long riding. According to Velotric, that means up to 60 miles per charge.

Smart tech for a smooth ride

The Velotric Triker includes the previously mentioned SensorSwap feature, which lets riders toggle between torque and cadence pedal assist modes at the press of a button. Want more exercise or precision? Use Torque Mode. Just cruising around the neighborhood? Switch to Cadence Mode for a more relaxed experience. This kind of dual-mode flexibility is rare in the trike world, with only a few models already offering it, and it brings more customization to an already tailored ride.

And while some brands overlook safety in the rush to build budget trikes, Velotric clearly didn’t cut corners. The Triker meets both UL2271 and UL2849 certifications, ensuring it’s been tested for electrical and fire safety. Its battery is rated IPX7 (fully water-resistant to the point where it can be dunked in water up to 3 feet deep), and the frame is IPX6-rated (water resistant to high-pressure water jets like a pressure washer), meaning you can confidently ride rain or shine.

Other thoughtful safety features include hydraulic disc brakes with built-in parking brakes on each brake lever, a built-in 100dB horn, ultra-bright integrated lights with rear turn signals, and even Apple Find My™ compatibility for theft tracking.

So what’s the catch? It’s the price

With an MSRP of $2,399, the Triker is positioned on the higher end of the consumer trike market, but well below the price of other high-power and comfort-oriented trikes. It comes in three color options: Cherry Crimson, Pearl White, and Royal Blue. It is now available for pre-order through Velotric’s website (shipping in early August) and select retailers.

While the Triker may have been designed with seniors in mind, there’s clearly a broader appeal here. Anyone who’s looking for a stable, comfortable, and high-tech ride – whether for errands, cruising, or just fun – might find three wheels better than two.

Electrek’s Take

The Velotric Triker looks great, and I can tell you it also feels great, since I’ve been riding one for about a week now. I’ll have that full review coming soon, but they definitely did a great job here.

I know everyone will compare it to the Lectric XP Trike2, and I think while the XP Trike2 will continue to outsell it handily due to its extreme bang-for-your-buck, it’s great to see the Velotric Triker come with many features that the Trike2 doesn’t. The speed and power are more pronounced (20 mph is great on straightaways!), the cargo setup is more spacious (no minimalist “tray” basket but rather a deep basket with included zippered bag), higher waterproof ratings so you can more safely get it wet or leave it outside in the rain, you get tons of customization options in the display, and I absolutely love the included location tracking.

That last one is an important piece of built-in technology. The included Apple FindMy hardware allows the e-bike to be located if it goes missing. This is a huge leap forward in anti-theft, providing a feature that is almost as good as real GPS-tracking, yet without the battery draw and costly subscription service required by GPS tracking solutions. I can’t wait for this type of tracking to be more common in e-bikes, as once thieves know that most higher-end e-bikes come with built-in trackers (instead of some cute, easily-removable bolt-on flashlight with a hidden AirTag slot), it will make e-bike theft considerably less appealing for the average criminal.

Ultimately, the XP Trike2 500W or 750W are better deals at $1,499 and $1,799, but the Velotric Triker here offers more, as in more power and tech, though at a steeper price of $2,399. Is that $600 worth the extra stuff? For many riders, probably not. Seniors aren’t known for having incredibly flexible budgets, and price matters. But for those looking for higher speeds (and who can safely and responsibly choose where to use those higher speeds), I love the increased output of the Velotric Triker.

I’ll have a full review coming shortly, so stay tuned for that. Until then though, let me know what you think of the new Triker in the comment section below!

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

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Report: Ferrari were SO impressed by the Xiaomi SU7, they bought one

With its tire-blistering acceleration and record-setting performance, the Xiaomi SU7 Ultra has been getting attention throughout the auto industry, impressing everyone who’s seen it. That “everyone” now seems to include the OG supercar brand, itself.

CarNewsChina posted pictures from a Weibo user that reportedly show a Xiaomi SU7 Ultra exiting the storied Ferrari factory in Maranello, Italy. According to a Chinese blogger going by 西米露在博洛尼亚 (which seems to translate to “Sago Dessert in Bologna”), the prancing horse brand is actively benchmarking the Chinese hypercar for its own upcoming EV.

The SU7 Ultra was definitely coming from inside Ferrari’s facility. After verification, we learned this specific vehicle was officially purchased by Ferrari for testing, and the development of their next-generation electric platform.

西米露在博洛尼亚

Yet another Chinese auto blogger, 苏黎世贝勒爷, claims that Ferrari representatives visited Xiaomi headquarters last year, allegedly to discuss the joint development of next-generation high-performance EV motors.

The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra made its debut last year, promising 1,548 hp, sub 2.0-second 0-60 mph times, and a top speed well over 200 mph – all at a price lower than a Tesla Model S Plaid or Porsche Taycan Turbo GT. The car sold out almost immediately after it was unveiled, racking up some 50,000 orders almost overnight.

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The new electric benchmark


Xiaomi SU7 Ultra at Fiorano; via Weibo user Piniluoshan.

In the automotive world, “benchmarking” is a process in which car companies systematically tear down each others’ competitive products to compare everything from sound insulation, vehicle ride and handling, component materials, and even manufacturing methods against their own or against other industry leaders. The goal is to evaluate performance, cost, quality, and other key metrics, effectively figuring out “where they stand” in the market.

If Ferrari really did buy an SU7 to benchmark it against their own upcoming electric supercar, it’s more than just a curiosity – it could mean that the highest tiers of automotive innovation have shifted from West to East. Maybe forever.

Featured image via Xiaomi; sources throughout the post.


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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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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

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Chevy teases new Bolt w/NACS, front fascia redesign, rear brake lights

We’re finally getting our first teases of the upgraded 2027 Chevy Bolt, built on GM’s battery/motor platform formerly known as Ultium. So far, so good for the vehicle, which will be revealed later this Fall.

Chevy took to social media today to tease the 2027 Chevy Bolt, saying, “You asked, we listened. The #ChevyBolt is back and better than ever. More this fall. 👀”

Chevy ended the original Bolt program with the 2023 model, which was loved by a loyal group of customers (including myself). Some of the major gripes, including charging speed and rear brake lights, already look to be addressed. Also, a new more aggressive fascia is debuting.

Electrek’s take

GM has done an incredible job keeping the 2027 Bolt under wraps. It will be the first GM vehicle with a native NACS port after the Cadillac Optiq-V, which we spied in Seattle last week.

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Hopefully, the new Bolt will have improved charging speeds over and above the 54kW that previous Bolts adhered to. One possible downgrade is that the old Bolt’s amazing wireless CarPlay/Android Auto system will likely be replaced by GM’s move to Android’s built-in experience. For a few years, the Chevy Bolt was the most affordable long-range EV, and it won our 2022 Electrek car of the year for its versatility and price.

I would, of course, like to see the new Bolt as a hot hatchback, but GM CEO Mary Barra has hinted that it will likely take more of the EUV’s SUV form factor. Things like AWD options, SuperCruise, pricing, power and range are yet to be revealed, but stay tuned to Electrek for the latest on Bolt developments.

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Tesla tops another ADAS test, Hyundai tops range tests, and Texas gets BESS

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Tesla tops another ADAS test, Hyundai tops range tests, and Texas gets BESS

On today’s test-acular episode of Quick Charge, it’s a new day and a new Chinese ADAS test for Tesla to conquer – but this one’s got a LOT more pedestrian carnage to parse through! We’ve also got some great e-bike deals from Retrospec and a bladder-busting Hyundai.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec – the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure! To that end, we’ve got a pair of Retrospec e-bike reviews followed up by the updated Hyundai IONIQ 6 with nearly 350 miles of range from its updated long-range battery. With that, Hyundai now has the longest range Korean EV on the market, while Texas is adding megawatts of battery energy storage to beef up its troubled grid, and it’s doing so faster and cheaper than ever before.

PlusQuick Charge listeners can get an extra 10% off the price of their next awesome e-bike by using code ELECTREK10 at retrospec.com!

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

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New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

Got news? Let us know!
Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


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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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