Drone maker DJI’s electric bikes launch today in the US
The e-bike industry has seen its fair share of unexpected players over the years, but today marks the US debut of one of the most interesting newcomers yet: drone giant DJI. Through its electric bike-focused subsidiary, Amflow, DJI has officially launched its first e-bikes in the US market, the Amflow PL Carbon and Amflow PL Carbon Pro, and they’re not messing around.
The two new models are full-suspension, high-performance electric mountain bikes designed to be lightweight, nimble, and surprisingly tech-heavy. And if you know DJI, that last part shouldn’t come as a surprise.
At the heart of both bikes is DJI’s own drive system dubbed Avinox. It’s a DJI-developed mid-drive motor platform that seems intent on taking a swing at the likes of Bosch, Shimano, and Brose. And the numbers back it up: 105 Nm of torque and up to 850 watts of peak power, all in a compact, 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) unit. That’s a serious punch for a bike that weighs just 19.2 kg (42.3 lb) in its lightest configuration, not to mention all the other gear it has to carry around.
The Avinox drive system comes paired with a smart 2-inch color OLED touchscreen display, which shows your speed and ride data. DJI also included Bluetooth connectivity that lets riders make several customizations via the Avinox app.
The large 800Wh battery is paired with a powerful 500W fast charger that can fill the battery from 0 to 75% in just 90 minutes – a rate that is much faster than average in the eMTB world.
The bike itself is no slouch either. Built on a carbon fiber frame, the Amflow PL Carbon and Pro models feature 160 mm of travel up front and 150 mm in the rear, making them capable all-mountain or enduro-style rigs. Suspension duties are handled by Fox, and the bikes roll on mullet wheels – 29” up front, 27.5” out back – for the best of both agility and rollover performance.
While DJI is clearly positioning the Avinox motor system as a standalone product to be used by other OEMs in the future, they’re using their new Amflow brand as a showcase, and it’s a pretty flashy demo. The design is sleek, the weight is impressively low for a full-suspension eMTB, and the integration of DJI’s tech expertise shines through.
Electrek’s Take
We’ve seen all kinds of companies try to jump into the e-bike game, but few have the R&D firepower of DJI. If you’ve ever flown one of their drones, you know they’re well made and tech dense, offering a level of refinement and performance that’s tough to match. And now they’re use that same precision and tech-savviness they’re known for all the way to e-bikes. With features like anti-theft and location tracking, DJI definitely brought its technology A-game.
Thought with a starting price of US $7,499 (or over $10k for the top end model), these bikes are not cheap. Not by a long shot.
But let’s not ignore the broader implications: DJI is throwing its hat into the e-bike motor ring with Avinox. That could ruffle feathers at some of the established motor companies, especially if other bike makers start adopting DJI’s drive system. We’ve already seen several hop on board, and we’ll be watching closely to see how many other Avinox-powered bikes start popping up with other brands soon.
But for now, the Amflow PL Carbon and PL Carbon Pro are one heck of a way to make an entrance. Welcome to the e-bike party, DJI.
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On today’s battle-ready episode of Quick Charge, it’s Elon Musk vs. the world as big players position themselves for control of enough lithium to build 600 million electric cars and the rest of the industry squares up to Tesla in the battle for market leadership.
While Windrose is making sales and expanding into new markets, the Tesla Semi is still in limited tests, Robotaxi launches as a “ride hailing service” in California with randos in the drivers’ seat and Academy Award nominated actor/noted college football analyst Timothée Chalamet teams up with Lucid to steal (even more) sales from the embattled Model S and X lines.
Today’s episode is brought to you by Retrospec, the makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Quick Charge listeners can get 10% off their next e-bike ride through August 14 with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.
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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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EV charging company ezVOLTz has partnered with Driivz, the EV software arm of Vontier, to make its “Charging as a Service” platform even smarter and more reliable for fleets, businesses, and state and local governments across the US.
If you’re not familiar with ezVOLTz, it’s a full-service EV charging provider. It handles everything, from installing hardware-agnostic chargers to managing the backend with its software platform, ezCONNECT. Now, ezVOLTz is plugging into Driivz’s charging and energy management tech to help run things even more smoothly.
With Driivz’s help, ezVOLTz plans to keep its network humming with 24/7 monitoring and real-time issue detection. Driivz’s Alert Management System can auto-fix up to 80% of charger hiccups remotely without sending a tech on-site. That means more uptime and fewer headaches for drivers and site owners.
“EV adoption is surging, and drivers and the companies and entities that serve them need smart, connected, and reliable charging options,” said ezVOLTz CEO Sam Malhotra. “The Driivz team and their smart charging and energy management solutions are a natural fit in bolstering our services.”
The partnership also gives ezVOLTz new tools to grow its network. Driivz’s software tracks usage patterns and charger performance, helping pinpoint the best spots for new installations. Driivz will also support the ezVOLTz app, letting users plan road trips and find chargers nationwide.
“Reliability and ease-of-use are two of the most important considerations for EV drivers,” said Andrew Bennett, CEO of Driivz. “We’re proud to partner with ezVOLTz in delivering seamless and reliable charging to their customers.”
As more businesses, fleets, and municipalities plug into EVs, partnerships like this one aim to make sure the charging experience keeps up.
Read more: Driivz expands in the US EV charging market with a new HQ
The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. 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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The Subaru BRZ may live on as an EV after all. Subaru wants its share of the sports car market, and an electric BRZ could hit the sweet spot.
Is Subaru launching an electric BRZ?
Subaru discontinued the BRZ in Europe in 2020 after the first generation. Although its twin, the Toyota GR86, was sold until the 2024 model year, the BRZ was released as a US-only model.
In its third generation, it could return as an EV. Speaking with Autocar, Subaru’s European head, David Dello Stritto, said, “Our options are open,” hinting that the BRZ could make a comeback in electric form.
Subaru’s global EV product boss, Inoue Masahiko, confirmed an electric version of the sports car “was under consideration.” He added that Subaru has extensively looked into an EV version of the BRZ with its partner, Toyota.
Masahiko explained that “We did consider electrifying the BRZ and GR86, but the win-win relationship is more important.” So far, “We can’t get the kind of benefits from both sides,” he added.
Subaru is already launching several new electric vehicles in Europe, including the new Uncharted, E-Outback (known as Trailseeker in the US), and an updated Solterra SUV.
Stritto said that an electric sports car will depend on the success of these models first, especially the Uncharted. According to Subaru’s European boss, the Japanese automaker feels “very positively about Subaru enthusiasts, but we need to see how Uncharted does first.”
As for an “electrified” powertrain, or hybrid, Masahiko said the vehicle’s packaging “would make it difficult,” adding an EV version would be “easier” to create.
The comments come after Stritto told Autocar last week that a new entry-level EV could also be in the works. However, that will also depend on how well the Uncharted sells.
For those in the US, don’t worry – Subaru is not planning to discontinue the BRZ. If it did launch as an EV, would you consider one? It would go up against the new Hyundai IONIQ 6 N and Tesla Model 3 Performance.
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