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VanPowers sent us its top-of-the-line UrbanGlide-Ultra bike last month which is touted to be a Dutch-style e-bike and top spec in its Urban Glide lineup. But with Black Friday prices starting under $1000, how close to a real Dutch “Gazelle” type bike is this? You might be surprised…

Vanpowers isn’t Dutch like it sounds and looks, they are a relatively small team based in Chino California as part of a larger set of Chinese companies. Are they trying to rip off Gazelle? Maybe! They even tried to call one of their bikes the Gazelle before the lawyers got involved. Urban Glide the European mobility company or Thule stroller might also dislike this bike’s name.

But the Vanpowers UrbanGlide-Ultra definitely gives off those Dutch vibes with its upright riding stance, swept-back handlebars, and lack of a throttle. It comes in 3 different step-over configurations at 3 distinct price tiers.

From 11/10-11/30, UrbanGlide is running a huge sales promotion on their UrbanGlide series: 

  • UrbanGlide-Ultra: $2099 (save $400)
  • UrbanGlide-Pro: $1549 (save $350)
  • UrbanGlide-Standard: $999 (save $300)

Every UrbanGlide purchase made during this promotional period will also come with the following free accessories: Waterproof Pannier Rear Rack Bag + Folding Lock.

We got the high-end “Ultra” model in Gunmetal (dark aqua, it also comes in Lava Red) which pleasantly surprised us with its high-quality components, excellent build quality, and a great ride.

The spec sheet for this bike includes:

  • 690WH UL-certified removable downtube battery with LG cells
  • Bafang M600 500W nominal mid-drive motor with torque sensor
  • Tectro HD-E350 hydraulic disc brakes with 1800mm rotors
  • 3.5”Color TFT-LCD Display, comes with app and 4 digit security lock
  • Weight 70.55 lbs./32 kg
  • Range: Optimistic 65-70 miles. Realistic about 40 miles going 20mph on full assist.
  • Zoom adjustable seat post with 3cm of travel and handle
  • 9-speed Microshift® RD-M26L Derailleur, cassette, and gear shift

Urban Glide Ultra is easy to put together and my son and I got it running in about 15-20 minutes. The battery came about 60% charged so budget some time to get this thing fully charged if you want to roll out with full power. The waterproof/fanless charger is an impressive 4 amps at 54.6V, about double the standard charger speed, but comes with a charger head I haven’t seen before, and might be harder to find a replacement. Also, the charger port and battery power button are located pretty low on the downtube which can be inconvenient to reach and plug in. For a full charge, figure about 3.5 hours, which is quite fast.

The headlining part on this bike is the Bafang M600 motor which we’ve seen power off-road mountain bikes that go 35 miles per hour. It is rated for mountain bikes and cargo bikes so it is over-specced on a 20mph commuter – which is good. You can never have too much power!

It has a torque sensor and 2 speed sensors built in so its pedal tracking is very accurate though not dialed in quite as much as the new Brose or Bosch equivalents.

Strangely, the Urban Glide Ultra says it is a Class 2 e-bike but on the high end, it has no throttle making it a Class 1 e-bike in reality. Lower-specced versions of this bike apparently do have a throttle?!

The incredible power of this motor cuts off abruptly at 20mph which is a shame because this motor has at least 10 more mph left in it even with the controller it came with. The 9-speed rear cassette is very nice and smooth but in reality, most people will only use about 2 gears with this motor’s insane 120nm of torque.

When I ride this on flat ground, I usually start in the nearly hardest gear on PAS 5/5. I’m bouncing off of 20mph in just a few seconds and that’s where I stay until hills come up. For a smoother, less aggro ride, I roll in PAS 2 or 3 which usually keeps me just under the 20mph hard cutoff. On hills, I put it about midway through the gears and let the M600 do most of the work.

I asked our PR Rep if there was a way to make this a Class 3, 28mph e-bike via software update or controller configuration and she got back with a hard “no”. I have to believe this should be remedied because this commuter bike wants to go faster than 20mph. It is begging to!

I got it up over 40mph unassisted on a downhill and it feels super stable and it rode well. No rattles or speed wobbles.

The ride overall is super smooth and even potholes are evened out with a really nice Zoom adjustable suspension up front with 3+ inches of travel. That’s paired with that Zoom seat post with an inch and change of movement. The 27.5″ aluminum wheelset with Kenda 2.2″ low-resistance city tires feels soft and grippy, but I might prefer to put some Schwalbe Big Bens on here for more efficient road use.

Braking is also very impressive with the Tektro hydraulic brakes on 180mm discs. Easy to modulate, these brakes also will lock up and get you stopped as fast as tire friction will allow. The safety focus continues with controller-connected front and rear lights, though braking doesn’t activate the rear light as it should.

There are some extras like an app that will give you some data on your rides but isn’t really worth setting up in my opinion. What would have been nice is some more configuration options for that huge color display including map projection, Strava integration, etc.

The experience vs the inspiration

This is a fabulous e-bike and one I’d use every day – if I didn’t hit that hard wall at 20mph. It is quiet but powerful and as a step-thru, easy to hop on and off. The lighting makes riding at night doable though the front light could be a little brighter in a perfect world.

Gazelle Ultimate C8 HMB

Is this the same level of experience you’d get with a $3500 Dutch Gazelle bike (pictured above) that it coincidentally resembles? In some ways yes and it even exceeds the Gazelle in acceleration and hill-climbing torque by a noticeable margin. But overall it just isn’t as smooth or built quite as tightly or integrated with a built-in lock, better reflective wheels, a belt drive, and internal gears.

But you are getting 90% of that experience, with a more powerful motor at around half the cost. Which is to say a great deal, and one one that’s even better this week…

From 11/10-11/30, UrbanGlide is running a huge sales promotion on their UrbanGlide series: 

  • UrbanGlide-Ultra: $2099 (save $400)
  • UrbanGlide-Pro: $1549 (save $350)
  • UrbanGlide-Standard: $999 (save $300)

Every UrbanGlide purchase made during this promotional period will also come with the following free accessories: Waterproof Pannier Rear Rack Bag + Folding Lock

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Buick ELECTRA GS – GM brings back the best name in the EV business

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Buick ELECTRA GS – GM brings back the best name in the EV business

Dodge Charger. Ford Lightning. Some historic car names are just begging to be brought back as new-age electric vehicles, but the best one has always been the Buick Electra – and now, it’s back. Meet the all-new Buick ELECTRA GS concept.

It’s hard to draw a direct line between this new-age concept, which made its debut earlier today in Shanghai, and the OG 1959 Buick Electra. Heck, that car would probably have more parts in common with a lunar rover than this new electric Electra … but as Michael Keaton’s Ray Kroc says in The Founder, “I needed the name.”

The new ELECTRA GS is big, bad, and definitely designed to feel like a chest-forward statement of intent. In fact, the official copy says that the concept draws inspiration from the mythical centaur, embodying both raw power and intelligence.

“The ELECTRA GS is more than a concept. It’s a design manifesto,” said Stuart Norris, Chief Design Officer at SAIC-GM and Vice President of GM China Design. “It’s a bold statement that Buick will continue its success in the electric era with sculptural dynamism, cutting-edge technology, and uncompromised sophistication.”

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Which, sure – but did I mention it’s big? (It’s so big, you guys).

Return of the big Buick

Buick ELECTRA GS Concept; via GM.

At 5,300 mm, the concept Buick is well over seventeen feet long, and it seems tall, too – those are 23″ (twenty-three inch) wheels that scale it down a bit, but it’s nearly as big as a Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon at 5,334 mm.

No technical specs are provided, indicating that this very much a styling exercise, but one could easily imagine the same high-powered Ultium underpinnings found in a physics-defying GMC Hummer EV buried below the ELECTRA GS’ curves and making it more than quick enough to live up to any hype generated by the GNX version GM is bound to roll out to SEMA in a year or two.

It’s what’s inside that counts

Inside, the big electric skateboard chassis enables a flat, expansive cabin that the company says is “transformed into a bespoke sanctuary.” The car features four individual captain’s chairs wrapped in premium materials and metallic accents to deliver first-class comfort. The driver’s view is uncluttered with simple instruments and a large HUD, while a 16.3-inch ultra-wide display caters to front-seat passengers (the designated DJs on any long road trip) with bunches of connectivity but, presumably, no Apple CarPlay.

Even so, it seems like a forward-looking, high-tech vision that caters more to Chinese than American sensibilities. “In today’s connected world, where design and technology transcend borders, our team is proud to be shaping a global vision from China’s perspective,” said Norris. “The ELECTRA GS is just the beginning.”

Buick has sold more than 10 million vehicles in China since its introduction to the market by SAIC-GM in 1998, and hopes that new concepts like ELECTRA GS will help it continue to succeed despite domestic competition.

SOURCE | IMAGES: GM.

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Tenways launches its ‘carry the whole family’ cargo e-bike in the US

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Tenways launches its 'carry the whole family' cargo e-bike in the US

The electric bike brand Tenways, known for its sleek and commuter-friendly e-bikes, is officially entering the cargo bike segment in the US with the launch of the Tenways Cargo One. The front-loading electric cargo bike takes on major brands like Urban Arrow while offering a lower-cost alternative for two-wheeled family transportation.

The new Tenways Cargo One marks a significant expansion for the brand as it joins the growing category of front-loading cargo e-bikes, often referred to by their Dutch name bakfiets. The proliferation of the Dutch word for these bikes is no accident – this style of e-bike is common on streets of major cities and smaller towns alike across the Netherlands, helping families transport several kids on a single bike. The front-loading design allows parents to keep a better eye on their passengers and makes it easier for kids to get in and out of their seats, not to mention keeping the center of gravity lower.

For that reason, front-loading cargo e-bikes are a popular choice in Europe, especially in bike-centric countries like the Netherlands. Now the Shenzhen-based e-bike maker Tenways is bringing that same convenience to the US.

Unlike most of Tenways’ e-bikes, which are shipped directly to consumers for at-home assembly, the Cargo One will be delivered fully assembled via local Tenways dealers. The company cites the bike’s size and complexity as the reason for this shift in logistics, ensuring that riders receive a properly built, ready-to-ride machine from day one. Unlike a typical e-bike that requires only the wheels and handlebars to be bolted in place at home, the Cargo One’s massive passenger/storage box and more complicated linked steering require more of an expert’s touch for assembly.

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The Cargo One is equipped with an extra-large 800-liter front cargo box, designed for family transport, urban deliveries, or general heavy-duty hauling. Lighting is integrated throughout, including “EV-style” sidelights and standard front and rear LED lights, making the bike visible and safe in low-light conditions. A wide double kickstand allows for stable parking even when fully loaded.

Under the hood, the Cargo One features a Bafang mid-drive motor powered by a 960Wh portable battery. Tenways estimates a range of up to 90 km (56 miles) per charge. The drivetrain includes a Gates CDX carbon belt paired with an Enviolo stepless shifting hub, a combination prized for its low maintenance and smooth, intuitive operation.

Braking is handled by hydraulic disc brakes, and the bike is built to accommodate riders between 165 to 196 cm (5’5″ and 6’5″). With a top speed of 32 km/h (20 mph) and a total weight of 56 kg (123 lbs), the Cargo One balances performance and practicality for everyday utility cycling.

In terms of market positioning, Tenways is entering a space largely dominated by high-end European brands such as Urban Arrow and Riese & Müller. These brands have set the benchmark for quality and ride experience in the front-loader segment, but their models typically start at prices well above US $6,000, often pushing past $8,000.

At $5,499, the Tenways Cargo One offers a more accessible entry point for those looking to experience the utility and lifestyle of front-loading cargo e-bikes without reaching into luxury-tier pricing.

With the Cargo One, Tenways is signaling a serious commitment to the growing demand for family- and utility-focused electric bikes. As more U.S. cities invest in bike infrastructure and residents look for alternatives to car ownership, front-loading cargo e-bikes are gaining traction as a practical and environmentally friendly transportation solution.

Electrek’s Take

I’m all aboard this train! Cargo e-bikes are force multipliers in the two-wheeled industry, and these are the true SUVs of the cargo e-bike world. Front-loading cargo e-bikes like the Cargo One have a setup that allows for greater cargo capacity and stability.

We’ve already seen how this makes them a favorite in Europe among parents, small business owners, and urban dwellers who are replacing car trips with e-bike rides. While rear-loading cargo bikes also have their fans, front-loaders offer better visibility of your cargo – whether that’s groceries, kids, or gear – and a lower center of gravity. Front-loaders aren’t non-existent in the US. I see them occasionally in the US, but rear-loading cargo bikes are much more common due to their lower cost and smaller size.

At $5.5k, this is still a hefty chunk of change, but at least it’s a lot nicer than $8k. That difference might just help open up this market further for families that are ready to make the jump. I’m not under any illusion that Tenways is going to see huge sales on a bike like this in the US, at least not at first. But accessibility is the first battle. Once Americans have options, maybe then we can convince them to use those options.

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BP shares jump 5% as activist investor Elliott discloses stake build

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BP shares jump 5% as activist investor Elliott discloses stake build

The BP logo is displayed outside a petrol station that also offers electric vehicle recharging, on Feb. 27, 2025, in Somerset, England.

Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images

BP shares jumped on Wednesday after activist investor Elliott went public with a stake of more than 5% in the struggling British oil major, which has pivoted back to oil in a bid to restore investor confidence.

BP shares were last seen up 4.75% at 9:44 a.m. London time. The London-listed stock price is down around 5% year-to-date.

Hedge fund Elliott Management has built its holding in the British oil major to 5.006%, according to a regulatory filing disclosed late Tuesday. BP’s other large shareholders include BlackRock, Vanguard and Norway’s sovereign wealth fund.

Elliott was first reported to have assumed a position in the oil and gas company back in February, driving a share rally amid expectations that its involvement could pressure BP to shift gears from its green strategy and back toward its core oil and gas businesses.

Within weeks, BP, which has been lagging domestic peer Shell and transatlantic rivals and posted a steep drop in fourth-quarter profit, announced plans to ramp up fossil fuel investments to $10 billion through 2027. This marked a sharp strategic departure for the company, which five years ago became one of the first energy giants to announce plans to cut emissions to net zero “by 2050 or sooner.” As part of that push, the company pledged to slash emissions by up to 40% by 2030 and to ramp up investment in renewables projects.

The oil major scaled back this emissions target to 20% to 30% in February 2023, saying at the time that it needed to keep investing in oil and gas to meet global demand.

Since switching gears, BP’s CEO Murray Auchincloss and outgoing Chair Helge Lund — who is expected to depart the company in 2026 — retained their posts but were penalized with reduced support during BP’s board re-election vote earlier this month amid pressure from both revenue and climate-focused investors.

BP 'never really tried' to become a clean energy company, says climate activist investor

BP’s strategic reset back to the company’s oil and gas activities took place just as crude prices began to plunge amid volatility triggered by U.S. tariffs and Washington’s trade spat with China, the world’s largest crude importer.

Energy analysts have broadly welcomed the strategic reset, and BP CEO Murray Auchincloss has since said the pivot attracted “significant interest” in the firm’s non-core assets.

The energy firm nevertheless remains firmly in the spotlight as a potential takeover target, with the likes of Shell and U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron touted as possible suitors.

BP is scheduled to report first-quarter earnings on Tuesday. The company has said it anticipates lower reported upstream production and higher net debt in the first quarter than in the final three months of 2024.

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