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Getting a company car used to be a major perk of a new job, but times are changing. As more young adults flock to electric bikes for their advantages over car travel in cities, companies are now making their own changes to reflect those shifting transportation habits.

Electric bikes have proven popular for commuters due to their ability to beat traffic in cities, often arriving much faster than cars or buses. They’re also an order of magnitude more efficient, often using closer to 25 Wh/mile of energy compared to 250 Wh/mile of an electric car.

Major tech companies like Google and Amazon are already offering their employees access to micromobility options such as e-bikes, e-scooters, and even good old-fashioned pedal bicycles.

As Google spokesperson Jessica Sanborn explained:

“We offer this program to Google employees to support our sustainability goals and traffic reduction efforts by giving employees options to get to work without having to drive alone in their cars.”

Electric bikes like these Velotric Discover models make great urban commuters

But instead of a typical company-issued vehicle, they’re often turning to mobility-as-a-service firms to provide their employees with a catalog of e-bikes and other alternative transportation options to choose from.

Ridepanda, a startup that began as a direct-to-consumer electric bike reseller before pivoting to providing e-bike subscriptions to large companies, is focused on making it easier to offer e-bike perks.

The company offers e-bike subscriptions to employees at Amazon, Google, and other large companies. Early results have found that many of the riders taking advantage of these perks haven’t previously been bike commuters but have since jumped at the chance to switch to an e-bike or e-scooter.

ride1up 700 series
The Ride1Up 700 Series was purpose-built for urban rides

And it makes good sense. Integrating e-bikes into corporate mobility strategies aligns with growing environmental concerns and addresses the practical needs of the modern workforce.

On the environmental front, e-bikes are a greener alternative to cars, significantly reducing carbon footprints. By substituting cars with e-bikes for daily commutes and short trips, employees contribute to decreasing air pollution and traffic congestion, helping make urban areas more livable.

Electric bikes also combine the physical health benefits of traditional biking with the convenience of motorized transport, making them accessible to a broader range of fitness levels. Regular use of an e-bike can improve cardiovascular health, boost physical stamina, and reduce stress levels, enhancing overall well-being. This active mode of transport encourages a healthier lifestyle, which can lead to decreased healthcare costs and lower absenteeism for companies.

E-bikes can also make a major impact on an employee’s wallet. Operating and maintaining an e-bike is significantly cheaper than a car, considering the costs associated with fuel, insurance, and parking. E-bikes offer a cost-effective solution for employees, especially in urban areas where parking is scarce and expensive. Plus, the convenience of bypassing traffic congestion and the flexibility to use bike lanes and paths can save valuable time during commutes. That’s more important than ever as more emphasis is placed on achieving a healthy work-life balance.

segway xyber bike
Pedaling to work has numerous benefits, from health advantages to time-savings

And then there’s the increased productivity to consider. Commuting by e-bike can lead to increased energy levels and improved mental health, factors that contribute to higher productivity and job satisfaction. Many riders report that the physical effort of a morning bike trip to work helps to clear the mind, reduce work-related stress, and stimulate creativity. Offering e-bikes as a perk also fosters a sense of community and shared values among employees, especially when riding together to and from work.

In fact, that’s an aspect that my wife quickly discovered when she began riding her electric bike to work this year. The communal aspects of riding in a group help bring employees together and build stronger bonds, instead of singular car trips serving as a major disconnection at the start and end of the day.

via: Fast Company

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Save hundreds on Power Station eBikes and snag gift giveaways during Mokwheel’s Black Friday Sale

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Save hundreds on Power Station eBikes and snag gift giveaways during Mokwheel's Black Friday Sale

Unique eBike manufacturer Mokwheel has made a quick name for itself by bringing Power Station electric bikes to the market. During Mokwheel’s exclusive Black Friday Sale, there’s no better time to get one of the company’s power bank eBike models, like the Obsidian, Basalt, or Obsidian ST. You can learn more below.

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Mokwheel Sale

Mokwheel has carved its own spot in the eBike market

Mokwheel may be a newer company on your radar, but its history is heavily rooted in the last decade of micromobility. From 2014 onward, the company’s founders found great success in other segments of the electric mobility scene, including products like hoverboards and electric scooters.

However, those founders decided to create Mokwheel because they saw a gap in the market for a power station eBike that had yet to be done before. That market entry began with the Mokwheel BASALT, an all-purpose/all-terrain e-bike fusion integrated with power station technology.

By rethinking the design of the average eBike to offer more sustainability and accessible power on the go, Mokwheel has built out an impressive portfolio of electric bikes, many of which feature power station technology as well as safety and quality assurance through UL certification.

Mokwheel is celebrating Black Friday with a huge sale, including hundreds of dollars off power station electric bikes, which you can learn more about below.

Mokwheel Sale

What is a power station electric bike, anyway?

Mokwheel’s lineup of “power station electric bikes” is essentially a category of eBike equipped with solar charging capabilities. Mokwheel has brought an added layer of sustainability to the eBike space, extending off-grid capabilities for its riders while offering free backup energy from the sun.

The core of this technology is Mokwheel’s 1,000-watt inverter and high-efficiency solar panels. The components combine to help power the eBike using the sun’s energy and run multiple devices like phones and laptops, which can be connected simultaneously.

These capabilities transform the Mokwheel eBikes into versatile, portable power solutions for all outdoor adventures, ensuring the bike and your devices remain charged and ready to use.

Mokwheel’s lineup of power station solar charging eBikes has expanded to six different models, including its two newest bikes, the Obsidian and Obsidian ST, which are currently on sale in honor of Black Friday.

The Obsidian ST Power Station Bike / Source: Mokwheel

Mokwheel has sales on Obsidian power station bikes

Mokwheel’s Obsidian models are its high-end power station eBike offerings. They feature full suspension to ensure a smooth ride on any terrain.

It features a high-capacity battery for extended range, a powerful motor for steep inclines, and is designed for the ultimate e-biking experience. Available in either a high-step or step-through (ST) design, the Obsidian power station bikes provide the same impressive specs, apart from a higher payload capacity on the high-step version (400 lbs. vs. 350 lbs. on the Obsidian ST).

Both Obsidian bikes are propelled by a 1,000-watt motor powered by a 48V, 19.6 Ah battery pack. The pack can deliver between 60 and 80 miles of range on a single charge and can boost the bikes to a top speed of 28 mph.

In addition to a full front and rear suspension, the Obsidian and ST feature 26″x4″ puncture-resistant fat tires, hydraulic brakes, and solar charging capabilities. Please note that Mokwheel’s inverters and solar panels are sold separately. However, the inverter can be added as a gift during the company’s current Black Friday sale.

Both Obsidian models usually cost $2,999 each but are currently on sale for $2,099 (-$900 off) during Mokwheel’s Black Friday Sale. Be sure to check out more of those deals below.

Don’t miss out on Mokwheel’s Black Friday sale

While Mokwheel’s deal on the Obsidian models offers the largest discount, the company’s Black Friday Sale offers many other discounts and some gift incentives for specific purchases.

For example, customers who purchase any two eBikes during Mokwheel’s Black Friday Sale can choose between a complimentary bike rack or a pet trailer, both valued at $500.

Those who opt for a single eBike purchase (excluding the Mesa Lite 2.0, Tor-plus, and Mesa Plus ST) can choose between a deluxe accessory pack or a spare battery. Both gifts are valued at $600.

The Black Friday Sale offers a gift option if you want one of the three excluded Mokwheel bikes listed above. Purchases of the Mesa Lite 2.0, Tor-plus, or Mesa Plus ST come with a basic accessory pack with a front basket and padded seat, valued at $355.

Other Black Friday Sale deals include $600 off the Basalt and Basalt ST power station bikes and $400 off Mokwheel’s Asphalt eBike. Explore all the deals Mokwheel has to offer during its Black Friday Sale, taking place now. However, quantities are limited, so take advantage of the savings while the bikes last!

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Tesla boosts referral reward to $2,000 discounts on new EVs, even Cybertruck

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Tesla boosts referral reward to ,000 discounts on new EVs, even Cybertruck

Tesla has boosted its referral rewards to a $2,000 discount on new electric vehicles in the US, even its brand new Cybertruck.

In April, Tesla ended its referral program after it became much less popular under its latest “point system” that could be redeemed for only limited features and products.

The automaker brought it back in August with a more straightforward program that gives direct discounts on new cars for buyers and gives Tesla credits that can be applied to anything for referrers.

Now, Tesla has given the first boost to the program since bringing it back a few months ago.

In short, Tesla has boosted the discount new buyers get when purchasing a new Tesla vehicle through a referral link:

In the US, it’s now a $2,000 discount for new buyers on Tesla’s entire vehicle lineup.

Even the Cybertruck is $2,000 off and now basically starts at $78,000:

In Canada, Tesla also boosted the program, but it is available only on a few vehicles, namely Model Y, Model S, and Model X.

The discount is now $2,600 CAD when using a referral code:

It’s not too surprising not to see the Cybertruck on the list in Canada as Tesla only just now started deliveries in the market, but it’s more surprising not to see the Model 3. It looks like Tesla feels it has enough demand for the vehicle in the market not to offer any referral discount.

This boosted referral program is only the latest of many sale incentive examples that Tesla has put in place this quarter to try to achieve record deliveries.

n Europe, the incentives include a year of free Supercharging and heavy discounts on inventory vehicles.

In the US, there are also good inventory discounts, 3 months of free Supercharger and Full Self-Driving subscription, FSD transfer, and more.

More recently, Tesla also slashed the lease price of the base Model Y and even offered discounted home charging under Tesla Electric for those taking delivery of new vehicles.

And everywhere, Tesla is heavily subsidizing loans with lower interest rates.

Electrek’s Take

This is the most discounts and sale incentives that I’ve have ever seen Tesla implement in a single quarter. It’s clear that the automaker is going all out to try to get the demand for 515,000 deliveries in the quarter.

I can’t lie. These are some great deals. Hard to pass in some cases.

I am even sweetening the deal myself locally. For people in Quebec who order and take delivery this quarter with my referral code, I’m offering a free Universal Tesla Connector for your home charging needs. I still have 4 available. First come, first save basis. You simply have to reach out to me right after delivery so I can confirm on my side that you used the code.

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Lotus is the latest automaker to fall for extended-range plug-in hybrids

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Lotus is the latest automaker to fall for extended-range plug-in hybrids

Extended-range EVs are having their moment. And now Lotus is abandoning its strategy to become an all-electric brand by 2028 and shifting over to extended-range plug-in hybrid models starting in 2026. Here’s why.

Extended-range EVs, or EREVs, have become a siren call to automakers struggling to reach buyers with pure electric vehicles, serving as a sort of middle ground between kind of an electric car but also a plug-in hybrid, helping to break through to drivers still worried about getting stranded with no charge. So that, too, is where Lotus is going, with the Geely-owned UK brand saying that rolling out extended-range hybrids globally will help it reach its 2026 target of 30,000 sales. It’s a major departure from their earlier vision.

Lotus, has been mixing in some “lifestyle” EVs, including an SUV, to its sports-car lineup, but has struggled to meet its volume targets, Automotive News Europe reports. The problem Lotus says is that luxury buyers are reluctant to go full-electric.

Lotus says it sold 7,617 cars through September, including the Eletre SUV and Emeya large sedan, both all-electric vehicles – as well as it Emira sports car, once said to be the brand’s last ICE model.

Lotus also sells a full-electric hypercar, the Eveya.

But the company’s target of 12,000 sales this year is “definitely challenging,” Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call last week.

At the Guangzhou Motor Show in China, he said: “Luxury car engines are already very powerful, and the driving experience is quite similar, with eight-cylinder and 12-cylinder engines performing well,” according to the report.

Shifting to hybrids, the company hopes, will be the solution, with the brand eyeing the production of a “Super Hybrid” technology with ultra-fast plug-in charging. The electric motor will paired with a turbocharged combustion engine to extend the overall range to 680 miles (1,094 km).

Of course, an interesting motivator, too, is that hybrids are not affected by tariffs by the European Union on BEVs imported from China, with both the Eletre and Emeya built in China. In Europe, Geely’s BEVs are subject to a 28.8% duty under new EU tariff regulations, designed to counter what has been deemed as unfair government subsidies from China to its automakers.

Porsche has also announced that it will keep building ICE models across its model range to “meet customer demand,” shifting away from its all-electric plans.

Photos: courtesy of Lotus


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