Rad Power Bikes unveils 4 new e-bikes & faster speeds in biggest shakeup yet
Rad Power Bikes, the Seattle-based electric bike maker that spent years at the top of the US e-bike sellers list, has occasionally rolled out major updates alongside the launch of a new model. But today the company is announcing the biggest shakeup in its history, simultaneously debuting two brand new e-bike models, two majorly updated e-bike models, and new battery technology that could help push the industry towards safer batteries. The Rad lineup is now welcoming the new Radster Road and Radster Trail e-bikes, as well as the RadWagon 5 and the RadExpand 5 Plus models.
As Rad Power Bikes CEO Phil Molyneux explained:
“With even greater versatility in our fleet and new, innovative e-bike battery technology that will elevate the industry in its entirety, we’re taking a significant step towards a world where e0bikes are built for everyone and have the power to do just about anything. Over the last two years, I have worked closely with our supply chain and quality leaders, overhauling our processes to make this next generation of e-bikes the very best for our riders. This launch marks the latest step we’ve taken to ensure the long-term success of both the e-bike space and Rad.”
In addition to the new e-bike models, Rad Power Bikes is unveiling its new Safe Shield Battery. The redesigned battery was developed to mitigate growing concerns over battery safety by incorporating thermal-resistant technology.
In addition to being UL-certified, the batteries use potted electronics construction to encapsulate the battery cells and better protect them from damage, moisture, and other disruptions that could cause short circuits.
The battery is rated at 48V 15Ah with 720Wh of capacity, making it not only the company’s safest and most advanced e-bike battery, but Rad’s largest capacity and longest-range battery to date.
The Safe Shield Battery will debut on Rad’s newly unveiled e-bike models, but will also be available as an upgrade to many of the company’s existing e-bikes.
The first major addition to the Rad Power Bikes lineup announced today is the Radster family, which consists of the Radster Trail and the Radster Road models.
The two bikes share many similarities, differing largely in their use cases. The Radster Trail has wider 3-inch “mid-fat” tires, while the Radster Road has narrower 2.2-inch tires. The bikes also have slightly different frames and fenders that are each suited to different terrain and styles of riding.
Ultimately though, the Radster e-bikes are more similar than they are different. Each includes several new features, such as a new color LCD displays with USB-C charging port, rear turn signals, a torque sensor for more natural and responsive pedal assist, IPX6 water resistance, hydraulic disc brakes, NFC key-fob for locking the bike without a physical key, a thru-axle front wheel hub for stronger and more robust connection, a more powerful 200-lumen headlight, the new Safe Shield Battery, and come in two frame sizes of Regular and Large.
Perhaps the biggest update of all though is the inclusion of Class 3 capabilities. Both bikes come with multiple speed settings, allowing riders to reach up to 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle operation, as well as two additional settings that can be unlocked to reach 25 mph or 28 mph (40 or 45 km/h) on pedal assist.
This marks the first time Rad has produced e-bikes that surpass the 20 mph Class 2 speed limit, ushering in a new higher-speed era for the company.
Both the Radster Road and Radster Trail are priced at US $1,999 and are available now on the company’s website.
Rad Power Bikes also launched the new Rad Expand 5 Plus, which takes the brand’s entry-level folding model and upgrades it with several higher-end components and features in line with Rad’s more premium “Plus” family of e-bikes.
The Rad Expand 5 Plus also gets the new Safe Shield Battery, color LCD screen with USB-C charging port, IPX6 water-resistance, rear turn signals, hydraulic disc brakes, torque sensor pedal assist, 200-lumen headlight, and a bolt-on front wheel hub for a stronger connection.
The 20 mph (32 km/h) e-bike includes a 50mm travel hydraulic suspension fork, 20″x4″ fat tires, and features a folding design that makes it easier to transport in a vehicle or store in a tight space.
The Rad Expand 5 Plus is priced at US $1,899.
Rad Power Bikes also unveiled its newest cargo bike, the RadWagon 5.
The new model takes advantage of many of Rad’s feature upgrades, such as that new color LCD display with USB-C charging port, torque sensor pedal assist, IPX6 weather resistance, turn signals, thru-axle front wheel hub, and 3 top speed settings maxing out at 28 mph (45 km/h).
The bike is rated for up to 375 lb (170 kg) of cargo capacity, making it easy to carry passengers or plenty of extra cargo in back. The frame has also been updated with a more “condensed” design that also lowers the center of gravity to improve handling. New running boards and deck pads will also be available, offering a more stylish and comfortable ride for rear passengers.
The RadWagon 5 is priced at US $2,199 and is already available on Rad’s website.
Electrek’s Take
Wow, there’s a lot to unpack here. I’ll try to hit these many different points succinctly.
Rad Power Bikes Safe Shield Battery: I think it’s hard to overstate how pivotal this will be for the e-bike industry. Potted batteries are the single safest way to build e-bike batteries. To be frank, UL certification is nice but it doesn’t mean what most people think it does, and several UL-listed batteries have met a fiery end. UL-listing can give added peace of mind, but as we’ve heard from battery experts before, it’s not that hard to achieve and doesn’t mean the battery is actually that safe. Potted batteries are the true best practice for physical safety, and they’re almost non-existent outside of Luna Cycle’s potted e-bike batteries. So today’s debut from Rad is major news.
Class 3 speed: Wow, it’s about time. I wasn’t sure I’d ever see Rad finally get the need… the need for speed. I think their hand was basically forced here, though. Similar to how throttle-less e-bikes are hamstrung in sales among American riders, Class 2 e-bikes are starting to get passed over by many American customers who prefer the option of riding faster when and where appropriate.
New electronics: It’s cool to see major electronic updates like NFC key fob for unlocking, color display with USB-C device charging, rear turn signals, etc. None of this is groundbreaking, and to be honest we’ve seen it all (perhaps except the USB-C device charging) on cheaper e-bikes for years, but it’s great to see Rad hop on board with what is presumably a better quality version of many of these components we’ve seen before. The big new thing though is the torque sensor, which is truly great to see. This is another feature that Rad took its sweet time on, but now it’s here and I think many riders will be discovering just how much nicer a good torque sensor can be.
New mechanics: Hydraulic disc brakes now being employed basically across the entire higher-end Rad line is big, as well as the new more robust front axles – even if they’re largely there because the lawyers like them now. The new frame on the RadWagon 5 looks interesting, I’m excited to review all of these to see how they feel.
To sum up my feelings, here’s what I’d say. The spec sheets all look incredible. The prices are high, but that’s Rad’s new MO. It appears the company doesn’t want to compete on price, which is probably a smart move when Lectric is dominating there and plenty of fly-by-night e-bike companies pop up every week with cheap new e-bikes.
Instead, Rad’s new strategy appears to be competing on substance, namely with higher-end parts and more sophisticated design. That means higher prices, and the jury is still out on how the e-bike market at large will respond to these new models. It’s a gamble since Rad spent years leading in the entry-level price segment before it found itself getting more elbows in its ribs from all the other competition crowding into that segment. So now that the company is aiming for a spot higher up on the quality ladder, we’ll have to see if Rad sticks the landing.
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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.”
Which, sure – but did I mention it’s big? (It’s so big, you guys).
Return of the big Buick
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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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.
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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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’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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