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We’ve got another day of e-bike deals for you to close out this week’s Green Deals, with the headliner being the launch deal on the new Blix Vika X Folding e-bike at $1,699 that also includes a free carrying bag that fits nicely onto the e-bike for transport. Right on its heels is the Labor Day sale on three of Blix’s popular e-bike models seeing up to $687 in combined savings, as well as three extra savings opportunities being added to Velotric’s Summer Sale that is taking up to an additional $200 off three e-bike models – totaling up to $1,100 in savings! Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals that are still alive and well, like yesterday’s Lectric e-bike bundle discounts or the collection of Rexing EV charger adapters that are currently seeing up to 25% off markdowns.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

New Blix Vika X Folding e-bike launches at $1,699 with free bonus gear

Alongside its ongoing Labor Day sale, Blix has launched its new Vika X Folding e-bike at a discounted $1,699 rate and some free gear thrown in too. It will be normally priced at $1,799, but today you’re getting a pleasant $100 shaved off, which isn’t a whole lot, but seeing as a lot of company’s are releasing new models at their MSRPs lately, it’s appreciated here. You’ll also be getting Vika X carrying bag, valued at $99, that folds into itself, making it simple to attach to the rear carrier.

Blix’s Vika X Folding e-bike arrives onto the micromobility scene with a rear-geared 500W hub motor paired with a 614.4Wh battery (barely beating the Vika+ Flex’s 614Wh). It offers three levels of pedal assistance that is supported by the newly added torque sensor. You can actively switch between either class 2 or class 3 settings here, giving you a 20 MPH to 28 MPH top speed range depending on what you prefer while getting up to 70 miles of travel range depending on what settings you go with.

The Vika X e-bike has been given an optional automatic shifting functionality that will adjust gear shifting and motor power to match the rider’s pedaling, or if you prefer making those decisions on your own, gears can be switched between electronically at the simple press of a button, bringing some convenience into the build. Along with this new feature, there’s a bunch more that enhances riding safety, like the added brake light and turn signal capabilities to the integrated taillight, an auto-adjusting backlit color display, a more powerful integrated high-beam headlight – plus, there’s even a speaker-based electronic horn and hydraulic disc brakes that have been thrown on too. Of course, as the name implies, its frame folds down to a 36-inch x 21-inch x 28.5-inch size for easier storage and transport options.

Vika X e-bike

Blix Labor Day sale offers up to $687 in combined savings on three e-bikes starting from $1,399

Blix Bikes’ ongoing Labor Day sale that is taking $500 off three e-bikes and giving away up to $187 in free gear. As a lover of versatility in EVs, the standout for me is the Packa Genie Cargo e-bike for $1,599 shipped. It would normally run you $2,099 most days outside any such sale, and has often been dropping between $1,699 and $1,899 for most of the sales in 2024, though we did see it drop as low as $1,499 once back in April. It lands here at its second-lowest price that we have tracked and even beats out its Black Friday and Christmas pricing from last year by $100, with nearly as much free gear too. Speaking of the free gear, you’ll be getting a pair of running boards alongside a cushioned seat for its rear rack to provide either a comfortable place for a passenger or a dedicated space for other cargo/packages/bags. You can get an in-depth rundown on what to expect in our hands-on review or head below to learn more.

The Packa Genie cruises onto the scene stocked with a 750W geared rear hub motor (peaking at 1,350W) alongside the 672Wh battery and five levels of pedal assistance that comes supported by a 12-magnet cadence sensor (sorry, torque sensor purists). It is a class 2 model so it hits a maximum 20 MPH speed with a 40-mile travel distance for the single battery model, or you can double up the batteries for double the travel range at $400 more. There is also a throttle for pure electric action, though keep in mind relying on it alone will likely drop the travel range down around 25 miles somewhere.

It comes with some nice extra features too, with a full digital display that even has a USB port for charging your phone as you ride – which is always appreciated as someone who uses my phone’s GPS to navigate the city streets. There’s also puncture-resistant tires, fenders over top both of those, integrated head and taillights, a smart bell, hydraulic disc brakes, 7-speed gear shifter, as well as the obvious mounting points along the rear rack which boasts a 200-pound payload. A rear wheel net guard has even been thrown on, which is essential, in my opinion, if you plan to take any kids on the ride with you.

Other Blix Labor Day deals:

  • Vika+ Flex Folding e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,899)
    • comes with an everyday bag worth $89
  • Sol Eclipse Cruiser e-bike, with front basket: $1,399 (Reg. $1,899)
    • comes with fender set, rear rack, and city tote worth $187

Save up to $1,100 on three Velotric e-bikes starting from $1,249 as Summer Sale approaches its end

Velotric’s ongoing Summer Sale that is offering up to $900 in combined savings will be ending September 2. With the weekend between us and the upcoming holiday, the brand has added some opportunities to get extra savings on three of the e-bikes that are on clearance, with one being the lightweight T1 e-bike that we covered earlier in the sale with smart features and a range extender battery that is getting an additional $200 taken off to a new $1,399 low (use code VLDeals200 at checkout). Diving into the other two models benefiting from this deal, let’s start with the Go 1 Utility e-bike for $1,249 shippedafter using the promo code VLDeals150 at checkout for an additional $150 off. Normally going for $1,699, we’ve seen it dip in and out of sales across 2024, with the lowest of the year being $1,299, though we have seen it go as low as $1,099 in past years. Today, though, the usual second-lowest price is getting undercut by $50, giving you the best rate we’ve seen in a while. You can get a hands-on rundown from our review or head below to learn more.

The Go 1 e-bike arrives with an equipped 500W hub motor that peaks at 900W, as well as a removable 691.2Wh battery and five levels of pedal assistance that all work in conjunction to carry you up to 55 miles on a single charge at up to 20 MPH (which can be unlocked to 25 MPH).

It has some nice bang-for-your buck features here too, like the SHIMANO 7-speed derailleur, the puncture-resistant tires (which I am always happy to see being a New Yorker), a removable thumb throttle, an a 3.5-inch LCD display with a USB port to charge your phone if you use it for navigation, an integrated LED headlight, a taillight that’s been integrated into the rear rack that also boasts brake light functionality. A nice little touch here is the inclusion of Apple Find My that offers some peace of mind for those who are concerned with theft.

The third e-bike benefitting from these extra savings is the Packer 1 Cargo e-bike at $1,549 shippedafter using the promo code VLDeals150 at checkout for an additional $150 off. This model arrives sporting the longer ‘cargo’ rear rack as opposed to the above’s shorter ‘utility’ one, with some notable features that were praised in our hands-on review. The e-bike cruises into view with a 750W rear-geared hub motor (peaking at 1,200W for areas with more hills as well as larger hauls) and a 691.2Wh battery like the Go 1. You can hit top speeds of 20 MPH (which can be unlocked to 25 MPH too), with a 52 miles on a single charge when primarily using the pedal assistance, though there is the throttle to go pure electric when you want it.

You’re looking at a SHIMANO 8-speed derailleur here, 4-piston hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires once again, the same headlight and taillight integrated into the rack as above, as well as the same 3.5-inch LCD display with a USB port and Apple Find My capabilities. Plus, it has a 440-pound payload, meaning it can handle some bigger riders while smaller riders can easily take passengers along with them.

Summer e-bike deals!

Vika X e-bike

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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Tesla Cybertruck is in crisis: new discounts and throttling down production

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Tesla Cybertruck is in crisis: new discounts and throttling down production

The Tesla Cybertruck is in crisis. The automaker is still sitting on a ton of old inventory, which it is now heavily discounting, and it is throttling down production to try to avoid building up the inventory again.

When launching the production version of the Cybertruck in late 2023, Tesla CEO Elon Musk claimed that the vehicle program would reach 250,000 units a year in 2025:

“I think we’ll end up with roughly a quarter million Cybertrucks a year, but I don’t think we’re going to reach that output rate next year. I think we’ll probably reach it sometime in 2025.”

We are now in 2025, and Tesla is expected to currently be selling the Cybertruck at a rate of about 25,000 units a year – a tenth of what Musk predicted.

Earlier this month, we reported that Tesla began the second quarter with 2,400 Cybertrucks in inventory, valued at over $200 million.

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This is a real problem for Tesla as many of those Cybertrucks are older 2024 model year units not eligible for the federal tax credit, and even some ‘Foundation Series’, which Tesla stopped building in October 2024 – meaning that Tesla is sitting on some 6-month-old trucks in some cases.

Tesla is now offering deeper discounts on the new inventory of Cybertrucks. The discounts can go as high as $10,000, but the average one is closer to $8,000, which is more than the tax credit:

Despite Tesla’s efforts, the automaker has only reduced its Cybertruck inventory by about 100 units since the beginning of the month.

Tesla is now further throttling down production of the Cybertruck at Gigafactory Texas, according to a new report from Business Insider.

According to two Tesla workers speaking with BI, the automaker has reduced its Cybertruck production teams and now operates at a fraction of its original capacity. It also moved some Cybertruck production workers to Model Y production at the plant.

One of the workers said:

“It feels a lot like they’re filtering people out. The parking lot keeps getting emptier.”

As we previously reported, Tesla has been operating all its factories at approximately 60% capacity to avoid building up excessive inventory amid lower demand.

When it comes to the Cybertruck program, it sounds like Tesla is lowering production even further.

Last week, Tesla launched a new version of the Cybertruck in an attempt to boost demand, but it has been poorly received due to the automaker’s removal of many essential features.

Electrek’s Take

There are a lot of other automakers that would have already given up on the Cybertruck ith these results, but not Tesla. Musk is not one to admit defeat easily.

However, Tesla is running out of options.

The new Cybertruck RWD was a desperate attempt, and I doubt it will work. Now, it sounds like Tesla is further throttling down production – virtually confirming that the new trim didn’t help.

The next step would be a complete production pause.

Again, I don’t think Musk wants to admit defeat, but at some point, it’s inevitable.

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Harley’s LiveWire unveils electric motorcycles built just for cops

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Harley's LiveWire unveils electric motorcycles built just for cops

LiveWire, the electric motorcycle brand spun out of Harley-Davidson, has officially launched a new line of electric motorcycles tailored for law enforcement and security use. The move marks another example of electric two-wheelers expanding beyond consumer markets and into professional and government fleets.

The company’s new LiveWire fleet program debuted with its electric motorcycle models adapted to include law enforcement-specific features like sirens, emergency lighting, and reinforced mounting points for gear. They are designed for urban patrol duties, security, and events where agility and low operational noise are critical.

As LiveWire explains, the electric drivetrain offers several advantages over traditional gas-powered police motorcycles, including lower maintenance needs, reduced operational costs, and near-silent operation. Those can be strategic advantages for many law enforcement departments. Instant torque and quick acceleration also give officers a performance edge in dense urban environments.

Additionally, the lack of a clutch and the ability to operate the motorcycle entirely with just the right hand and right foot, as opposed to a traditional motorcycle requiring the use of both hands and both feet, make the bikes ideal for reducing rider fatigue during long shifts and for low-speed operation like motorcade duty.

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Departments will be able to configure bikes with a range of custom options through LiveWire’s fleet division. The fleet program highlights benefits such as regenerative braking for improved efficiency, customizable ride modes, and short recharging times allowing officers to quickly recharge during shifts if needed.

The initiative comes at a time when interest in electric police vehicles is rising. Several major cities have already begun integrating electric vehicles including e-bikes into their fleets to reduce emissions and lower fuel costs. LiveWire’s dedicated police motorcycles could help fill a niche where traditional gas-powered motorcycles are too noisy, high-maintenance, or costly for modern policing needs. That’s exaclty what we’ve seen in the past when the original Harley-Davidson LiveWire electric motorcycle was already drafted into police department use years ago.

For now, LiveWire’s police models are targeting agencies across North America, but given the growing global demand for greener fleets, it’s likely we’ll see broader adoption if the program proves successful.

Electric motorcycles have also proven popular among police departments and security forces both in the US and around the world.

As electric vehicle technology continues to improve and charging infrastructure expands, it’s all but inevitable that more police and security fleets will gradually transition to electric models.

The combination of lower operating costs, easier maintenance, and environmental benefits makes electrification an increasingly practical and attractive option for public safety agencies.

Current battery technology, which generally provides around 100 miles (160 km) of range, positions these electric motorcycles ideally for urban law enforcement roles. This urban setting is precisely where their strengths become most apparent. Quiet operation, zero emissions, and significantly reduced maintenance costs make electric police motorcycles particularly beneficial for high-mileage city fleets.

via: Officer.com

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Archer unveils eVTOL air taxi network with United to connect passengers to all major NYC airports

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Archer unveils eVTOL air taxi network with United to connect passengers to all major NYC airports

Imagine landing at JFK or LaGuardia after a fun but taxing vacation, and instead of hailing a two-hour cab ride or asking your brother-in-law to come and get you, you take to the skies in an eVTOL. You’re back on the ground in 15 minutes for a short trip back home to bed. What a time to be alive. eVTOL developer Archer Aviation is making this dream a reality alongside its business partner, United Airlines, offering travelers to NYC a new map of air taxi routes to travel to and from NYC airports.

As you may or may not already know, Archer Aviation ($ACHR) is a Santa Clara, California-based aviation developer specializing in designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, particularly for use in urban air mobility (UAM) networks such as air taxi services.

Archer remains one of the more exciting eVTOL developers we follow and stays relevant on our news beat with steady announcements of new partnerships with companies worldwide to develop and implement networks of sustainable air travel using its flagship Midnight eVTOL aircraft.

One of Archer’s long-standing partners has been Stellantis, which signed an agreement to become the exclusive manufacturer of Archer’s eVTOL technology at a new facility in the US, specifically Covington, Georgia. Last summer, Archer announced that a new US facility had completed construction, and Midnight eVTOL production was scheduled to begin in early 2025.

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In addition to Stellantis, plenty of other big names have invested in Archer and/or signed agreements with the eVTOL specialist, including Boeing and ARK Invest. Aviation companies like Southwest and Soracle in Japan have signed ventures to establish eVTOL air taxi networks in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Chicago – the latter of which comes via a landmark agreement with Signature Airlines signed in June 2024.

Another partner is United Airlines, which is working alongside Archer to establish a new eVTOL air taxi network around the NYC metropolitan area, connecting Manhattan to several nearby airports. You can see the NYC air taxi route map below:

Air taxi NYC
Source: Archer

Archer unveils eVTOL air taxi routes coming to NYC

Archer Aviation unveiled the initial route map for air taxi operations in NYC this morning alongside details of its ongoing partnership with United Airlines. The pending air taxi network includes vertiports at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports around NYC and a presence at regional airports and three helipads in the city itself.

Per Archer, the goal is to provide travelers with a new, safe, and sustainable method of transportation in which they can visit a nearby heliport and fly 5 to 15 minutes in a Midnight eVTOL to their destination as opposed to potentially sitting in hours of NYC traffic. Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein elaborated:

The New York region is home to three of the world’s preeminent airports, serving upwards of 150 million passengers annually. But the drive from Manhattan to any of these airports can be painful, taking one, sometimes two hours. We want to change that by giving residents and visitors the option to complete trips in mere minutes. With its existing helicopter infrastructure, regulatory support and strong demand, I believe New York could be one of the first markets for air taxis in the United States.

Thanks to its partnership with United, Archer said its future passengers can book air taxi flights in NYC as an “add-on” to their existing itinerary. As an example, the eVTOL developer said a customer would be able to take a Midnight eVTOL, which is designed to transport four passengers plus a pilot, from a vertiport downtown to the Newark Airport in less than ten minutes, then go through security and board their commercial flight as normal, saving tons of time along the way.

Source: Archer

As a long-term investor and customer in Archer’s eVTOL technology, United Airlines intends to work alongside its partner to help make these air taxi routes around NYC a reality. Andrew Chang, Head of United Airlines Ventures, also spoke:

At United, our focus is on driving innovation, reimagining the future of air travel and enhancing the customer experience every step of the journey. Our strategic collaboration with Archer will be key to our efforts to build and optimize the infrastructure – such as real estate development, air space management, and safety and security protocols – necessary to bring advanced air mobility to our customers.

Here is the full list of planned vertiports for air taxi travel around the NYC metropolitan area:

  • Major Airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Airport
  • NYC Helipads: East 34th Street Heliport, Downtown Skyport, West 30th Street Heliport
  • Regional Airports: Westchester County Airport, Teterboro Airport, Republic Airport

The NYC network is a part of Archer’s more extensive plans to establish eVTOL air taxi travel across populated and traffic-dense areas in the US, including additional networks in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Archer shared it is currently working through the final stages of FAA approval to get those routes up and running.

A representative for the company shared the following update when asked when we might see Archer air taxi operations in the New York City area:

We’re taking a step by step approach for any new market we’re launching in, starting with a few aircraft on a few routes. We’ll ramp commercial operations upon receiving Type Certification from the FAA. We’re in the final stages of FAA type certification for Midnight, and once complete, we’ll be ready to begin commercial operations. We will start slowly, with a “crawl, walk, run” approach with Midnight’s roll-out. In the U.S., we’ve identified New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco as our initial markets.

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