Xtracycle Hopper launched as brand’s most affordable premium cargo e-bike yet
Xtracycle’s reputation precedes it in the bicycling industry, with over two decades of building cargo e-bikes that ride and feel more like a traditional bicycle. Long known for premium builds, the brand’s line of cargo electric bikes has also carried premium prices. At least until the launch of the new Xtracycle Hopper today, which ushers in not only a new compact format but also a much more attractive price.
Compared to Xtracycle’s flagship cargo e-bikes in the $4-5k range, the new Xtracycle Hopper’s US $2,999 MSRP (or $2,499 promotional price) is designed to make high-quality cargo electric bikes more accessible to a wider range of families.
The company got there with a major redesign, including adopting a rear hub motor instead of a traditional mid-drive setup.
However, premium parts still abound, including a suspension dropper post, punchy hydraulic brakes, and key cargo accessories like cargo racks and child safety enclosures that are included in the price.
The Xtracycle Hopper may look like a sleeker, more European-styled e-bike from afar, but it definitely sneaks in the American muscle where it counts. That includes a powerful 750W rear motor and the all-important handlebar-mounted throttle that lets riders occasionally (or continuously) leave pedaling behind for an easier ride.
Of course, the bike still offers traditional pedal assist and even includes a torque sensor to make that pedaling as natural and responsive as possible. It can even achieve Class 3 speeds of up to 28 mph (45 km/h) on pedal assist, though the inclusion of a throttle is important for many riders who want to know they’ve always got a backup in case they get a bit drained on a long ride.
And for riders who regularly carry heavy loads or kids (the bike is rated to support up to 500 lb or 227 kg), a throttle is a quick and easy way to get rolling.
A 720Wh removable battery is hidden in the downtube, removing the chunky eyesore of an externally mounted battery but maintaining the desirable feature of being able to charge the battery off of the bike on occasion.
Both the bike’s e-bike system and the lithium-ion battery are certified UL-compliant by SGS laboratories, marking a key safety metric that is becoming increasingly important in the US.
The bike isn’t a lightweight at 85 lb (38.5 kg), but that also includes all of the accessories that come with the bike, including the front rack, foot rails, and the Hooptie (that child protection cage in the back to keep the kiddos safely contained inside of an aluminum structure).
The rear rack even features a Tern-like structure that allows the bike to be parked vertically on its tail to take up less space in a garage or apartment.
The Hopper also has several other included features that come standard, such as fenders and LED lighting, hydraulic disc brakes, a dropper suspension seat post (handle hidden under the saddle), a wide double kickstand for stable parking, and a brightly lit LED display.
Beginning presales today, riders can use the promotional coupon HOP500 to drop the Xtracycle Hopper’s price to $2,499. Shipping is expected to begin on October 11th.
Electrek’s Take
I’m super excited about this launch (and not just because I’ll be testing a Hopper soon too). I’ve always loved seeing cargo bikes gain traction in replacing SUVs as around-the-town utility vehicles. But in order to achieve daily use, they generally need to be higher quality models.
Don’t get me wrong: a budget-priced cargo e-bike has its place. But those super low-cost models generally are designed more for sporadic use, such as a few times a week. When used daily for months, they quickly show their wear. But higher spec’d models with more robust components tend to hold up to that daily grind riding much better, and that’s the key to getting more people to leave their SUV in the garage for as many trips as they can perform on a bike.
At $2.5k for a higher-end cargo e-bike, this is starting to get much closer to justifiable for many families, especially those that can finally consider becoming a one-car-and-one-e-bike family instead of needing two cars. And as an added bonus, there’s a lot more space left in the garage, especially considering that you could fit four Hoppers in the spot of an average car.
Sure, you don’t get the fancy Bosch motor or top-shelf shifters you’ll find on pricier cargo models, but you still get a lot of great parts here, not to mention all of the accessories that are included in the price. So this is definitely an exciting launch for anyone considering a cargo bike as a daily rider scenario.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss the new Tesla Model S/X “refresh”, robotaxi service is coming, a new EV price war in China, and more.
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Kia’s electric SUV has already become a hit in several overseas markets. The EV5 is now arriving as the first electric Kia to be assembled in Singapore, as it rolls out to new global markets.
Kia EV5 arrives as its first locally made EV in Singapore
Shortly after its introduction at the 2023 Chengdu Motor Show, Kia launched the EV5 in China, with prices starting at about 20,000 (149,800 yuan).
Kia is now seeing a full-on recovery in China, largely thanks to the new electric SUV. Its joint venture partner in China, Yueda Kia, ranked first in sales growth among JV brands.
In China, Kia sold over 248,000 vehicles last year, the first time it has crossed the 200,000 mark since 2020. The EV5 is made at Yueda Kia’s manufacturing plant in China and exported to overseas markets like Australia and Thailand.
In fact, the EV5 is currently the fourth best-selling EV in Australia this year through April, ahead of every BYD vehicle.
The EV5 is slightly smaller than the Tesla Model Y at 4,615 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,715 mm in height.
After launching the EV5 in Singapore on May 28, Kia hit a milestone. The electric SUV arrives as Kia’s first locally assembled EV in the region.
The EV5 was officially launched during an event at Hyundai Motor Innovation Groupe Centre Singapore, where it will be made. It will join other Hyundai Motor electric cars, including the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6. Hyundai also builds the IONIQ 5 robotaxi here and exports it to the US.
Kia’s distributor, Cycle and Carriage, will sell the EV5 in three variants: Air, Earth, and a sporty GT-line. Two battery sizes will be available, 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh, providing range of 400 km and 540 km, respectively.
Prices for the base Air trim start at $194,000 (SDG), including COE. The Earth and GT-Line models start at $210,500 (SDG) and $260,000 (SDG) with COE.
Later this year, Kia will launch the global version of the EV5, which will be made at its Autoland Gwangju manufacturing plant in South Korea. It will be sold in overseas markets, including Europe and Canada, but not the US.
Kia confirmed the EV5 will be “exclusively for the Canadian market” in North America. It will be available in FWD and AWD powertrains. Two battery sizes will be offered: 60.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh, providing a range of up to 500 km (310 miles).
Source: Cycle & Carriage Kia Pte Ltd, The Straits Times
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Do we smell a three-peat? The team at Ford Performance is once again competing at the annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, and this year is bringing a “Super” version of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E… At least we think there’s a Mach-E in there somewhere.
Pikes Peak—the “Race to the Clouds.” This annual event spanning 12.42 miles to an elevation of over 14,000 feet in the mountains above Colorado has been celebrated for over 100 years. While its hill climb is rooted in tradition and traditional vehicles, it has become an annual opportunity for EV engineers to showcase how much better all-electric models can be.
Last year, Rivian, Hyundai, and Ford Performance all impressed, with the former two automakers snagging records for their vehicle types, while Ford’s “F-150 Supertruck” took the “King of the Mountain” crown for the fastest climb of the day.
This past January, we learned that Ford Performance planned to defend its title at Pikes Peak with its third all-electric demonstrator in as many years. At the time, we only saw a sheeted vehicle that appeared to be relatively low with a massive spoiler, but the glowing front emblem left no doubt that it was a modified version of the Mustang Mach-E.
Today, Ford Performance unveiled the BEV it will use to climb Pikes Peak, which it is calling the Super Mustang Mach-E. Have a gander.
Super Mach-E will try to hold Ford’s Pikes Peak crown
Ford Performance shared the images seen above in an Instagram post with the following caption:
12 miles of mountain road. 156 turns. 14,115 feet of elevation. This is the @pikespeakhillclimb, and we’re bringing 6,125 lbs of downforce — and @romaindumas_official — to take it on with the Super Mustang Mach-E.
From the post, we’ve learned the Super Mustang Mach-E will be driven up Pikes Peak by none other than veteran French racer Romain Dumas. Dumas has a wealth of experience in some of the world’s largest (and longest) races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring 24 Hours, and the 24 Hours of Daytona.
He has been contracted to Ford Performance since 2022 and has won two of his five Hill Climb victories with the American automaker in the past two years (although the 2023 SuperVan victory was in the division and second overall). Could Dumas tally his sixth career victory at Pike Peak with a three-peat with Ford in the Super Mustang Mach-E?
Ford Performance and Romain Dumas have shown they can do it, so it’s a serious possibility. We will find out on June 22, 2025, when the 103rd running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place.
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