The Fucare electric bikes I’ve tested in the past have largely been fast and powerful machines, but always within the realm of reason. Apparently, that streak has come to an end with the new Fucare Gemini X Sport Dual Motor Dual Battery electric bike, which throws reason to the wind with so much power and speed that you can’t really call it much of an electric ‘bicycle’ anymore.
What I mean is that any two-wheeled EV that can hit 35 mph (56 km/h) is so far beyond the standard e-bike regulations in the US that it can’t even pretend to be in the grey area anymore.
This is a certifiable electric moped, at least in a hyperbolic sense. Good luck getting actual certificates like trying to register it as a motorbike.
But that’s a future problem. Let’s talk about the present, which means it’s time to jump into a review of how this crazy powerful e-moped actually rides.
Extras: LCD display, LED head and tail lights, kickstand, suspension fork, 4″ fat tires, and included fenders & rear rack
Double the trouble, twice
Double batteries usually means double the range. But in this case, doubling the motors keeps the usual range closer to a standard single-battery/single-motor bike, unless you’re choosing to limit that power or only use one motor for casual riding.
Even without getting the double-range benefit, you’re getting a lot of extra power and the ability to supply that power. The pair of supposedly UL-compliant batteries gives us nearly 1.5 kWh of capacity, which is a veritable ton of battery on an e-bike.
I’m glad to see that both batteries get tucked away inside that rather neat-looking trellis frame too. Fucare scores some bonus points in my book for their novel frame designs, which help them look interesting and unique compared to the same old e-bike designs we see from many different companies.
On the other hand, the frame also has its problems, including that the rear chainstays (the tubes on either side of the rear motor) splay out so far that I get heel strike as I pedal. I’ve learned to spread my heels out to avoid it, but it’s not something you should have to adapt to – it should just be designed well to begin with.
There are other compromises too, such as the extreme weight of the bike, pushing 99 lb (45 kg). I had to set up a hanging scale just to check that figure, as you’ll see in my video review above. That is a lot of bike!
And it should be no surprise where all of that weight is coming from. Those dual motors and dual batteries are chunky, of course. That’s a major contributor. But the bike also has a hefty dual crown suspension fork, wide (and heavy) 4″ tires, and a bunch of other add-ons like fenders, rear rack, LED lights, big and visible display, hydraulic disc brakes, etc.
Each of these components add to the usability of the bike, and so I’m glad they’re there. But they each also add to that weight, leaving us just one pound shy of triple digits.
Of course most people are going to treat this bike more like a motorcycle anyway, and so I don’t see a lot of folks attempting to lift this into their car or carry it up a flight of stairs. This is very much a moped or motorbike replacement. It gets well over 30 mph on throttle (with a full battery and a tucked riding posture, you can get close to 35 mph). It’s got a motorcycle-style fork and enough rubber on the road to hug those turns with confidence. And the whole thing just screams motorbike, not electric bicycle. So it’s obvious that weight savings were the last thing on the designer’s minds.
Ultimately, the price is what makes or breaks a lot of these direct-to-consumer electric bikes, and Fucare seems to know that very well. At $1,699, it’s hard to fault the company on performance-to-price ratio.
There aren’t many e-bikes with 1,500W of power, 30+ mph speeds, dual motors, dual batteries, and a slick-looking frame for this price. In fact, most don’t even get close to this price. So I commend Fucare in that sense.
On the other hand, you’re basically taking a risk every time you ride this bike on the road and pretend to be an e-bike, since it is obviously so far outside of Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike specs in most states in the US. So as an off-road only bike, go for it. But for on-road use, you should either adjust the settings appropriately for your local laws or at least ride respectfully of others around you, especially when sharing bike lanes and other areas with vulnerable road users.
This is a lot of bike, and it’s fun to know you can get these performance specs at this price. But you better know going in that this is a vehicle that requires some serious responsibility, too. And a good helmet. And probably a good jacket, while you’re at it.
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Tesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees.
It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years.
When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks.
The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian.
Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via Bloomberg):
Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms.
Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement.
While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights.
And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation.
Electrek’s Take
The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used.
The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack.
French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.
By installing its high-powered charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into a solid metal pipe, Kempower and Proviridis have been able to make room for high-powered charging points in an existing truck depot that didn’t have enough space to install either conventional EVSE or overhead “drop lines.”
For the pilot, the metal pipe is painted in a striking yellow color to make it easier to see while maneuvering the lot, and keeping the dispensers themselves more protected than conventional concrete bollards. The 600 kW power cabinet is positioned a few yards away – a typical space-saving Kempower solution – and connected to the charge points by underground cable.
Proviridis believes their solution provides enough of a competitive advantage that fleet buyers looking to electrify will be eager to give it a try.
“The product is durable across a wide spectrum of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can cater for a wide range of customer needs,” explains Olivier Verdu, Technical Director at Proviridis. “These are features which perfectly place the Kempower solution for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.”
In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.
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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal
Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.
The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.
The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.
By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.
But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.
The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all
The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.
When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.
You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.
Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.
Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.
The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.
With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:
10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200.“ That’s a $500 discount in total!
We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you.
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