In what couldn’t have been more on-the-nose timing, a group of local California newspapers published an editorial on Christmas Eve calling for the end of a generous $2,000 voucher program intended to help low-income Californians afford electric bicycles for transportation.

The editorial was provided by the Southern California News Group, a collection of California newspapers owned by the hedge fund Alden Global Capital.

In it, the writers air a number of grievances against the program, which recently closed its first round of applications intended to provide around 1,500 e-bike vouchers of between US $1,750 to $2,000 each. The vouchers can be used to offset the price of electric bicycles and associated gear such as protective equipment, locks, etc.

The first complaint in the op-ed is that the total number of vouchers provided in the first round was relatively small compared to the large size of the California e-bike market. However, instead of suggesting that the budget be increased to help more Californians achieve transportation independence, as we called for recently, the editorial takes the opposite position of suggesting that the program simply be canceled.

Next, the writers bemoan an increase in electric bicycle and electric scooter accidents in recent years, suggesting that this should be weighed against the benefits of helping more Californians afford such vehicles.

However, the argument seems to conveniently overlook the fact that the vast majority of such accidents aren’t caused by e-bike riders, but rather those riders are in fact usually the victims. The actual danger to safety on roads is vehicular traffic, i.e. cars and trucks.

Furthermore, many studies have shown that in crashes caused by e-bike riders, such as when an e-bike rider hits another cyclist or pedestrian, the injuries are on average considerably lighter and more recoverable than in car-related crashes.

If the goal was to protect Californians, then instead of firmly clutching their pearls, perhaps the editorial writers should have urged a reduction in the use of cars and trucks, not a reduction in e-bike vouchers.

The op-ed even goes on to lament the number of children riding electric bicycles in California, though admits further on that children aren’t eligible to receive vouchers as part of California’s e-bike incentive program.

Electrek’s Take

California’s e-bike incentive program is certainly far from perfect. We even discussed many of its shortcomings last week. But the program’s essence is to do a good thing—using public tax money to benefit the public. The solution should be to improve the program, not to remove it. And the simple fact of the matter is that most people who are vehemently against the program are those who don’t directly benefit from it, even if they fail to realize that they will ultimately indirectly benefit.

Electric bicycles are one of the most cost-effective ways to provide transportation independence to marginalized and low-income groups. But it’s more than just that. They’re also the best way to get people out of cars and reduce traffic for everyone. Even ignoring the long-term environmental effects related to reducing the impacts of climate change, e-bikes are uniquely capable of making a larger impact on air quality today by helping to remove sources of emissions from a vehicle’s production all the way through its lifetime use and even to its eventual disposal/recycling. When someone rides an e-bike instead of taking a car, taxi, or bus, everyone’s lungs benefit.

Sure, the California program isn’t perfect. But if a media group owned by a wealthy hedgefund and catering to a well-to-do readership doesn’t like it, then that means it’s probably doing something helpful to people who actually need it. That’s the kind of world I want to live in, at least for as long as it’s still liveable.

Sixthreezero’s wide range of electric bike models includes some fairly out-there models, but the company’s new four-wheeled electric bike really charts a new direction in the industry. Take a look at the new ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike.

It’s a mouthful of a name, but the ANYterrain Stabilized 4-wheel Electric Bike hauls more than just a bunch of extra words. The bike is rated to carry up to 350 lb (159 kg), and the 750W motor ensures it has the power to do so. With speeds of up to 20 mph (32 km/h), the quad bike is just as fast as most Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.

But the real game changer here is the design, offering four-wheeled stability that riders can’t get from a conventional three-wheeled trike.

Not only do four wheels provide better stability with a wider footprint, but the steering on the bike uses leaning geometry to take turns more naturally, helping riders feel even more stable.

With 20″ wheels in the rear and 16″ wheels in the front, the quad bike keeps a fairly low center of gravity. All four wheels use 4″ fat tires for better offroad riding and more comfortable shock absorption compared to narrow tires, and the rear wheels even feature a differential to better apply the motor’s power to the ground.

A twist throttle makes it easy to roll on that power, and a D/R switch on the bars lets riders put it in reverse for cases where they need a little help wiggling around in tight spaces. Pedaling backward from a stop can also engage the reverse. At 120 lbs (54 kg), this isn’t the type of bike you can just pick up and move around the garage without a little help so that reverse feature will likely come in handy.

A 48V and 20Ah battery offers 960Wh of capacity, which the company says translates into a range of up to 50 miles (80 km).

The battery is housed under a cargo basket in the rear, though a bench seat can be swapped for the basket, allowing riders to carry a passenger with them.

Electrek’s Take

This certainly won’t be a mass market type of e-bike, but I can see a real use case for neighborhood riding and local errands, especially for folks who don’t feel stable on a bicycle or even a trike.

Despite trikes offering great stability when going straight, some people can feel uncomfortable making turns on a trike, especially at higher speeds, because they can sometimes feel tippy under certain scenarios. This quad bike can still tip if you take a turn sharp enough, but the wider stance combined with the leaning steering means riders will even more stable than on a trike.

And since this will likely be used more by older riders, the reverse is an important feature for letting folks park the bike easily without dismounting and dragging it around.

There could be some legal hurdles in some areas that define “bicycles” as having either two or three wheels, but I’m guessing most cops aren’t jumping at the opportunity to ticket grandma for riding her quad bike on the local rails to trails network.

I love seeing more options like this, and I commend Sixthreezero for providing such interesting options to add to the market.

Who said you had to break the bank to drive an electric vehicle? Several EV lease deals are available this December for under $300 or even $200 per month, but the savings may not last long. Here are some of the best EVs to consider leasing right now.

Electric vehicles accounted for nearly 9% of all vehicle sales in the US in the third quarter, its highest level on record.

“The growth is being fueled in part by incentives and discounts,” According to Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of Industry Insights at Cox Automotive. The other part is the influx of more affordable models hitting the market.

In addition to the $7,500 federal tax credit, some discounts on EV models are reaching $10,000 to upwards of $20,000.

The massive incentives slash monthly payment prices, in many cases making them even more affordable than comparable gas-powered cars. According to a new Experian report, leasing accounted for 45% of all new EV transactions in the third quarter. That’s up significantly from 25% last year and just 9.5% in Q3 2022.

Including incentives, the average monthly payment for leasing an EV was $198 less than if you financed a new model.

With Trump’s transition team reportedly planning to “kill off” the $7,500 EV tax credit, the savings could largely disappear. As buyers rush to take advantage of the discounts, EV sales are expected to surge this month.

EV lease deals for under $300 a month this December

To close out the year strong and make room for new models, several companies are offering significant discounts on popular electric models, including Kia, Hyundai, Honda, GM, Ford, Stellantis, and more.

According to online automotive research firm CarsDirect, several EV models are even available for lease for under $300 or even $200 per month right now. You can view offers in your area at the bottom.

The 2025 Kia Niro EV remains one of the most affordable electric cars on the market, with leases starting at as low as $149 for 24 months. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective rate is just $315 per month. That’s even cheaper than the plug-in hybrid model at $414 per month (including $3,499 due at signing).

Kia also offers a $199 per month for 36 months EV lease deal. With $3,999 due at signing, the effective cost is just $310 per month.

The EV6, Kia’s dedicated EV based on the same platform as Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, is listed with lease prices as low as $159 for 24 months. With $3,849 due at signing, the 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Range RWD trim costs just $319 per month to lease.

Speaking of the IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s electric SUV is also available to lease this month for under $200. Through its “Hyundai Getaway Sales Event,” Hyundai is offering a $159 for 36 months lease offer on the IONIQ 5. Hyundai’s big savings come as the upgraded 2025 model is arriving at dealers.

You can also snag the 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 for the same $159 per month. With $3,999 due at signing the effective cost is just $326 per month.

Nissan’s Ariya electric SUV is another top choice, with lease prices starting at as low as $99 per month. However, that’s only available in Colorado. In other parts of the country, like New York, the 2024 Nissan Ariya is listed at $169 for 24 months. With $6,219 upfront, the effective rate is $428 per month.

Fiat’s compact 500e EV is available to lease for $179 for 42 months this December. With $2,999 due at signing, you can lease the 2024 500e INSPI(RED) trim for just $250 per month.

You can score Fiat’s EV for even cheaper in some areas. For example, one dealership in Colorado is offering a $0 for 27 month lease deal with $0 down, making the 500e essentially free.

Honda’s Prologue was the third best-selling EV in the US last month as sales continue surging this year. In a year end promo, Honda made the electric SUV even more attractive with a 0% APR offer and up to $6,000 off.

Although not under $200, you may want to consider a few other EV lease deals this month. For example, Honda is offering its electric Prologue at just $259 per month for 36 months. With $2,999 due upfront, you can drive off in Honda’s electric SUV for just $342 per month. That’s less than a Honda Civic at $279 per month despite costing nearly twice as much.

At just $299 for 24 months, the 2024 Chevy Equinox EV is also worth a look. With $3,169 due at signing, you can lease the electric Equinox for just $431 per month.

Tesla is offering three free months of Supercharging and Full Self-Driving in its year end deals. However, you must take delivery by December 31, 2024.

Ford is another company making a strong end of year push with big savings on electric models. Through its new “Power Promise”, all EV buyers get a free Level 2 home charger and Ford will cover the cost of standard installation.

Ready to take advantage of the savings? We can help you find the best EV lease deals in your area. Check out our links below to view offers on popular electric models in your area.