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In true Lectric style, North America’s largest e-bike company just unveiled the latest generation of its best-selling electric bike in a high-energy, adrenaline-fueled product launch this morning. The Lectric XP4 is the newest generation of the ultra-popular e-bike line, and once again brings a shocking level of upgrades at price points never before seen in the industry.

To put it simply, Lectric has done it again; they’ve absolutely crushed it and set a new high watermark for value in the US folding e-bike market.

The XP line is the best-selling electric bike in the US, so this was bound to be a hotly-anticipated launch. With roughly 1 out of every 10 electric bikes sold in the US being a Lectric XP (out of many hundreds of models available in the market), any new launch in the product line was set to grab eyeballs. And despite the extremely high expectations, Lectric appears to have risen to not only meet them but likely exceed what most could have expected at this price point.

The launch of the new XP4 actually includes a pair of launches, with the base 500W model offering the same $999 price tag we’ve come to know ever since the XP 2.0 days. A new long-range XP4, which swaps the 10.4Ah battery for a massive 17.5Ah battery and upgrades the motor to 750W, bares only a slightly higher $1,299 price tag.

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“Because this model is so important to us and our riding community, we were determined to hold the line on price,” said Lectric eBikes co-founder and CEO Levi Conlow. “While other e-bike companies continue to raise prices and launch new products at higher price points, we know riders are going to appreciate Lectric going against the grain and making huge improvements for the same entry price we set more than four years ago.”

Levi isn’t paying lip service there, either. Both models share a number of key upgrades covering everything from the hardware design to the included componentry, and even the riding feel.

Both models include a new in-house designed torque sensor, offering smoother and more responsive pedal assist across the full range of power levels. A new 56-tooth chainring is larger and provides a more comfortable pedal cadence at higher speeds, meaning those taking advantage of the Class 3-capable 28 mph (45 km/h) speed can do so without their feet needing to spin uncomfortably fast.

The handlebars now feature an upgraded TFT color display with a built in USB-C port for phone and device charging. Having personally tested the e-bike yesterday, I can attest to just how beautifully designed the TFT screen truly is, providing much more information to the rider yet in a neatly laid out way that keeps it clear and easy to read, even in bright sunlight.

My full first ride experience will be coming soon, but first let’s continue with what makes these models so new and innovative.

The frame has been redesigned with a novel rack setup, a larger main frame tube to accommodate the longer-range battery, and a new handlebar stem that provides a more comfortable reach in the cockpit. That rear rack adds to both the bike’s appearance and utility, providing a color and styling accent but also offering more compatibility for accessories mounted to its round tubes while still maintaining the boxier tubes consistent with the design legacy across the XP models’ successive frames.

New hydraulic disc brakes were developed specifically for Lectric and provide punchier stops than the previous version’s hydraulic disc brakes. The brakes’ model number of 602 even pays subtle homage to the area code in Phoenix, Lectric’s headquarters.

The transmission also received an upgrade, with the lower tier 7-speed Tourney derailleur getting replaced with a step up in Shimano’s hierarchy to an 8-speed Altus.

Other hardware improvements on the bike include the quick-release pedals, which have been redesigned, increasing the quality and making them easier to use. The new derailleur is matched with new trigger shifters on the right side of the handlebars paired with Lectric’s upgraded locking ergonomic bar ends. The new shifters and bar ends required a new throttle though, resulting in an updated left-side paddle-style thumb throttle.

The lighting on the XP4 has also been upgraded, now including rear turn signals.

The keyway for locking the battery has been relocated to the non-drive side of the main tube, making it easier to access, and is located next to a newly designed cover for the charging port and on/off button for the battery.

Like all of Lectric’s e-bikes, the XP4 is compliant with UL2849, and the two battery sizes are both compatible with a 5A fast charger that provides a full recharge in either 2 or 3.5 hours for the smaller or larger battery option.

New 20×3.0 tires include a mixed-terrain tread with a novel design that creates a smoother center patch for quieter riding on smooth surfaces like asphalt but retains enough knobbiness on the edges for better grip in off-road riding conditions. The tires’ quiet ride has been specifically designed to complement the ultra-quiet Stealth motor that Lectric has brought from its other models to the new XP4.

Unlike the XP 3.0 that had previously been available in just white or black, the new XP4 comes in multiple color options, a nod to customers who often asked the company for more variety in colorways. The XP4 now includes color options of Stratus White, Tempest Gray, Raindrop Blue, and Pine Green. The bike is also available in two frame styles of standard and step-over.

Pre-orders are now open for the XP4, priced at either $999 or $1,299 for the 500W and 750W versions, with shipping expected to begin next month.

Electrek’s Take

It’s hard to overstate how big of a deal the XP4’s launch is, especially considering that the starting price has remained the same affordable $999. At a time when tariffs are forcing other companies to increase prices, the XP4 stands head and shoulders above other folding e-bikes in the US market, not just on price but also on features.

If you take the $1,299 long-range version with the 750W motor and 840Wh battery, it’s easy to see how far ahead it is of the competition. If the only thing Lectric had done was put that big battery and torque sensor in it, the bike already would have surpassed any other leading brand’s folding e-bike on value. There just isn’t another torque sensor-based 840Wh folding e-bike out there at this price point. But then Lectric went so much further. All of the additions are like a mountain of cherries on top of an already alluring XP4 sundae. From the beautiful new TFT display to the super punchy new brakes, from the upgraded derailleur to the quieter tires and motor, from the easy-to-use quick-release pedals to the improved ergonomics of the handlebars – it’s just more heaped on top of more.

The one feature I wish they would have included would have been Apple FindMy integration to allow for easy tracking of a lost or stolen e-bike. Trust me, I tried to plant the bug in Lectric co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Robby Deziel’s ear, but to no avail. Oh well, maybe but there’s still hope for including location tracking on the XP5.

There’s one thing for sure though: Everyone else is still competing for second place against Lectric. That’s nothing new, but now the gap between Lectric and others has continued to grow. There was already no better option when it comes to bang-for-your-buck in the folding e-bike space, and now Lectric has grown that value gap even further.

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Slate poaches key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck

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Slate poaches key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck

Slate Auto, a new EV startup backed by Jeff Bezos, has poached a key Tesla manufacturing leader to build its electric pickup truck factory in Indiana.

Napoleon Reyes is a US Marine from Indiana who got a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue after leaving the force.

He then worked a few years at Subaru and Wabash before joining Tesla’s manufacturing team at the Fremont Factory in 2020.

There, he became part of the Model Y production ramp and was quickly promoted to lead the Model Y General Assembly in Fremont in 2022.

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Reyes led Model Y GA, one of the most critical parts of vehicle manufacturing, for more than a year before being promoted again to lead new pilot processes at the factory.

Most recently, he led the launch of the general assembly line for the Model Y refresh.

The new engineering manager announced this week that he is leaving Tesla to join Slate:

A bit late on the post but after nearly 5 years working at Tesla in Fremont, I made the difficult decision to leave the Company and move closer to home with my family. It was an incredible experience being part of multiple line expansions and multiple Model Y program launches. Leading and managing the Model Y Refresh launch for GA in Fremont this year tested me professionally however we ultimately succeeded due to our amazing cross functional team collaboration. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with such great people, and I will forever be proud and thankful for everything we accomplished together.

I will be taking on a new role as Senior Manager, Plant Vehicle Engineering at Slate Auto in Warsaw, In.

Slate emerged from stealth mode earlier this year to unveil a new type of electric pickup truck featuring modular customization and an affordable price.

The company raised over $700 million through two rounds of investments from several different investors, including Jeff Bezos. It is currently raising more, which basically guarantees that it will be able to reach production.

The startup acquired a former printing plant in Warsaw, Indiana. It is currently converting to manufacture its electric pickup with a team from legacy automakers and also several former engineers and leaders from Tesla.

Rich Schmidt, an early Tesla manufacturing director, is the head of manufacturing.

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Genesis GV90 coach door system revealed in new patent

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Genesis GV90 coach door system revealed in new patent

Genesis is preparing to shake things up with its most luxurious SUV yet, the GV90. Thanks to a new patent filing, we are getting a detailed look at how its Rolls-Royce-style coach doors will work.

New patent reveals Genesis GV90 coach door system

When Genesis first unveiled the full-size SUV at the NY Auto Show last March, it wasn’t the stunning design or advanced tech that caught everyone’s attention. It was the coach doors.

Although we were worried it wouldn’t make it to the production model, like many concepts, the Genesis GV90 will be offered with coach doors.

The ultra-luxe electric SUV was first caught with coach doors earlier this year on a car carrier in South Korea. Just last month, the GV90 was spotted in California with a hinge at the rear to open the coach doors.

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After several new patents were filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for new door latching devices, we are getting a sneak peek at how they are expected to work.

The patents, titled “Cinching Device For Door Latches in Vehicle,” and “Door Latch Device for Vehicles,” give a pretty detailed explanation of how the Genesis GV90’s coach doors will operate. The “Door Latch Device” uses a door striker on the lower side of the door, which is opened or closed by a hinge unit.

Unlike traditional doors, which use the B-pillar for support, the device is attached directly to the door itself, allowing for hinge-like movement.

The cinching device works in a similar way. It’s also attached to the door and part of the vehicle. However, unlike most of its kind, Genesis found a way to use a single cinching device to control multiple units. Again, the device is used for B-pillarless doors that swing open.

Genesis already said that B-pillarless coach doors are now feasible in production vehicles. The patent reveals a glimpse into how the luxury automaker could make it a reality.

Genesis-GV90-coach-doors
Genesis Neolun ultra-luxury electric SUV concept (Source: Genesis)

Although the Genesis GV90 is expected to be offered with coach doors, they will likely not be standard. Other variants, with traditional door handles, have also been spotted testing in the US and South Korea.

Genesis is expected to launch the GV90 in mid-2026. It will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant in South Korea. The flagship Genesis SUV is scheduled to debut on Hyundai’s new eM platform, which the company said will “provide 50% improvement in driving range.” It will also be loaded with the latest technology, software, connectivity, and Level 3 or higher autonomous driving capabilities.

Source: USPTO

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Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more

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Podcast: Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more

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 launch of the Tesla Model YL, more Tesla probes and lawsuits, new Nissan Leaf pricing, and more.

The show is live every Friday at 4 p.m. ET on Electrek’s YouTube channel.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

After the show ends at around 5 p.m. ET, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

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We now have a Patreon if you want to help us avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the podcast:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 4:00 p.m. ET (or the video after 5 p.m. ET:

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