I’ve been using the pickup truck of electric bikes and it’s pretty amazing
You can call it a cargo bike. You can call it a passenger trike. You can call it a rickshaw. You can call it a lot of things. But after spending the last few weeks with the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus, I think the most accurate description is this: it’s the pickup truck of electric bikes.
I’ve used this thing for just about everything. I’ve packed it with kids – my nephews and niece giggling in the roomy rear section, either sitting happily on the fold-down bench with their feet planted firmly on the integrated footrests, or hay-ride style in the cargo-carrying rear bed with their full-size golden retriever along for the ride in there too.
I’ve carted around my adult sister. I even gave my dad a lift, and there was still room for more. Honestly, I think it could fit two modestly trim adults back there if you really wanted it to.
But the Conductor Plus is not just a people-mover. I also used it like a rolling cargo hauler. One day, I rode it to Target and came back with a full-size shelving unit strapped into the back. Another day, I turned it into a literal rolling booth for a neighborhood Purim carnival – decorated it with signs that said “Free Balloons,” a helium tank in the rear bed, and a chair for me to hand out balloons to kids (and fun-loving adults) around the neighborhood. The rear bed fit that helium tank, a chair for me, and my years of balloon animal-making skills. Whether balloon dogs or real dogs, that rear bed can hold a lot. (Theoretically there’s a 465 lb or 211 kg weight limit for the whole bike, but I don’t think I got close to testing that fully).
Sure, there are other heavy-hauling electric cargo bikes out there, but two-wheelers just don’t offer the same kind of stability at low speeds or massive volume of cargo that a trike provides.
The secret to all this versatility is that unique rear end. The Conductor Plus uses a fold-up/fold-down bench setup with an open cargo bed area that can be reconfigured on the fly. It’s like a bench-seat pickup in e-bike form.
Combined with a stable frame, fat tires, and a beefy 176-pound (80 kg) curb weight, the whole thing feels planted and secure no matter who (or what) you’re carrying.
I’d bet a lot of that stability comes from that weight – it’s definitely not light, but it keeps the ride steady even when you’re fully loaded. And even while riding over hilly inclines, it still felt plenty stable during turns.
I wouldn’t want to have to lift it into a truck, but as long as you’re planning on keeping all three wheels on the ground, the weight seems to be a benefit, not a detriment.
Performance-wise, it’s plenty peppy. The 750W motor has all the torque I needed, even with three extra kids onboard. Dual batteries (on the higher-end version) gave me long range – realistically over 50 miles (80 km) with a mix of throttle and pedal assist.
The good news is that a trike is usually ridden a bit slower, meaning the range ends up being longer than you’d expect. It can still hit 20 mph (32 km/h), and I definitely tested that on straightaways when I was by myself, but with cargo or passengers, I tended to ride a bit slower.
And it stops just as well as it goes, thanks to a total of three dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes for safety, each with their own parking brake. That’s an underrated feature, especially when you’re loading up kids or dogs and don’t want the bike rolling away on you. I’ve tried electric trikes before that had no parking brake, and they will literally just roll away from you when dismounting on even the slightest hill, since there’s no kickstand on the ground to “anchor” yourself.
And speaking of safety, the battery (or batteries, on the dual battery model) are UL-certified for extra peace of mind.
There are a few downsides to note. It’s heavy, like I said, which makes it hard to transport in a vehicle unless you’ve got a full-on ramp to get it in the back of a truck. You’re not throwing this on a bike rack or carrying it upstairs to your apartment. You’re definitely going to need a dedicated garage to park it in (and it will take up more room than a typical bicycle in your garage).
And it’s not cheap, either. The single-battery version runs $3,800, while the dual-battery model climbs to $4,250. But honestly, for what it replaces (second car, cargo bike, grocery-getter, dog hauler, mobile balloon stand…), it starts to make sense. And if it means your family can get around without needing a second car, then it probably pays for itself in literally just a couple of months when you factor in the savings on car payments, gasoline, insurance, etc.
I honestly think this would be an ideal vehicle for dropping the kids off at school, doing large grocery runs, or all sorts of other utility style tasks – the things many Americans use a pickup truck or an SUV for every day.
In my opinion, the Oh Wow Cycles Conductor Plus is one of the most versatile electric bikes I’ve tested in a long time. Whether you’re hauling humans, dogs, shelving units, or helium tanks, this bike just says “yes.” And isn’t that what a good pickup truck or SUV should do – actually serve for utility tasks?
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Fortescue is marching towards zero emissions as it invests in new, zero-emission mining equipment options across its global operations. And that investment? It’s already paying off. One analyst says the company’s saving almost $400 million in fuel costs alone. Each year.
From massive, Liebherr-built electric haul trucks and excavators to more than $400 million in Chinese equipment from XCMG, Fortescue is putting its money where its mouth is and making real efforts to decarbonize its global mining operations.
“We’re moving rapidly to decarbonize our Pilbara iron ore operations and eliminate our Scope 1 and 2 terrestrial emissions by 2030. To achieve this target, we will need to swap out hundreds of pieces of diesel mining equipment at the end of their life with zero emissions alternatives,” said Fortescue Metals Chief Executive Officer, Dino Otranto, when the XCMG order was announced. “As the global mining industry continues to evolve, we’re proud to be at the forefront of driving innovation in value adding green technology and showing the world that industry can decarbonize.”
Those efforts aren’t just cutting back on air pollution. Electric equipment assets are helping to keep the company’s workers safe and healthy, too. What’s more, they’re saving the company money – they’re already seeing $300-400 million in fuel savings annually.
Liebherr T264 electric haul truck
The Liebherr T264 electric haul trucks now working for Fortescue defy common sense notions of size, scale, and power. Each truck tips the scales at 176 tonnes (194 tons) and can haul more than 240 tonnes (265 tons) of payload thanks to powerful electric motors and a big-as-a-house-sized 3.2 MWh battery that can be recharged in a little over 30 minutes by Liebherr’s proprietary 6 MW DC fast charger.
If you could keep the car from exploding, that 6 MW (that’s 6,000 kW to you and me) charger could zap a Tesla Model Y Long Range’s 75 kWh battery in some thirty (30) seconds.
“Fortescue has ordered 360 of (T264 battery electric haul trucks) as part of a $4 billion deal with Liebherr to electrify operations at its enormous iron ore mines,” says Gavin Mooney, general manager at Australian energy software platform, Kaluza. “Fuel and energy costs are Fortescue’s biggest operating costs as well as largest source of emissions. By electrifying operations like this it will be able to kill two birds with one stone.”
Battery electric vehicles have moved millions of tons of material at Fortescue mines over the last two years alone, and continue to keep the minerals moving with minimal less impact to the environment.
Electrek’s Take
With billions of dollars on the line and pressure to reduce carbon emissions coming from all sides, it should come as no surprise that the race is on to bring practical, electric, and autonomous heavy mining equipment to market. At CES 2024, electric equipment from Hyundai, Bobcat, Volvo CE, and Caterpillar garnered lots of attention with their innovative concepts, and analysts like IDTechEx estimate that a single 150-ton haul truck can use over $850,000 worth of fuel in a single year.
Meanwhile, big electric haul trucks like this 240 ton unit from Caterpillar can, in certain use cases with high amounts of regenerative braking, operate without any significant cost to recharge. At that point, the reduced maintenance and downtime of BEVs compared to diesel vehicles becomes icing on the TCO cake.
We spoke to Fortescue Zero executives a few months ago on a special interview episode of Quick Charge. Check it out (above) then let us know what you think of Fortescue’s fuel savings in the comments.
Sources links throughout; featured image by Fortescue Zero.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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This world’s first fully electric deconstruction site is being hailed as a landmark in sustainable urban development — and it’s powered by Siemens technology and Volvo Group’s battery-electric trucks and heavy equipment.
The deconstruction project (that’s kind of like a really careful demolition) marks the first full-scale electric deconstruction of its kind, and serves as important proof that with the right partners and the will to do it, urban construction projects like this can be carried out sustainably, today – and all without fossil fuels. It’s all part of Siemens’ €500 million technology campus redevelopment, the deconstruction site in Erlangen, Germany, and marks a pivotal step in advancing sustainable urban transformation and circular construction practices.
In collaboration with the demolition specialists at Metzner Recycling, Volvo CE deployed a fully electric fleet of equipment assets specially chosen to deliver quiet, precision demolition across the 25,000 cubic meter job site.
As well as deconstruction tasks, the electric machines helped sort and process approximately 12,800 tons of construction waste, with 96% recycled into raw materials for future use – supporting the shift towards circular materials management.
VOLVO CE
“At Siemens Real Estate, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of sustainable construction and demolition,” explains Christian Franz, Head of Sustainability at Siemens Real Estate. “This groundbreaking electric deconstruction project boasts an impressive 96% recycling rate and is a testament to our commitment to achieving excellence in sustainability … this project illustrates how partnerships and determination can create a lasting impact and help shape a more sustainable real estate industry.”
In addition the construction equipment was hauled into the site by Volvo Truck’s battery electric semi trucks, enabling emission-free operations from demolition, to crushing, materials processing, and transport.
Electrek’s Take
With a full line of electric wheel loaders, excavators, articulated haul trucks – even drum rollers and off-grid charging solutions to haul around with their electric semi trucks – Volvo is in a great position to take advantage of increasingly restrictive noise and emission regulations across Europe.
It’s too bad they’re suing California to be able to pollute more.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo CE.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.
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Hyundai offered a first look at the hot hatch earlier this week after unveiling the Concept Three, its first compact EV under the IONIQ family. The new EV, set to arrive as the IONIQ 3, already has a sporty, hot hatch look, but that could be just the start.
Hyundai has a new EV hot hatch in the making
The Concept Three took the spotlight at IAA Mobility in Munich with a daring new look from Hyundai. Based on its new “Art of Steel” design, the concept is a stark contrast to the Hyundai vehicles on the road today.
Hyundai took the “Aero Hatch” design to the next level, deeming it “a new typology that reimagines the compact EV silhouette.” And that it does.
When it arrives in production form in mid-2026, it’s expected to take the IONIQ 3 name as a smaller, more affordable sibling to the IONIQ 5.
Hyundai is set to unveil the electric hatchback next spring with an official launch planned in Europe in September 2026. According to Hyundai’s European boss, Xavier Martinet, the IONIQ 3 could make for the perfect EV hot hatch.
Martinet hinted that the IONIQ 3 could receive the “N” treatment, telling Auto Express that “The concept is quite sporty, and obviously you have heritage with N brand.” Hyundai’s European boss added that “it’s a fair topic to consider.”
Although it doesn’t sound too convincing, Hyundai’s head of design, Simon Loasby, called it “an opportunity.” Loasby was quick to add, “We’re not calling it N, it’s not approved yet.”
“But I think everyone in the company is realising what Europe needs, and that’s compact hot hatches, so it’s a topic for discussion,” Hyundai’s design boss added.
The Concept Three is 4,287 mm long, 1,940 mm wide, and 1,428 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,722 mm, or about the size of the Kia EV3 and Volkswagen ID.3. Both of which are set for hot hatch variants.
If the IONIQ 3 N does come to life, it will be the third Hyundai EV to receive the high-performance upgrade, following the IONIQ 5 N and IONIQ 6 N.
The IONIQ 5 N “was just the first lap,” according to Joon Park, vice president of Hyundai’s N Brand Management Group. He told Auto Express that Hyundai is “at the starting line” and plans to apply what it learned from its first EV hot hatch to upcoming models.
If you’re looking for an affordable electric hot hatch, Hyundai already offers one. After Hyundai cut lease prices last month, the IONIQ 5 N is now listed at just $549 per month. That’s $150 less per month than in July.
Want to test one out for yourself? You can use our link to find 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 models in your area (trusted affiliate link).
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