Sur Ron Storm Bee 68-MPH, off-road electric motorcycle gets US arrival date, takes pre-orders
The Sur Ron Storm Bee has been one of the most hotly anticipated electric motorcycles in the US for several years running. Now we’ve learned that the North American distributor has finally set a date for the long-awaited electric dirt bike’s arrival.
According to the distributor DIAN Inc, the Sur Ron Storm Bee is expected to arrive in the US by February 2023. From there, the bikes will be dispatched via the established Sur Ron dealer network.
That’s still a ways off for anyone who has been waiting for over three years already, but the fact that the importer is already taking reservations for the new electric dirt bike is a good sign that this time it’s for real.
The US $8,499 Storm Bee can currently be reserved with a US $500 deposit, and the first 100 folks to plunk down the change will receive a $200 “Storm Bee gift pack”.
They’ll of course also be among the first riders in the country to get the new electric dirt bike, which could prove to be an interesting lightweight off-road challenger to bikes like the Zero FX and KTM Freeride E-XC.
The Sur Ron Storm Bee has impressive specs for a rather small bike, including a liquid-cooled 22.5 kW peak-rated mid-mounted motor putting out a chain-melting 520 lb-ft of torque.
The 127 kg (280 lbs) two-wheeler claims a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph), though you’ll have to find some room to run on the trails to get going that fast. The turbo button that gives a quick boost of power may come in handy there as well.
We got a peek at what that power looks like during a Luna Cycle dyno run earlier this year.
At a more modest speed of 40 km/h (25 mph), the bike is rated for a maximum range of 120 km (75 miles).
Riders will be able to take advantage of three power modes as well as the included traction control and regenerative braking. There’s even a reverse gear that is likely to come in handy when maneuvering the bike in tight corners or when backing up on an incline.
The Storm Bee rides on adjustable off-road suspension with a 21″ front wheel and an 18″ rear wheel. The North American version of the bike will include a swappable number plate that can be replaced with a headlight.
The Storm Bee is something of the successor to the wildly popular Sur Ron Light Bee X (itself an adorable Chinese mistranslation of “firefly”).
That smaller and less powerful bike has sold over 70,000 units worldwide, with two of those winding up here at Electrek. Our own editor-in-chief, Fred Lambert, bought one of the early ones, and I recently bit the bullet and bought one too. (My review is inbound but you should start by checking out Fred’s bike in action here.)
As much fun as that small bike is, the 72 km/h (45 mph) Sur Ron Light Bee X is no match for the faster and higher power Storm Bee, which will compete against larger bikes in the off-road electric motorcycle industry. The upcoming Stark Varg will prove to be an interesting adversary when it eventually becomes available, and fellow Swedish electric motorbike maker CAKE’s line of electric dirt bikes also offer similar performance levels – though without some of the nicer features, like a liquid-cooled motor.
If you’ve got your eye set on a Sur Ron Storm Bee though, you may want to act fast. The current online reservation period closes in just four weeks on October 31.
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The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.
This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.
But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.
Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.
“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.
The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.
Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.
With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.
Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm
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Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices
After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.
Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.
The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.
Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.
The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.
Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.
Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.
According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.
| Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y | Starting Price | Range | Lease Price |
| Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition | $71,995 | +300 miles | $599/mo |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | $44,990 | 320 miles | $299/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD | $47,990 | 308 miles | $399/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD Performance | $51,490 | 279 miles | $599/mo |
In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.
Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.
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