![Lectric XP 3.0 launched as most affordable 2-passenger e-bike, and we got the first ride [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/11/lectric-xp-3.0-first-ride-header.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Lectric XP 3.0 launched as most affordable 2-passenger e-bike, and we got the first ride [Video]
Phoenix-based electric bicycle brand Lectric eBikes has just unveiled its newest model, the Lectric XP 3.0. Full of new features and updated components, it’s set to likely become one of the best-selling electric bikes in the country.
That’s because the Lectric XP 3.0 is now replacing the Lectric XP 2.0, and it’s upgrading a number of key areas on that bike while retaining the same low $999 sale price. There’s also a long range version with 40% more battery for just $1,199. And for a limited time that promotional price includes free upgrades included a premium seat, suspension seat post, free lock and free upgraded headlight.
From the bike’s new brakes to dual passenger support and upgraded electronics, the new e-bike is chock-full of interesting new additions.
The company was kind enough to invite me out to Phoenix in early September and offer me the first ever test ride on the model, which you can check out in my video below.
But then keep reading afterwards to learn all about the new upgrades on the bike.
Lectric XP 3.0 first ride video
First, what stayed the same?
We’ll start off with what remains unchanged, which is essentially the foundation of the bike.
It’s still a folding e-bike with throttle operation up to 20 mph (32 km/h) or pedal assist up to 28 mph (45 km/h). We’ve still got those fairly fat tires at 20″x3″. We’ve still got full LED light package, rear rack, and included fenders, which is basically the commuter trifecta.
And it’s still priced at the more than reasonable $999 that the previous XP 2.0 sold for. Plus the bike shows up at your door fully assembled, meaning there’s not much to do other than pull off the packaging material and start riding. No long assembly process needed!
So the best parts are still there, but the upgrades are where the real interesting features are lurking.
Two passengers, twice the fun
First of all, there’s an integrated rear rack instead of a bolted-on rear rack. That means it’s part of the bike’s frame and is thus extra strong. The rear rack comes with a 150 pound (68 kg) weight rating and is the key to making this a two passenger e-bike.
With the passenger package accessory (and extra $75), owners can add a padded rear bench seat, a set of foot pegs and a handlebar that mounts on the seat post and gives rear riders something to hold onto. If you and your buddy aren’t waist-hugging close then that will likely be a much appreciated accessory.
Lectric eBikes co-founder and CEO Levi Conlow took me out on an XP 3.0 so we could test the passenger package together. He got us up to around 25 mph or so (40 km/h) with me on back, and then I got to take the reigns and shuttle him along for a ride too.
There’s also a “passenger mode” that can be selected via the display to limit the speed to 10 mph (16 km/h) for anyone who isn’t comfortable carrying a second rider at high speeds. It’s a good idea if you’re not used to carrying the extra weight or if your passenger is of the extra flailing variety.
Upgraded motor and controller
To better handle the extra weight of a second rider, the Lectric XP 3.0 received an upgraded motor with extra torque and a higher current controller.
That increased current essentially translates into more peak power, which can be helpful on hill climbing and when getting rolling with a heavy load. The Lectric eBikes team took several XP 3.0 bikes to San Francisco to prove them on the steepest hills in the city, ensuring that the bike will work just about anywhere.
They’ve also made it even easier to pedal at those higher speeds by increasing the highest gear ratio. The 14t sprocket on the rear has been replaced with an even smaller 11t sprocket, meaning your feet won’t be spinning quite as fast at top speed.
And as Levi explained, “you can get up to 28 mph really freaking fast.”
Other improvements include upgraded touchpoints such as nicer hand grips and a more comfortable saddle. And as Levi again explained in his elegantly blunt way, “The seat just cups your butt better, there’s no better way to describe it.”
The bike also sports improved disc brakes with 180 mm rotors and 20% more travel in the hydraulic suspension fork.
A number of new accessories were launched as well, such as food boxes and platforms for delivery riders, Yepp seats for carrying kids, a brighter “Elite” headlight option (which is included for free as part of the Black Friday deal at launch), a new bike cover and waterproof panniers for carrying gear or groceries.
As I was riding the streets around Lectric’s Phoenix headquarters, I couldn’t help but feel like I was on a much nicer e-bike than what you’d expect to get for under a thousand bucks. That’s been a hallmark of the company ever since they launched their original Lectric XP back in 2019: Low prices and getting more than you bargained for.
There are of course other e-bikes out there with much nicer parts, that weigh less or that offer more precision engineered drivetrains. But they compete in completely different categories.
The Lectric XP 3.0 didn’t feel like a $3,000-$4,000 precision machine, but it felt like more than I would ever need for my everyday commuting and leisure riding, that’s for sure.
Lectric XP 3.0: Best bang for your buck e-bike
While I can always nitpick at the bike compared to the more expensive e-bikes I’ve tried, any complaints feel like pot shots.
Sure, it’s fairly heavy at 64 pounds or 29 kg, but that’s what you get with a folding fat tire e-bike with just about every included accessory thrown onto it.
And yes, the parts aren’t terribly high end. You’re looking at basic Shimano shifters, mechanical disc brakes, etc. But it’s all just fine stuff. It may not be fancy, but it’s name brand stuff and it also keeps the bike affordable. For the $999 price, I simply can’t think of another e-bike that offers this much bang for your buck. And when you consider that the long range version with 40% more battery costs just $1,199, this is a legit steal of a deal.
I’ve got no doubt that the Lectric XP 3.0 is going to quickly become one of the best-selling e-bikes in the country, and it very well may sit at the top of that list.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Subscribe to Electrek on YouTube for exclusive videos and subscribe to the podcast.
Yolo County, California depends on its climate for continued agricultural success. As such, the county’s leaders are taking environmental stewardship seriously by aiming for full carbon neutrality by 2030. To help achieve that goal, they’re putting zero-emission machinery like the Volvo DD25 Electric compactor to work.
We got our first chance to sample the DD25 Electric at Volvo Days last summer, where the all-electric tandem roller’s vibrating drums impressed dealers and end users alike. It was no surprise, then, that when Yolo Country fleet superintendent, Ben Lee, when shopping for a compactor the DD25 Electric was high on his list.
“The DD25 Electric will help us achieve our goals in several ways,” explains Lee. “By reducing emissions, lowering noise levels, being more energy-efficient, improving working conditions and promoting environmentally friendly practices … we’ll use it to compact soil, gravel and other base materials for road and foundation projects, as well as rolling out and leveling asphalt during road construction and resurfacing.”
To help Lee handle those various projects, the Volvo’s drum frequency can be adjusted from 3500 vpm (55 Hz) to 4000 vpm (67 Hz) to cater to different applications and materials.
The DD25 Electric offers other benefits, as well – like a 20 kWh 48V battery that offers up between six and eight hours of continuous operation. That’s could be several shifts in the kind of conditions Yolo’s work crews will encounter, meaning it will only have to get put to bed (Volvo recommend overnight AC charging) two or three times a week.
Getting power to the compactor, too, is something Yolo is considering. “There are some remote areas in the county, so we’re looking into a mobile, self-contained charging unit as well,” explains Lee, apparently referencing the Volvo PU130 mobile battery. “So we wouldn’t have to bring the machine back to the yard each night during a long-term project.”
Yolo County views electric equipment as an essential step in reducing emissions and energy consumption, especially as communities work towards stricter regulations and sustainability goals.
Electrek’s Take
This press release came to us ahead of the devastating wild fires in Southern California that are dominating headlines right now – so much so that I effectively sat on the news for a few days, debating whether or not we should even be talking about a California news story that isn’t about the fires right now.
But I realized: this story is about the fires. Climate change driven by combustion and carbon emissions is driving climate change and that’s making fires like these possible … and I should have run it sooner.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Volvo CE.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Kubota came to this year’s CES with a sprawling display filled with electric equipment, hydrogen gensets, and an onslaught of commercial robots ready to mow, farm, dig, and build. If you weren’t impressed by Kubota’s display this year, you weren’t paying attention.
Kubota gave us a sneak peek of its KATR farm robot – itself a smaller, updated version of last year’s New Agri Concept – before the doors officially opened last week. Kubota’s robotic farm buddies promise to be able to quietly and autonomously haul stuff from one end of the farm to another, or pull carts and specialized implements along predetermined paths.
KATR uses self-leveling technology and active suspension to ensure its cargo deck stays level when working on the sort of uneven terrain found on farms or construction sites.
That doesn’t mean the New Agri Concept is dead, though. Agri Concept 2.0 debuted as an electric tractor concept offering AI-powered automation and a fully electric powertrain. The new version features a Lite Brite-style “grille” that it uses to communicate its current mode, direction, and other important information with the people it shares a job site with.
On the more practical side, Kubota showed off its KX38-4e Electric compact excavator. First shown in overseas markets in 2022, the KX38-4e Electric features a 49.2 kWh lithium-ion battery that’s good for up to five hours of continuous operation. More than enough to complete a typical day of work on a construction site when you factor out idle time.
An onboard DC fast charger means it can be quickly recharged between shifts, too. But when there’s no grid power on the site, charging can be a challenge. That’s why Kubota has hydrogen genset for zero-emission on-site power generation.
Looked at individually, each of the new electric Kubota products on display might be impressive. The real magic, though, is in the way the Kubota machines work together as a holistic job site or farm solution.
“At Kubota, we believe that truly listening to our customers drives innovation in every aspect of what we call the ‘Work Loop’,” explains Brett McMickell, Chief Technology Officer of Kubota North America. “The Work Loop — an essential cycle of assessing, analyzing, and acting — has always been fundamental to effective task management. With the integration of advanced sensors, AI-driven analysis, networking protocols, automation, and robotics, we are enhancing this cycle to be more seamless and efficient than ever before.”
That was obvious in some of the more thoughtful implements and attachments on display, including a Smart Plant Imager that uses advanced robotics and “hyper-spectral imaging” cameras to capture real-time data and insights on a plant-by-plant level – as well as a Smart Autonomous Sprayer and Robotic Pruner that that classifies buds and canes based on position and fruiting potential, it optimizes production precision and accuracy.
The more you look, the more impressive Kubota’s farming solution gets. “We will continue to learn from many of our customers across segments to iterate the next product and technology solution that will help them manage tomorrow’s challenges and grow their businesses,” McMickell added. “This is how Kubota works to make a better quality of life for individuals and society.”
There was more, of course. Autonomous versions of the company’s electric zero-turn mower with GPS-powered route memory, fun accessory baskets for the robots, even a weird, jet engine looking thing that I forgot to ask about (below). I was genuinely impressed, in other words, and can’t wait to see what Kubota comes up with next year.
Kubota CES2025 | more photos
Original content from Electrek.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
The e-bike industry has stalled a little bit in terms of features, and with harsh new legislation coming in from places like California, maybe it is time to start looking at e-bikes that are light, efficient, and smooth rather than how much wattage they can output. The Tenways CGO 600Pro, which comes in at just 37 pounds, is a model e-bike you should keep an eye on…
The CGO 600Pro comes in 2 flavors: a carbon belt single-speed version that Micah reviewed and this one, which is a chain and 8-speed Shimano gears. The belt drive is going to win out on simplicity and weight but if you are expecting to get close to the ‘class 1’ top speed of 20mph or need to go up some significant hills, you’ll want to opt for the chain/gear version here.
One thing I love about this bike is the tradeoff decisions. These keep the price low and weight down while still providing a great ride. The spec sheet overall is solid but not top-shelf.
Tenways CGO600 Pro tech specs (chain/geared version)
- Motor: 350 Watt rear hub motor with 45 Nm of torque
- Top speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)
- Range: Claimed up to 53 miles (85 km)
- Battery: 36V 10Ah (360 Wh)
- Weight: 37 lb (16.8 kg, over 40lbs with fenders, kickstand, etc)
- Frame: 6061 aluminum alloy
- Tires: CST Puncture-proof 700*45C-size Tires
- Brakes: Tektro dual-piston hydraulic disc brakes
- Gearing: Shimano 8-Speed Claris
- Extras: Compact LED display, 4 pedal assist levels, slim fender set, kickstand, internally routed cables, LED lighting, removable battery, Tenways app integration, torque sensor, four color options
No Throttle?
Note that as a class 1 e-bike, neither belt/chain version has a throttle. While this may be controversial to some, it not only simplifies the bike, it makes it a Class 1, which will be legal in the most places. I tend to think of no throttle as a “foot throttle” and for the commuter application, this will serve well. Would I appreciate a throttle on a hill start? Perhaps.
The idea of this bike is to just enhance your pedal bike experience. You are going to get some exercise on this bike versus a bike that is a glorified low-power moped that runs on throttle with vestigial pedals.
More importantly, the torque sensor here is phenomenal; I mean, it is probably the best torque sensor I’ve ridden connected to a rear hub motor. The acceleration is smooth and strangely powerful for the 350W/45nm motor. Significant hills are a breeze, and this is one of the few bikes where I forget that I’m using an e-bike sometimes (until I look down and I’m going 20mph with little effort). Hills are also where the gearing really helps.
The tires are also the perfect size for a commuter with puncture resistance and treads that will do OK in rain and snow.
The bike itself is also very stealthy in terms of showing that it is a powered e-bike. The small 36V, 10Ah battery is integrated magnificently into the narrow downtube of the bike. All of the cables are integrated into the bike frame for a super-clean look. The rear hub motor is small but packs a punch. Many people won’t even recognize this as an e-bike. While I’m proud to be riding an e-bike around, perhaps some people would like to keep that on the down-low.
Brakes are great with hydraulic Tektros clasping against 160mm rotors in front and back. It is such a light bike that stopping can be jarring.
Assembly was super easy and took about 30 minutes with the included tool set. The battery came about 40% charged but was ready to go within a few hours with the 3A charger. Shoutout to Tenways for using a water-resistant standardized barrel charger adapter and not some proprietary adapter so that I can use one from another bike when I inevitably lose it.
Electrek’s take
The Tenways CGO600 is a fantastic light, clean, stiff and smooth e-bike that I have 0 reservations about recommending. While the battery and motor are small, they power the light bike admirably and for around 50 miles (your mileage will vary).
Currently there is a $200 off promotion code “HAPPY2025TW” at checkout bringing the CGO600Pro down to $1399 which is an amazing price for this bike:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports9 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway