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Dutch-based electric mobility company BREKR has just unveiled it’s newest model, and the first two-wheeler in the company’s line to come with pedals. The BREKR Model F may be classified as an e-bike, but it comes with true moped styling.

That certainly fits within BREKR’s DNA, as the company is best known for its Model B electric moped.

It’s a ride that we first covered back in 2019 and have kept tabs on as the company raised funding and expanded further into international markets.

The new BREKR Model F is the latest big move from the company, demonstrating the brand’s design chops on an entirely new class of vehicle.

Unlike the BREKR Model B that is classified as a moped, the BREKR Model F can slide in under electric bicycle designations thanks to its functional pedals.

But these aren’t some slap-on vestigial pedals — they’re part of a nicely designed belt-enabled drivetrain.

We’ve discussed the benefits of belt drives on e-bikes before, which help reduce maintenance and noise from the bike while also lasting longer than chain drives and even becoming more efficient in the long term.

BREKR Model F (left) and BREKR Model B (right)

The Model F maintains a similar design compared to the Model B with a main strut running down the length of the bike from the head tube to the rear axle.

But the e-bike also adds its own flair in the form of a mini-bike style rear bench seat supported by a tubular frame. The design has a real California mini-bike meets Dutch moped vibe to it.

Unlike the standard 20-inch wheels that are commonly found on these types of moped-inspired electric bikes, BREKR created a slightly larger 22-inch rim. As the company explained, “Fatbikes have the edge, but standard sized 20-inch wheels are too small for the average person, so we’ve created our own one of a kind 22-inch custom wheels.”

The bike doesn’t include traditional suspension, but BREKR says that its fat tires make up for that with a comfortable ride. As the company stated:

You might wonder why the Model F doesn’t have suspension. Fair point, we asked ourselves this as well. The thing with suspension is that it’s a really costly part to add to a bike, and that they mainly have function on bikes with thin and narrow tires that aren’t forgiving on rough surfaces.

The Brekr Model F however, is a fat bike. Which, you probably guessed it, has fat tires. They look cool, but they also absorb the majority of the bumps and shocks coming from the road surface you’re riding on. Next to that, the saddle has shock absorption built-in, so you’re ensured of a comfortable ride – without the added cost of suspension.

There aren’t traditional gears like on a typical e-bike, but the rear Bafang hub motor has a built-in automatic two-speed transmission to select between high and low gear. That should come in handy when climbing hills and searching for extra torque.

The higher gear is better for faster speeds, but don’t expect to be going too fast on the BREKR Model F. Because of Europe’s restrictive e-bike laws, the Model F is limited to just 25 km/h (15.5 mph). That’s not exactly going to be a thrilling ride, but you can thank EU regulators for that low speed limit.

Two battery options are available with either 540 or 700 Wh. The former nets riders 35-60 km (21-37 miles) of range while the latter offers a longer range of 45-75 km (28-47 miles) under real-world riding conditions. BREKR says that ideal conditions can actually score over 100 km (62 miles) of range.

brekr model b e-bike

The bike’s Launch Edition is already available to pre-order with a promotional price of €2,995 (US $3,190). Only 20 individually numbered Launch Edition units will be produced, and it will be available in Q3 2023. The First Edition will follow with a promotional price of €2,945 (US $3,135) and will be available in Q4 2023. Anyone who is not ready to plop down a full payment for one of the first two editions can place a €9 (US $9) deposit toward the next batch of bikes.

The BREKR Model F Launch Edition will be available only in the Netherlands, but the First Edition will be offered in Germany and Belgium as well. Other countries will be able to order future editions via their local dealer networks.

This isn’t the first Model F electric bicycle we’ve seen unveiled this year. That title goes to Electric Bike Company’s Model F, a folding beach cruiser-inspired electric bike that is built at the company’s California assembly factory. Though with hundreds of new e-bikes unveiled each year, there was bound to be some name overlap eventually.

Electrek’s Take

I’ve got conflicted feelings here. I really like the design (even if it’s sort of a Dutch SUPER73), but those European regulations that limit the speed to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) and power to 250W (0.33 horsepower) are killing me.

Electrek‘s publisher Seth Weintraub and I both had the chance to test out a pair of BREKR Model B e-mopeds last year. While I liked the moped itself, it was also limited in speed and power to conform to local regulations and that resulted in a muted experience.

It’s hard for me to fault the manufacturer when there’s not much they can do about the regulations, but it still leaves me wanting more.

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

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Tesla and Rivian are settling their battery tech theft lawsuit

Tesla and Rivian have been embroiled in a lawsuit in which the former accused the latter of having stolen battery technology by poaching Tesla employees.

It sounds like the two automakers are finally about to settle the lawsuit, which has been going on for 4 years.

In 2020, Tesla filed a lawsuit against Rivian over allegedly stealing trade secrets by hiring former Tesla employees and encouraging them to bring documents. Rivian has denied the allegations.

When Tesla filed the lawsuit, it wasn’t clear what trade secrets Tesla was claiming Rivian had stolen. However, we noted that the employees listed in the lawsuits were two recruiters, an EHS manager, and a manager of Tesla’s charging networks.

The automaker claimed that these employees brought “documents consisting of highly sensitive trade secret, confidential, and proprietary engineering information” when they went to work for Rivian.

A year later, Tesla expanded the lawsuitclaiming more specifically that Rivian was “stealing the core technology for its next-generation batteries.”

At first, the companies tried to settle out of court, but it didn’t work out, so the lawsuit was moved to court last year.

Over a year later, we now learn that Tesla had notified the court that it expects to file to get the lawsuit dismissed after reaching a conditional agreement with Rivian. The company didn’t disclose the details of the settlement (via Bloomberg):

Tesla didn’t disclose specifics about the agreement in a court filing, but told a California state judge that it expects to seek dismissal of the case by Dec. 24 upon satisfactory completion of the terms.

Neither Tesla nor Rivian have commented on the reported settlement.

While Tesla has claimed that it somewhat open-sourced its patents, we have previously noted that it’s not exactly the case. Tesla claims to let other companies use its patented technology as long as they themselves don’t sue them over patent rights.

And in this specific case, Tesla alleges that Rivian has specifically hired employees to steal technologies. Again, Rivian has denied the allegation.

Electrek’s Take

The terms are unknown, but in similar cases, it often involves things like some level of access to make sure that no proprietary technology is being used or has been used.

The lawsuit is not exactly clear, but based on the timeline and the allegations of “next-gen batteries”, Tesla could have been talking about its 4680 battery cells, although those are cells. It could also be the structural battery pack.

Rivian is expected to use a taller 4695 battery from LG Energy Solutions for its next-generation vehicles.

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

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Kempower, Proviridis partner on novel electric semi truck charging solution

French infrastructure specialists Proviridis have partnered with EVSE manufacturer Kempower to deliver a novel, underground charging solution for electric semi trucks designed to easily integrate into existing truck depots.

By installing its high-powered charging cabinets underground and integrating the charging cables into a solid metal pipe, Kempower and Proviridis have been able to make room for high-powered charging points in an existing truck depot that didn’t have enough space to install either conventional EVSE or overhead “drop lines.”

For the pilot, the metal pipe is painted in a striking yellow color to make it easier to see while maneuvering the lot, and keeping the dispensers themselves more protected than conventional concrete bollards. The 600 kW power cabinet is positioned a few yards away – a typical space-saving Kempower solution – and connected to the charge points by underground cable.

Proviridis believes their solution provides enough of a competitive advantage that fleet buyers looking to electrify will be eager to give it a try.

“The product is durable across a wide spectrum of temperatures and conditions, requires minimal ventilation, and can cater for a wide range of customer needs,” explains Olivier Verdu, Technical Director at Proviridis. “These are features which perfectly place the Kempower solution for this type of charging configuration in a logistics environment.”

Electrek’s Take

While traditional charging equipment can cause up to 20% of an existing truck depot’s parking capacity to be lost, the Kempower products have already gained recognition for the efficient size footprint of its overground Satellites. If this underground version proves to be even better, you can expect to see a lot more Kempower installations near you.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Kempower.

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For a limited time, save $500 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

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For a limited time, save 0 on a Centris folding eBike from Buzz Bicycles

In honor of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, eBike specialist Buzz Bicycles is offering an exclusive discount for Electrek readers on its Centris Class 2 Folding Bike.

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Buzz Bicycles is back with an exclusive new deal

Buzz Bicycles has been a mainstay on Electrek for a few years now, as we have covered several of its electric bikes, which suit riders of all skill levels and help them “Buzz through life.” Buzz is an omnichannel eBike brand that prioritizes direct-to-consumerism and has found success in its mission to deliver ultimate transportation solutions at an excellent value for its growing base of eBike enthusiasts.

The company strives to deliver riders a “Wow moment,” which is usually brought on as they feel the pedal assist function kick in. This feature delivers all you need to conquer hills and longer rides while enjoying new adventures with friends.

The Buzz team has utilized decades of industry experience into its portfolio of eBikes, all conceived and designed in Dayton, Ohio. The company, which operates under the United Wheels umbrella alongside brands like Huffy Bicycles, Niner Bikes, and Batch Bicycles, has adopted an ethos that the freedom of riding should be fun and accessible for everyone, no matter what adventure lies ahead.

By leveraging the global presence of its parent company, Buzz Bicycles can make good on its promise to deliver affordable eBikes that are comfortable, powerful, and safe, much like the Centris Folding eBike, which is as versatile and compact as it is fun. The exclusive deal Buzz Bicycles is offering on the Centris makes it even more fun. You can take advantage of it below.

But first, you’ll want to learn about the capabilities of this foldable eBike to truly understand its value, as well as what accessories are available to level up your purchase.

Buzz Bicycles

The Buzz Centris is an easy to ride foldable eBike for all

The Buzz Centris is a Class 2 Folding eBike built for comfort and convenience no matter where you take it. At full size, the Centris’ step-through frame offers a low step-over height of just 16 inches, perfect for riders of all sizes, enabling easy transitions from ground to saddle for its riders.

When you’re not riding, the Centris from Buzz Bicycles folds neatly to 34 inches in length and 22 inches in height, making it easy to store at home or to carry in a vehicle on the way to your next ride. Furthermore, the assembled bike only weighs 68 pounds, making it easy to transport.

You can easily navigate tougher terrain on the Centris thanks to the eBike’s 20″ x 4″ knobby tires and front suspension. The bike is powered by a 48V, 500-watt-hour (Wh) battery pack that can propel it to a top speed of 20 mph for an all-electric range of up to 40 miles on a single charge.

Additionally, this folding model from Buzz Bicycles comes equipped with both a front and rear rack, offering versatile cargo-carrying options so you can customize your ride with a variety of Buzz accessories.

Like all Buzz eBikes, the Centris is tested and deemed compliant with the UL2849 standard. This standard covers the entire electric bicycle system, including the motor, battery, controller, and charger, offering the highest safety standards for added peace of mind.

The Centris Class 2 folding bike from Buzz is available in two colors: Gloss White or Matte Black. This $1,199 eBike is currently reduced to $899 – and you can score an additional $200 off with this exclusive promo, but only for a limited time.

With the purchase of any Buzz eBike, including the Centris, you are guaranteed the following:

  • 10-year limited warranty (lightweight aluminum frame protected for full 10 years)
  • 2-year limited warranty (electrical components covered by 2-year warranty for peace of mind)
  • 6-month limited warranty (additional bike components protected by a 6-month warranty)
Buzz Bicycles

Are you interested in the Centris from Buzz Bicycles? You’ve come to the right place. Starting today, while supplies last, you can take advantage of an additional $200 off the sale price by using promo code “ELECTREK200. That’s a $500 discount in total!

Don’t wait, because this deal only runs through 11:59 PM on December 8, 2024.

We highly recommend perusing Buzz’s entire lineup of products. They are designed for commuters and casual riders, with technology and features that help you quickly feel comfortable riding. If you are new to the world of E-transportation, Buzz Bicycles is the brand for you. 

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