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Prices in the electric bike industry spent years with relative stability until the pandemic’s many ripple effects wreaked havoc on the industry. Over the last few years we’ve watched prices rocket up and then plunge back down again in a matter of months, only to repeat. Many riders had hoped to see 2023 bring with it a return to normalcy in the industry. Based on the several recent price changes across many companies, that doesn’t appear to be the case.

It looks like while some manufacturers are dropping prices, others are seeing major increases.

For example, ONYX Motorbikes just launched a special sale to kick off the new year, with prices reduced by up to $1,000 on some of the company’s most popular models.

The RCR electric moped, which is admittedly closer to light electric motorcycle specs than true electric bicycle territory, sees the largest discount of the bunch. The street model dropped from $5,479.99 to $4,479.99. The pricier dirt model dropped from $5,922.99 to $4,922.99.

The company is also reducing prices on its LZR series, which are the company’s true electric bicycles that were just unveiled earlier this year. Those get $600 price reductions, with the LZR Standard 500W dropping from $2,299 to $1,699 and the LZR Pro 900W dropping from $2,799 to $1,999.

ONYX has limited the discounts to just 50 models of each style, so it’s unlikely that this pricing will last long and unfortunately it probably doesn’t represent a larger industry trend.

Other companies haven’t reduced prices in 2023 but have kept some of their impressive Black Friday and holiday sales running into the new year. San Diego-based Ride1Up has multiple models of city, trail and cruiser electric bikes with sale prices close to or matching the company’s best holiday sales from 2022.

That’s another trend we noticed near the end of last year, that the often too-good-to-be-true Black Friday deals from many e-bike companies extended well into the holiday seasons and even into the new year in some cases, instead of being quickly reset to standard pricing like we’ve seen in past years.

ride1up cafe cruiser electric bike

On the other side of the price flipping sit several e-bike companies that have already announced price increases.

The largest electric bicycle company in North America, Rad Power Bikes, increased its pricing on several models.

The RadRover 6 Plus spent a long time at $1,999 before recently being bumped past the $2k mark to $2,099. That still isn’t Rad’s most expensive e-bike though, as the newly released RadTrike took that title with its $2,499 MSRP.

The RadRunner Plus is now up to $1,999 and the recently released RadExpand 5 has a new price of $1,649.

Rad has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in VC funding over the last few years, and some believe that the company may be feeling pressure from its investors to demonstrate healthier profit margins. The company has also invested significantly in new product developments too, with R&D spending likely seeing an increase as well.

SUPER73, another highly visible electric bike company, has also announced price increases for 2023.

Unlike Rad Power Bikes which operates on the more value-oriented end of the e-bike spectrum, SUPER73’s e-bikes offer higher power and punchier performance that has helped drive prices higher.

The company has one of the most dedicated communities of riders though, fueled by a culture of customization and riding culture that has brought motorcycle club vibes to the e-bike world.

The company announced that its SUPER-73RX Mojave e-bike would increase by $300 to $3,995. The SUPER73-R Brooklyn bumped its price by $200 to $3,695, while the mid-level SUPER73-S2 increased by $300 to $3,295. Even the company’s more affordable SUPER73-ZX saw a $200 jump to $2,395.

In addition to inflation and other factors that have been blamed for the rise in e-bike prices over the last year or so, sky high freight costs from Asia played a major role in the soaring cost of e-bikes.

However, we’ve seen those ocean freight prices plummet in the last few months, which fueled hope that e-bike prices would catch a break as well.

Despite some small downward movements we’ve seen in the industry, reduced prices haven’t become a larger trend. Most e-bike companies have either stayed stable or slowly walked their prices up even as shipping prices have reduced.

Of course other factors such as a rising and falling exchange rate between the US dollar and Chinese Yuan have also played a role in the rollercoaster ride of e-bike prices.

With only a week into 2023 and no stability in sight, don’t expect to count on this being the year that prices drop back to normal for good.

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Next-gen 240 ton CAT electric haul truck gets to work in Colorado mine

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Next-gen 240 ton CAT electric haul truck gets to work in Colorado mine

With a massive, 240 ton payload and a host of new features, the first of Caterpillar’s next-generation CAT 793 XE Early Learner battery electric trucks has arrived at Newmont’s Cripple Creek and Victor (CC&V) mine in Teller County, Colorado.

Just weeks after the next generation of Caterpillar’s battery electric Large Mining Truck line was announced, Newmont’s CC&V mine in Colorado was announced as one of the testing and validation sites the first seven of the all-new CAT 793 XE Early Learner haul trucks would be deployed to. The production of these trucks marks the second key development phase of the company’s Early Learner EV program following the demonstration of the company’s first battery electric 793 prototype in November 2022, and that vehicle’s deployment at Vale’s Brazilian mining operations earlier this year.

“In less than two years, we went from retrofitting an existing piece of equipment at our proving ground to designing a ruggedized solution ready for validation at our customers’ sites,” explains Caterpillar Vice President, Brian Weller. “This was not a small change. Just about everything in the powertrain has been enhanced while still leveraging proven components of our Cat 793 model. With these changes, we still have learning to do with our customers in real-world applications.”

The next phase of Caterpillar’s Early Learner program will see the company attempt to integrate multiple electrified trucks at a single site with remote operators, validating the integration of a battery electric fleet with CAT’s existing autonomous and fleet management systems.

The Newmont gold mining operation has a long-standing “strategic alliance” with Caterpillar (signed in 2021) that aims to deliver a fully connected, automated, zero carbon emitting, end-to-end mining operation by 2050 while reducing downtime and operating costs.

Electrek’s Take

Cat AD45 underground haul truck (diesel); via Caterpillar.
Cat AD45 underground haul truck (diesel); via Caterpillar.

As I’ve said before, EVs and mining to together like peanut butter and jelly. In confined spaces, the carbon emissions and ear-splitting noise made by conventional, ICE-powered mining equipment can create dangerous circumstances that can lead to serious injuries (or worse), and that’s just going to make it even harder for a mining operation to keep people working and minerals coming out of the ground.

By working with companies like Caterpillar to prove that forward-looking electric equipment can do the job as well as well as (if not better than) their internal combustion counterparts, Newmont will go a long way towards converting what’s left of the ICE faithful.

SOURCE | IMAGES: Caterpillar, International Mining.

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Chinese JAC delivers 100 MD electric trucks to North America [video]

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Chinese JAC delivers 100 MD electric trucks to North America [video]

Chinese electric truck maker JAC has shipped 100 MD electric trucks (cab and chassis) from Hefei, China to a single customer in Mexico, marking a major milestone in the commercial vehicle brand’s growing North American ambitions.

The thirteenth-largest automotive market globally, Mexico’s proximity to the US means that its roads have their fair share of American cars on them – but its low labor rates have also attracted a number of international car manufacturers, as well, making the Mexican market one of the only places in the world that cars sold in the US and Europe are up against Chinese brands in head-to-head comparisons.

That’s especially true of Mexico’s EV market, and that that fact isn’t lost on companies like BYD and JAC, who have their eyes set on becoming global players.

“We call on all interested parties to share the best international practices to contribute to a better development of electromobility and bring its benefits to all Mexican cities,” says Shirley Wagner, president of Mexico’s Electro Movilidad Asociación (EMA), a coalition of companies that includes Kia, Volvo, Tesla, JAC, and BYD that is working to help reduce Mexico’s vehicular carbon emissions by going “100% electric” by 2035. “We believe that those of us living in Mexico deserve cleaner air, and it is possible to achieve it if we work together to make previously made commitments a reality.”

JAC N55 electric truck

JAC Motors entered the Mexican market in 2012, and has built out a nationwide sales and service network there, earning enough local trust to support this single 100-unit order.

The JAC N55 electric truck features a 96.7 kWh LFP battery that delivers up to 125 miles (200 km) of range, and is capable of charging from 10-80% capacity in about 20 minutes on a 150 kW DC fast charger. The N55’s 5500 kg GVWR translates to approx. 12,125 lbs. in the US, putting the JAC in the company of the Chevy Brightdrop, Isuzu NRR EV, and Mullen Three.

Electrek’s Take

100 JAC Electric Trucks | From China to Mexico.

It doesn’t seem to matter if we’re talking about the low-end or the high-end of the EV market, the Chinese are there with solid products that seem poised to seriously challenge Western automakers in their home turf. The electric truck market seems to be no exception.

SOURCE | IMAGES: JAC, via China Trucks; Wards Auto.

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ALSET Auto’s expanding franchise business offers Tesla-like experience for EV protection and personalization

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ALSET Auto's expanding franchise business offers Tesla-like experience for EV protection and personalization

ALSET Auto doesn’t protect cars; it protects EVs. This year, the Tesla customization company expanded its services to include all EV owners and offers services such as tint, ceramic coatings, paint protection film (PPF), and colored wraps. As ALSET Auto’s business grows, the company is offering new franchise opportunities to help expand its services to EV owners in the US and Canada.

Table of contents

Founded by EV owners for EV owners

ALSET Auto was founded in Portland, Oregon in 2018 by Phil Bunting and Marcus Brown after they each purchased Teslas and were dissatisfied with their experience in their search for viable exterior protection options.

I called a half dozen shops in my area and got the same runaround. They loved to disparage Tesla’s soft paint, but no one wanted to give me a firm price for paint protection over the phone,

recalls ALSET CEO, Phil Bunting:

They all wanted me to bring my Tesla into their shop first, refused to provide a firm estimate over the phone, and declined to list their all-in prices on their website. I remember thinking, if I can build, price, and purchase a $100,000 Model X on my iPhone in five minutes, why should getting my Tesla protected be any different?

Thus, the idea for ALSET (Tesla spelled backward) was born. The company envisioned offering customers an experience similar to buying a Tesla, where the price is transparent, and there is no upselling, bait-and-switch tactics, or pricing gimmicks. Instead of selling Tesla owners on the fear of what could happen to their EV’s unprotected paint, ALSET set out to build a lasting connection with customers based on a shared passion for the cars they love.

Over the past five years, ALSET Auto has quickly become a leading provider of paint protection and personalization services. Operating in 15 markets across North America, ALSET has protected and personalized more than 7,000 EVs.

Aside from Cybertruck wraps, ALSET Auto’s three core services appeal to the broader market of owners who are looking to protect, preserve and enhance the look of their EVs. The company forged a partnership with XPEL Inc. to offer its customers a suite of best-in-class protective film and coating options, which include:

ALSET Auto offers a suite of options to protect, preserve and personalize your EV

Tesla Cybertruck wraps have quickly become a significant portion of ALSET Auto’s expanding business. The company offers the largest selection of colored PPF in the industry with more than 250 options in gloss, matte, metallic, and color shifting. The company is currently wrapping about 100 Cybertrucks per month, with several locations wrapping as many as five per week. Bunting elaborated:

The demand for colored paint protection film in recent years has surged because most EVs are offered in limited colors. Unlike flimsy vinyl wraps, colored PPF offer durable protection, self- healing properties and longer warranty coverage. It is the best of both worlds for protection and aesthetics. For Cybertrucks, we are finding that it’s a matter of when their owners will purchase wraps, not if.

The company has received nearly 1,000 five-star reviews for offering highly specialized customer service along with an industry-leading, lifetime warranty. In addition, ALSET services are CARFAX certified so that all upgrades appear on CARFAX reports to increase resale value and assist in insurance claims.

Paint Protection Film (PPF) – This durable self-healing film is offered in a clear or matte finish and is most commonly applied to the entire car or the front impact zones which include the full hood, fenders, bumper and mirror caps. PPF protects the vehicle’s paint from unsightly rock chips, scratches and abrasions. In many instances, scratches in the film can be removed with heat from the sun or blowdryer, or by using hot water.

Nano Ceramic Coatings – When fully cured, ceramic coatings are up to three times harder than factory clear coat. ALSET Auto’s full interior and exterior ceramic package uses four different ceramic formulas which are applied to the paint and trim, wheels, windshield, as well as the interior. While these coatings are not intended to prevent rock chips, they help protect from light scratches and swirls, environmental contaminants, and etching from bug guts and bird droppings. They also make your EV extremely shiny and hydrophobic, which makes washing and maintenance a breeze.

Ceramic Window Film – Available in a variety of shades, ceramic window tint offers unrivaled heat rejection as well as protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. It also provides a sleeker look and enhanced security and privacy. EVs with ceramic window tint can expect to get more range from their battery due to lower cabin temps and less use of their EV’s air conditioning. 

ALSET Auto also participates in XPEL’s OEM referral programs, which include Tesla and Rivian.

ALSET Auto plans to award 12 new franchises in 2025

After successfully opening corporate locations in Portland and Seattle, ALSET Auto launched the company’s first franchise in 2021 in Dallas, Texas. In doing so, ALSET Auto completed a rigorous franchise registration process with iFranchise Group, Inc., an industry-leading consultancy group that has worked with Massage Envy, Denny’s, Vitamin Shoppe, Shelf Genie and other name brands.

Since then, ALSET Auto has expanded to 15 locations with several more franchises currently in the pipeline. 

  • Locations:
    • Atlanta, GA
    • Austin, TX
    • Dallas, TX
    • Jacksonville, FL
    • Las Vegas, NV
    • Orange County, CA
    • Portland, OR
    • Raleigh, NC
    • Richmond, VA
    • San Diego, CA
    • Sacramento, CA (ALSET Affiliate)
    • Seattle, WA
    • Tampa, FL
    • Vancouver, BC, Canada

The average annual revenue for ALSET Auto locations open at least 12 months was $1 million in 2023, according to the company’s 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). 

ALSET Auto provides franchisees a wide range of ongoing support including training, site selection assistance, coaching, access to proprietary software systems, in-house marketing and advertising, vendor partnerships, and dealer programs. These services are critical to setting up news franchise operators for success.

Current ALSET franchisees joined the company without any prior experience in the industry. They come from various backgrounds, including the restaurant and entertainment industries, sales, technology, sports, and finance.

Ideal franchise candidates are EV owners and enthusiasts who are passionate about the booming EV market and seeking financial freedom and independence from a typical 9-to-5 job. Candidates should be well-capitalized, business-minded, passionate about the EV industry, and committed to actively working in their business.

To learn more about franchising with ALSET Auto and receive the company’s franchising e-brochure, visit their website here.

If you’re interested in learning more about their services, visit their retail site at www.alsetauto.com.

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