Specialized launches its most affordable electric bike yet, the 28 mph Globe Haul ST utility bike
Specialized, one of the leading manufacturers of high-end bicycles and e-bikes, has launched its first-ever value segment of e-bikes under the Globe line. The company’s launch model is an electric cargo bike known as the Globe Haul ST.
While Specialized calls it a cargo bike, the shorter wheel-base that keeps it in “normal bike” proportions helps put it into a class we often refer to as utility e-bikes. These are e-bikes with extra cargo capacity for hauling extra cargo or passengers, but without the extra bulk and length often associated with oversized electric cargo bikes.
The Globe Haul ST is priced at US $2,700, which might seem to be a bit higher than most budget-oriented e-bikes yet is positively low-cost for a premium brand like Specialized.
The company is pitching the Globe Haul ST as an affordable car-replacing electric bike that can handle many of the daily tasks that many people accomplish with a much larger vehicle.
As the company explained:
The Globe Haul ST represents a new category of e-bike for Specialized, one that fills the gap between a commuter e-bike and a car. The Globe line is designed with increased load capacity and a versatile accessory mounting system allowing riders to travel comfortably around the suburbs and exurbs as well as the off-the-beaten paths of their outdoor adventures.
Compared to many of Specialized’s electric bicycles that lean more toward European-style e-bike designs, the Globe Haul ST is rather Americanized.
That means a powerful 700W hub motor, a massive 772 Wh battery touting 60 miles (96 km) of range, large tires in a 20×3.5″ size, and a massive weight capacity of up to 419 lb. (190 kg).
Oh yeah, and the Class 3 top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h).
That being said, it’s missing one major piece of kit loved by the majority of North American riders: a throttle option. When we first got a look at teaser pics, I called out a thin wire tracing its way up to the right handlebar end. As it didn’t terminate in the brakes and thus couldn’t have been a common brake sensor, I suggested that it may be a giveaway for a throttle. Unfortunately I was a bit too optimistic, as it turns out it’s the switch for the ultra-bright 1,500 lumen headlight.
However, one of the many accessories option includes a plug-in throttle, so it sounds like the company is prepared to offer that option to those that prefer the ability to put their legs on autopilot for a period.
In true Specialized fashion, the bike is outfitted with some very nice parts compared to today’s mid-level e-bikes. Microshift’s 9-speed transmission makes an appearance, as do hydraulic disc brakes on massive 203 mm brake rotors, and there’s even a torque sensor for ultra-smooth and responsive pedal assist.
There’s a telescoping seat post that drops down ultra low for riders as short as 4’5″ (135 cm) or as tall as 6’4″ (193 cm). The rear rack is dual level to create enough space for panniers to clip on while potentially leaving the top bars unencumbered for extra cargo loading.
That rack seems to be a central part of several accessory options, as the company explained:
To further separate itself from the pack, the bike comes with a versatile mounting system and ecosystem of specifically-engineered accessories that allow riders to personalize with the storage and seating configuration best suited to their needs. The Globe Haul ST launches with an accessory line that includes front and rear pannier adaptors, a rear passenger seat, handlebars, and foot pegs, an MIK-ready front rack, rear wheel cover, and plug-in throttle. A rack customization kit also provides various hardware to bolt on just about anything to the front.
Even less critical parts like the included brass bell appear to be nicer quality than the typical accessories slapped on a lot of direct-to-consumer e-bikes.
Priced at US $2,700, the Specialized Globe Haul ST is available in dark and light colorways of Satin Obsidian and Gloss White Mountains. The bike is currently only available in the US, but Specialized representatives have told Electrek that there are still plans to expand international distribution “in the future.”
Electrek’s Take
I’m pretty darn impressed with the Globe Haul ST, and I’m glad to see a throttle option, even if it’s an up-charge. I can already tell you that the lack of a throttle would have considerably cut into the bike’s potential sales in the US. It’s not that all e-bikes have to come with a throttle – I love pedal assist as well. But there are so many US e-bike riders that simply won’t look at an e-bike that doesn’t at least give them the option of throttling when they’re tired.
I think it’s hard to talk about these step-through utility bikes without mentioning the RadRunner, especially since they borrow heavily from the setup popularized by Rad Power Bikes a few years ago. Even the nicest $2,500 RadRunner 3 Plus is still a bit more affordable than the Globe Haul ST, though I doubt Rad can compete with the quality of a brand like Specialized.
I’m loving the loadout here. And I’m loving the fact that you’re basically getting Specialized quality and attention to detail at a more direct-to-consumer price. In fact, the packaging and owners manual alone speak volumes about this e-bike and the company behind it. Most direct-to-consumer e-bikes expect you to say thanks for including a couple Ikea-quality hex wrenches produced out of a steel-butter alloy. But the Globe Haul ST comes with a full tool kit including a freakin’ torque wrench to make sure you not only assemble the bike properly but also torque all the bolts to spec. Mmmm, I love that.
Though for those that don’t want the hassle of self-assembly, Specialized also offers an option to have the bike shipped to their local dealer for professional assembly.
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Zoox has announced a partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas, the first official agreement between a robotaxi provider and a Vegas resort property.
Zoox remains one of the more exciting autonomous rideshare developers we follow on Electrek. It may not be the largest or most expanded robotaxi company, but Zoox has something operating on roads that none of its competitors have been able to do—a purpose-built vehicle.
Earlier this month, Zoox announced an expansion of its testing fleet (not the purpose-built robotaxis) into its seventh US city, Atlanta. The expansion now includes Austin, Seattle, Miami, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
In the summer of 2023, Zoox expanded its robotaxi operations to Las Vegas, beginning on a one-mile loop at speeds up to 35 mph. By March 2024, Zoox has expanded its robotaxi geofence to five miles from Zoox’s headquarters to the south end of the strip, with multiple routes available in between, at speeds up to 45 mph.
Zoox also bolstered its robotaxi perception system for inclement weather and adjustments between day and night on the road. This expanded operational hours, including nighttime and continued service under light rain and damp road conditions.
At that time, Zoox said it was closer than ever to commercial operations and paid customer rides. It’s still not there yet in Las Vegas, but Zoox has announced an interesting new partnership, which should help get more passengers on the strip into its robotaxis while gathering additional feedback
Select riders can hail a free Zoox robotaxi in Las Vegas
Resorts World Las Vegas announced Zoox as its first-ever official robotaxi partner. This partnership entails a dedicated and branded pickup and drop-off location for autonomous ride-hailing service at the resort and an “experiential activation” within the resort.
After becoming the first company to operate a purpose-built robotaxi on public roads in Las Vegas, Zoox is now the first of such rideshare providers to sign an official partnership with a Vegas resort. Zoox hopes its unique four passenger robotaxi with no steering wheel or pedals will add to the overall experience of Resorts World guests wanting to explore other parts of the strip. Per Zoox’s chief product officer Michael White:
Zoox and Resorts World share a joint focus on creating superior customer experiences. When visitors ride with Zoox, they’ll find the service offers an extension of the signature hospitality they’ve come to expect from Resorts World’s collection of premium brands, including Hilton, Conrad, and Crockfords. This partnership will allow us to enhance the overall guest journey, adding to their Las Vegas experience with personalized mobility.
To that note, Resorts World Las Vegas president and CFO Carlos Castro shared a similar sentiment about Zoox’s technology and how it can add to the world of premium hospitality, much of which Vegas has become renowned for:
At Resorts World, we seek partners that align with our vision of what the future of guest experiences can be. This collaboration with Zoox reflects our commitment to integrating technology solutions that elevate our service offerings and enhance how guests experience our property. By welcoming Zoox robotaxis into our transportation ecosystem, we’re creating new possibilities for our guests, while reinforcing Las Vegas’s position as a global innovation hub.
There is a catch.
Since Zoox has not yet been commercially launched for paid public rides in Las Vegas, interested riders must sign up for the company’s Explorer program. This program invites select riders to experience the Zoox robotaxi for free and provide feedback.
The company plans to open its robotaxi service to the general public in Las Vegas later this year.
I’m going to try to get on the Zoox Explorer list and test one of these rides out in Las Vegas… you know… for research purposes.
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![Texas just shot its wind + solar boom in the foot on purpose [Update]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/12/czNmcy1wcml2YXRlL3Jhd3BpeGVsX2ltYWdlcy93ZWJzaXRlX2NvbnRlbnQvZmwzNjM4Njg2NjM3MC1pbWFnZS5qcGc.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Texas is No. 2 in the US for wind and solar capacity, but the Texas Senate passed a bill that aims to kneecap clean energy with an industry-killing review process. Here’s what happened in the House.
May 28, 2025: The Senate passed SB 819, which would have created prohibitive new restrictions on wind and solar energy development that didn’t apply to any other form of energy. But it failed to meet deadlines that would have allowed it to progress in the House, so it’s now dead in the water. (Good riddance.)
SB 388 and SB 715, also anti-renewable, also died in the House of Representatives for the same reason. SB 388 would have required 50% of new energy generation to be “dispatchable,” but the bill unfairly excluded battery storage as a form of dispatchable energy. SB 715 wanted to require existing renewable energy installations to install backup energy.
Adrian Shelley, Texas director of Public Citizen, said, “The failure of these three bills is a victory for ratepayers. It is also a tacit recognition by a legislature that is too friendly to fossil fuels that renewable energy sources are an indispensable part of powering the state.”
April 15, 2025: The Texas Senate today passed SB 819, which creates new restrictions on the development of wind and solar energy under the guise of “protecting” wildlife. The restrictions don’t apply to any other forms of energy.
Texas uses an extraordinary amount of power, and renewables play a big part in supplying that power. The Texas Tribune reported in March that “ERCOT [the Texas grid] predicts that Texas’ energy demand will nearly double by 2030, with power supply projected to fall short of peak demand in a worst-case scenario beginning in summer 2026.” That’s because of extreme weather, population growth, and crypto-mining facilities.
As of February, Texas increased its energy supply by 35% over the last four years, and 92% of that supply came from solar, wind, and battery storage.
Solar is the largest source of energy generating capacity that has been added to the Texas grid. That’s because it’s cost-effective and it can be deployed quickly. So if new solar projects are kneecapped, power demand will outstrip supply in the Lone Star State.
Daniel Giese, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)’s Texas director of state affairs, stated after the Senate’s vote, “With energy demand rising fast, Texas needs every megawatt it can generate to keep the lights on and our economy strong. We cannot afford to turn away from the pro-energy and pro-business policies that made the Lone Star State the energy capital, but that’s exactly what SB 819 does. We urge the Texas House to reject this bill.”
Less clean energy would also jack up electricity bills for Texans, and rural areas would lose billions in landowner revenue and tax payments. Every time a wind farm or solar farm is installed on rural land, it brings a lot of money to the community that surrounds it. A January report estimated that existing and planned solar, wind, and battery storage projects will contribute $20 billion in local tax revenue and $29.5 billion in landowner payments.
What’s especially baffling about this bill is that it flies in the face of a core Texas value – keeping the government out of private property decisions – yet it does precisely the opposite.
Environment Texas executive director Luke Metzger issued the following response: ‘By making it much more difficult to build wind and solar energy in Texas, this bill threatens to increase pollution, increase blackouts and increase our electric bills.
“Under the guise of helping land and wildlife, SB 819 would create a discriminatory and capricious permitting standard that could grind renewable energy development to a halt.
“We urge the House of Representatives to reject this bill and instead support policies that promote a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for all Texans.”
It will come as no surprise to regular readers that I find this bill ludicrously masochistic. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below, and please keep it civil.
Read more: A vast 600 MW Texas solar farm just hit a major milestone [update]
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Chevy is making it more affordable to drive off in one of its new EVs. With new incentives, you can now snag a 2025 Chevy Silverado EV for much less than a Tesla Cybertruck. The Equinox and Blazer EVs are also on sale this month.
Chevy EVs are getting more affordable
With the electric Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer rolling out, Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US.
In the first quarter, GM sold 10,329 Chevy Equinox, 6,187 Blazer, and 2,383 Silverado EVs in the US. Arguably, the biggest reason behind the brand’s success is affordability.
Starting at just $34,995, GM calls the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV. The base LT FWD model has an EPA-estimated range of 319 miles, more than enough for your typical daily commute.
Chevy launched new deals ahead of Memorial Day, making its EVs even more affordable. After cutting interest rates to 0% APR, Chevy’s electric pickup is significantly cheaper to finance than the Tesla Cybertruck.
The 2025 Chevy Silverado EV is now listed at 0% APR for 60 months, plus you can still take advantage of the potential $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
According to CarsDirect, the rate cut on a 5-year loan could translate to almost $5,300 in savings. The Cybertruck has a 5-year interest rate of 5.49%.
Chevy is offering 0% APR on all electric vehicles, including the 2025 Equinox and Blazer EVs. Both are also eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit.
The 2025 Equinox EV FWD LT remains one of the best deals right now, with monthly leases starting at just $289. The 2LT model may be an even better deal at just $299 per month.
Chevy is offering leases as low as $399 per month on the 2024 Blazer EV and $849 per month for the 2024 Silverado EV Crew 4WD RST.
Thinking about trying out Chevy’s new EV lineup for yourself? We’ll help you get started. Check out our links below to find Silverado, Equinox, and Blazer EVs at a dealer near you.
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