Himiway launches 3 new electric bikes including a silly little $499 model
Electric bicycle brand Himiway just ran a flashy Apple-like product launch to announce three new e-bikes models. The new members of the family include the Himiway Pony electric micro-bike, the Himiway Rambler hybrid/city e-bike and the Himiway Rhino & Rhino Pro dual battery fat tire e-bikes.
The Himiway Pony is perhaps the most eye-catching of all of the launches, not due to a massive frame or giant tires – but rather, quite the opposite.
Instead of going with a “bigger is better” attitude that many e-bike companies seem to be exploring right now, the Himiway Pony is a member of the micro-bike class and is down right pint-sized.
It’s also a downright rip-off, if we’re being honest. Himiway’s designers obviously looked at the Jackrabbit micro e-bike and said “let’s just build that, but in white.”
I’d say they ripped off the small animal name too, but at least on that note it’s fair to say that Himiway has been using animal names for its e-bikes for a few years now. But the design, well, that’s a straight up Jackrabbit copycat.
That design includes an ultra-short wheelbase, a pair of small 20″ wheels, a mini hub motor in the rear wheel and a tiny battery for power. Pedals are replaced by folding foot pegs, further helping to shrink the wheelbase and reduce weight.
In fact, that technically prevents the Himiway Pony from being considered a “bike” in the typical sense since it doesn’t have a manual drivetrain. Instead, it’s perhaps better defined as a seated scooter.
But just like the Jackrabbit that it owes its design to, the Himiway Pony rides more like a bicycle than a scooter thanks to the bicycle-specific parts including the saddle, handlebars and wheels.
With a 300W hub motor and a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h), the Pony is designed for light duty local transportation. The 35 lb (16 kg) bike is light enough to easily lift and toss in a car to use for local errands. The options of either a 180Wh or 360Wh battery provide a range of up to 22 miles (35 km).
Just like the Jackrabbit, there’s only a single rear disc brake. I found that the single brake was plenty when I tested the Jackrabbit, and the lack of a front brake keeps the incredibly short bike from doing a flip if the rider accidentally grabbed too much front brake.
It’s an odd little micromobility device, but for $499, it’s not a bad price. And at $599 for the 22 mile range version with the larger battery, it’d be a cheap way to get yourself on a lightweight and nimble little bike-like machine.
The Himiway Rambler fills a gap that has long existed in Himiways lineup: An e-bike with simple, normal tires. Unlike all the fatties we’ve seen from Himiway, the Rambler finally brings us a normal-looking city e-bike with Himiway badging.
Interestingly, Himiway is producing this commuter e-bike in both a hub motor and mid-drive motor setup. The hub motor is more economical, while the mid-drive motor offers a better weight balance and the ability to power the e-bike through its bicycle gears, which can be a major advantage on hills. Both motors provide 500W of power and are fed by the bike’s 48V 15Ah battery.
On the lowest pedal assist level, Himiway says that the Rambler can achieve up to 55 miles (88 km) of range on a single charge.
The entry-level version with mechanical disc brakes and a hub motor starts at $1,299. Riders can upgrade to hydraulic disc brakes for an extra $200. To get the mid-drive motor version with hydraulic brakes, though, that will cost a good bit more at $2,199.
Lastly, Himiway unveiled the new Rhino and Rhino Pro as what it is referring to as dual battery electric mountain bikes, though I’d call these more of a fat tire trail bike. However you classify them, the bikes are fairly well outfitted for hitting excursions beyond paved roads.
With a pair of removable, frame-integrated batteries rated at 48V and 15Ah each, the bike packs in 1,440 Wh of total capacity. That’s enough for up to 100 miles (160 km) of range, according to Himiway.
The bike rolls on 4.5″ fat tires and hides a 1,000W hub motor in the rear wheel, at least on the standard Rhino. The Rhino pro swaps that hub motor for a Bafang Ultra 1,000W mid-drive motor.
Both bikes have hydraulic disc brakes and front suspension, though the 10-speed transmission on the Rhino Pro offers one more gear than the 9-speed setup on the Rhino.
The Rhino is priced at $2,999 while the Rhino Pro is a bit pricier at $3,999.
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EV tire specialist ENSO has launched a new premium range of ultra-high performance (UHP) tires designed for passenger electric vehicles. Soon, US drivers of EVs from Tesla and other high-performance models will be able to purchase this new tire range as ENSO significantly expands its product lineup.
ENSO is a UK-based company that hails itself as the “world’s first tire company dedicated exclusively to EVs.” Like many EV automakers its tires support, the company utilizes a direct-to-consumer sales model to help reduce a customer’s total cost of ownership while providing tires that extend EV range and reduce pollution.
In the fall of 2024, ENSO signed a strategic international partnership with Uber to provide its EV rideshare drivers with low-emission tires. As the only Certified B-Corporation in the tire industry (a highly-polluting one), ENSO uses more sustainable methods to help transform the global economy, benefiting all people and the planet they inhabit.
To carry on this mission, ENSO has unveiled a new Premium line of EV tires engineered specifically for the unique demands of all-electric driving. Better yet, these new tires are coming to the US soon.
ENSO to launch new premium EV tire line in UK and US
According to a release from ENSO this morning, its new Premium line of EV tires are now available to customers in the UK before these go on sale to US drivers this summer. The ultra-high performance tires are A/A EU-labeled, meaning they carry the highest rating for energy efficiency and wet grip performance.
According to ENSO, its Premium EV tires also deliver the highest energy efficiency and safety in their class. They will help customers like Tesla Model 3 and Model Y owners save on TCO, tire pollution, manufacturing emissions, and reduced energy consumption while driving. Per ENSO co-founder and CEO Gunnlaugur Erlendsson:
ENSO’s mission has always been to accelerate EV adoption by making tires that enhance rather than compromise electric performance. With ENSO Premium, we’re plugging a long-standing gap in the tire market by offering EV drivers a purpose-built, affordable, premium and sustainable EV tire alternative that matches the innovation of their EV. We engineered ENSO Premium for the specific needs of EVs. from instant torque to regenerative braking. We’re delivering a tire that not only performs well but also helps EV drivers get more miles from every charge.
When designing its Premium EV tires, ENSO says it looked to match its drivers’ performance and sustainability values, specifically noting Tesla models. The tires were designed to reduce rolling resistance, extend range, and take longer to wear out than traditional tires, especially given the higher weight of EV models due to large battery packs. The result is a tire that enables fewer charging stops, lower energy consumption, and less overall tire pollution – ideal factors for the growing segment of sustainable electric mobility.
This summer, US drivers will be able to purchase the Premium line of EV tires at wholesalers, independent retailers, and directly through the company website.
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The BP logo is displayed outside a petrol station that also offers electric vehicle recharging, on Feb. 27, 2025, in Somerset, England.
Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Oil giant BP is bracing itself for a shareholder backlash at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday, with a chorus of disgruntled investors planning to voice their concerns over the firm’s green strategy U-turn.
A planned resolution on the reelection of outgoing BP Chair Helge Lund has been billed as an opportunity for investors to signal discontent on climate change, corporate governance and the influence of U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management.
Britain’s beleaguered energy major, which has lagged behind more hydrocarbon-focused industry peers in recent years, has sought to resolve something of an identity crisis by launching a fundamental reset.
Seeking to rebuild investor confidence and boost near-term shareholder returns, BP in February pledged to slash renewable spending and ramp up annual expenditure on its core business of oil and gas.
The strategy reset was broadly welcomed by energy analysts, and BP CEO Murray Auchincloss has since said the pivot attracted “significant interest” in the firm’s non-core assets.
British asset manager Legal & General, a leading shareholder in BP with a roughly 1% stake, said it intends to vote against Lund’s reelection on Thursday — a position that would defy BP’s management recommendation.
Legal & General cited dissatisfaction over major revisions to the firm’s energy strategy, alongside BP’s decision not to allow a shareholder vote on the new direction.
Legal & General’s plans align with those of international asset manager Robeco, U.K. pension funds Nest and Border to Coast, as well as activist investors including Dutch group Follow This — all of which have indicated they will vote against Lund’s reelection.
Norway’s gigantic sovereign wealth fund and a number of U.S. pensions funds, however, have reportedly said they will back Lund’s reelection. Proxy advisors Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis have also recommended a vote in favor of Lund, according to Reuters.
It paves the way for a shareholder showdown at BP’s AGM, with observers closely monitoring the level of investor opposition to Lund’s reelection. Historically, votes against the chair of BP have remained under 10%.
A BP spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by CNBC.
Energy transition plans
BP’s renewed focus on oil and gas comes at a time when the London-listed energy firm is firmly in the spotlight as a potential takeover target. British rival Shell and U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron have all been touted as possible suitors.
“We value the significant steps BP has taken in recent years regarding its climate-related commitments and efforts, which we have supported through extensive and constructive dialogues, aimed at creating long-term value as the climate transition unfolds,” Legal & General’s investment stewardship team said on April 11.
Murray Auchincloss, chief executive officer of BP, during the “CERAWeek by S&P Global” conference in Houston, Texas, on March 11, 2025.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
“However, we are deeply concerned by the recent substantive revisions made to the company’s strategy as announced at the 2025 Capital Markets Day on 26 February, coupled with the decision not to allow a shareholder vote on the newly amended climate transition strategy at the 2025 AGM,” they added.
Legal & General said BP’s announcement earlier this month that Lund will step down, likely next year, was viewed “positively,” but ongoing unease about the firm’s succession plan means it intends to vote against the AGM resolution.
Five years ago, BP became one of the first energy giants to announce plans to cut emissions to net zero “by 2050 or sooner.” As part of that push, BP pledged to slash emissions by up to 40% by 2030 and to ramp up investment in renewables projects.
The company scaled back this emissions target to 20% to 30% in February 2023, saying at the time that it needed to keep investing in oil and gas to meet global demand.
Robeco said in its rationale that BP had refused to repeat a so-called “Say on Climate” vote for its strategy revision, despite previously requesting shareholder support for the firm’s previous and “more ambitious” transition goals.
“We have unsuccessfully requested such a consistent feedback mechanism several times, including in a public letter alongside other investors with GBP 5 trillion in assets under management,” said Michiel van Esch, head of voting at Robeco.
“As a result, we have growing concerns over the company’s resilience through the energy transition, and over the consistency of its approach to climate governance, leading us to vote against the chairman and chair of the safety and sustainability committee,” he added.
Governance concerns
Elliott Management, for its part, is widely thought to be putting pressure on BP to minimize low-carbon investments and prioritize oil and gas. It emerged recently that the activist investor has built a near 5% stake in BP, making it one of the firm’s largest shareholders.
Activist shareholder Follow This, which has a long history of pushing for Big Oil to do more to tackle climate change, said the need to vote against Lund had not disappeared following news of his looming departure. The group added that investors concerned with good governance should voice their dissatisfaction.
“Voting against the board is the only way for shareholders to express their dissent over BP’s refusal to allow a vote on its strategy U-turn,” Mark van Baal, founder of Follow This, said in a statement.
“Now, the board has unilaterally changed course without asking shareholder support with a vote. This raises serious governance concerns. It seems BP’s leadership is afraid of its own shareholders,” he added.
Shares of BP are down nearly 10% year-to-date.
Luxury is a tough concept to pin down, but being constantly connected to work, kids, and telemarketers ain’t it. Genesis gets it, and its latest ultra-luxe off-road concept ditches screens in favor of the view out the windshield – and it’s got enough off-road chops to promise two things about those views: they’re real, and they’re spectacular!
Genesis calls its new X Gran Equator concept an elegant overlander for the modern explorer that marries on-road sophistication with off-road resilience. Whatever they call it, the 4×4’s dashboard is delightfully free from sweeping touchscreens, mood lighting, and any hint of telephonic integration.
Indeed, the interior looked so much like something from the 90s that I double and triple-checked the date on the press release. But don’t take my word for it, check it for yourself.
It’s fantastic
If you zoom in, you can see screens in the instruments. High-definition roll and pitch displays, altimeters, and probably other outdoorsy, overland-y things that the sort of people who want to do that in what would surely be a very well-appointed six-figure SUV for a similarly very well-heeled buyer.
And that buyer? They wouldn’t miss the screen, because the screen doesn’t matter. The real show is out the front windshield – and if someone from the office calls to interrupt the vibe, you won’t even know. I know I’d pay extra for that … and I can’t imagine I’m alone.
This is how Genesis explains it:
Inside, the X Gran Equator Concept orchestrates contrast between analog architecture and digital technologies, crafting a space that feels both functional and evocative. At the center of the cabin is a four-circle display cluster on the center stack, inspired by the vintage camera dials. The interior design features contrasting colors and shapes, with a preference for geometric over organic elements. The dashboard’s linear architecture and absence of decorations focus the driver’s attention on the journey, while swiveling front seats and modular storage solutions enhance practicality.
Genesis didn’t provide pictures of those swiveling seats or modular storage compartments on this concept, but the X Gran Equator Concept will make its in-person debut April 18th at the Genesis booth during the 2025 New York International Auto Show.
After the show, the company will move the concept to a display at Genesis House New York in the Meatpacking District, where it will stay “in residence” until the end of July. If you’re out that way for either event, take a picture of it and tag Electrek on Instagram!
Genesis X Gran Equator photo gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: Genesis.
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