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Aventon’s Pace 350 and Pace 500 e-bikes have long been the brand’s main commuter models for budget-minded riders still looking for a quality electric bike for riding to work or running errands. Now the company has launched its third-generation models known as the Pace 350.3 and Pace 500.3. And they’re better than ever.

At least, that’s if you like added features.

But since most everyone enjoys getting more bang for their buck, the Pace 350.3 and 500.3 are sure to impress with their updated designs and components.

Perhaps the biggest of the updates is actually invisible at first but makes a big impact on the pedaling experience. The models received a new torque sensor to engage the pedal assist, meaning that when riders push on the pedals, the motor’s assist is delivered at precisely the right moment and at the right power level based on how hard the rider pedals. Cheaper cadence sensor based e-bikes typically provide a set amount of motor power when the pedals begin to move, regardless of whether the rider is cranking hard or simply trying to roll forward a few feet.

This new torque sensor setup is sure to win over riders who depend on smooth pedal assist for a workout while still enjoying the benefits of an electric motor to take the edge off startups and hill climbs.

But of course the bike still comes with a throttle for times when riders are a bit tired or just want to let the motor do all the work.

aventon pace 500.3

Both models are produced using 6061 aluminum frames with integrated batteries that can be locked on the bike or removed for charging off the bike.

The Pace 500.3, which is priced at $1,699, falls in the Class 3 category with its 28 mph (45 km/h) top speed on pedal assist (though the speed drops to 20 mph (32 km/h) on throttle-only riding). The 500W continuous-rated motor in the rear wheel draws its power from a 48V 12.8Ah battery with 614 Wh of capacity.

Riders who keep the bike in lower power mode can enjoy up to 60 miles (96 km) of range from that battery, though using higher power or riding with only the throttle will quickly eat into that range, reducing it to around 30 miles (48 km). For those that do make use of the pedals, an 8-speed drivetrain will help riders dial in their desired pedal cadence and will also be a welcome relief on hill climbs, though the 500W motor tends to flatten out hills as well. Nothing can quite flatten out the downhill sections but at least you’ll have some grippy hydraulic disc brakes for safe and secure stops.

The Pace 500.3 also features Aventon’s new turn signals that we first saw on the Aventure.2 earlier this year. The new turn signals are mounted along with the bike’s tail lights on the seatstays, or the parts of the frame that extend down from below the seat to the rear wheel’s axle. They keep the tail light and turn signals visible from the sides and rear of the bike, and they also spread the turn signals far enough apart to make the signaling more clear to drivers.

Aventon’s color LCD screen is also included on the bike, which gives the Pace 500.3 app integration for recording rides, making customizations to the bike’s performance and more.

Aventon’s new Pace 350.3 is a retail exclusive model that has a slightly lower power 350W motor and a slightly smaller battery, but still comes with many of the same features such as the torque sensor, app connectivity, and a 60-mile range.

Both bikes are outfitted like city bikes but actually fall somewhere in the city/cruiser spectrum thanks to their relaxed geometry and adjustable sweptback handlebars.

Electrek’s Take

Both of the new Pace 500.3 and Pace 350.3 models impress me, and I love to see major additions like torque sensors and good turn signals. I usually pan turn signals that are only a couple of inches apart since they do nothing more than confusingly flash in the middle of the bike. But with a solid foot or so between these turn signals, they’re spread about as far as they can be on the bike and are much more likely to get the point across to drivers.

I would have loved to see Aventon make these models a bit more commuter-friendly out of the box with an included rack and fenders, but I understand that not everyone wants or needs that equipment, so leaving it off isn’t the end of the world (and is actually an advantage for some riders).

Seeing two options for sizes and two frame styles (step-over and step-through) is also great, since not everyone is built the same and one-size-fits-most e-bikes tend to alienate the ends of the rider height range.

It’s also interesting to see Aventon take the Pace 350.3 offline as a retail-only model. While that would seem limiting at first, Aventon has quietly expanded its dealer network across the country and you probably have a bike shop near you that carries them.

All in all, I’d say Aventon did a great job here with these updates. I’m looking forward to getting some saddle time and trying the bikes myself.

aventon pace 500.3

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All the EVs you can buy for less than Cadillac CELESTIQ’s $60,000 price hike

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All the EVs you can buy for less than Cadillac CELESTIQ's ,000 price hike

Cadillac wants to live up to its “standard of the world” tag line so bad they can taste is – but adding $60K to the CELESTIQ’s MSRP might not be the flex the marketing team might think. To teach them a lesson, we’re going to ignore the CELESTIQ and list every new EV you can buy for less than that $60K price hike, instead. Enjoy!

Cadillac is on the verge of an electric renaissance, with nearly 40% of all new Caddies sold last quarter being electric and historic votes of confidence coming from the international motoring press. That said, a $60,000 price hike on the company’s hand built, ultra-luxury flagship CELESTIQ sedan feels especially like a cynical cash grab in today’s economy.

So, instead of talking about the now $60,000 pricier Cadillac CELESTIQ, I’ve decided to give you a list of all the new EVs you can buy (in the US, at least) for less than that $60K. Take a look at the list, below, then let me know if I missed any in the comments.

If you’re curious about what those vehicles are actually selling for, what rebates and special rates are out there, or even just want to take one for a test drive, click on one of the links and you’ll be directed to a local dealer who can walk you through it all (trusted affiliate link).

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Original content from Electrek.


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Nissan has global ambitions for its affordable plug-in pickup truck [update]

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Nissan has global ambitions for its affordable plug-in pickup truck [update]

Zhengzhou Nissan has launched a new, plug-in pickup in the Chinese market called the Z9. It’s the same size as the Nissan Frontier Pro, offers over 35 miles of all-electric range, and pricing starts at just $16,600.

UPDATE 04NOV2025: more details and more markets for 2026.

The rebuilding of Nissan started to pick up earlier this year with the launch of the brand’s first plug-in pickup truck in China this past summer. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model offers 410 hp and an 84 mile electric-only range – more than enough for it to meet the everyday needs of most drivers with easy access to liquid fuel when needed.

It seems like a neat truck, but since it was designed and developed specifically for the Chinese market, its great specs and nearly impossible $24,800 starting price (on the entry-level Frontier Pro model) meant it would have limited impact – and limited interest – in other markets.

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Until now, that is! CarScoops is reporting that Nissan now has plans to export a tweaked version of the hybrid Frontier to international markets, and speculates that, “a different version of it could well be built in the US, [since] Nissan’s CEO recently confirmed that a hybrid Frontier is in the works for the North American market.”

You can read the original post, first published back in June, below, then let us know what you think of Nissan’s plans to export its plug-in pickup to other markets in the comments.


Positioned as the electrified sibling of the domestically-built Nissan Frontier Pro, the Zhengzhou Nissan Z9 is essentially a Chinese-market version the Frontier Pro, and it’s spec’ed and priced accordingly, with the as-yet undisclosed price of the Frontier Pro expected to come in a bit higher than the Z9.

That’s less interesting. What’s more interesting is that the Z9 offers 35 miles (60 km) of range on the base, 17 kWh battery, at a price that significantly undercuts even the Slate EV’s $28,000 pre-$7,500 incentive price tag – and that incentive is far from a sure thing.

What’s more, if you feel like spending a bit more, you can get a Zhengzhou Nissan Z9 equipped with a 32.85 kWh battery that’s good for almost 85 miles (135 km) of all-electric range. And even that extended-range model, at ¥168,900 (about $23,400) is still price-competitive with the Jeff Bezos-backed Slate EV.

In short, it’s bound to be a winner.

It’ll sell, but it won’t sell here


Nissan-Frontier-EV-pickup
US-market Nissan Frontier.

With excitement surrounding the Kia Tasman, Slate, and other, similarly affordable light-duty pickups building on the success of the Ford Maverick hybrid, it should come as no surprise that Nissan has international ambitions for its newest electrified pickup.

“In alignment with our ‘In China, For China, Toward the World’ strategy for electrification and smart transformation, Nissan will fully support ZNA’s ‘off-road strategy,’” explained Stephen Ma, Chairman of Nissan (China) Management Committee and President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. “We are working to strengthen our research and manufacturing capabilities, further advancing our presence in the core markets of pickups and off-road vehicles, with the ultimate goal of achieving global expansion.”

It’s exciting stuff, but with all the recent troubles it’s been experiencing, it’s doubtful that Nissan will bring either of its new, Chinese-built mid-size pickups to the US (electrified or otherwise).

“The mission of the new generation of Chinese automotive professionals is clear – to ensure that made-in-China cars are driven across the world. ZNA will utilize its dual-brand and dual-channel advantages to expand its global footprint,” Mr. Mao Limin, Executive Vice President of ZNA, at the Z9’s launch. “We aim to be one of the top exporters of pickups within three years and to reach a sales milestone of 100,000 units.”

That said, Nissan Hardbody fans shouldn’t lose hope quite yet. If Nissan is able to find a new savior in Toyota, a Taco-based BEV pickup with a new LEAF/Ariya-type front fascia might make more sense than you think.

Electrek’s Take


Nissan’s New Chinese Frontier Costs Half of America’s Frontier
Zhengzhou Nissan; via Carscoops.

I’ve already written out my own comeback plans for Nissan, and this new Chinese-market pickup truck doesn’t really fit into them. Like many of you, I’m of the belief that a PHEV isn’t an EV – but I do see their value as “lilypad” cars, and the two Lightning owners I know? Their previous Ford F-150s were hybrids.

SOURCES: Zhengzhou Nissan; side-by-side image via Carscoops.


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Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here.

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MASSIVE Australian battery project will store 5.5 GWh of total power

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MASSIVE Australian battery project will store 5.5 GWh of total power

Finnish energy giant Wärtsilä has announced the latest addition to its massive network utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS) projects in Australia: a record-breaking 1.5 GWh deployment that brings the company’s total energy storage capacity in the nation to 5.5 GWh.

The future of large-scale energy projects in Australia is looking increasingly DC-coupled thanks to Wärtsilä, which just announced plans to build the largest BESS of its kind in the National Electricity Market (NEM). The massive hybrid battery project that marks the company’s ninth site down under, and pushes its total capacity to a formidable 5.5 GWh.

The company says its latest, “record-breaking” energy storage plant is a blueprint for how to efficiently combine solar generation and storage to create a more resilient and decarbonized grid.

“This project is significantly larger than our earlier DC-coupled project, underscoring the need for this type of technology in expanding at scale,” said David Hebert, vice president of Global Sales Management at Wärtsilä. Hebert called the DC-coupled technology, “a breakthrough for hybrid renewable plants and a critical step towards establishing a financially viable renewable energy future.”

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Hebert believes projects like this one play a hugely important role in stabilizing Australia’s grid while, at the same time, advancing the country’s ambitious net-zero emissions targets from the energy sector by 2045.

With a 20-year service agreement already in place and the order set to be booked this quarter, this project is a working prototype for the next generation of global renewable assets. As nations worldwide grapple with the challenge of moving beyond fossil fuels, the success of this massive DC-coupled system will provide a real-world model for how to build a grid that is cleaner, smarter, and more resilient than ever before.

Electrek’s Take Explainer


If you’re not familiar with DC-coupling, it’s an efficiency game-changer. Unlike traditional AC-coupled electrical systems that require converting solar-generated direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) for use by the grid, and then back to DC to use in a battery, a DC-coupled system connects the solar array and battery directly. This architecture cuts energy losses that occur during conversion, capturing more solar power and significantly improving project economics and overall system efficiency.

In other words: it saves money, and shores up the grid. Wins all ’round!

SOURCE | IMAGES: Wärtsilä, via Power.


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