NIU BQi-C3 Pro review: A funny-shaped yet awesome electric bike
I fell in love with the NIU BQi-C3 Pro electric bicycle the first time I laid eyes on it. The U-shaped frame and the vibrantly contrasting red and white color scheme created a comfortable-looking yet playful design that I knew I would have to test out myself.
It took longer than I had hoped – I continued to drool over it at more than one industry show after its debut – but the day finally came when I got to test it. And now that I’ve put several good weeks on the BQi-C3 Pro, I can finally share my thoughts on this unique e-bike.
This isn’t NIU’s first e-bike model, but it’s also not the brand’s main claim to fame. You’re probably more familiar with the company’s seated electric scooters that have helped propel NIU into a global leader in the electric scooter market.
You may have even seen the brand’s electric kick scooter line that has proven over the last couple years to be a growing segment of NIU’s diverse transportation lineup.
But the BQi-C3 Pro is new territory for NIU, both in terms of design and components. Check out what it’s like to ride such an interesting e-bike in my video review below. Then keep reading for my complete written review after the video.
NIU BQi-C3 Pro video review
NIU BQi-C3 Pro tech specs
- Motor: 750W peak-rated rear hub motor
- Top Speed: 45 km/h (28 mph) in unlocked Class 3 mode
- Battery: Dual 48V 10Ah batteries for 960Wh total
- Range: Up to 145 km (90 miles)
- Weight: 32 kg (70.5 lb.)
- Load capacity: 130 kg (287 lb.)
- Brakes: Mechanical disc brakes
- Extras: Color display with individual battery battery readouts, kickstand, integrated rear rack, LED headlight and tail light, included fenders, internally routed wiring
What makes it different?
There are a lot of new e-bikes out there, with several additional product launches coming seemingly every week. While many are simply rehashed OEM e-bike designs, the NIU BQi-C3 Pro is finally something quite refreshing.
It’s not totally new – we’ve seen low step-through frames before. But it’s an interesting combination of parts and design with a fairly respectable component list, all at a reasonable price. With two batteries, a Gates carbon belt drive, and a top speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), it’s really ticking a lot of my boxes.
That being said, there are also a few areas where I can see some real room for improvement. But let’s start with the positives.
Performance and connectivity
The two biggest advantages of the NIU BQi-C3 Pro are probably the performance and the smart features.
A fast e-bike that can hit 28 mph (45 km/h) is a wonderful commuter tool, especially in North America where sub-par cycling infrastructure often means that cyclists need to share the road with faster moving car traffic. The ability to keep up at city speeds is the difference between owning the lane or getting dangerously passed on the shoulder.
The 750W motor offers plenty of torque to get up to speed quickly, while the dual batteries provide 980 Wh of total capacity. That’s enough for a claimed 90 miles (145 km) of range on pedal assist. And unlike most dual battery e-bikes, it actually looks good! Many dual battery e-bikes look like someone simply tacked on a couple bulky black battery packs wherever they’d fit. The NIU BQi-C3 Pro shows what having a scooter design background can do for a company as it expands into new markets.
Speaking of that design legacy, anyone who is already familiar with NIU’s electric scooters will enjoy seeing many of the same smart features encompassed in the brand’s e-bike as well. It’s more than just a similar design language with recognizable components like that halo headlight. It also comes down to connectivity with an intuitive app giving riders control over the bike’s features, trip planning, data recording, map functions, and more.
The app is great for extra information, but even the bike’s own built-in color display already provides plenty of detail, including separate battery gauges for each of the two packs. I think this is the first time I’ve seen that on an e-bike, as most dual battery e-bikes use a single indicator on the screen to represent both batteries. Knowing if one of your batteries is nearly empty because you forgot to charge it is a big benefit when you’re about to head out on a longer trip.
Highs and lows when it comes to components
The NIU BQi-C3 Pro scores some wins when it comes to component selection. I’ll always drool over a nice Gates carbon belt drive, which is superior to chains in so many ways. From less noise to less maintenance to less mess, it’s truly a “less is more” situation.
The heavy-duty rack is a great addition, as are the grippy street tires and the nicely adjustable handlebars. Even the saddle is surprisingly comfortable.
I can look past the lack of suspension since this is a city e-bike, and it’s designed for riders who are used to non-suspension city bikes. I know some people consider suspension a necessity. And to those people, I say look elsewhere. But at the same time, other people (usually seasoned cyclists) see suspension as a needless waste of extra weight and one more part to eventually break.
So while I can look past the lack of suspension, it’s the lack of hydraulic disc brakes that seems like a major omission to me – at least on an otherwise very nicely designed e-bike like this. There’s nothing inherently wrong with mechanical disc brakes, and the ones included on the BQi-C3 Pro are just fine. But on what feels like a more premium bike, especially one that can hit 28 mph (45 km/h), I would have expected higher quality and lower maintenance hydraulic disc brakes.
And while I’m finding fault with component choices, I have to wonder what is going on with the gear ratio. As a belt drive e-bike, the only way to offer multiple gears is with an internally geared hub (IGH). The BQi-C3 Pro lacks an IGH since the 750W hub motor is mounted in the rear. That means that with a fairly low gear ratio that allows riders to have a fighting chance at getting rolling on a slight incline, there’s no way you’ll be able to add any pedaling support at the bike’s top speed. Even the mid 20s of mph are basically a no-go when your feet are flying like a salad spinner. At that point you’re simply using the cadence sensor in the pedal assist system to trigger the motor to take you up to top speed.
You can see what I mean in the video above, where 28 mph (45 km/h) pedaling looks almost comical.
I understand that NIU was avoiding a mid-drive motor to keep cost down, which meant a hub motor was necessary. But putting it up front would have allowed a simple 3-speed IGH in back. Front hub motors of course have their own disadvantages, but I’d argue that it would have been worth it to allow usable pedaling at higher speeds.
Sum it all up
In conclusion, despite there being a few head scratchers in the design, I’m quite happy with what NIU has built here. It’s not just an attractive e-bike, but also one that packs in fast speeds, long range, high power and smart connectivity, not to mention the joy that is a Gates belt drive system.
The MSRP of US $2,199 is a tad high compared to other commuter e-bikes, but the Gates belt drive contributes to that price tag, as do the smart features, dual batteries, and two-year warranty. You can easily contribute a few hundred bucks to each of those bullet points, and combining them all together results in a more expensive e-bike, unfortunately.
With the price occasionally dropping by several hundreds dollars though depending on current sales (it looks like it’s at US $1,999 right now), you start to get into serious value territory considering everything this e-bike has to offer.
While the NIU BQi-C3 Pro isn’t perfect, there’s enough to love here that I consider it a solid buy for someone looking for a bit more than the average budget e-bike.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Environment
Destroyed Cybertruck used in Vegas bombing is for sale, Musk said Tesla would rebuild it
The Tesla Cybertruck used in the Las Vegas bombing appears to have landed in an auction for sale as salvaged, still destroyed. CEO Elon Musk said Tesla would put it back on the road.
Good luck with that.
In January, a Tesla Cybertruck exploded at the Trump Tower in Las Vegas.
The driver is believed to have shot himself in the head right before the vehicle exploded. Evidence proved that some firework mortars and gas canisters were inside the Cybertruck’s bed.
After the explosion, Tesla CEO Elon Musk praised the Cybertruck for “containing” the explosion and reducing the damage.
He even went as far as claiming that the powertrain was still working and that Tesla would rebuild the Cybertruck and bring it back on the road:
“Once we get this Cybertruck back to Tesla, we’ll buff out the scratches and get it back on the road.”
When questioned about the seriousness of this statement, he affirmed, “No, I mean it.”
They clearly haven’t yet because the Cybertruck has now shown up as a salvaged vehicle for auction on IAA’s site:
It’s not clear if Tesla had an opportunity to get the truck until now, but they certainly could buy it now.
Electrek’s Take
Good luck rebuilding the truck. Maybe they can salvage the battery pack and motors in a new truck, but there’s no way or point to salvage the chassis.
Elon has already confirmed that Tesla engineers have looked at the car. I’m sure that they had the opportunity to get it from the insurance company.
I bet that Tesla doesn’t want the car, and it won’t be back on the road as Elon claimed. You can add it to the list of lies he told this year. Are we in the hundreds already? And we are only in March.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
What’s better than an all-electric boat? An all-electric boat with a hot tub in it. Niche boatbuilder Spacruzzi made waves (but limited wake) last year with an electric hot tub boat model showcased around the US, including Lake Tahoe and even on the Chicago River. For 2025, Spacruzzi has introduced a sleeker and more refined version of its electric boat and opened its waiting list for a limited number of builds scheduled for this year.
Spacruzzi is a marine vessel developer whose flagship product shares the same name and looks to stand out as a luxury option for both private owners and rental operators. Per the company website:
While there have been other versions of hot tub boats on the market over the years, nothing comes close to matching the experience of a Spacruzzi. From the attention to detail, luxury finishes and patent pending features to the outstanding build quality and ease of ownership – we have set out to create the most sought after experience on the water. We built Spacruzzi to provide an unforgettable experience to the end user while giving rental operators and entrepeneuers an exciting new offering to build and grow their business and it is our mission to enable this industry to thrive.
Each electric boat is designed, fabricated, and assembled by hand at Spacruzzi’s facilities in Polson, Montana. They arrive fully compliant for anyone and everyone to operate and deliver mobility technology that exceeds environmental regulations.
A previous version of the Spacruzzi electric hot tub boat appeared on the FOX game show Snake Oil, and several were put into rental operations on the Chicago River—available even during some of the colder months.
Recently, Spacruzzi introduced an updated version of its electric hot-tub boat featuring a more luxurious look and feel. Additionally, a select few can put a deposit down to secure one for themselves this year.
Spacruzzi introduces upgrades to its 2025 hot tub boat
The images above show the updated version of Spacruzzi’s electric hot tub boat. This model is 15.6 feet long and 8.2 feet wide, with a draft of only 2.75 feet, enabling it to navigate shallow waters. When on the water, the Spacruzzi electric hot tub boat offers room for 6 passengers and weighs about 4,500 pounds at max capacity, alongside 400 gallons of water in the tub itself, which can be heated to up to 104℉.
The hot tub boat is propelled by a 3.0 Torqeedo electric motor pod that delivers approximately 3-5 horsepower, translating to 4-5 mph speeds on the water. A USCG-compliant propane heater supports the vessel’s hot tub operations, and two compartments aft of the vessel offer room for up to four lithium battery packs capable of powering the motor, heater, and internal water treatment system for up to 16 hours.
Each boat includes one battery pack that can deliver between four and five hours of running time on a single charge. Each boat also has AC charging capabilities, but Spacruzzi can add fast charging for an additional fee. Speaking of fees, Spacruzzi shared that it has opened its waitlist for its 2025 hot tub boat production schedule.
Interested individuals or businesses can secure an electric hot tub boat build with a $2,500 non-refundable deposit. When Spacruzzi is ready to assemble your vessel, it requires a 50% deposit minus the $2,500 waitlist deposit. The final 50% payment is due when the order is complete; it will be shipped to your specified destination. Spacruzzi says builds take about 90-100 days after receiving the 50% production deposit. Per Spacruzzi, the base price of its updated boat is $68,500.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Ford is investing billions in Europe as it struggles to keep pace with the wave of Chinese and other low-cost EVs hitting the market. With another 4.4 billion euros ($4.8 billion) in funding, Ford looks to turn things around, but it’s also calling on lawmakers to do more.
Ford injects billions in Europe to fight Chinese EVs
With “significant losses” over the past few years, Ford is restructuring its business in Europe as it aims to cut costs and simplify operations.
Back in November, the American automaker said it planned to cut another 4,000 jobs in Europe by 2027, blaming “lower-than-expected” demand and mounting pressure from new EVs entering the market, including Chinese brands like BYD and SAIC’s MG.
Ford announced plans to invest another 4.4 billion euros ($4.8 billion) on Monday to support its transformation. The funds will be used to reduce the growing debt at its German subsidiary, Ford-werke GmbH.
In a statement, the company said the new capital injection will help reduce debt at Ford plants in Germany and fund a multi-year business plan. Ford’s German unit has about 5.8 billion euros ($6.3 billion) of debt.
Ford Motor Company’s vice chairman, John Lawler, explained, “With the new capital for our German subsidiary, we are driving the transformation of our business in Europe and strengthening our competitiveness with a new product range.”
Lawler stressed the need to “simplify our structures, reduce costs and increase efficiency” if it wants to compete. He added that Europe needs “a clear political agenda” to promote EV adoption that aligns with consumer demand.
Over the past few years, Ford has invested heavily in Europe to better compete, including $2 billion to upgrade its Cologne manufacturing plant to produce EVs.
The plant builds two models, Ford’s electric Explorer and Capri. Although Ford revealed its fourth EV for Europe (including the Mustang Mach-E) in December, the Puma Gen-E is being built in Romania.
Electrek’s Take
Can Ford spark life back into its European business? It’s not the only one struggling to keep up with new competition, Volkswagen is also cutting jobs in its home market and is even considering closing plants.
Legacy automakers, like Ford and Volkswagen, have been caught off guard by Chinese EV leaders like BYD’s aggressive expansion overseas to drive growth.
According to Jato Dynamics, Chinese brands are quickly gaining traction in Europe. In January 2025, 37,134 Chinese vehicles were registered, a 52% increase from the previous year. During the same time, Chinese brands’ market share grew from 2.4% to 3.7%. Combined, it would now put them ahead of Ford.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports11 months agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports3 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business2 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway