JackRabbit’s ‘silly little e-bike’ gets big updates, bigger motor, dual batteries, & more
JackRabbit has just launched a major update to its product line, unveiling the JackRabbit XG as a (slightly) larger version of its micro e-bike. The new model comes with a number of upgrades over the original pint-sized 25 pound (11 kg) two-wheeler.
When I first tested the original JackRabbit, I described it lovingly as a “silly little e-bike”. Sure, it looks odd with its short wheel base and diminutive stature. But a growing community of JackRabbit riders has demonstrated that there’s real demand for simple, lightweight yet speedy rides that optimize for convenience. The entire thing folds flat to only take up a few inches of space and was originally designed as an e-bike for college students that needed a small, simple and cost effective type of alternative transportation. At $999, it was hard to go wrong.
Now JackRabbit has found a way to take that same small form factor design and add in some impressive performance enhancements.
The new model is known as the JackRabbit XG (while the original has now been renamed the JackRabbit OG).
The JackRabbit XG sports two of the company’s signature tiny e-bike batteries, doubling the range from 10 to 20 miles (from 16 to 32 km) per charge. They’re about the same physical size as the battery in a power drill and can likely fit in your pocket.
The batteries (which are UL-listed) land just shy of the 160 Wh limit for carry-on batteries for most US airlines, meaning riders can actually take their JackRabbits on a flight with them to ride at their destinations.
In fact, I did just that with the JackRabbit OG earlier this summer.
In addition to the new second battery slot, the JackRabbit XG has a larger 500W continuous-rated motor. The top speed is still limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), but it should reach that speed faster and also climb hills quicker with the increased power.
A second disc brake has been added, offering both front and rear braking, though I never felt like the original was underbraked anyway.
The frame of the JackRabbit XG is now slightly longer with a reinforced downtube for extra strength, the 20″ tires are all-terrain, the front wheel has a new quick-release hub, and there’s a new digital display showing speed, range, and power level. The previous rubber footpegs are also replaced with all-metal pegs, or as JackRabbit describes them, “Siiiick metal footpegs.”
Speaking of those footpegs, they technically qualify this as more of a seated scooter than a true e-bike, technically speaking. That will be relevant in certain jurisdictions that have created separate scooter and e-bike laws, but most areas treat Class 2 e-bikes and seated electric scooters similarly, especially when they travel the same speeds and largely look the same. Be sure to check your local guidelines though if you’re unsure.
All of those additions did manage to walk the bike’s weight up a bit, increasing from 25 to 32 pounds (11 to 14.5 kg). But thats still pretty darn lightweight for a seated electric vehicle of any type.
The new JackRabbit XG comes in four colorways of black, white, yellow and gloss red, though I’m a brightly colored bike fan myself, and so I’d ride the yellow one all day.
The bikes go on sale starting today in both the US and Canada for US $1,749 and are available from JackRabbit’s site as well as the company’s dealers.
Oh, and if you’re worried that the bike looks too small for “real” use, then make sure you check the video at the end of this article showing pro riders jumping these things several feet in the air.
Electrek’s Take
JackRabbit is always going to be a divisive brand due to its uniqueness, but I love this thing. In my opinion, the company has a somewhat similar ethos to Super73, albeit with very different execution. Basically, they offer an eye-catching design for an e-bike meant for a specific type of rider and have built a loyal community that doesn’t care what other people think about their choice of ride. It’s a very different bike than a Super73, but the underlying recipe is there.
I’ve always been more of an e-bike guy than a standing scooter guy, even though I’m often found on both, and so this seems like a great compromise. You get the simplicity of a scooter with a riding geometry that’s more stable like a bike. If you don’t want tiny scooter wheels falling into pot holes but also don’t want to deal with a pedal drivetrain (and the maintenance that goes with it), this is the ticket.
The price is unfortunately high here, especially if you’re looking at a per watt or per pound basis. But that’d be a silly way to judge a silly e-bike like this. The whole point here is that the bike is tiny and convenient. The batteries literally fit in your pocket and the entire thing folds flat so you can slide it behind a desk or under a dorm room bed if you needed to. There’s even a travel bag (coming soon, apparently) for flying/sailing/traveling with the bike.
I’m sure lots of people are going to smirk at this thing, and that’s understandable. It looks funny. It’s also not for everyone. There are hundreds of e-bikes and scooters out there, and none of them are right for everyone. This one is wrong for lots of people, but it’s also right for lots of others, in my opinion. And that’s coming from someone who actually rides one, not just someone who comments on the internet (though I do that a lot too).
If I could have had one more addition here, it would have been built-in LED lights for safety. But seeing the new higher power motor, dual UL-listed batteries, dual brakes and upgraded frame/footpegs is already making me excited. [Update: I was just informed that the bike will actually ship with LED lights that connect to light ports on the front and rear. Perfect!] Now I just need to beg, borrow, or steal one of these soon for a full review!
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On today’s informative episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got Honda engineers Jason Hwang and Emilio Sanchez to talk us through some of the things that make the GM Ultium-based Honda Prologue EV feel like a real Honda, and why that matters.
Jason and Emilio talk about some of the choices they made to make the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX feel different from its GM-branded cousins, and explain why this was much more than a case of badge-engineering. Give it a listen, then let us know what you think of the Prologue and ZDX in the comments.
Today’s episode is sponsored by BLUETTI, a leading provider of portable power stations, solar generators, and energy storage systems. For a limited time, save up to 52% during BLUETTI’s exclusive Black Friday sale, now through November 28, and be sure to use promo code BLUETTI5OFF for 5% off all power stations site wide. Learn more by clicking here.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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The first EV charging hub funded by the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Program in the Eastern US is now online in Deerfield, Massachusetts.
The town installed the region’s first DC fast chargers (four ports), along with four Level 2 chargers, at 59 North Main Street in South Deerfield.
These new charging stations, funded with $2.46 million from the CFI program, are conveniently located near Interstate 91 in Franklin County, the most rural county in Massachusetts, which serves drivers from Connecticut up to the Canadian border.
The hub also features local and regional bus stops and designated bike lanes with secure onsite bike racks. The chargers are meant to cater to everyone: from local residents and visitors to municipal EVs and commercial vehicles that service the region’s businesses, like those in food and beverage manufacturing.
Gabe Klein, executive director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, sees this as a model for future projects:
Multi-modal charging hubs in communities are key to giving more people the choice to ride and drive electric. The Town of Deerfield is showing leadership in building out convenient charging infrastructure that brings new transportation choices to rural and disadvantaged communities while supporting local commerce.
In recent years, Deerfield has experienced increased climate change-driven flooding from nearby rivers, including the Deerfield River, the Connecticut River, and the Bloody Brook. The project incorporates environmental engineering designed to mitigate and adapt to the effects of flooding and climate, including the installation of permeable asphalt and rain gardens, planting of native trees, grasses, and shrubs, and the creation of new greenspace in the center of Deerfield.
The Biden-Harris administration’s CFI Grant Program is expanding EV infrastructure nationwide. It offers grants for projects that complement and expand upon the initiatives of the NEVI program in urban, rural, and disadvantaged and low-income communities. So far, the CFI Grant Program has allocated over $1 billion to nearly 100 projects across the US, encouraging private investments and expanding the EV charging network to make EV ownership more practical and convenient.
Read more: The US reaches milestone of 200,000+ public EV charging ports
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Kia’s upcoming EV4 electric sedan was just spotted testing in the US for the first time. The low-cost EV is expected to make its big debut by the end of the year. Here’s a look at the new model.
The EV4 will round out Kia’s new “EVs for all” master plan launched last year. Kia showcased three new models, the EV3, EV4, and EV5, during its first annual EV Day in October 2023.
During the event, Kia outlined its new global strategy to “lead and accelerate the EV revolution” with a wide range of models priced from $30,000 to $80,000.
Kia plans to rapidly expand its lineup with a series of smaller, lower-priced models. It launched the EV9, its first three-row electric SUV, which is already proving to be a hot seller in the US. Starting at under $55,000, the EV9 is still a great deal compared to others in its class, but Kia plans to go even lower.
The EV3 and EV4 are expected to be among the most affordable electric vehicles when they arrive in the US.
Kia’s new EV4 is now testing in the US
Ahead of its official debut, Kia’s new EV4 sedan was recently caught driving on US streets for the first time.
The latest image from KindelAuto doesn’t reveal much more than what’s been shown in the past, but the fact that it’s now testing in the US is significant.
Kia’s EV3 is already on sale in Korea, starting at around $30,000 (42.08 million won). Earlier this week, the company said its new compact SUV is now available across Europe, starting at around $38,000 (36,000 euros) with a “segment-leading range” of up to 375 miles (WLTP).
Next up will be the EV4. Kia is expected to officially reveal the new EV by the end of the year, with deliveries starting in 2025. It could be as soon as next week at the 2024 LA Auto Show.
The interior will feature Kia’s advanced new ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3″ navigation and driver display screens. An otherwise minalimalistic design is expected inside.
Kia’s EV4 will also be available in a hatchback variant. Although the hatch is likely aimed at European buyers, it was also recently spotted testing in the US for the first time.
We will learn official prices closer to launch, but the EV4 is expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000.
Kia is teasing five new vehicles for the US, at least one being a new EV, that will debut at the LA Auto Show next week. Will it be the EV3? EV4?
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