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I’ve ridden a lot of electric scooters in my time, numbering in the hundreds of different models at this point. And so it takes something special to make it to the top of any of my lists these days. Somehow the Scooterson managed to top TWO of my lists at once, becoming the weirdest to ride but very quickly also the coolest electric scooter I’ve ever tested.

I mean, just look at it!

The Scooterson is unlike any other electric scooter I’ve ever ridden or even merely seen before. It also handles very unlike anything I’ve tried before.

In fact, it took me a solid five minutes of riding before I stopped thinking “this… feels wrong” and started making it feel right.

scooterson scooter

That really comes down to the super wide tires, which don’t lean into turns like you expect from traditional two-wheeler tires. Instead, that massive flat surface makes the scooter want to track straight and you’ve got to put some serious countersteer into the bars to make it do what you want. Namely, to turn. It’s just a weird quirk of the geometry here.

It’s not something you have to learn though. In fact, you already countersteer on your current bike or scooter, meaning you turn the bars slightly left when you want to go right, and vice versa. Everyone does this without thinking about it, because it’s how two-wheeled leaning vehicles turn.

But you have to actually think about it with the Scooterson since the movement has to be more pronounced with these tires. The scooter is so determined to stay upright and stable that you’ve got to take the lead in the dance, not asking but rather telling it to turn.

Like I said, the first five minutes were strange, but then I quickly got it. From that point, it’s pretty darn fun. The scooter has much more power than anyone really needs when it’s opened up into unlimited mode. But even in the normal driving modes, it’s got attitude when you open the throttle.

To see what it’s like to ride, check out my video below, then keep reading for even more details about the testing experience!

The scooter’s impressive power comes from a 2,000W motor in the rear wheel that is actually rated for 2,600 peak watts. The base model can hit 28 mph (45 km/h), though there’s a higher-performance model that can be unlocked to reach 34 mph (55 km/h).

With options for either an 800 Wh or 1,600 Wh battery, you can get between 28-56 miles (45-90 km) of range on a single charge.

The battery department is also cleverly designed, and I’m happy to see the inclusion of a removable battery. Not all electric scooters have this feature, and in fact most don’t. The few that do win extra points from me since you have the option of charging the battery remotely. The removable battery design also means that one day you can replace the battery without requiring a handful of tools and some swearing from skinned knuckles.

I’ve got to give Scooterson props on the design too. Not only does it have a really eye-catching aesthetic with its swooping frame tubes and flowing lines, not to mention the fancy paint that looks automotive quality, but they also didn’t plaster logos all over it either, meaning those swooping lines continue unbroken around the body and frame.

Comfort is key on the scooter, and so not only is the seat nicely padded with a gel-type material, but the front fork and seat post both feature the same suspension arms to make sure your wrists and your tush get the support they need.

The scooter is also weirdly stable when parked. There’s a kickstand, but to be honest you don’t really need it. The flat tires keep the scooter upright when parked and you have to give it a pretty hard push to get it leaning over far enough to actually tip sideways.

Outside of the hardware design, the Scooterson team showed me that there’s a pretty nicely developed smartphone app as well that also works with the company’s other vehicles. 

There’s also an NFC key for easy wireless unlocking that also secures your scooter so you know you’re the only one that can use it, though it’s only available on the more premium model of the scooter.

Now there are a few downsides too. The scooter is heavy as all get out at over 112 pounds (51 kg). You’re not going to be lifting this thing up a flight of stairs by yourself, at least not without some serious preparation and proper body mechanics.

I also don’t know how easy it is to fix a flat tire with such specialized wheels and such a heavy scooter to lift up onto a stand. And of course you better believe that something that looks like a million bucks is at least going to cost a few thousand of them. In this case, the MSRP starts at US $3,200. That is… not cheap.

But then again, you’ve got to pay to play when it comes to unique designs like these. Scooterson was nice enough to offer Electrek‘s readers a $500 discount if using the code ELECTREK, so that helps bring the starting price down to just $2,700.

Some scooters or more bang-for-your-buck offerings, whereas the Scooterson feels like more buck-for-your-bang. But there just aren’t any other electric scooters out there like this one. While I would find a hard time justifying it myself, I can see a certain type of rider jumping at the chance for such a unique scooter.

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Meet the Mercedes-Benz ELF: A mobile EV charging rig built for megawatt power

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Meet the Mercedes-Benz ELF: A mobile EV charging rig built for megawatt power

Mercedes-Benz introduced an all-in-one mobile EV charging machine, “ELF,” that promises to unlock charging speeds as quick as filling up at the pump.

Mercedes-Benz unveils the ELF mobile EV charging van

It may look like an electric van, but Mercedes-Benz claims ELF is much more than just any ordinary vehicle. It’s “a symbol of a bold new era in charging,” the luxury brand said on Thursday.

The nickname comes from the German term Experimental-Lade-Fahrzeug (ELF), which translates to Experimental Charging Vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz ELF is an all-in-one mobile EV powerhouse that combines ultra-fast, bidirectional, inductive, and conductive charging. It’s based on the Mercedes V-Class people carrier and is equipped with five unique charging ports.

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It will act as a rolling test lab, promising to unlock faster, more convenient, and sustainable electric vehicle charging.

The ELF features two fast charging systems: A standard Combined Charging System (CCS) and a heavy-duty Megawatt Charging System (MCS).

Mercedes-Benz-ELF-EV-Charging
The Mercedes-Benz ELF is equipped with two fast charging systems: MCS and CCS (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes is “testing the limits of CCS,” claiming the ELF can achieve a charging capacity of up to 900 kW, or enough to add 100 kWh in about 10 minutes. The MCS system, on the other hand, was initially developed for heavy-duty electric trucks, which Mercedes says unlocks charging capacities in the megawatt range.

The company is already using the all-in-one mobile EV charging rig to improve charging on its upcoming vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz-ELF-EV-Charging
The Mercedes-Benz Elf features five different charging ports (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

For example, the Concept AMG GT XX hit a peak charging power of 1,041 kW during megawatt charging after its record-breaking run in Nardò in August.

Mercedes collaborated with Alpitronic to develop a high-performance EV charging station capable of delivering up to 1,000 amps through a modified CCS commercial truck charger. The company is now using what it has learned to develop a new generation of ultra-fast chargers for use at Mercedes-Benz parks.

Mercedes-Benz-ELF-EV-Charging
The Mercedes-Benz ELF (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

According to Mercedes, the new chargers will deliver speeds “that differ only minimally from the conventional refuelling process.”

The ELF is not only capable of absorbing electricity, but Mercedes-Benz is using it to its full potential with bidirectional charging capabilities.

Mercedes-Benz-ELF-EV-Charging
The Mercedes-Benz ELF features Bidirectional charging (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Capable of both AC and DC bidirectional charging, the ELF can feed energy into your home (Vehicle-to-Home/ V2H), the grid (Vehicle-to-Grid/ V2G), or electric devices (Vehicle-to-Load/ V2L).

Mercedes said a typical vehicle battery with a capacity of 70-100 kWh can power an average single-family home for two to four days.

The new electric CLA and GLC with EQ Technology are the first Mercedes vehicles that offer bidirectional charging capabilities. In 2026, the automaker will launch its first services for bidirectional charging in Germany, France, and the UK. Other markets are set to follow shortly after.

In combination with intelligent energy management, Mercedes said electricity costs can be significantly reduced. Depending on energy use, homeowners can save about 500 euros ($580) per year.

Mercedes-Benz is also using the ELF to test other charging methods, including cable-free induction and automated conductive charging.

The learnings from the ELF will be key to unlocking faster, more convenient, and sustainable charging for upcoming Mercedes-Benz EV models.

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Rare earths stocks surge after China tightens grip on global supplies

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Rare earths stocks surge after China tightens grip on global supplies

USA Rare Earth CEO: We are in close communication with White House

Shares of U.S. rare earth and critical mineral miners surged Thursday after China tightened restrictions on exports, fuelling market speculation that the Trump administration will move more aggressively to invest in building out a domestic supply chain.

Ramaco Resources soared 12%, Energy Fuels surged nearly 8%, USA Rare Earth jumped more than 7%, and MP Materials rallied more than 6%. Lithium Americas popped more than 4% and Trilogy Metals rose more than 6%.

Beijing is now requiring foreign entities to obtain a license to export products that contain more than 0.1% of domestically sourced rare earths, according to China’s Ministry of Commerce. Companies will also need export licenses if they use China’s extraction, refining or magnet recycling technology.

“The White House and relevant agencies are closely assessing any impact from the new rules, which were announced without any notice and imposed in an apparent effort to exert control over the entire world’s technology supply chains,” a White House official told CNBC.

China imposed the restrictions ahead of an expected meeting between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Seoul, South Korea later this month. Rare earths have been a major point of contention in trade talks between Beijing and Washington.

‘Game of chicken’

The White House and the U.S. critical mineral industry have accused China of manipulating the market to drive foreign competition out of business. Rare earths are a subset of critical minerals that are crucial inputs for U.S. weapons platforms, robotics, electric vehicles and electronics among other applications.

The Trump administration has taken equity stakes in MP Materials, Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals this year as it seeks to stand up a domestic supply chain against China.

Trump administration has shown 'incredible courage' in their approach to critical minerals: NioCorp

USA Rare Earth and Energy Fuels have not struck deals with the White House, but their CEOs told CNBC that they are in close contact with the Trump administration.

“It’s going to take a lot of players to build out this marketplace,” USA Rare Earth CEO Barbara Humpton told CNBC on Oct. 2.

China’s export restrictions “help to ensure a strong position for Xi to sit down with Trump” on the sidlines of the summit in South Korea, Evercore ISI analyst Neo Wang told clients in a Thursday note.

“Although both Beijing and Washington learnt the lesson the hard way in their last exchange of export controls back in [April] and May, China’s stronger pain endurance rooted in its political system adds to the credibility of its threats in a game of chicken,” Wang wrote.

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Cool new device does for electrified walking what e-bikes did for cycling

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Cool new device does for electrified walking what e-bikes did for cycling

Move over, e-bikes – there’s a new way to get a power boost for cruising around town, and this one straps right to your legs. The Hypershell X Ultra is a high-tech wearable exoskeleton that delivers up to 1,000 watts of electric assist to your stride, giving “powered walking” the same kind of jolt that e-bikes gave to cycling.

The company behind it, Shanghai-based Hypershell, says the X Ultra is its most advanced performance exoskeleton yet, designed for hikers, runners, climbers, and even skiers who want to go farther and faster without wearing out their legs.

The new model uses a 1,000W “M-One Ultra” motor, around 25% more powerful than before, along with upgraded thermal management and improved energy efficiency. To put that in perspective, the US limits street-legal e-bikes to 750 watts of power, while the EU caps them at just 250 watts. That means this wearable device technically delivers more power to your legs than most legal e-bikes deliver to their wheels.

According to Hypershell, the X Ultra can reduce muscle load on the hips by up to 63%, lower heart rate by as much as 42% while cycling, and even cut oxygen consumption by nearly 40%. The system intelligently adapts to your movement using AI-powered gait mapping and offers 12 activity modes, including new ones for running, snow, and sand, that automatically adjust power delivery depending on terrain and intensity.

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Despite all the electronics, it’s surprisingly lightweight. The X Ultra uses titanium alloy and carbon fiber construction to keep the system at just 1.8 kg (4 lb), plus a 410 g (0.9 lb) battery pack. That 72Wh battery claims to deliver up to 65 km (40 miles) of assist when cycling or 30 km (18 miles) when walking, and the system can even regenerate energy on downhills for up to 10% extra range.

With a top speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph), the $1,999 X Ultra is pricey, but could early adopters help it still kick off a new category of electric mobility where people are the vehicle? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

via: Newatlas

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