Micromobility America is set for its latest annual US-based conference, bringing together many of the leading companies, consultants, policymakers, and more in the micromobility industry. Two days of e-bikes, e-scooters, and just about everything else is set to kick off later this week.
Running from October 19-20, 2023, the Micromobility America conference will showcase “over 100 speakers from different areas of the alternative transportation universe, including founders, journalists covering the industry, politicians and policymakers, investors, and so on. Over 1,500 attendees are expected to join the event, taking part in presentations, product launches, award shows, test rides, networking events, and more.”
The first day of the conference is expect to be largely industry-related, focusing on B2B (business to business) topics.
The second day will expand to include more B2C (business to consumer) subjects and will include the first ever “Ride of a Lifetime,” a mass group ride from the venue through the streets, featuring giveaways, music, and more. The group ride was inspired by the successful Rave Ride earlier this year that capped off the Amsterdam-based component of the show, Micromobility Europe.
One of the many highlights of this year’s show is a series of thought-provoking panels attended by CEOs, journalists, policymakers, and other leading individuals in the industry. The panels include “The Shifting Landscape of Shared Micromobility,” “The Road to Retail: How to Sell Small EVs,” “Innovations in Last-Mile Logistics: Delivery Robots, Drones, and Beyond,” “Delivering Change: How to Get More Couriers on Two-Wheels,” and many more.
The attendee and presenter list is sprawling this year and seems to be branching out even wider, especially into the electric motorcycle space. Light electric motorcycle companies like Ryvid and Land will be in attendance, as well as what looks to be dozens of e-bike and e-scooter companies. The Startup Awards section is a great chance to see new, up-and-coming companies with fresh ideas and new takes on existing problems in the industry. The test track area brings together dozens of interesting light electric vehicles for a chance to test new rides that many people only ever get a chance to see in pictures and videos.
Ticket prices for the entire show aren’t for the faint of heart, priced at US $450 up to today (and that even includes a discount!), though the event is largely targeted toward industry and commercial attendees. For those that just want to come and test ride all of the interesting vehicles, US $10 will net you a pass to the Ride Expo on October 20 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Ride of the Lifetime festival-like group ride will likely depart from the event at the Craneway Pavillion around 4:30 p.m. at the end of the Ride Expo. Anyone already taking part in the Ride Expo can join up, but if you want to experience the fun while keeping it completely free, then don’t tell anyone I told you this, but you can probably just hang around the parking lot around that time with your bike or scooter, and then join in with the massive group ride through the streets when they depart the event. If the Amsterdam show was any indication, the group ride included tons of locals who just happened to be around and joined in for the fun.
To see what the group ride will likely look like, check out my video below from the Amsterdam show earlier this year. The Rave Ride starts at around 7:50 p.m.
Electrek’s Take
I attended this conference last year, as well as the European version earlier this year, and both were an awesome experience to talk to some of the most important movers and shakers across the industry. The event is heavily attended by CEOs of most of these major e-bike, e-scooter, and e-moto companies.
Being able to test so many different vehicles, especially back-to-back in order to make direct comparisons, is an invaluable experience.
On a personal note, I unfortunately won’t be able to attend the show this year. I had been on the speaker list, but I live in Israel and after the Hamas terror attacks on October 7, I’ve been supporting the defense of my country, working when I can, and protecting my family. In fact, I wrote around half of this article from my laptop in a bomb shelter after escaping the third rocket barrage today on Tel Aviv. I would love nothing more than to be spending my time at the show, discussing and riding e-bikes, e-scooters, and every other form of alternative personal transportation. But fighting the ugly evils of terrorism has taken precedent. If you are a person of faith, please pray for all of us. If you are not, I hope you will send your positive energy. Both we as Israelis and the many innocent Palestinians that do not support Hamas deserve to live in peace as neighbors in our own countries. The atrocities committed by terrorists seek to prevent that peace. Through their removal, hopefully we can find the peace we all deserve.
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BYD claims its sleek new Denza Z9 GT became the “fastest new energy luxury car” to reach 10,000 deliveries. The luxury model sold for about $52,000 on average and is headed to Europe next to challenge Porsche and BMW.
BYD Denza Z9 GT sets luxury NEV record for deliveries
After it went on sale on September 20, 2024, the new luxury GT is already off to a hot start. BYD’s premium Denza brand hit a milestone, delivering its 10,000th Z9 GT model on Sunday.
BYD claims the Denza Z9 broke an industry record by “becoming the fastest new energy luxury car to deliver more than 10,000 units.” The new model sold for an average of 380,000 yuan, or around $52,000. It’s available with fully electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options.
The EV model is available in Pro or Max trims, with prices starting at 354,800 yuan ($48,500) and 384,800 yuan ($52,600).
With a tri-motor setup, the all-electric Denza Z9 GT packs nearly 1,000 hp combined. BYD’s e3 platform provides a 308 hp (230 kW) front and dual rear electric motors with 644 hp (480 kW).
Powered by a 100 kWh BYD battery back, the luxury EV has a CLTC range of over 391 miles (630 km). The PHEV variant gets up to 683 miles (1,100 km) range.
The Denza Z9 GT is 5,180 mm long, 1,990 mm wide, and 1,500 mm tall, or about the size of the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (4,968 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, 1,378 mm tall) or Panamera GTS (5,053 mm long, 1,937 mm wide, 1,417 mm tall).
The luxury GT is the first to feature BYD’s 9000 smart cockpit chip, developed in-house with TSMC, and can support up to 11 connected screens.
The interior includes a 13.2″ driver display, 17.3″ infotainment, and 13.2″ passenger display screens. It also has a 50″ augmented reality head-up display (HUD).
BYD has already confirmed the Denza Z9 GT will launch in Europe at a lower price than its luxury rivals. It will also launch a sedan variant, shown last year.
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Our Green Deals coverage this week kicks off with a short-term sale through Friday from Jackery which is seeing its Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station drop to its $999 low, among other savings. Velotric has provided a second chance to hop aboard its well-rounded Go 1 Utility e-bike for a $999 low, with some notable discounts/bundle offers on other popular models. We also spotted a discount for today only on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station that is taking costs to $2,449 alongside its expansion battery also seeing a one-day-only fall to $1,799. Lastly, Goal Zero’s Alta 50 Portable Fridge/Freezer is down at $550, with its larger counterpart sitting at its second-lowest rate. Plus, all the other hangover Green Deals are in the links at the bottom of the page, collected together in our Electrified Weekly roundup – and don’t miss out on the Lectric and Rad Power flash sales that are ending tonight!
Jackery sale drops new Explorer 2000 v2 LiFePO4 power station to $999 low
Jackery is running a four-day sale through January 24 that is offering up to 47% off on some of the brand’s best power stations for home backup needs, DIY work, and outdoor enjoyment. One of the latest releases, Jackery’s Explorer 2000 v2 Portable Power Station, is dropping down to $999 shipped. Today’s deal is following Black Friday trends with a 33% markdown off its usual $1,499 full price, with $1,099 being the more average discounted rate we’ve seen. With today’s deal, you’ll be getting the maximum savings we’ve seen at $500 off, which returns costs to the all-time lowest price we have tracked. You’ll also find this model matches the price from Amazon.
Looking for a compact power station that can not only cover devices you’ll take along on trips, but also appliances in times of both leisure and emergency? Jackery’s Explorer 2000 v2 stuffs it all into one convenient and affordable unit, with a 2,042Wh LiFePO4 capacity, seven port options, and a 2,200W power output that surges up to 4,400W. It’s been designed with exclusive CBT tech and a honeycomb build for a smaller and lighter size, while the ChargeShield 2.0 tech provides 62 forms of protection while it is charging and its silent charging mode keeps the noise under 30dB for when you’re trying to relax or sleep.
There are four ways to recharge Jackery’s Explorer 2000 v2, with an 80% battery achieved via a wall outlet in around 66+ minutes – and it also boasts a supercharge feature for last-minute needs that will refill the entire battery in 102+ minutes. Your car’s auxiliary port is also an option taking about 24 hours, or you can invest in some of the solar panels to take advantage of its solar charging capabilities (discounted bundles available from Amazon)
Explorer 5000 Plus (5,040Wh) with two 500W panels and smart transfer switch: $4,999 (Reg. $5,999)
You’ll also find some select discounts by way of Jackery’s official Amazon storefront, with this flagship Explorer 3000 Pro solar generator bundle that comes with a transfer switch for your breakers down at its second-lowest price.
Second chance at $700 savings on Velotric’s Go 1 Utility e-bike with Apple Find My at $999 low
Velotric has ongoing New Year savings happening across its e-bike lineup, with the brand’s Go 1 Utility e-bike even seeing a drop to $999 shipped. More recently fetching $1,699 in full after falling from its original $1,799 MSRP earlier in 2024, this model has been regularly dropping to $1,299 during sales, with things only hitting $999 once last month for a three-day flash sale. It’s coming back again here with $700 struck from its going rate for a second chance at the lowest price we have tracked.
Velotric’s Go 1 e-bike is a model built for versatility, bringing far more to your table than a standard commuter, especially at its lowest price. The 692Wh battery delivers 55 miles of pedal-assisted support (five levels) on a single charge, with a throttle for pure electric action at the cost of higher mileage. The 500W hub motor (peaking at 900W) will have you moving at 20 MPH speeds, with its maximum 25 MPH speed unlockable through the companion app.
Speaking of the smart controls, one notable feature is the Apple Find My inclusion, providing you with some added peace of mind should it be misplaced or stolen. There’s also the hydraulic suspension (with lock-out), hydraulic disc brakes, puncture-resistant tires, a 7-speed Shimano derailleur, the integrated LED headlight, a rear rack with an integrated taillight that delivers brake lighting, and a 3.5-inch LCD display that sports a USB port to charge your devices on the go.
Save $1,050 on Anker’s SOLIX F3800 3,840Wh LiFePO4 power station at $2,449 (Today only)
By way of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station for $2,449 shipped until midnight tonight (January 20). Today’s deal is benefitting from a 30% markdown off its $3,499 rate here (with a higher $3,999 rate direct from Anker). We’ve seen it go lower twice before with Cyber Monday seeing it $50 lower while an exclusive Black Friday deal at Wellbots saw it fall to the $2,099 low. You’ll be saving $1,050 today ($1,550 when considering its direct rate), giving you the means to power anything at the third-lowest price we have tracked. It’s even beating out Anker’s own site right now that has it discounted to $2,699.
Anker’s SOLIX F3800 power station boasts a larger (and expandable) capacity with far more versatility, coming in with a 3,840Wh LiFePO4 battery that can be bumped up to 26.9kWh with added expansion batteries (see the deal below). With a 6,000W power output that surges to 9,000W, its 15+ port options allow it to power virtually anything – with hook-ups for your RV and electric car too. It can even cover your home’s circuit breaker with either a Home Backup Kit for sectional support or the Home Power Panel for whole-home coverage on top of connection capabilities with your roof panels (check out direct Anker deals for those here).
For the rest of the day, Best Buy is also offering the expansion battery for the above power station at its second-lowest price of $1,799 shipped. By adding this add-on battery to your F3800 setup, you’ll gain an additional 3,840Wh worth of capacity – bumping things to 7,680Wh+ and allowing for longer periods of backup power, especially in emergencies.
Goal Zero’s portable fridge/freezer down at lowest price starting from $550 (Save $250+)
Goal Zero’s official Amazon storefront is offering its Alta 50 Portable Fridge/Freezer at $549.95 shipped, after clipping the on-page $250 off coupon. Coming down from its full $800 price, today’s deal is saving you a sizeable 31% off its going rate. You’ll save $250 here at the second-lowest price we have tracked, which comes in just six pennies higher than its all-time lowest rate, beating out plenty of same-sized competitors that tend to keep near $750 and up.
Goal Zero’s Alta 50 (and its larger Alta 80 counterpart) makes a great portable refrigeration/freezing option for job sites, camping trips, or even at-home use in garages, sheds, and more. Able to hold as low a temperature as -4 degrees, it switches between refrigeration or freezing capabilities with a 53L capacity that can hold up to 75 twelve-ounce cans at once. Keep in mind though, this model doesn’t have its own battery and needs either an outlet or one of the brand’s power stations to keep it running.
Right now, you might also want to consider the larger and more dual-purposed Alta 80 model which is down at $699.89 from its usual $1,000 rate. You won’t have to choose which function to go with here, as its larger 78L capacity is split between dual zones for simultaneous refrigeration and freezing. It holds an impressive 130 twelve-ounce cans, with runtimes of up to 12+ days depending on which of the brand’s power stations are running it.
Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with free gear: $999 (Reg. $1,499)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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The Tauranga, New Zealand-based electric motorcycle maker UBCO has entered receivership, marking dim prospects for the mobility company that had only recently announced a major partnership with Australia Post.
The receivership is being handled by professional services company Grant Thornton, who is reported to have announced the termination of all employee contracts and the suspension of future operations.
Unlike traditional bankruptcy, a receivership occurs when a third-party receiver is appointed to take control of a company’s assets and operations in an effort to recover debts. While bankruptcy often signals the end of a company’s independent operations, receivership may still leave room for recovery or a sale to a new owner.
UBCO is well known for its 2X2 all-wheel-drive electric motorbikes, which are popular among riders who cover both off-road terrain and on-road commuter style riding.
The company has expanded with several different models, but has remained focus on such dual-purpose motorbikes, especially for use in areas with varied terrain.
That was a key piece of the Australia Post deal, with the postal service down under recently receiving 175 new UBCO DUTY electric motorbikes for mail delivery, both in rural and urban areas. The rugged electric two-wheelers now in use by Australia Post were praised for excelling at traversing a variety of terrain, helping the postal service make deliveries in areas that traditional mail vans either can’t reach or are too large to make sense.
UBCO will reportedly still provide necessary parts through its parent company, with service of the vehicles already being handled by an outside company.