Lectric Ebikes, the Phoenix-based electric bicycle company known for the best-selling e-bike in the US, has just opened order books for its latest model. The new Lectric XPeak is the brand’s first non-20″ tire e-bike, ushering a big new look for the company that maintains the same low-level pricing.
If there’s one thing Lectric Ebikes is known for, it’s shoveling value on top of value in the US e-bike market. Several mid-tier and high-end brands consistently offer more features and fancier production methods, but Lectric has consistently focused on keeping prices reasonable without cutting too many quality corners. These aren’t the most high-end e-bikes, but they aren’t the junk you’ll find at Walmart.
And the new Lectric XPeak follows that same design ethos, though perhaps ratcheting up the quality another notch this time. That’s due in large part thanks to Lectric’s insistence on performing more than the required safety testing to rate the bike to ISO M4210-10, a standard we usually see on much higher-end electric mountain bikes.
Despite that meaning the Lectric had to use higher quality parts this time, including a more robust suspension fork that retails for around US $400, the Lectric XPeak is priced at a more than reasonable US $1,299, marked down at launch from its MSRP of US $1,399.
For that price, look at all you get on this e-bike. The motor is a 750W continuous-rated rear hub motor that puts out over 1,300W of peak power. Lectric Ebikes also claims the motor is 400% quieter than its previous 750W motors. That’s pretty impressive, considering it’s powerful enough to launch the e-bike up to 28 mph (45 km/h). For those that prefer Class 2 operation, the bike comes programmed with a 20 mph (32 km/h) speed limit out of the box, though riders can unlock the higher speed operation using the bike’s display.
The 48V battery has a 14Ah capacity for 672 Wh, and is UL-certified for extra safety. The bike includes a high-end adjustable RST suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes on 180 mm rotors, quick-release pedals for more convenient transport in a vehicle, thru-axle front wheel for a stronger connection, LED headlight and tail light, and frame integrated cable routing for a cleaner look.
The launch package for the Lectric XPeak also includes a huge amount of accessories for free. Customers get a free front and rear rack, a pair of baskets for each rack, a fender set, an upgraded “premium” headlight, and a folding lock. While I normally like to see parts like racks and fenders included as standard equipment, in this case Lectric throws them into the launch package to ensure pre-order customers are set up with all of the important accessories right off the bat. The company also has more winter-focused accessories coming such as bar-mitts, thermal sleeve for the battery, and studded tires for riding on ice and snow. That’s good to know, since deliveries for pre-order customers are expected to arrive in January.
The bike comes in two frame options: a step-over that is available in black or a step-through that is available in white.
They’ll ship nearly fully assembled to make it easy to get riding as soon as possible. Lectric describes the at-home assembly process for the XPeak as a one-minute tool-free assembly, likely meaning you’ll open the box, pop the quick-release pedals and front wheel on, and get riding. For just US $1,299, it’s hard to ask for more than that!
Electrek’s Take
It’s fun to see Lectric Ebikes applying its same time-honored strategy to a new segment of electric bikes. Now expanding into larger models like this adventure-style bike, the company still focuses on high-value offerings.
Budget-friendly models like the Lectric XPeak make sustainable and efficient transportation accessible to students, daily commuters, and anyone interested in adopting a healthier lifestyle through active commuting.
I think it’s important to have a robust market full of several low-cost models that provide an affordable entry point into the e-biking community. These e-bikes help break down socioeconomic barriers to green transportation, promoting a more inclusive and environmentally conscious society.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
It begs the question: what other home solar battery solutions are there?
UPDATE 26JUL2025: added more options, put everything in alphabetical order.
Electricians and contractors often praise the sleek, energy-dense Tesla Powerwall, for good reasons. But the Powerwall isn’t the only top-shelf home battery on the market, but long wait times, Elon’s antics, and the proliferation of really good integrated alternatives from legacy EV brands might have you shopping for Tesla alternatives already. If that’s you, the next logical step is to re-think the brand’s solar battery offerings as well – here are some of the best options out there.
If you’re in a smaller space or renting and can’t (or don’t want to) add a hardwired battery solution to your home, Bluetti’s EP800 + B500 modular system is a sweet “middle ground” option that combines the Bluetti EP800 off-grid inverter and the company’s B500 battery packs in a floor-standing unit that can be used without a solar roof but also plays well with most rooftop PV options.
What’s more, it works great with Bluetti’s AC300 or AC500 gear if you want an option that’s a bit more portable if you move a lot or plan on moving soon.
EG4 14.3 kWh PowerPro
EG4 installer; via EG4.
Two of the home solar installers I talked to in preparing this post mentioned the EG4 14.3kWh batteries, and its specs (on paper, at least) compare nicely with the Powerwall 3.
Battery
Usable capacity (kWh)
Continuous power output (kW)
Roundtrip efficiency
Average price per kWh*
Coupling
Tesla Powerwall 3
13.5
11.5
97.5%
$926
DC or AC
EG4 14.3kWh PowerPro
11.44
10.24
99%
$786
DC
“The EG4 PowerPro solar battery from EG4 Electronics is the strongest alternative to the Tesla Powerwall,” writes Kristina Zagame, from the home solar experts at EnergySage. “(The EG4) has a similar capacity, meaning it’ll last a similar amount of time, and a slightly lower power output, which means it won’t be able to power quite as many devices at the same time. And, based on quotes through EnergySage, EG4 batteries tend to be a bit more affordable compared to Tesla.”
“Energy systems developer Enphase Energy is providing an even more holistic approach to managing home power usage with the introduction of new EV charger technology called the IQ line,” wrote Scooter doll, when the brand first introduced its EV charging solutions back in 2023. “The Enphase IQ is Wi-Fi enabled and integrates seamlessly into a customer’s existing home system that can be controlled with your phone.”
Franklin WH aPower 2
Franklin aPower2 home battery; via Franklin WH.
If you love the sleek, minimalistic styling of the Tesla Powerwall 3 but still prefer to spend your money elsewhere, the Franklin WH aPower 2 offers similarly sleek stylingand beats the Tesla offering on usable energy storage capacity by 1.5 kWh. That’s nearly a full day of keeping a modern refrigerator running.
The Franklin is also designed to be easily retrofit into an existing solar system, but it loses out to the Powerwall on price per kWh, at $1,176 (vs. $926 for the Tesla unit).
GM Energy Home System
GM Energy Home System with Chevy Silverado EV; via GM.
Arguably the most fully integrated EV + battery backup + solar option out there outside of Tesla, the GM Energy Home System promises to do everything a conventional home solar battery does, plus work seamlessly with your GM EV to provide even more flexibility – whether that means using the electric fuel stored in your EV to hold out that much longer in an emergency, or using the energy stored in your home’s solar battery to power an escape in your EV is up to you.
First, they’re not yet available to the general public – only to StorEn’s early investors in (what I understand to be) a sort of quasi-Kickstarter deal.
Second, the StorEn batteries are significantly bulkier than a Powerwall. That said, if you’ve got the room and you’re old enough to realize that 25 years isn’t actually a super long time, the StorEn solution might to be a super compelling, nearly maintenance-free setup that might outlast both your solar panels and the roof they’re mounted on.
VillaGrid+ battery; via Villara.
So, remember how I started this off saying that I wouldn’t turn this into a “best batteries” post? That’s partly driven by the fact that I’m neither an electrician, a chemical engineer, or someone who’s researched thousands of end-user experience surveys to come up with whatever metrics I’d need to confidently and correctly call one battery “the best.”
Our friends and solar industry experts at EnergySage, though? They’ve got all three of those things on staff, and they really, really like the Villara VillaGrid+.
“The Villara VillaGrid+ stands out as the best battery on the market, scoring highest in EnergySage’s rigorous Equipment Rating System, explains EnergySage’s Kristina Zagame. “That said, (the Villara VillaGrid+) is not necessarily the best Tesla Powerwall alternative. It’s a very different (and much pricier) battery.”
What puts the VillaGrid+ on top? According to Zagame, it all comes down to the battery’s lithium-titanium-oxide, or LTO chemistry. “Unlike more traditional lithium-ion batteries, LTO has better recharge capabilities for longer life cycles, and doesn’t contain any carbon, which makes it extra safe. The only downside is you’ll definitely shell out more money upfront for the VillaGrid+.”
That extra money will also buy some additional peace of mind, as Villara backs its LTO batteries with a 20-year warranty compared to Tesla Powerwall and its (and just about everyone else’s) 10-year deal. I couldn’t find a price, but Villara’s other products, like VillaGrid 5.75 kWh battery, come in at nearly double Powerwall’s per kWh cost. Check out the specs, below, then let us know if you think the novel chemistry and additional warranty are worth it in the comments.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Air taxi startup Vertical Aerospace achieved a world’s first this week, completing the first flight between two airports through public airspace for an eVTOL at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, England.
The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is the world’s largest military airshow, held every July and serving as a public showcase for the latest advancements in aviation technology. It’s fitting, then, that RIAT served as setting for the Vertical VX4 prototype’s first piloted public flight.
The eVTOL aircraft flew 17 miles from the company’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport to RAF Fairford, a Royal Air Force station used by the US Air Force. The Vertical VX4 reached speeds of 115 mph, and an altitude of 1800 ft, and also marked the first landing at a public location for an aircraft of this type.
The Vertical Aerospace entry was the only battery-electric aircraft present at RIAT 2025, and the flight served as a demonstration of the company’s broader strategy to unlock new hybrid-electric applications for defense, logistics, and special/close support missions where the eVTOL’s (relatively) quiet operations could give it a tactical advantage.
Advertisement – scroll for more content
“RIAT is a global stage for the most advanced, mission-ready aerospace technology, and we’re proud to showcase how electric aviation will support the future of defense,” says Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Our hybrid-electric roadmap unlocks new capabilities for military operations, and Vertical’s RIAT presence reinforces our commitment to playing a meaningful role in the future of military and special mission aviation.”
Vertical’s VX4 debuted last year, with a 20% increase in the power-to-weight ratio that enables a top cruising speed of 150 mph and transports four passengers plus a pilot up to 100 miles on a single charge.
The inaugural VX4 flight was witnessed by several thousand UK aircraft enthusiasts, and showed how an eVTOL aircraft could integrate with real-world airport operations, building momentum toward more regular, certified deployment.
Electrek’s Take
Archer, BETA, EHang, Joby, XPeng – the list of eVTOL manufacturers seems to be as long as the list of new electric car brands that didn’t exist back when I first started working with EVs back in ::gulp:: the 1990s. The future of regional point-to-point air travel certainly seems to be vertical, and electric.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.
Say what you will about Elon Musk, but Tesla has changed the way that millions of people buy cars and, by extension, car insurance. Now, Honda is taking a page from Tesla’s successful playbook and launching its own in-house insurance business. Enter: Honda Insurance Solutions.
Honda Insurance Solutions is being launched as a fully licensed insurance agency serving the insurance needs of Acura and Honda customers, but it’s not stopping at competitive pricing and coverage options for Honda cars and motorcycles. Honda Insurance Solutions promises to go several steps beyond Tesla’s offering with coverage for trailers, RVs, homes, and even pets.
“Honda Insurance Solutions offers customers access to coverage through a brand they know and trust,” says Petar Vucurevic, President, American Honda Insurance Solutions, LLC and Senior Vice President, American Honda Finance Corporation. “Insurance is a key touchpoint in the vehicle ownership journey, and we aim to deliver a superior experience tailored to the unique needs of each customer, while promoting safer driving and increased peace of mind on the road.”
The company says the launch of its new insurance business is just part of Honda’s broader digital vehicle sales platform strategy, with future plans to integrate insurance offerings into new products.
What Honda is doing right now is deepening relationships with its existing customers and finding ways to make money on products it hasn’t sold them – whether that’s the Harley parked in the garage next to their Prologue or the garage itself.
If you’re considering going solar, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
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.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.