Every year the Micromobility America convention meets in California to showcase the newest corporations and developments within the gentle electrical car world. The sister present to Micromobility Europe, this 12 months’s North American convention moved to Southern California, bringing to Costa Mesa an array of nearly each kind of micromobility machine you may think about, from e-bikes, e-scooters and fully-fledged electrical bikes to four-wheeled neighborhood electrical automobiles.
Whereas it’s onerous to cowl each single firm from the present, we did our greatest to drag out as many highlights as potential. See them under, or watch the video for an up shut and private expertise. Or each!
Lectric Ebikes
Lectric Ebikes, which has grown in simply 5 years to the best-selling electrical bike model within the US, had a main spot on the present to share the corporate’s ever-growing lineup. On the heart of the sales space was the brand new Lectric XPedition 2.0 electrical cargo bike, which was not too long ago unveiled as a serious replace to the model’s first cargo e-bike.
The XPedition by some means retained the identical $1,399 promoting value, whereas coming with numerous new options like an upgraded body, improved suspension fork, torque sensor, higher brakes, colour show, bigger battery choices, and loads of different new options.
The corporate’s CEO, Levi Conlow, was additionally one of the crucial in style audio system on the occasion, sharing his insights with the standing-room-only viewers.
VMAX Electrical Scooters
The Swiss-based electrical scooter firm VMAX was additionally readily available, leveraging their US enlargement final 12 months and their native LA-based distribution heart.
The corporate introduced practically all of their fashions of electrical scooters to the present and I had the prospect to attempt a number of of them out.
The small and low-cost ($349!) VMAX VX5 and its upgraded VX5 Professional electrical scooter are surprisingly peppy for a so-called “entry-level scooter”, and I might simply hit the 18 mph (30 km/h) high velocity. There’s no suspension, however the scooter is so gentle that it doesn’t appear to overlook it.
I spent extra time on the VX2 Excessive (and I additionally borrowed one for the few days I used to be in LA – extra on that have quickly) and may inform you that the upgraded energy is potent. In its highest energy mode, the 1,600W rear hub motor would simply wheelie and I needed to bear in mind to maintain extra weight on the entrance of the scooter whereas accelerating or simply not go full-throttle, like I’m used to on weaker scooters the place the throttle is mainly an on/off swap. With the VX2 Excessive, you possibly can deal with the throttle extra like an precise variable accelerator as an alternative of simply mashing all of it the way in which to take off. That’s how a lot energy this gentle and nimble scooter unleashes. Fairly spectacular for $799!
The final mannequin I attempted was the VMAX VX4, which provides some comfy suspension and extra velocity, although is a bit heavier. You surrender some portability to get that additional efficiency, so this isn’t one you’d need to carry for too lengthy (except you’re comfortable with hauling 60+ lbs round by hand), nevertheless it’s extremely planted and cozy for longer cruising at greater speeds.
Fly E-Bike
This was my first probability to see the expanded lineup from Fly, which is mainly the go-to electrical bicycle supplier in New York Metropolis. They’ve received dozens of retail footprints within the metropolis and are the principle provider to all of these supply riders you’ll see doing the essential but thankless work of criss-crossing town to convey meals and deliveries to residents in mere minutes.
Whereas Fly is thought for its electrical bicycles, the corporate has expanded into nicer-looking and higher-performance electrical seated scooters and bikes.
I used to be shocked to see the spectacular designs on the sales space, particularly since I had lengthy related Fly with all of these electrical bikes with large batteries meant for all-day supply riders and never heavier obligation bikes like these.
BikeOn electrical bike conversion package
The BikeOn conversion package is likely one of the most extremely engineered kits I’ve seen for changing a normal pedal bike into an e-bike.
It mounts in beneath 30 seconds to just about any bicycle, attaching its shiny crimson anodized gear ring to the biggest sprocket on a motorcycle’s rear cassette. It features a built-in torque sensor that measures the drive utilized to the chain, permitting the small but highly effective motor to energy the rear wheel straight.
Your entire package weighs simply 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) with out the battery, and that little motor is rated for both 250W or 750W, relying available on the market. There’s even a appropriate Android and iOS smartphone app that you should use because the package’s dashboard.
The battery suits in a water bottle holder, and provides simply 3.3 lb (1.5 kg) to the bike. It’s pretty small at 250 Wh, however they are saying it may add 20 miles of vary to the bike.
This package will not be low cost, priced at US $1,246 with out a battery or US $1,599 with a battery. You should buy very good full electrical bicycles for that value, however that’s not likely the purpose of this package. As a substitute, that is designed to permit riders to transform a bicycle that they already personal and love – particularly nicer, high-end bicycles that you just wouldn’t need to bolt a bunch of heavy gear onto.
Oh Wow Cycles
Oh Wow Cycles has a few of the greatest – and coolest – electrical bicycles I’ve ever seen. This firm’s electrical trikes are merely out of this world. Certain, they’ve received extra “regular” two-wheeled e-bikes too, however the rickshaws are what actually catch your eye. And that’s precisely what occurred on the present, with these huge individuals movers immediately drawing me into the sales space.
The brand new Conductor Plus is mainly the minivan of the e-bike world, offering ample seating within the again for a number of youngsters and even adults! And as a double-duty electrical trike, the bench seat really folds ahead to transform into extra of a pickup truck mattress for cargo or pets.
In contrast to some trikes, which require you to bust out your hex wrench set and swap equipment to transform from passengers to cargo-carrying setup, this e-trike can convert in two seconds with out the necessity for any instruments.
There are additionally an choice for twin batteries, which is a good suggestion for anybody planning on longer rides or utilizing this e-bike for extra commercial-style supply obligation.
I used to be additionally lucky to have the prospect to fulfill the corporate’s founder, Ash Soliman, and get a tour of the brand new fashions with him on the firm’s sales space. It was refreshing to see how excited Ash is about these e-bikes, particularly for his or her use in so many roles from household transport to cargo duties and extra.
These are positively some superior fashions to take a look at if you’d like the sort of heavy-hauling capabilities that broaden past these of a standard e-bike and even cargo bike.
Tempo e-bike insurance coverage
Getting your electrical bike stolen is an terrible feeling. I’ve been there. A number of instances. Not solely does it really feel like a private violation, however you’re left with a critical monetary loss since most e-bikes are nicely over $1,000.
Fortuitously, there’s a brand new electrical bike theft insurance coverage program known as Tempo that seems like precisely what I want – and doubtless what you want, too.
The corporate’s founder, Michael Keating, defined to me how the system works. In a nutshell, you pay US $199 and also you get three years of theft safety – mainly $5.50 monthly. That safety contains energetic theft restoration by working with bike registries and native legislation enforcement. As a part of the membership, riders get a registered bike quantity stamped on a number of anti-theft stickers designed to alert thieves of the energetic restoration program, and the stickers additionally embrace a particular UV pigment so that they nonetheless go away a mark on the bike even when eliminated.
If a motorcycle is stolen, Tempo does its finest to get it again utilizing all of its varied instruments and connections within the trade. If they’ll’t get your bike again, you stand up to $2,500 from Tempo to switch the bike. Should you’re driving any of the principally sub-$2,500 electrical bikes within the US (the overwhelming majority of all e-bikes), that’s a reasonably nice deal. Should you’re on a $10,000 S-Works e-bike, chances are you’ll need to search for a special insurance coverage program.
Hyryd hydrogen-powered e-bikes
I first had the prospect to see Hyryd’s hydrogen-powered electrical bikes on the Micromobility Europe 2024 present, and now the corporate most not too long ago confirmed off their expertise within the US at Micromobility America 2024.
In contrast to practically all different e-bikes, which retailer vitality in a battery, the Hyryd e-bikes use a small hydrogen tank mixed with a gas cell to generate electrical energy that powers the rear-wheel motor.
The bikes themselves are designed for the European market and thus don’t have the identical energy we’re used to within the US, however the expertise is neat to see in motion.
I’m undecided that is the way forward for e-bikes, and in reality I’m pretty positive it isn’t. But when they’ll discover some area of interest use resembling in sharing or industrial fleets the place a central electrolysis machine can refill hydrogen bottles in a depot, then maybe there’s one thing to this.
E-Cuffs scooter lock
This one caught me abruptly, nevertheless it was neat to see these new scooter handcuff-style locks from E-Cuffs.
They use a quick-release system, to allow them to keep mounted on the scooter’s stem for regular use after which pop off for fast locking to varied objects.
Scooters can characterize a tough locking drawback since they hardly ever have a great triangle like e-bikes to safe a lock onto the body. However with the E-Cuffs, an e-scooter may be conveniently locked round its stem or downtube.
Joyride Revii
We’ve seen Joyride at a number of occasions previously, showcasing the corporate’s related platform that makes it simple for startups or established corporations to function fleets of smart-connected micromobility automobiles. Need to open your individual Chook scooter startup? Joyride can get you up and working simply with your individual fleet of digitally built-in scooters that every one telephone residence.
Now the corporate is demonstrating off a brand new platform known as Revii for bigger micromobility automobiles (typically known as “minimobility”) together with golf carts, Low-Velocity Automobiles (LSVs) and different Neighborhood Electrical Automobiles (NEVs).
The app works equally to Joyride’s micromobility platform, however makes it simpler for inns, resorts, conference facilities, or different operators of auto fleets like these to handle and management their automobiles.
As these essential car-replacing automobiles change into extra frequent, and extra areas start providing fleets for rental, shared, or different industrial makes use of, Revii’s platform might change into more and more frequent within the house.
Ryvid electrical bikes
Electrical bikes have been additionally a giant a part of the present, with Ryvid sharing take a look at rides on its US-built Anthem and Outset electrical bikes. Each function Ryvid’s proprietary detachable battery design, permitting motorbike homeowners to park outdoors and roll their massive battery into their storage or condo to cost from a wall plug. You’ll be able to even take it up right into a tall condo constructing so long as you’ve received an elevator!
The Anthem additionally has a variety of different cool options, resembling its actuator-controlled adjustable body, which lets riders transfer the seat up and down by as a lot as 4 inches (100 mm), even whereas driving.
The Outset is constructed on the same body, although lacks the actuator. It’s constructed extra like a dual-sport bike and can probably make off-road riders really feel extra at residence than the clearly commuter-oriented Anthem. At beneath $6k, it’s additionally very attractively priced – although the Anthem’s $6,495 value can be fairly engaging.
Each bikes are able to freeway speeds into the 70’s of MPH, and may obtain metropolis ranges of as much as 70 miles, although freeway commuting will rapidly drop that vary.
I additionally had the prospect to attempt the up to date Anthem on the Outset, sneaking them out of the present grounds for some road driving. The Outset I examined even had Ryvid’s higher-power ASI controller, which gives a serious energy improve for riders who need much more efficiency.
These are extremely well-designed electrical bikes, although you must keep in mind that they’re designed for native driving first. With a 4 kWh battery, they simply aren’t meant for touring or long-distance driving. However for anybody who commutes 20 miles to work and desires a enjoyable, cheap, and environment friendly electrical car to show that slog of a commute right into a joyride, that is the way in which to go!
Land Moto
Land Moto additionally boasts US manufacturing for its commuter-level electrical bikes, which carry their very own distinctive design styling. This was my first probability to see Land Moto’s bikes in particular person they usually have been positively head-turners.
Beginning at $6,995, the Land Moto District is available in road and filth variations, with each claiming a max velocity of 70 mph (112 km).
Additionally they tout a max vary of 120 miles (193 km), although that’s from the biggest battery choice with 4.8 kWh of capability. The bottom mannequin has a 1.8 kWh battery that claims a extra conservative 40 miles (64 km) of vary at slower metropolis speeds.
The power to dial within the battery capability (and its impact on pricing) permits riders to decide on precisely what they want, which is a uncommon function on this trade.
Shandoka electrical motorbike conversion package for traditional bikes
This one is totally fascinating. Examine this out: Shandoka is an electrical motorbike conversion package firm that has developed a patented conversion system that matches a variety of basic bikes. The system features a battery and controller setup that mounts within the body instead of the unique combustion engine, and a rear hub motor that replaces the earlier rear wheel.
It permits riders to breathe new life into older bikes, particularly people who undergo from engine issues however in any other case nonetheless have structurally sound frames and elements that might simply be put again onto the highway with a brand new powertrain.
And since most of those bikes have been initially produced within the Eighties, they’re normally grandfathered into these older rules making a majority of these conversions extremely simple to carry out.
These bikes within the photos from the present are all bare exhibiting off the engineering that went into the design, however they will also be buttoned again up or coated in a builder’s personal customized physique panels to create distinctive new designs.
The brainchild (and labor of affection) of Ernest Eich, these conversion kits are constructed within the firm’s North Carolina facility, showcasing one more instance of US manufacturing for electrical bikes and their elements.
I had the prospect to talk with Ernest on the present, and it is a firm that we’ll positively need to take a deeper looker at quickly.
There’s at all times extra to return
Whereas this could’t cowl every thing on the present, it’s a group of a few of the most attention-grabbing and standout examples of micromobility in all of its numerous kinds.
Because the trade continues to develop and mature, bouncing again from a rollercoaster of highs and lows because the starting of the pandemic years, we’re anticipating to proceed seeing extra innovation and attention-grabbing designs like these.
Keep tuned for some deeper dives into a number of of those corporations as we discover what makes their gentle electrical automobiles and manufacturing processes distinctive.
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