As part of the buildup to our Electric Revolution Live event in May 2022 (a follow-up of our Electric Revolution exhibit at the Petersen Museum), we are ramping up reportage on the EV scene via The Current. It’s an ever-evolving, even frantic, landscape of electric vehicles, and it can be tough to keep abreast of all the latest bikes, batteries, and news constantly flooding the market. That’s why we’ve re-launched our weekly EV News Roundup to bring you cherry-picked stories that matter to you.
Hello dear readers and riders! We’ve officially entered the second month of 2022! Is it just us, or does January always seem to drag on and on and on and… Our first EV roundup for February is pretty wild. There’s an awesome new store that our Brit readers need to check out, a rad racer that just came out of extinction, news from H-D and Tesla, and even an electric school bus! As always, hit me up at stephanie@thevintagent.com with questions, insights, or pictures of your dog.
Let’s roll.
Maeving Opens Brick-and-Mortar Store in London
Taking a leaf from The Bike Shed’s concept of transforming a railway arch, Maeving has opened a chic new shop in London. [Maeving]
Here’s some exciting news for all of our UK readers. Maeving just opened a swanky new shop in the London Bridge Station on Western Arcade between the Underground and main station concourse. Swing by, chat with the team, and check out their stunning collection of e-Motorbikes.
Mugen E Rex Will Soon Hit the Track
The Mugen E-Rex – no dinosaur. [M-TEC]
Everyone loves dinosaurs. So, when you name an electric dirt bike after the iconic T-Rex, people are bound to get excited. Well, now that excitement is only going to ramp up when the Mugen E Rex is slated to go racing later this year. Much like its namesake, this dino-themed bike almost went extinct last year. But, according to the folks at FIM, the E Rex is doing just fine. In fact, Mugen (now going under the moniker M-TEC) officially signed on as the official factory manufacturer for the E Explorer World Cup.
Harley-Davidson’s Hefty EV Plans
The Livewire X Kymco mashup gives Livewire access to a hyperefficient production facility, rapid prototyping and development, and ultimately the possibility of lower prices for Livewire. [Kymco]
With plans already in place to make LiveWire, its EV brand, its own publicly-traded spinoff company later this year, Harley-Davidson is definitely embracing the electric revolution. Recently, H-D announced a merger with Taiwan-based manufacturer KYMCO. The partnership will enable H-D to expand its lineup of electric bikes. In fact, it’s been reported that we may see three new product levels from LiveWire in the near future, including the S2, S3, and S4. All of the bikes will feature their patented Arrow powertrain. An affordable Livewire? Something we’d like to see Harley-Davidson accomplish: they’re still the only major motorcycle manufacturer in the world to offer full-size electric motorcycles, after all.
Electric Beach Cruiser Hits the Marker
The Sol Eclipse e-cruiser looks simple enough to appeal to the Venice Beach crowd. [Sol Eclipse]
Want to cruise around in style? Then check out the new Sol Eclipse e-cruiser bike from Blix. Featuring the classic styling of a traditional beach cruiser, this breezy bike boasts a powerful 750w rear-hub motor, LED lights, and cushy 2.4-inch tires. You can ride for about 45 miles before the bike needs to be charged.
We Won’t See Musk’s Cybertruck Anytime Soon
Sometimes vaporware is just…vapor. No Cybertrucks this year. [Tesla]
Earlier this week, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, stated that the weirdly wonderful Tesla Cybertruck will officially be delayed until 2023 at the earliest. “So, we will not be introducing new vehicle models this year, it would not make any sense, because we will still be parts-constrained,” Musk said during an investor conference call. “We will however do a lot of engineering, tooling, what not to create those vehicles, as the Cybertruck, Semi, Roadster, Optimus, and be ready to bring those to production hopefully next year, that is the most likely.”
Hydrogen Tanks Take EVs Off-Roading
You didn’t know you wanted it until you saw it: a hybrid hydrogen EV for Baja. And man, does it look mean. [SCG]
Let’s be honest – short-range EVs aren’t cut out for off-road riding. However, hydrogen is about to open the doors to EV endurance racing. Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus has just updated its off-roading Boot with a hydrogen tank. Aptly dubbed the Hydrogen Boot, the hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle might be able to go the distance.
Send Your Kids to School the EV Way
A quiet, modern school bus? Sounds good to us: public transport has been electric for 130 years! [BYD]
Just this week, BYD revealed its electric school bus with V2G tech. Available in three different lengths ranging from 22.9 to 26.7 feet, the Type A bus definitely has a Type A personality, with superior attention to details. Designed to transport about 30 students and equipped with handicap accessibility, the bus offers a 140-mile range, which is more than enough to cover many daily routes.
Fresh Funds
Boeing sunk $450 million into startup Wisk. The company is attempting to develop and commercialize self-flying, electric air taxis.
Ola Electric raised $200 million in its new round of financing. The company is now valued at $5 billion.
Stephanie Weaver is the EV Editor of The Current vertical on TheVintagent.com, and a Philadelphia-based freelance writer. When she’s not locked to her laptop, she can be found riding horses and motorcycles. Her Instagram is here.
The Motor Company getting into bed with Taiwanese company …KYMCO ? Hmmmm… ten years ago … maybe … but in todays political climate ‘cross the ditch ? Errr … I’s afeered to has to say this … but odds are before the decade is out … assuming the great dragon has its way … KYMCO will be telling H-D KSMYS … with exclamation and’ bullet’ points galore .
Heres ahhh … hoping against all odds … I’m wrong
As for the Fresh Funds segment … the age ole idiom ” Potemkin Village ” comes to mind …… 😉