Check Out All the Cool Bikes, Scooters, and Other Stuff to Ride from Electrify Expo

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Electrify Expo is what car shows used to be and what you wish CES was. Now in its fourth year, the Expo has taken over the role of what used to be called the auto show, except that it’s only for electric mobility, and there are a lot of different forms of electric mobility.

Last weekend was the third stop on the 2024 Electrify Expo national tour. It started in Orlando, went on to Phoenix, just finished Long Beach and is now on its way to: Denver July 13-14, San Francisco Aug. 24-25, Seattle Sept. 14-15, New York Oct. 12-13 and Austin Nov. 9-10.

Carmakers who no longer see the value in big auto shows like Detroit, Chicago, New York and L.A. have pulled out all the stops to participate in Electrify Expo. There were show stands and test-drives setup from BMW, Ford, Fisker (!), Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota and Volvo.

“We’ve been participating in the Electrify Expo since it started in 2021 and what we found almost immediately is how educated the customers are, particularly about the EV space, and for a company that is going to be going fully electric by 2030, these are the customers we want to continue to interact with and tell our future brand story,” said Tyler Salomon of the Volvo USA communications and events team. “When we’re able to talk to a customer who already understands things like charging capacity, they already have an at-home charger, and we can say, ‘Here’s how Volvo can benefit your current lifestyle with our current product then even the next-generation products that we have,’ it’s a home run.”

Here are some of the home runs we saw at this year’s Expo.

Electrify Expo is what car shows used to be, only more: They didn’t let you drive everything at the North American International Auto Show, but they do here.

Now in its fourth year, the Expo has expanded to eight cities across America, aimed at informing the EV-buying populace about what they might like in their next purchase. Again, it is a little bit like what used to be called an auto show, except that it’s only for electric mobility—and there are a lot of different forms of electric mobility, from scooters to skateboards to BMWs and Teslas, and you can try them all out at the show.

Last weekend was the third stop on the 2024 Electrify Expo national tour. It started in Orlando, went on to Phoenix, just finished Long Beach, California, and is now on its way to: Denver, July 13-14; San Francisco, Aug. 24-25; Seattle, Sept. 14-15; New York, Oct. 12-13; and Austin, Texas, Nov. 9-10.

Carmakers who stopped seeing value in traditional shows like Detroit, Chicago, New York, and LA have pulled out all the stops to participate in Electrify Expo. There were show stands and test drives setup from BMW, Ford, Fisker (!), Hyundai, Kia, Lexus, Toyota, and Volvo, to name just the major carmakers in attendance.

“We’ve been participating in the Electrify Expo since it started in 2021 and what we found almost immediately is how educated the customers are, particularly about the EV space, and for a company that is going to be going fully electric by 2030, these are the customers we want to continue to interact with and tell our future brand story,” said Tyler Salomon of the Volvo USA communications and events team.

“When we’re able to talk to a customer who already understands things like charging capacity, they already have an at-home charger, and we can say, ‘Here’s how Volvo can benefit your current lifestyle with our current product then even the next-generation products that we have,’ it’s a home run.”

But it wasn’t just the major manufacturers who brought products. Here are some of the home runs we saw at this year’s Expo.

Z7 HYBRID ABS

Many enthusiasts might not have known that Kawasaki, maker of everything from the Mule SxS utility vehicle, to the Jet Ski, to the 240-mph Ninja H2 R hyperbike, also makes full-size electric and hybrid-electric motorcycles.

“In a commitment to carbon neutrality and pursuit of innovative mobility solutions, Kawasaki has been at the forefront of shaping the future of transportation,” the company said at Electrify Expo, as it introduced a new model. “Following the introduction of electric vehicle (EV) models like the Ninja e-1 and Z e-1, Kawasaki proudly presents a groundbreaking addition to its lineup—the world’s first ‘strong hybrid’ supernaked motorcycle, the all-new Z7 Hybrid ABS.”

The Z7 Hybrid combines a 451cc parallel-twin internal-combustion engine with a compact electric motor. Kawasaki says the resulting performance rivals that of a 1,000-cc supersport bike and includes the convenience of a “computer clutch,” that operates without a clutch lever, allowing you to button-shift or simply put it in automatic. The Z7 Hybrid ABS stickers at $12,499 while the all-electric Z e-1 ABS offers 9-kw (12 hp) good for 50 miles of range for $7,599.

And that’s not all. On hand at Electrify Expo were electric and hybrid Kawasakis ranging from the Elektrode electric balance bike for tots, to the Elektrode 20FS BMX-style electric bike, to the two full-size electric motorcycles and two full-size hybrid-electric motorcycles. Let the good times roll.

Ford F-150 Lightning SwitchGear Concept

The concept shown above made its world debut at King of the Hammers last February, not in the actual race, but it did drive around in the desert and went over “one of the trails used in the KOH,” according to the spokesperson at Electrify Expo.

“SwitchGear was created through a collaboration between Ford Performance, Vaughn Gitten Jr., and RTR Vehicles,” Ford said. “Development work focused on extreme suspension and chassis upgrades that would push electric vehicle performance into unexplored territory.

“Two configurations were built, to suit either street or off-road performance. SwitchGear is based on an F-150 Lightning SuperCrew, and for both configurations, the Lightning’s electric powertrain remains stock.”

That means its starts with 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque fed by a 131-kWh battery, then rides on custom independent double-wishbones with coilovers and stabilizer bar in front and custom independent semi-trailing arms with coilovers and stability bars rear.

Front and rear shocks are Fox 3.0 with remote reservoirs. Wheel travel is 11 inches front and 13 inches rear. Those are RTR Tech 6 18s it’s rolling on wrapped with 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers.

Perhaps they’ll consider a press loan?

Vesco 444 Little Giant

The Vesco family is one of the all-time greats in land speed racing, and the Little Giant is one of their most prolific race cars. It’s been racing in one configuration or another since 1957.

It was powered by an internal-combustion engine until 2021, when it was handed over to the ReVolt Systems team to convert it to EV power. ReVolt put in two electric motors that together make over 1,200 hp. In its all-electric configuration it became the fastest EV ever driven over a measured mile at 353.870 mph, piloted by Eric Ritter.

Go Vesco!

Carbon Street Electric Skateboard

Evolve skateboards are made in Australia, with two motors at the back, one for each rear wheel. Evolve said that the Hadean Carbon Street model I saw at the Expo had dual 3,000-watt electric motors at the rear, combining for 6 kW, or 8 hp. That’ll take you up the steepest street in your city and go over 40 miles on a charge. Top speed is 31 mph. Yikes! This carbon fiber model costs $1,999 but you can get a different model of an Evolve board for as little as $899.

Totally stoked, even though it’s not like the old days when we put clay wheels on a 2x4 and hammered shag carpet on it for added luxury. Ha!

Piezo

Bruce K. Riggs was a “computer guy,” a vice president of Dell computers in China for 14 years. Family obligations called him back to Southern California, and he wound up as CEO of Monday Motorbikes Inc. in 2021. Monday is something of an exception in the electric-bike world in that it makes all its products in Signal Hill, California, right next to Long Beach.

“We’re not a Chinese importer,” Riggs said.

There are several models of Mondays: the Anza, Antero, the Perano folding bike, and the motorcycle-looking Piezo. The latter is the one I took for a loop around the Long Beach Convention Center. It has a 2.8-kWh battery, a 2-kW motor, and a 72V power system that gives it “70-plus miles of range.”

The Piezo has a look that recalls Italian motorcycles of the late 1950s, especially that big blue tank. The seat height was a little higher than I expected, and the crank height for the bicycle pedals (you can pedal home if you run out of juice) was also higher than I expected.

There were a few rattles as I sailed over bumps on the prescribed bicycle course around the Convention Center’s parking lot and chased snowy egrets off the bike path around the lagoon, but overall the style won me over and the rattles could be fixed.

This is Monday’s most expensive bike at $4,599, but you can get onto an Anza for $1,699.

Owlet E-Bike

The young couple behind the stylish Owlet you see here fled Ukraine at the start of the war and settled in Southern California to follow their design dreams. So far that has led to this, an electric scooter that looks like an owl. Especially from the front, where the headlights integrate into the front of the tube-like frame cylinder look remarkably like the face of an owl.

The bike has a 750-watt electric motor that can hit 1,500 watts peak. A 1,200-Wh battery provides a claimed range of 45 miles. They are taking reservations now but there’s no word on when deliveries will begin.

Where else are you going to find an e-scooter shaped like an owl?

micro ebike

To grasp the size of the JackRabbit micro e-bike, you have to stand next to it. It is perhaps half the size of a regular bike, which is its main draw. For a starting price of $1,000 you can ride it 10 miles to work, or bring it on the train, stuff it under the seat, and ride it the last mile to your office, where you can plug it in while you work.

There’s not a lot of torque from this setup, but the JackRabbit weighs just 24 pounds with the battery. Add the RangeBooster and you can go 24 miles.

And it’s sooo cute!

Superbeast SL Electric Skateboard

The best thing about these is the intricate machining that went into the trucks. CNC’d out of billet aluminum, the trucks—the part that holds the wheels and connects them to the board—are little works of art, to those who appreciate machining.

The Split Lane R, where the R stands for range, is good for 50 miles from the 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery. The whole thing, battery and all, weighs 30 pounds. Price is $2,499.

Pickman NEV

Pickman specializes in importing very small electric pickup trucks that are mostly used on college campuses, farms, and resorts, where limited range is not a problem. They are classified as neighborhood electric vehicles, or NEVs, but the ones Pickman imports are considerably more comfortable than what is generically referred to as “golf carts.”

These have power steering, power brakes, roll-up windows, three-point belts, backup camera, infotainment, Bluetooth, phone holder, and even “bumper guards.” They don’t seem very strong, but Pickman COO Joseph Chu says they can carry one ton and tow two tons with a range of “up to” 70 miles, claims I was not able to independently verify.

There were several models lined up in the Pickman space at the Expo, and I fell in love with the orange SUV-looking thing. This, I later found out, was the Pickman SUV-E, which leaves a trail of cuteness in its wake wherever it goes.

The rear wheels are driven by a single 50-kW motor good for up to 150 miles of range from 302V 93-Ah lithium-iron phosphate batteries, though on the same web page it also says 180 miles range. So, pick your dream. Remember, though, it has seat belts!

The Pickman website lists the price at $27,999. You will be the king of Cars and Coffee. At least the first time you bring it. After that they’ll wonder what’s wrong with you.

Towable EV Trailer

The heart of the Pebble Towable EV Trailer is its nickel- and cobalt-free 45-kWh LFP battery. With that, the Pebble can propel itself while your fancy EV towing it suffers no loss in range. It can also stay off-grid for “up to” seven days. One kW of integrated solar panels on the roof can stretch that out even further.

Among its parlor tricks: Its “Magic Hitch” drives the trailer under its own power and clicks on to your tow vehicle’s trailer ball all by itself, thus eliminating one of the most common causes of divorces among trailer families. Get to the campsite, unhitch it, and the Pebble parks itself. Then, hit a button on the integrated portable device (that sure looks like an iPad), and it goes into InstaCamp mode where it lowers the stairs, lowers the stability legs, and turns itself on (electrically, that is).

When being towed downhill, it uses regenerative braking through what look like hub-mounted motors. They’re not releasing all the details. Inside, the glass-walled bathroom turns opaque at the touch of a button so you can shower and do anything else you want to in privacy.

The drawback? It’s not out yet. They’re saying “end of the year.” And the price is $109,000 ($101,500 after Federal tax rebate). It’s made in California, too, though where the batteries and motors come from was not released, either.

Living Vehicle Trailer

This one’s actually a few trailers, the “legacy model” available now in 24-, 30-, 32-, and 38-foot sizes, and the coming CyberTrailer, which is loaded with all kinds of coolness.

At the show they had a legacy model, an HD30. Both the 28 and 30 attach to your tow rig on a ball hitch, while the 32 and 38 are fifth-wheels. Those range in price from $300,000 to $450,000, minus one dollar each for marketing appeal.

The coming CyberTrailer, which was not at the Expo, looks like it was inspired by the Tesla Cybertruck. It is 100% solar-powered, and designed for trailering behind electric vehicles like the F-150 Lightning, Rivian and, of course, the Cybertruck.

Like the Pebble mentioned above, the CyberTrailer has its own cavalcade of parlor tricks. It uses electric energy from its 5-kW solar array to create up to nine gallons of water a day from air, using a system developed by a company called WaterGen. The system heats the air to its dewpoint, then collects the water that results. After you use the water, it recycles 95% of it through “multi-stage filtration” and UV light so you can use it over and over again.

The trailer’s wheels are electrically driven to reduce drag on the electric tow vehicle. Once parked in your version of off-grid paradise, the solar array takes over, charging the battery and running the a/c. There was no battery size stated for the unit.

The CyberTrailer is listed at $175,000, which isn’t bad considering all the technology that comes with it. Deliveries start in 2025.

P21 Trailer

The Polydrop (polygonal teardrop) carries some of the design of the CyberTrailer above, but with a much simpler approach to trailer life and a much smaller techno-footprint. And it only costs $45,000.

This unibody aluminum trailer is insulated to keep out the cold or keep in the heat. It’s onboard 5-kWh lithium-ion battery can be recharged from a 1300-watt solar grid on the roof.

“The most important thing for us is efficiency,” said Charles, the Polydrops rep we met at the Expo. “Compared to other trailers, it’s three times more efficient aerodynamically. At 55 mph with the trailer attached, a Model Y will still get 240 miles range.”

Inside the demo-trailer there was a complete suite of living comforts, from a sink and a stove to a standup shower and two beds, plus a small portable air conditioner/heat pump and a small cooler, both about the size of a typical ice chest.

The trailer itself weighs less than 2,000 pounds and sleeps a family of four if the kids are still small. Its exterior is shaped like a cross between a Cybertruck and a Bowlus, with tapered ends and a narrow cross section.

There’s a smaller P19 model that weighs only 640 pounds and stickers for $12,500.

3-Wheel Leaning Electric Scooter

Tim Huntzinger was a designer for 30 years, with jobs at Fisker, Ryvid, GM, NASA, and Boeing, after studying at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Then he founded X-OTO to produce what looks like a very fun three-wheeler.

“This one does a real 45-degree lean,” he said, and then demonstrated. It did.

“It rides like a motorcycle.”

The wheels lean and adjust as you turn, giving you more control and confidence on the road, X-OTO promises. The setup allows “the stability of three wheels with the thrill of leaning into the curves.”

Top speed is 45 mph, range is “up to” 45 miles, though one part of the website claims up to 90 miles. Prices start at $7,495.

iON evo EV Tire

More and more tire makers are investing in EV-specific product as demand grows for electric vehicle replacement tires. Tire Rack says typically what separates an EV tire from a traditional ICE vehicle tire is a focus on low rolling resistance, noise comfort, and accommodating the additional weight of the vehicle because of the batteries.

At Electrify Expo, there were three tiremakers.

Hankook showed off its complete line of iON evo electric vehicle tires, available in summer, all-season, winter, and all-weather. Hankook says the iON evo offers a 25.5% longer tread life, 29% quieter ride, 6.3% increase in range, and 20% improved stability thanks to stiffer sidewalls.

Yokohama offered up its new Advan Sport EV A/S UHP All-Season tire aimed at Teslas and available in sizes that will fit the Tesla Models S, 3, X, and Y (spelled out in that order to amuse Elon Musk).

Falken had a nice range of A/T, R/T, and M/T off-road tires, and one street tire with a foam baffle inside for the quieter ride EV drivers seek.

Niu XQi3

Niu (pronounced “new”) is no small startup looking for funding. It is “the world leader in two-wheeled electric vehicles.” And the stats back that up: Nius are available in more than 50 countries, they’ve sold more than 3 million electric scooters, bikes, and motorcycles, customers have put over 12 billion miles on Nius since the company was founded in 2015, and it’s even listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Hey, I just liked the purple color on the XQi3 I saw at Electrify Expo.

The XQi3 is an all-electric, street-legal, and off-road dirt bike. Most are sold with knobby tires but more streetable tires are also available. Niu doesn’t list horsepower but does say it makes 263 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is only 30 mph, but range is listed at 50-55 miles from the removeable 72-volt, 32-Ah lithium-ion battery. Price is $4,999.