Genesis is making a name for itself in the US luxury market with a bold style and high-quality design. The luxury Genesis brand is outpacing rivals, closing in on Porsche and Land Rover in sales as its all-electric models expand into new states.
After launching in the US in late 2016, Hyundai’s luxury division, Genesis, is making its presence known in a big way.
After overtaking Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand in 2022, Genesis is aiming for more. Genesis sales have grown from less than 7,000 in 2016 to over 69,000 last year, according to data from CNBC. The brand’s closest rivals include Porsche (75,415), Land Rover (71,727), Lincoln (81,818), and Volvo (128,350).
Genesis believes the momentum will continue with double-digit sales growth annually over the next few years.
A big reason for the optimism is Genesis’ electric vehicles. Genesis sells three electric vehicles in the US: the GV60, Electrified GV70, SUV, and Electrified G80 sedan.
According to Cox Automotive data, Genesis sold 6,403 EVs in the US in 2023, up 283% from 2022 and outpacing rivals Lexus and Lucid.
Left to right: Genesis GV60, Electrified GV70, and Electrified G80 (source: Genesis)
In March, Genesis revealed the stunning Neolun concept, previewing its first full-size luxury electric SUV. It will serve as the brand’s tech beacon, featuring “innovation that exceeds conventional standards.”
Genesis Neolum full-size electric SUV concept (Source: Hyundai Motor)
Genesis expands EV availability to outpace luxury rivals
Genesis also revealed the GV60 Magma, the first vehicle for its new high-performance brand. The sportier Magma brand is designed to spread awareness and boost sales.
Each of Genesis vehicles will get a performance Magma upgrade as it looks to grow the brand. Genesis Magma will rival Mercedes-AMG, which previewed its first high-performance EV earlier this year.
Genesis GV60 Magma next to other high-performance vehicles (Source: Genesis)
Meanwhile, Genesis announced Tuesday that its electric models are now available in 37 US states. That’s up from 33 last October, with the GV60, Electrified GV70, and Electrified G80 available in Alabama, Kansas, Oregon, and Rhode Island. Genesis EVs are now available in:
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Louisiana
Maryland
Massachusetts
Kansas
Kentucky
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
and Wisconsin
Genesis Motor North America COO Claudia Marquez said, “This latest phase of growth allows for even more customers to discover our award-winning EV lineup.”
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Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) has chosen engineering firm IHI Technology’s initiative to develop electric power control and thermal and air management system technology for the Next-Generation Aircraft Development Project under its Green Innovation Fund program.
NEDO created the ¥2-trillion ($12.96-billion) Green Innovation Fund to invest in the energy and industrial sectors to achieve carbon neutrality.
IHI will develop aircraft electrification technologies such as megawatt generators and an aircraft electric turbo compressor. It will use these to build a power control system integrating a hybrid propulsion system, as well as a thermal and air management system using an air conditioning system for airframes. This initiative will run until the end of the fiscal year ending March 2031.
Those holding out for a cheap $20,000 EV from China might want to look for a third-party Presidential candidate who’s on board with free trade.
The Biden administration on Tuesday took a serious protectionist stance, revealing sweeping tariff hikes affecting $18 billion of Chinese imports, with electric vehicles and their supply chain at the core.
The scope of the 100% tariff hike announced on EVs wouldn’t at face value provide the same trade barrier as the 100% tariff on Mexico-built Chinese cars—EV or not—that former President and Presidential candidate Donald Trump had proposed in March. But it goes after key aspects of the EV supply chain in ways that will affect new vehicles no matter what fuel they have.
Officially, up to today, cars imported from China are only subject to a 25% tariff, while those made with Chinese parts in Mexico would only be subject to a 2.5% tariff—so it is effectively a loophole that Chinese companies like BYD might be able to exploit to get a foothold in the U.S. market.
UAW-made sticker on 2022 Chevy Bolt EV
Ironically, U.S. automakers have nothing like the affordable EVs that Chinese companies might try to bring to the U.S. The Chevrolet Bolt EV had a sticker price well under $30,000 and was U.S.-made, fully qualifying for the EV tax credit, but GM discontinued it last year and a replacement model won’t arrive for another year.
Preempting an EV invasion already happening in Europe
As an example of the threat from China, the well funded, global automaker BYD, for instance, now sells the Dolphin EV, a well-rated compact hatchback, in some markets in Europe for the equivalent of about $30,000. BYD’s even lower-priced EV, the Seagull, might be able to meet U.S. requirements for $20,000 or less—but the new 100% tariff is surely a deterrent.
BYD Dolphin EV – Euro spec
Specifically, tariffs on electric vehicles rise from 25% to 100% this year. The hikes aren’t just on finished EVs, but on critical elements of the supply chain. This year, the tariff rate on lithium-ion batteries and battery parts increases from 7.5% to 25% when applied to EVs, while an equivalent hike on lithium-ion batteries imported from China for other purposes will apply starting in 2026.
The tariff hikes aren’t on everything, but they apply to “strategic sectors,” according to the Biden administration, that closely parallel the investments made by the administration. That includes steel and aluminum, semiconductors, EVs, batteries, critical minerals, solar cells, cranes used at ports, and medical products.
China currently controls more than 80% of some aspects of the global EV battery supply chain, the administration says, which leaves national security at risk, among other concerns.
Electric or not, the Biden tariffs will prompt automakers to think twice about Chinese sourcing. Chinese steel and aluminum products will, for instance, get a 25% tariff this year, up from 7.5%, and semiconductors will get a 50% tariff in 2025, up from 25% today.
President Biden at 2022 Detroit Auto Show
“As President Biden says, American workers and businesses can outcompete anyone—as long as they have fair competition,” said the Biden administration, in an announcement of the sweeping tariff hikes. “But for too long, China’s government has used unfair, non-market practices.”
The administration then points to the technology transfers and intellectual property theft that have created “unacceptable risks to America’s supply chains and economic security,” noting that China’s current state of overcapacity could lead to export surges of low-priced vehicles that would harm American workers.
Earlier this month the Biden administration also released a revised set of regulations that would effectively allow automakers more time to cut China out of the EV supply chain without penalizing them on EV tax credit qualification in the meantime.
President Donald Trump (Photo courtesy Gage Skidmore/Wikimedia Commons)
The series of politically motivated squeezes of trade levers might not be over, though. Since this past weekend, seemingly in an effort to one-up Biden, Trump has promised a 200% tariff against China.
Mexico remains a potential loophole
What remains to be seen—and a key difference between potential administrations—might relate to what happens south of the border. According to the Wall Street Journal, in a query of U.S. Census Bureau data covering 2023 and 2024 through March, Mexico ranks third in electric vehicle imports to the U.S. after Germany and South Korea, while Japan and Belgium round out the top five. Imported EVs—including those from China—whether or not they comply with stricter EV tax credit sourcing requirements, still receive up to a $7,500 incentive when they’re leased.
Under the previous Trump administration, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement replaced NAFTA with stricter trade terms but effectively still allowed products to flow from Mexico tariff-free.
The Biden tariffs do little to assure that a Chinese internal combustion vehicle—even a hybrid, for instance—might not be assembled in Mexico and then shipped north. Beyond EVs, that may be a serious test of trade rules, and the industry, yet to come.
EVgo (Nasdaq: EVGO) will begin to deploy North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors on its DC fast charging network this year.
The Los Angeles-based charging provider said the stations included in the rollout will serve both CCS and NACS electric vehicles. EVgo will first deploy NACS connectors in markets with “high NACS vehicle penetration” – or, in other words, areas with a lot of Tesla drivers.
The plan is, of course, to maximize charger utilization. EVgo reports that overall utilization on its network in Q1 2024 was approximately 19%, up from approximately 9% year-over-year.
Badar Khan, CEO of EVgo, said, “EVgo had previously identified more than 100,000 potential stalls with strategic site host partners, and with recent industry changes, we welcome further dialogue with our current and potential partners on how we can collaborate to deploy more fast charging infrastructure in convenient locations for drivers.”
Both Tesla and future non-Tesla NACS EVs can use EVgo’s plug-and-charge feature, Autocharge+. It’s available to over 50 EV models, including all Teslas compatible with the Tesla-made CCS adapter.
EVgo says its NACS roll-out will be “unique given the network’s proliferation of high-power 350kW chargers that require liquid-cooled cable technology.” Nearly 40% of EVgo’s stalls are currently powered by a 350kW charger – almost double the percentage a year ago.
Read more: California now has 1 EV fast charging station for every 5 gas stations
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Australian battery materials producer Sicona Battery Technologies plans to expand into the US battery component market by developing a commercial production facility somewhere in the southeastern US.
The company recently completed front-end engineering design studies and is advancing its plans for the phased development of a silicon-carbon anode materials plant that would produce 6,700 tons annually, near a growing battery and EV manufacturing hub.
Sicona plans to expand its US production capacity to a total of 26,500 tons annually by the early 2030s, which would be enough silicon-carbon anode materials to power more than 3.25 million EVs.
Sicona’s SiCx anode materials deliver an increase in energy density of more than 20% over conventional lithium-ion battery cells with graphite anodes and reduce charge times by more than 40%, the company said. Sicona uses a top-down production process using efficient mechanical silicon metal reduction to create uniform nanoparticles and specialised carbon coating treatment. The company has started supplying product samples and initiated offtake discussions with customers. It aims to ramp up qualification activities over the coming 12-18 months.
“We believe by going mass scale with our technology we can have maximum impact on increasing the adoption of electric vehicles. This is because our product has a real impact on the charge time of an electric vehicle or how far you can drive your EV before recharging, which are two major factors holding people back from buying an EV,” said Sicona co-founder Christiaan Jordaan.
According to credit card data, only about 2% of the Tesla owners who used Full Self-Driving in the free month trial ended up buying it after.
Starting in March, Tesla offered a month of free trial of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package to all its owners in North America.
At the same time, the automaker slashed the cost of the package from $12,000 to $8,000 or $99 per month for the subscription model. Interestingly, that goes against what Elon Musk said. The CEO previously said that Tesla would keep increasing the price of the FSD package as it gets better.
Yet, Tesla slashed the price just as it released the new v12 version of the system, which is a significant step forward.
The automaker tried to increase the take rate of FSD with the new version by making more people try it with the free trial, and then tempting them to buy or subscribe to it with the price reduction.
However, some data indicates that Tesla wasn’t really successful with the strategy.
YipitData accessed credit card data from about 3,500 Tesla owners who participated in the trial and found that only 50 bought or subscribed to FSD after the trial (via moomoo):
According to YipitData’s latest figures, nearly 3,500 Tesla owners trialed the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) service over the past month. However, only about 50 of these trials converted into FSD subscriptions or purchases, translating to a conversion rate of just under 2% as of May 5th. The data reveals a cautious approach among Tesla drivers towards paying for subscriptions to its autonomous driving technology.
In order to improve the take rate, Elon Musk also asked Tesla employees who deliver cars to give a FSD demonstration with every delivery.
Electrek’s Take
3,500 owners is a limited dataset, but it’s the best we have right now and to be honest, 2% sounds about right to me.
Despite the recent price cut, it’s still a very expensive product and the value is not clear to most people.
As I previously stated, I’ve been impressed by v12, but it doesn’t necessarily make it useful. v12 limits the speed in many areas and still makes mistakes. I think that it has value on the highway by reducing your workload and allowing you to focus more on the road, but on city streets, it is more stressful than driving without it.
Therefore, I think most people see themselves better off with Autopilot for now.
Tesla still has some work to do prove itself with FSD and increase that take-rate.
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Komatsu just launched its first-ever electric underground drilling and bolting rigs, signaling a new beginning for the Japanese construction giant’s hard rock mining portfolio.
Part of a broader range of updates and options for the second-generation of Komatsu‘s Z2 line of small-class development drill and bolting equipment that includes an innovative resin-pumping system, optimized cabin ergonomics for the operator, and more advanced telematics, the all-electric versions of the Komatsu ZJ21 jumbo drill and ZB21 are (like their predecessors) built on a common platform. That platform features a modular battery driveline that’s been specially designed to withstand the demanding duty cycles and challenging of hard rock mining.
“As underground mining operations increasingly shift toward electrification of their fleets, our innovative, battery-powered Z2 jumbo drills and bolters will support that pivotal transition. By integrating into existing infrastructure, we can help enhance productivity while helping to reduce operating costs,” said Johan Kempe, product director for underground drilling at Komatsu. “The rollout of our second generation Z2-class marks a milestone in our commitment to advancing mining technologies and building upon the proven success of our products to empower the future of mine operators.”
The new Komatsu ZB21 is a small-class bolter featuring a fully enclosed ROPS/FOPS-certified operator cabin with updated operator controls, integrated screen handling, and industry-leading drifters manufactured by Montabert.
The second-generation bolter also introduces an optional pumpable resin system using J-LOK P developed by Jennmar. Komatsu says this unique solution pumps into the drilled hole prior to bolt installation, permitting the use of more economical (read: cheaper) bolts and driving down overall project cost.
The updated ZJ21 jumbo drill, which shares a number of modular components with the ZB21, features a similar operator cabin, innovative drilling feeds, advanced pilot hydraulics, and the same, new Montabert drifters.
Both vehicles feature an 83 kWh li-ion battery pack presumably developed in concert with American Battery Solutions (ABS), which Komatsu acquired late last year. That purchase was part of a company-wide effort to help Komatsu achieve its stated ESG goals. Those being: a 50% reduction of CO2 emissions from the use of its products by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels) and company-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.
Electrek’s Take
Komatsu says its BEVs are designed to increase productivity compared to diesel through a mix of onboard charging, smart opportunistic charging capabilities, and 100% compatibility with existing infrastructure (translation: your accessories will fit). As for whether or not its new EVs will deliver – well, it’s hard to argue with Komatsu engineers. They’re smart, they’ve done the math, and they’ve built lithium-powered EVs specifically to mine for more lithium (again: smart).
Here’s hoping we get to read about more EVs from Komatsu sooner than later, then.
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Electric and autonomous freight specialist Einride is expanding on previous plans to deploy more commercial vehicle technology and infrastructure in the Middle East. The mobility company has partnered with supply chain solutions provider DP World to help make its fleet of 100 electric trucks operate more efficiently in Dubai before potentially going autonomous soon.
Einride continues to grow its reputation as a leader in electric and autonomous freight mobility. With roots in Sweden, it has expanded into a second headquarters in the US. In the years we’ve been covering Einride, we’ve seen the company expand to new regions, including Germany, the UK with PepsiCo, and most recently, the Netherlands with Heineken.
Part of those expansion plans have also included sending Einride’s suite of technologies to the Middle East. In March 2023, Einride announced a new partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure to deploy an entire ecosystem of EVs, autonomous trucks, and chargers across 550 km (341 mi) of grid called “Falcon Rise.”
According to the agreement, Einride’s full freight mobility contribution included 2,000 electric trucks, 200 autonomous trucks, and eight charging stations home to over 500 charging points. Now, just over a year later, Einride has signed a new partnership in the Middle East with DP World to help operate its electric trucks at a port within the Falcon Rise grid.
Source: Einride
Einride Saga to help DP World EV freight in the Middle East
Einride shared details of its latest partnership in the Middle East today. It involves helping DP World electrify its inter-terminal container flows at the Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, the 10th busiest port in the world.
Operating 24/7 at the port, Einride relayed that this will be the largest deployment of electric, autonomous freight mobility in the Middle East. Although Einride is not providing DP World with electric trucks, its proprietary Saga fleet management software will be integrated into each to analyze, optimize, and maximize the efficiency of its new partner’s road freight operations.
The fleet will consist of 100 electric trucks, which will all be connected via Einride Saga, and by the end of 2024, the partners expect to scale up to support about 1,600 container transfers in Dubai daily. Einride founder and CEO Robert Falck spoke about the company’s growing presence in the Middle East:
Einride and DP World are driving a paradigm shift in the landscape of freight mobility in the Middle East. Our collaboration underscores a shared dedication to sustainability and innovation, merging Einride’s expertise in electrification and autonomous technology with DP World’s global logistics leadership. By reshaping container transportation in Jebel Ali Port, we aim to set a new standard for sustainable transport practices, significantly curbing CO2 emissions. This collaboration showcases the effectiveness of combining visionary ideals with decisive action, paving the way for a more resilient future.
Einride and DP World shared that once the proposed electric freight operations reach full capacity, their efforts will save up to 14,600 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e 158 tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) annually.
In addition to integrating Saga across DP World’s electric truck freight operations, Einride shared plans to implement autonomous freight routes on Dubai’s roads, beginning with a pilot program in 2025.
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Quick summary: The Fluid Horizon is a very formidable pick for commuters. With 30 miles of range and 25 mph top speed, it suits commuters and urban dwellers perfectly, and thanks to the light weight it’s perfect for navigating public transport.
FFR Horizon Specifications
Imperial Metric
Top speed: 40 km/h25 mph
Range: 40 km25 mph
Power: 500W
Climb angle: 11°
Battery: 624 Wh, 48 V
Charging time: 6 h
Weight: 18kg39.7 lbs
Weight limit: 120kg265 lbs
Tire size: 8.5 in
Folded dimensions (L * W * H): 98*18*37cm38.58 * 7.09 * 14.57 in
Unfolded dimensions (L * W * H): 109*59*120cm42.91 * 23.23 * 47.24 in
Deck to handlebar height: 98cm (est)38.58 in (est)
Adjustable handle bar: yes
Scores, Tests, Measurements
Overall score
Ranked #12 in price range $ – $
68
Pros
solid build quality
strong resistance to flats
good brakes
decent shock absorption
good value
CONS
no IP rating
not the best for climbing hills
average performance
When to buy
The Fluid Horizon offers a great balance of quality, value, and user-friendliness, making it perfect for newbies and casual commuters. It’s also great for carrying around if needed, and having fun adventures and cruises.
When not to buy
Coming with one solid tire, the ride comfort won’t be at a maximum. The performance is balanced and geared towards beginners, so don’t expect to break any speed records.
I had the chance to test the Fluid Horizon, aka the FFR Horizon, for a few days. In this review, I’ll take you through every detail I observed, and what my thoughts are on when you should consider it.
Performance
Here are the most important aspects of Fluid Horizon’s performance you should know about.
Engine
The Horizon has a 500 W brushless motor in the rear, with a peak power output of 800 W.
While the scooter isn’t the fastest and doesn’t have exceptional acceleration, I think that this power is more than enough for the average daily commuter.
Speed and speed test
The Horizon has an official top speed of 25 mph / 40 kmh.
I mostly had no trouble reaching this speed, and even surpassed it on a downhill ride.
So, pretty standard top speed. If you need a faster scooter, check out my list of the fastest electric scooters.
Range and range test
The manufacturer claims that the Fluid Horizon has an official range of 23 mi / 37 km for the 10.4Ah version, and 30 miles / 48 km for the 13Ah version. During my tests with the 13 Ah version, I only managed to reach a range of 27 miles / 43 km. This is lower than advertised, but still with the norms of the expected.
More importantly, this should get the job done for the average commuter, but if you happen to want or need longer ranges, go on and see my guide on the longest-range electric scooters.
Climbing and climbing test
The brushless motor offers a good official climb angle of 11 degrees, which I managed to accomplish with no difficulties weighing around 200 lbs / 90 kg.
After that, I went to a hill of about 15 degrees and the scooter struggled a bit but in the end, it managed to climb it.
The tests were done on a fully charged battery.
So, this scooter should be enough for most environments, except for cities with lots of steep hills. If that’s your situation, check out my guide on the best climbing electric scooters.
Ride experience
It’s been enjoyable doing my daily commuting with this scooter. It provides a good blend of commuting performance and comfort and won’t make your rides boring like other commuters.
The scooter has an excellent dual hydraulic suspension, add to that the front air tire for comfort, and the result is not really feeling any bumps.
The scooter is made from high-quality materials that ensure reliability in various riding conditions.
Fluid Horizon vs other scooters
Let’s see how the FFR Horizon compares to other scooters.
FFR Horizon vs Ninebot Max
The FFR offers 500W brushless motor for 800W peak power and an amazing 30 miles / 48 km range with its 48V 13Ah battery.
For comparison, the Ninebot Max features a 350W BLDC hub motor, reaching 700W peak power, and an exceptional 40 miles / 64 km range from its battery.
Both prioritize ride comfort, with the FFR having dual hydraulic suspension and the Max doesn’t have a suspension but its large 10.0-inch tires make up for it.
This is a tough choice. I would go with the Ninebot Max for more range, and stick with the Horizon for speed.
If you are leaning towards the Ninebot Max more, check out my review of it here.
FFR Horizon vs Levy Plus
The FFR offers a 500W brushless motor and an amazing 30 miles / 48 km range while the Levy PLus has a 350W motor and 19 miles / 32 km.
The Levy Plus stands out with its emphasis on portability, featuring a lightweight build and a convenient foldable design. Both models have exceptional handling that comes in very handy in city traffic.
One big advantage of the Levy Plus is the removable battery. If that sounds useful to you, check out my review of the Levy Plus.
Build quality
When you see the Horizon it really doesn’t look fancy, it looks like any other budget commuter but, I was truly amazed by the build quality of the scooter.
It has a robust frame, ergonomic handlebars, and a durable deck. The scooter is made for durability, reliability, and excels in stability during rides in urban environments.
Features
Here are some of the features of the Horizon you should know about.
Battery and charging
The Horizon has two battery options. The first one is a 48V 10.4Ah lithium-ion battery, while the second one is a 48V 13Ah lithium-ion battery.
The scooter that I tested had a 13 Ah battery, but even if you buy the scooter with the weaker battery, the scooter has a decent life span and good range. I still recommend the longer range version
Recharging to full capacity takes about 6 hours, which isn’t really bad in my opinion.
Brakes
The scooter is equipped with a drum and regenerative break that ensures riders can confidently bring this scooter to a quick stop.
These are one of the best brakes I have ever tried on an affordable commuter scooter, at least for my preference.
The braking performance is further exemplified by a short stopping distance, measuring just less than 8 meters.
Suspension
The suspension system sets a new standard for comfort and adaptability for the commuter category of scooters.
The Horizon features a dual hydraulic suspension that absorbs bumps and cracks effortlessly even on uneven terrains.
Still, if you want to ride off-road, check out my guide on the best off-road scooters, as this scooter is not meant for that.
Tires and fenders
The scooter features an 8.5-inch front air tire and an 8-inch rear solid tire, which provides optimal stability during extensive rides, ensuring a comfortable and controlled experience.
These tires and the scooter’s dual hydraulic suspension provide a smooth and controlled ride. I was quite surprised by this, since regular diameter tires with mixed configuration can often lead to mediocre stability.
Additionally, it is equipped with well-designed fenders that serve to protect against splashes and debris, keeping both the rider and the scooter clean during various weather conditions.
Lights
The Horizon features a headlight, two sidelights, and two tail lights.
They are decent enough, and will get the job done of providing visibility for you during night rides.
Screen and controls
The Horizon’s screen and controls are pretty standard. Nothing too original here, we’ve seen this setup in many other scooters, but the most important thing is that it gets the job done and is tested and reliable.
Weight, dimensions, and portability
The Horizon weighs 40 lbs / 18 kg, which is a normal weight for daily commuters and it’s easy for extended carrying.
The scooter’s dimensions when folded are 49.2 x 10.8 x 22 in, and 40 x 7 x 13.8 in while unfolded. I managed to easily place the scooter in the trunk of my car (I tried a Ford Fiesta for this trunk test), and it didn’t take up a lot of space.
Weight limit
The weight limit of the Horizon is a substantial 265 pounds / 120 kg. That’s pretty standard these days, and should work for most people.
If you are above this weight limit, check out my guide on the best electric scooters for heavy-riders.
Water resistance and waterproof
The manufacturer hasn’t classified what is the IP rating of this scooter. For that reason, I decided not to ride it during rainy days, and I suggest you do the same.
If you live in a city where it consistently rains and don’t want to worry if your scooter will survive and not break down, check out my guide on the most waterproof electric scooters.
Accessories and customization
The build of the scooter is fairly standard, so most of the generic scooter accessories will fit easily. It doesn’t lack a lot of important features, so maybe I’d just throw in a phone mount on there, or maybe a louder horn if you frequently ride in busy traffic.
This is not a very fast scooter, so a half-helmet will get the job done. See my guide on the best scooter helmets for some solid picks.
Security and locks
You probably don’t need to overspend on a lock, but a medium-strong scooter lock will help you sleep better.
Issues and downsides
Some users have reported concerns that the battery was draining fast from the first day. I believe these are some isolated incidents, since I didn’t find anything like that, in fact quite the opposite.
Another concern is the unclassified IP rating. This is a downside, and if you live somewhere rainy, you should probably consider another scooter.
Some users have found the handlebars to be a bit soft, opting to replace them for a more customized experience.
I personally didn’t have any problems with the Horizon for the week I was testing it.
Verdict
The Horizon presents a compelling package for commuters seeking a reliable and efficient electric scooter.
Its robust frame and ergonomic design will provide exceptional durability and stability. The mixed tire configuration will give you a nice balance of ride comfort and resistance to flats, and the longer-range version of the scooter (which is the one I recommend) does have a pretty decent range.
All in all, the Fluid Horizon is a solid-quality, good-value commuter that would fit beginners and first-time owners perfectly. Consider it if that’s you.
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I am Matt Trajkovski, the owner and main editor of EScooterNerds. I love electric scooters, and electric vehicles in general, and I’ve been involved in the industry for more than 10 years. I enjoy testing, reviewing, and research on various electric scooter models and brands, following our proprietary rigorous editorial and testing process developed here at EScooterNerds, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience. All of the content published on this blog goes through a rigorous review and editorial process, and our product reviews not only include the hands-on experience of our own team members, but the experience of our audience members as well. My goal is to provide you with the best information about electric scooters possible. You can see all of my posts in my articles archive.
Revived truck brand Scout Motors has set the timetable for the debut of its first-ever EVs. This summer, the public will catch a glimpse of an all-electric pickup and an SUV the Volkswagen sub-brand has been developing since its recent inception. Here’s what we know.
The current iteration of Scout Motors is derived from the beloved nameplate of off-road vehicles built by International Harvester in the ’60s and ’70s. While only about 530,000 Scout trucks were built during its 20-year production run, the early Jeep competitor still holds a small but passionate fanbase.
In 2022, Volkswagen Group shared plans to capitalize off that heritage and revive the namesake for the modern, EV age while still delivering customers the rugged, off-road performance its remaining predecessors are still celebrated for. With the help of contract manufacturer Magna International, Scout Motors has two initial EV models in development
We know the two flagship models will be built in the US, specifically in South Carolina, but so far, we’ve only seen broad renderings of them. The young EV brand is currently working through design and development in Novi, Michigan, while a new Innovation Center is being built nearby.
Meanwhile, construction of Scout Motors’ production facility in The Palmetto State is underway. Before those builds begin however, we still need to see what Scout Motors’ first two EVs look like and know we know when to expect that milestone.
We’ll get a look at Scout Motors’ first EV in late summer
Per an update to the Scout Motors website, an EV reveal is being planned for late summer 2024. Exactly when or where this anticipated event will occur remains TBD. Still, we hope to get the invite as we were there for the groundbreaking ceremony in South Carolina this past February.
That’s about all we’ve learned about new information surrounding Scout Motors’ first two EVs, but previous conversations with executives, including CEO Scott Keogh, have hinted at what to expect during the summer reveal.
In talks with Electrek, Keogh expressed the advantage Scout Motors has as a clean slate design approach that, unlike most young EV brands, has an existing heritage backed by the purchasing and production expertise of parent Volkswagen Group.
That said, Scout intends to do its own thing regarding EV development and design. Scout’s Chief Production Officer, Dr. Jan Spies, told us that the platform technology Scout’s first two trucks will sit atop is “not a twin, daughter, or brother” to any of the platforms currently used in the larger VW Group.
Spies elaborated, saying Scout Motors’ bespoke EV platform gives it an advantage in terms of development speed and offers a beautiful opportunity to deliver a unique car for its environment. Keogh assured us the two bespoke EVs are both “badass” and “robust,” designed to tackle the elements and stay true to the legacy of trucks that inspired them.
(Source: Scout Motors)
We expect Scout to sacrifice a bit of range in exchange for such off-road performance, but we won’t know where those numbers land until the official reveal. In February, Scout Motors’ CEO said the final designs of both trucks were super close, with the actual engineering of the EVs to quickly follow.
While the young automaker has confirmed it will unveil both models in late summer, we have already been warned that EV production will require some cadence while the South Carolina plant continues to scale. Which model will be built first has yet to be determined… or at least made public. Maybe we will find out in a couple of months. We will report back then!
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