Lectric Ebikes has sent another salvo across the bow of the e-bike industry, this time further entrenching itself in the best-selling cargo e-bike role with major upgrades to the new XPedition 2.0 electric cargo bike.
The original Lectric XPedition was already a runaway success, ushering in unheard-of bang for your buck in the quickly growing cargo e-bike category.
But now the Phoenix-based electric bicycle brand is doubling down on value with a long list of upgrades in the second-generation model – all without an increase over the original version’s $1,399 price tag.
“The XPedition has been the best-selling and most successful cargo e-bike in the industry since its debut, and that’s due to its unmatched combination of performance and value,” said Lectric Ebikes CEO and Co-Founder Levi Conlow. “With the XPedition 2.0, we’re doubling down on that commitment. Even in a year when many e-bike prices have gone up, we’re delivering significant upgrades without increasing the price—something we believe will only amplify the continued success of this e-bike.”
With a stretched rear rack and a weight capacity of 450 lb in the redesigned frame, the XPedition 2.0 is built to carry just about any cargo that riders can imagine, from extra gear to extra passengers. In fact, a combination of cargo holders and passenger seats makes the XPedition 2.0 ideal for both tasks.
But the bigger story here is undoubtedly all of the new features added to the XPedition 2.0.
Those upgrades include a new torque sensor designed by Lectric Ebikes to provide better, more responsive pedal assist. But throttle lovers, don’t despair! Of course the existing throttle remains, allowing riders to choose between an effortless throttle ride or an engaging pedal assist ride – or both.
The 750W M24 hub motor in the rear offers a peak power rating of 1,310W, which means better acceleration and stronger hill climbing – even when the bike is loaded down with cargo or friends.
The kickstand is now wider for a more stable stance, while the tires have been slightly narrowed to 2.5 inches for a more nimble ride. To make up for the reduced air volume in the tires, the ride gets plusher with a new 50mm dual-spring suspension fork offering adjustable suspension. There’s also a suspension seat post, so it’s not only the rider’s hands getting the comfort treatment.
Speaking of hands, up on the handlebars is a new color display as well as updated bolt-on grips and controls for the new turn signals.
There are also three battery options available, allowing riders to decide just how much range they need. When fully kitted out, the largest battery option of 35Ah gives the bike 1.68 kWh of capacity and a range of up to 170 miles (273.6 km) per charge when using pedal assist. While throttle-riders will probably see a range of half that much, that’s still some of the longest range available in the cargo e-bike market. And those batteries are also UL-compliant, offering peace of mind for those who are rightfully concerned about safety.
To ensure that large battery capacity can still charge quickly, Lectric has a new compatible fast charger with 5-amp output to cut charging time by 60% compared to the base charger.
The base model of the Lectric Ebikes XPedition 2.0 starts at US $1,399 and includes the single 624 Wh battery. Upgrading to the dual battery model boosts the battery to 1,248 Wh and is priced at US $1,699. For the longest-range riding, the dual long-range battery model has that gigantic 1,680 Wh battery capacity and is priced at US $1,999.
The XPedition 2.0 comes in both Stratus White and Raindrop Blue colorway options, and features the same technical specs and components across all models, including those powerful hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano 8-speed transmissions, fender packages, and more.
Additional accessories are generally offered à la carte, but Lectric’s promotional offering during the pre-order period packages several hundred dollars of accessories with the bikes for free, including running boards, seat cushions, frame bags, and upgraded lighting.
Pre-orders placed soon are expected to ship in the first week of January.
Electrek’s Take
It’s really starting to feel like all the other e-bike companies are just fighting for second place, doesn’t it?
I’m not saying this is the best cargo e-bike out there. But it’s got to be the 100% best bang-for-your-buck cargo e-bike that’s ever hit the streets. It can’t hold a candle to the high-end $4k-$7k premium cargo e-bikes that I love to drool over, but this gets much of the same utility at a fraction of the price. And more importantly, it makes this type of riding obtainable by so many people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a cargo e-bike to take their kids to school or leave their car in the garage for most of their grocery shopping trips.
I’ve been a Lectric Ebikes fan since 2019, when I tested one of the first ten e-bikes the company ever produced. It’s now been over half a million e-bikes later and the company is still offering the same great value as ever.
It’s days like these that remind me how true to the mission Lectric has stayed, offering incredible value and continuously pushing the limit on how much they can offer to riders on limited budgets.