Anna McDee
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Captain Electro
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electric vehicles, electric airplanes, electric motorcycles, electric boats
Articles by Anna McDee
BBM Hiro Review: The Modular Electric Motorcycle with 9-Minute Charging - Captain Electro
Image Credit: BBM Motorcycles. I'm not gonna lie - I am a huge fan of this whole "electric revolution." I mean, the torque! If you've ever tried riding an electric motorcycle, then you know the drill. Every time you twist the throttle, it feels like you are being shot out of a very quiet, but very polite cannon. That's the good bit. The not-so-good part is waiting for a charge. And waiting is my least favorite sport. I've seen glaciers move faster than some of these battery bars.
Ultraviolette F77 Review: Indian EV Motorcycle Targets Europe with 143-Mile Range - Captain Electro
This battery feeds a motor that kicks out a peak of 30 kilowatts - that's a nice, round 40 horsepower. In the motorcycle world, 40 horses isn't going to win you any drag races against a fire-breathing superbike. It's sensible. It's adequate. It's a nice two-wheel cardigan. But combined with 73.76 pound-feet of torque — which is pretty zesty for instant electric get-up-and-go — it's more than enough to make you the king or queen of the traffic light grand prix.
Nissan Sakura EV Prototype: A Solar-Powered Car You Might Never Need to Plug In - Captain Electro
Sakura is powered by a motor that produces 63 horsepower… A-ha! But before you laugh, it also delivers 144 pound-feet of torque. That's the EV secret sauce! It means that from a dead stop, it'll feel quick, perfect for darting through traffic. Just... maybe not quick enough to challenge anyone at a drag strip. It also has "Sport" mode, which in a 63-horsepower car sounds absolutely adorable. Now for the juice.
Maeving RM2 Review: The Stylish, Affordable Electric Motorcycle for Two - Captain Electro
Maeving has a brilliantly simple solution for the most crucial part of any electric vehicle: the battery and the terror it induces. The RM2 has two removable battery packs. You can pull them out, carry them inside like a couple of high-tech lunchboxes, and plug them into any standard household outlet. No more circling the block hunting for a special charging station like a truffle pig in the digital age.
Yamaha MOTOROiD:Λ Review: A Twisting, Self-Balancing AI Electric Motorcycle - Captain Electro
This bike is the third version of a concept Yamaha has been tinkering with since 2017. It's clear they're serious about this whole "intelligent machine" thing. The MOTOROiD:Λ is packed with an AI system that keeps the bike upright, and it actively learns. It watches how you ride — your habits, your braking style, your tendency to take that one corner a little too fast — and adapts.
Zero Motorcycles Moves Global HQ to Europe: What It Means for US Riders - Captain Electro
To be perfectly honest, though, are we really that surprised? For a while now, Zero has been playing the field globally. While they started with a proud "Made in the USA" vibe, their operations have increasingly looked like a well-stamped passport. A lot of their components and even entire motorcycles from their more affordable lines are now built with the help of their partners in Asia. This move to Europe feels less like a sudden departure and more like the next logical step in their world tour.
Lightfighter V3 Electric Race Bikes Review: The Silent Superbikes with a Hooligan Soul - Captain Electro
But the real party trick is its electric heart. The motor, a liquid-cooled gem from a company called Parker-Hannifin, delivers grin-inducing 154 horsepower. That's impressive, but it's the torque that'll make your eyes water. It delivers 120 pound-feet right from the motor, which, after a little gearbox magic, translates to 240 pound-feet of twist at the rear wheel. All this in a package that weighs just 399 pounds, making it as light and flickable as a gas-powered middleweight.
Pink Electric Scooters for Women in Pakistan: Empowering or Patronizing? - Captain Electro
Just the other day, I was chatting with my daughter - my resident pint-sized philosopher - about a news story that had landed in my inbox. The government in Pakistan was apparently giving away free pink electric scooters to women. I was really intrigued - EVs used as a tool for social change? I've never seen anything like it, definitely not on this scale. This was really new.
Opel Mokka Coffee EV: The Electric SUV with a Built-in Barista Station - Captain Electro
Let's be honest, the biggest problem for many folks considering an electric car these days isn't range anxiety anymore. The new issue is the charging-time boredom. What do you do for 30 minutes while your car sips electrons? You could scroll through your phone, or you could… make a world-class, barista-quality cappuccino. See where I'm going with this? Out of all the automotive brands out there, it is Opel that has created the car of my dreams. It's called Mokka Coffee.
Ultraviolette X-47 Review: The Smartest, Safest Electric Motorcycle You Can Actually Afford? - Captain Electro
As if having eyes in the back of its head wasn't enough, the X-47 also comes with an integrated dual dashcam system. There's a camera front and back, recording in crisp 1080p to a little secondary screen. It'll automatically save the recording if it detects a crash, providing evidence for your insurance company that, yes, that person really did pull out in front of you.
Honda WN7 Electric Motorcycle Review: Great Bike, Shocking Price? - Captain Electro
The two-wheeled world has been waiting for the big players to truly jump into the electric motorcycle pool for what felt like forever. Not just dip a toe in with a scooter that looks like a space-age toaster, but a proper, full-sized, two-wheeled machine. So when Honda, the company that basically put the entire world on reliable motorcycles, announced its new WN7, my heart did a little electric whir.
XYTE One Electric Scooter Review: The Helmet-Free Future of Urban Mobility? - Captain Electro
Practicality is where things get really interesting. You see that space behind the seat? That's a 2.47-cubic-foot trunk. In real-world terms, that's big enough for a couple of bags of groceries, your gym bag, or maybe a very small, very cooperative golden retriever. (Please don't test that last one.) It even has a reverse gear! No more awkward multi-point turns or trying to paddle a 454-pound vehicle backward with your feet. Hallelujah.
QuantumScape Solid-State Battery Powers Ducati: A 12-Minute Charge Game-Changer? - Captain Electro
Did you know that I hear the phrase "game-changer" about five times a day? I think I might be allergic to it... Most of the time, it waltzes in attached to a new cupholder design or a new, more efficient windshield wiper. So, just imagine my reaction when the words "solid-state battery" come up. Oh yeah. The unicorn of the electric vehicle world. The thing everyone promises is just around the corner. We've been hearing about it for years, right?
BMW Vision CE Electric Scooter: A Helmet-Free Future or a Cage of Dorkiness? - Captain Electro
This is where my brain starts to do little cartwheels. The idea of hopping on a two-wheeler without a helmet feels a bit like going outside in a thunderstorm holding a nine-iron. It just doesn't feel right. But here, instead of a helmet, you get a proper car-style seat, complete with a backrest, a headrest, and a four-point harness to buckle you in. So, you're not wearing safety gear, you're sitting inside the safety gear. It's an interesting distinction, isn't it?
Honda Electric Motorcycle 2025: First Look, Specs, and Why 62 Miles Is… A Choice - Captain Electro
Honda is being coy about the details, more coy than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but they've hinted that this bike will have performance on par with a "mid-size" gas-powered motorcycle. What does that even mean? Is that mid-size like a sensible commuter bike, or mid-size like a pizza that I swear I'm only going to have one slice of? My best guess is that we're looking at something in the neighborhood of 70 hp to 80 hp. That's enough power to make you grin, not scream.
Stark VARG MX 1.2 Review: 80 HP Electric Motocross Bike Redefines Power - Captain Electro
The brain behind this brawn is a new device Stark Future is calling the Arkenstone. And yes, for all my fellow nerds out there - that's a Lord of the Rings reference. It's essentially a rugged, military-grade Android smartphone that acts as the bike's dashboard. It lets you tweak everything from the power curve to the engine braking, and it even has a new "Laps" feature with GPS to track your performance on the course.
Learn to Ride on a LiveWire Electric Motorcycle & Get Your License Faster - Captain Electro
This is why I practically did a cartwheel (figuratively, of course; my leathers are a bit restrictive) when I heard that LiveWire is teaming up with Bartels' Harley-Davidson Riding Academy in sunny Marina del Rey, California. They're launching the first rider training program in the country to use all-electric motorcycles. Actual, modern, gorgeous electric bikes for newbies. Students will get to swing a leg over the LiveWire S2 Mulholland, which isn't some pokey little scooter.
Bestune Pony EV: The $4,800 Electric Car You Can't Buy - Captain Electro
This new model is a big step up from the one launched just last year. That first Pony had a measly 28 horsepower and a range that would barely get you across a large town. So, to see them boost the power by 50% and more than double the range in just a year, all while keeping the price ridiculously low, is genuinely impressive. It shows what's possible when the goal isn't to build the fastest or the fanciest EV, but simply the most accessible. And that's what gets me.
Mary Kay's Electric Pink Cadillac: The 2025 OPTIQ Gets a Shocking Makeover - Captain Electro
And oh, it has some giddy-up. The OPTIQ comes standard with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system that puts out around 300 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. In plain English? It's peppy. It'll do the 0-to-60 mph dash in a whisper-quiet six seconds or so. That's more than enough poke to merge onto the highway with authority, all while being smug about your zero tailpipe emissions.
Beachman '64 E-Bike Review: Retro Cafe Racer Style Meets Modern Electric Power - Captain Electro
For the most part of it, my life has been a symphony of internal combustion, a delightful cacophony of roaring V8s, and screaming superbikes. So, when the world went electric, I'll admit I was intrigued. The silence was certainly new. But when someone tries to sell me an "e-bike" that looks like a rejected prop from a sci-fi movie, I tend to smile, nod, and slowly back away. Then, a little number from a Canadian company called Beachman slid into my inbox.
Fiat Topolino Vilebrequin Review: The Adorable Electric Beach Car We Need - Captain Electro
We have established that it's not exactly a cross-country tourer. It's a specialized tool for a specialized job: maximizing joy over short distances where the scenery is the main event. And if you're driving this car, you're not in a hurry. You've already won at life. The price for this slice of rolling paradise starts at around $15,800, which is a lot for a glorified go-kart, but can you really put a price on this much happiness? The only catch?
Oben Rorr EZ: The Electric Motorcycle You Can Buy on Amazon India - Captain Electro
The real headline-grabber, though, is the price. The Rorr EZ comes in two flavors. There's a model with a 3.4 kWh battery for around $1,440, and a slightly beefier 4.4 kWh version for about $1,560. No, I did not miss a zero. That's a brand-new electric motorcycle for the price of a fancy laptop. The bigger battery promises a range of up to 109 miles, which is a whole lot of commuting before you need to plug it in.
Cadillac Celestiq Review: A $350,000 Hand-Built EV That Redefines Luxury - Captain Electro
It's not every day that a car company decides to take a running leap, with jazz hands, straight into the deep end of the ultra-luxury pool. But that's precisely what Cadillac has done with its new all-electric Celestiq. And when I say "deep end," I mean the part of the pool where you need a certified financial planner just to look at the water.
Nerva Exe II Review: The Spanish Electric Scooter That Gets It Right - Captain Electro
The most important part of any electric vehicle is the battery. It's the heart, the soul, the very essence of its being. And Nerva has not skimped here. They've once again teamed up with the battery wizards at BYD to fit the Exe II with a single, magnificent 7.83 kWh Blade LFP battery. This battery is rated for over 6,000 charge cycles. Let me put that in perspective for you. If you charged it every single day, it would take over sixteen years to hit that number.
ONYX RCR 80V Review: The 65 MPH Electric Moped That Redefines Fun - Captain Electro
Now, let's talk about the identity crisis happening here. ONYX ships it locked at a perfectly legal 20 mph, qualifying it as a Class 2 e-bike. It's like sending a tiger to a housecat convention and telling it to "be cool." The owner can then, with a few clicks, unleash its true, road-runner-chasing potential. But then, what is it? A moped? A motor-driven cycle? A lightweight motorcycle that forgot to finish getting dressed? This is where things get a bit fuzzy, legally speaking.
Polestar 4 Wins 2025 Mille Miglia Green: A Silent Victory in Italy - Captain Electro
The Italians are probably shouting "Mamma Mia!" right about now, because Polestar has done it again. Let me set the scene for you: the sun-drenched roads of Italy, the smell of espresso and high-octane history in the air, and a parade of gorgeous classic cars rumbling through the countryside. This is the Mille Miglia, a race so iconic it practically has its own pasta shape. But alongside the vintage beauties, there's another race, a quieter, much more… electric one.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz AD: The Driverless Robotaxi Is Here to Take On Tesla and Uber - Captain Electro
So, what makes this little bus tick? It's packed with more sensors than a teenager's bedroom has posters. 27 of them exactly: 13 cameras, 9 LiDAR sensors, and 5 radars. This ID. Buzz has its own set of superpowers, allowing it to see in every direction at once. All this information is fed into a brain from Mobileye, which helps the bus make smart decisions, even when things get hectic. VW points out that this isn't your typical "driver assist" feature that nags you to keep your hands on the wheel.
Zero's New Affordable Electric Motorcycles: The XE & XB Are Here! - Captain Electro
The company insists their California-based engineers had a hand in designing these, using a "simplified version" of Zero's fancy Z-Force powertrain. Though, if you're like me and have a keen eye, you might have noticed a few "Chinese-origin" parts and stickers at the unveiling, some with English that seemed to have gone through a particularly enthusiastic online translator. But I'm sure the production models rolling off the line now have had a bit of a polish.
Nissan Leaf's Bold Makeover: From Humble Hatchback to Hot Crossover! - Captain Electro
A familiar face has undergone a bit of a growth spurt. The new Nissan Leaf is no longer the wallflower of the EV prom. It's decided it wants to be the star quarterback, or at least the stylish cheer captain. The previous Leaf models weren't exactly winning beauty contests; they had that certain "I tried my best" charm, but "sleek" wasn't exactly the first word that sprang to mind. More like an "amiable appliance." But it did its job without any complaints.
Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Smashes Road Atlanta EV Lap Record - Captain Electro
How on Earth did Porsche pull this off? It wasn't just raw talent, though Mr. Long has plenty of that. For this little adventure, Porsche used a Taycan Turbo GT equipped with the optional Weissach Package. This is a fancy way of saying they threw out the rear seats - who needs to carry friends when you can carry more speed? This turns the four-door family sedan into a four-door two-seater. It's delightfully absurd.
AEMotion Tilting Electric Microcar: The French EV That's Part Car, Part Motorcycle - Captain Electro
In my years of writing about things with wheels and wings, I've seen some truly creative attempts at reinventing the wheel. Literally. I've seen cars that thought they were boats, motorcycles with identity crises, and airplanes that looked like they were designed by a committee that had never actually seen a bird. Case in point - a French creation that's neither a motorcycle nor a scooter. It's a bit of both. Meet the latest transport solution from a French e-mobility company called AEMotion.
Viking Line Helios: World's Largest Electric Ferry Unveiled for Baltic Sea Route - Captain Electro
If you're anything like me, you've probably spent a fair amount of time on a ferry. You know the experience: the low, constant rumble of an engine that vibrates right through your seat, the faint but unmistakable smell of diesel, and the general feeling that you're being propelled by a series of controlled explosions. It's charming, in a sort of industrial revolution kind of way. But the times are finally changing.
Infinite Machine Olto Review: The Smart Electric Moped Disguised as an E-Bike - Captain Electro
Unlocking it is as simple as walking up with your phone. You can even grant temporary access to a friend, which is a lovely touch. The whole package is built to be useful. You can add racks, baskets, even a child carrier. It's clear they didn't just design a vehicle; they designed a tool for living in a city. Okay, usually, when things are this pretty and clever, they come at a price.
Kuickwheel Skyrider X6: The Flying Motorcycle You Can Actually Buy - Captain Electro
We tend to think that the electric revolution is all about saving the polar bears, making the cars silent and capable of working as a backup battery for our houses. And that's all great. But there's so much more to electric motors and batteries - they can power airplanes; combined with solar panels, they can help swanky catamarans cross the oceans. I see brilliant ideas every day, from mundane delivery vans to cute city runarounds.
Ultraviolette F77 Mach 2 Review: India's Electric Motorcycle Arrives in Europe - Captain Electro
It also delivers around 73 pound-feet of torque, which is the fun stuff that gets you moving from a standstill. It's that instant shove in the back that makes electric vehicles so ridiculously amusing. Top speed is a respectable 89 miles per hour - faster than you'll ever legally go in most urban jungles. The 10.3 kWh battery promises a range of up to 144 miles.
2026 Cadillac Optiq-V Review: A 519-HP Electric SUV with Tesla Power - Captain Electro
Naturally, with that much power, it's quick. Cadillac says it'll scamper from a dead stop to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It's the kind of acceleration that's completely unnecessary for the school run, which, of course, is precisely why we love it. It's a silent assassin, ready to surprise that smug-looking sports car at the traffic light. The all-important battery has an 85 kWh capacity that Cadillac claims will give you about 275 miles of range.
Ola Electric's Crisis: From EV Star to Cautionary Tale? - Captain Electro
To be fair, Ola insists it's still the top dog, claiming they delivered over 350,000 scooters in the last fiscal year. They've also got plans for new electric motorcycles, which is ambitious and exciting. But trying to launch new products while your current customers are forming picket lines (or allegedly committing arson) is a tricky balancing act. Try baking a soufflé during an earthquake, and you'll get the idea. What's next for our former golden child? Honestly, your guess is as good as mine.
SONDORS Meta AT: Risky E-Bike Pre-Order or Electric Dream Comeback? - Captain Electro
Then came the Metacycle in 2021. This was supposed to be their leap into the "serious" electric motorcycle world. It did look slick, the specs were great, and once again, the price was surprisingly low. But this is where the script went from a quirky indie film to a bit of a disaster movie. Timelines stretched longer than a piece of well-chewed taffy, and of the nearly 2,000 bikes that did make it out the door, many didn't quite live up to those shiny brochure promises.
Bakcou Puma X22 SD Review: Electric Dirt Bike Fun Shipped to Your Door! - Captain Electro
With great power comes the need to actually clear obstacles. The X22 SD offers a generous ground clearance of 12.5 inches, which sounds fantastic for hopping over logs and rocks. The trade-off? A seat height of 34.5 inches. That's tall. If you're on the shorter side, like yours truly, who sometimes needs a stepladder to reach the top shelf, you might find mounting this beast a bit of an adventure in itself. Perhaps it comes with a complimentary trampoline? One can dream.
DAB Motors' 3D Printed Electric Motorcycle: Akira-Inspired Ride Glows in the Dark! - Captain Electro
This electric two-wheeled marvel made its grand debut at Colombian singer J Balvin's birthday bash. Of course - where else would a boundary-pushing, anime-inspired, 3D-printed electric motorcycle show up? J Balvin is also the co-founder of VVT with designer Mattias Gollin. They roped in Simon Dabadie, the brains behind DAB Motors, and voilà! A rolling piece of art was born.
Zeno Emara: The Sub-$1500 Electric Motorcycle from an Ex-Tesla Exec Shaking Up Affordable EV Commute - Captain Electro
But here's where Zeno is clearly thinking outside the charging box. You can buy the Emara outright, battery and all, for about 119,000 rupees in India, which is roughly $1,425. Annoying, I know. Less than a fancy handbag for some, and it actually goes somewhere. Or, if you're feeling a bit more commitment-phobic with your batteries (and who isn't these days?), you can grab the bike for just 79,000 rupees (around $945) and opt for a battery subscription. This subscription thing is quite the trick.
Bentley Blower Jnr: Electric Classic or Pricey Toy? Anna Reviews the $121k Mini Marvel - Captain Electro
This scaled-down charmer is powered by a 48-volt electric powertrain that delivers a rather modest 20 horsepower. My hairdryer probably puts up more of a fight. This translates to a top speed that might just get you overtaken by an enthusiastic cyclist – we're talking 45 miles per hour. Though, if you're in the good old US of A, they've thoughtfully reined that in… to a blistering 25 mph. You know, so you don't accidentally outpace a determined mobility scooter. The upside?
RemigoOne Electric Outboard: Powerful, Portable, and Surprisingly Chic Boat Propulsion - Captain Electro
This electric contraption delivers 1,000 watts of power. For comparison, its pint-sized cousin, the ePropulsion eLite (which is admittedly lighter at 14.7 pounds without its bracket), offers 500 watts. So, the RemigoOne is basically the eLite's older, beefier sibling who hit the gym.
Electric Hydrofoil Boat Flies Across Mediterranean: Candela C-8's Historic Africa Trip - Captain Electro
Here are the stats for the trip - and frankly, they are a bit startling. The Gibraltar crossing slurped up a 40 kWh of electricity. That's about $9 worth. Nine dollars to cross to another continent! My last taxi to the airport cost more. Meanwhile, the gasoline-powered photo boat that tagged along used about 13 gallons of fuel, costing around $102. And we haven't even touched on the lower maintenance costs of electric or the sweet, sweet sound of silence.
e-Schwalbe Electric Scooter Review: Retro Cool or Pricey Nostalgia Trip? - Captain Electro
So, if it's not going to win any drag races and costs a pretty penny, what is the point? According to Govecs, and I'm inclined to agree after a bit of head-scratching, this isn't about being your everyday, grab-and-go commuter. This is a design object. A rolling piece of history. A style statement. It's the kind of scooter you park outside an art gallery opening, not next to the overflowing bins at the supermarket. It's for making an entrance, not a quick getaway.
Electric Dodge Charger Daytona Sedan: More Doors, Still Roars (Quietly)? - Captain Electro
What's powering this newly domesticated beast? Initially, it's coming in the rather spicy Scat Pack trim. This means a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system sipping electrons from a hefty 100.5 kWh battery pack. All that tech translates to a very healthy 630 horsepower.
New Electric Nissan MICRA (Renault 5 Twin): Specs, Range, Price & Wink - Captain Electro
Onto the juicy bits: you've got two battery options, which is always nice. There's a 40kWh battery, good for about 191 miles of range, paired with a 90kW motor, which translates to roughly 121 horsepower and 166 foot-pounds of "get-up-and-go." Then there's the "Grand Tourer" version (I might be exaggerating slightly) with a 52kWh battery, pushing the range to an impressive 253 miles. This one comes with a punchier 110kW motor, giving you around 148 horsepower and nearly 181 foot-pounds of torque.
Fiat Grande Panda 4x4: Off-Roading Just Got Electrically Quirky - Captain Electro
And for a touch of nostalgia that makes my heart flutter like a hummingbird on a caffeine buzz, Fiat bathed this concept in a gorgeous Bordeaux paint job. It's a subtle nod to the original Panda 4x4 from way back in 1983. They've even thrown in some beige accents and retro-inspired 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in beefy all-terrain tires. If you're going to call something a 4x4, it better have tires that look like they mean business, right?
The Lit Motors AEV: Self-Balancing Electric Motorcycle - Captain Electro
According to Lit Motors, the AEV offers the same perks as a four-wheeled electric vehicle but with a whole lot less "circular economic waste." Which, I believe, is a very polite way of saying it's kinder to the planet and your wallet. Sure, you can lane split, which means saying "buh-bye" to rush hour gridlock. And parking anxiety? Poof! Gone! This little beauty is going to be a dream to maneuver and tuck into the tightest spots. Plus, it seats two – a driver and a very lucky passenger.
Renault 4 EV Savane Concept: Electric Retro Crossover Gets AWD - Captain Electro
The Savane concept is basically the standard electric R4, but wearing hiking boots and a slightly mischievous grin. The big news? It sprouts an extra electric motor on the back axle. Suddenly, this little front-driver becomes an all-wheel-drive machine! While Renault is playing coy about the exact power output of this dual-motor setup, putting two motors where one used to be on a platform that already handles up to 148 horsepower?
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