Jeep’s high performance electric bike is now available for pre-order, but you probably can’t afford it
Jeep’s powerful new electric bike, which it first teased during its Groundhog Day-themed Super Bowl ad, is now available for preorder. But be forewarned: this one ain’t cheap.
The all-terrain electric mountain bike will go on sale in June 2020 for the wallet-destroying price of $5,899. That puts Jeep squarely in the top echelons of e-bikes in terms of price, alongside premium offerings from noted manufacturers like Specialized and Trek. It’s a risky move, too, considering you can get a really great e-bike for around $1,500. Even VanMoof, which is widely seen as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class of e-bikes, retails for around $2,000 less than what Jeep is asking for.
That said, you get a lot of bike for that money. Jeep is partnering with Colorado-based electric mountain bike company QuietKat on the actual manufacturing. The bike comes with a 750W motor (though, as Electrek notes, you’re more likely to get 1.5kW out of it), 4.8-inch fat tires, and a top-tier suspension system. It’s listed as a Class 2 e-bike, meaning it’s throttle-assisted with a maximum speed of 20 mph. And the 10-speed drivetrain should provide plenty of hill-climbing power.
With electric-powered bikes and scooters lining the streets of most major cities across the globe, automakers are scrambling to capture a piece of the fast-growing micromobility sector. And as vehicle sales continue to slide, they will need to find ways to appeal to a younger, more urban demographic with transportation needs that are much different from previous generations.
Automakers, in general, are trying to leverage their experience in manufacturing, batteries, and powertrains in pursuit of more electric-powered two-wheelers, like motorcycles, bikes, and scooters. GM is now selling a pair of e-bikes in the EU. BMW is making electric bikes and motorcycles. Audi manufactures electric mountain bikes. Ford recently acquired e-scooter startup Spin. Even Harley-Davidson has unveiled a lightweight electric two-wheeler concept amid a drop in sales. Jeep is just the latest automaker to jump into this space.
Jeep’s powerful new electric bike, which it first teased during its Groundhog Day-themed Super Bowl ad, is now available for preorder. But be forewarned: this one ain’t cheap. The all-terrain electric mountain bike will go on sale in June 2020 for the wallet-destroying price of $5,899. That puts Jeep squarely…
