Product Review
The first super competitive thing about the Lectric Xpedition is the price. Even if you shelled out the full $1,699 for the dual battery version, you’d still not come close to the equivalent cost of the leaders in the e-cargo-bike world like Tern.
For the $1,699, you get a long-wheelbase electric cargo bike that can carry similar payloads to the Tern’s best cargo bikes, never mind the far more expensive Riese & Müller machines that can do similar things.
The dual battery offers a claimed range of 150 miles. But let’s face it, you’re never doing 150 miles on the flat unless you’re running downwind in a hurricane with a full 450 lb payload, including the rider. If you are a local delivery company or successful store that sends your goods to local customers, the dual battery will do a complete shift for the delivery rider.
If you’re looking to become a one-car household, the Lectric Xpedition will happily remove the second car with its payload and running costs. Fix the optional child seat or, for older children, a barrow bar, running boards, and extra rear seat, there goes the need to drive the kids everywhere. Thanks to the long rack and payload capacity, you can drop the kids at school and hit the supermarket to feed them this week.
We will touch on some weaknesses below, but at this price, you’re going to think hard before getting a new minivan or second car with this as an option. No compulsory insurance, small fuel bills, zero tax? A similar cost to four months car lease as well? Lectric is threatening to leave Detroit-made motor vehicles unmade in the factory!
Reasons to Buy
As a car or minivan killer, the Lectric Xpedition can be an excellent delivery vehicle for your shop or restaurant. The payload capacity and long wheelbase can eliminate the need for a family car. Being a Class II e-bike, it can be ridden on throttle perfectly legal in most states. Finally, the price makes it an absolute steal compared to any EV or gas-powered vehicle — costing just cents per mile. It won’t hurt the bottom line by any means.
Regarding delivery riders, the stem can be adjusted almost instantly according to rider size. The saddle can be raised or dropped, so running two riders per bike won’t hurt either rider, regardless of size.
Things to Consider
The XPedition Cargo is best not used on throttle alone as it will chew through the battery on most inclines. The components aren’t of big-name brands, so it may not be as durable as industry rival Tern, which offers a 5-year warranty on its electric bikes. As we indicated in the review above, it won’t get anywhere near the 150-mile claimed range at full payload capacity. That said, the rider should be able to do an entire, eight-hour shift riding it doing deliveries across your immediate area.
