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The best folding electric bikes in 2024 that really go the distance
Rad Power
Ditch your car and turn your daily commute to work or class into a cardio session with a new folding electric bike. These high-tech bikes give a motorized boost to your pedaling so you can cover more miles with less effort. When you arrive at your destination, it folds up so you can easily stash it in your office or a closet.
Not all folding e-bikes are the same, though. Some have more powerful batteries with a longer range. Others offer higher speeds, lighter weight or faster charging times. But, whatever you need in your next e-bike, there’s an option out there that’s tailored to you. To help you find your perfect match, check out the best folding electric bikes in 2024 below.
Best folding electric bike overall: Rad Power Expand 5 Plus
Rad Power
The Rad Power Expand 5 Plus was carefully crafted to be a safe, powerful and versatile e-bike for riding in towns and cities where you often share the road (or walkway) with others.
The IPX6 frame is weather-resistant with hydraulic disc brakes that offer reliable stopping power in any weather. The thermal-insulated battery goes above and beyond safety standards to keep the battery protected even on hot days. Lights on the front and rear ensure you’re visible to cars and pedestrians, while dual turn signals let you alert them to where you’re headed next.
Beyond durability and safety features, it’s also just a really fun e-bike to ride. The battery offers up to 60 miles per charge and, unlike some other e-bikes, it can maintain strong performance that entire time — rather than slowing down or losing power as the battery nears empty.
As a Class 2 e-bike, it offers five levels of pedal assistance as well as a zero-assist option. If your city doesn’t allow Class 2 e-bikes on mixed-used paths or sidewalks, you also have the option of setting it to Class 1 status, giving you more options to ride this regardless of your local laws.
Get it directly from Rad Power for $1,899.
Top features of the Rad Power Expand 5 Plus:
- Get up to 60 miles of pedal assistance on a single charge.
- Rear brake lights and turn signals help you alert drivers and pedestrians to your next move.
- A USB-C port on the display allows you to charge your phone or other device on the go.
- While it ships in Class 2 status, you can switch between Class 1 and Class 2 as needed, depending on where you’re riding.
- A built-in torque sensor senses when you pedal harder and automatically delivers more power for a seamless riding experience.
Best lightweight electric bike: Lectric XP Lite
Amazon
If you’re looking for a folding e-bike specifically because you need to carry it in and out of your office or onto the subway during your commute, you need something lightweight, like the Lectric XP Lite.
Weighing in at 46 pounds, it’s the lightest folding e-bike in this list and one of the lightest you’ll find that still offers a reliable performance.
Featuring 20-inch wheels and an adjustable seat height ranging from 28 to 40 inches, this folding electric bike is suitable for riders of all heights. The 300-watt motor boasts a top speed of 20 mph and a range of up to 40 miles.
For those planning to use this for commutes, the 4- to 6-hour charge time is short enough that you’ll have no trouble charging it overnight. You can even take the charger with you to top off the battery while you’re at work.
Get this lightweight folding e-bike on Amazon for $799.
Top features of the Lectric XP Lite:
- Weighing just 46 pounds, this is one of the lightest e-bikes on the market.
- The Class 2 e-bike offers both pedal-assist and full-throttle modes.
- Get up to 40 miles of pedal assistance on a single charge.
- Choose from 5 levels of pedal assistance depending on how much of a boost you need.
- The battery takes 4 to 6 hours to charge.
Best folding e-bike for trails: G-Force T7
G-Force
With its full suspension frame and fat tires, the G-Force T-7 is a bike that’s built for the trails. This folding electric bike has the grip and shock absorption you need to ride over roots and gravel with ease. Use the pedal-assist or full-throttle modes to help you conquer steep inclines and then switch back to normal bike mode to coast downhill.
With a range of up to 130 miles on a single charge, riders can enjoy the benefits of motor-powered pedal assistance even on longer trail rides. Plus, the battery is removable, so you can either bring a spare or recharge overnight on multi-day rides. The long-lasting battery takes 6 to 8 hours to recharge.
Reaching speeds as high as 32 mph, this trail-ready Class 3 e-bike is a ton of fun to ride but also great for breezing through longer commutes.
Since you can set it to Class 2 e-bike mode on the LCD display, you can ride this bike anywhere that either Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes are allowed. Switch seamlessly between streets and mixed-used paths along your commute by simply toggling the modes as needed.
Get the G-Force T7 folding electric bike for $1,399 (reduced from $1,799).
Top features of the G-Force T7:
- Front and rear suspension provide great shock absorption for bumpy trails.
- The long-range battery can provide pedal assistance for up to 130 miles.
- The battery is removable for more convenient charging.
- Puncture-resistant fat tires are designed to handle all terrain types.
- You can easily switch the e-bike into Class 2 mode on the LCD display so you can ride on mixed-use paths and other areas where Class 3 or faster bikes aren’t allowed.
Best cargo folding electric bike: Tern GSD S10
REI
For parents or cyclists who have a lot of cargo to haul, the Tern GSD S10 is the must-have folding e-bike. The heavy-duty frame can support up to 440 pounds with an extra-long cargo rack that fits up to two child seats — or a whole lot of groceries, camping gear or whatever else you’re hauling.
With that extra cargo space, you need extra power to ensure you can tackle hills or longer distances even when fully loaded. This e-bike delivers with a Bosch Cargo Line motor that provides up to 85 Newton meters of torque — a measure of rotational force that helps propel the wheels forward.
The Class 1 e-bike can give you up to 53 miles of pedal assistance on a single charge, and the fast-charging battery recharges in just 2.5 to 4 hours. Plus, Class 1 e-bikes can generally be used wherever traditional bikes are allowed. But you should always double-check local laws to make sure.
When you’re not riding it, this bike can fold flat and be stored vertically to take up about as much space as a potted plant.
Get the surprisingly compact cargo e-bike at REI for $4,499.
Top features of the Tern GSD S10:
- The high torque motor makes it easy to ride even when you’re hauling heavy cargo.
- The frame-integrated cargo rack is big enough to fit two child seats.
- This Class 1 e-bike is usually allowed wherever traditional bikes are allowed.
- It’s compatible with many trailers and other accessories for even more carrying capacity.
- The e-bike folds flat and can be stored vertically to take up as little space as possible.
Best folding electric bike on a budget: Sohamo S3
Walmart
This Sohamo folding e-bike is a great pick for anyone who’s looking for something they can use to commute to work but isn’t ready to commit to spending well over $1,000 for a top-of-the-line electric bike.
The 750-watt brushless motor can reach a max speed of 28 mph, and the battery has a range of up to 40 miles. After you get to work, you can fold the bike down to about half its size and stash it in a corner. The removable battery can be plugged into a charger wherever you want.
For a no-effort ride, put it in e-bike mode and let the bike do all the work. If you want to get in some exercise on your commute, switch it to either normal pedaled mode (to use it like a standard bike) or pedal-assist, which gives you a little boost from the motor as you pedal.
As a Class 3 e-bike, the Sohamo S3 is great for building up speed, but you should double-check your local laws to make sure you can ride it where you want to.
Get the budget-friendly folding e-bike at Walmart for $680 (reduced from $899).
Top features of the Sohamo S3:
- Get up to 40 miles of pedal assistance on a single charge.
- The removable battery takes 5-7 hours to recharge.
- The 7-speed gear shift and three e-bike modes give you plenty of options for a comfortable ride, even on hilly routes.
- This Class 3 e-bike can reach speeds up to 28 mph.
More top-rated folding electric bikes
While these folding electric bikes did not make our list of top choices above, we think they’re still worth checking out — especially when they’re on sale.
- A stylish, step-in folding electric bike: Blix Vika+ Flex, $1,399 (reduced from $1,799)
- Long-range, Class 3 e-bike for trail rides: Velowave Ranger 2.0, $1,199
- Get a folding electric bike under $500: Vivi electric bike, $240 after coupon (reduced from $300)
- An e-bike with an easy-to-charge removable battery: Heybike Mars foldable e-bike, $799 (reduced from $1,200)
What’s the difference between Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bikes?
The three classes of e-bikes refer to their maximum speed and operation. The standardized classes are used by many states to clarify where you’re allowed to ride them.
Class 1 e-bikes reach a maximum assisted speed of 20 mph and are pedal-assist only, meaning the motor can’t be engaged without pedaling. Class 2 e-bikes have the same 20 mph max speed but also have a throttle on the handlebar so that you can engage the motor with that throttle rather than by pedaling. Class 3 e-bikes are just Class 2 e-bikes but faster. They have a throttle, so you can ride without pedaling, reaching a max speed of 28 mph.
In many states, Class 1 (and sometimes Class 2) are allowed on bike paths and anywhere that traditional bikes can go. Class 3 e-bikes, on the other hand, are typically only allowed on roads.
Before buying, check what your local laws about e-bikes are so you can make sure to get an e-bike that fits your needs.
At least eight firefighters were hurt when a fire truck crashed on a freeway near Irvine, California, Thursday night, authorities said.
The Orange County Fire Authority truck overturned on State Route 241 at about 6:50 p.m. local time in the Portola Springs area near State Route 133, according to California Highway Patrol.
A ladder in the roadway caused the fire truck and another vehicle in front of it to swerve, highway patrol said, and the truck collided with a nearby guard rail and overturned. It did not appear that any other vehicles were involved.
Initially, highway patrol reported that 12 firefighters were injured, but late downgraded that to eight. Six suffered serious injuries and two minor injuries, highway patrol said.
KCAL News
Helicopters landed on the highway, which is a toll road, and airlifted the victims to area hospitals.
CHP officers issued a five-hour closure of the freeway’s northbound lanes shortly after the crash.
Video from the collision site showed the crashed vehicle with an “Orange County Fire Authority Santiago Hand Crew” decal. Highway patrol said the firefighters had been battling the massive Airport Fire prior to the crash.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
CBS News
Trump rails against Jewish Americans who don’t vote for him in speech focused on antisemitism
Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump criticized Jewish Americans who don’t vote for him in speeches aimed at addressing antisemitism Thursday night in Washington D.C., while claiming that if he is not elected in November, Israel would be “eradicated.”
“If I don’t win this election, and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens, because at 40%, that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy,” Trump said.
Trump made the comments during a small event focused on addressing antisemitism with Dr. Miriam Adelson, a prominent Republican Party donor and the widow of late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson.
“With all I’ve done for Israel, I received only 24% of the Jewish vote,” Trump said.
Trump later repeated the comment regarding the polls during remarks at the Israeli-American Council National Summit, which was gathering to commemorate the nearing one-year mark of the October 7 attack.
“You should have your head examined, because it will face an unceasing, bloody war to obliterate the Jewish state and drive Jews out of the Holy Land,” Trump said about Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats. He claimed at his first stop that Democrats have a “hold” or “curse” on Jewish voters.
“It’s only because of the Democrat hold or curse on you. You can’t let this happen. 40% is not acceptable, because we have an election to win,” Trump said.
Trump told the ballroom full of Israeli-Americans tonight that Israel will face “total annihilation” if Vice President Kamala Harris is elected.
“Rockets will rain down from above until the Iron Dome has been exhausted,” Trump said.
CBS News has reached out to the Harris campaign for comment.
The former president also recognized the Israelis still held hostage by Hamas, vowing to “get them out” if he wins the presidency in November. Family members of victims of the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas were among the crowd.
“Somehow it’s going to work out. We’re going to get it to work out,” Trump said.
The twin speeches come as Trump tries to court Jewish American voters who may have become disaffected with factions of the Democratic Party over the Biden administration’s handling of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
An April 2024 Pew Research survey found that 69% of registered Jewish voters defined themselves as Democrats, while 29% said that they consider themselves Republicans, but Trump grew his support among Jewish voters in the first two presidential elections he ran in, an Associated Press survey found.
“Honestly, I went from 25 to 29 [percent support], and based on what I did, and based on my love of- the same love that you have, I should be at 100. I should be at 100,” Trump said Thursday.
Using a similar format to her former long-running talk show, Oprah Winfrey hosted a campaign event with Vice President Kamala Harris in suburban Detroit Thursday evening which featured a mix of celebrities, campaign organizers and a crowd of battleground state voters.
The event in Farmington Hills, Michigan — which had an in-person crowd of a few hundred and also featured virtual attendees — opened with talk of a “new day” and the sense of “joy” Democrats have associated with the Harris campaign. But the conversation later steered towards issues featuring personal, intimate stories of people impacted by state abortion bans and school shootings.
SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
The parents of Natalie Griffith, a 15-year-old injured in the deadly Apalachee High School shooting earlier this month in Winder, Georgia, spoke. Griffith’s mother, Marilda, made an emotional plea for a “change to be made” to address gun violence. Her father, Doug — who noted that he was not a registered Democrat — called for metal detectors to be placed inside schools.
Harris did not explicitly say if she agreed with the call for metal detectors, but said “we just need to apply common sense.” She repeated her calls for an assault weapons ban and universal background checks. When Winfrey made note of Harris being a gun owner, as she revealed in prior campaigns and repeated in her debate with Trump, Harris said that “if somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot.”
“Sorry, probably should not have said that,” Harris joked. “My staff will deal with that later.”
The mother and sisters of Amber Thurman — a Georgia woman who died in 2022 after medical care was delayed due to the state’s abortion ban — also spoke for the first time publicly since the ProPublica report about Thurman was released.
“I’m beyond hurt, disappointed…we trusted them to take care of her, you know?” said CJ, Thurman’s sister. “And they just let her die because of some stupid abortion ban. They treated her like she was just another number.”
Harris called Thurman’s death “preventable,” and as she has throughout her campaign and vice presidency, blamed former President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court appointments for leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade. She also criticized states with abortion restrictions but have exceptions “to save the life of the mother,” arguing it should not reach that point.
“So is she on death’s door before you actually decide to give her help, Is that what we’re saying?” Harris asked. “Like, literally, a doctor or a nurse has to say, ‘She might die any minute, better give her care.'”
Hadley Duvall, a Kentucky woman who was impregnated by her father at 12-years-old and was able to get an abortion, also spoke. Duvall had been featured in several of Harris’ campaign ads, and also spoke at the Democratic National Convention.
The event was livestreamed and conducted in an interview-style discussion similar to Winfrey’s old talk show. It was billed as a way to bring together many pro-Harris coalitions, including “Win with Black Women,” “White Dudes for Harris” and “Swifties for Harris.”
All are groups that have been holding Zoom conference calls to raise money for Harris’ campaign and mobilize voters. Harris campaign advisers saw the event as a way to reach persuadable voters, and Winfrey often structured her questions to be geared towards undecided voters.
Several celebrities also appeared by video, including Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jennifer Lopez, Julie Roberts, Tracee Ellis Ross, Bryan Cranston and Meryl Streep.
Earlier Thursday, Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley panned the event, saying in a statement that Harris was campaigning with “an out-of-touch celebrity, further confirming that the Democrat party is not the party of hardworking Americans – it is the party of elitists.”
Streep asked Harris what her plan would be if she wins in November and there is another push to try and overturn the election results, as Trump and some Republicans are criminally charged with allegedly doing in 2020.
“We will be ready,” Harris said, pointing to Republicans disaffected by the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection that may vote for her. “To try and upend a free and fair election where the American people voted, that was a bridge too far for a lot of people…I think there is absolutely no tolerance whatsoever from the vast majority of Americans for that, and they’ve seen the lies.”
Harris made a quick reference to her campaign’s legal team, and pleaded for the audience to help curb misinformation and support poll workers.
Winfrey, an independent who has endorsed Harris and spoke at the DNC last month, closed the program with a call to undecided voters to choose Harris.
“This is the moment for people who are tired of all of the bickering and all of the name calling, people who are exhausted by the craziness and the made up stories and the conspiracies. This is the moment you want to get on with your life, because you know that we can do better and that we deserve better.”