With more and more people willing to go car-free in an attempt to reduce their carbon emissions, electric cargo bikes have emerged as a trusty companion that can not only get riders around town but also haul their work gear, groceries, and even pets or kids.
From small, agile models to two-wheeled counterparts of a freight hauler, there is a wide variety of electric cargo bikes available on the market at the moment. The latest offering comes from Rattan, a renowned fat-tire electric bike manufacturer, and is called the Quercus.
Designed to cater to the individual needs of a wide variety of riders, the Querbus is a premium-tier Class 3 fat tire two-wheeler built primarily for utility use. As such, this rugged cargo e-bike provides an impressive hauling capacity and extended range.
But the standout feature of this new cargo e-bike is its dual-battery system. The Querbus comes standard with an impressive 960-Wh UL-certified downtube battery made up of Samsung 21700 cells that guarantee reliability and long-lasting performance, but it can also be configured with a dual battery setup.
The addition of a range extender boosts the potential mileage for between-charging trips to over 100 miles (160 km), a significant increase from the already impressive 80-mile (129 km) range offered by the single battery configuration. Thanks to the 48V, 4.5 Amp smart charger, the battery will take about 4-5 hours to recharge.
Rattan bestowed the robust Quercus with a 750-W hub motor that is capable of outputting 1,200 watts at peak power. The two-wheeler will reach a top pedal-assist speed of 30 mph (48 kph), with the motor generating a claimed torque of 80 Nm (59 lb-ft), which will come quite in handy when climbing hills. Responsible for this agility is a responsive torque sensor placed in the bottom bracket.
The designers also included a thumb throttle for ease of use, as well as a Shimano 8-speed gearset for increased riding flexibility.
Photo: Rattan
The e-bike is built around a lightweight aluminum alloy frame with a step-through configuration and is available in two color options: gray and green. It features a hydraulic suspension fork that offers up to 80 mm of travel, which means it can seamlessly handle uneven terrain, and rolls on 20-inch magnesium alloy wheels shod in 4-inch-wide Kenda fat tires. Stopping power is ensured by hydraulic disc brakes with 180-mm rotors.
Granted, the bike comes with a robust build, but this doesn't mean it’s on the heavy side. It tips the scales at just 82 pounds (37 kg) and can haul up to 450 pounds (204 kg), including the rider. It can be equipped with optional front and rear baskets for safely carrying groceries or your pet.
Other noteworthy features include an extra bright headlight, braking tail light with turn signals, a USB charging port for mobile devices, and a color LCD display mounted on the handlebar that will show essential info at a glance.
Rattan's Quercus cargo e-bike is priced at $1,849 for the single-battery model, while the dual-battery version can be ordered for $2,499. Overall, it represents a valuable addition to the world of electric cargo bikes, standing out thanks to its dual-battery option for extended range and impressive carrying capacity. Moreover, it is capable of providing that freeing feeling you get when breezing through traffic with a week's worth of groceries packed onto your environmentally-friendly ride.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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