Utility vehicles

The Defender is a utility item with almost no frills. Like pickups from the 1970s, the 2024 Can-Am Defender offers no creature comforts, little in the way of electronic technology, and nearly everything about it is form derived from function.

The latest offering from the Arsenale is a lightweight, ultra-long-range, two-wheel-drive, low-power, hybrid gas/electric bike called the Plan B that's designed for wet, slippery, snowy or sandy conditions.

Improving on what users loved about its predecessor and then adding extra features, the Phantom 2.0 folding utility knife is claimed to now be even more perfectly suited to hiking, hunting, camping, wilderness survival, or regular everyday use around the home.

Last August, Redmond-based ebike maker Propella announced its first step-through model. Now the company has revealed its first utility ebike, a Class 2 ride that can be had for under US$1,000.

Momentum, a member of the Giant Bicycle family, has thrown its hat in the car-replacement ring with the Cito E+ utility ebike, which can haul a couple of kids to school, pick up the weekly shop or throttle you to work without breaking a sweat.

While a bunch of manufacturers focus on the larger end of e-trucking, some are aiming to fill a void at the micro end. Last month we introduced the Telo Truck, and now Ayro is about to take its Vanish utility truck on a promotional tour in Texas.

For its fourth ebike release, e-mobility startup Velotric is looking to replace the family car on shopping trips or school runs with the Packer 1 heavy duty cargo ebike and the Go 1 compact utility ebike.

After a somewhat turbulent 2022, Hong Kong-based e-mobility outfit Fiido has kicked off the new year with a quick look at a bunch of upcoming ebikes, a kids push bike and a powerful seated scooter.

The James Brand’s line of everyday carry offerings includes an elegant array of elegant knives and tools, and now the Portland outfit has introduced its take on the classic utility knife, called The Palmer.

Californian e-mobility company Blix has followed the launch of its most capable and versatile ebike to date with a compact utility bike called the Dubbel that's designed to "move multiple passengers, cargo and pets – anywhere and anytime."

The return of small pickups is finally happening. The Ford Maverick enters alongside the Hyundai Santa Cruz to kick off the re-emerging compact car-based truck genre. Where the Santa Cruz aims towards fun, the Maverick steers towards being a truck.

This electric 2WD fat bike is built to tackle just about anything, with huge balloon tires at the front and rear. It can cross water in amphibious mode, and handle serious distances with a range extender and up to 40 liters of fuel in the wheels.