IEEPA Tariffs Ruled Unlawful, Raleigh’s Affordable Captus Commuter, Sharp Launches E-Bike Lineup | TWR Ep 47

Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a ruling stating that the Trump administration’s sweeping “Liberation Day” tariffs were unlawful. Per the court’s decision, the tariffs will remain in place until October 14th, allowing the administration to pursue an appeal to the Supreme court.

President Trump used the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to enact sweeping tariffs on nearly all goods imported into the US, including e-bikes. The court ruled that only Congress had the authority to put tariffs in place, stating, “The core Congressional power to impose taxes such as tariffs is vested exclusively in the legislative branch by the Constitution. Tariffs are a core Congressional power.”

At this time, e-bikes are subject to a variety of import taxes, including Section 301 tariffs, Fentanyl tariffs, reciprocal tariffs, and Section 232 tariffs. If the appeals court’s ruling is upheld, the Fentanyl and reciprocal tariffs would no longer be collected, but other tariffs would still apply to imported goods.

On Wednesday, President Trump asked the Supreme Court for an expedited ruling on the case in November; otherwise, SCOTUS could take until summer 2026 to issue a decision.

Our Take: We’ve stated repeatedly that we are strongly opposed to tariffs on e-bikes. As such, we hope that the Supreme Court upholds the appeals court’s ruling and that the Fentanyl and reciprocal tariffs currently applied to e-bikes are canceled.

This would likely be a welcome relief to both e-bike Brands and consumers, as it would allow manufacturers to lower prices instead of passing the tariff cost on to their customers.

The Captus, which is priced at £1,899 (roughly $2,500), boasts a 250W Bosch Active Line mid-drive motor with a pedal-assisted speed of 25 km/h (15.5 mph). It also features a 400 watt hour (Wh) battery with an estimated range of up to 70 miles.

The bike is offered in both a low step and mid-step design. Both models are equipped with a 9-Speed Shimano CUES drivetrain and Shimano MT200 hydraulic disc brakes. The bikes also feature 50mm-wide tires, integrated lights, fenders, a chain guard, and a cargo rack.

The low step model offers an easy-to-mount frame, along with a rear-mounted battery and a Suntour NEX suspension fork for added comfort. The midstep model’s battery is mounted to its down tube, while a rigid fork balances less comfort with more crisp handling.

Raleigh explained its goal with the bike, stating “By bringing Bosch e-system technology to a bike priced under £2,000, Raleigh is setting a new benchmark for value in the e-bike market. Riders can now enjoy the same level of safety, reliability and refinement found in higher-end models, at a price that makes switching to electric more accessible than ever.”

Our Take: In an increasingly competitive market, it is no surprise that premium brands like Raleigh must find ways to compete with more budget-friendly companies and appease consumers’ appetites for more affordable products.

It is somewhat unusual for the Captus’s two frame design options to have such differences in appearance, battery placement, and suspension. The two models, however, do present consumers with options for how their bike looks and feels to ride, so we can’t knock the idea. We’re always happy to see more affordable options with premium features on the market!

Sharp is set to debut its e-bikes at the Innovation For All (IFA) show in Berlin, Germany. The new models, which can be seen on the Brand’s website, include e-bikes of nearly all styles: lightweight city bikes, folding fat tire models, city cruisers, and even a cargo/utility e-bike. We counted roughly 15 models, some with multiple spec tiers.

The RS08, a “Hybrid City Bike,” seems to feature a lightweight (18.3 kg/40 lb) frame with mortise and tenon construction. It is equipped with a 250W hub motor paired with a single-speed Gates belt drive and a color display that pairs with the Sharp Life app. Its 252 Wh battery has an advertised range of up to 80 km (50 miles) and a charge time of 2-3 hours.

One of Sharp’s folding options, the BM07, boasts a relatively unique Magnesium frame and wheels. Its 250W hub motor is paired with a 6-speed Shimano Tourney drivetrain, and a 360 Wh battery with an advertised range of up to 60 miles. The bike is advertised to weigh 23.4 kg (about 51.5 lbs).

All of the bikes seem to be intended for the EU market, as they all make use of 250W motors and offer 25 km/h (15.5 mph) maximum speeds. Whether the brand will release different models intended for the US market remains to be seen.

Our Take: The two models highlighted above are intriguing, with the RS08 being reminiscent of the Vanpowers City Vanture, but many of Sharp’s new e-bike designs feel somewhat dated and unoriginal. In such a saturated market, it may be difficult for the company to stand out without going to greater lengths to separate its products from many similar models on the market.

Performance is an area where the brand may differ, however; we’re curious to see if differently-specced US versions will be offered. If so, we’d love to be able to test the bikes to see how they compare with models from other brands!

• How reliable are the e-bikes we recommend, and how long do their batteries last?
• Can we add a test for how well a bike moves when out of battery power?
• How long does it take to charge an e-bike’s battery, and do they include portable chargers?
• Are there any e-bikes similar to the Lectric ONE with automatic downshifting?
• If Riese & Müller pulls out of the US, will it be difficult to get parts or warranty coverage?
• Can the best electric tricycles ride on a sandy road?