Eurobike Puts Spotlights on e-Bikes as Sales Success Continues

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany - With sales in Europe breaking the one million mark this year and expected to grow to 3 million by 2015, electric bikes are becoming a vital, integral part of the bike business. This is reflected by the 19th Eurobike show which will have e-Bikes in the center of its spotlights.

Eurobike 2010 is openings its doors in only 12 days. Pedelecs and e-Bikes are one of the main themes of the show, as Eurobike project manager Stefan Reisinger says: “We intend to focus even more attention on the topic of light electric vehicles (LEVs), both as a main theme of the exhibition and also in terms of the opportunities to test and experience such vehicles on the show floor.”

For the first time in its history, this year’s Eurobike will feature two main test tracks which are also exhibition areas for e-Bike suppliers. These test & exhibition areas are located near the East entrance and in the Zeppelin Hall. The test track at the East entrance is connected to the ‘Messestrasse’, where speed pedelecs can be tested exhaustively on a long straight test track that also has a ‘hill’.

With the European market for electric bikes changing from a niche to a mainstream category, interesting newcomers like Shimano, Sanyo and Bosch enter the scene. Besides Bosch, a second automotive parts manufacturer from Europe is working on a e-Bike/pedelec system to be launched next year. The Swiss firm Electragil announced the introduction of a new bottom bracket motor for August 2010.

The same goes for Heinzmann, Ultra Motor, Clean Mobile and Wisper Bikes. They will not be the only new system suppliers for electric bicycles. It is expected that the number of serious system suppliers will increase to around 40 within the next two years. This year’s Eurobike will present a preview of what’s to come on the fast growing e-Bike market in Europe.