As the e-bike industry transitions from the early adoption phase to a more mature market, customer service expectations change significantly. Jack Brandsen, European General Manager at Okawa, sat down with us to discuss how his company addresses higher demands and provides support to their customers and dealers.
Each year, an increasing number of drive manufacturers enter the e-bike market, ensuring increased competition. With smart investments in local service and distribution offerings, the Japanese company Panasonic Cycle Technology Co., Ltd. shows how to strengthen its ties with its European OEM partners in these challenging conditions.
ANNECY, France - In line with its product portfolio the French manufacturer Mavic has developed a mid-motor targeted at the road bike market. According to Mavic, the product is fully engineered and ready for mass production. During a recent media event Mavic's promise was confirmed. However, the French family company lacks the resources to take the product to market.
EMBS is a well-known European designer and manufacturer of high-quality e-bike battery systems. With 20 years of experience delivering products to leading global brands, the company is now investigating new EU battery regulations which are set to have a significant impact on the e-bike battery market.
MILWAUKEE, USA - As with many motorbike manufacturers, Harley-Davidson has invested in the e-bike segment. To achieve its goal, the well-known American brand owns a minority stake in Serial 1, a separate and independent company created in 2018 and led by General Manager Aaron Frank.
The Italian factory, FIVE, the maker of the finest Italian made electric bikes in Bologna, Italy is in cooperation with Pirelli's e-bike rental service in Milan, Italy.
Zeist, The Netherlands - The October edition of Bike Europe magazine (number 5/2021) is now available to read online in our digital magazine section. This issue includes a detailed review of Eurobike as the bicycle industry waves 'goodbye' to Friedrichshafen.
Tektro is growing rapidly. The company which is offering brake solutions for over 30 years is seeing strong demand for its products. Mainly because Tektro and its premium brand TRP have focused and committed to e-bike-specific technologies. These are designed to cope with the greater weight on e-bikes and e-cargo bikes, among other things. "We have a flexible and very capable R&D team. Over the years we have designed many innovative solutions for customers that we can use as a basis for developing new technologies."
HAIBACH, Germany - E-bike battery specialist Akku Vision has entered a new partnership with German cell manufacturer UniverCell. "The production of cells in Germany is the basis for achieving the predicted growth in electromobility," the company stated as it introduces its new bespoke OEM battery concept.
Fazua, makers of their own lightweight, removeable e-bike drive system, have teamed up with IoT mobility specialist Comodule to give riders the possibility to insure their e-bikes through the Fazua Rider App.
EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - To solve the drivetrain wear and tear issue in e-bikes and MTBs, Shimano has introduced Linkglide technology to offer increased drivetrain durability. Being introduced initially at Deore XT and Deore level, Shimano says the new technology is especially suited to e-trekking bikes and e-MTBs ridden under high-torque.
STUTTGART, Germany - E-bike drive system manufacturer, Mahle, is developing a new kind of magnet-free electric motor that does not require rare earth elements. Suitable for use in all vehicle classes, including e-bikes, the company says this will "not only make production more environmentally compatible, but also brings advantages in terms of costs and resource security."
PARIS, France - Are integrated drive systems, with the motor and gears in one housing, the future for e-bikes? The French automotive giant Valeo is convinced of this concept. Jérôme Mortal, Electrification Director at Valeo wants to start a revolution with this advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
BERLIN, Germany - E-bike maker HNF Nicolai launched the new flagship model XF3 Adventure last September. What CMO Michael Hecken called the "Unimog of e-bikes - extremely off-road capable, unbreakable and timeless" carries the genes of a downhill machine and combines all terrain features with comfort components to serve a wide range of adventurers.
HYDERBAD, India - Tronx Motors, with its flagship cross-over smart e-bike, the 'tbike One Pro' has announced countrywide availability across 14 cities of its high ROI and cloud-connected bike. The e-bike has been specifically crafted to address the fast growing shared/B2B e-bike segment in India. Following success in the domestic market, the company is now eyeing up distribution in Europe.
GENT, Belgium - The take-over by supermarket owner Colruyt in 2019 saved the future of the Belgium bicycle retail chain Fiets!. A year earlier Fiets! already filed for chapter 11 and that was not without reason. According to a publication in Belgium newspaper De Tijd, Colruyt had to invest another €10 million in Fiets! to make it future proof.
EINDHOVEN, the Netherlands - Shimano has introduced three new e-bike batteries into its Shimano Steps line-up including internal and external versions of its 630Wh largest capacity batteries for even longer rides.
PARIS, France - Angell, the bike project launched by Marc Simoncini and Jules Trecco in 2018, has partnered with household appliance manufacturer, Groupe SEB, in an exclusive arrangement. The group will be responsible for the industrial development and production of Angell smart bikes at its long-standing Is-sur-Tille plant in Burgundy, France. Groupe SEB is also supporting the project by acquiring a stake in Zebra, the company that produces and markets Angell, through its SEB Alliance investment vehicle.
REUTLINGEN, Germany - Bosch eBike Systems sees the corona crisis as a challenge for politicians to resolutely drive forward the long-discussed mobility turnaround. The German mid-motor drivetrain supplier calls for the expansion of urban bicycle infrastructure as the corona crisis made clear that, "bicycles and e-bikes play an increasingly important role in modern individual mobility."
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands - Industry organizations BOVAG and RAI in the Netherlands expect a huge boost for the country's e-bike market in 2020 and the years after.
