On the question of when Bosch would introduce an e-bike hub motor, Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer always consistently stated that this was not part of their product philosophy. However, the market is changing, which has made Bosch decide to expand into an all-new category for them: the stylish urban e-bikes.
Bosch eBike Systems is entering the fast-growing second-hand e-bike segment with a digital certification scheme, marking a notable step in the professionalisation of Europe's pre-owned market. From July 2026, German refurbishment specialist Rebike will be the first partner to certify e-bikes with Bosch's smart system and mark them with the 'Certified by Bosch' certificate.
A strong industry ecosystem thrived in Taiwan's bicycle industry for decades, enabling the successful launch of start-ups like Hyena. This ecosystem was damaged during the inventory crisis and Hyena CEO Charlie Chuang is calling for a rebuild of this system. Today, his company is one of the few Taiwan-based full e-drive system suppliers serving American and European customers.
Volatile trade policies, a challenging market environment, unfavourable currency effects and intensified competition shaped Bosch Group's 2025 financial results. Against this backdrop, their expectations for 2025 have not been met, and sales revenue rose slightly by 4.1% after adjusting for exchange-rate effects. Bosch eBike Systems CEO Claus Fleischer gives insight into what this means for the e-bike industry.
No other industry relies so much on the branding of its components as the bicycle industry does. The final products in the shops are seldomly referred to as a recollection of well-known parts with a bike brand name on the down tube. This structure originates from the extreme fragmentation of the bicycle industry. Except for Raleigh, almost all brands had only national or regional distribution, making it difficult to invest in innovations. The component manufacturers adopted multinational or global distribution earlier, giving them a head start in branding compared with the bicycle brands.
Starting 18 February, 2027, the European Union will mandate a digital battery passport for all light means of transport (LMT) batteries, including e-bikes, to enhance sustainability and traceability. This digital record, accessed via QR code, will contain detailed information on the battery's composition, carbon footprint, technical performance and lifecycle. With one year to go, various solutions and regulatory clarity for the e-bike market are beginning to take shape.
