Electric Two Wheelers Will Sell But What Kind?

By Gregg Bagni

Posted: October 11, 2010

A recent study estimates some 466mm electric bikes, motorcycles and scooters will be sold worldwide over the next six years. Most will be sold in China and yes, it’s hard to fathom but some research says there’s already100mm electric bicycles on the road in China.

History repeats itself because everyone is getting all jiggy about electric bikes….again. Yo….I’m getting’ déjà vu dizzy thinking back a decade about the ill fated Schwinn-GT/Tom Mason/Currie electric bike partnership fueled by Tom’s industry outsider turned insider quest to show the bike biz how it was done.  (BTW, wtf ever happened to Mason anyway?)

No surprise, the doomed project transformed the production line into one that exclusively built closeouts and as my lovely colleague Andrew Herrick says, “There’s nothing worse than being ahead of your time”

But today it’s different, better technology, batteries, market, demand, etc. The list is promising. However, a case of black hole blindness prevents me from seeing the U.S. electric bike market accelerating as much as on other parts of your planet.

Instead, the big two wheeled electric sellers in the U.S. will be electric scooters.  Easy to park, low cost to produce/sell and operate and much more “streetwise” in their modus operandi. C’mon….if you’re a fat, lazy and unaccountable American why would you even think of getting around on a bike with a  boat anchor battery? Ha

Stand back you naysayers because the big players are jumping in deep with electric scooters….. Mini, Honda, Peugot, Nissan, etc….. all are corp-dudes that play for keeps.  With the ability to weeman dwarf any product/marketing efforts the puny U.S. electric bike industry can muster to convince consumers that your pedal platform electro-product is more relevant and desirable?        

OK…Can we hallucinate for this 5 minutes of my life?  If I was a bicycle retailer I’d consider opening up a new retail store called Lenny’s Electric Scooter & Bicycle Joint.

Location, location, locationed in a densely populated earthly urban market it would most likely be a “pop-up” retail opportunity. This small footprint, temporary satellite location would be a 90-180 day test with clean, simple, inexpensive and minimalist merchandising displays (think giant chalkboard art walls).

Of course, we’d offer up a tight line of urban friendly bikes at reasonable price points but the real focus would be a select line of electric only scooters and folding bikes….

Whoa…..I’m out of time…..Part Two of this post will pose the possibility of the folding bike becoming the future two wheeled icon of urban cool.  ??????

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Radical electric bike concept saves on space

By Paul Ridden

16:00 April 6, 2010

12 Comments

7 Pictures

The Electric Bike Version 2 also features a compartment for storing and charging mobile phones, notebooks or MP3 players

Yuji Fujimura has taken the bicycle design manual and thrown it to the wind with his concept Electric Bike Version 2. Ditching the popular and familiar diamond frame design, Fujimura has opted for a flat solid box on wheels where the handlebars, seat and pedals fold away flat to help squeeze the bike into tiny parking spaces.

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Parking bicycles can be a troublesome affair if you're in an area where an awful lot of people use two wheels to get around. As electric bikes grow in popularity the issue is unlikely to improve. The Electric Bike Version 2 concept from Yuji Fujimuratakes a slightly different approach to bike design which also offers a possible solution to overcrowded parking woes.

The concept bike would have pedals for human propulsion, which could both be set at the lowest position when traveling under electric assist. The upright seating position appears similar to that of more familiar diamond frame bicycles but that's where the similarity ends. As you can see from the gallery examples, Fujimura has gone for a flat, solid body box design with all the electronics and lighting enclosed within the housing and solid wheels.

Being a concept design, details on the electrics are limited to revealing that the designer proposes using a Li-ion battery, an electric rear wheel hub motor and that the bike would include a charging compartment for mobile phones, laptops, MP3 players and so on. The handlebars, seat and footrests/pedals fold away flat so that the flat, wheeled box can slide into the slimmest of parking spaces.

Whilst the Electric Bike Version 2 concept is imaginative and aspects of it make a lot of sense, just how stable the bike would prove in strong winds with nowhere for gusts to go except to slam against the solid body is cause for great concern, especially when cornering. Fold-away handlebars, seat and pedals to help squeeze the two-wheeler into tight parking spaces though - now there's a good idea.

User Comments (12)

 

I wonder how it will handle cross winds. My guess is that it won't.

Looks more like a home appliance on wheels.

Roger Kummert

- April 7, 2010 @ 11:04 am PDT

very kewl concept for crowed cities ... i'd be wary of crosswinds however ...

hourglass

- April 7, 2010 @ 04:04 pm PDT

oops, meant to type "crowded"

hourglass

- April 7, 2010 @ 04:04 pm PDT

A gust of wind and the rider is scraping the ashphalt.

It's ugly too.

Hired_help

- April 7, 2010 @ 05:04 pm PDT

Wow. Leave it to the Japanese to make things one-size-fits-small. Also, there doesn't seem to be room for escaping nut-crunching short stops...

Ceilidh Madigan

- April 7, 2010 @ 07:04 pm PDT

i thought it was a... credit card on wheels...

Chris144

- April 8, 2010 @ 08:04 am PDT

Hello back pain! People who aren't riding competition speed bikes don't like leaning forward due to the strain it puts on their lower back.

The handlebars should be made to raise up to a level that allows the rider to sit upright.

Facebook User

- April 8, 2010 @ 04:04 pm PDT

Yuji Fujimura has taken "art and beauty" manual and thrown it to the wind with his concept Electric Bike Version 2.

matthew.rings

- April 13, 2010 @ 04:04 pm PDT

I LIKE IT. Modern and reminds me of somthing ....lets call the thing an, ibike.

Put an apple sticker on it and...hello, it's cool dudes. Gotta have one, Steve baby does bikes, who cares about cross winds.

Ronnie

- April 22, 2010 @ 11:04 pm PDT

Yes, I agree that crosswinds will be an issue, particularly on bridges (where there is nowhere to fall except into the bus lane)! So the design will have to be more of a lattice work, still strong and very light weight but also able to let the wind pass through. Love the iBike moniker - every time you pedal, you charge your gizmos.

Muraculous

- April 29, 2010 @ 12:04 pm PDT

he diamond frame in a box they forgot to unpack it from. Owch the sharp turn where hand meets box. Great crankset, bet that set you back big bucks and is unobtanium for repair parts in the open market.

There are street people here who come up with better solutions to get stowage! I could get exhausted citing the commercial models that run circles around this one.

Does the "designer" still dress like an extra for 2110 the movie? ibike indeed. sterile ugly, inhumane layout, uninspired....does that just about cover my thoughts? close to it!!

waltinseattle

- April 29, 2010 @ 02:04 pm PDT

this has to be the ugliest, least user friendly bicycle ever thought up, so for me it is a big thumbs down

robinyatesuk2003

- April 30, 2010 @ 07:04 pm PDT

The PG-Bikes BlackTrail - world's fastest ebike!

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The PG-Bikes BlackTrail - world's fastest ebike!

By Ben Coxworth

18:56 September 7, 2010

10 Comments

6 Pictures

The PG-Bikes BlackTrail - world's fastest ebike!

It’s no secret that as gas prices soar and battery technology evolves, electric bikes are fast becoming the next big two-wheeled thing. That trend is clearly evidenced by the strong showing ebikes are making at this year’s Eurobike trade show, currently taking place in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Over the next several days, we’ll be showing you a few examples that we’ve spotted at the show, but to start things off... well, let’s kick out the jams and go with the “Oh come on, you can’t be serious” ebike. It called the BlackTrail, and with a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph), it’s officially the world’s fastest commercially-available electric bicycle – and probably the most awesome-looking, to boot.

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The BlackTrail is the result of a collaboration between two German companies, namely PG-Bikes and carbon fiber products developer UBC, which also designs parts for Formula 1 race cars and Porsche Carrera GTs. The bike itself is striking – it has the classic styling of a 1930s motorcycle (complete with brown leather saddle and battery cover), but with the sharp angles and undisguised carbon fiber of a rocket bike.

The non-human-generated speed is supplied by a 1.2 kW CM48 V hybrid motor, powered by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery. It charges up to 80 percent in 30 minutes, and up to 100 percent in 150. At its top speed, the bike has a range of 40-60 kilometers (25-37 miles). At its cruising speed of 30-50 km/h (19-31 mph), that range extends to 160-200 kilometers (99-124 miles). No acceleration specs were provided.

Besides carbon fiber, its body is composed of high-alloyed aluminum (“used by NASA”), titanium and magnesium, for a total vehicle weight of 19.8 kg. (43.65 lbs.)

Is it cheap? Nope. If you wish to purchase one of the 667 BlackTrails that will ever be built, be prepared to part with approximately US$75,460. You could certainly get a full-on electric motorcycle for much less money, but... with a huge ticket item like this, bang for the buck is hardly the point.

Commencal 2009 Clearance - www.speedgoat.com
Save up to $1350 on complete bikes. Frames starting as low as $499.

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60 mph on a bike with NO suspension?

No thanks!

Keith Reeder

- September 7, 2010 @ 09:09 pm CDT

Why would I pay $75K for a bicycle? That Oregon based company has a motorcycle, with a suspension for less than $20K, does a sustained 100mph.

VoiceofReason

- September 7, 2010 @ 10:09 pm CDT

I've been riding my ebike every chance I get, it is unbelievably fun. My commute is significantly faster and actually rewarding in so many ways. I can't even begin to explain how incredible it is to blow through standstill traffic with the speed of a professional athlete while getting around 1000 mpg equivalent. Also, I get to park at the door and have a bunch of money suddenly not being spent on car stuff. Srsly, cars are for suckers, just like this absurdly overpriced bike.

dreamer.redeemer

- September 7, 2010 @ 10:09 pm CDT

Gad, that thing is FUGLY.

At first glance I thought it was a photo of a motorcycle from the turn of the LAST century.

yrag

- September 7, 2010 @ 11:09 pm CDT

This is a bad joke. Going 62mph without suspension is not doable as the rider would get thrown off on normal streets. Next 1.2kw isn't enough to push a bike that fast without aero body. It would take 7-10kw to do that.

In the US it's not a bike but a MC, pedals or not.

Ebikes and MC's are a great idea but this one isn't. Plus unlikely to be the fastest Ebike under their difinition either.

jerryd

- September 8, 2010 @ 09:09 am CDT

The speed record was 64 mph on a 3-wheel human powered streaminer from the early 1980s (Vector). That record held for many many years. Now it is up over 80 mph on a 2-wheel streamliner. I don't know if spending $75K and finding about faster bicycles will make customers very happy.

Chris Jordan

- September 8, 2010 @ 11:09 am CDT

Makes me wonder if they actually did market research before coming up with the production limit of 667. For what they are offering at that ridiculous price point, I have the feeling that they will be waaaaay overstocked!

Will, the tink

- September 8, 2010 @ 03:09 pm CDT

Its a bit early for an aprils fool joke right? no suspension, $75k. sure. I wouldnt pay $7k for that.

Scott_T

- September 8, 2010 @ 06:09 pm CDT

I have done 130Kmh on a bicycle - down a HUGE steep and long hill, towing a trailer full of heavy stuff......

Quite good actually.

For the people who shit can first and think nothing later......

1. If you are going to do much more than 20 - 30Kmh.... and way up too 100 kmh, dump the velcro and wear more and more heavy duty stuff like joint pads, gloves and leathers.

2. Avoid surfaces that induce excessive vertical accelerations.

And - Or:

3. Buy a motorbike.

Mr Stiffy

- September 9, 2010 @ 01:09 am CDT

Very clean looking, but as far as being new or "the fastest"....No

I made one of these about 4 years ago (60mph ebike)... Terrible idea. Recently i made an electric moped with a 65mph top speed and a 40 mile range. Great suspension, full lights and all, much better idea then this death machine.

Marc Breitman

- September 10, 2010 @ 05:09 pm CDT

Yes 'jerryd', you are right about it needing a lot more KW to do 100km/h (62mph) but you CAN do it without suspension and without getting bucked off...it all depends on the road condition... (for a real world motorized bicycle check this out: bikemoto.wordpress.com)

Almoto

- September 20, 2010 @ 05:09 am CDT

Best Buy Wants to Become Top EV Seller; Educating Customers is Key

By Steve Puma      August 9th, 2010    8 Comments

When it comes to innovation, Best Buy continues to surprise me with with just how far ahead they are of every other big-box retailer. For example, they are currently the leading retailers of electric bikes and scooters, and have recently added Brammo motorcycles to the mix.
However, Best Buy's long-term strategy includes much, much, more than adding a few two-wheeled EVs to their huge selection of computer, electronics and appliance products. As I learned from Chad Bell,  Best Buy's director of emerging business,  the company believes that, by educating its customers about electric vehicles, it can become a preferred destination for them to purchase EVs of all kinds, up to and including highway-capable cars that one might normally expect to purchase at an auto dealership.

Through Geek Squad, the company provides repair and maintenance of the EVs it sells, and  is beginning to provide services related to EV charging stations.

At the recent Plug-In 2010 International Conference and Exposition, Mr. Bell represented Best Buy in a panel session called: "Innovative Business Models in the Electric Vehicle Industry", which also featured representatives from electric motorcycle startup Mission Motors, and EV infrastructure startup Better Place.
Mr. Bell explained that, as Best Buy has grown, so has its ability to impact the communities it serves. Its large number of retail stores, with their high access to consumers, gives the company its significant reach.
At the same time, he related, "Transportation is experiencing a paradigm shift on a global scale, as the industry move towards a more sustainable power model, and a behavioral change to customized solutions." Electric Vehicles are a good fit for Best Buy, for a number of reasons, one of those being that they have a lot in common with many of their other products, “Electric cars are basically computers on wheels."




Mr. Bell noted that Best Buy was already well-positioned to become an early EV leader. In a December, 2009 poll, 240 people where asked, "Where would you think to buy an electric vehicle or scooter?." The leader, by far, was Best Buy (7%), outpacing Amazon.com (3%), and, surprisingly, beating out motorcycle dealerships (3%), bicycle shops (3%), and even Wal-Mart (1%).
However, since EVs are a completely new market, one that customers are unfamiliar with, this emerging business model will only drive long-term value for Best Buy if the company can successfully communicate the benefits of sustainable transportation to its customers. The best way to do this, is through education. "Our mission is to take a leadership position in alternative transportation by educating the customers about better ways to get around."
Like any smart car salesman, Best Buy knows that there is no better tool for educating customers than letting them try out an electric bike or motorcycle for themselves, so having customers test drive the vehicles is critical for success, along with quality after-market service, which will be provided by the Geek Squad.
(One interesting concept, related by Mr. Bell, was the notion that EVs, and specifically electric bikes, could have plenty of unexpected benefits for customers. For example, he related a story about a customer who could not ride a standard bicycle, due to back problems. She was quite ecstatic to find out how easy an electric bike was to ride, and that, if she had one, she would be able to ride along with her children, something that she had not previously been able to do.)



Mr. Bell laid out the company's strategy for moving into different segments of the EV market, with each successive entry representing a larger market opportunity, and requiring a larger education effort for Best Buy. This education process starts with currently available product offerings, starting with non-licensed electric bikes, such as the A2B, and then moving into motorcycles, such as the Brammo Enertia.
The next step is to begin testing out early-generation electric cars, such as the Mitsubishi i-MEV, and, in 2009, four i-MEVs were painted in Geek Squad livery, and are currently part of the fleet. Rick Rommel, senior vp of emerging business, told BNET's Jim Motavalli, “We like what we see...They're pretty good and our agents like them."
Subsequent steps include bundling car-sharing programs, such as Zipcar, with its EV products, offering access to the company's on-site charging infrastructure (used to charge Geek Squad vehicles) , introducing Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), such as the Miles ZX40S or the GEM, and potentially introducing, mass-production, full-speed, electric automobiles.
Although they appear to be off to a good start, the success of Best Buy's strategy is certainly not a given. As Russ Finley of Grist.org points out, "customer support is critical for retail sales, however, they are about to embark on a steep learning curve. Many bikes will be returned because they don't meet the near infinite variety of customer expectations. A 300 pound guy who thinks he is getting a scooter will not be pleased to find his range is only five miles..."
Of course, this is all the more reason why customer education is so important.