News
Electric bike sales are surging
Carlton Reid Nov 28 2008, 10:37am
A to B Magazine says e-bike sales are booming. And mag editor defends eco credentials of battery-powered bikes
Folding bike and electric bike specialist A to B Magazine has released a survey which shows that UK sales of electric bikes are on target to hit an all-time record of over 15,000 this year, with most manufacturers reporting shortages of bikes, and equipment, and waiting lists for popular machines.
"E-bikes seem to be recession proof", said A to B editor David Henshaw.
"Car sales are expected to plummet in 2009, but e-bike manufacturers are forecasting nearly 50 percent growth to almost 23,000 machines."
E-bikes cost less than 2p to recharge – the equivalent of 1,000mpg. They don’t need an MOT, tax or insurance either.
The total value of the UK electric bike market was about £13 million in 2008, with sales of £25 million predicted for 2009.
E-bikes are even more popular on mainland Europe. In the Netherlands, over 120,000 will be sold this year, and it’s thought annual sales could hit 300,000 in a few years. In Germany, e-bike sales are expected to double between 2007 and 2009.
E-bikes are legally classified as bicycles, provided they have motors of 250 watts or less, and a top assisted speed not exceeding 15mph
When asked to defend e-bikes against the charge they pollute the planet because they're not totally human powered, Henshaw said:
"Quite a significant part of the damage done by bicycles is in manufacture, and high-end MTBs with all the titanium and carbon gizmos, and a shelf-life of a few years use a lot of energy in production and distribution. Electric bikes typically do more miles. Many ordinary bikes with wide knobbly tyres, overweight components and horrid gears, hardly ever get used, whereas electric bikes are generally used much more. So there is, oddly enough, a good argument that for ordinary not-very-fit people, an electric bike will keep them fitter, because they will use it a lot more.
"Electric bikes are much more likely to replace car journeys. So they should really be compared with cars in terms of fuel use, environmental damage.
"An electric does some 1,000mpg, and it converts energy very efficiently into motion. We charge ours from solar panels, but the energy use is so small, it's hardly worth bothering about. A cyclist working hard, and scoffing carbs and choccy, then taking a long hot shower has used much more energy."
Comments
“Electric bikes continue to be a popular choice”
Posted by: Dave - Nov 28, 1:28pm
I couldn't agree more with David's comments - sales in electric bikes continue to see sustained growth despite the economic gloom! Like all electric bikes retailers, we at Sustain Cycles are seeing more and more people discover the advantages of electric bikes, not only due the environmental benefit but as a motivator for those wanting to get back into cycling- which can only benefit us all in the long run.
Dave
www.sustaincycles.co.uk
“Re: Electric bikes continue to be a popular choice”
Posted by: Tim Snaith - Nov 28, 11:48pm
We were one of the companies David Henshaw approached for data for his report. After five years in the business, 2008 has been the year where electric bikes have broken through into the mainstream. The benefits are clear and the bikes, particularly the latest European models, are up to the task of providing reliable, enjoyable and effective transport, day after day.
As for the sustainable credentials of electric cycling, a recent analysis has suggested that power assisted cycling may be the THE most energy efficient means of transport, when one takes into account the lifetime energy consumption of bike and rider, something A to B has been arguing for many years.
More information at http://knol.google...tric/
Tim Snaith
www.50cycles.com
Kalkhoff Electric Bikes in the UK
“Re: Electric bikes continue to be a popular choice”
Posted by: Tim Snaith - Nov 28, 11:49pm
We were one of the companies David Henshaw approached for data for his report. After five years in the business, 2008 has been the year where electric bikes have broken through into the mainstream. The benefits are clear and the bikes, particularly the latest European models, are up to the task of providing reliable, enjoyable and effective transport, day after day.
As for the sustainable credentials of electric cycling, a recent analysis has suggested that power assisted cycling may be the THE most energy efficient means of transport, when one takes into account the lifetime energy consumption of bike and rider, something A to B has been arguing for many years.
More information at http://knol.google...tric/
Tim Snaith
www.50cycles.com
Kalkhoff Electric Bikes in the UK
“Re: Electric bikes continue to be a popular choice”
Posted by: Tim Snaith - Nov 28, 11:49pm
We were one of the companies David Henshaw approached for data for his report. After five years in the business, 2008 has been the year where electric bikes have broken through into the mainstream. The benefits are clear and the bikes, particularly the latest European models, are up to the task of providing reliable, enjoyable and effective transport, day after day.
As for the sustainable credentials of electric cycling, a recent analysis has suggested that power assisted cycling may be the THE most energy efficient means of transport, when one takes into account the lifetime energy consumption of bike and rider, something A to B has been arguing for many years.
More information at http://knol.google...tric/
Tim Snaith
http://www.50cycles.com
Kalkhoff Electric Bikes in the UK
“Re: Re: Electric bikes continue to be a popular choice”
Posted by: Andy - Nov 29, 2:43am
Ebikes will grow as long as govt gets the hell out of the way.
putting rules on them is ridiculous
falconev.com
“NiMh & Lipo battery for power”
Posted by: Vicky.Lu - Dec 9, 6:14am
Dear Lady/Sir,
Nice to know your information from your website!
Pleased to introduce Desire Power Co; Ltd, a leading Manufacturer&Exporter which specializing in standard and high discharge current rechargeable Li-Po and Ni-Mh batteries.
For Li-Po batteries, we are mainly producing standard and high Continuous Discharge Current from 3C up to 38 C , which are widely used in RC Models/Helicopter/Airplane/Boats/Cars, Electronic Bicycles/Motors, RC Toys and Power Tools, etc.
For NI-MH batteries, including various consumptive and industrial types. Espcially, Sub C size high capacity up to 4700mAh with high discharge current up to 20C are our main items! Besides, we also dealing with standard NIMH batteries in industrial application, such as toys, R/C products, power tools, E-bike, MP3, MP4, cordless phone, PMP, P-DVD, GPS, digital cameras, video camera, cleaner, mobile light/lamp, backup, medicine equipment, miner’s lamp and other high-tech electronics products for their superior high power and characteristics such as lighter, thinner and safer.
Enclosed our Newest Li-Po and NI-MH Battery Products List for your reference!
Welcome to take a look at our website at: http://www.desire-...y.com or http://www.desire-...r.com
Should any of these items be of interest to you, please just let me know. We will be happy to provide details!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks & Best regards!
Vicky Lu
DESIRE POWER CO., LIMITED
Floor 7, Chaohui Building,
#173 Baohua Road, Longhua Town,
Shenzhen, P.R. China
Tel: +86 755 2806 8560
Fax: +86 755 2806 8650
Homepage: http://www.desire-...y.com
Email: Vicky@desire-power.com
MSN: Vicky6689@live.cn