International
Hybrid Series Ruling Clears Path For Greater Innovation
Brussels, Belgium A European Commission ruling classifying Series Hybrid e-bikes as bicycles has opened the door for further technological development, according to a peak European body for electric vehicles. The Light Electric Vehicle Association of Europe (LEVA-EU) has been campaigning the commission for nearly five years to have series hybrids (e-bikes without a physical chain)…
Arcimoto’s Mean, Lean High-Performance Trike
Oregon, US US light electric vehicle manufacturer Arcimoto has unveiled a unique high-performance e-trike using its patented tilt technology. The Mean Lean Machine (MLM) features hub motors on all three corners and a pedal generator, eliminating the need for a chain, belt or any grease. Arcimoto spokesperson and three-wheel tiling technology pioneer Bob Mighell said…
Taipei Cycle Combines Physical and Virtual Expos For First Time
Taipei, Taiwan One of the world’s biggest B2B cycling gatherings, Taipei Cycle, is preparing to go ‘hybrid’ in March, combining physical and virtual exhibitions for the first time. The annual expo has been held exclusively as an online event for the past two years after the COVID pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2020 and…
Equity Partner Take-Over Gives Enviolo Added Drive
Amsterdam, the Netherlands UK private equity partner Inflexion has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Netherlands-based company enviolo, which developed a popular continuously variable transmission hub. Enviolo, which also has operations in Texas, designs and develops transmission systems for high-quality e-bikes, predominantly for the European and North American markets. The company’s proprietary hubs don’t have…
Porsche Acquires Share of Fazua to Further Build e-Bike Involvement
Ottobrunn, Germany Porsche has further expanded its involvement in the rapidly growing e-bike market by acquiring a stake in drive systems manufacturer Fazua. Porsche is acquiring 20% of the shares in its fellow German company, with an option to purchase further shares which would allow Porsche to take over Fazua completely. Fazua, based in Ottobrunn…
$5.2 Million Financing Round for Repairable Battery Maker
Bordeaux, France A French company producing e-bike batteries that can be repaired in less than 10 minutes has raised €3.3 million (A$5.2 million) in a new financing round. The company, Gouach, plans to use the funds to boost its team of 15 people and market its eco-friendly battery to fleet operators and manufacturers in the…
Gogoro Joins Partnership for Indonesian Renewable Energy Ecosystem
Indonesia Taiwanese battery manufacturer Gogoro, a global leader in swappable battery platforms, has signed with the Indonesia Government and another Taiwanese company, Hon Hai Technology Group, to develop an “energy ecosystem” focusing on electric batteries, electric mobility, and associated industries. The venture – involving Gogoro, Hon Hai Technology Group, Indonesia Battery Corporation IBC and Indika…
Wall Street Investor Pays a Record $2.5 Billion Cash for a Bicycle Company!
New York, US One of Europe’s largest bike conglomerates, Accell Group, is set to be purchased by New York-based investment firm KKR, in a €1.56 billion (A$2.527 billion) buyout that represents a 21% premium on Accell’s all-time highest stock market valuation. The companies late last month reached a conditional agreement on an all-cash public offer…
How’s Business? February 2022
Australia and New Zealand Welcome to our first How’s Business column for 2022. Now that we’ve gone to twice-monthly newsletters, you’ll only see How’s Business in every second newsletter. With Omicron in full flight when we interviewed these shops in late January, our follow up question this month was, “In what ways has covid been…
Reflecting Upon the End of Two Intertwined 50 Year Eras
Boulder, Colorado When I recently read a press release that VeloNews was ‘merging’ with its sister magazine, Peloton, and would no longer exist in print format, I was startled by the strength of my emotional reaction. I have neither read, at least in print format, nor written for VeloNews magazine for many years. So why…