Author Archives: Annick Roetynck

About Annick Roetynck

Annick is the Manager of LEVA-EU, with decades of experience in two-wheeled and light electric mobility.

• New Book on Small Electric Vehicles: an International View on Light 3- and 4-Wheelers

  27/05/2021 16:11 Comments Off on New Book on Small Electric Vehicles: an International View on Light 3- and 4-Wheelers

  This edited open access book gives a comprehensive overview of small and lightweight electric three- and four-wheel vehicles with an international scope. The present status of small electric vehicle (SEV) technologies, the market situation and main hindering factors for market success as well as options to attain a higher market share including new mobility concepts are highlighted.

  An increased usage of SEVs can have different impacts which are highlighted in the book in regard to sustainable transport, congestion, electric grid and transport-related potentials. To underline the effects these vehicles can have in urban areas or rural areas, several case studies are presented covering outcomes of pilot projects and studies in Europe.

  A study of the operation and usage in the Global South extends the scope to a global scale. Furthermore, several concept studies and vehicle concepts on the market give a more detailed overview and show the deployment in different applications.

  The book can be downloaded for free here: Small Electric Vehicles – An International View on Light Three- and Four-Wheelers | Amelie Ewert | Springerhttps://www.springer.com/in/book/9783030658427

  Annick Roetynck, LEVA-EU Manager, was one of the reviewers.

• 4,000 fewer people lost their lives on EU roads in 2020

  21/05/2021 17:40 Comments Off on 4,000 fewer people lost their lives on EU roads in 2020

  Source: European Commission, April 2021 – The European Commission published preliminary figures on road fatalities for 2020. An estimated 18,800 people were killed in a road crash last year, an unprecedented annual fall of 17% on 2019. This means almost 4,000 fewer people lost their lives on EU roads in 2020 compared to 2019. Lower traffic volumes, as the result of the Covid-19 pandemic, had a clear, though unmeasurable, impact on the number of road fatalities.

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  Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “With almost 4,000 fewer deaths on EU roads in 2020, compared to 2019, our roads remain the safest in the world. Still, we are behind our target for the last decade and joint action is needed to prevent a return to pre-COVID levels. In our Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, we have reiterated our commitment to implementing the EU road safety strategy and bringing down the death toll for all modes of transport close to zero.”

  EU’s roads by far the safest in the world

  Over the previous decade between 2010 and 2020, the number of road deaths dropped by 36%. This was short of the target of 50% fewer deaths that had been set for that decade. However, with 42 road deaths per 1 million inhabitants, the EU remains the continent with the safest roads in the world. As a comparison, the world average lies at more than 180.

  Based on preliminary figures, 18 Member States registered their lowest ever number of road fatalities in 2020. EU-wide, deaths fell by an average of 17% compared to 2019 though the reduction was far from uniform with the largest decreases (of 20% or more) occurring in Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Hungary, Malta and Slovenia. In contrast, five Member States (Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg and Finland) recorded an increase in fatalities although the number in small countries tends to fluctuate from year to year.

  Over a longer timeline, the number of deaths on Europe’s roads fell by 36% between 2010 and 2020, below the EU target of 50%. Only Greece (54%) exceeded the target followed by Croatia (44%), Spain (44%), Portugal (43%), Italy (42%) and Slovenia (42%). In total, nine Member States recorded falls of 40% or more.

  While the unprecedented developments in 2020 led to some changes in the ranking of countries’ fatality rates, the safest roads remain in Sweden (18 million) while Romania (85/million) reported the highest rate in 2020. The EU average was 42/million.

  Impact of the pandemic hard to measure

  Lower traffic volumes, as the result of the Covid-19 pandemic, had a clear, though unmeasurable, impact on the number of road fatalities. However, preliminary data in the US, for example, show that fatalities spiked in 2020 in spite of lower traffic volumes. Indeed, evidence in some EU countries also points to an increase in risk-taking behaviour, in particular speeding, during lockdown periods.

  Impact on urban mobility as a result of Covid-19

  Cycling has experienced a significant rise in popularity and many cities around the world (temporarily) reallocated road space to cyclists and pedestrians. This encouraging development can have a significant positive impact on air quality and climate change and at the same time creates new road safety challenges.

  EU-wide, around 70% of road fatalities in urban areas involve vulnerable road users which includes pedestrians, motorcyclist and cyclists. Tackling road safety in cities is therefore a key area of focus and the Commission wants to ensure that road safety is taken into account at all stages of urban mobility planning. Road Safety will be an important element of the new Urban Mobility Initiative to be brought forward by the Commission later this year. In this regard, two European capitals, Helsinki and Oslo, achieved the milestone of zero pedestrian and cyclist deaths in 2019, citing speed reductions as essential to progress.

  Photo by Robert Ruggiero on Unsplash

• Naxicap Partners Acquires Stromer

  17:33 Comments Off on Naxicap Partners Acquires Stromer

  Frankfurt / Oberwangen, May 21, 2021 – Naxicap Partners, a leading European private equity firm, has reached an agreement to acquire LEVA-EU member Stromer, the Swiss-based speed pedelec manufacturer. Details of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to customary approvals.

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  Founded in 2009, today Stromer is the leading manufacturer of premium speed pedelecs in Europe and the United States, with a market share of over 20 percent in each country. The company is headquartered in Oberwangen near Bern and manufactures all its products in Switzerland.

  Stromer strives to provide the best and most sustainable mobility solution for commuters while offering a unique riding experience. The company employs around 140 people and currently has around 90,000 customers. It also has a rapidly growing social media community with over 45,000 followers. Over 50,000 speed pedelecs are registered through the Stromer OMNI app, which serves as a digital vehicle key and compiles driving statistics.

  The transaction comes at a time when the mobility industry faces major changes. At the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted global mobility behaviour and as a result individual transport has become more important for many people. Thus, with its speed pedelecs, Stromer is benefiting from various important mobility and technology trends – from sustainability to urban mobility and cloud connectivity.

  Naxicap Partners will support the company in further expanding its leading market position, helping it to realise its full potential. The focus will be on the company’s internationalisation and expansion in Central Europe, the development of new sales channels and the scaling of marketing activities. At the same time, the strong brand will be used to establish new product innovations.

  Jakob Luksch, CEO of Stromer, says: “Over the last three years, we have created the infrastructure to rapidly andconsistently scaleour business model. In Naxicap Partners we have found apartner who not only shares our passion for premium products, but will also add significant value with their network and expertise in our core market Europe.“

  Peter Pergovacz, Managing Partner of Naxicap Partners in Germany, says: “I am equally impressed by the technology as with the achievements Jakob Luksch and his team have reached over the past years. As a European investor with a clear focus on growth, we look forward to working together to further develop the Stromer brand and to continue its recent successful path. Our goal is to set the course for further strong growth in existing markets while also facilitating the expansion into additional markets. We particularly look forward to supporting Stromer in launching new innovative premium products.That said, the company’s core values of Swissness, enthusiasm and partnership will always be the main focus. The acquisition is a prime example of our investment approach, which is dedicated to long-term value creation and sustainable growth.”

  Photo credits: Stromer

• CAKE Wins 2021 German Innovation Award

  19/05/2021 10:27 Comments Off on CAKE Wins 2021 German Innovation Award

  The Ösa utility platform wins this esteemed award from the German Design Council.

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  LEVA-EU member CAKE is honored to win the German Innovation Award. The prestigious innovation award goes to CAKE’s utility model, Ösa. The annual awards celebrate projects that truly represent pioneering contributions to the German and international design landscape. CAKE previously won the German Design Award for its Kalk OR motorbike in 2019, and additional 2x German Design Awards earlier in 2021.

  “A German Innovation Award for Ösa is incredible. Being recognized and rewarded by the German Design Council is among the most gratifying highlights for us” remarked Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of CAKE. “With the somewhat success for Ösa, supporting businesses with heavy-duty, two-wheeled utility solutions. It’s extra rewarding to win in the B2C E-mobility category, Ösa is a platform to be customized to be just as appreciated for private consumers with different needs. Intending to transition society toward zero emissions, we are determined to combine excitement with responsibility and develop new electric motorbikes for leisure and efficient transportation. We are honored to be noticed by the German Design Council.”
   
  The German Design Council, the experts for brand and design in Germany, bestows the German Innovation Award. Commissioned by the highest authority to represent new developments in the German design industry, the German Innovation Award directly contributes to the overall commercial success. Prizes are only awarded to projects that truly represent pioneering contributions to the German and international design landscape. Established on the initiative of the German Bundestag (the lower house of German parliament) as a foundation in 1953, it supports the industry in all matters consistently aimed at generating an added brand value through design

• EUROBIKE AWARD 2021: entries are now being accepted

  17/05/2021 16:56 Comments Off on EUROBIKE AWARD 2021: entries are now being accepted

  Source: EUROBIKE. Creative, innovative and functional: if this description fits compagnies and their products, then they should be entering for the EUROBIKE AWARD 2021. Entries are now being accepted for the cycling industry’s prestigious design award.

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  Designers, developers, manufacturers and importers related to the cycling and mobility industry can submit their innovations, irrespective of whether they will be exhibiting at EUROBIKE 2021. Six international judges with backgrounds in the industry, design, media and retail will evaluate the entries in a transparent, two-stage process.

  How compagnies benefit from winning an award:

  Special exhibition of the winning products, publicity at EUROBIKE and presentation in the online Award Gallery

  • Award Ceremony at EUROBIKE stage
  • “EUROBIKE AWARD Winner” logos
  • Sales-promoting effect due to extensive communications through all Eurobike media channels

  The most important dates at one glance:

  • Early bird discount: until June 13th, 2021, 11.59 p.m. (CET)
  • Submission deadline: July 8th, 2021, 11.59 p.m. (CET)
  • AWARD Ceremony: September 1st, 2021

  See www.eurobike-award.com for all information and tips:

  Again in 2021: companies, that have been operating no more than three years, can enter their product innovations in the special EUROBIKE START-UP AWARD with lots of benefits for winners and finalists. All important facts can be found here: https://www.eurobike.com/en/programm-highlights/start-up/

• Austrian Electric Cycle Market is Thriving

  16:54 Comments Off on Austrian Electric Cycle Market is Thriving

  Source: Verband der Sportartikelerzeuger und Sportausrüster Österreichs (VSSO). In 2020, in Austria for the first time more than 200,000 electric were sold. The market share of electric cycles increased, as well as the average price and total value of the electric cycle market.

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  By the end of last year, 203,515 electric cycles had been sold in Austria. Compared to 2019, this is just over 19% growth. The share of electric cycles in total cycle sales has risen to over 41% in 2020, while this was just under 39% in 2019.

  All electric cycles sold in 2020 represented a total value of €613 million. While in 2017 the average price of an electric cycle was just under €2,500, last year it grew €3,012.

  We have added these and more results to the LEVA-EU briefing Market Report 2020. Members receive this briefing for free. Non-LEVA-EU member can purchase the briefing for €250 (ex. VAT) including all updates to be published this year. If a company joins LEVA-EU within three months of first buying the briefing, that cost will be deducted from the membership fee.

  To obtain the briefing, simply send a mail daan@leva-eu.com with your company details and VAT number. This allows us to send you the invoice. You will obtain the briefing upon payment of the invoice.

  If you are looking for more information on the European LEV-market, you may want to consider joining LEVA-EU. All further details are here or contact Annick Roetynck at +32 9 233 60 05, e-mail annick@leva-eu.com.

  Photo credits: IntuEdrive / Ellio

• Machinery Directive Causes Standardization Issues

  16:49 Comments Off on Machinery Directive Causes Standardization Issues

  Since the European Commission has proposed to exclude all vehicles from the Machinery Directive, it is quite likely for the Directive to disappear as the legal framework for the standards developed in CEN TC 333 ‘Cycles’. In expectation of that legislative change, the Machinery Directive is causing headaches among the TC 333 experts.

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  In 2017, the EN 15194 standard for EPACs, i.e. electric bicycles with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h and 250W, was harmonized under the Machinery Directive. If an e-bike complies with the standard, it is presumed to be in conformity with the Machinery Directive. Since then however, a number of issues with that harmonization have arisen.

  A while ago, the Netherlands have submitted to the European Commission a formal objection against the harmonization. The Dutch government is convinced that the EN 15194 requirements for batteries are insufficient to guarantee safe batteries and thus conformity with the Machinery Directive. It is a fact that the EN 15194 is not exactly unambiguous in this field. For instance, the test method refers in a note to two standards, i.e. EN 62133 or EN 50604-1. However, a note in a standard never has a normative character. Notes are merely meant for further clarification. The issue has been dragging on for 1.5 year. The notification of this objection was published on 22 January 2020. Now, the clock is really ticking since amendments are only allowed within 4 years after publication of the standard. Therefore, the deadline is 4th October. After that date, the change of the battery requirements will need a revision of the standard. That is a longer and more complicated procedure.

  It is very likely that, through a publication in the EU Official Journal, the harmonization of the EN 15194 will be suspended for the battery part. That will leave manufacturers with legal uncertainty until the standard has effectively been changed. WG5 of TC 333 is now working on an amendment to be adopted before 4 October, which would safeguard harmonization.

  In the meantime, other issues have arisen. Germany insists that the Machinery Directive makes it necessary to introduce vibration requirements and a corresponding test. Denmark demands for chargers that claim compliance with EN 60335-2-29 to have a d.c. output of less than 42.4 Volt. This is due to a disputed note under point 4.2.4 in EN 15194, which should hold the requirements for battery chargers, but in reality consists of 2 notes. Denmark rejects the argument that notes do not have a normative character.

  Finally, it has also appeared that the anti-tampering measures in the standard need to be improved. The wording is unclear and the requirements themselves go against EU policies. For instance, manufacturers should give repair and maintenance information access to independent operators, quod non in EN 15194. Also, there is a clear policy trend to safeguard repairability of products to improve their carbon footprint. The current text goes against that principle as well.

  And then there are the future standards … Very recently, the FprEN 17404, the draft EPAC Mountain Bike standard was denied harmonization by the HAS-consultant. The question as to what to do with this issue is quite complicated. To turn the standard into a useful tool, it needs to be harmonized under the Machinery Directive. However, by the time it effectively gets harmonized, the Machinery Directive may well no longer be applicable anymore.

  The same questions are haunting the experts in the recently established WG9 that is meant to develop standards for (e)cargocycles. The work has been distributed among 7 teams that are using and is based on a risk assessment following the Machinery Directive. Again, by the time the work is completed, the Machinery Directive may not be relevant anymore. Standards aimed at harmonization under the Directive always have a number of requirements, which are not necessarily relevant for the safety of the vehicle but are rather aimed at complying with the Directive. It may well turn out to be a difficult balancing act.

  Nevertheless, there is hope for improvement. At least there is now a prospect of accurate standards to be developed purely for the safety of the vehicles. Within a few years, the sector will be freed from the imperative framework of the Machinery Directive. That will be for the benefit of all electric cycle companies.

  LEVA-EU has been working tirelessly for the exclusion of all Light Electric Vehicles from the Machinery Directive. Furthermore, the trade association has several experts on WG5 and WG9 of TC333. One of them, Eddie Eccleston, has been appointed as an SBS-expert with the specific task to watch over the interests of SMEs in standardization. LEVA-EU is also particularly pleased that several members have become active in TC 333.

  If you want to learn more or be kept updated about the standardization work or if you want to become actively involved, contact LEVA-EU Manager, Annick Roetynck, tel. +32 9 233 60 05, email annick@leva-eu.com.

  Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

• Bafang’s latest developments at China Cycle 2021

  14:22 Comments Off on Bafang’s latest developments at China Cycle 2021

  LEVA-EU member Bafang presented a wide range of their latest product developments at China Cycle 2021, which was held from May 5-8 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

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  To demonstrate the company’s technological flexibility and customer-led approach, theBafang products were divided into three distinct groups serving different regions: Europe, North America and China. Differentiated products within the regional groups are developed specially to fit local demands and conditions, catering to the varying dealer and end-user requirements in these key markets.

  One of the most popular products on show was the M500 drive system, which is widely used across the European market. It boasts a maximum torque of 95 N.m, providing consistent, powerful and efficient support to riders. With a compact design, and rated power of 250W, the M420 drive system perfectly fits city and trekking eBikes, and smoothly adds drive support up to the legal speed limit of 25kph. Also displayed was the H500W drive system, used by American customers on eFat or eCargo models because of its powerful and efficient performance.

  Mr. Joe Jiang, Director of Bafang’s Marketing & Sales Center, said, “China is a big country for bicycles. With the continuous development of China, e-scooters have been becoming the main means of transportation. Therefore, in the future, we plan to redirect some of our resources to the domestic market and create more market growth opportunities.”

  China Cycle 2021 is a key event for Bafang to present motor products for the domestic market. With a range of sizes including 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 inches, and rated power from 1000 to 4000W, the motor products cover nearly all requirements in the domestic market. Examples included the Harley style motor RM DBB0.2000D, suited for desert, mountain, beach and other terrain, and the unilateral motor UM DGB1.5000.D, with a maximum rated power of up to 6000W, offering high speed and high torque that can provide an outstanding experience for cycling enthusiasts.

  On the second day of the expo, Bafang held product information sharing sessions, revealing the features, technical data and capabilities of the new ranges for the North American and European markets.

  The Bafang booth welcomed visitors from the e-bike and wider bicycle sectors throughout the show, and welcomed a delegation of senior industry leaders including Liu Suwen, Chairman of the China Bicycle Association, and Tao Xiaonian, Vice Chairman of the China National Light Industry Council.

  Following the necessary cancellation of the China Cycle show in 2020, this year over 1,000 companies exhibited at the expo, all focused on furthering the high-quality development of the bicycle industry.

• What European City-Dwellers Want from Their Mayors Post-Covid – a Survey

  14/05/2021 10:35 Comments Off on What European City-Dwellers Want from Their Mayors Post-Covid – a Survey

  Article by: Clean Cities Campaign. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented disruption of mobility in cities across Europe. As the long journey towards a post-pandemic world begins, cities are now at a make-or-break moment. Will mayors decide to go back to a deadly ‘pollution as usual’ or will they fast-forward the transition towards liveable, clean and healthy cities?

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  The Clean Cities Campaign, a new European movement aiming to encourage cities to transition to zero-emission transport by 2030, decided to gauge the public opinion in a representative Pan-European online survey with 10,050 respondents across 15 large European cities in 8 countries. The results show a clear picture of what European Urbanites want:

  • An overwhelming majority of European city dwellers want more greenery: More than eight out of ten (82%) want more green space and greenery.
  • A clear majority in cities demand more space and action for clean mobility: 68% want more effort by cities to promote the use of public transport, and a majority also want more space to be reserved for pedestrians (66%) and cycling (56%).
  • Almost three in four demand more protection from air pollution: 71% in the 15 cities think that their leaders should do more to protect them from air pollution.
  • A majority wants only emission-free cars in cities after 2030: 59% think that petrol and diesel cars should no longer be allowed to be driven in cities after 2030.

  Interestingly, respondents who were infected or had family members or close friends who caught Covid-19 expressed a stronger demand for sustainable mobility. Moreover, the demand for greenery is stronger than in surveys from before the pandemic. This could indicate a change in the attitudes of city dwellers caused by Covid-19.

  A wide range of policy options are available to drive these mobility changes. The Clean Cities Campaign calls on mayors and governments to reallocate public space to walking, cycling and greenery and to reduce the overall number of cars in cities. Furthermore, the campaign calls for promoting and investing in public transport and shared electric mobility and the phasing-out of polluting vehicles from cities by 2030 at the latest.

  The EU should decide to set an end date for the sales of cars and vans with internal combustion engines in its upcoming review of the CO2 standards.

  Interested in the complete briefing? Go to Clean Cities Campaign.

  Photo by Roihan Haidar on Unsplash.