VanMoof raises $40m to further capitalize on worldwide e-bike boom
New E-Bike Research
QWIC e-bikes kicks off with international expansion in Britain
Agressive Customs’ Actions against EU E-Bike Companies
LEVA-EU Supports SBS Call on UK to keep EU standards after Brexit
LEVA-EU unveils new look during EU Mobility Week
CAKE Ösa Wins 2021 German Design Award
Belgian, Dutch and German LEV Markets 2020
Meet Taiwanese Suppliers Online
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.-
VanMoof raises $40m to further capitalize on worldwide e-bike boom
Comments Off on VanMoof raises $40m to further capitalize on worldwide e-bike boomAmsterdam and Palo Alto, September 2020 – LEVA-EU member VanMoof, announced a $40 million investment from Norwest Venture Partners, Felix Capital and Balderton Capital. The Series B financing comes just months after a $13.5 million investment in May and bolsters VanMoof for further global expansion, giving the company a stronger e-bike market share in North America, Europe and Japan. Leading the current wave of e-bike adoption, VanMoof is the fastest-growing e-bike brand worldwide and is on course to redefine city mobility forever. The funding brings VanMoof’s total raised to $73 million and furthers the e-bike brand’s ultimate mission of getting the next billion on bikes.
E-bike boom
Global demand for premium quality e-bikes is at an all-time high, with two-wheeled commutes now seen as a more dependable option in the wake of COVID-19. Many governments have made major investments in cycling infrastructure during lockdown, underlining how COVID-19 has accelerated plans to get more urban commuters on bikes. Millions have since been invested to open up the streets to cyclists, creating new bike lanes across the globe from New York to Milan, from Mexico City to Berlin. The latest projections expect the e-bike market to surpass $46 billion in the next six years, with a growth rate now twice that of pre-pandemic predictions.
“E-bike adoption was an inevitable global shift that was already taking place for many years now but COVID-19 put an absolute turbo on it to the point that we’re approaching a critical mass to transform cities for the better,” Ties Carlier, co-founder VanMoof.
As category leader, VanMoof has been able to capitalize on this momentum. Not only did VanMoof realize a 220% global revenue growth during worldwide lockdown; VanMoof sold more bikes in the first four months of 2020 than the previous two years combined.
“Taco, Ties and the VanMoof team have not only built an unparalleled brand and best-selling product, but they’re reshaping city mobility all over the world. We look forward to supporting the VanMoof team as they expand production, boost rider service solutions, and bring their e-bike experience to new markets.” Stew Campbell, Principal at Norwest.
Service as new frontier
The Series B funding will be used to meet the increased demand and shorten delivery times. Most importantly, a significant portion of the funding will go towards building a suite of rider service solutions, making best-in-class support one of VanMoof’s key pillars. “Our next frontier is to transform our business by building a full support ecosystem around every rider,” said co-founder Ties Carlier. This ecosystem includes a global mobile service network, more intuitive app support, smarter software with remote diagnostic solutions, and more proactive customer support.
The funding will also drive VanMoof’s expansion into key growth markets such as the US and Germany, where new brand stores and pop-up shops will extend the number of customer touch points. Following the expansion of brand stores in Brooklyn, San Francisco and Seattle, a series of pop-ups are planned to open across the US in Spring 2021, in cities like Austin, Chicago, D.C., LA and Portland.
“VanMoof is a truly category-defining brand that continues to push the boundaries of service and design. VanMoof stands out not only because they master the hardware and software parts of their e-bikes, designing everything in-house, but also because of their guaranteed quality thanks to ownership over the supply chain in between. We’re excited to join the VanMoof team in their journey to accelerate new transport and commuting behaviours across the world.” Antoine Nussenbaum, co-founder of Felix Capital.
Commuter e-bike disrupter emerges as fastest growing bike brand in wake of COVID-1
- Series B investment brings VanMoof’s total raised to $73 million, marking next phase of hyper-growth for world’s fastest-growing e-bike brand
- VanMoof solidifies leadership position, with 10x revenue growth in 24 months hitting $100 million
- VanMoof reports 220% global revenue growth during worldwide lockdown
- Surge in demand turns the US into VanMoof’s third fastest growth market, as Americans rapidly adopt e-bikes in wake of COVID-19
- Global e-bike market forecasted to reach $46B+ by 2026, double that of pre-COVID-19 predictions
- Funding will be used to increase production, continue product innovation, realize global expansion and implement next-level rider service solutions
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New E-Bike Research
Comments Off on New E-Bike ResearchSummary: Do people who buy e-bikes cycle more?
Previous research shows that e-bike owners use private cars less than other transport user groups, and also report to have changed from motorised to non-motorised transport. A challenge with many studies is that they are either retrospective or cross-sectional, thus giving little control over confounding factors.
The study found that people who purchased an e-bike increased their bicycle use from 2.1 to 9.2 km per day on average, representing a change in bike as share of all transport from 17 to 49 percent. The comparison group had negligible changes in cycling during the same time period, and the choice of comparison group had a very marginal effect on the results. The results show that the large change in cycling we previously found of a trial scheme with e-bikes is replicated with actual customers. The change in cycling share is somewhat larger than it was for the short-term users, showing that mode change from e-bikes is not just a novelty effect.
Please find the complete article: Sciencedirect.
Summary: The E-Bike Potential: Estimating regional e-bike impacts on greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) have been found to offer a promising solution to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) impact of a region’s passenger transportation system. Using data from a North American survey of e-bike owners, a mode replacement model was adapted and augmented to consider the case of Portland, or for various levels of e-bike person miles traveled (PMT) mode share penetration.
It was estimated that for a 15% e-bike PMT mode share, car trip mode share could be reduced from 84.7% to 74.8%. Total car PMT per day could be reduced from 28.9 million to 25.5 million. Furthermore, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from passenger transportation could be reduced by 12% after accounting for e-bike emissions from electricity generation and induced e-bike trips. An individual e-bike could provide an average reduction of 225 kg CO2 per year.
These estimates show that e-bikes have the potential to help cities and regions achieve their climate goals. Additionally, this research can be used to support policies and programs necessary to facilitate the growth of this emerging mode to realize carbon reduction impacts.
Please find the complete article: Sciencedirect.
Photo by Alpine Region.
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QWIC e-bikes kicks off with international expansion in Britain
Comments Off on QWIC e-bikes kicks off with international expansion in BritainLEVA-EU member QWIC, the Dutch e-bike brand, has established itself in England. With the opening of QWIC shop-in-shops in London and Rye, QWIC kicks off with international expansion in Britain.
England is a growth market for electric bicycles. The demand for e-bikes, which was small until now, is increasing sharply in a short time. With the opening of the QWIC points of sale in London and Rye, QWIC is responding to this changing bicycle market.
“The current circumstances have accelerated the transition to sustainable mobility. We also see this in England. This offers opportunities that fit our ambitious expansion plans”, said Taco Anema, CEO & founder of QWIC.
E-bike trend England
Since the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, the interest and demand for e-bikes in England has risen sharply. The British government is committed to structurally improving the cycling infrastructure. For example, on May 11, 2020, the UK Department announced a £ 2 billion investment in cycling and walking infrastructure, with the aim of doubling the number of cyclists and walkers over the next five years. The City of London has unveiled a new Streetspace plan to give cyclists more space and reduce pressure on public transport in the city.International ambitions
QWIC’s international plans are ambitious. At the beginning of this year, the Amsterdam bicycle brand announced that it had received 10 million in investment for further international expansion, as well as the development and introduction of a new generation of e-bikes. -
Agressive Customs’ Actions against EU E-Bike Companies
Comments Off on Agressive Customs’ Actions against EU E-Bike CompaniesSome time ago LEVA-EU has launched and appeal to report customs’ actions against e-bike companies. We have since received several reports on a variety of actions against European electric bicycle companies.
The allegations are quite diverse but include among other things:
- Buying from a European supplier who is suspected of circumventing anti-dumping duties on electric bicycles from China
- Using incorrect HS codes to avoid anti-circumvention duties on bicycle components
- Illegal application of rules of origin for e-bikes that are produced outside the EU and China
These reports have allowed us to get a clearer picture of the situation. We are currently taking legal advice as to how to respond to these actions. In the meantime, we herewith repeat our appeal. The more cases known to us, the better we can assess the situation and respond accurately.
We are therefore calling again on European electric bike companies that have recently experienced a similar customs’ action, to report this to LEVA-EU. We do of course guarantee anonymity.
Cases can be reported by phoning or mailing LEVA-EU Manager Annick Roetynck: +32 475 500 58, annick@leva-eu.com.
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LEVA-EU Supports SBS Call on UK to keep EU standards after Brexit
Comments Off on LEVA-EU Supports SBS Call on UK to keep EU standards after BrexitBrussels, 14 September 2020 – As talks between the UK and the EU reach a decisive point, Small Business Standards (SBS), the association representing European Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in standardisation, has published a position paper stressing the importance of standardisation and conformity assessment in relation to trade and the future UK-EU relationship. LEVA-EU fully supports SBS’s on the UK.
Standards and conformity assessment procedures play an essential role in trade. They can facilitate market access by reducing trade barriers and transaction costs, or in the case of diverging standards and conformity assessment procedures, create technical obstacles and impose additional testing and certification. Standardisation and conformity assessment are thus key elements that need to be carefully addressed in the future UK-EU relationship.
Today 95% of British standards are identical to the international and European ones. If the UK were to depart from the European standardisation system and develop its own solutions, it would be particularly costly for SMEs across both sides of the channel. Standards are widely used by SMEs to assess, test, trade and produce compatible products within tightly integrated value chains.
According to the position paper published by SBS, future cooperation on standardisation between the UK and the EU should be based on the key principles of European legislation including the transparency of processes, facilitation of stakeholder participation, access to information and draft standards. The UK should also keep its commitment to the single standard model whereby one single standard is in use across the EU and the UK on any given issue.
The mutual acceptance of test results and certificates is also important for SMEs for which paying twice for the same test can be prohibitive. Mutual recognition should be based on accreditation and relevant international standards. The position paper also highlights the need to keep a level playing field to prevent the creation of backdoors to import goods from third countries into the EU.
The position paper can be consulted through the following link.
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LEVA-EU unveils new look during EU Mobility Week
Comments Off on LEVA-EU unveils new look during EU Mobility WeekTrade association LEVA-EU, the sole voice for the light electric vehicle sector, has unveiled a new logo, a rebrand and a new website to make it easier for businesses to receive vital assistance navigating legislation.
The organisation, which campaigns tirelessly for LEV-manufacturers, importers, distributors and brands, launched its new website during European Mobility Week, which runs from 16-22 September and shines a spotlight on the importance of accessibility to zero-emission transport.
The body now has a cleaner and more distinct logo to take it forward to the next stage of its work, which includes influencing and monitoring EU legislation.
The new website, leva-eu.com, offers clearer and better presented information for members, who are often faced with complicated legislation to navigate to get their products to market. The logo and website have been created by UK based marketing agency Polaris Media and design firm the Modern Agency.
LEVA-EU, which is an authority on European rules and regulations on light electric vehicles, also offers members access to studies and statistics to help them discuss market trends and developments as well as opportunities to network and share knowledge.
The website includes new pages on LEVA-EU positions, case studies, partners, testimonials and events. Businesses can also advertise on the website and weekly newsletter and showcase job vacancies and light electric vehicle events.
The organisation’s successes include having its plea for removing the legal bottlenecks on light electric vehicles heard, which has led to research to change legislation to allow for a broader diversity of LEVs to be classed separately to motorbikes and mopeds.
LEVA-EU has also succeeded in averting retroactive collection of duties, which saved some companies large amounts of money, when an anti-dumping complaint against imports of e-bikes from China was made by the European Bicycle Manufacturers’ Association (EBMA).
Annick Roetynck, manager of LEVA-EU, said the new look heralded the start of a bright future for LEVA-EU, as more people discovered the benefits of switching to light electric vehicles.
She said: “Light electric vehicles are the future of transport and LEVA-EU is committed to influencing policies to ensure businesses can trade smoothly in this critical sector. However, it can be time-consuming and costly to find your way through the maze of regulations for light electric vehicles, time and money that would be better spent on growing your business.”
“Our experts are here to guide businesses through these complicated regulations, so it is only right that our website makes this process simple too. We look forward to connecting with even more organisations and continuing to fight for our members in the corridors of power.”
Any company, organisation or individual who has an interest in the European light electric vehicle market can become a member of LEVA-EU. The membership fee depends on the number of staff in their organisation. Contact Annick Roetynck, annick@leva-eu.com, tel. +32 475 500 588.
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CAKE Ösa Wins 2021 German Design Award
Comments Off on CAKE Ösa Wins 2021 German Design AwardLEVA-EU member CAKE, the Swedish manufacturer of lightweight electric off-road performance motorcycles, is honored to win the Excellent Product Design – Utility Vehicles category of the German Design Council’s 2021 German Design Award.
This award goes to CAKE’s Ösa model, which also received a Special Mention in the category of Excellent Product Design – Eco Design. 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 2018.
“Being recognized for the Ösa by the German Design Council is a true honor and amplifies CAKE’s mission of inspiring towards a zero-emission society—combining excitement with responsibility,” commented Stefan Ytterborn, founder and CEO of CAKE. “While the Ösa is a super simple and easy to operate motorcycle, it’s a somewhat complex creation; it’s an electric vehicle that has the modularity of LEGO—sort of a hybrid between a truck and a Swiss Army knife. While it serves individual needs for transportation, its main attribute is the ability to facilitate so many activities while off the bike through its mobile power station. The access to power can bring traditional pursuits to new, virgin places and create entirely new experiences. The possibilities for adventure and work are nearly limitless and that’s something we’re super excited to enable for riders around the world.”
The German Design Council, the expert for brand and design in Germany, bestows the German Design Award. Commissioned by the highest authority to represent new developments in the German design industry, the German Design 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.
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Belgian, Dutch and German LEV Markets 2020
Comments Off on Belgian, Dutch and German LEV Markets 2020The Netherlands
As for electric bicycle sales in the Netherlands, by the 1 June 2020, a total of 149,000 e-bikes had been sold. This is a 12% increase compared to the first five months of 2019. In the month of May alone, around 58,000 electric bicycles have been sold, which is an all-time month record and growth of 38.0% compared to May 2019 according a GfK study commissioned by BOVAG.
In the first nine months of this year a total of 3,754 speed pedelecs (L1e-B) have been sold according to Raivereniging. This represent a growth of around 55.1% compared to 2019 (2,421). At the top of the sales’ charts remains Stromer, who sold most speed pedelecs in the Netherlands both in the first nine months of 2019 and 2020. Gazelle and Riese & Müller came respectively second and third in 2020, switching their 2019 positions.
Belgium
Accurate statistics about electric bicycles sales in Belgium are hardly available. However, there is up to date information on the registration of speed pedelecs (L1e-B) at the Dienst Inschrijving Voertuigen (DIV). A total of 9,636 speed have been registered at the DIV in the first 9 months of 2020. This is a decrease of 3.1% compared to the same period in 2019.
In Belgium there are 2 types of electric mopeds that are allowed on the road: category A with a maximum design speed of 25 km/h and category B with a maximum design speed of 45 km/h.
A total of 416 electric A-mopeds have been registered at the DIV in the first nine months in 2020. This is an increase of 28.0% compared to the same period last year. As for electric B-mopeds, a total of 1,553 were registered as opposed to 3,211 registrations for the same period in 2019, that is 51.6%. This bad result is due to the sudden and unexpected decision to stop subsidies for electric mopeds.
For Belgium and the Netherlands, it is worth noting that the corona lockdown has delayed supplies and therefore also registrations of speed pedelecs and electric mopeds. It remains to be seen whether the backlog will be made up in the rest of the year.
Germany
According to data by the German bicycle industry organization ZIV, around 1.1 million e-bikes have been sold in the first six months of 2020. This represents a growth of just under 16% compared to the same period last year. It is unknown to what extend speed pedelecs are included within this data.
In the case of electric motorcycle registrations, there were a total of 1,045 pieces registered in Germany this year. Compared to the same period in 2019, that is a slight increase of just over 3.5% according data by ACEM.
Photo by Chris Liverani on Unsplash
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Meet Taiwanese Suppliers Online
Comments Off on Meet Taiwanese Suppliers OnlineThe Taiwan Trade Centre London (TAITRA) has informed us of a new opportunity to meet Taiwanese suppliers online. Trade with Europe 2020 will be held virtually on Wednesday 7th of October between 7.30 and 11 am UK time (GMT+1).
Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and TAITRA are co-hosting this event, aiming to promote Taiwan-Europe bilateral business cooperation. Virtual one-on-one business meetings facilitated by TAITRA will enable European businesses to tap into Taiwan’s global supply chain.
- To avoid undue competition among Taiwanese suppliers, participating buyers who have previously procured a certain item from a Taiwanese supplier may not enquire about/procure the same item from another supplier during this event.
- Buyers must provide details of products sought and participate in trade meeting(s) with at least five Taiwanese companies (30 minutes per meeting).
To register, buyers should outline the products they are interested in sourcing using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/MPpdQEBGxRmgBxDz7. Next, TAITRA will provide a shortlist of suitable suppliers. Finally, online meetings will be arranged with the suppliers that buyers choose to connect with. Please note that the sign-up deadline is tomorrow 4 September. For any questions, please contact Adèle Sreeves (asreeves@taitra.org.tw) at the Taiwan Trade Centre London.
Please note that, after this TAITRA event, members are still welcome to contact us should you be looking for specific suppliers in Taiwan. We will then consult with TAITRA as to suitable suppliers for your specific needs: annick@leva-eu.com, tel. +32 9 233 60 05
Photo by Tom Ritson on Unsplash
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