The German region of Thüringen demands regulations aimed at imposing replaceable batteries on electric scooters. According to a recent motion in the Bundesrat by the Thüringer Prime Minister, such a ban would result in a reduction of (chemical) waste, in saving energy and therefore in making mobility more sustainable.
While the main focus of the Thüringer motion is on electric scooters with non-replaceable batteries, is also includes electric mopeds, e-bikes and speed pedelecs, equipped with non-replaceable batteries. Vehicles with these types of batteries would cause an increasing amount waste and are therefore not in line with the German objective to change mobility (Verkehrswende). Thüringen also emphasizes that their proposal would be energy-saving.
Since June 2019, e-scooters are allowed on public roads in Germany. According to the Federal Environment Agency, this has not yet produced a tangeable effect on mobility. While e-scooters constitute an additional mode of transport, the amount of waste they cause is an issue. Therefore, the motion calls on the federal government to act on this matter. They request the government to investigate whether such a ban is possible, either at German or European level. The government is expected to respond by the end of October.
Denmark is known worldwide for its wind turbines and green energy, and in the future the Danes may also be known for having created the first European production of green batteries for electric bicycles. The Viridus aims at producing 50,000 green batteries annually by the end of 2019.
Aarhus, August 28th, 2019: “In many ways, it’s paradoxical that electric bicycles, which in themselves are an environmentally friendly mode of transport, still use black batteries that are transported right across the globe to reach the European bicycle manufacturers. We need to change this in order to take better care of the world. The consumers have also become more aware of their climate footprint, and bicycle manufacturers are starting to notice this,” says Jesper Lundqvist, managing director of Viridus.
Viridus was created as a joint venture between the Chinese company Greenway and LEVA-EU member Promovec, a company also led by Jesper Lundqvist, and which for many years has supplied a wide range of components and services in the field of electric bicycle production.
The company was founded in 2018, but green battery production only got underway in August 2019. Viridus expects to be producing 50,000 green batteries for electric bicycles annually by the end of 2019 in its cutting-edge assembly hall, which is packed with state-of-the-art production equipment. By the end of the year, Viridus expects to have around 12-15 employees.
The green battery production has thus been started up by some quite experienced people – and the company has also been well received.
“Several Danish bicycle brands have already bought into the concept, and from now on will use only green batteries. For consumers, it will ultimately mean a minor extra expense when they buy an electric bicycle, but seen over the lifetime of an electric bicycle, it’s a small amount of money,” says Jesper Lundqvist.
Greater flexibility in production
The demand for electric bikes is booming in Europe, and in the Netherlands and Belgium, in particular, the proportion of electric bicycles sold is very high. This places the bicycle manufacturers in a special situation, Jesper Lundqvist believes. “Right now, the bicycle industry has an excellent opportunity to lead the way in green mobility, the devices for which must also of course be produced in a sustainable manner. That means there must also be companies in Europe that will help to lead the way and inspire other industries and consumers to adopt the green agenda. Together with our customers in the industry, we wish to be among the trailblazers,” says Jesper Lundqvist.
However, a crucial aspect of the new production of green batteries on European soil is that it also involves giving bicycle manufacturers greater flexibility and faster deliveries. “Today, if you import the subcomponents from Asia, you have to order six months in advance. This makes life difficult for the bicycle manufacturers, who often require more flexibility in their production. We believe that through European production of green batteries we can create precisely this greater flexibility, thanks amongst other things to the much shorter distances involved. This will also save the world a large amount of CO2, and that’s the most important objective,” says Jesper Lundqvist.
For further information, please contact:
Jesper Lundqvist, managing director, mobile +45 5129 8974
Bafang introduces new batteries for semi-integration into lightweight e-bike frames – 450Wh and 600Wh options.
In addition to their various drive system options – front, rear and mid motors – Bafang now extends its own battery portfolio to offer not only rack mounted and fully integrated inTube batteries, but also semi-integrated batteries for an even greater variety of frame designs.
They will be launched during the upcoming Taipei Cycle Show (March 27th – 30st) at Bafang’s booth no. M0409.
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