Can the "new top stream" on the streets of Europe and the United States open up a new track in China?

When the spring sun shines on the streets and alleys of the city, the combination of technology and fashion E-bikes are becoming the new "top stream" on the streets of Europe and the United States, and even in the most conspicuous position of some bicycle shop windows, the latest E-bike is opening up its own track. In the eyes of enthusiasts, E-bike, as an electric-assisted bicycle, is not only a means of transportation that leads riders to explore unknown roads, but also a symbol of freedom, allowing people to regain a unique leisure and vitality in the hustle and bustle of urban life.

"Reducing the load" of cycling is attracting more people

The appearance of traditional bicycles, equipped with a power system with sensors as the core, coupled with a motor and lithium battery, is the new favorite on the streets in Europe and the United States - E-bike (electric bicycle). Less labor-saving than bicycles and more convenient than two-wheeled electric vehicles, people in more regions are approaching this means of transportation that is both fun and labor-saving.

According to Yang Xinmiao, deputy director of the Institute of Transportation Research at Tsinghua University, it is important for people to switch from driving to riding rickshaws. This is theoretically possible, but there are not many practitioners in practice. Because if you drive for a long time, people's physical strength, brain cognition and clothing and other factors are lacking, so most drivers need an auxiliary tool if they want to return to the cycling track. This is where e-bikes are a great choice.

"My personal experience is that about six or seven years ago, in the first month of resuming cycling, I felt exhausted and almost gave up. Thankfully, I was using an e-bike at the time, so I stuck with it. It's like going out with dry food and without dry food, the mileage you can walk is different. The electric power of the e-bike is a good 'dry food' for cyclists and experimenters. When I was physically exhausted, the feeling of using electric power was like a tired me who was 'resurrected with full blood' again. From riding less than 10 kilometers at the beginning, to riding 100 miles a day, this is the confidence and sense of security that E-bike has brought me. Yang Xinmiao said in an interview with reporters.

In Canada, enthusiasts with 50 years of cycling experience have also regained the joy and confidence of being exposed to cycling when they were 13 years old in e-bikes. I wouldn't worry too much about the e-bike. ”

However, in Europe and even in the United States, e-bikes are intended to replace the elderly who are not cycling enthusiasts, nor are they limited to physical decline, but are aimed at the elite with high scientific and cultural awareness.

Are the elites willing to catch the olive branch thrown by the e-bike?

According to the data, the common labels of the current overseas E-bike consumer groups and the domestic 10,000-yuan bicycle consumer groups are "middle class" and "exquisite and beautiful life", which Yang Xinmiao agreed.

"E-bikes attract not strong cycling enthusiasts, nor takeaway boys, but some groups with high awareness and acceptance. This group has the desire to live a healthy life, and also has the spare energy to understand and explore new things. In my opinion, middle-class and white-collar elites, civil servants, teachers, etc., may be the target users of E-bikes. He said.

Europe is currently one of the important markets for e-bikes. Industry experts told reporters that in Europe, E-bike sales continue to grow, and people are becoming more aware of its environmental protection and health benefits. In recent years, European countries have actively promoted the development of e-bikes by building more bike lanes, providing e-bike rental services and formulating relevant policies to encourage more people to participate in cycling. In countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, the popularity and use of e-bikes are at the forefront. At the same time, European e-bike manufacturers are constantly improving product quality and technological innovation to meet the needs of potential users for comfort, safety and reliability. From March 2023, transportation fares in London, England will increase by 5.9%, and Elene and her colleagues and friends have successively started E-bikes, and economic and green travel have become economic transportation for friends gatherings.

The same is true for the United States. The U.S. government has further boosted the popularity of e-bikes by encouraging cycling in some cities and providing the infrastructure to do so. For some urban people in the United States who need to commute long distances, e-bikes have become a convenient option. E-bike brands and manufacturers in the U.S. are also trying to expand their market share, focusing on design and technological innovation.

Currently, the major e-bike manufacturers are "uncoiling" the battery capacity, because it determines its range. The higher the battery capacity, the longer the range. Common e-bike batteries have a capacity between 200 Wh and 700 Wh. Although depending on factors such as road conditions, inclines, and wind resistance of the ride, the range will be affected. But generally speaking, the average range of an average e-bike on a full charge is usually between 40 and 100 kilometers, again. For some commuters with limited physical strength and attention to fitness, the just right endurance of E-bikes and the fitness "commuting" are becoming an important motivation for them to empty their shopping carts and place orders one after another.

The popularity of e-bikes in China is not as good as that in Europe and the United States

At present, the popularity of e-bikes in different parts of the world is showing different trends, and this "Western fever" has obviously not yet been transmitted to the East. Compared with the European and American markets, there are many reasons why e-bikes have not yet improved in China.

Yang Xinmiao told reporters, "China's transportation culture and urban planning are different from those in Europe and the United States. In China, two-wheeled electric vehicles, motorcycles, and electric motorcycles are relatively common and generally less expensive. This has led some consumers to choose traditional electric vehicles and motorcycles over e-bikes. In addition, some cities in China have congested traffic conditions and poor cycling infrastructure. This may cause some consumers to be skeptical about the riding experience and prefer to choose other modes of transportation. ”

Can the E-bike market overcome this lack of adaptation? Industry experts told reporters that the prospects are optimistic. In the eyes of industry insiders. Although the development of e-bikes in China is relatively lagging behind, they still have great potential for development. The Chinese government has been promoting the development of sustainable mobility and green modes of transportation, helping to promote the development of e-bikes by providing policy support and incentives, such as subsidies for electric vehicles and incentives for non-motorized travel. Secondly, as technology continues to advance, the performance and range of e-bikes will gradually improve, while the price may also decrease, which will further increase the attractiveness of e-bikes to consumers.

At present, Chinese brands have occupied a major position in the E-bike market in Europe and the United States. In 2022, China's e-bike exports reached 9,961,300 units, a year-on-year increase of 121%. Jinhua and other places in Zhejiang have also become important production bases for E-bikes in China.

"As awareness of environmental protection and sustainable development increases, so will the demand for green modes of transportation. As a green and low-carbon means of transportation, E-bike has great potential to meet the environmental protection needs of consumers. At present, we need to solve the cognitive problem, Chinese are no strangers to bicycles, many people have the ability to ride, and the market potential of E-bike undoubtedly exists. Yang Xinmiao told reporters, "Our advantage is reflected in the fact that many of our cities have good cycling paths, there are hundreds of millions of people who can ride, and some urban diseases will be effectively alleviated by combining cycling synthetic stones." It can replace cars for things like shorter distances, commuting, and intra-city mobility, and reduce the need for private cars and public transportation. This helps to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the efficiency of urban traffic. At the same time, due to the factors of social development, two-wheeled electric vehicles have developed to the current scale, and it is difficult for E-bike to enter the market as a 'latecomer', but it is also important to break the monopoly of two-wheeled electric vehicles. Through the needs of green and low-carbon social development, it is expected that the products will be more efficient and environmentally friendly. ”

Compared with traditional fuel, E-bike does not use fuel combustion to avoid the emission of harmful substances such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, and at the same time, the E-bike electric power booster system uses electric energy to drive, which is more energy efficient and has lower energy consumption than internal combustion engine vehicles. The electric power assist system can combine the pedal power of the rider with the power of the electric motor to reduce the energy consumption of the human body. This means that riders can get the same travel results with lower energy consumption, thus reducing overall energy consumption.

"One of the charms of e-bikes is that people can enjoy the fun of outdoor sports and improve their cardiopulmonary function and metabolism levels. At the same time, as a zero-emission, low-energy means of transportation, e-bikes have a positive impact on green travel and carbon emission reduction, not only helping to improve air quality and reduce tailpipe emissions, but also promote the development of sustainable transportation modes. Yang Xinmiao said.

With less than 1 kg of battery to support a comfortable ride of about 50 kilometers, foreign enthusiasts are "on the top". It remains to be seen whether E-bikes can overcome the current difficulties and enter the shopping lists of Chinese consumers.