What are Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Metz, Marquardt, Fendt, Seat, Mahle and of course Volkswagen doing about the final mile?
At the Smart City Expo in Barcelona, Seat introduced a joint venture with Segway, the eXS KickScooter.
Car makers are across the board looking to new ways to transport people on shorter journeys. GM and Ford have now acquired an two wheel manufacturing companies with VW already launching its e-Cargo bike and Peugeot the exciting LEV.
Ford have done a joint venture with Dahon to make folding bikes, tailored to fit the boots of Fords and at the same time Ford bought the scooter company Spin, a company that already has scooters in eight cities in the US.
General Motors is developing ebikes with Hyundai only just behind. Mercedes Benz and BMW both tried nearly 20 years ago, but battery technology and acceptability where not ready. Additionally, the trend toward urbanisation of city living was not yet in full swing with charging facilities.
The first Auto invasion…
Rather than the car makers themselves, the first to the ebike, e-transport market have been the component/parts makers. The big player Bosch have been followed by Continental, Brose and now Metz and Fendt.
Mahle buys its way into the ebike market
Mahle has purchased the Spannish ebike company Ebikemotion, a ready to go ebike company with many of its own technologies in place. With investment from Mahle, this could be a big player.
VW launches a cargo bike
Not much is known about the technology involved in the VW cargo bike, except that it is capable of carrying up to 100kg of load.
For more info on electric cars and bikes, check out some of the reviews below…
