As a market-leading electric bike components supplier, Bosch can be viewed as the bellwether for the market. With that in mind, CI.N once again sits down with Bosch eBike Systems<\/a> CEO Claus Fleischer for an update on all things eBike\u2026<\/p>\n With the cycling marketplace on a tilt toward transport, Bosch rounded out a near complete portfolio of motor options for manufacturers with a late summer limited edition, magnesium-bodied motor aimed squarely at the competitive electric mountain bike space. It was, according to CEO of Bosch eBike Systems Claus Fleischer one of the final pieces of the puzzle to cover all bases on the dominant consumer facing side of its business.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is our super reactive, super sporty option that just gives raw performance out of the corners and over the obstacles. We have so many that just wish to enhance their training, improve their techniques and compete. The Performance CX line has been so successful, but the Performance Line CX Race Limited Edition delivers the best reactivity our engineers could manage, supporting the rider to 400% of the pedal input and increasing the ride dynamics.\u201d<\/p>\n At 2.75 kilograms, the new drive unit is the lightest drive in the entire Bosch portfolio and comes with an 85Nm torque kick that offers apparently \u2018explosive support\u2019 at even over 120rpm; all of course within the legal frameworks that govern motors in Europe.<\/p>\n It is, of course, a fringe product but indicative of the broad church that electric biking has become over time. With professional electric bike racing now very much establishing itself, the marketplace has the same depth, arguably even more, than the pedal cycle market and a mass appeal to customers as yet unreached. For bike shops that\u2019s great news.<\/p>\n Demand is of course one thing, but supply quite another and notoriously there have been stubborn gaps in the electric bike market that persists even as much of the rest of the marketplace has more than caught up. Uniquely placed in its size and thus industry demand, Bosch has been at the coal face of battling against other electronics giants to secure key component supply, not to mention being acutely aware of other raw material issues, new and potential conflicts and numerous other complications that have wreaked havoc on everything from price to delivery timetables.<\/p>\n Claus says of the current geo-political climate: \u201cUnpredictable events have been so commonplace, we\u2019ve had yet more Covid lockdowns in China and logistics issues where the ports have been affected. In an attempt to hedge against electronics shortages, we have tried to redesign our electronics to make it possible to use alternative components. This will continue into next year so our exposure is lowered. Most forecast a cooling of the economy into next year. This should reduce demand and we can therefore better improve the supply. When it comes to Taiwan, the situation is not so much about bicycle industry, but if a political conflict escalates. Of course, any trouble connecting with the semiconductor industry will bring an effect on bicycle industry. All this considered, we are now seeing investment into the USA and Europe in such components and as is generally the trend the bike industry will nearshore its production to get a better handle on supply.\u201d<\/p>\n Clearly impressed by the progress in Portugal<\/a>, where foreign and local investment has swelled to deliver a cluster of manufacturing firms in one locality, Claus suspects further joint ventures to establish in Europe ready for the what he perceives to be a promising longer-view outlook for the eBike market. The company has itself recently invested in Europe<\/a> in a big way.<\/p>\n One way or another, the market will seek to get a hold on pricing in order to keep true the notion that cycling does well out of a downturn as a result of its low cost. That is of course a tricky task when the world\u2019s markets are largely pointed to an inflationary recession, potentially a long one. So, given that electric bikes are inherently more expensive than pedal cycles, what\u2019s Claus\u2019s take on how his customers will face this challenge?<\/p>\n \u201cI think we are now seeing two effects in play. Number one, in Europe past six to eight years there has existed a high willingness to pay more torque and watt hour energy. So, a willingness to pay for more range has been driven from consumer demand into the development stronger motors and bigger batteries. That\u2019s increased every year. However, it looks like dealers and consumers have come to a natural limit, where within the framework of a 25km\/h EPAC and the available installation space the metrics cannot go further. So, with that we have a natural limit and it now begins a reversal toward less weight and less cost, which will also means less Nm and Wh. We see this demand for lower price points developing fast now with clients,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n While price might be the consumer\u2019s new priority, what\u2019s the Bosch view on other important progress being made to deliver the long-term vision where eBikes take over the streets? In a word, safety.<\/p>\n That\u2019s the hardware side, but being Bosch the thought train doesn\u2019t stop there. Claus is optimistic about technologies that make all transportation intelligent and able to communicate, in particular innovations that see vehicles like cars finally recognise and adapt to pedestrians and cyclists. \u201cOur solutions will be the change, we have been attending conferences to make sure we are part of this technological progress,\u201d he says, adding \u201cof course it\u2019s important that we continue to care too about infrastructure that promotes safety.\u201d<\/p>\n We\u2019re told, while on the subject of innovations on the software side that by the time this issue is printed Bosch will have made an announcement on a new navigation technology.<\/p>\n With technological progress new doors open and so with such great focus suddenly on the fleet marketplace, we wonder when will Bosch really step up its B2B offerings?<\/p>\n Claus says it\u2019s coming: \u201cWe launched during Eurobike bike the Connect module alarm function and GPS for fleet operators. Mainly we have focused on consumer market and private personal use and not so much on professional and commercial. We will expand our B2B offerings in future with connectivity solutions developing, there are notably more requests from the industry for Bosch to be involved.\u201d<\/p>\n Still very much in a state of constant evolution, the product and the limits of design are being challenged frequently and ever-more from those from outside of the bike world. It\u2019s not always entirely welcome<\/a> when the limits of legislation are tested<\/a>, so we ask the Bosch eBike Systems CEO\u2019s take on recent clampdowns on those sending to market product that sits outside of standard electric bike regulation. As was the case last time we interviewed the Bosch eBike Systems boss, his viewpoint has remained robust; protect the status of an eBike as a bicycle at all costs.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is very important that EU commission and UK all have the same common understanding that EPACs will cut off of 25kmh and remain categorised as a bicycle. This is super important because the bicycle as means of transportation gives so much freedom to operate and expands a person\u2019s horizons of where they can ride and even out in nature it\u2019s expansive for people. This freedom is so important and it brings high acceptance for cycling. We must not in any way reduce the consumer fascination and perception of an eBike, so we clearly draw this line in the sand to preserve the market. Anything above and beyond goes for type approval, but this is a separate discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n Where they may be some willingness in discussion is around the weight limits on cargo bikes, where at present 250kg is a ceiling. For loads up to this marker Claus says that use of bicycle components works just fine, but where those boundaries are being tested (and they frequently are) heavier duty components are required, along with a more built-up chassis. Here is where new type approval discussions may be useful, says Claus.<\/p>\n The other big conversation that the bike industry is increasingly engaged with is sustainability and the electric bike\u2019s role in challenging for a share of reduced car trips, whether using a combustion engine or the supposedly clean electric car. Claus is keen to put into context the environmental differences.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we compare the CO2 footprint of a bike, eBike and car of any engine type, then the CO2 lifecycle of the bicycle and eBike are at least close together. The combustion engine and battery electric car are by a factor of 100 to 200 worse for the planet. The difference between a bike and eBike is comparably so small. Generally speaking, if you use an eBike for 450km instead of the car you have compensated for the CO2 emissions of the car\u2019s production,\u201d says Claus.<\/p>\n In recent years the batteries put to use in electric bike products have steadily reduced down the levels of precious materials, with cobalt usage down 65% over the years when comparing earlier batteries to the products Bosch now offers.<\/p>\n He concludes: \u201cWe try to reduce the weight of bikes, but also in doing so the material usage. As a company we now look very much at whole lifespan of components, from raw material, through shipment, usage and then end of life. Aside to this, we have a specific programme for efficient and low-waste logistics, which is constantly reducing plastics and creating more eco-friendly packaging. We have a project team set up working directly with our engineers that design sustainability in to product before, not after launch. That\u2019s a process that\u2019s continual and changing the way the entire industry produces products.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Bosch](\"https:\/\/cyclingindustry.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/bosch-abs.jpg)
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