An innovative solution taking the world by storm is new energy vehicles (NEV) — cars that rely on electric or traction motors powered by batteries, solar panels, fuel cells or generators designed to convert fuel into electricity.
In this segment, electric bike sales jumped by an incredible 145% from 2019 to 2020 alone, according to a market research firm. It’s a nearly $244 billion industry as of last year, and there’s no sign of a slowdown. Utilising E-bikes will not only benefit the environment, but they may also very well enhance people’s lifestyle—especially for travelling and commuting habits change following the global pandemic and shift of work commuting.
A survey indicated that people are buying electric bicycles to reduce car trips. The survey shows that 28% of the survey respondents said the users had bought an e-bike specifically to replace driving a car. And many other reasons buyers listed for wanting an e-bike—including carrying cargo and kids, avoiding parking and traffic, and environmental concerns—also indicate a desire to get out from behind the wheel.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, a New Zealand-based electric utility bike start-up has recently raised $10 million to fund a global expansion focused on the U.S. market and scale up its commercial subscription service business.
The hero product of the EV company is an all-wheel-drive electric motorbike that looks like a dirt bike but rides like a moped. What began as a way for farmers to get around pastures and farms easily, safely, and quickly has evolved into an urban version of the bike that caters to fleet enterprise customers, gig economy workers, and city riders.
The 2X2 is built on an intelligent platform that includes vehicle and power systems, cloud connectivity, and data analysis, allowing the subscription model to work in conjunction with fleet management systems.
Other features of the E-bike include:
- A strong alloy frame has attachment points to secure and carry any kind of gear. The 2X2 is so lightweight, users can hitch it on the back of the car for easy transport.
- It is lightweight with no clutch, a low centre of gravity, and a step-through frame, the 2X2 is easy to ride, followed by multi-stage regen and adjustable suspension deliver responsive control.
- Inherently safe and packed with security features, whether in the town or country.
- It includes near-silent motors that let users enjoy the sounds around without adding any noise pollution of their own. No gas. No emissions. No noise.
- Take control with real-time performance data on the bike and customise users riding experience via Bluetooth connected to the E-bike App.
The company sees subscriptions as the future of the EV industry, not only because they offer a high chance of profitability, but also because they are far more environmentally sustainable. As it expands this component of its business model, the company hopes to take the lead in the circular economy space.
In an article, OpenGov Asia reported that New Zealand is said to be one of the world’s worst performers on emission increases and meeting its climate targets will necessitate a shift in its current trajectory. The country’s emissions rose by 57% between 1990 and 2018 – the second greatest increase of all industrialised countries. Earlier this year, data showed that New Zealand’s emissions had increased by 2% in 2018-2019.
In contrast, with a robust national conversation on carbon emissions becoming increasingly clamorous, the CEO and co-founder mentioned that farms’ transition to new technology will invariably be influenced by how clean it is. The company, on the other hand, is wary of virtue signalling with their electric bikes, especially if the energy used to charge them comes from unsustainable sources.