
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Asia, where cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (e-scooters) are in high demand. Sales of electric motorbikes are booming in China and may soon boom in the US. This makes the market an attractive prospect for investors. However, it's important to note that the margins are not high because they are a commodity, so investing in the manufacturers of the bikes may not be the best idea unless a particular brand can generate high margins.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Types of electric bikes | eBikes, eScooters, electric motorcycles |
Popularity of eScooters | More popular in Asia, particularly China |
Typical cost of a Chinese eScooter | 3,000 yuan (under USD 500) |
Typical engine power | 500-800W |
Typical top speed | 35-55 kmph |
Typical range | 50-70 kms |
Typical use case | Short trips (under 30km) at low speeds (under 40kmph) |
Typical battery type | Lead acid |
Alternative battery type | Lithium ion (more expensive, lighter, longer-lasting) |
Price point of lithium-ion e-bikes | Around $1,000 USD |
Chinese government's goal for lithium-ion e-bikes | To make up 1/3 of the market within 5 years |
Potential investment strategy | Invest in a manufacturer highly concentrated on bicycles or electric bikes in particular |
Alternative investment strategy | Buy bulk from China and sell on Amazon |
What You'll Learn
Electric motorbike sales in China
Electric motorbike sales are booming in China, with the country being one of the largest producers of electric motorcycles in the world. There has been a surge in popularity due to government incentives and a growing awareness of the need for sustainable transportation.
There are several types of electric bikes, including ebikes, escooters, and electric motorcycles. In Asia, the cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (escooters) are more popular. The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around 3,000 yuan (just under USD 500), looks similar to a traditional scooter, and runs on about 500-800W engine power. Top speeds are typically 35-55 kmph, and the range is 50-70 kms.
The newest wave of e-scooters is using lithium-ion batteries to replace lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, lighter, and last longer. The Chinese Bicycle Association is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries that have a price point of around $1,000 USD. The government has a 5-year plan to grow higher-quality lithium battery bikes to be 1/3 of the bikes on the market.
Yadea is a large-scale integrated enterprise specializing in the manufacture and sales of electric vehicles in China. The company has been named one of the top 10 electric motorcycle manufacturers for four consecutive years. At the same time, it is also a certified electric vehicle brand, selling well in many countries. Yadea electric motorcycle has annual sales of about 4,671,800 units.
If you're looking to invest in the electric bike market, it might be worth looking into manufacturers that are highly concentrated on bicycles in general or electric bikes in particular. You could also consider seat manufacturers or a manufacturer that creates accessories. It might also be worth looking into buying bulk from China and gradually selling them on Amazon. However, it's important to note that bicycle sharing is gaining popularity in cities, but there are not high margins because they are a commodity, so unless a particular brand can generate high margins, it's probably not a great idea to invest in the manufacturers of the bikes.
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Electric bicycle sharing in cities
Electric bicycle sharing is gaining popularity in cities, although it is unlikely to ever be popular in less dense areas. There are not high margins because they are a commodity, so unless a particular brand can generate high margins due to the electric bicycle riding community being willing to pay a premium for their brand or something else unique (i.e. make them no longer a commodity), then it's probably not a great idea to invest in the manufacturers of the bikes.
There are several types of electric bikes: ebikes, escooters, and electric motorcycles. In Asia, the cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (escooters) are more popular. The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around 3,000 yuan, or just under USD 500, looks similar to a traditional scooter and runs on about 500-800W engine power, supported in most cases by lead acid batteries (cheaper, heavier, shorter-lasting with 300-400 charge cycles). Top speeds are typically 35-55 kmph, and the range is 50-70 kms. Batteries are often detachable for recharging. For now, the typical Chinese-made escooter is most suited to short trips (under 30km) at low speeds (under 40kmph).
Electric motorbike sales are booming in China and may soon boom in the US. The newest wave of e-scooters is using lithium-ion batteries to replace lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, lighter, and last longer. The PRC is focused on reducing the number of lead-acid e-bikes being produced. The Chinese Bicycle Association is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries that have a price point of around $1,000 USD. The government has a 5-year plan to grow higher-quality lithium battery bikes to be 1/3 of the bikes on the market.
If you want to invest in electric bicycles, you could find a manufacturer that is highly concentrated on bicycles in general or electric bikes in particular. You could also consider seat manufacturers or a manufacturer that creates accessories. Another option is to buy bulk from China and gradually sell them on Amazon.
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The electric bicycle boom
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Asia, where cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (e-scooters) are the most common. The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around USD 500, has a top speed of 35-55 kmph, and a range of 50-70 kms.
In China, the government is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries, which have a price point of around USD 1,000. The Chinese Bicycle Association has a 5-year plan to grow the market share of these higher-quality bikes to 1/3.
In the US, electric motorbike sales are also booming, and this trend is expected to continue. However, it's important to note that most companies manufacturing electric bikes, such as Yamaha, likely have them as a small portion of their overall revenue.
When considering investing in the electric bicycle boom, it's worth looking for manufacturers that are highly concentrated on bicycles or electric bikes in particular. This could include seat manufacturers or companies that create accessories. It might also be possible to buy bulk electric bikes from China and sell them on Amazon.
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The global electric motorcycle market
Electric motorbike sales are booming in China and may soon boom in the US. There are several types of electric bikes: ebikes, escooters, and electric motorcycles. In Asia, the cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (escooters) are more popular. The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around 3,000 yuan, or just under USD 500, and runs on about 500-800W engine power, supported by lead acid batteries. Top speeds are typically 35-55 kmph, and the range is 50-70 kms.
The newest wave of e-scooters is using lithium-ion batteries to replace lead acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are more expensive, lighter, and last longer. The PRC is focused on reducing the number of lead acid e-bikes being produced. The Chinese Bicycle Association is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries that have a price point of around $1,000 USD. The government has a 5-year plan to grow higher-quality lithium battery bikes to be 1/3 of the bikes on the market.
Bicycle sharing is gaining popularity in cities, although it will probably never be popular in less dense areas. There aren't high margins because they are a commodity, so unless a particular brand can generate high margins due to the electric bicycle riding community willing to pay a premium for their brand or something else unique, it's probably not a great idea to invest in the manufacturers of the bikes. Most of the companies making these that you can invest in (Yamaha, for example) probably have them as a rather small portion of their overall revenue.
If you could find a manufacturer that is highly concentrated on bicycles in general or electric bikes in particular, that's the route to take. Maybe even seat manufacturers or a manufacturer that creates accessories or some sort of bike bling. The "easiest" way might be to simply buy bulk from China and gradually sell them on Amazon.
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Electric bike manufacturers
Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in Asia, where the cheaper low-powered electric motorbikes (e-scooters) are more common. In China, electric motorbike sales are booming and this trend may soon spread to the US.
There are several types of electric bikes, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and electric motorcycles. The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around 3,000 yuan (just under USD 500) and runs on a 500-800W engine power, supported by lead acid batteries. However, the newest wave of e-scooters is using lithium-ion batteries, which are more expensive, lighter, and longer-lasting. The Chinese government is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries that have a price point of around $1,000 USD.
When considering investing in electric bikes, it is important to keep in mind that bicycle-sharing is gaining popularity in cities, but it is unlikely to become popular in less dense areas. Additionally, there are not high margins in this market, as electric bikes are a commodity. Unless a particular brand can generate high margins due to brand loyalty or uniqueness, it may not be a great idea to invest in the manufacturers of the bikes themselves. Most companies making electric bikes, such as Yamaha, probably have them as a small portion of their overall revenue.
However, there may be opportunities to invest in manufacturers that are highly concentrated on bicycles or electric bikes in particular. This could include seat manufacturers or companies that create accessories or other bike-related products. Another option could be to buy electric bikes in bulk from China and sell them on Amazon.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several types of electric bikes, including ebikes, escooters and electric motorcycles.
Electric bikes can use lead acid batteries, which are cheaper, heavier and shorter lasting, or lithium-ion batteries, which are more expensive, lighter and longer lasting.
Yamaha is one example of a company that manufactures electric bikes, but they probably only make up a small portion of their overall revenue. You could also look into investing in seat manufacturers or companies that create accessories for electric bikes.
The typical Chinese e-scooter costs around 3,000 yuan, or just under USD 500. The Chinese Bicycle Association is encouraging the production of more pedal-assist electric bicycles with lithium batteries that have a price point of around USD 1,000.