Valeo e-bike drive: First 14 customers after 14 months

The supplier and technology group Valeo has managed to secure its first customer orders for an e-bike drive system. Just 14 months after introducing the drive assistance technology for bicycles, 14 customers have already ordered the system, including La Manufacture Française du Cycle (through their brand Sunn), Ateliers Heritagebike, VUF Bikes, Cycleurope, and FUELL. The technology combines efficiency, intelligence, comfort, robustness, and user-friendliness in one solution, according to the promise.

In December 2020, the Valeo Group announced its intention to revolutionize the drive of electric bicycles with its 48V system with automatic transmission. Just under a year later, the company took the next step and plans to start mass production of its technology in May 2022. The currently good order volume is expected to result in the delivery of more than 100,000 units to customers by 2024, the provider forecasts.

Derived from the automotive industry

The 48V technology was originally developed for the automotive industry and adapted to the requirements of the bicycle industry. Assembly will take place at the Valeo plant in L'Isle d'Abeau (near Lyon), France. The market launch of the e-bikes will be accompanied by the aftermarket sector. The service will be present in all distribution networks used by bicycle manufacturers and will provide the necessary technical support wherever the bicycles are in use, facilitating the monitoring and maintenance of the drive system, further promises the company.

Fully integrated e-bike drive system

Valeo's e-bike technology integrates a 48V electric motor and an adaptive 7-speed automatic transmission into a single module in the bottom bracket. The system was developed in partnership with the French company Effigear. The electric assistance is intended to be suitable for all types of bicycles – especially trekking bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. The provider sees a strong trend in cities where increasingly emission-free zones are being created, investments are being made in cycling infrastructure, and sharing fleets are being provided. These measures, as well as the use of e-bikes, support the decarbonization of mobility and the transformation of urban traffic, according to the supplier.