BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Car brand Smart has gone one better than automobile rivals by producing an electric bike for consumers.
Now on sale in the UK for the first time, the Mercedez Benz-owned brand is retailing its ‘Smart ebike’ at £2,495 including VAT. The bike comes with a two-year warranty.
Smart is not the first car firm to produce an e-bike, but earlier efforts – such as Vauxhall’s concept e-bike RADe – have not so commonly been put into production and gone onto the market.
BikeBiz asked Smart why it felt the time was now right to launch an electric bicycle: “The smart ebike is the logical continuation of the smart strategy of urban mobility and electric mobility in an interesting new business area. The smart ebike fits in well with the brand and is a member of the electric drive family. The ebike is smart’s reaction to a changed customer mindset.”
Using BionX technology, the bike was designed with German manufacturer Grace and features a ‘maintenance-free’ carbon belt drive. A 200 watt BionX electric motor in the rear wheel hub with four power levels of assistance.
LED lights are switched on and off via the BionX control panel, mobile devices can be charged via USB while cycling and the e-bike battery can be charged either on or off the bike. The aluminium-framed Smart ebike has 26-inch wheels and is available in two colour combinations. The Smart electric bike is available exclusively through the Smart retail network from the end of May.
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