Hello and thank you for your question.
I did extensive research and assembled the best available internet
data, which is unlikely to be authoritative or complete, but will give
you some insight into the electric bicycle market in the U.S. The
reasons for this are that this market is still in the embryonic stages
of development and the e-bike industry in North America does not
collect statistics.
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In an EV World article (1999) titled How Many Electric Bikes Will Be
Sold? by Ed Benjamin, I located the following numbers for the electric
bicycle market in the U.S. These estimates are based on claims by bike
makers.
Year USA Europe China Japan
1998 Estimated 25,000 35,000 40,000 270,000
1999 Estimated 50,000 65,000 60,000 350,000
2000 Prediction 120,000 120,000 200,000 500,000
USA Electric Bike Companies YTD October 1999 in order of Unit Sales
Name Type of product Comments
Zap E-bike, scooters 35,000 units world wide
USPD E-bike 10,000 units USA
EV Global E-bike 5,000 units
USA ETC E-bike 2,000 units
Schwinn/USPD E-bike Included in USPD units
Montague/USPD E-bike Included in USPD units
Trek/PAS License E-bike 300 units
BAT E-bike <200 units
Rabbitt Tool E-bike Not yet
Ibike E-bike Not yet
Condor E-Bike Not yet
Source: EV World Website
http://www.evworld.com/archives/reports/ebike_growth.html
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In addition, I assembled many worthy links to articles and reports
relating the electric bicycle market in the U.S. Each one is a small
source of information that finally will give you a better view of this
market.
Jay's Journal = Predicting the Future and Eating Ground Glass!
A monthly column by the bicycle industry authority, Jay Townley.
June, 2000
« Electric Bikes, or EBs, have been the focus of a great deal of
attention over the past five years, perhaps more so than any other new
bicycle product segment. Here again the industry in North America does
not collect statistics, although most of the rest of the world does.
Electric Bikes Worldwide 2000 by Frank E. Jamerson, Ph.D., the world's
leading expert and author on EBs, reports estimated 1999 sales of
150,000 units in Japan, 10,000 units in Taiwan, 60,000 units in Europe
and 50,000 units in the U.S. The big deal with EBs is the interest and
involvement of the automobile industry and other companies from
outside the traditional bicycle industry. Lee Iacocca is the CEO of a
new company, EV Global, and TH!NK Mobility, a subsidiary of Ford Motor
Co., entered the market this year. EBs are being marketed as
accessories to automobiles in order to provide short-distance
mobility.” http://www.bicyclesb2b.com/htm/editor/jays/articles/jay00_06.htm
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In the Pedalec and E-bike 2001 Global Congress Ms. Susanne Bruesch
summarizes here the recommendations she would make to a client that
requested a strategic business analysis of the E-Bike market relative
to entering only the U.S. Market with an electric bicycle product.
“The U.S. E-Bike market going into 2001 is in the embryonic stage of
development. Electric scooters need to be separated from E-Bikes for
purposes of any objective evaluation of the market. The market size is
not quantified, but estimates range from 40,000 to 80,000 E-Bike units
in 2000. Excluding scooters, conventional wisdom in the industry leans
toward the lower estimate of 40,000 units for E-Bikes in 2000. No
clear target market is apparent in current E-Bike marketing efforts,
but it is recommended that any new product launches focus on the 45 to
74-year-old age group, with the ideal stage-one strategic target
market made up of households consisting of married couples, with a
mean age of 62 and an average household income of US$ 75,000. There
may not be a clearly defined or appreciable market for E-Bikes in the
U.S. today, but there is the foundation for strategic development and
for companies to strategically position for the E-Bike market that is
waiting to broach going forward.”
http://www.typ.com.tw/e-bike/p5.htm
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"Pedal Help” published in TIME Magazine, Apr 23, 2001
2While the $1,000 price tag is still a deterrent for most recreational
riders, bike shops around the country are seeing a boom in interest.
Sales of electric bikes have climbed from just over 1,000 in 1995 to
30,000 last year. Volume is expected to hit 120,000 this year, thanks
to growing interest not only among baby boomers discovering they’re
not so young as they once were but also among teens and young adults.”
http://www.lightwheels.com/press/press_time_april_23_2001.html
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In a May 30th, 2001 article, “What are the Numbers of Electric Bikes
sold in the world?” http://www.ebicycles.com/ebicycles/news/news64.htm
Sales of Electric Bicycles in the USA are thought to be in the area of
25,000 - 30,000 units for the last 12 months.
There are no consistent reporting practices, and no central place that
information can be obtained. CycleElectric asks for estimates from
manufacturers and then companies the numbers with various component
makers and import/export information.
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Are E-Bikes The Next Big Thing? by Nate Jackson Pocatello,
September 8, 1999
Bike industry consultant Ed Benjamin believes he has seen the future
and it is the electric bicycle.
In the United States, ZAPWORLD.COM and Currie Technologies have become
the major players. Benjamin said Currie may sell 5,000 units this year
and is gaining on Zap.
http://www.ebicycles.com/ebicycles/news/news117.htm
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Bike Power: Tired Legs Get A Leg Up" by Catherine Greenman
From New York Times, April 19, 2001
Most electric bike companies who sell in the United States estimate
that their sales are less than 15,000 units a year. "We've sold about
11,000 bikes so far, mostly in California and Florida, but it's pretty
disappointing," Mr. Iacocca said. And Hanson, vice president of Think
Mobility, the electric bicycle and vehicle division of the Ford Motor
Company, said the company had sold 7,000 to 10,000 bikes since they
were introduced last August.
http://www.lightwheels.com/press/press_nyt_april_19_2001.html
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EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Iacocca on the record
Iacocca peddles new sets of wheels
Ex-Chrysler CEO promotes line of electric bikes, cars
By Bill Vlasic / The Detroit News© Copyright 2002 The Detroit News
"You have got to create awareness and educate people," he said. "In
the last three years I probably sold 80-to-90 percent of every
electric bike sold in the world. So I've got market share. But guess
what? There's no market. You've got to create it."
Iacocca founded EV Global Motors Co. five years ago to market electric
bicycles and branched out last year with Lido Motors USA, a
partnership that builds so-called neighborhood electric vehicles.
Source: The Detroit news 2002
http://www.detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0203/19/a01-443919.htm
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An interesting 24 page market analysis from the Kellogg Graduate
School of Management
http://www.kellogg.nwu.edu/faculty/kozinets/htm/MKTG465/E-Bike_Paper.doc
Ford Motor Company: Electric Bicycles
New Product Market Entry Analysis
New Product/Service Introduction
March 2000
by Becca Bloomfield, Kate Downes, Elena Rodon, Bill Schumacher, Dan
Schumann
A short excerpt from the above report:
“In the U.S., the market is fragmented among small entrepreneurs with
low budgets and no clear marketing strategy. Despite 65 million
bicycle owners in the U.S. and 16 million new bicycles sales annually,
e-bikes have minimal penetration into the U.S. bicycle market. In
1998, 8,000 e-bikes were sold to increase cumulative U.S. sales to
25,000 e-bikes to date. (.. ) The most notable e-bike competitors are
ZAPWORLD.COM, Currie Technologies, and EVGlobal Motors.”
If the above link doesn’t work you can see this analysis in the Google
cache. http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:MD5QV6KyWPAC:www.kellogg.nwu.edu/faculty/kozinets/htm/MKTG465/E-Bike_Paper.doc+Ford+Motor+Company:+Electric+Bicycles+%2B+kellogg&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
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Zikes! Here Come the Electric Bikes by EV World (24 July 1999)
“While there are maybe a half-dozen electric bicycle makers in the US
(and most actually buy their bicycles from Taiwan and add their
proprietary electric-drive components there or when they arrive in the
US), Benjamin says there are more than twice as many manufacturers in
Europe and 200-250 in China. “
The niche:
“Beside the more easily identifiable markets of Baby-Boomers and the
retired, he also sees electric bicycles becoming popular with youth
and that they'll discover things to do with electrics that we've not
even dreamed of. He also thinks there's a "sleeper" market about to
awaken among low income workers who man the fast food chains and hotel
housekeeping staffs of the world. He said you'll see a surprising
number of bicycles behind these types of establishments, and that
inexpensive electric bicycles will empower these people, who can't
afford a car and car insurance, registration fees and taxes or may
have lost their licenses. "I think we're going to see the electric
bicycle become the preferred vehicle of the person who uses a
two-wheeler for transportation in America."
http://www.evworld.com/databases/printit.cfm?storyid=117
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Is There An Electric Bike In YOUR Future?
“In the U.S. the "bicycle business" has limited itself to customers
who were willing to, or even wanted to, sweat and exercise on a
bicycle. That's about 3 million of the 265 million people who live in
the U.S. Given that about 20% of human beings cannot ride a bike,
because of age, illness or injury, that leaves about 209 million
people who could be, but are not, bike customers. Since you do not
have to sweat, and the electric bike (EB) is easier to ride and more
comfortable than a conventional bike, this huge number of people
represents a market for this technology. The market for EBs could be
twenty times the market for bicycles. Remember that every time the
bicycle has become easier to pedal, or more comfortable, sales have
boomed.”
The market segments for the electric bikes not only include the
recreational rider, but seniors and aging baby boomers as well.
Commuters, folks coming off the welfare rolls who cannot afford a car,
and fitness riders will be glad to hear about electric bikes.
“One of the most significant markets to date has been police and other
law enforcement agencies. EBs are also proving popular with meter
readers, park rangers, golf course workers, industrial users, indoor
plant messengers, and countless other categories of workers. Delivery
in traffic congested areas is already a major use of the bicycle.
Electric bikes will allow those workers to be more productive.”
://www.google.cl/search?q=cache:f2aUs4zNvegC:www.powerassist.com/earth.htm+US+Market+for+Electric+Bicycles+%2Bmillions+units&hl=es&ie=UTF-8
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Major Players
ZAPWORLD.COM
http://www.zapworld.com/
ZAP, the most polished of the presenters, is the industry leader in
electric bikes and scooters, with 30,000 sold so far. In the
police-bike arena, ZAP said more than 200 U.S. law-enforcement
agencies are using its electric bikes.
Incorporated in 1994, ZAPWORLD.COM is America's largest manufacturer
of electric bicycles and power-assist kits. ZAP, which stands for Zero
Air Pollution, provides affordable electric vehicles for everyday use.
They offer both the most versatile power-assist system available and
the broadest product line. Their products, already sold by over 100
retailers across the country, are also offered through franchise
outlets.
http://www.electric-bikes.com/zap.htm
Currie Technologies
Currie is the leader in electric bikes and scooters. Their system is
also used on Schwinn Sierra Electro Drive bikes. The company is based
on technology, quality, and service offering "Affordable
transportation that's environmentally friendly." The combination of a
solid product, established and growing company, and large number of
current users ensures your investment will pay off for years to come.
In short, Currie products offer exceptional "bang for the buck".
http://www.currietech.com/home.html
EV Global Motors Co.
The new Light Electric Vehicle (LEV), offers a line of e-bikes that
use state-of-the-art electric hub motors from Heinzmann.
“Created by product visionary Lee Iacocca, E-Bike represents just the
beginning of an electric transportation system that will make our
planet a better place to live. With all the benefits of clean, quiet,
electric power, plus world-class design and engineering; the E-Bike is
the world's most advanced new breed of vehicle.”
http://www.evglobal.com/
Giant Bicycle Co.
“Lafree is the first bicycle to incorporate the patented Variable
Power Control (VPC) feature, giving the rider freedom to apply power
to the pedals when and where desired. With a simple twist of the wrist
to Lafree's handlebar throttle, the bicycle instantly delivers
increased force to the pedals, easily conquering steep hills and
strong head-winds.”
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/
Electric Transportation Co.
http://www.etcbikes.com/
Elebike Co. Ltd. / Electric Bike Systems, Inc.
http://www.electricbikessys.com/
TH!NK (An Enterprise of Ford Motor Company) recently restructured and
dropped the electric bikes.
Sources: http://www.electric-bikes.com/others.htm#BEST%20BETS
http://www.calstart.org/panda/homepage_news/991119_ebikeshoot.html
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An Ebicycle publication dated March 21, 2001:
In the USA, Zap was the first, shipping in 1994, followed by EBC
(Electric Bicycle Company) the makers of the EV Warrior. The Charger,
Trek Electrek, and USPD bikes followed the EV Warrior in 1995-97.
This industry has been so volatile that the only survivors of the
earliest models are the Zap and USPD units. The Giant LaFree entered
the USA in 1997. EVGlobal started shipping in 1998.
http://www.ebicycles.com/ebicycles/news/news61.htm
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“Electric bicycle, moped, scooter and motorcycle producers seem to
appear and disappear more frequently than the producers of larger
vehicles, probably because start-up costs are relatively low, but
market penetration is difficult, especially in North America for such
vehicles.”
Last updated 2002.10.01
http://www.econogics.com/ev/evbikes.htm
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According to Batteries International April 2000 by the end of 2003
there will be 400,000 units of electric bicycles in the U.S.
Source:Batteries International (See chart on page 2)
http://www.batteriesinternational.com/Issue%2043%20pdf's/43bat13.pdf
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Iacocca Affirms Market for Electric Bikes ZAP Sells 20,000th Unit
1999
“The Time article, which cites ZAP as "a U.S. market leader," predicts
the U.S. market for electric bikes will double this year to a total of
30,000 units, and that the world market already exceeds 300,000 units
per year. ZAP has delivered over 20,000 units of its electric bikes,
kits and scooters since 1994.”
http://www.mhtx.com/media_center/leeiacocca.htm
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The following are publications, books, reports and articles that
address the electric bicycle market. They are available for purchase
at the Cycle Electric website:
http://www.cycleelectric.com/en/publications.html
Electric Vehicles are Profitable, Where, Why, What Next? by Peter and
Graham Harrop. USD 2000
Electric Vehicle Markets, Players, Forecasts, by Peter Harrop. USD 800
Over 600 Electric Vehicle Manufacturers and Their Future, by Peter
Harrop. USD 800
Electric Bicycles Worldwide by Frank Jamerson, 2000. USD 450
This 120 page report includes:
- Electric Bikes/Scooters Technology Update
- Market Assessment
- All Electric" Bike Shops
- New Batteries Extend Range
- New Motor Technologies Improve Electric Bike Performance
- Market Predictions for 2005, 2013 and Beyond
http://www.cycleelectric.com/en/publications.html
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Search Criteria:
U.S. market for electric bikes units forecast
electric bicycles sold in the U.S. 2001 2002
US market for electric bicycles +units
U.S. market “electric bikes” units
U.S. electric bike market forecast
currie Global Motors market share electric bike market
total e-bikes sold "market share" +units
EB major players U.S.
ZAP electric bikes
I hope the information and resources I compiled provide you with a
better understanding of the electric bicycle market in the U.S.
Best Regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
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