The world’s largest producer of bicycles, Giant, has announced that it is moving into the electric car business.
The company already produces a range of electric-assist bicycles and e-scooters and the factory it intends to build in Kunshan, which will be its sixth facility in China, will have an annual capacity of 1.5 million bicycles. However, it is also being designed with a view to producing electric cars.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The explosion in car ownership in China is forcing a move towards mass electric transportation.”
Electric bicycles in China
Such is the popularity of electric bicycles in China that Guangzhou in South China fears being overrun by electric bicycles and has tried unsuccessfully to ban the vehicles, whilst Yizhuang late last year started a campaign to reduce their number.
Sales of electric bicycles are up 30 per cent in Britain, but the numbers pale into insignificance when compared with China.
The country has an estimated 120 million electric-powered bicycles, many of which are able to travel at speeds of 25mph and over. The term electric bicycle is a catch-all term and many of the machines sold in China would be described in Britain as electric scooters. In Britain, machines such as these that exceed 15mph using their motor require an MOT and insurance and their rider to have a driving licence.
Electric bicycle insurance
Bicycles are vulnerable to theft and in the case of an accident you may need to seek compensation or even deal with a claim by someone else. Cycle insurance from the ETA includes new-for-old replacement, third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, they will even come out and recover you and your bike.
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