http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China_Business/LE07Cb01.htmlChina, the world's long-time leader in conventional bicycle production, is now the dominant producer of electric-powered versions - or e-bikes.
An estimated 120 million domestically produced e-bikes are in use on the country's roads today, and somewhere between 700,000 and 800,000 e-bikes operate in Beijing alone. No other nation comes close to this total - an estimated 200,000 e-bikes are being used across the entire United States
E-bike sales are surging - up 8.2% last year to 23.69 million units - as traditional pedal-powered bike production in China declines, tumbling 13.2% last year to 76.06 million bicycles, according to Ma Zhongchao, head of the China Bicycle Association (CBA). <1>
Exports of Chinese-made pedal-driven bikes fell 18.2% in 2009 to 46.12 million - reflecting in part falling demand due to the global financial crisis. Foreign sales jumped in January this year by 21.4% from a year earlier, to 4.08 million bicycles. China's e-bike exports also declined in 2009, down 33% to 370,000 units, CBA figures show. <2>
E-bikes, which combine pedal power with battery-based propulsion, make up the majority of the market for electric two-wheeled vehicles (E2WVs). More than 466 million E2WVs will be sold worldwide from 2010 to 2016 and 57% will be e-bikes, according to Dave Hurst, a senior analyst at Colorado-based Pike Research, and the lead author of a 2010 report on the sector.
-snip-
Major well-known bicycle brands outside China, including US-based SRAM and Trek along with Taiwan's Giant Manufacturing, have recently introduced e-bikes or e-bike components, while in India, Hero Electric has helped to launch an e-bike sector, with sales in the country expected to more than double this year from 100,000 in 2009. <3>
-snip-
----------------------------
US manufacturing uptick? jobs? helping heal the environment - yes.
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
