CycleElectric.com - Newsletter July 2002

CycleElectric Newsletter July 2002

Will Chinese Lithium Ion be the Energy Source of Light Electric Vehicles?

In this issue:
Lithium Ion from China
Evolution of Chinese Electric Bikes

This newsletter is sent to people who are working in or interested in the light electric bicycle business - electric bicycles, scooters, and electric motorcycles. This newsletter is written and edited by Ed Benjamin of CycleElectric International and reflects the business interests and opinions of Benjamin. To be removed from this list, send a reply message with "remove" in the title line. Benjamin will read and respond to any emails sent to ebenjamin@cycleelctric.com

Chinese Lithium Ion - High Performance at a low price
Most electric bikes use Lead Acid batteries, and while they are barely adequate, most consumers cite inadequate batteries as the largest problem with their electric bike. NiMH has been used by several companies, and represents a significant improvement at a modest price. But Lithium Ion has performance advantages (and some performance challenges) that have attracted constant interest. But the price has been prohibitive, and none of the major Li-Ion companies have pursued the small electric vehicle business.
Li-Ion also has serious marketing advantages. Consumers like the idea, and are willing to pay more for Li-Ion.
A recent visit to Beijing Continental Battery Company in Beijing China has shown the author a glimpse of a future where electric bicycles, motorcycles, cars and buses will have a viable Li-Ion battery available.
Continental Battery is a remarkable company. With significant investment, USA educated management, sophisticated technology, state of the art production equipment - low prices, and cell sizes that work for electric vehicles.
Continental Director Zhao Shan explained that Continental Battery has been selected as the primary battery supplier for the Beijing city project to put 40,000 electric buses and 60,000 electric taxies on the road by 2008. The intention is to show the world that Beijing has the most advanced and cleanest city transportation when the world comes to the Beijing Olympics.
This puts Continental in the forefront of what will probably be the main event in electric transportation in this decade.
Continental Battery is faced with the enormous task of ramping up from the current modest high tech production facility to one that can handle the huge numbers of cells needed before 2008. Investment from Hong Kong, USA, and China has gone into the plant so far, and they are courting major USA industrial partners and investors.
For more information on this company, send an email to ebenjamin@cycleelctric.com, and it will be forwarded to Zhao Shan.

Evolution of Chinese Electric Bikes
The sales of electric bikes in China continue to climb. Now more that 300 assemblers are reported in China now. These range from tiny companies assembling small numbers of bikes to major bicycle companies from Taiwan.
Good reports are being heard about Suzhou Small Antelope, Cranes, Shanghai Elite and T&Di.
The trend in vehicle development seems to be in two directions. A "conventional" electric bike at an ever lower price. (2250 RMB or less) and towards "bikes" that have longer wheelbases, decks to place your feet, skirt guards, and…pedals that can be used…if necessary.