Published

GM Readies E-Bikes

General Motors Co. plans to introduce a pair of electrified bicycles next year.    

Share

General Motors Co. plans to introduce a pair of electrified bicycles next year.

Riders can operate the bikes in full electric mode, pedal assist or manually.

Both e-bikes are compact, and one can be folded into a very small size when not in use. GM’s own staff created the proprietary electric propulsion system used by both bikes. Both designs feature rechargeable front and rear LED lights. 

GM says the project blends its electrification engineering know-how, design expertise and automotive-grade testing with input from experts in the bike industry.

The carmaker is holding a public contest to name the new e-bike brand. The winner will receive $10,000 and nine others will each receive $1,000.

Ford and several other carmakers and suppliers also are developing e-bikes.

GM hasn’t specified if it will sell the bicycles directly to consumers or market them through a bike-sharing venture. More than 100,000 bicycles were available in U.S. ride-sharing fleets at the end of last year, according to the National Assn. of City Transportation Officials.

RELATED CONTENT

  • Multiple Choices for Light, High-Performance Chassis

    How carbon fiber is utilized is as different as the vehicles on which it is used. From full carbon tubs to partial panels to welded steel tube sandwich structures, the only limitation is imagination.

  • Mustang Changes for 2018

    On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.

  • On Fuel Cells, Battery Enclosures, and Lucid Air

    A skateboard for fuel cells, building a better battery enclosure, what ADAS does, a big engine for boats, the curious case of lean production, what drivers think, and why Lucid is remarkable

Gardner Business Media - Strategic Business Solutions