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BERTRAND MAROTTE
globeandmail.com

MONTREAL — Dorel Industries Inc. is betting that fear of soaring gas prices and a new battery technology will propel its latest electric bicycle further into the transportation mainstream.

It’s counting on a cutting-edge lithium-ion battery from Toshiba Corp. to make its e-bike - the Schwinn Tailwind - the breakthrough product that will truly crack open a market that is already growing rapidly.

To be introduced today at an international bike expo in Las Vegas, the Tailwind’s claim to fame is that it takes only 30 minutes to recharge the battery, compared with the four hours or more required to recharge any standard e-bike now available.

Montreal-based Dorel is also claiming bragging rights to an industry-leading 3,000 to 5,000 full recharges before the battery has to be replaced, compared with the standard 1,000.

The bike - which has a sleek, retro-chic look - has a cruising speed of about 25 kilometres an hour and weighs in at a relatively light 20 kilograms.

Officials at Dorel - which also makes high-end and mid-priced bicycles, strollers, car-seats and assemble-at-home furniture - say those selling points and others are more than sufficient to overcome consumer resistance to one potential sticking point: a suggested retail price of $3,200 (U.S.).

“This is right in line with the premium prices that are out there,” said Bruno Maier, executive vice-president and general manager of Dorel’s Cannondale Sports Group.

Schwinn’s existing lineup of six e-bike models runs along a price range from $1,400 to $2,100 and the company can barely keep up with demand, Mr. Maier said in a telephone interview from Las Vegas.

Albert Katzberg, the owner of Toronto bicycle retailer Inova Diversified Inc., isn’t convinced the Tailwind’s price won’t be an issue.

A $3,200 price tag is “a big of a drawback for most people. That’s not to say it’s not well worth it, given the growing concerns about the environment,” he said.

Mr. Maier says Dorel sees a bright future for the e-bike based on three key elements: high gas prices and the desire to lower carbon footprints; increased concerns over personal health and fitness; and growing frustration with urban traffic congestion.

As for the e-bike market as a whole, it is forecast to explode.

Via globeandmail.com

Bicycle manufacturer Schwinn announced their new Tailwind eBike today at the Interbike Trade Show in New York City. The Tailwind electric bicycle utilizes Toshiba’s Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) technology to deliver an industry-leading 30-minute recharge time.

According to Schwinn, the Tailwind electric bike represents the next generation of eBike and will be available in early 2009 at a suggested retail price of $3,199.99(US).

The Tailwind (like all Schwinn electric bicycles) is a so-called eBike hybrid and can be ridden in either motor-assist mode or as a conventional bike. The eight-speed Tailwind utilizes a lightweight, Schwinn-designed 6000 series aluminum alloy frame and an SR Suntour NEX-4610 suspension fork with lock-out.

The electric motor in the Tailwind is housed in the hub of the front wheel, an innovation found in all Schwinn electric bike models. In addition, all Schwinn eBike models (including the Tailwind) utilize the Plug N’ Drive removable battery pack which is built into stylishly designed rear bike rack systems, allowing riders to quickly detach the battery for recharging.

It is projected that Tailwind owners will realize an industry leading 2,000 recharge lifecycles with the eBike versus the industry standard of 1,000 charges before needing to replace the battery. Tailwind riders will find they can ride 25 to 30 miles per charge (depending upon such factors as climate, rider weight and terrain). The Tailwind also comes with a 20,000-mile or two-year limited warranty.

From the press release:

“The Tailwind sets a new standard of excellence in the eBike industry,” said Bruno Maier, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Cannondale Sports Group. “Through our new cooperation with Toshiba Corporation, the Tailwind is powered by the world’s most innovative and fastest charging battery, a battery that can be recharged in 30 minutes through a standard electrical outlet (or as little as five minutes through a commercial charger) versus the industry standard of four hours or more. That’s one-eighth the time or better of competing eBikes.

“We know that more and more people are riding bikes for a variety of reasons, including economic factors, health benefits and environmental concerns. Industry reports forecast a dramatic rise in electric bicycle sales here in the U.S. and around the world, and we expect a significant interest in the Tailwind eBike when it arrives in Independent Bicycle Retailers (IBDs) in early 2009.”

Via PPOL:News

BETHEL, Conn., Sept 24, 2008 - PRNewswire via COMTEX — Schwinn Bicycles, America’s most recognized bicycle brand today announced a strategic collaboration with Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) that is expected to dramatically alter the electric bicycle landscape in the United States and around the world. Schwinn Bicycles is part of the Cannondale Sports Group Division of Dorel Industries (CA:DII.B) (CA:DII.A).

Schwinn has incorporated Toshiba’s new Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) technology into the Schwinn Tailwind, a brand new electric bike to be formally unveiled today in Las Vegas to bicycle dealers attending the annual Interbike International Bicycle Expo, the largest bicycle trade industry event in North America. The Tailwind will also be showcased tonight from 6 to 9:30 p.m. (EDT) at the ShowStoppers media-only reception being held at the Millennium Hotel on Times Square in New York City at 44th and Broadway.

Toshiba’s SCiB power technology will enable Tailwind owners to recharge their eBike in 30 minutes through a standard electrical outlet (or as little as five to seven minutes through a commercial charger). By comparison, it takes four hours or longer to fully recharge the battery of virtually any other eBike in use today through a standard electrical outlet, allowing riders to recharge their Tailwind eBike in one-eighth (1/8th) the time of other electric bikes.

In addition, Tailwind owners can expect to see an industry leading 2,000 recharge lifecycles with the eBike versus the industry standard of 1,000 charges before needing to replace the battery. Tailwind riders will find that they can ride 25 to 30 miles per charge (depending upon such factors as temperature, rider weight and terrain). The Tailwind also comes with a 20,000-mile or two-year limited warranty.
“We are very pleased to supply our first SCiB product to such a well-known and respected company as Schwinn Bicycles and its parent company, Dorel Industries,” said Shoshi Kawatsu, General Manager, Super Charge Battery Div. of Toshiba’s Transmission Distribution & Industrial System Company. “Schwinn is one of the most recognized bicycle brands in the world, and we are happy to provide Tailwind owners with our innovative SCiB technology.”

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