Dutch manufacturer VanMoof has already seen some success with its Electrified S e-bike. Now, much of that model's technology has been upgraded and repackaged in a nimbler, more compact bike, designed for use in the world's largest cities. It's time to meet the Electrified X, which debuted this Thursday in Tokyo.
The X features a 250W hub motor, which will take the user up to a pedal-assisted top speed of 36 km/h (22 mph) – although that figure is electronically limited to 24 km/h for the Japanese market.
One 6-hour charge of the frame-integrated battery should reportedly be good for a range of 120 km (75 miles) in Economy mode. That figure drops to 60 km (37 miles) if pedalling at the other end of the spectrum, in Full Power mode. There are a total of four pedal-assist levels to choose from.
Amongst the bike's more interesting features is a built-in lock, which can be unlocked using either an app on the user's smartphone, or via fingerprint recognition on a touchpad located on the top tube. It also contains a 3G tracking module, allowing its whereabouts to be ascertained should it be stolen. In fact, VanMoof guarantees that if its "Bike Hunters" can't locate a stolen Electrified X within two weeks, the company will replace it.
Other doo-dads include integrated head and tail lights, anti-theft nuts and bolts, a 2-speed auto-shifting transmission, and a fully-enclosed chain with an automatic tensioner.
The whole thing weighs in at 18.4 kg (40.6 lb).
It will start off only being available in Japan, priced at 370,000 yen (about US$3,318). Preorders will be taken starting on May 23rd, with a global rollout possibly taking place next year.
Source: VanMoof
Update (July 20, 2023): VanMoof has been declared bankrupt in the Netherlands and trustees have been appointed. The company has posted details of its situation as of July 17, 2023, here.
