The UK’s largest automotive online marketplace, Auto Trader, has announced over 1,500 eBikes from 45 manufacturers and retailers, including Brompton and Raleigh, will be listed on the platform. In making the announcement, the business highlight that it recognise the vital role it can play in growing the eBike market, from connecting buyers and sellers, to producing content to inform people about the benefits of eBikes and the types of journeys you could use them for.
Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at Auto Trader, commented on the launch: “We are focused on helping consumers to make more environmentally friendly vehicle choices so in turn they can make more environmentally friendly journey choices. This might be walking or using a bike instead of using a car for a short journey, or perhaps an e-bike could be used to travel to a train station instead of a car, which are useful for more relevant, longer journeys.”
“Cars clearly are very important for most people and will undoubtedly remain the primary mobility solution here in the UK, but as we all try to make more positive changes to help combat climate change, other mobility options such as bikes can be a complementary solution. eBikes, cars, eCargobikes and vans, are increasingly being used for either shorter journeys or even for different parts of one journey, where appropriate.”
The move follows a trend, with the auto industry making the transition to a ‘mobility’ solutions provider. In Germany, this reflects with the IAA Mobility show. In the Netherlands this can be see with KwikFit offering eBike and EV servicing. In the UK Fettle and KwikFit have a burgeoning partnership.
At a manufacturer level, Porsche has garnered a host of media coverage with a succession of acquisitions. Motorcycle manufacturers including Yamaha, Ducati, MV Agusta, Harley Davidson, GasGas and Husqvarna*, have all made moves into the eBike space, with *Pierer Mobility currently in the most advanced UK market position.
For readers wondering how committed these businesses are to cycling, and eBikes:
When a €2.4 billion 2 wheeled business (PNM) with more than 5’000 global employees makes moves that garners plenty of attention. When that business, a multi-brand motorcycle manufacturer with MotoX, Trials, Rally, MotoGP and other teams, decides that bicycles and eBikes are a major, long-term, part of their business growth road map… then we should be in no doubt that this is a new world evolving before our eyes.