Brooklyn-based clean mobility company Clip has launched its most affordable e-bike conversion kit designed to “democratise e-bike access”.
Priced at $250 in the U.S. and Europe, ‘Bolt’ is a B2B solution which aims to expand clean mobility access by targeting low-to-moderate income communities.
In emerging economies it will be distributed via a subscription model and sold for $100 without the battery plus a $5 monthly subscription fee for battery swapping and charging.
“For too long, low and middle-income countries have been priced out of sustainable transport by the high costs and complexity of traditional e-bikes,” Clip CEO Som Ray told Zag Daily. “We designed Bolt with these communities front of mind to deliver an affordable, quick-install solution that meets their needs.
“By making clean mobility truly accessible at scale, we’re seeking to empower people to access more work, education and social opportunities.”
The e-bike conversion kit can be installed onto the front fork of any adult bike delivering electrical assistance with no required tools or permanent modifications. It includes a 450-watt motor and can deliver up to 15 miles per hour of assistance on any incline. Its swappable batteries of 144Wh can be charged in 30 minutes.
Bolt targets consumers in communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change and transit inequities. More than 60% of Clip’s riders are from low-to-moderate income neighbourhoods.
One use case envisioned for the e-bike conversion kit is to serve close-network bike-sharing systems that serve campuses and close towns. It aims to empower these systems to scale operations with reduced maintenance and inventory costs.
Bolt is manufactured in a zero-emissions factory in Kolkata, India, with localised assembly in North America, Europe and India. According to Clip, the conversion kit requires 50x fewer resources to manufacture compared with the average e-bike.
Clip plans to roll Bolt out in community-driven programmes in New York City, India and beyond. The company is soon to announce partnerships with local organisations to distribute Bolt where it can make the most impact.
