French e-bike refurbisher Upway has partnered with e-bike retailer Rad Power Bikes to enable customers to upgrade to newer e-bike models while supporting a circular economy.
Using Upway’s Trade-In program, customers at Rad’s eight U.S. RadRetail locations can trade in their current e-bikes and receive discounts for new models.
The aim of the partnership is to simplify the e-bike upgrade process while extending the life-cycle of e-bikes and reducing financial barriers faced by customers.
“In the United States, the disposal of e-bikes poses a significant environmental challenge within the micromobility sector,” Upway’s General Manager Maxime Renson told Zag Daily.
“In 2022, over 1.1 million e-bikes were sold in the U.S., marking a nearly 400% increase from 2019. This rapid growth suggests a corresponding rise in e-bike disposals as older models are replaced. Improper disposal of e-bikes contributes to environmental degradation and strains the industry’s sustainability efforts.”
Upway’s Trade-In Program is used by more than 2,000 bike shops in the U.S. and Europe. Its aim is to foster a circular economy by refurbishing e-bikes to reduce waste and disposal, and lower their environmental footprint while conserving valuable resources.
The program also seeks to improve the affordability of e-bikes by providing access to refurbished models at a lower cost than buying brand new.
Using a proprietary pricing algorithm that gives valuation estimates for more than 200 brands, Rad merchants can obtain the value of an e-bike model that customers bring in store. Customers then have the option to sell their e-bike on Upway’s website or trade in their e-bike for a discount on a new Rad model in store.
Traded-in bikes are then transported to an UpCenter for refurbishment and resale with a one-year warranty.
“Price remains the biggest factor in purchasing decisions for high-value equipment, particularly in today’s economic climate, where the costs of new products continue to rise due to increases in raw material, import, and production costs,” Maxime said.
“This partnership directly tackles the affordability challenge, allowing more riders to upgrade or own e-bikes without financial strain, promoting sustainable mobility in the process.”
