Can e-Bikes Be Manufactured In Canada? Good Question!

The Inception of E-Bikes

Electric bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, trace their history back to the late 19th century. The earliest patents for electric bicycles date back to around the 1890s. Ogden Bolton Jr. was granted a U.S. patent for a battery-powered bicycle in 1895, followed by Hosea W. Libbey of Boston, who invented an electric bicycle powered by a “double electric motor.”

Countries like China, the Netherlands, and Germany were among the first to adopt e-bikes on a large scale in the late 2000’s and early 2010’s.

Several factors contributed to this early adoption:

• Urban density: High population densities in cities like Beijing and Amsterdam made e-bikes an efficient mode of transport.
• Environmental concerns: European countries, in particular, are proactive about reducing carbon footprints, and e-bikes offer a greener alternative.
• Cycling culture: Countries like the Netherlands already had a strong cycling infrastructure and culture, making the transition to e-bikes smoother.
• Regulations and incentives: Governments in these countries often provide subsidies and incentives for e-bike purchases.

For North America, several factors slowed down the adoption:

• Car culture: The U.S. and Canada have a deeply ingrained car culture, with cities designed around car travel.
• Infrastructure: Limited cycling infrastructure in many cities made e-biking less safe and less practical.
• Geography: Both countries are massive in sheer size compared to many European countries. In both Canada and USA the major urban centres are very spread out. They also have many rural communities where cycling wasn’t practical or popular.
• Market awareness: E-bikes were less well-known and had a stigma as being only for niche groups like the elderly or Tech-Urbanist. 

The trend toward e-bikes in North America has begun picking up since the mid 2010’s and seen the largest jump in popularity in 2020 due to:

• Urbanization: Increasing urban congestion has made car travel less appealing.
• Environmental awareness: Growing concerns about climate change and personal carbon footprints.
• Technological advancements: Improvements in battery life and e-bike models have made them more appealing.
• COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic led to a surge in biking as a mode of transport to maintain social distancing.
• Post COVID travel boom: Once COVID regulations were lifted, there was a pent up demand for Canadians and Americans to travel. Many wanted to explore European destinations and other exotic places around the globe. On these vacations they witnessed the popularity of ebikes and were able to rent ebikes. After that experience, they were hooked. When they returned home they searched out the closest place to purchased an ebike. This also added to this wave of interest in North America
• Regulations and incentives: Local governments have started introducing incentives and improving infrastructure.

All these factors combined have started to shift public perception and encourage e-bike adoption in the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Unique Features of E-Bikes

E-bikes stand out due to their electric motor, which assists with pedaling, making rides less strenuous and more accessible to a wider audience. They can cover longer distances and handle hills with ease. The integration of modern lithium-ion batteries allows for better energy efficiency and longer ride times. Other distinctive features include regenerative braking systems and advanced digital displays showing speed, battery life, and other metrics.

Manufacturing Hubs

Today, e-bike manufacturing is predominantly centered in China, which produces the majority of the world’s e-bike supply. This has established China as a global leader in e-bike production. Other significant manufacturing countries include Taiwan, Japan, and various European nations. Each country has specialized in different components, with Taiwan being known for high-quality frames, and Japan for advanced motor and battery technology.

Future of E-Bike Manufacturing and Adoption in North America                  

Will North America become a significant player in e-bike manufacturing? There are a number of companies based in Canada like Velec, Surface604, SevenPeaks, iGO, Trivel, DCO and Slane to name a few that conceptualize, design, assemble, market and sale ebikes but the manufacturing is done offshore. COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, leading to supply shortages and delays. To mitigate future risks, Canada and the USA are exploring opportunities to localize production. This could bolster national industries, enhance security, and reduce dependency on international supply chains.

Developments that may contribute to or propel domestic manufacturing of ebikes:

• Investments in Local Production: Governments may offer incentives for domestic manufacturing of bikes, batteries, and components.
• Technological Innovations: Advancements in battery technology (e.g., solid-state batteries) and automation will make local manufacturing more viable.
• Sustainable Practices: Emphasizing environmentally friendly production methods and materials could appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
• Foreign Relations: Geo-political events that may lead to tariffs and trade barriers, labour-related issues, quality and standards issues, protectionism and other diplomatic strains 

Canada and the USA are expected to see a substantial rise in e-bike adoption for several reasons:

• Urbanization: As cities become more congested, e-bikes offer a practical solution for longer commutes. They are also perfect for short commutes in conjunction with public transportation.
• Environmental Policy: Canada’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions aligns with the eco-friendly nature of e-bikes.
• Government Support: Potential subsidies and incentives for e-bike purchases could make them more accessible to the general public.
• Aging demographic: Many communities in Canada and the USA are experiencing the baby-boomer generation moving into their retirement years
• New immigrants to Canada and the USA: Both countries are very popular destinations for people seeking a new life. Many of these people are in their early 20’s and 30’s. They may already be accustomed to cycling and ebikes. They may face challenges with the rising cost of housing, cars and insurance and ebikes may be their best option. Public transportation options many times are overcrowded and unreliable. This may force not only new immigrants but Canadians and Americans in general to look to ebikes as a means of transportation. Affordability and convenience are major factors. 

e-bikes have a rich history and a promising future. With potential shifts towards local manufacturing and increasing adoption rates, Canada and the United States could become significant players in the e-bike market, ensuring a more secure and sustainable future for urban transportation. We would love to see the day when a customer visits Hamilton Electric Bikes and on the floor, there are “Made In Canada” not just “Designed in Canada” ebikes!