SunCycles Deliver-E-Bike

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,679.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Ebikes4Africa

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Boogaali Bikes, Mozambikes, and Buffalo Bicycle.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Designed and assembled in Namibia, SunCycles can either retrofit a standard bicycle or manufacture a complete e-bike.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Users can purchase or rent an e-bike from the manufacturer’s website or go to the manufacturer’s workshop to convert a bike to an e-bike.

Distributions to Date Status

As of May 2020, SunCycles have distributed ~250 bicycles.

Design Specifications

The Deliver-E-Bike is a desert-friendly electric delivery bicycle designed to handle all road conditions with 20 x 4 inch broad fat bike tires. The BAFANG high-torque back hub motor requires pedalling to start as it is activated by a sensor in the pedals. The e-bike has a step-through frame and a display screen on the handlebars which shows battery capacity, speed and assistance level. The 48 V 15-50 Ah Li-ion batteries can be recharged at the SunWorkshop in Windhoek, at solar recharge stations provided by SunCycles, or with a provided 220V AC charger at standard power outlets. Charging time is ~4-5 hours from empty to full, the range is 50-75 km per charge and the max speed of the bike is 35 km/h.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Users can contact the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

Spare parts are available on the manufacturer’s website

Lifecycle

SunCycles offer a 12-month warranty on all electrical parts, including the motor. Batteries start to lose efficiency after ~1000 charges, which would provide at least 10,000 - 15,000 km of riding. The manufacturer takes old batteries for recycling and offers replacements.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Ebikes4Africa aims to improve connectivity to vital facilities and increase economic empowerment in rural areas by providing affordable e-bikes. They want to decrease CO₂ emissions, fossil fuel dependency and social disparity in the communities it serves.

Vetted Performance Status

The manufacturer states that Ebikes4Africa are 100% carbon neutral, emission-free, and noise-free. Testing has been conducted on the different parts (battery, motor, etc.) of the bike to evaluate component lifetime. Field tests conducted by the manufacturer on the Deliver-E bike determined a lifespan of up to 15,000 km and energy consumption of 10-15 Wh/km, however, no third-party testing has been completed. ^{Interview with manufacturer 2020}

Safety

The users are required to wear helmets while riding a bicycle as per Namibia’s Road Traffic and Transport Regulations. The manufacturer also provides safety tips concerning battery maintenance and tire pressure.

Complementary Technical Systems

A charging system – either an electrical grid or a solar panel system – is needed to recharge each bicycle.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

No license is required to use the e-bikes. It is, however, a requirement in Namibia that bicycle riders wear a helmet.

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer cites emissions, component lifespan and energy consumption as evaluation criteria.

Other Information

SunCycles' finalist video for the Entrepership World Cup. Other e-bike models are available to view on Ebikes4Africa's online shop. In 2019, Ebikes4Africa were awarded Namibia's Best Social Impact Startup Video of Ebikes4africa Pitch Videos of SunCycles Designed and Assembled in Namibia More information is available here and in this article