The trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam provides a unique opportunity for e-bike manufacturers and importers. E-bike battery expert James Post offers collective battery production in Vietnam. Very competitive, up to 28 Ah and 8 years prorated warranty; a pioneer in safety monitoring.
E-bike manufacturers and importers, who plan to produce SKD e-bikes in Vietnam or elsewhere outside China, can join a collective production of rear carrier batteries. Production is a collective which also means that smaller vendors can participate and obtain high quality batteries for as low as 140 euro CIF Rotterdam (15 Ah) in small series of 5,000 batteries only. Logistically, it is no problem to mount carrier batteries on location. This makes the concept very attractive, regardless where the e-bikes are assembled. Bike-eu.com reports.
The collective approach allows for low R&D and start-up costs. Prepayment are not required, only bank guarantees.
Why e-bike batteries
Quality issue in the battery industry in combination with EU anti-dumping duties on China made e-bikes resulted in an all new approach. To apply to the 2.5 percent EU import duty on Vietnam made e-bikes, they have to abide to the local content rules. These rules specify that 50 percent of the ex-works price of the e-bikes exported to Europe must be made with in Vietnam manufactured components. For e-bikes this means that either the battery or the motor must be made locally. However, production of motors requires too much R&D and fine tuning. With the efficient assembly method, as proposed by James Post, batteries can be mass produced within six months after the start. Well in time for MY 2020.
Technical details
For most batteries on the market two issues result in a lower lifetime. Our superior approach:
Contrary to electric vehicles, almost all e-bike batteries are always charged to 100 percent. As studies proved (available on request), the cycle lifetime is more or less double when charging to 80 percent. The battery we will produce in Vietnam allows to select a charge percentage each time. Via a smartphone app or a manual charger switch the user can select 60/70/80 percent to save lifetime, or 100 percent for an occasionally long trip and 40 percent for storage. The 40 percent option also provides automatic recharging when needed.
The use of plastic enclosures and plastic cell holders is about as bad as a thermal design can get. Yet, this approach is quite common as it is the cheapest. We work with thermally conductive, flexible cell holders which efficiently transfer the cell heat to the aluminum enclosure. Obviously, this is the ideal situation for heat dissipation. This technology not only saves lifetime, but also allows for more cells per battery. We can offer up to 80 18650 cells!
Prorated warranty
New to the e-bike industry but common in others is the is the prorated warranty. After two years of regular warranty, each half year of use (or part thereof) means the battery will be written off by 6.25 percent. For example: after 4.5 years an end user claims a warranty which is approved. He consequently pays 9 x 6.25 percent = 56.25 percent for a new battery. A fair system to the consumer, giving the supplier a good image. Warranty will be provided by ECOpro Technology BV.
Time frame
On 22, 23 and 24 August 2019, James Post will have introductory meetings with potential local partners.
Early October 2019 production will be lined up for partners.
Preceded by prototypes and trial runs, mass production will be available as of April 2020.
Why inquire now
Participants who sign up before 30 September 2019 will benefit from the founding participants preferential pricing. Inquiring involves no obligations whatsoever.
Inquiries: James Post, CEO, ECOpro Technology BV, BatteryCollectiveVN@gmail.com