Bosch gives the go-ahead for the market launch of the ABS braking system on e-bikes, forty years after the system found its way into cars. Another new addition to the Bosch portfolio is a new display called Kiox. Fast charging is also an issue: with the new Fast Charger, an empty 500 Wh battery can be charged much faster than before.

Anti-lock system for e-bikes

Bosch eBike Systems announces the market launch of ABS for e-bikes shortly before Eurobike 2018. According to Bosch, many accidents are caused by incorrect or inadequate braking behavior. The ABS enables more controlled and stable braking, even in critical situations. Bosch developed the e-bike ABS together with its long-standing partner Magura. The ABS for pedelecs has been in use with selected fleet providers since the spring, and the Bosch E-Bike ABS will be available in stores from the fall.

40 years ago, Bosch launched the world's first production-ready ABS for cars - initially as an optional extra in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. In this context, Bosch also had the term "ABS" legally protected. In 1936, the Stuttgart-based technology company applied for a patent for a "device for preventing the wheels of a motor vehicle from locking". Since its beginnings, the system has become ever smaller, lighter and more powerful. Bosch has been producing anti-lock braking systems for motorcycles since 1995 - and now for e-bikes. According to Claus Fleischer, President of Bosch eBike Systems, the potential is huge: "Safety is an important factor in ensuring that this pioneering form of mobility establishes itself on the market in the long term. I am convinced that ABS will become standard on high-quality pedelecs. In a few years, most city and trekking e-bikes will be equipped with ABS."

Kiox: The new on-board computer

Bosch also has something new in store for sporty e-bikers and is presenting a new on-board computer. With Kiox, as the new display with a new remote control on the handlebars is called, sporty riders have all the essential information at a glance. The color display has a sleek look and robust glass protects the display from scratches or other damage. The new on-board computer can be connected to an optional heart rate monitor via Bluetooth.

"Sporty e-bikers prefer tidy handlebars so that they can concentrate on the essentials: the tour, the flow, the biking. This is where we come in with our new Kiox on-board computer," explains Fleischer. The display can either be mounted with the Bosch mount for bike manufacturers or integrated into the stem using individual solutions. This ensures different design variants and a minimalist look.

Fast charger

Bosch has another innovation up its sleeve and is expanding its range of chargers: For the 2019 model year, the Stuttgart-based company is introducing the Fast Charger, the fastest charger in the Bosch range with a charging current of 6A. According to Bosch, fast charging times are of central importance for e-bikers: 61 percent of those surveyed in the Bosch eBike market study stated that charging speed was important or very important. The Fast Charger needs around 1.2 hours to charge a PowerPack 500 or a PowerTube 500 halfway, and three hours for a full charge.

According to Bosch, fast charging times are also an essential prerequisite for a future-oriented infrastructure. "With the Fast Charger, rental stations in cities, municipalities or tourist destinations are able to offer an optimal service for e-bikers. In this way, Bosch not only meets individual needs, but also contributes to the development of an eBike-friendly infrastructure," says Fleischer. The Fast Charger, which weighs 20 percent more and is only slightly larger than the Standard Charger, is compatible with all Bosch product lines.

bosch-ebike.com