On the European level, Pedelecs have the wind in their sails. Photo (c) flickr - chiemsee-chiemgau

The EU Commission is going to fund research into powered two-wheelers for the first time. Consortia are now invited to bid for funds to research efficiency improvements to existing vehicles or even to propose exotic new vehicle types for research and prototyping.

Horizon 2020 is the EU’s new research program with an €80 billion budget aimed to make Europe a more competitive economy. Part of Horizon 2020 is the former “Green Cars Initiative”, which has now become the “Green Vehicles Initiative” (EGVI). Within the initiative, €5-8 million is identified for projects under the heading “Electric two-wheelers and new light vehicle concepts”.

“So who should be grabbing this category and making it part of their future? Which industry knows the most about successful development and deployment in this category? Which industry is hard at work talking to local governments about new infrastructure like inter-city cycling superhighways? Who has cargo bikes and bike share actually working for some of the major cities and delivery companies in Europe? The bike industry does, not the motorcycle and car industries. So it seems obvious to us that the bike industry will want to get actively involved in research consortia bidding for this cash,” ECF Development Director Kevin Mayne says.

Electric two-wheelers and new light vehicle concepts

While the call officially excludes the bicycle and pedelec category, it is aimed at the powered vehicle sector, so called “Type L”. This can include speed pedelecs and e-cargo bikes, and what’s more, the funding has an open invitation to develop innovative Light Electric Vehicle of the future.

The call for proposals has two elements.

The first element is a call to research focused on energy efficiency improvements for a wide range of vehicle types. Research will address cost efficiency, integration and modularity of battery packs, electric and plug-in hybrid power trains, system integration and innovative vehicle architecture.

The second element of the call is more fascinating. This part suggests funding could be available for the development and proof of concept of new ultra-light vehicles for passengers taking into account their integration with infrastructure and, where appropriate, considering any necessary changes to regulations to allow their use. “From the Information Day that we attended we learned that the EU is concerned that really innovative vehicle design in the small vehicle category seems to be dominated by non-European companies and researchers, such as concept vehicles from Toyota,” says Kevin Mayne.

“If (and this is the unknown) there is the space in the market for a truly innovative vehicle with mass market potential this is an unique opportunity for funding to get it through the concept phase and find out how it could legally fit into current infrastructure.” No other funding in this program allows for research of the legal aspects which ECF thinks is really important given ongoing safety concerns about speed pedelecs on cycle infrastructure.

Pedelecs: a new fashion on the corridors of the Commission

The Horizon 2020 call is only the most recent development in a series of EU endorsements of Pedelecs and powered two-wheelers. Just recently, the Commission’s DG Climate had recognized the potential for Pedelecs as a low-carbon transport choice – also for the first time. The study confirmed that electric bicycles are one of the most exciting low-carbon transport innovations and called for more investment into the technology.

“This is a message that ECF has been carrying for quite some time now,” says a smiling Kevin Mayne. “Just now, as the new EU budget has been approved, and funds are beginning to be distributed, the Commission hears it for the first time.”

What’s more, the Commission also funds ECF’s new Pro E-bike project. As a successor to the cargo bike-promoting Cyclelogistics project, Pro E-bike goes one step further and focuses on electrically assisted transport bikes.

Infrastructure and regulations part of the Horizon 2020 call

However, Kevin Mayne also says that effective cycling advocacy is still needed to push European, national and regional authorities to address the issue of lacking regulation. “The Horizon 2020 call takes this into account as well, saying that development of new vehicle concepts has to be taking into account their integration with infrastructure and, where appropriate, considering any necessary changes to homologation requirements and regulations to allow their use.”

The future looks bright for Pedelecs on the EU level it seems. “We simply need the Industry and advocacy organizations both do what they do best – the former, build great bikes and Pedelecs, and the latter, show their potential to policy makers and authorities,” says Kevin Mayne.

“And it’s only just beginning to work.”