Kia unveils zero-emission electric bicycle in Geneva

Monday, 19 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Popular Korean car maker Kia has unveiled the prototypes of two electric bicycles as part of the company’s commitment to zero emission propulsion, 70 years after it first manufactured bicycle parts in Korea in 1944.

Powered by a 250 Watt rear-wheel drive electric motor powered by a detachable 36 Volt, 10 ampere lithium-ion polymer battery, the Kia Electric Bicycle (KEB) demonstrated to media at the Geneva Motor Show weighs 20 kg and has a top speed of 25 kilometres per hour. The ‘City’ version of the KEB is fitted with 28-inch wheels and a rear-mounted battery and has a range of around 40 km on a single charge, and recharges in four hours. The MTB version features the same drive train and power pack as the City, but has Rock Shock 100 mm front forks, a mid-mounted battery and 26-inch all terrain tyres. Designed and engineered by Kia’s Venture Business Development Team at the Namyang R&D Centre in Korea, the KEB features an innovative monocoque metal frame which looks like a carbon fibre frame but is produced by an advanced metal stamping technology and a robotic automated welding process, resulting in automotive industry standards of quality control, the company said. These production methods provide Kia with a greater choice of metals during manufacture, with metal stamping allowing the frame to be made up of aluminium, high-tensile steel and stainless steel. The two prototype Kia Electric Bicycles were made using a frame, electric motor and power pack manufactured in Korea, with brake and gear components from Shimano of Japan. Final assembly was carried out in Germany. In Sri Lanka, Kia is one of the most in-demand automobile brands today, particularly in the Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment.