The prototype was developed largely in Australia and provides proof of concept for a local e-bike industry and market.
Australian e-bike innovator Zoomo has revealed the first prototype of the Zoomo One, a high-performing utility e-bike designed for last-mile delivery.
Zoomo partnered with Melbourne-based custom automotive designer, Skunk Machine, to design, develop and assemble the frame for the prototype. The frame‘s mass production relies on tube hydroforming.
“We learned that prototyping hydroformed tubes was too complicated or simply not possible without investing extensively in production tooling. This would lead to increased costs and a significantly longer lead time. We overcame this hurdle by taking it local, to Australia,” says Christopher Krainer, Zoomo’s head of hardware.
“Frame manufacturing is certainly an art, especially for more complex shapes. A traditional manufacturer in Taiwan or China, for example, would either use custom designed welding jigs or fully automated welding robots, making the process slower.”
Zoomo’s engineering team includes ex-automotive engineers and program managers including General Motors and Ford alumni.
Working with Skunk Machine made Zoomo’s process considerably more time-efficient, and it was able to successfully develop a fully functional prototype in 21 weeks.
All parts were assembled in Australia, incorporating fitment checks, on-spot design changes, welding, and quality control. Krainer anticipates that as the local e-bike industry grows, Zoomo will be able to build up local supply chains and do more, faster.
“Light electric vehicle manufacturing is essentially a simplified version of automotive manufacturing,” explains Krainer.
“It requires a similar diligent approach to quality, durability and product safety. An LEV requires hundreds of components, not too dissimilar to an actual car. Given the history of automotive manufacturing in Australia, there is an opportunity to leverage some of this existing knowledge and relevant supply chain and apply it to LEVs.”
The Zoomo One is designed to be “the ultimate e-bike for delivery”. It boasts world-first moped-level performance, reaching speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour.
It will launch in the US, where e-bikes are allowed to reach 28 miles per hour (45km/hr) in early 2023, and the UK and Europe soon after.
However, the bike is not road legal in Australia, as legislation does not currently allow an e-bike motor to assist past 25, or to exceed 250w while in use on public roads.
Krainer hopes that Zoomo One’s release of this new innovative home-grown technology will trigger further conversations about e-bike regulations in Australia.
“We support the NSW Productivity Commission Report’s recommendation of bringing Australian e-bike laws in line with those in the United States and Europe. The Zoomo One will be made available nationally pending movements in government regulation,” he says.
E-bikes are emerging as the backbone of the micro-mobility transportation revolution. They present a sustainable solution to clogged roadways, travel delays and motor vehicle-induced carbon emissions.
