Valeo (“I am well” in Latin) is a prominent French automotive supply company that operates with 133,000 employees in 33 countries, and partners with automakers worldwide. You most likely have Valeo sensors in your car as the company produces billions of these and other parts (brakes, transmissions, compressors, etc.).
As car manufacturers trust the company, it is no surprise that it is well-positioned to introduce an innovative e-bike system based on its automotive R&D.
The Valeo Smart E-biking System
The new Valeo Smart E-biking System has an electric motor, an automatic gearbox, and intelligent software. That is not special, as all e-bike systems are built based on the three components.
What is new is the integration of the gearbox with the motor. They are part of the same unit. This means fewer cables, less maintenance, greater theft protection, and automatic shifting. An e-bike does not need a derailleur, sprockets (cassettes), handlebar gear shifts, and a chain with the new system.
Jérôme
Mortal
-valeo-
. . . the electric bike system is simple, efficient and safe (to use). Our goal is to offer a solution that makes life easy for the cyclist and does away with all the hassles of using a bike . . .
The gears change automatically, and the system’s algorithms instantly adapt to the amount of electric assistance the cyclist needs. You only need to pedal as the e-bike adjusts to the riders, not the other way around.
Valeo introduces a new standard for e-mobility technology
Good quality e-bike components are expensive. E-bikes, other than those with high-tech carbon frames, are heavy. The weight and price of e-bikes are a severe impediment to the adoption of e-biking as a viable micro-mobility solution.
With the integration of the components, it should be less costly for manufacturers to produce e-bikes and share cost savings with cyclists. An e-bike with fewer parts weighs less and is also better for the environment.
Conclusion
E-bike manufacturers are testing the Valeo Smart E-biking System, and we may expect the first bikes with the system to enter the market by the end of this year.
We will keep an eye on this exciting new technology and test-drive a unit as soon it becomes available.
Gregory discovered e-biking after 20 years of overseas work as project manager for the World Bank and USAID. He writes about e-mobility and e-biking in the DMV area, and loves the outdoors (white water kayaking, hiking and biking). He lives with his wife, Janet and Queenie the cat, in Washington DC. He recently e-biked 4,685+ miles across America and raised $180,000 for a charity.
Favorite e-bike: Riese & Muller Super Charger Class 3 touring e-bike.
Dr. Gregory F. Maassen
FOUNDER E-BIKE LOVERS
