An industry consultant group estimates that the market for electric bikes in the U.S. roughly doubled between July 2012 and last month. The group, eCycleElectric International Consultants, searched customs and border protection records, surveyed dealers, conducted internet searches and interviewed distributors and dealers to come up with the estimate. ECE?said about 159,000 e-bikes sold in the U.S. in the last year, compared to about 70,000 in the prior 12 months.
The group identified 908 retailers — not including mass merchants or Amazon.com — who claimed to sell electric bikes. These dealers include electric bike specialists, electric vehicle specialists, motor sports retailers, Internet retailers, independent bicycle dealers, hardware stores, car parts stores and more. Major mass merchants such as Wal-Mart, Sears, Target, Best Buy, and Amazon also sell e-bikes, although not in all of their store locations. The group also identified 134 brands of e-bikes for sale in the U.S. Of those brands, at least 54 imported new products during this period. Some brands are represented by product left over or on closeout, but at least 30 brands are clearly in business, active, and thought to be growing. While most electric bikes are imported to the U.S. from China or Taiwan, companies such as Prodeco and Optibike assemble in the U.S. Also, some complete bikes come from Europe. ECE?is an?international consulting group that studies the light electric vehicle industry, including battery-powered bikes and scooters.
