Bosch eBike Programs plans to announce one thing new at CES 2025, maybe associated to advances in its electrical bicycle battery expertise. A cryptic teaser video provides a style of what’s to come back.
Within the video seen beneath, a Bosch PowerPack 800 e-bike battery may be seen together with the phrases “Shield what is efficacious” on both aspect of the battery.
The clues could lead on in a number of instructions, doubtlessly regarding the battery’s security or to advances in theft prevention.
Is Bosch unveiling potted e-bike batteries?
One potential concept facilities round the potential for Bosch unveiling potted batteries, a design that encases the interior parts and battery cells in resin or different stable protecting supplies. This development technique is very valued for its resistance to water, shocks, and vibrations, making it superb for mountain bikers and commuters who experience in difficult environments.
Whereas the idea is just not new, it’s nonetheless unusual within the electrical bicycle battery trade. Final 12 months, the electrical bicycle model Rad Energy Bikes unveiled new potted batteries as a part of their SafeShield line of batteries.
The apply does elevate some issues concerning the power to recycle such batteries, however Rad Energy Bikes has mentioned that its SafeShield batteries are nonetheless recyclable. Accessing the cells is troublesome when potted batteries are discontinued, however many battery recycling applications grind up the whole battery and use a sequence of separators comparable to magnets, screens, and centrifuges to isolate the necessary supplies for additional recycling.
The shift in direction of potted batteries marks a big enhance in battery security, particularly for riders on tough terrain or who experience in moist environments. Bodily injury and water ingress (particularly salt water from coastal areas or areas with vital highway salt utilization) are two main causes of e-bike battery fires. Whereas such fires are nonetheless fairly uncommon contemplating the massive variety of e-bike batteries in circulation, addressing these two areas, that are generally seen in Bosch’s two principal markets of electrical mountain bikes and commuter e-bikes, may go a great distance in direction of bettering security.
Does Bosch have a brand new theft safety system?
One other doable interpretation of the teaser may relate to anti-theft expertise. Battery theft has turn into a rising concern for e-bike riders, particularly in city areas the place bikes are sometimes left locked up outdoors. Bosch may be addressing this concern by introducing built-in theft-prevention options.
Potential improvements may embody built-in GPS trackers for finding stolen batteries, extra tamper-proof locking mechanisms, and even distant disabling capabilities that render a stolen battery unusable.
Different corporations, such because the now-defunct Juiced Bikes, have constructed e-bike batteries with specifically designed cavities for concealing Airtags or different location-tracking units.
Whereas particulars stay beneath wraps, Bosch’s teaser has created a buzz within the e-bike group as a result of e-bike element maker’s giant market share. The official announcement from Bosch is predicted quickly, and we’ll report again as quickly as we all know extra.
Till then, let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath. What may Bosch’s engineers be cooking up this time?
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