A2B (brand)
| Parent | Hero Eco |
|---|
A2B is a brand of electric bicycles owned by Hero Eco Group.[1][2] They have offices in the United Kingdom and the United States. Established in 2008, A2B designs and manufactures bespoke internal motor systems, and is a pioneering creator of eBikes. Their German design team has crafted a range of 11 electric bike models, each of which is named after a prominent technical innovator, engineer or scientist. Primarily tailored for urban/commuting users, A2B have produced bikes that exude a combination of comfort, picked up speed and stylish design. Their motors range from 250w up to 500w in capacities and there is a choice of pedal assistance or throttle power options. To complement the collection, A2B develops custom accessories including carriers and bags.
History
[edit]Established in 2008, A2B designs and manufactures bespoke internal motor systems for eBikes. The German design team has produced 11 electric bike models, each of which is named after an influential engineer, inventor, or scientist. The bikes are primarily tailored to riders of urban and commuting purposes. The eBike models have two power options, Pedal Assist and Throttle Assist, with motors of different levels of 250w, 350w, and 500w available.[3]
The company is owned by Indian manufacturer Hero Eco, which acquired the British manufacturer of A2B electric bikes, Ultra Motor Ltd.,[4] in 2011[5] after it filed for Administration in the UK.[6]
The A2B company launched the Metro model in 2009, the first specially-designed bike frame for electric motors.[7] It was reviewed by Wired.[8] In 2013, Hero Eco rebranded as A2B.[9] The brand remained owned by Hero Eco Group.[10]
In 2013, it released the electric bikes Kuo[10][11] and Shima.[12]
Hero Electric in 2018 released the e-bicycles A2B Speed and Kuo Boost.[13][14]
In 2012, Hero Eco acquired the two-wheeler division of Ultra Motor. In 2013, A2B bikes were manufactured in Taiwan, and manufacturing moved to Europe in 2014 and 2015.[15]
Between 2012 and 2013, Hero Eco sold around 9,000 units of A2B bike in 22 countries.[15]
In 2014 A2B acquired the Electric Bicycle Network, an eBike rental company for tourists visiting UK national parks.[16]
Models
[edit]A2B replaced the metro with the upgraded version now called the Octave. The Alva Plus is a lighter, sportier version. The Shima has speeds up to 28 mph. The lightest ebikes are the Ferber, Galvani, and the folding Kuo Plus.
In 2009, it released the Ultramotor A2B electric bicycle.[17]
In February 2018, Hero Electric launched in India a new faster, range. This comprised an e-scooter codenamed the AXLHE-20, and two e-bicycles, the A2B Speed and Kuo Boost. The AXLHE-20 claims a top speed of 85 km/h along with a maximum range of 110 kilometres on one charge. The A2B Speed, that can be ridden both using electric or pedal power, has a maximum speed of 45 km/h.[13] [18]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Hero Eco weighs options to roll out premium A2B bike in India". The Economic Times. February 24, 2013. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- ^ Time - Volume 173 - Page 29 Briton Hadden, Henry Robinson Luce - 2009
- ^ "A2B Electric Bike Reviews". ElectricBikeReview.com. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ "Ultra Motor Launching Customized Propulsion Systems for e-Bikes". www.bike-eu.com. 2010-08-17. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Briggs, John (2013). "The Hero Eco acquires Ultra Motors". www.techcrunch.com. TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2019-10-14. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ "Ultra Motor Ltd. Filed Chapter 11". www.bike-eu.com. 2011-11-08. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Whole Green Catalog: 1000 Best Things for You and the Earth - Page 99, Michael W. Robbins - 2009
- ^ Dumas, Daniel (October 15, 2008). "REVIEW: A2B ELECTRIC BIKE PUTS SOME BUZZ INTO BACKPEDALING". www.wired.com. Wired. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ Chapman, Matthew (March 11, 2013). "Hero Eco transforms into A2B". www.campaignlive.com. Campaign Live. Archived from the original on 2019-03-21. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hero Eco Plans to Launch ULtra Premium A2B Bike". International Business Times. February 24, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ Trinh, Tina (August 7, 2013). "A2B Kuo Review: What's It Like Riding an Electric Bike?". www.abcnews.go.com. ABC News. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ "HeroEco & A2B e-Bikes: No Production at MIFA". www.bike-eu.com. 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ a b Soni, Naveen (2 February 2018). "Hero Electric unveils high-speed electric bikes in India". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Hero Electric Unveils Three Electric Two Wheelers - AXLHE-20, A2B Speed, A2B Kuo Boost". www.news18.com. News18. February 5, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ a b "Hero Eco weighs options to roll out premium A2B bike in India". The Economic Times. www.economictimes.com. February 24, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ BikeBiz (2014-03-13). "E-bike brand A2B acquires electric rental firm". BikeBiz. Retrieved 2023-08-19.
- ^ Lyndon, Neil (July 11, 2009). "Ultramotor A2B electric bicycle is a volt from the blue". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ "Electric Bikes in Ireland". www.greenelectricscooters.ie. Retrieved February 15, 2021.