Porsche eBike Performance GmbH launches into cycling market

If there were any remaining doubt about how serious performance vehicle manufacturer Porsche is about eMobility, that has been officially ended with the launch of Porsche eBike Performance GmbH.

The car maker announced it, “wants to increase its activities in the eBike segment. To this end, two joint ventures founded by Porsche and the Dutch company Ponooc Investment B.V. begin business.”

Further, the announcement states; Porsche eBike Performance GmbH, based in Ottobrunn near Munich, will develop electric drive systems for two-wheelers, building into this process the acquired expertise of now-owned Fazua. These ambitions include motors, batteries and the necessary software architecture for connectivity solutions. Stuttgart-based P2 eBike GmbH – powered by Porsche intends to use these drive systems to launch a new generation of Porsche eBikes from the middle of this decade.

The importance of this joint project to the car label and Ponooc is demonstrated by the appointment of the management team. Jan Becker, the former CEO of the Lifestyle GmbH & Co. KG arm, takes over as chairman of the management of Porsche eBike Performance GmbH. His counterpart at P2 eBike GmbH will be Moritz Failenschmid, who is also the Managing Director at Focus Bikes.

eBike drive systems under the brand name

In addition to compact drive systems from Fazua, Porsche eBike Performance GmbH will develop and produce particularly powerful eBike drive systems under the Porsche brand name. Both product categories will be distributed to eBike manufacturers worldwide in the future, with the newly founded joint venture acting as a technology partner. The electric drive systems will be used in branded eBikes as well as in the products of other brands.

Independent of the joint venture activities, the auto biz is continuing to work with its long-standing partner, Rotwild, on its current eBike models. In March 2021, the company launched its interpretation of exclusive electric bikes with the Porsche eBike Sport and the Porsche eBike Cross.

In addition, Porsche Digital GmbH offers a platform for digital services relating to cycling under the Cyklær brand. This project gives a glimpse of how much innovative power is contained in the new joint ventures: the multi-award-winning Cyklær Bike was developed together with Fazua and Greyp.

Of the news, industry expert Bastian Dietz also comments, “Let’s see which IoT & Community Platform elements they will also use from Greyp Bikes (purchased by the auto firm in late 2021) in both companies.”

For a deep dive on what the intentions of the automotive world may be for the bike industry, see CI.N’s recent analysis, here.