The eDrive system makers
Chris Keller-Jackson visits Ananda HQ in Wuxi to see first-hand how the eDrive system specialist manufactures from the ground up, while also quizzing Ananda’s CEO Daniel Zhuo on tariffs, beating the eBike chippers and potential expanding production into Europe…
Shanghai, China and a trade trip to see Ananda in its headquarters in a sprawling Technology Park. Typifying manufacture in China, the production facility in Wuxi is based on a hybrid of TPS (the Toyota Production System) and Cellular Manufacturing methodologies to create reliable, quality and advanced Drive systems. This is not unexpected, it’s a tried and tested approach to total quality manufacturing.
Ananda is a full-service manufacturer and has been operating since 2011, producing open platform drive units for eBikes, eMotorcycles eScooters and others over the decade-plus of operation. Its product lineup includes gear drive hub motors, mid-motors, controllers, sensors and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for comprehensive eDrive systems. I’m not at liberty to state one of their bigger UK customers, but you know them and Ananda make drive units for their very successful electrified products.
When I say that Ananda ‘make’ eDrive systems, control of quality is at the forefront of this business. Ananda winds their own brushless motors, they design, print and fabricate their own circuit boards, they cut their own gears in both alloys and plastics, they design, mock up in 3D print then cast the housings and they code the logic to support the user interfaces and the component interconnects. Quality is controlled throughout production by being in control of all aspects of the products, measuring and testing each unit throughout the production process and delivering eDrive ‘systems’, not just motors. Production is 100% tested to meet the needs of the customer, and to comply with territory regulations.
In terms of production quantities, Ananda produces approximately 7M units per year. Of the 7M units, the dominance of eMopeds in China and other Asian countries is still very high, though the brand is seeing a shift towards eBikes as a trend amongst the youth. The portion of production destined for the USA and EU markets is dominated by eBike systems. Ananda primarily manufactures in China across several facilities, but in 2023, it established a manufacturing base in Vietnam. Additionally, the company operates a European Service Centre located in Hungary.
After the impressive factory tour in Wuxi and a tour of Research & Development in the HQ, I sat down with Daniel Zhuo(pictured below), the CEO of Ananda, to talk tariffs, the future of Ananda and their product launch at the recent China Cycle show.
Mr Zhuo did not seem overly phased by the thorny subject of the US tariff situation, partly as none of this had been finalised (at the time of the interview in May 2025). There was optimism around negotiations, and that Ananda was not wholly invested in supplying to the US market alone. Of great interest to the European reader, there are plans underway to convert part of the existing Service Centre in Hungary onto a production facility, specifically for the European markets. Products made in this facility would be closer to the European market, and therefore offer better support, parts availability, testing and repair facilities. Meanwhile, the Hungary facility, along with Vietnam factories, will also serve as supply bases for the US market. In addition, Ananda has service hubs in Italy, France, Poland and a European territory HQ in the Netherlands.
eBikes are a much bigger part of the European market than the US market for Ananda and they see continued expansion within Europe as a positive step, as well as offering a strategic benefit in more local manufacturing through Hungary. Whilst production lines are often more bespoke in China, and include other eMobility categories, Hungary will be kept more streamlined, and specific to eBikes.
I also asked Zhou about the future of products, specifically around the combination of Mid Motors and Gearboxes in one unit (Pinion call it an MGU). He reminded me of the very recent launch at China Cycle of the Ananda R900 Integrated Electronic 3-Speed Gear Hub Motor System (more on that later) but also said that they already had two years of research and development in motor gearbox units, partnering with an exist ing gearbox manufacturer in China. Whilst they had made some positive progress, he conceded that the biggest issues still relate to size and weight, neither of which he thought were yet surmounted. He saw initial applications in more simple 3 to 5 speed units, then eventually more gear range as the technology matures. We also discussed this combination alongside Belt Drives, which he agreed were the avenue they were exploring.
Lastly on the Drive System agenda was the topic of ‘chipped’ motors and how this impacted legislation, the perception of eBikes in a speed and power limited traffic infrastructure, and how chipping reduced safety, where products for specific markets were tested against those road rules. Daniel agreed that changing the parameters of one of their systems was a safety concern that they address in modern systems through robust software and hardware features. Preventing 3rd party tools and software changes performed by consumers is critical to ensuring that there is trust in the brand, and that the certification attained can then be adhered to in daily use. Some of the online searches prove that it’s possible to defeat power and speed limiting functions with both software and hardware, it remains to be seen how resilient the latest generation of Ananda systems are.
At the end of the visit, there was an opportunity to ride some of the hub and mid-motored products, including the new R900 Integrated Electronic 3-Speed Gear Hub Motor System. This demo bike assembled with a belt drive (this was also on display at Eurobike) from the crank to the rear hub performed flawlessly. The test route included a significant climb gradient and whilst the bike was under geared for the hill, you are unlikely to meet this climb very often. Power take-up and gear changes were very smooth and fast, with the display showing the gear you were in which is a custom feature they were able to add as part of the ecosystem they deliver. There are plans for additional gears in future iterations. This product is ideal for commuter and leisure eBikes, it was simple and intuitive to ride.
In addition to the catalogue drive units on test was something new to ride. The Ananda M7600 unit is pre- production. This is the first rideable iteration of the product and is called the ‘eMountainking’. This is an eMountainbike mid motor with a very impressive form factor and output. The statistics are 250W at max torque 100Nm and a peak power of 720W in this iteration, this is intended to be around the 2.7 kilo mark for the finished drive system. Whilst this was not yet ready for launch, with a scheduled production date of December 2025 there was a buzz around aesthetics, performance and rideability. It was noted that the integration into the frame for the motor and display was very neat, making the mid motor look smaller than it probably is. I’m looking forward to seeing how this performs upon launch, and it shows how Ananda is responding to changes in the market.
I’m unable to fault Ananda for its quality of production and testing, of their commitment to developing drive systems, nor for their ambition to develop new and innovative products. I look forward to production coming out of Europe, and the newer developments entering the market. I’d like to thank Ananda for their courtesy in opening up these facilities for such scrutiny.
