Whether for recreation or daily commutes, e-bike usage continues to grow worldwide; in Europe, sales of electric bicycles are set to overtake those of regular bikes in the next few years. Most e-bikes are powered by lithium, which has its environmental and social downsides. But there's now a lithium-free alternative: electric bicycles that work without batteries, by French startup Pi-POP.
Instead of batteries, Pi-POP uses a supercapacitor to store electricity. The technology centers on energy regeneration — the power held within the supercapacitors is topped up while pedaling, coasting downhill or braking. Which means users get an electric assist while cycling without ever needing to plug in their bike or battery.
Pi-POP designed its bicycle, which it claims is a world's first, with the primary objective of reducing micromobility's ecological footprint. Unlike lithium batteries, supercapacitors are made of common materials — mainly aluminum, carbon, cellulose and polymers — which are relatively easy to recycle or process. With vastly more charge cycles than lithium batteries, supercapacitors also have a longer lifespan.
Minimizing shipping, Pi-POP manufactures its bikes in Orléans. The brand's third-generation model launched this summer, sells for EUR 2450 and comes in any color so long as it is white ;-)
