The Sherpa Folding Electric Bike

“We’re really happy with the result because the bike has come in AUD$200 cheaper than its predecessor which as AUD$1695, and it fits in the back of a small car.

“Those are the key attributes most people are looking for because it makes the Sherpa a fantastic second mode of transportation,” said de Witt.

The market for electric bikes is proving to be quite diverse, with many people finding them suitable for transport where no prior equivalent existed other than public transport.

“We’ve sold electric bikes to people who have subsequently sold their second car, but we often find it replaces another form of transport entirely,” said de Witt.

“For example, it’s regularly finding its way onto boats as a ‘land tender’ vehicle. It’s so small that it can be stowed away and brought out when a boat pulls into port as the land transport. Prior to foldable electric bikes, there was nothing that could do that job other than a foldable bicycle.”

“We’re also selling a lot to people who are traveling in motor homes or camping. The key factor in these situations is space – the foldable electric bike offers a secondary mode of transport for when the motor home is parked. If these people had a secondary transport vehicle prior to now, it was either a bicycle or a motorcycle and they took up a lot of room. In the case of the motorcycle, it also brought petrol inside the cabin, and a host of other complications.

“The Sherpa can be charged off the alternator as you are motoring along and it becomes a very cost-efficient alternative transport when you reach the destination - no gas fumes inside the van, no insurance, no license and negligible running costs. It obviously depends on how much you use it and how much electricity you use and how you make that electricity, but we estimate that running costs for an electric bike are less than 50 cents a week.”

The Sherpa can be shipped anywhere in the world for US$1050 plus transportation costs.