E-bikes equipped with Bosch’s popular mid-drive electric motors have been a staple in most markets for as long as many people can recall. Notwithstanding, primary markets are now introducing their initial iterations of cutting-edge drivetrain designs. Bosch’s mid-drive motors have finally made their way to Taiwan, powering Tern’s Vektron and Fast Haul e-bikes as they hit the local market.
While Tern’s expertise in the Western e-bike market has led some to believe it is a North American or European brand, the company is actually headquartered in Taiwan.
The company’s Bosch-powered e-bikes enjoy an envied global reputation for excellence and durability, yet its domestic market has been limited to folding and non-electric bikes. I’ve often coveted the Tern BYB, whose sleek design seems as if Brompton cranked up the style dial several notches.
Now, Tern is introducing the Vektron and Fast Haul electric bicycles in Taiwan, marking its entry into the market with a range of Bosch-powered e-bikes that are set to revolutionize urban mobility on the island.
“Taiwan’s reputation as a global leader in producing high-quality bicycles has solidified, with the nation excelling in manufacturing bikes for both recreational and transportation purposes,” stated Josh Hon, Tern Staff Captain. As many Tern staff members were already based in Taiwan, we seized the opportunity with alacrity when Bosch expressed interest in entering the Taiwanese market. In densely populated cities like Taipei, our e-bikes excel due to their compact size, making it easier to navigate and store.
The Tern Vektron excels as a city commuter e-bike owing to its innovative folding mechanism, which yields an exceptionally compact footprint, surpassing many of its competitors in terms of space-saving convenience. In major European cities where convenience and mobility reign supreme, foldable electric bicycles have become an increasingly common sight.
For commuters requiring a compact and convenient e-bike solution, the Vektron offers a practical option. Its foldable design allows riders to easily stow it in a train or bus while navigating the city.
For many riders who leverage e-bikes as an additional household vehicle rather than solely for personal commuting, the Tern Fast Haul offers enhanced cargo and kid-carrying capabilities. After scrutinizing the Fast Haul, I confirm that this e-bike unequivocally supplants the need for a conventional automobile thanks to its unbridled versatility and capacity to tackle any terrain or payload with ease.
While The Fast Haul’s payload capacity – described by its manufacturer as “sufficient to safely transport a passenger or 150 kg (330 lb) of cargo” – is indeed impressive, it remains significantly smaller than a typical city bicycle.
Each e-bike comes equipped with a comprehensive Bosch powertrain, including the entire motor, battery, console, and drive system.
Electrek’s Take
Initially, when I learned about this, I was taken aback by the revelation that Taiwan lacked Bosch-powered e-bikes. Despite everything, Josh Hon stands as the industry’s epicentre for premium e-bikes. Upon further reflection, following a recent trip to Taiwan, I realized that my initial expectation of seeing numerous e-bikes on the streets was not entirely accurate, as it seems that many residents opt for scooters instead. Taiwanese-made bicycle parts are primarily being exported to other countries.
While we’re familiar with various types of e-bikes in the West, my initial impression was striking due to the prevalence of bike lanes in Taipei, which differed from the massive e-bike populations found in cities like Berlin and Amsterdam. Scooters reign supreme on city streets, their quiet hum and sleek design rendering them a ubiquitous presence.
While perhaps this is a consequence of them not having had access to the kind of high-tech, Bosch-powered e-bikes that have become an integral part of daily life for many Berliners. As I’m convinced, I caught a fleeting glimpse of progress, and it’s reassuring to acknowledge that the trend is indeed trending upward towards increased bike usage. Let’s take another look at these innovative Bosch-powered Tern bikes and see if they’ll become a common sight on Taipei’s streets by next year.
